Game Time

Nadia and Nicole have always been drawn to electronics.  Nicole had learned to turn the tv on by the time she was a year old.  Her favorite toys are have buttons and lights.  Nadia loves anything that makes loud noises.  They pretend to talk on the phone and play games on our smartphones.

They have always wanted to play on the computer.  We have been hesitant about letting them do this but recently decided to give them an old laptop to play with.   I hunted for for a game made for 18 month olds, but was surprised there weren't very many.  I decided to give a Disney game made for 18 month to 3 year olds a shot.  Disney Toddler Game

The game is fairly simple and teaches letters, numbers, colors, and shapes.  All the girls need to do is mouse-over certain objects.  Disney characters provide lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement.  After a short play period Nicole was associating moving the mouse with what happens on the screen. 

The girls love having a game to play on their computer and I love not having to tell them to stay away from my computer so often.  They have not mastered the games yet, but I'm sure with a little more practice they will soon be surfing the web like big girls.

Nalley Chili

One of my all time favorite foods is chili.  My Grandpa made the best chili I have ever had.  I have his recipe but I can't make it quite as great as his.  In a pinch I love a good canned chili.  Growing up in Washington I took Nalley Chili for granted.

When we moved to Las Vegas in 2007 I was shocked when I went to the grocery store and there was no Nalley Chili.  I tried many different brands but none could stand up to Nalleys.  On the few trips to Seattle I have made in the past couple years I have always bought a few cans of Nalley Chili.

Our friends in Phoenix are also from the Seattle/Tacoma area and recently returned from Washington.  They also are Nalley Chili fanatics and were upset to find no Nalley Chili in Arizona.  They brought back a few cans of chili with them and today for lunch we will be having wonderful Nalley Chili Dogs.

Kokopax

One of the first items I received as a gift when I had my twins was two Kokopax backpack carriers.  Unfortunately I was unable to use the carriers until my girls were about six months old, for safety reasons kids need to be able to sit upright unsupported before using backpack carriers.  However, since this time the carriers have become indispensable.

The carriers are lightweight, under 3 pounds, and made of durable, washable fabric over an aluminum frame.  I was worried at first that the girls would pull hair and ears because they were at head level, however, they seem to love being able to see what I am seeing and they leave my hair and ears alone.  

We love to go hiking and these packs are sturdy enough to take on day hikes, yet easy enough to use while doing housework or going shopping.  During long outings, the girls often fall asleep in the carriers and the sides of the carrier are padded so my girls are nice and comfortable.

Nadia asleep in Kokopax carrier

Grandma Judy with Nadia in Kokopax carrier at Death Valley

www.kokopax.com
 Our Kokopax Carriers were such a success, when a friend had a baby I knew she had to have one.  Her daughter is almost old enough to ride in her carrier and updates will follow.

Diaper wipes, who would have thought they could do so many things.  Having twins and animals means having messes, lots of messes.  I have never enjoyed cleaning, I don't like cleaning products (don't like chemicals around the kids or critters, and hate the price), and have always been frustrated that I didn't have the right product to get things out.  Almost all of that changed when I discovered diaper wipes.

It happened shortly after Nadia and Nicole were born.  Spit up formula is horrible to get out of clothes, bedding, carpet, anything.  I heard that diaper wipes were great at cleaning up formula so I tried it, and VOILA!   formula came right out.  That got me thinking...what else could diaper wipes do.

I soon discovered that diaper wipes are the magic cleaner.  Charles and I are clumsy people and often spill things.  Coffee, grape juice, and wine in carpets are no match for a diaper wipe or two.  Car grease on your hands?  Try a diaper wipe, they will take it right off.  No dust bunny can hide from a diaper wipe.  Charles even fixed the suction on our aging vacuum cleaner with a diaper wipe. 

We shop a lot at a large chain warehouse store, where I buy my diaper wipes at an average price of $0.02 per wipe.

Nadia and Nicole

My name is Jennifer and I am a 30 year old mother of twin girls, Nadia and Nicole.  They are 18 months old  and  were born in Las Vegas, NV in March of 2010. They are fraternal twins and are about as different as two people could be.  Nicole has dark brown hair, looks just like her Dad, she tends to be shy but when she feels comfortable is extremely silly.  Nadia has blond hair, looks just like her Mom (except Momma has red hair), is very outspoken and outgoing. 

Our family is fairly widespread.  Three Grandparents live in Las Vegas NV (Judy, Gary and Qing Qing) and two in Seattle, WA (Bob and Kat).  There are four Great-Grandmother's still living, one in Gig Harbor WA (Marilyn), one in Fort Collins CO (Bette), one in Princeton NJ (Ruth), and one in China (Chong Rong).  Nadia and Nicole also have three uncles, Fong Fong in Las Vegas, Shawn in Seattle and Chris in Montreal Canada.

Their Dad, Charles, is a 26 years old upper manager for a large retail pet company.  He attended the University of Washington and obtained degrees in German and Political Science.  He is passionate about his family, photography, and animals.

Since becoming a mother of twins, my life has changed drastically.  I quit my job to become a full-time stay at home Mom.  This has put some financial strain on our family, however we feel it is important for our children to have a parent at home.  The purpose of this blog is to share the knowledge I have accumulated, review items, and connect with other parents.