Fun for free! utilizing your local library for entertainment.

          Spring is happening, it is happening all around and you are going to have school aged children in your homes. If you are like most of America this year then your weather leaves a lot to be desired. During Orange Co. Florida's spring break we had;  2 rainy day, 2 cold days and a dentist appointment, I know it wasn't weather related but yuck!
What is a mother to do with children cooped up in the house, for a week?
Well, pull out your library card of course!
         Your local library is likely a treasure trove of free entertainment for not only your children but also yourselves and your partners. Orange County Library system is an amazing resource not only for education but also for entertainment. Our local branch, and the other around town offer books for adults and children both in print and available for e readers like Kindle and IPAD.  Never discount the entertainment value of reading to your children, with your children. My 8 year old son Samuel and I have read several books together and we are about to embark upon the Harry Potter series. Remember that if you lived but a few decades ago reading would have been a primary source of prime time fun. If you don't have time to read with your kids, and sometimes I don't have time to read with Sam every day, for those times and for the times I don't have time to read to myself, I utilize audio books.
     Audio books come in several different formats, I prefer the mp3 cds and downloadables that I can put on my mp3 players . My library system used Overdrive and Hoopla, these are easy to use and comparable on lots of devices.  CD versions of most popular fiction titles are available, We like to put cd books on in our car during commute, my children have a video game console they however do not have hand held devices and I have a smart phone but I do not have a hand held device. I feel that kids (including my own) are too plugged in and these tech toys come with a price tag as well. Unplugging and doing some good old fashion story telling is good for young minds and Mom's wallet!

     There are lots of fun classes and activities to be had at NO COST at libraries as many computer software courses, cooking classes and other practical education courses are available for children and adults. Gymboree is $65 a month for children's music time. Every Tuesday there are children's time classes at our library. Over the summer each year for the last few years I have taken Sam to the summer programs at the library, we have seen Polynesian dancers, live wild life exhibits and fire service demonstrations these have been invaluable experiences for my family and we will continue to take advantage of the classes and activities offered.

     I have a 6 month old now, and my husband and I used to go out to the movies but I am not the type to take baby with us to see The Hobbit, so DVD rental is how we experience movies. locally we can check out a large assortment of movies and television series on dvd from our library system.  Many of the current DVD releases are added to our selection weekly. We also have forgone having cable for this reason, along with a Netflix subscription not having cable in our house has saved us a ton of money. Most of the shows we like come on network tv or are available on the internet so we can wait to see other premium shows until the next day or the next season. Since most people DVR popular  shows for later in the week we rarely have a spoiler and we are watching the same things as everyone else for a fraction of the cost. In addition most libraries offer WiFi for lap tops and internet accessible computers so you can enter giveaways, keep up with blogs and use downloadable media even if you don't have computer access at your own home!
        In closing you see keeping up with entertainment can be super cheap and in most cases free with a library card! I take my kids to classes, keep up with popular fiction on the go thank to mp3 downloads, and have really cut down on cable for way less than most families, and all it takes is a trip to your library!
    I look forward to exploring more ways to save with the family in the future!

Jessica Long

Photos are of of library programs offered to this summer at Orange County Library system

With Solid food come solid reasons to switch to cloth wipes

       Several months ago when I was just starting with the cloth diapers, I stated that I hated cloth wipes. Well that was before,  before the scary articles on the junk in disposable wipes, before I tried some DIY formulas for wipe solution and most importantly, before I tried Premium Washies by Babykicks for hemp wipes, as well as several other kinds of wipes! It was also before we started Baby Ray on Solid foods, You Live you Learn and then you switch to cloth wipes!

    Let me start by saying I really wanted to like Cloth wipes to start with. I just couldn't figure it out I guess. I knew I didn't like the smell of the sposie wipes and then all the article about the terrible stuff in them, a  preservative called methylisothiazolinone, started and I  got freaked and I began trying different stuff.
      I used wipe cubes and wet the wipes as I went along and did NOT like them at all. The wipes were not wet enough and the little cubes were online ordered and expensive for me to buy. I then tried something simple. 6-8 oz of water a squirt of soap and a squirt of lotion shake shake shake! Then I pour the mixture in the wipe container over 10 or so wipes this really helped a lot but the wipes that I was using were not my or my husbands favorite option.
       I really liked the idea of using the baby wash cloths for wipes, I got a ton from our baby shower, but  they just dont work for us all the time. I did make some wipes my self w flannel but I dont have time to make more and I couldnt get the size right. Then BabyKicks sent me some Premium washies for review, not only do I love the Premium Washies better than the wash cloths for bath time but I also like them better as wipes. Several WAHM wipes have been added to my stack (flannel and almost too cute for poo) I have Bummas wipes that are excellent as well. Thirsties also makes a wonderful thick and soft wipe that is perfect for travel, Fab wipes are by far the best wipe for the price and Can be Found at retailers online and their website THIRSTIES.com
       My son started Solids last week and that doo doo immediately became more than the sposie wipes I have can handle,  however Cloth wipes are thicker and softer than spoise wipes, but substantial enough to take care of this new thicker first foods stage poo. The BabyKicks Premium washies are made in a mitt design for easy baby washing and poo free wipings!
      Thirsties wipes and the Baby washcloths are best for on the go (great when accordion folded, pre-moistened and put in a popup wipe container too) I think a great idea for those of you who need something fast or super cheap, cutting up some Tshirts or flannel and stitching them together, I just zig zag stitched around the edges. There is always the baby washcloths wipes to go.(I wet mine and put them in an empty sposie wipe travel case) that way if baby poops on the go, Like mine did yesterday you can take care of it quickly with one wipe! I have some sposie wipes sill and because of that preservative they will probably keep for a while,good thing bacause I dont think I will use them for my baby, maybe I can use them to dust with...ha ha ha !

Premium Washie being used for bathtime, no booty wiping photos were taken for this review...lol


Jessica Long

I was Wrong about cloth wipes, SHHH dont tell anyone I was wrong!!!

     
       Several months ago when I was just starting with the cloth diapers, I stated that I hated cloth wipes. Well that was before,  before the scary articles on the junk in disposable wipes, before I tried some DIY formulas for wipe solution and most importantly, before I tried Premium Washies by Babykicks for hemp wipes, as well as several other kinds of wipes! It was also before we started Baby Ray on Solid foods, You Live you Learn and then you switch to cloth wipes!

    Let me start by saying I really wanted to like Cloth wipes to start with. I just couldn't figure it out I guess. I knew I didn't like the smell of the sposie wipes and then all the article about the terrible stuff in them, a  preservative called methylisothiazolinone, started and I  got freaked and I began trying different stuff.
      I used wipe cubes and wet the wipes as I went along and did NOT like them at all. The wipes were not wet enough and the little cubes were online ordered and expensive for me to buy. I then tried something simple. 6-8 oz of water a squirt of soap and a squirt of lotion shake shake shake! Then I pour the mixture in the wipe container over 10 or so wipes this really helped a lot but the wipes that I was using were not my or my husbands favorite option.
       I really liked the idea of using the baby wash cloths for wipes, I got a ton from our baby shower, but  they just dont work for us all the time. I did make some wipes my self w flannel but I dont have time to make more and I couldnt get the size right. Then BabyKicks sent me some Premium washies for review, not only do I love the Premium Washies better than the wash cloths for bath time but I also like them better as wipes.
       My son started Solids last week and that doo doo immediately became more than the sposie wipes I have can handle, it was more than a baby wash cloth can handle, even with my awesome homemade wipes wash. BabyKicks premium Washies however are thicker and softer than the terry cloth baby wash cloths. The Premium Washie is made of a fluffy Hemp and cotton blend and is super absorbent and soft but substantial enough to take care of this new thicker first foods stage poo. They are made in a mitt design for easy baby washing and poo free wipings!
      I also have revisited using the baby washcloths (great when accordion folded, pre-moistened and put in a popup wipe container) I think a great idea for those of you who need something fast or super cheap, cutting up some Tshirts and stitching them together could work too and there is always the baby washcloths. I think the Premium washies are the best options for us and I suggest buying some Washies or Premium Washies from BabyKicks to take with you (I wet mine and put them in an old sposie wipe travel case) that way if baby poops on the go, Like mine did yesterday you can take care of it quickly with one wipe! I have some sposie wipes sill and because of that preservative they will probably keep for a while,good thing bacause I dont think I will use them for my baby, maybe I can use them to dust with...ha ha ha !

buy Babykicks premium washies This link or participating retailers

Premium Washie being used for bathtime... all its friends are booty wipes

Rebecca Foundation Sponsor Highlight: Kanga Care

Today I would like to tell you about a wonderful retailer and sponsor of The Rebecca Foundation Cloth Diaper Closet, Kanga Care. They offer a wide variety of baby items including gorgeous blankets, high quality diapers and accessories, all are available at  Kanga-Care.com  or at retailer near you.

The folks at Kanga Care make some of the most beautiful diapers, I mean, just look at these Diapers...

These are Rumparooz,  Beautiful Vibrant colors and HAWT prints! I especially LOVE the Black and White and Red, the name of that Print is Dexter, I really want that one most of all!  I think all the Rumparooz prints are AMAZING As are the 12 Vibrant colors they also are made in. Kanga Care makes Rumparooz (pictured) and they also make diapers from recycled materials called Eco Posh. Kanga Care has won Multiple Awards for their innovative modern cloth diaper design and performance. 

Kanga Care is also the maker of Lil Joey diapers. Lil' Joey diapers are regarded in the diapering community are the best, most recommended newborn diapers on the market. Lil' Joeys are small enough to fit almost any size or shaped newborn baby, there are even sizes for very small and Preemies, so you can start even tiny babies in cloth from day one! Lil Joey diapers even have a snap down rise for the umbilical area.

       Kanga Care is a big supporter of The Great Cloth Diaper Change for which The Rebecca Foundation will be hosting and participating at several locations across the US. You can get this Cute Romper from Kanga care to put on Baby to wear after the event.

  On top of all the Cloth advocacy, and wonderful products they have to offer Kanga Care also has supported  The Rebecca Foundation by donating cloth diapers and accessories for our families on the loan program. I encourage you to purchase from Kanga Care and follow them on social media to stay current on everything this amazing company is offering in the world of cloth!

Kanga Care Facebook

Kanga Care Twitter 

Sponsor Highlight: Thirsties Modern Cloth Diapers

I would Love to introduce you to Thirsties Diapers!

Thirsties are amazing. I have Thirsties brand diapers in my own home and I absolutely Love them. Thirsties makes high quality, great valued diapers right here in the USA!

 "The mission of Thirsties, Inc. is to make it easy and affordable for every family to choose cloth while simultaneously investing in our local economy and sustainable business practices.

              I can personally tell you their products are cute and affordable I brought my youngest son home from hospital in a Thirsties  duo hemp pre-fold and Diaper Cover. Thirsties cloth diapers come in a wide range of Colors prints and styles, Most Thirsties products come in two sizes and they also make covers in several sizes so that every little bottom fits just right in a Thirsties. I have tried a few of the great products Thirsties offers and they  reliable, seem comfortable and are both affordable and easy to use. Thirsties Duo Wraps are my favorite covers. They also make sized covers that fit  even tiny newborn babies. Thirsties also has a wide variety of cloth diapering accessories including Wet bags, Cloth Wipes , Booty Luster, and  Booty Love .

This wonderful award winning company  Not only makes quality products they also offer stories and advice and giveaways on their blog

Thanks to Thirsties for such a wonderful product line and thanks to them because they are also a  sponsor of The Rebecca Foundation   Please look for Thirsties at  a retailer near you

Visit their site for more details on their products

Thirsties Web Site

The gift of receiving

Receiving blankets,

    Everyone gets these blankets both at a baby shower or for gifts and even when they go to the hospital to have the baby. It's that blanket, The Blanket, The one with the blue and pink stripes, the one of they bring you your bundle of joy wrapped in. Its the blanket every baby who's ever been born in a hospital is wrapped in! If you're like me you brought home five of these blankets from hospital, I was encouraged to bring them home by the staff.  What the heck do you do with all those blankets after your blanket is no longer big enough to wrap baby in?  Here's what you do,  put it on there butt! Yes you can Use any receiving blanket as a flat diaper. I an amazing organic cotton and hemp blanket from Babykicks for this review. I couldn't believe how fast my baby grew he's already too big to wrap in the soft made in the USA hempy goodness that is the BabyKicks brand signature this truly is an everything blanket, I this blanket to cover Baby Up in his carseat when even Orlando was Enveloped in the Polar Vortex of last week, (Remember Jackets and Carseats are a NO NO!) I used it as an ultra absorbent burp cloth, and after the weather turns back to sunny side up in the Sunshine State I will be using it as a flat diaper for overnight, I spilt a whole glass of water on that think and it sucked up the whole thing! I also Love that this blanket and other blankets are very very affordable alternative to buying high priced Flat diapers that are sometimes thin and wear quickly. Getting a couple One size covers ( around $15 each) and using Receiving blankets as flats really quick allows you to JUMP fully into cloth diapering while possibly building a stash of more expensive "fancy" diapers, although diapering with just receiving blankets makes for easy diapering! you can easily wash diapers using the method of a camp style washer or in a bucket or sink. I would imagine two BabyKicks Hemp Receiving Blankets and a pile you bring home from your baby shower and the hospital would make GREAT Travel diapers!

I was sent a babykicks blanket to facilitate a review but you can Buy one on their website BABYKICKS WEBSITE

O.F.B. Support a deployed family

Operation Fluffy Bums is a new program of The Rebecca Foundation designed to help American Military families who are deployed and stationed overseas.  As we continue with our mission to serve others in their communities, we have realized that the overseas military community members are just as important members of our family as the ones that are here locally.  O.F.B. was created to make sure "No Bum is Left Behind". 

Through your generous donation to O.F.B., we can assure that Military families abroad are able to receive assistance with cloth diapering from our home base.  In addition to your donation to O.F.B., we are extending the opportunity for families here at home to sponsor a family abroad by sending cards/notes, diaper care packages, and providing shipping assistance for all packages being sent to those families. 

The Rebecca Foundation wants YOU for Operation Fluffy Bums!

Apply or Sponsor   a family today