Re: Goodbye WBs...For real
Goodbye WB. Thanks for helping me obsess over stationary, countdown the days, complimenting my pictures, keeping me busy when I should've been working, supporting me...

  Re: Was hubby in the wrong?
Being lucky that you have inlaws who love their grandchild and want to spend time with her and having inlaws who push the boundaries and...

  Re: Hello????
Whoa. This sort of childish, board-on-board nonsense just screams high school. Stop it. Grow up. If you don't like it here, stay away. If you...

  Re: Is it faux pas to not wear a bra in the gym?
I sort of think that once one becomes a grown up, one should typically wear a bra when out in public. Just as a general...

I sort of think that once one becomes a grown up, one should typically wear a bra when out in public. Just as a general rule of thumb!

  Re: WWYD- A Mother's Day FAIL
Okay, so here's the thing. You know he's not affectionate or sentimental, so it can't come as a surprise that he bombed Mother's Day, right?...

  Re: Landscaping estimates - what's "reasonable"?
I hate gardening, landscaping and anything of the sort. Detest it. Would rather pay a billion dollars than DIY it. (And we're pretty hands on...

I hate gardening, landscaping and anything of the sort. Detest it. Would rather pay a billion dollars than DIY it. (And we're pretty hands on people - we've renoed all of our houses ourselves hiring out next to nothing.)

We ridiculously thought we could maintain our yard at our current house...it's a disaster. Overgrown, I don't know how to maintain the dozens and dozens of different flowering plants and bushes, I don't know what's a weed and what'll become something amazing, I can't prune!

The gardener is coming Monday. Much to the relief of my yard.

So, I'd pay just about anything for some one to do it for me.

However, if you do want to tackle it, we almost DIY-ed it in one house we owned (we moved instead) with the help of a landscape designer. I get exactly how overwhelming it is, and we didn't even know where to start. I mean, how do you even begin to figure out what to plant where (shade, sun, amount of water, how big it will grow, when it will flower, how long will it take to reach full size, how much work will it take, what special requirements does it have to grow...so many variables that it's hard to even know what questions to ask!) let alone how to do it?

So, she came in, toured the yard, asked what we were looking for (any types of plants we wanted, the feeling we wanted to achieve in the end, what our trouble spots were, our intended maintenance level, etc. She measured out the yard and sketched up a plan. She knew what would grow where, when it would bloom so that the yard looked good all year, what everything would look like individually and together in the long term and how to make it look good while it was getting there, what species to use and what common ones to avoid for our area and soil type (regardless of what the garden store has on special), where to buy everything at the best price, and what time of year to buy it, what materials to use for the hardscaping from budget options to higher end ones and so on.

The sketch included exactly what plants went where (along with notes on each one) so we would know exactly what to do. She tailored the whole plan exactly to our skill level. And suggested what we could truly DIY (all of it if so inclined without much more than sweat with the great plans) and what we could hire out for the least amount of money.

Had we not sold the house, that plan would have saved us a TON of money. We wouldn't have killed at least the first round of plants, we would have utilized all of her budget tips, we NEVER would have come up with such an amazing, clever plan because we don't know a darned thing about plants and more importantly, we would have actually done it instead of doing a halfassed job and then getting frustrated.

So, that might be a really good option and then from there, you can figure out what you can capably DIY and what you should hire out.

  Re: Black/dark brown trim?
I love black interior doors, but I think you need the right house for it. We're thinking we'll do it to the home we own...

I love black interior doors, but I think you need the right house for it. We're thinking we'll do it to the home we own in Canada. I like the look of black trim, too, but having retrimmed an entire house, the thought of painting and possible one day repainting that trim...shoot me. I spent DAYS in our unfinished basement with a mini roller, developing blister upon blister painting thousands of linear feet of trim.

Here are a few pics:







Also, this home builder always does painted trim in different schemes. It's usually very contemporary, and it looks great in person but definitely trendy - just a different look: Pics of painted trim

  Re: What Nail Polish Colours do you LOVE?
Damnit - I really wanted Hayden! Glad I didn't get it. I absolutely LOVE Helena. I'm not usually a bright nail polish person, but I...

Damnit - I really wanted Hayden! Glad I didn't get it.

I absolutely LOVE Helena. I'm not usually a bright nail polish person, but I got it in my intro box and it's the reason I stayed a Maven. It's so saturated - it's going to be my go to pedicure color all summer. My toes make me smile.

  So...how do you shave your legs?
I'm a grown up. I've been shaving my legs for many years. And I'm clearly still doing it wrong. I have very pale skin. And...

  Re: White Kitchen's are all the rage??
I agree with everyone else - pick what you love. Your kitchen is never going to play with the other kitchens, so it doesn't really...

I agree with everyone else - pick what you love.

Your kitchen is never going to play with the other kitchens, so it doesn't really matter if it's popular or not.

We did glossy black lacquered doors - definitely not to everyone's taste but we love the drama of them. And when we redo the kitchen, I think we're going totally opposite and doing with and marble.

  Dogs and kids - WWYD?
Well, I think that when you're in an off leash area, you need to expect to be approached by dogs of all shapes and sizes,...

Well, I think that when you're in an off leash area, you need to expect to be approached by dogs of all shapes and sizes, and while I think the guy was rude and you didn't do anything wrong, I'd probably avoid an off leash area with a dog-shy child. Because, realistically, even the best behaved dogs can come on strong (ours ADORES kids - she'll head into a dog park and make a beeline for the kids, not the other dogs) and because it's really a dog area, not a kid area, it might not be the best idea with a little guy afraid of dogs.

The best thing to teach him is to ignore dogs. Look up, don't make eye contact, don't wave his hands and don't say "shoo" because, let's face it, dogs are dumb and waving hands and words like "shoo" are interactions and interactions pretty much equal "OMG! I'm so happy to see you and hope you slobber on me and maybe bring me a ball to throw and I super want to pet your muddy, dirty belly!!" to a dog.

We're a dog heavy family - everyone has one and they are all big - and Parker doesn't have a lot of use for dogs. So, we've taught him that ignoring dogs, not interacting in any way, looking at the sky, staying still, etc. is that best way to get dogs to ignore him.

  Re: WWYD - Tile that looks like wood
There's no way you'd ever be able to actually match it so if you're set on hardwood-look tile, I'd go completely different or it could...

  Has anyone seen the ridiculousness in Misc?
Honestly? Not a good PR move, but also exactly what they are all thinking. Contrary to the opinions on Misc, boards just do not make...

  Re: April beauty boxes!
You know how it sucks when you're in Canada and read about all of these cool things or advantages people in the US have? Well,...

You know how it sucks when you're in Canada and read about all of these cool things or advantages people in the US have?

Well, here's a little win for the maple leaf - Topbox only ships to Canada and it's the only one that you guys consistently review well.

  What's up with the '.'?
Okay, so I get adding the periods to your child's name to make it un-google-able. I don't do it because I operate under the assumption...

Okay, so I get adding the periods to your child's name to make it un-google-able. I don't do it because I operate under the assumption that anything I put online has the potential to be found online, and that sort of thing. And I think the chances of some one googling your child's name to track you down on BB is fairly unlikely but if that's a fear you've got, whatever floats your boat.

But what's the point with putting periods in a brand name? First, who cares if the company sees the post? I mean, I remember the Pampers rep coming on here and defending Pampers - so what? If anything, it gives you a little insight into how a company handles complaints and customers. That's gotta be good. Second, isn't it entirely pointless since the responses to the post tend to wind up containing the brand name anyway? Rendering the periods in the OP completely unnecessary because that makes it completely searchable anyway?

And now it's extended to things. Generic, non-branded or named things.

What am I missing here? I feel like there's a critical angle I'm not seeing and I MUST understand because it's breaking my brain to read these posts with incorrect punctuation plopped in everywhere - it's like WBspeak instead of textspeak!

  Re: Our Closet Makeover
We did it very easily and inexpensively (because we did the demo and then found out we were moving to the US ASAP). We took...

We did it very easily and inexpensively (because we did the demo and then found out we were moving to the US ASAP). We took the doors off and trimmed out the door frame. And then we bought a ready made bench and just plunked it in. And then we hung boards with hooks from Home Depot. We'll do full on built ins eventually, either if we move back or if we sell.

Here are a few pictures I have saved from when we started.

I've never nothing not his one - the thin shelves with the in/out boxes in them - BRILLIANT! We always have piles of pending papers on the island in the kitchen (Maddy's school stuff, paperwork for taxes - that sort of thing) and this would really help with that.





Here's a wee one:



With the right space, I like how this one is built out - gives you more room and you aren't sitting in coats when taking shoes on and off.

  Re: Our Closet Makeover
We did that in the house we own and for the short time we lived there, we LOVED it. We did it in the mudroom...

  Nicknames - which letter to choose?
I'm Rebecca. As a child, I was Becky consistently but anything like name art (like a sign my aunt made for my room) was done...

  Public Bathrooms - Solo - What age
What's "on their own" mean? Like, say, at a restaurant - is alone you going into the bathroom with them but them going into the...

  if you take your kids camping questions
Crap. Now I REALLY want a tent trailer! ...

  if you take your kids camping questions
We used to camp a lot but haven't really since having two kids. Actually, our last camping trip was cut short because I got a...

We used to camp a lot but haven't really since having two kids. Actually, our last camping trip was cut short because I got a stomach bug, which turned out to be morning sickness with Parker!

We'd like to start again but are talking about getting a tent trailer.

A few things I've found harder camping with two kids are setting up the campsite no matter the weather or time of day, the vast amount of STUFF that you need to bring, needing to entertain children at a campsite no matter the weather, having to feed kids fairly regularly and a greater need to keep everyone warm and dry. When it was just the two of us, we could pop a tent up and just hunker down for the night if we got in late or it was raining. And the stuff was just less. And we could go out and explore or just read in the tent or by the fire if the weather was crappy or we were feeling lazy. Plus, our ability to eat whatever, whenever and to tolerate cold or discomfort was a lot higher!

So, we're thinking tent trailer (because we still want to CAMP but just with a few conveniences) to overcome some of that.

Realistically, I think we're way more likely to just up and go for a weekend if all of our supplies are already packed and ready to go and they would be in a tent trailer. It would also make us less weather dependent. With an awning room, we'd actually have multiple spaces for everyone and lots of room to play no matter the weather. It would be easier to store and prepare food, too. The kids would sleep in a bed instead of on the ground so they'd be warmer and a little more...contained?

In a pinch, we'd have one of those little cassette toilets so if we were potty training or had a middle of the night need, it could be dealt with without a trip to the bathrooms.

We'd stick mostly with somewhere between the really sterile KOAs and bare bones ones. We'd like the trees and true feeling of camping, but with a few modern amenities. Banff's Tunnel Mountain is one of our all time favorites - completely wooded but with bathrooms and water and such.

Texts From My Dog!
I sent it to my sister - she has a serious love affair with our family dog. She's always said that the only thing that...

I sent it to my sister - she has a serious love affair with our family dog. She's always said that the only thing that would complete her life is if he could text her. She likes to tell us what she thinks he would text if he could. It's partially hilarious...and we're partially worried.

  Deleted
Poor Maddy - she'll never learn. Our neighborhood is so hilly that there is absolutely no way she can ride her bike around our house....

  Re: Is this a bad colour idea for kitchen cabinets?
I've lived in a lot of houses and in most, we've done everything based on resale. In our last house, the house we'd intended to...

  Re: Saskatoon mani and pedi
I absolutely LOVE Beverly Ashdown. I'm not impressed with Spa Ahava - they lacked that spa pampering - no one helped me when I arrived...

I absolutely LOVE Beverly Ashdown.

I'm not impressed with Spa Ahava - they lacked that spa pampering - no one helped me when I arrived (for my $300 spa package) despite being two behind the desk, only one customer and it being a small place. After I got their attention, they checked me in and told me to "go around the corner, get some spa slippers and some one would be with me soon" and just sort of waved me in the general direction instead of taking me back, showing me where everything was and offering tea or whatever. The treatments were fine. Not amazing but fine. The esthetician was about 12 years old and didn't have much of a filter (talked about how none of her friends were old so no one was married or had kids...and didn't even realize how far her foot was in her mouth) and just talked and talked without that soothing, professional vibe. All in all, it was just meh and when I go to a spa, a big part of what I'm paying for is that total pampering experience.

Same with Edgewater (same owners, so I assume same training) - just meh. I was there an hour or two before closing but they must have been slow. So, I watched them haul bags of garbage through the waiting area and entry, slop around grungy mop buckets and listened to the receptionist tell the other receptionist very loudly about her mysterious rash! Not totally a relaxing escape from the world!

Beverly Ashdown was a last minute, desperation booking because we decided to get pedicures for three right before my sister's wedding - so we just called around until some one could get us in. From the moment we arrived they were pleasant, helpful and made us feel very special. Greeted us by name (I assume by just being aware what appointments were coming in then) and welcomed us, the estheticians greeted each of us and introduced herself, took us back, offered coffee/tea/treats and settled us into plush chairs with heated neck wraps. It was a lovely space, and we felt very pampered from beginning to end. They were polite, professional, not intrusive but friendly and fun and so on. We had coffee and homemade cinnamon buns and chose our own fragrances for each step. At the end, you get a bottle of polish, your file and the little toe thingies. All in all, it was great. Since then, it's the only one I've gone back to!

  Restaurant copy cat recipes
Apparently, the cactus cut taters themselves are just soaked in jalepeno juice before cooking which is what makes them spicy. (And there's my contribution to...

  Re: Any ideas or thoughts as to painting out Fireplace
So, what I figure is if it's not worth keeping, it's worth painting - so if it's not refinish-able wood that could be re-stained to...

So, what I figure is if it's not worth keeping, it's worth painting - so if it's not refinish-able wood that could be re-stained to match your style, or stone that just needs freshening or something like that, paint it out. Since it's fake stone anyway - I'd paint. I would go to a paint store and ask what to use - probably whatever you use to paint out brick?

And the brass...yeah. I hate brass with a fiery passion. Even more than I hate oak and vertical blinds! The first thing we did was de-brass and de-oak our house.

We used black BBQ/high heat spray paint on the fireplace and it's flawless. Looks perfect.

Before, it had brass accents (and a super cool rounded corner, curved surround).

Here's the 'after' (but before the trim and stone were finished):

  car seat help
Honestly...this just isn't a thing. I mean, AT MOST, some car seats do not recommend bracing the carseat against the front vehicle seat. Not because...

  car seat help
Okay - so the front car seat was pushed back into the rear-facing carseat? Like, by some one in the front seat needing more legroom?...

  Moving with Cats- sad thoughts
So, okay. The vet thing - I think your vet would reassure you that comes cats are a challenge at the vet. Our younger cat...

So, okay.

The vet thing - I think your vet would reassure you that comes cats are a challenge at the vet. Our younger cat had a lot of...self confidence. She attacked a vet tech, drawing blood and resulting in a trip to the pharmacy for antihistamine. However, they were all quick to assure us that as people who work with animals in a stressful environment, they expect things to go south occasionally and are prepared for it. In the case of our Loki, our vet offered to come to us if we needed her as Loki obviously found the vet very stressful. And she was a jerk. So, I wouldn't blow the vet situation out of proportion.

If you are moving so soon, their home is probably in chaos and they are definitely picking up on your stress. That often accounts for letterbox problems.

The hissing thing - ours did that post-vet. Actually, the cat that didn't go to the vet hissed at the cat who did. And the former was the good cat! It was the smell of the vet, smell of strangers - her buddy didn't smell familiar. It all went back to normal in a few days.

Cats, while foul tempered, often do better with moves than one might expect - we've found that as long as all of their familiar stuff (from their bed/blanket/cat tree to our furniture) is there, they'll consider it home in no time.

Frankly, what do you think would be MORE traumatic - moving with the only family they've ever known or being left somewhere unfamiliar with people they've never met? I mean, either way they move to a new environment - I think it would be a lot more terrifying and stressful to do so with a bunch of strangers.

Moving is stressful (I know - we've done it 7 times with a couple cats and several dogs over the years) and I imagine that is not only encouraging the cats to act out but also making it harder for you to cope with, which I totally understand. But I think the best thing for adult cats is to stay with their families, barring exceptional circumstances - and these are just normal parts of life.

  Re: Marshalls in Canada
If it makes you feel any better - I've been totally unimpressed with the Marshalls I've been to. I trade Marshalls for HomeSense any day....

  Re: MIss Canada Universe
Let's see...how do I say this really super politely? It's a beauty contest. She's not interviewing for the role of President of the World. I'm...

  Re: How to negotiate when buying a new car?
Sometimes, if you aren't a confident negotiator, it's easier to play off each other. I'm comfortable negotiating but detest test driving. I really, really don't...

  Re: Question about drinking at business events
I had an employee years ago who was very young, very sheltered and on her own in a new city for university - her first...

I had an employee years ago who was very young, very sheltered and on her own in a new city for university - her first time being an adult.

She was in a college with very professional expectations. They had many events which the students, staff and local people from within the profession (potential employers) would attend. I think from her perspective, the drinks were free and she was all dressed up so it was a party. And she took full advantage. She wound up falling off her chair during dinner, which she thought was hilarious, and winding up under the table before staggering to her feet. I really think she just had no concept of adult responsibilities or behavior.

She told the story as though it was just a hilarious, too-much-to-drink story. It wasn't. We tried to explain that these were her future colleagues, professors and mentors who could provide references and connections and potential future employers, but she just did not get it.

However, she served as a fantastic lesson for everyone else! My staff was young, but even they could contextualize the situation and imagine the long term ramifications.

So, yes - I'd say something. I mean, the problem with being drunk is that one tends to find one's self a lot funnier and more charming and much more charismatic than others might. And sometimes, it's hard to have an objective perspective on one's behavior the next day. Particularly if one can't remember their behavior! Maybe she'll listen, maybe she won't. If she does, she'll be forever grateful to you for talking to her. If not, one day, she'll realize she should have listened.

  Re: Kijiji find - rejuvenated.
You know what? I bought a dresser off of Craigslist and painted it (I think) that exact same yellow! Very fun! ...

  Re: I suck at makeup
I also recommend Sephora or somewhere with multiple lines. Shoppers is nice because they have, obviously, drugstore brand stuff as well which is cheaper. But...

I also recommend Sephora or somewhere with multiple lines. Shoppers is nice because they have, obviously, drugstore brand stuff as well which is cheaper. But I am a little more skeptical of the make up artists at Shoppers (although, I have had great luck a few times). I'm not a MAC fan so I think if I'd ventured into makeup at a MAC counter it would have been a really bad start because I don't like any of their foundations, am meh on their eyeshadows and so on.

I would personally start with trying a few samples - get them to put some make up on you, see how it feels, wear it for a day, etc. Don't feel pressure to drop a ton of cash right off the bat - good make up artists know how personal everything is.

I had a foundation I LOVED that was reformulated and it took me three bottles (and two returns) of $50 foundation at Sephora to find a replacement. No one batted an eye - they just kept working with me to find the right option.

I also don't think you need to spend a bundle to get some good options. I'm a product junkie and have a fortune in eyeshadow in my makeup drawer(s) and I absolutely love both high end and low end options. I rave about NYX eyeshadow palettes constantly - very pigmented, great color payoff, good staying power and CHEAP! I use those as much as I use Urban Decay, Stila, Laura Mercier and MAC shadows.

So, I really think you have to just keep trying until you find the right products for you.

A few drugstore things that are cult favorites are:
- Rimmel lip glosses (Snog and East End Snob are really popular)
- L'oreal Voluminous Mascara
- Covergirl LashBlast mascara (orange tube)
- NYX eyeshadows
- Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadows
- Revlon Colorstay foundation
- Maybelline Eraser foundation (suddenly, people are crazy for it)
- Garnier rollerball under eye concealor (the skin colored stuff, not the clear stuff) which a lot of people swear by as a dupe for Benefit Erase Paste

At least those are really well reviewed, popular less expensive options so you don't wind up spending a bundle right off the bat.

I never wore a stitch of makeup pre-kid. Of course, I also had flawless skin pre-kid and didn't look absolutely exhausted 24/7! Pregnancy changed my skin dramatically and now it's very red and uneven and dull. So, I've gone from no make up to a full kit and do I ever feel more confident when I have some make up on than going out all dull, tired, blotchy and red. It's made a much bigger difference for me than I would have thought.

Oh, and I second TiffanyD's youtube channel above - she's very good and does a ton of really basic tutorials. She's a great one to help start.

  Re: What's changed for you?
What's changed for me? Honestly, I've been pretty turned off of Misc. I've basically avoided it. I wonder if that will become habit? Not because...

NKR- Tell me why you love your washer!
So, we've lived in...6?...houses in the past 6 years? That's a lot of time to fine-tune our appliance preferences! We've had entry level to very...

So, we've lived in...6?...houses in the past 6 years? That's a lot of time to fine-tune our appliance preferences! We've had entry level to very high end everything, including both front and top loaders.

The first thing I can say is that we will never buy another front loader. And actually, one the big reasons is totally kid related - kids clothes, particularly diapered-potty training kids clothes, are gross. And there was little I hated more than reaching into the basket to grab handfuls of who knows what grossness to shove it into the small opening of a front loader. Blech! I vastly, vastly prefer just upending the laundry basket into the big opening of a top loader.

I also hate having a machine that I have to baby. I have to wipe out the seal (ick) and hunt for baby socks in it. I have to leave the door open so it dries (which has resulted in endless toys being hidden in there and washed unknowingly because it's just too tempting for a toddler "helping" with laundry). I can't ever forget a load in there or it has to be rewashed because it's immediately stinky. And so on and so on.

None of those were issues with the top loader.

We've also noticed, overall, that our top loaders have cleaned better than our front loaders.

I think that front loaders came out and were made in fun colors (which, seriously, totally cleans better!) and were the big trend and it was really easy to convince ourselves they were better. But having had so many different ones, I just won't get another.

We got a Maytag Bravos HE top loader in our 'forever house' that we moved out of six months later to come to Seattle and it's in my Top Five Things I Miss About Canada list. Our house here has a very good front loader and I hate it.

Oh - really important - I'm only talking HE top loaders, not old school ones with the agitators. HE top loaders are much more efficient and WAY easier on clothes. So comparable in function to the benefits of front loaders.

  Re: NWR - Saskatoon cakes
Try Cake My Day . All of her cakes are incredible (like, truly art) but her kids cakes are just out of this world. I...

Try Cake My Day.

All of her cakes are incredible (like, truly art) but her kids cakes are just out of this world.

I used to do wedding cakes and I have so much admiration for her characters and designs. I keep trying to time a trip home with a cake-related occasion!

  Re: Can you alter the silhouette of a dress?
Most bridal gowns come with a few inches of seam allowance, which allows a dress to be let out minimally. So, without any more info,...

  Re: Do you offer your guests slippers?
We don't do it, as we don't have a ton of guests (except family from back home). But if we did have regular guests, we'd...

  Bedding for 'Big Kids'
What I did with Maddy's room (in hopes of it growing with her for a bit) was buy solid color bedding, with texture (for a...

What I did with Maddy's room (in hopes of it growing with her for a bit) was buy solid color bedding, with texture (for a little quirkiness/interest/fun) and then piled it was colorful pillows and sheets. The walls are a pretty blue shade (as opposed to pink or purple that might be less...neutral) and the accessories are all vivid and bright.

Then, we can swap out accessories, and still give her the colors she loves, without being drowned in Pepto Bismal!

Her bedding looks similar to this (but in white) but not exactly - I just googled "ruffle bedding":

  Re: What Nail Polish Colours do you LOVE?
These are relatively the two I got last time: ...

These are relatively the two I got last time:

  Re: What Nail Polish Colours do you LOVE?
Last time, I got two - and lucked out (it's totally random - there are a variety of pre packed boxes all worth at least...

  Re: Julep Maven Question
Drives me NUTS when I get one of those slips. Half the time, I know it's totally untrue because I was home when they "attempted...

  Re: Is there another forum out there like WB?
In case anyone was still interested (I'm SO sorry for those that PM-ed asking that I forgot to get back to!) - hitched just finished...

In case anyone was still interested (I'm SO sorry for those that PM-ed asking that I forgot to get back to!) - hitched just finished a move and is (or...should be!) all good to go and back to normal.

The only reason there was trouble registering was because the board was sort of mid-switch - new domain name and hosting, I think, so now it will run super smoothly and be totally back to normal.

New website: Hitched!

And everyone IS welcome - it's a great group. It's different than here - a little smaller, not themed (not wedding focused or parenting or anything - just like a giant Misc), it's not moderated so no one will swoop in and lock debates (on the flip side, it means that there tends to be little time for anyone just there to stir up trouble...no one is interested) and yes, you can swear.

  Did BLW not work for anyone?
So, after following "the rules" with Maddy and finding feeding remarkably stressful compared to so many other things we did as parents, we decided with...

So, after following "the rules" with Maddy and finding feeding remarkably stressful compared to so many other things we did as parents, we decided with Parker not to worry about rules.

I actually started with reading a lot about baby led weaning, but then realized I was just exchanging one set of rules for the other.

So, if I were you, I'd throw out the book (maybe not literally ) and just go with what works for you guys. The goal is to teach a child about food and eating but it should also be about teaching them to enjoy food and if it's stressful, that won't happen. At least, that's what we found with Maddy.

With Parker, we fed him whatever worked best without stressing the rules. Sometimes, he wanted a bite of something on a spoon and guess what? He's a thriving three year old today! No damage done by breaking the rules (except I got kicked out of the BLW club for doing it wrong). Instead, we aimed to instill a love of food, offered a ton of variety and just enjoyed it instead of stressing it - and he's a crazy good eater compared to Maddy.

So, go with your gut - it will be just fine!

  Re: glass or solid stairwell... upgrade?
Oh...I love the glass, and even more, the floating stairs. I don't know if I could justify the cost - that would be the only...

Oh...I love the glass, and even more, the floating stairs.

I don't know if I could justify the cost - that would be the only thing that would hold me back.

I spend so much flipping time cleaning this house - adding a little windexing is a drop in the bucket - I don't think that would factor in for me. And I HATE cleaning.

I also wouldn't factor in kids too much - I mean, the house is indefinite and kids are only little for so long. You can install a handrail to hold onto on the other wall, for safety and because then that encourages them not to use the glass side anyway. My dad installs kid-height railings on all of their stairs - it's awesome.

And I would assume they use tempered glass or whatever makes it virtually shatter proof - I mean, it functions as a wall so it would have to meet building standards. Like a floor to ceiling plate glass window, for example. You'd never consider that a risk with kids. Or, I wouldn't.

But, maybe my opinion doesn't count - we've got a very pointy glass and chrome coffee table and a white leather bench in our living room - both, we're told, are totally inappropriate for children. Don't tell our children.

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