The Coolest Dr. Kits…EVER!

I have been on the hunt for a great Dr. Kit for my kids for a very long time and I’ve never found one that I like. I think the standard plastic Fisher Price ones are cheesy. Mikayla had one for awhile and I just found it to be annoying. Well, my friends daughter received a handmade Dr. Kit this summer from her Aunt with a few real things in it and from that moment on I knew I had to make one for my kids. So I expounded on her idea and made Dr. Kits for Mikayla and Camden for Christmas. I have been spending months scouring the Internet for inexpensive but real items that they could have in their kits. Everything in the kits actually works. I am so in love with these Dr. Kits and I’m still patting myself on the back for this. I think it is one of the coolest presents ever and hopefully the kids will think so too. I made each of the girls drawstring doctor bags (wasn’t able to find any cool black doctor lookingish bags at thrift stores) to put all of their stuff in. I also bought enough matching fabric to make them some scrubs to wear as soon as I figure out how to sew something that extravagant. The bags were my first sewing attempt.

I’m still on the hunt for some neck braces, knee braces or reusable bandages. I’d also like to find some clipboards, notepads/prescription pads and I want to print out some mock “take down” sheets for the patient information. Oh, and we still need to get each of the girls a box of Band-aids.

Next year I’m planning on putting these together and selling them on either Etsy or Hyena Cart. I’ve still gotta calculate how much they cost in materials.

So, here are the pictures. I have put captions underneath to explain what everything is.

The Draw String Dr. Bags – still need to add the cords to them

Inside of Reversible Bag – Hoping to find another cute coordinating print for future bags

Mikayla’s and Camden’s Dr. Kits

Left to Right:

Face mask (there are tons of these), Syringe (without needle of course), Red Tweezers,

Gauze pads, Reusable tongue depressor, Knee Hammer, Medicine Cups, two different medicine droppers

Left to Right:

Cotton Balls, Stethoscope, Reusable Bandage, Digital Thermometer

Daily medicine/vitamin cases, Ear & Nose monitor with attachments, Pediatric Blood Pressure Cuff

Winners for 3 Contests Announced

Contest Winners Announced!

It is time to announce the winners to three different contests! I really had fun reading about everyones toy/art and hair experiences. Thank you everyone for participating. If you are the winner please email me at journeytocrunchville@gmail.com and in the subject line please put what contest you won.

Here are the winners!

Michiko Kids Toy Giveaway: Erin!

Down to Earth Toys Rattle Giveaway: Jenn Burns!

Reuben Christopher: Robin!

Garrett is 4 Months Old

Garrett is 4 months old today and I can not believe how much time flies. All though I never feel like I got to experience much of a newborn phase with him since he was 11 pounds when he was born it is very evident now that all newborness is gone. He is changing so fast every day. His new things are to pull off my glasses and grab and pull my hair. The hair thing is very annoying but somewhat endearing at the same time. It makes me want to shave my head. It’s very hard to pry open his little hands and remove my hair from them. Time to start keeping it in a bun or something. He loves to hold his toys now and is getting good at passing them back and forth between his hands. He also like to take out his pacifier and can sometimes even manage to pop it back in. He still doesn’t roll over consistently but he is able to do it. He has moved into 6-9 month clothes all ready. He still only has the one vampire tooth but he is drooling all the time and his favorite activity is to chew on his fingers. We have come to love and depend on the Hylands Teething Tablets which we loving refer to as “baby crack”.

Here are his 4 month stats:

Weight: 15 lbs 12 oz

Height: 27 inches

He is in the 75th percentile for weight and above the 90th percentile for height.

And for those of who are interested here is Garrett’s birth story. Click HERE.

Baubles and Bums – Hudson Hat Giveaway!

Hudson Hat Giveaway

PLEASE READ, A NOTE FROM ME ABOUT GIVEAWAYS: CLICK HERE

Angela, from Baubles and Bums is doing a very exciting giveaway! Angela is giving away a free custom Hudson Hat. You pick the size and the colors! You definitely don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. These hats are so fun and will make the perfect winter accessory for you or your child.

To read about our experience with the Hudson Hat please read our full review HERE.

Share this giveaway on your own blog or other site that you frequent (make sure it is allowed first) and receive an extra entry for each website you post it on. Simply include the link to where you posted the giveaway within your comment. If you need to leave an extra comment with the links you posted it to, that is fine. The giveaway address is:

http://journeytocrunchville.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/baubles-and-bums-hudson-hat-giveaway/

To enter the contest simply answer the question below in the comments section. Remember, there is no right or wrong answers and it does not matter if your answer is fancy or a few words. The winner will be chosen at random and is not based on the way the question is answered.

“What is your favorite thing about the winter season?” or “What do you hate about the winter season?”

I’ll go with the easy answer: SNOW! I still love the snow. I love the way it looks, I love playing with it, catching snowflakes with my tongue, hearing the crunch under my feet. All of it! I even love the distinct smell outside after a good snowfall. We haven’t had our first snowfall here yet but there may be a chance of snow this weekend or early next week and I am excited!

I also love  “The Winter Solstice Holiday Season of Lights, Joy, and Togetherness” aka “Christmas”. Since we’re not allowed to say “Christmas” anymore that is the “politically correct” phrase my husband started using a few years ago. LOL. So yeah, I love Christmas and I’m not afraid to say it.

Contest ends Wednesday December 24th at 11:59 pm. Winner will be announced on Christmas Day.

Baubles and Bums – Hudson Hat

Hudson Hat

Baubles and Bums specializes in selling gorgeous yarn, hats and wool cloth diaper items. The company is run by Angela, a mom to 3 beautiful children. All of the items are hand knit by her and can be custom made to order.  We tested out a Hudson Hat for Baubles and Bums.

The Scoop

If you have not yet heard of the Hudson Hat be ready to get caught up in the “gotta have it” craze. The Hudson Hat aka the scrappy pattern is one of this winters hottest items. The Hudson Hat is a licensed pattern by Ky Baby Knits and only a handful of retailers are licensed to make them. Baubles and Bums is one of those retailers.

The Crunchville Experience

We had the opportunity to have our Hudson Hat custom made. Angela showed me pictures of all of the different yarn and I was able to pick my favorites from what was available. I was somewhat nervous about this process because I don’t always have an eye for discerning what looks good together until it is all ready done but I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome. Angela was also great with communication and kept me informed of the process the whole time. She even sent me a few sneak peek pictures which was so fun.

I love how the colors came together and Camden adores the hat as well. She wears it all the time and I find her wearing it inside sometimes just because it is “pretty.” On a more practical note, the hat works great in keeping her head nice and warm and the design of the Hudson hat keeps her ears warm too.

And since a picture is worth more than a thousand words here are pictures of Camden in the Hudson hat. She has a child sized Hudson Hat.

Front View

Back View

Action Shot

Close-up

Even thought the Hudson Hat was custom sized for Camden’s head and fits her perfectly, it is very versatile in its sizing. The hat fits my nearly 9 year old step-daughter equally well and I can even wear it. Here are some pictures of Mikayla wearing the Hudson Hat. I had a tough time getting enough lighting with these pictures but I hope you are able to tell how forgiving the hat is, size wise. It makes me happy to know that this hat will fit Camden for years to come. In fact, even my friend Shelby tried on the hat and it fit her head (sorry no picture).

Other Products from Baubles and Bums:

Yarn

Another Yarn Example

KY Scrappy Hat

LTK Pilot Hat

Longies

Soaker

Newborn Longies and Hat set

To view pictures of all Baubles and Bums products go her Flickr account here:

Fairy Blue

Wrapping it Up

-Suggestions, Observations & Wishes-

-I think the Hudson Hats are just gorgeous. However, some people would consider them very pricey. I think it is important to keep in mind the volume of yarn that it takes to knit one (100-300 yards or worsted weight yarn), that they are hand knit and that they take many hours of time to complete. Not to mention that they are 100% unique. Another benefit is that if you are not buying an infant sized hat, chances are that the Hudson Hat would fit your child for many years.

-All though my daughter is too old for these I think it would be fun to see matching longies and Hudson Hat sets for infants. I think it would make an adorable outfit.

-The current website makes it difficult to view the large variety of products that Baubles and Bums creates and there are not many pictures on the site. Most of them are on the Flickr account. I’d love to see a list of the types of products available as well as pictures of each item on the Hyena Cart. I think this would go a long way.

-I also think it would be of benefit to create a Hyena Cart or regular website for just Baubles and Bums. The Congo could be maintained for additional exposure but I think it is better to have your own website.

-Overall-

I am so very pleased with our Hudson Hat. It is well made and I love knowing that it was made by hand. The snooty part of me loves that it is unique. Both girls love wearing the hat and Camden has received lots of compliments on it when we have gone for walks. What tops it off for me is how friendly Angela is and how well she keeps up the communication.

For those of you that would like to save money on a Hudson Hat, Angela also offers the option of you sending in your own yarn and her knitting the Hudson Hat for you. If you know how to knit and have the time to do so you can also make your own by buying the pattern from Ky Baby Knits (the company that holds the patent on the Hudson Hat pattern). Link provided below.

-The Basics-

Company Name: Baubles and Bums

Product Name: Hudson Hat

Cost: Prices on the left are if she makes the hat with her yarn, prices on the right are if you send in your own.

Newborn, 0-3 months, 12″ – $35/$25

Infant, 3-12 months, 14″ – $40/$30

Toddler, 1-3 years, 16″ – $45/$35

Child, 4+ years, 18″ – $50/$40

Adult, 20″ – $60/$50

Where to Buy:

Baubles and Bums: http://hyenacart.com/onestore.php?vid=2451&category=4

To Examples of Baubles and Bums products: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fairyblue/

To Purchase a Pattern: http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=77537&vid=57