If You Need A Good Laugh...

To All Mothers:
Check this out... OMG, love it!
I leave you with this chuckle for the weekend.

Unfathomable

Awhile ago my cousin sent me an email with a link by artist Chris Jordan, Running the Numbers.

Warning: the site takes a very long time to load, but be patient. Walk away and complete a task while it loads. I promise you will be blown away by these pictures.

I don't even know how to describe these pictures, so I'll let the artist do it for us: "Running the Numbers looks at contemporary American culture through the austere lens of statistics. Each image portrays a specific quantity of something: fifteen million sheets of office paper (five minutes of paper use); 106,000 aluminum cans (thirty seconds of can consumption) and so on... This project visually examines these vast and bizarre measures of our society, in large intricately detailed prints assembled from thousands of smaller photographs... I hope to raise some questions about the role of the individual in a society that is increasingly enormous, incomprehensible, and overwhelming." ~chris jordan, Seattle, 2007

I can not even fathom the pictures depicted on this website. For example,

Plastic Bottles, "Depicts two million plastic beverage bottles, the number used in the US every five minutes.

Cans Seurat (pictured above), "Depicts 106,000 aluminum cans, the number used in the US every thirty seconds.

Plastic Bags, "Depicts 60,000 plastic bags, the number used in the US every five seconds.

And it goes on.

Makes you think about the footprint we will be leaving on this amazing place we call home, Planet Earth.

Travel Light

Summer is around the corner and it's a great excuse for people to jet off to Grandma and Grandpa's house, take a trip to Disney World, head up to the lake, see Yellowstone, or whatever tickles your fancy. As a mom, I know full well how these preparations go. You pack everything from clothes to junior's travel Nintendo to snacks (oh Lord, do not forget the snacks) to books to more clothes to shoes to jackets to... you get the picture.

Packing is now easier with the Trunki. This special suitcase for little ones eases the stress of packing (and getting places for that matter). The suitcase is so cool maybe little princess will want to pack for herself for once. In your spare time (did I say that?), draw some pictures on index cards of what she needs and how many. For example, draw a picture of a short sleeve shirt and write the number 5. Little Miss Independent might want to travel more often.

Getting through the airport is now easier with the Trunki. You know the drill - walking as fast as one can walk with toddler in tow, trying desperately to get to the security line and make your flight. You are weaving in and out of people holding on to your toddlers hand for dear life. Somehow you juggle lugging your suitcase, purse, and your toddler's suitcase behind you. How do you do it? No more; the picture above explains it all. And I truly believe they will have smiles on their faces just like the picture shows. Who wouldn't be smiling when riding on their suitcase while someone else pulls them and does all the work? I would. And their little feet will be ready to run when you arrive at your destination.

Be sure to check out the Trunki website for other ideas to keep the kiddies busy. They have a holiday journal, a memory game, are we there yet tickets, and some fun postcards to download. It's all about keeping them busy. Your boy-scout-of-a-husband will be so proud with your new motto - be prepared.

How Lazy Have We Become?

I saw this so-called product today on Daily Candy. The Spinning Cone.
I can't believe someone even thought this product up. What's more unbelievable is that a store would carry it. I mean, come on. How lazy are the adults or children who use this?

If I'm going to reach for an explanation, I'll say it could be a white elephant gift, a joke gift.

And I love the description: "The answer for lazy lickers! This motorized ice cream cone will have your whole family fighting for them…" Fighting for them, really? Well, I guess if my family is wrestling each other to the ground for them that would involve some exercise and we wouldn't be considered lazy. Just lazy lickers.

Clarification: This blog is about Amazing Finds for Moms and Tots. I obviously don't think this product is amazing. I do however, think it is amazingly lame.

She Blinded Me With Science

Summer is around the corner and you are starting to think "Cr*p, I need some activities for us to do this summer." Here is an idea that is sure to keep the kiddos busy for hours. You like the sound of that don't you!

Howtoons. Now, how do I explain the world of Howtoons? I guess Amazon does it best: "Part comic strip and part science experiment, Howtoons shows children how to find imaginative new uses for common household items like soda bottles, duct tape, mop buckets, and more–to teach kids the 'Tools of Mass Construction'!"

Sounds like a good time, eh? Wait, did they say duct tape? You might want to rip that page out. No need to teach your little one about the skills of hazing - that pastime is fizzling.

Howtoon also has a blog with even more science experiments. Plus a library for their content.

Grab some activities, the necessary household items, and relax while your children go crazy with fun. (Editor's Opinion: You mght want to be within watching distance, just to keep that eye in the back of your head tuned in on them.)

Crazy Busy

I have a crazy, crazy busy week ahead of me.
I am going to take this week off from blogging, but I will be back next week!

Have a great week and weekend.

Winners from April Contest!

I'm happy to announce that Shelli from Oklahoma and Anna from New York are our winners from the April contest! WOO HOO. You go girls. Way to take those 2 whopping minutes out of your life to enter the contest and win, win, win!

We have the same contest going on during May. Go to Emily Allyn and click the contest image to find out all the dirty details... oh sorry, this isn't the National Enquirer, I guess the details aren't exactly dirty. I would describe the details as... easy. Yes, super, super easy!

Good luck.

Icy Hot

"What?" You are saying to yourself. "Icy Hot? How can something be Icy and Hot? Doesn't make sense, Emily. You have finally fallen off your rocker."

Not so fast there, Superwoman. It will make sense once you check out Icy Bag. As Paris Hilton would say, "It's hot." Sorry to disappoint you, I'm still rockin' away.

As a mom, have you ever reached for the bottle of water in your car only to find it all warm from sitting in the sun? Or when you've been traveling have you wondered how you are going to keep that Amoxicillin cold for baby Joe's painful ear ache? Icy Bag has the answer for you. A compact soft sided cooler-bag to keep those small items nice and cool.

It's perfect for a whole slew of things from cosmetics to snacks to medication to creams and lotions. "IcyBag is the perfect accessory for travel, the beach, golf course, mom's on the go, gym, car, shopping, anywhere you're heading where it's hot, hot, hot! Our bag is big enough to store all your essentials yet small enough to fit in your handbag, diaper bag or travel bag."

And they start at only $14.99. Bargain.

It's Polite To Share

I've finally arrived to the 21st century and added the Bookmark/Share button at the end of each post! Now it is easy for you to share the posts on your favorite social networking sites. And there is always the little envelope icon at the end of each post if you want to email the post to your friend.
Pssst... pass it on, please!

Athleta

Here is a picture of me during my morning routine.

And if you believe that, I have some real estate over yonder I'd like to sell you! I wish I could do that. For those who can, no need to rub it in. My yoga capabilities are getting much better, but still...

I have officially started my countdown to Mother's Day. My countdown doesn't actually include me counting down, it just means there's no holding back on purchases for myself - especially things I don't love spending money on. Wait, is there anything? Yes, yes there is. Workout clothes and beachwear. I like to buy workout clothes, it makes me feel better to wear a little something new, but I wouldn't put it in the love-to-buy category. And swimsuits... is there anyone on the face of this planet who has had kids that loves to buy swimming suits? Especially those of us who live in Minnesota where our thighs haven't seen sunlight in 6 months. Nice thought, eh?

If you have been searching for some summer clothing for the beach and Yoga, try this website, Athleta. I like that you can shop by sport (towards the top); it's not just for yogi's and beach-goers. And I will admit their suits are pretty dang cute. Their pitch - The Combinations are Endless. It's actually true. Wait until you see all the styles and prints. I think this Summer Shade Tee looks very comfortable and this Swim Coverup Crochet Hoodie is darling.

Going to a crazy pool party? Try this Printed Shoreline Skirt. Worthy enough to wear to the party and if you get thrown in the pool towards the end of the night, you won't care because it's made of swimsuit fabric, bonus!

You're it. Your turn to find some things.

Oh, and the picture above is from the Athleta website.