Thank you Officer

Yesterday Sloane and I took a visit to the Clive Police Department for a car seat check and a nice chat with Lt. John. 

Despite the fact that she wasn't quite as much in awe of him as I would have liked her to be I do think she was listening.  He told her to pretend her buckle was a "hot potato" so now when we get in the car she always tells me, "no touch, hot. hot. hot" :)

The number of times she's unbuckled herself has decreased since visiting but I'm banking on a replacement clip (which Lt. John recommended) will keep her in for good! 

I'd love to elaborate more but we've got a jam packed weekend ahead with lots left to do! 

It's hard to believe that 2 years ago today I was waiting in Winterset for John to pick me up so we could go to the hospital and have a baby!  Tomorrow Sloane's two!?!  Can you believe it?

She seems so grown up!  As John would say, "she's like a mini human."  (I think he means adult)  :)

I'm Calling the Police!

I knew this day would come.... I just thought if I didn't talk about it then it wouldn't happen right.  It did.  It's begun....

Sloane can and WILL unbuckle her own car seat.  Uggggghhhhhh.

So far I've tried yelling...which is kinda forced and I think she knows that.  I'm not "mad", I'm concerned for her safety so yelling doesn't really fit the crime. I would do it if it worked but it's not working. 

We've both tried pulling the car over (which will continue to do every time until we figure out a way to solve it).

I've tried "slapping" her hands.  She laughs at me which then makes me want to pop her cheek but of course I wouldn't do.

I've looked and looked online for something to cover the buckle (it's the one that goes across the chest) and I can't find anything!  Yes, I know about safety pins, zip ties, etc but I've also read that those can keep the car seat straps from functioning properly in the event of a crash and it's additional equipment that a EMT (GOD FORBID) needs to remove.

Sooooo before I go turning her car seat into a straight jacket we're going to take a trip to the police station.  I'm partly going in for a car seat check but I've also requested that a man in uniform has a little "chit chat" with Sloane.

I know these two things about Sloane.... she loves police cars and she always seems to behave better for strangers then her own loving, caring, sit with you in time out for 15 minutes without losing their cool until you say your sorry parents.

Pray this works.

Stay tuned to find out what happens..... 

shake it baby!

As Sloane would say, "Ohhhh Man!" What a weekend!  I hope this finds everyone recovering from a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.  John, Sloane and I celebrated by watching fireworks on Capitol Hill Friday night.  We were a little leery of letting Sloane stay up so late but I think it's safe to say she enjoyed it. 

I think she stole my moves... :) 

(the sway and clap...a tutorial)

(the clap and jump) 

Before and Afters!

As some of you may know John and I were inspired by close friends of ours to enroll in Financial Peace University.  FPU is a 13 week class designed by Dave Ramsey (our new best friend) to help get you and your spouse on the right track to reach your financial goals.  Needless to say, in order to reach our goals (like buy a loft in some big city when we retire for me and a log cabin on a lake for John) we needed to spend less and save more.  Ok, Ok... I need to spend less. :)

Sooooo.....  with a little creativity and a helpful husband/toddler I came up with these two room makeovers using supplies we already had!  And, I have to say- I'm so very proud and impressed with my interior design innovations and handy work.

Here is the bathroom before....

 We didn't buy the house with torn wallpaper and broken towel bars but it was U.G.L.Y!

 My little helper!

I had to throw this in here because...well... this is our life.  Work a little, 

find her naked on the window sill, then work some more :)

 Bathroom AFTER!

 Mudroom before....

 

Mudroom AFTER!  

 













Ahhhhhh....much better!

And now I have three days, few plans and a husband to help!  What to tackle next?!?

Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th!