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The Royal Wedding Schedule and Media Coverage-Are You Watching?

After weeks of wall-to-wall media coverage, even more than in the UK, the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is just hours away.   

Here's a look at the schedule according to ABC News:


At 8:15 a.m., London time (3:15 a.m EST/ 1:15 am PST), guests will begin arriving at Westminster Abbey in preparation for the ceremony.  Prince William and his brother, Prince Harry, who also doubles as his best man, will leave Clarence House at 10:10 a.m., while members of the foreign royal families begin to arrive at Westminster Abbey at 10:20 a.m.
The Goring Hotel will play a major role, as Carole Middleton (Kate's mother) and James Middleton (Kate's brother) depart at 10:20 a.m. to make their way to the church. The hotel is also the chosen place for Middleton's last night as a single woman.  Members of the royal family, including Prince Andrew and his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, will begin to arrive at 10:40 a.m. for the ceremony. At 10:51 a.m., Kate Middleton and her father will leave the Goring Hotel via a Rolls Royce where she'll make her way to Westminster Abbey.

The ceremony will then begin at 11 a.m. local London time, meaning 6 am EST/3am PST.
It is expected to draw more than one million visitors in addition to millions of viewers around the world.  It will be followed by the couple's procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace at 7:15 EST/ 4:15. EST.  Prince William and his new wife will then appear on the Palace balcony alongside the queen and their families at 8:25 EST/ 5:25 EST. Their private reception at the Palace will then start at 1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. EST.

Will you be watching?

Here's link to all the coverage.
TV Coverage
Online Coverage

Clarisonic-Which One To Choose?

I kept hearing about the Clarisonic and how it works wonders on your skin.  Even when I asked my esthetician about what I should be using to clean my skin she showed me the Clairisonic. Since it was at a spa she said this was the professional version vs. the regular one online.


Of course being the comparison shopper that I am I couldn't just buy it and not do my own research to figure out which one was for me and what the difference was between the regular and the pro version.   It seemed a little confusing at first, so I put off buying one.  Well now I've done the research and if you are interested in buying one-here's what I found.

You can find comparison charts on the Clarisonic website, but in short the differences are mainly as follows:

The Mia 
** Smaller-sized and good for traveling
** 1 speed: normal
** 1-year warranty (website)

The Classic 
** 2 speeds: low and normal
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life
** 2-year warranty (website)

The Plus 
** 3 speeds: low, medium and normal (for face)
** Body Mode (when body brush is attached): normal and pulse
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life w/ face brushes; 20-minute life w/ body brush
** 2-year warranty (website)
** Separate control buttons to control power and speeds

The Professional/PRO 
** 4 speeds: low, normal, high and professional (for face)
** Body Mode (when body brush is attached): normal and pulse
** 30-minute rechargeable battery life w/ face brushes; 20-minute life w/ body brush
** 2-year warranty (website)
** Separate control buttons to control power and speeds 


In the end I decided to go with the "Plus" vs. "Pro". They are basically the same, except for the Pro version (supposedly only available to licensed professionals) has more color options and has low-medium-high-pro speeds, whereas the Plus has low-medium-high speeds (sans the "pro" speed. ) Then, the "Pro" version is available with and without the Body Kit and Universal Charging Cradle...hence, the two different prices for the Pro model (the "Plus" model always includes the Body Kit and Charging Cradle.) 
Let me know which one you prefer.

Twas' The Night Before Easter!

If you like Veggie Tales-they've now released their first new Easter holiday DVD in seven  years. It's an Easter story that reminds you of the real meaning of the Easter celebration and the importance of helping others.

This DVD features fun music as well as a new character—Cassie Cassava—voiced by American Idol top finalist Melinda Doolittle. There's also silly songs, interviews and a backstage pass feature with Larry the Cucumber on the “VeggieTales Live!” tour.


Check out the "The Hopperena"

Garbage Monsters Video

If your kid loves garbage trucks, you probably spend trash day waiting for the garbage man or watching you tube videos, but if you're looking for something that plays longer than a few minutes-there's "Garbage Monsters."   I don't like having my son watch too many videos, but sometimes it's a lifesaver.


The video shows you what happens to the trash (recycling) after they leave your street.   I like how it's voiced.  A son asks questions and his dad answers them.  It also teaches shapes, but it's basically 37 minutes behind the scenes of trash at a recycling facility, landfill and green waste site.  It may seem a little boring for adults, but hey my son really likes it.  


So the videos themselves are pretty cool, but what's even cooler is the story behind the videos.


It all started when a mom, who worked next to a scrap yard decided to tape the cranes moving around crushed cars for her son.  LOLO founder, Christine said," I'm parking my car, and I have my Starbucks in my hand, and I'm feeling totally sorry for myself because I have to go to work instead of being home with my baby. And as I board the self-pity train, I'm watching these big machines move and thinking, "I should videotape this for my son. I bet he'd love it."


And he did, and so did other kids.  Her son called loaders LOLO which is the inspiration for the name of her company. They now have four DVDs- Garbage Monsters, Dirt Monsters, Fire Monsters, and Metal Monsters.
 If you like this story, you might also want to check out our friendly local garbage man video too.

Tax Day 2011-Extended to April 18th

If you finished your taxes already, congratulations! If you are stressing out like me, here's some good news-you have 3 extra days this year.  The deadline to file your taxes is not Friday April 15, it's Monday April 18th.  3 days may not be that big of a difference, but it may make you feel a little better if you have been procrastinating.   Either way, you better get started!


The extension is not because of processing delays.  Check out this article to find out more.
CNN.com Article

3 Day Potty Training-Was It Worth It?

So now that it's been 4 months, what's my verdict on 3 Day Potty Training? Can you really do it in 3 days?

Yes, it worked for me!  I'd say 3 days to get it, a month to really feel safe when you're out, but here's the bad news I haven't slept through the night since. 

Potty training was such a success he now wakes me several times in the middle of the night. It's like having a newborn again.  He calls out when he has to go pee.  Which is exactly what you want when you are potty training, right?  Well yes, if you want to say goodbye to diapers and no, if you want to sleep. 

I know some people use pull-ups, but I decided to follow the cold turkey method.  No diapers, no pull-ups and daytime/ nightime training together.  He was doing so well I didn't want to go backward. 

Was it worth it?  I'm not sure.  It was definitely good for my son.  He got it right away.  He wasn't confused by going back into pull-ups, he was developmentally ready and feels a sense of accomplishment.  He's had very few accidents.  He can now go by himself, pull up his own pants, even pour out the mini potty and flush in the day.

As for me, I'm a little sleep deprived and frustrated.  It's been several months now.  I even moved him to a toddler bed so he could go to the potty in his room at night, but he still calls out.

Don't let me discourage you.  It's been great for my son and for me for him to be out of diapers, but when you decide to potty train just make sure you are ready.  Not just for 3 days, but for the long haul.  There are dozens of methods and ways to get to the same place.  Maybe I should have waited for the nighttime training, but no looking back now.  I committed.  Someday I will sleep again.  Isn't that what all moms say?  Good Luck!


UPDATE:  So you'll be happy to know about a month after I wrote this, my son stopped  waking up in the middle of the night (well most of the time).  He can usually sleep thru until about 5:30/6am.  Sometimes he goes potty on his own, sometimes he calls out, I watch him go potty and he goes back to sleep until wake up time-7ish.    So I guess in the end it paid off.  Day and night training took about 5 months.

Here are links to the earlier posts.
Getting Ready For Potty Training
3 Day Potty Training Diary
After 3 Day Potty Training

Products I found helpful

Potty-I liked the BABYBJÖRN Potty Chair.  I have one for each bathroom

Portable Potty-Kalencom 2-in-1 Potette Plus Red.  I love this.  It works when you're on the go and there's no bathroom nearby.  I use it in the back of the car or you can fold it up and take it with you.  It works as a potty with liners or as a seat for big toilets.  Make sure you get extra liners.

   

Piddle Pad for the carseat.-I even got an extra one for the stroller.   Keeps everything dry if you have an accident in the car.
Flushable Wipes-I have them in each bathroom.  My son thinks its fun to use and won't clog toilet.