Raising a Lefty

I find it so cool that I am raising a lefty. Early on, we noticed his left hand always reached for everything. It evolved to his ability to hold, throw, and eat exclusively with his left hand. I didn't know how to deal when I first learned it, that I tried to train him to use his right hand instead. I stopped the moment I saw his left hand twitch when I held his arm so he would use the other one to reach for his toy. I asked myself the reason for my need to make him a right-handed human and I was stumped. I had no answer other than "because I am". The moment I uttered it aloud, I let go of his left arm and let him go crazy with it. I looked at my 4-month old baby and just got really excited that I was raising this individual with an evident uniqueness about him.

The only thing I knew about left-handed folks was that they were generally creative individuals. Every single lefty I know are creative. That's about 3 out of hundreds. That is where I got my statistic. Yes, it is a little bias. I have many years to explore this unknown territory and I can't wait to share it with all of you.

I did find an online store that cater exclusively to these special individuals. http://www.leftyslefthanded.com/ I guess his gifts when he becomes school age will be gadgets that will make his life easier.

Also, if you ever find yourself in Seaport Village in San Diego, California, there is a neat little place called the Left Hand Store tucked away in there.

Are there any leftie mom bloggers out there that can share tips and give advice raising this boy?

Her Dollhouse

I've searched high and low for ideas for an affordable dollhouse for my daughter. I kept convincing myself that building one did not look hard. After all, it is my lifelong dream to be an Architect. I also had someone willing to let me use his workshop, as long as I brought him a 6-pack. I sat in the playroom drafting plans when I realized that the Ikea Besta TV Stand my friend gave me years ago can fit an 18" doll. I did a quick search on Craigslist if someone was selling another one. With a sprinkle of glitter and wave of a magic wand, someone was selling the same exact version! The European version with some odd shape shelving in the middle, to be exact. I stacked them both together and took the shelves off and boom, a two-story dollhouse for her 18" dolls. Soon, we will put wallpaper, faux tiles, and other fancy things. For now, I present to you my daughter's little corner.

This is how I originally designed one of the 2nd floor cubes. It's the "Our Generation: It Seams Perfect" play set. It is so darn cute. I was at Target days after Christmas and saw this in the go-back cart they had in the midst of holiday clearance madness. It looks like Amazon has it for sale since it looks like Target no longer carries it. The shelving is actually the packaging from the Our Generation Kitchen play set. They fit most Shopkins perfectly.

Our Generation: It Seams Perfect from Target

This is the 1st floor cubes. The kitchen is a hit with my son who loves to eat.

Our Generation Scooter and Kitchen play set.

Hello Kitty Jewelry Box and random ornaments
from Walmart as a chandelier and cupcake.

The hot cocoa is actually made out of Q-tips by my daughter. She makes me so proud with her creativity. She colored the top light brown and the stick red for straw. Clock is from the Hello Kitty Bed play set.

AG dog Sugar. Found him at TJ Maxx.

We haven't bought them any beds yet, so they're lying on makeshift platform beds.

Ikea here in the US also sells Besta. I originally wanted it to be vertical instead of horizontal, but my mover - aka husband-who-has-muscles refused to do it that way. Flipping the Besta on its side has a longer height, making room for lights you can stick on. It gets very dark in these cubes. She uses a desk lamp that she shines on the house when she is playing.

It's pretty fun to watch her decorate this and have fun with it. I never thought I would be a doll-mom. The AG dolls are just so adorable. Sometimes I even volunteer to brush their hair and I sit there like a crazy lady humming while I do it. 

Fist Bump. Balalalala.

We are big fans of Disney animation in this house. I don't cry often, but when I do, it's normally because I am watching a made believe character who just experienced a tragic event and overcame it. Even with reruns, I become this big old mess. I am worst with Toy Story 3.

Every year, after my kids' combined party, I make a note and say I will never have a house party again. The prep, mess, and chaos are not even the reasons. My AC unit always breaks down the day of the party. Imagine 60+ people to include both kids and adults. All cooped up in my living room in the 90-degree Georgia humid summer weather. Every year since we've gotten this house, it's been the same story. Then, I get in this mode of choosing a character that Party City doesn't carry decor for weeks prior, and I run with it. I come up with unique designs and games. I become committed and I never look back. Same story every time. Darn AC unit fails every time.

The outcome is a bit of magic. Everything falls into place and my kids have a blast. The guests' bellies fill up and the kids go home with sugar rush.

Food: We served buffet style of pizza, hotdogs, and Filipino cuisine. 
Games: Pin Baymax's eyes, Pingpong with Baymax's eyes Spoon Race, Build your own Baymax using marshmallows and toothpicks.

 

Next year, I might do Finding Nemo theme since my favorite movie's sequel is finally coming out! I am more than excited. I have waited more than a decade for it.

Vanity

Warning: This post has a lot of quotation marks.

I try very hard to not let my husband know I have somewhere to go until I am on my way out the door. If he knows in advance, he always asks one of the kids to go with me. I put off running errands until the weekend to be efficient. It takes four times as long if I have one of them with me. Okay, fine, I admit it. It's really because I like listening to West Coast rap in high volume on my way to anywhere.

Last weekend was expected. I accidentally asked him if he could check if we had onions for me as I was getting ready. "We only have one left. Are you going to the store to get some?" He knew! Of course he offered one of the kids to tag along and be my "helper". I chose the one that's potty trained. As we were walking out, he jokingly asked why I was dolled and dressed up. I answered sarcastically, "Well you know, I have to impress people I might meet while I look helpless reaching for peanut butter." He laughed.

Seriously though, I dress up so I am not mistaken for the babysitter. It sounds shallow at a glance until  you are actually in my size 5 shoes. I am always mistaken for the babysitter. When I go by myself, I don't mind when they think I am just this 15 year old that can drive, and really needed pasture-raised eggs. With my kid attached to my hip, though, I just make it a point to always look like I am the parent. It makes me feel better about myself.

Plus, it's different with women. I had a friend who used to borrow my kid to walk around the stores with him. Females would approach him and admire my baby. I am sure the same goes for my husband. It's different for us women. It's definitely opposite for me. I have not had a man or woman approach me and admire my children. Unless they're beautiful grandparents. My kids' and their souls always connect. There really just isn't any  "are you a single parent in need of someone to help you, I'll be that person for you" look that goes my way. Ever. I just get the "you are a great babysitter" look. So yes, I do dress up more when one of my babies have to tag along. I'll just leave my husband thinking it's for some other reason.