Spring Cleaning!

I've been clearing out the clothing that I have in stock at Pirate Bootie Baby to make room for the new summer things that I've been working on. All weekend and today I've been offering a special deal where Hyena Cart shoppers can use up to 50% HyenaCart dollars to purchase any in stock clothing item. Then, this evening from 7-7:30pm, as an extra special day after Mother's Day gift, shoppers can use up to 100% HC$!!

A great start to the weekend

My mom and I took the babies to the zoo for the first time yesterday. We had a great time. It's always nice for me to get out of the house, but it was especially nice to spend so much time with my mom, plus it was a beautiful day. The boy seemed to like the fish and turtles in the aquarium, and the girl loved the monkeys. They both napped well, and were happy in the stroller. I rented one of those electric wheely carts, and both kids liked riding in my lap as I zoomed around. There were lots of cobblestones though, and by the end of the day my ankle was a bit sore, but it was worth it to have such a great family outing. Next time my husband will come along. I think that next year we'll get a membership and go a bunch, the kids will be the perfect age.
Last night we went through the kid's toys and bagged up everything that was made in China that had paint on it. There isn't much left. They are young enough that it's not a big deal to take their things away, but I am so glad that they aren't older. I think we purged about 80% of their toys. We kept the HABA, some handmade things, cloth books, 2 Waldorf dolls, and a couple of Tupperware toys. I'm feeling so upset about all the lead paint reports and I don't really understand why it isn't more of a priority of the toy companies to insure the safety and quality of the items they sell. Especially when they are intended to be chewed on and played with by infants and children who mouth everything.
I've been looking for a baby doll for the kids, I haven't found one yet that I like and that I know is safe. I think I have a lot of research to do. Or some sewing :) I don't have a ban on Chinese-made toys, I just want to know that the company and manufacturer has the health and safety of my children in mind. Documented independent testing maybe?

A visit

My mom will be here tomorrrow!! She's coming to see the babies and help do the things that I can't do because of my ankle. I do normally have tons of help, friends come every day to baby wrangle and make sure that I'm eating, and do dishes and stuff. There's just some stuff that only a mom can do. Like hunt down and destroy every dust bunny in the house or fill the fridge with food for a week. I'm always so sad to see her go.
This evening the babies ate pears! They loved them and were grabbing the spoon to shove it in their mouth. We had four spoons, we'd fill one and give it to a baby while simultaneously taking the empty one away. It worked pretty well until the boy discovered what happens when you bang a spoon full of pear mush on the highchair tray. Hilarity and baths! It was a fun night. Their first food was sweet potatoes last week, and while the girl liked them, the boy made lemon face and quickly stopped opening his mouth for the spoon. They did enjoy smushing them around on the tray though. We'll stick with pears for a bit and then try something new next week.