Got $5? Head over to Target's craft section and pick up one of their foam Christmas tree sets. You get a tree and a big package of foam stickers to decorate it. Best of all, you get to see your kid's smile when he creates his own work of art.
Got $2? Pick up a package of Christmas themed gel clings and go to town decorating your window or door. Kid-sized fun for all holidays- we get them all the time and they are a quick, easy, inexpensive hit.
And for more creative, quick and easy fun, grab an empty, clear jar and some glitter. Fill the jar with water and let your child sprinkle as much glitter over the top. Screw the lid on and cover it with a piece of felt or fabric. Now shake it up and tada- homemade snowglobe! These can be made more elaborate, but kids have a ton of fun with the glitter alone. I'll have to take a picture of the ones we made last year.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Cool Gadget!
So I am a person who is in love with taking pictures. I'm not a pro by any means- just a mama who likes to have great shots of her children. I think pictures are one of my most treasured things. But what to do when you cannot get the best possible snaps from your current camera, or when you aren't quite ready to make the leap to a full-on DSLR?
Well, you research the camera market up, down, and sideways until you find exactly what you are looking for.
Over the years, I have been the proud owner of several digital cameras. I still remember when I got my first one. It was just a basic Kodak Easyshare. It didn't even capture video with sound. But it sparked my interest in taking pictures of just about everything I could ever want to remember. My second digital camera was another Kodak Easyshare, but quite a bit of a step up. My third, and favorite until now, was a Sony. It was my husband's and my first top of the line pro-photographer recommended camera. We fell in love at first snap. Pictures were just so clear, so crisp! And they always came out beautifully. We were so happy with that camera... until something inside it stopped working properly during my college graduation of all days!
It was May 15, 2011, and I was walking across the stage to receive my Psychology degree. I was seven months pregnant with Alex and beaming with the glow of impending motherhood and the pride that came from graduating with the highest honors. And so many of the best memories of the day were lost, at least in picture form, because our camera chose that moment to go on the blink.
When Alex was born, we had planned to buy a new camera, but Sony kept working in some settings. Low light just wasn't cutting it anymore. So we kept on using the Sony until this January when I started researching cameras again, and everyone kept telling me to try Canon.
I bought a simple yet advanced Canon Powershot ELPH and at first, I loved it. But my love affair with cameras has been a rollercoaster of love and hate moments, and once I had a walking, talking toddler again, Canon just didn't make the grade. A few weeks ago, once again I was on the hunt for THE PERFECT POINT AND SHOOT.
I am excited to share the giddiness that comes with having found it! I looked at many models, read at least a thousand reviews on Amazon, read more reviews on Best Buy, and Walmart, and Target. I read professional reviews on C-NET and PC Magazine. And it all came down to three brands: Nikon, Panasonic, and... Sony.
Now before I tell you what I ended up ordering, let me just tell you that there are A LOT of awesome cameras out there. Today point and shoot cameras have huge megapixel limits, HD video capabilities, more modes than you could ever want, fun effects, you name it. For me it was about three things:
1. Strong low light capabilities.
2. Fast shutter speed.
3. Crisp, clear pictures. (I honestly always felt my Canon had a soft blurring effect more often than not.)
Panasonic Lumix was the first one I seriously looked at. And let me tell you, Panasonic makes a great camera. I played around with one at Target and discovered what crisp, clear pictures it took even when Ryan was moving around. I was impressed. Target, however, got me to like a camera that was on sale and that they were currently sold-out of both in the store and online. I had no choice but to move on. Although I did look at many, many Lumix models online and liked them, but in the end it just didn't have that extra "oomph" for me.
I have never personally owned a Nikon, but have always heard good things about them. However, after playing around with a few, I honestly didn't find anything I really loved about them. Maybe you need to go higher end Nikon to get the best pictures possible- I don't know. I had set myself a spending limit for a new camera and it was less than $250. The only Nikon I did find impressive was over $300 and I couldn't bring myself to spring for it because I wanted to follow my budget. Besides, if I was willing to spend over $300 I might as well have just invested in a DSLR which at a good deal, can be had for just over $400.
In the end, Nikon didn't arrive at my home this week, either.
So that brings us to one. And now you know- I went back to my tried and true. After poring over hundreds of reviews on one of Sony's 2012 cameras, I somehow just knew. I actually had goosebumps reading all the positive comments from both pros and amateurs. It had more than I could have hoped for as far as capabilities. Even the ability to do background defocus which is something I do long for and one of the reasons why I will own a DSLR within a year.
It also had a ton of fun picture effect modes, an almost imperceptible shutter lag, and awesome low light ratings. One by one I went down both my MUST HAVE checklist and my mental "like to have" checklist and crossed things off. I waited a day after deciding just to be sure. I even went back to reading reviews on other cameras. But for what I wanted, and for the price, nothing measured up. I ordered my new camera on Monday of this week and by Friday it was already here. I bought it through Walmart's website because they had the best deal, and I was also able to tack on a 3 year accidental protection plan. I HIGHLY recommend doing that when you buy higher end electronics by the way. Some people think that they are just meant to make companies money, but if you've ever used one (and I have, several times) you know they are worth the extra cost. Walmart's price is very good on both 2 and 3 year plans as well. I paid a little over $220 shipped for the camera and the 3 year plan.
So which Sony did I end up with?
The Sony DSC WX150. It comes in red, blue, silver, and black. It retails for around $250, but can be had for as low as $188 right now at Amazon and Walmart's website. It has a massive 18.2 megapixel capability, 10x optical zoom, and 20x clear image zoom. It has lots of cool effects like painting, watercolor, pop, and part where the camera extracts certain colors in the picture and focuses on them. As I mentioned before, it does do background defocus.
I've played around with it a bit since it arrived yesterday and I cannot find anything I am unhappy with. I've been able to capture my fast moving 15-month-old and some great close-ups of my goofy 6-year-old. I've gotten some pretty pictures of our Christmas tree and some defocused pictures of our sparkly ornaments. I particularly love using the part special effect and seeing the red pop out in the resulting pictures.
All in all, I know I made a good choice. So if you are looking for a great point and shoot, you cannot go wrong with this camera. My second Sony- looks like the status quo was best for me!
To order the Sony DSC WX150:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX150-Digital-3-0-inch/dp/B006K553LU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355017915&sr=8-2&keywords=sony+dsc+wx150
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-18.2-MP-DSCWX150-R/20682195
Well, you research the camera market up, down, and sideways until you find exactly what you are looking for.
Over the years, I have been the proud owner of several digital cameras. I still remember when I got my first one. It was just a basic Kodak Easyshare. It didn't even capture video with sound. But it sparked my interest in taking pictures of just about everything I could ever want to remember. My second digital camera was another Kodak Easyshare, but quite a bit of a step up. My third, and favorite until now, was a Sony. It was my husband's and my first top of the line pro-photographer recommended camera. We fell in love at first snap. Pictures were just so clear, so crisp! And they always came out beautifully. We were so happy with that camera... until something inside it stopped working properly during my college graduation of all days!
It was May 15, 2011, and I was walking across the stage to receive my Psychology degree. I was seven months pregnant with Alex and beaming with the glow of impending motherhood and the pride that came from graduating with the highest honors. And so many of the best memories of the day were lost, at least in picture form, because our camera chose that moment to go on the blink.
When Alex was born, we had planned to buy a new camera, but Sony kept working in some settings. Low light just wasn't cutting it anymore. So we kept on using the Sony until this January when I started researching cameras again, and everyone kept telling me to try Canon.
I bought a simple yet advanced Canon Powershot ELPH and at first, I loved it. But my love affair with cameras has been a rollercoaster of love and hate moments, and once I had a walking, talking toddler again, Canon just didn't make the grade. A few weeks ago, once again I was on the hunt for THE PERFECT POINT AND SHOOT.
I am excited to share the giddiness that comes with having found it! I looked at many models, read at least a thousand reviews on Amazon, read more reviews on Best Buy, and Walmart, and Target. I read professional reviews on C-NET and PC Magazine. And it all came down to three brands: Nikon, Panasonic, and... Sony.
Now before I tell you what I ended up ordering, let me just tell you that there are A LOT of awesome cameras out there. Today point and shoot cameras have huge megapixel limits, HD video capabilities, more modes than you could ever want, fun effects, you name it. For me it was about three things:
1. Strong low light capabilities.
2. Fast shutter speed.
3. Crisp, clear pictures. (I honestly always felt my Canon had a soft blurring effect more often than not.)
Panasonic Lumix was the first one I seriously looked at. And let me tell you, Panasonic makes a great camera. I played around with one at Target and discovered what crisp, clear pictures it took even when Ryan was moving around. I was impressed. Target, however, got me to like a camera that was on sale and that they were currently sold-out of both in the store and online. I had no choice but to move on. Although I did look at many, many Lumix models online and liked them, but in the end it just didn't have that extra "oomph" for me.
I have never personally owned a Nikon, but have always heard good things about them. However, after playing around with a few, I honestly didn't find anything I really loved about them. Maybe you need to go higher end Nikon to get the best pictures possible- I don't know. I had set myself a spending limit for a new camera and it was less than $250. The only Nikon I did find impressive was over $300 and I couldn't bring myself to spring for it because I wanted to follow my budget. Besides, if I was willing to spend over $300 I might as well have just invested in a DSLR which at a good deal, can be had for just over $400.
In the end, Nikon didn't arrive at my home this week, either.
So that brings us to one. And now you know- I went back to my tried and true. After poring over hundreds of reviews on one of Sony's 2012 cameras, I somehow just knew. I actually had goosebumps reading all the positive comments from both pros and amateurs. It had more than I could have hoped for as far as capabilities. Even the ability to do background defocus which is something I do long for and one of the reasons why I will own a DSLR within a year.
It also had a ton of fun picture effect modes, an almost imperceptible shutter lag, and awesome low light ratings. One by one I went down both my MUST HAVE checklist and my mental "like to have" checklist and crossed things off. I waited a day after deciding just to be sure. I even went back to reading reviews on other cameras. But for what I wanted, and for the price, nothing measured up. I ordered my new camera on Monday of this week and by Friday it was already here. I bought it through Walmart's website because they had the best deal, and I was also able to tack on a 3 year accidental protection plan. I HIGHLY recommend doing that when you buy higher end electronics by the way. Some people think that they are just meant to make companies money, but if you've ever used one (and I have, several times) you know they are worth the extra cost. Walmart's price is very good on both 2 and 3 year plans as well. I paid a little over $220 shipped for the camera and the 3 year plan.
So which Sony did I end up with?
The Sony DSC WX150. It comes in red, blue, silver, and black. It retails for around $250, but can be had for as low as $188 right now at Amazon and Walmart's website. It has a massive 18.2 megapixel capability, 10x optical zoom, and 20x clear image zoom. It has lots of cool effects like painting, watercolor, pop, and part where the camera extracts certain colors in the picture and focuses on them. As I mentioned before, it does do background defocus.
I've played around with it a bit since it arrived yesterday and I cannot find anything I am unhappy with. I've been able to capture my fast moving 15-month-old and some great close-ups of my goofy 6-year-old. I've gotten some pretty pictures of our Christmas tree and some defocused pictures of our sparkly ornaments. I particularly love using the part special effect and seeing the red pop out in the resulting pictures.
All in all, I know I made a good choice. So if you are looking for a great point and shoot, you cannot go wrong with this camera. My second Sony- looks like the status quo was best for me!
To order the Sony DSC WX150:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-WX150-Digital-3-0-inch/dp/B006K553LU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355017915&sr=8-2&keywords=sony+dsc+wx150
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sony-18.2-MP-DSCWX150-R/20682195
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Cool Construction Toys!
I challenge you to remember your own childhood as you look at the following picture...
A virtual pat on the back if you know what those are! But if you are a child of the 80's like me, it shouldn't be hard to let your mind take you back to those sunny, carefree days of building, and climbing, and playing oh my!
PLAYSKOOL PIPEWORKS!
Sadly, they've long been discontinued, but oh do I have fond memories of hours spent creating bed tents and jungle gyms and cars and even a slide in our living room with my brother and sister. So much so that I vowed one day I'd find a toy just like Pipeworks for my own children.
Well, I have just completed my own EXHAUSTIVE search and I am happy to share the information I've found! And at the end of this post you will see the choice we are making for our family this Christmas.
Ready, set, go!
First, one thing you need to know is that NO ONE has ever made a toy exactly comparable to Pipeworks. I think it's a dream that they will honestly. But rest assured that I have scoured the internet and found several similar options and if you are in the market for a construction toy, hopefully one of these will be the right choice for you.
1. Toobeez.
http://www.toobeez.com/toobeez-kits/toobeez-57-piece-kit-clone.html
2. Konstruk-Tubes.
http://www.konstruktubes.com
3. Fort Magic.
http://www.fortmagic.com
4. Toydle.
http://www.toydle.com
5. Straws and Connectors.
http://www.strawsandconnectors.com
6. Buildeez.
http://www.buildeez.com
And just which one will be coming to our house in the near future?
BUILDEEZ. I was able to message with the makers of this awesome toy on Etsy, and they were more than happy to give me information, show me pictures, and generally help me to fall in love with their toy. And when you're getting 86 pieces for a cool $87, that takes the cake. Sturdy, strong, and constructed in the USA of solid wood by parents who just want kids to have great toys? Who wouldn't call that a win?
Pictures of our own creations to come after Ryan opens his Buildeez Imagination Set at Christmas!
A virtual pat on the back if you know what those are! But if you are a child of the 80's like me, it shouldn't be hard to let your mind take you back to those sunny, carefree days of building, and climbing, and playing oh my!
PLAYSKOOL PIPEWORKS!
Sadly, they've long been discontinued, but oh do I have fond memories of hours spent creating bed tents and jungle gyms and cars and even a slide in our living room with my brother and sister. So much so that I vowed one day I'd find a toy just like Pipeworks for my own children.
Well, I have just completed my own EXHAUSTIVE search and I am happy to share the information I've found! And at the end of this post you will see the choice we are making for our family this Christmas.
Ready, set, go!
First, one thing you need to know is that NO ONE has ever made a toy exactly comparable to Pipeworks. I think it's a dream that they will honestly. But rest assured that I have scoured the internet and found several similar options and if you are in the market for a construction toy, hopefully one of these will be the right choice for you.
1. Toobeez.
http://www.toobeez.com/toobeez-kits/toobeez-57-piece-kit-clone.html
2. Konstruk-Tubes.
http://www.konstruktubes.com
3. Fort Magic.
http://www.fortmagic.com
4. Toydle.
http://www.toydle.com
5. Straws and Connectors.
http://www.strawsandconnectors.com
6. Buildeez.
http://www.buildeez.com
And just which one will be coming to our house in the near future?
BUILDEEZ. I was able to message with the makers of this awesome toy on Etsy, and they were more than happy to give me information, show me pictures, and generally help me to fall in love with their toy. And when you're getting 86 pieces for a cool $87, that takes the cake. Sturdy, strong, and constructed in the USA of solid wood by parents who just want kids to have great toys? Who wouldn't call that a win?
Pictures of our own creations to come after Ryan opens his Buildeez Imagination Set at Christmas!
My Wonderful World of Information!
I've always been a writer. For as long as I can remember, I have gotten many things out of putting pen to paper. I've experienced growth. I've felt joy. I've cried for characters I've created myself as I've imagined the stories I am weaving being played out amidst the pages I've painstakingly poured my heart into. Back then it was fiction, but ever since a cold winter's day almost seven years ago, real life has been my work of art instead.
I am Marn and I am the "Sweetie Pie Mama". One of the greatest compliments I have ever received is when I have been told how kind, caring, honest, and genuine I am. I fully credit the way I was raised, as part of a family with a paraplegic mother and a very hard-working father, sandwiched in between an all-American beauty older sister and an extremely talented at everything younger brother. We made our home in the happy-go-lucky suburbs of Chicago and to this day, I know one day I will go home again.
These days, however, I'm a New Yorker- an upstater. I live near mountains and tourist attractions, amidst unpredictable weather, and a generally friendly population. It is here, in the Adirondacks, where I am raising my family- a freckle-nosed sunshine boy named Ryan and an always giggly little girl, Alexandra. It is also here where I have gone to college, and where I have worked and put down roots. And it is here where my love for other things besides writing was born.
Thus, this blog. My new project. I wanted to call it "Info Mama", but of course that name was taken. So, Sweetie Pie Mama it is because really, I get called sweet a lot. And sweet is what my life is. I wake up in the morning and feel truly blessed for all the good things I've been given. My life has not always been easy, but it's been a constant learning experience. I am always learning, in fact. I am always seeking out knowledge, and searching for more information. I am known in my family as the "Queen of Research". When I want to start something new, take a trip, buy an item, you name it- I am on the internet keying away, looking for every bit of info I could possibly need to make a decision. I've decided now to share a lot of that information. Not every mama has the time to gather all of the information to make informed decisions about which products to buy, what shows to watch with their children, and what to do on a rainy day. I'm not a stay-at-home mom. I enjoy working. But when I am home, I want to make it quality time. I want my kids to be having fun and learning something at the same time. I want life to be simplified so there is more time for what matters. So here at Sweetie Pie Mama you will find a little bit of everything- honest reviews of products, gift buying suggestions, photographs, recipes, fun ideas, and more. I hope you enjoy.
X's and O's,
The Sweetie Pie Mama
I am Marn and I am the "Sweetie Pie Mama". One of the greatest compliments I have ever received is when I have been told how kind, caring, honest, and genuine I am. I fully credit the way I was raised, as part of a family with a paraplegic mother and a very hard-working father, sandwiched in between an all-American beauty older sister and an extremely talented at everything younger brother. We made our home in the happy-go-lucky suburbs of Chicago and to this day, I know one day I will go home again.
These days, however, I'm a New Yorker- an upstater. I live near mountains and tourist attractions, amidst unpredictable weather, and a generally friendly population. It is here, in the Adirondacks, where I am raising my family- a freckle-nosed sunshine boy named Ryan and an always giggly little girl, Alexandra. It is also here where I have gone to college, and where I have worked and put down roots. And it is here where my love for other things besides writing was born.
Thus, this blog. My new project. I wanted to call it "Info Mama", but of course that name was taken. So, Sweetie Pie Mama it is because really, I get called sweet a lot. And sweet is what my life is. I wake up in the morning and feel truly blessed for all the good things I've been given. My life has not always been easy, but it's been a constant learning experience. I am always learning, in fact. I am always seeking out knowledge, and searching for more information. I am known in my family as the "Queen of Research". When I want to start something new, take a trip, buy an item, you name it- I am on the internet keying away, looking for every bit of info I could possibly need to make a decision. I've decided now to share a lot of that information. Not every mama has the time to gather all of the information to make informed decisions about which products to buy, what shows to watch with their children, and what to do on a rainy day. I'm not a stay-at-home mom. I enjoy working. But when I am home, I want to make it quality time. I want my kids to be having fun and learning something at the same time. I want life to be simplified so there is more time for what matters. So here at Sweetie Pie Mama you will find a little bit of everything- honest reviews of products, gift buying suggestions, photographs, recipes, fun ideas, and more. I hope you enjoy.
X's and O's,
The Sweetie Pie Mama
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