As Christmas nears, we are starting to figure out what we should get for our newly remodeled basement.  We think Santa may bring Will a train table for down there, since Madison has a nice wooden train and track, and we really have no place for the kids to play with it.  That being said, daddy would love to get a pool table for down there.  We actually know exactly where we would put it. Once the main things is that the pool table felt would definitely have to match the rest of the basement. I think I would go with a basic blue like Border Billards has.  Having played in many pool halls, I have learned that it is defintely important to have good quality felt on your table, since there is definitely a lot of wear and tear (literally) involved.  When the felt starts wearing out, it definitely effects your game.  Of course, if I do let Bill get a pool table there will definitely be some extra that will have to bought like pool cues, pool cue chalk, pool table covers, pool balls, etc.

Any other suggestions for the basement?  I personally would love a dart board too, but I really don’t want to put holes in my new walls!

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Oh the joys of having a four year old (who is almost five and cries almost everyday because she is not five yet).  Madison has finally started noticing things – especially things called commercials.  Every single commercial she sees she wants whatever product their are selling be it a pancake ball maker to a baby that swims (though she said she wanted that and a towel to dry her off too so she is able to think beyond the commercial).  It has gotten to the point that she actually will take the remote and pause the TV to make sure you see what she wants (and no I am not kidding about that).  Needless to say, we have started talking about money.

I will be honest — Madison has no concept of money whatsoever.  However, we have explained to her that daddy goes to work to make money so we can buy things we want.  (Madison asks every morning where daddy is and why does he have to go to work).  This conversation is daily so hopefully one day she’ll get it.  She is too young to understand that 5 pennies is the same as a nickel.  In her head, more coins equals more money.  I am hoping that because we are starting to talk about money now already that she won’t fall into the traps so many of us have.  I don’t want her to be one of the many Americans who carry loads and loads of credit card debt (which her parents do not.  We pay off ours every single month.  If she does choose to have credit cards, I want her to be smart about it.  For example, the one credit card we have gives us 1% of purchases.  That 1% is then directed to the principal on our mortgage).  I want her to be able to live within her means and be happy (which her parents also try to do).

Capital One has stepped up to the plate and has developed a Moneywi$e eLearning tool to help us teach our kids about money.  It is more for teenagers than my little ones.  However, there are definitely some tips on there that I can start teaching my children now.  I have to thank Parent Bloggers for bringing this to my attention.

When did you start teaching your children about money? Over at Bargain Life, there’s a great article on the effects of couponing and the family.

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I swear that my kids never quit eating.  Now, by looking at Madison, you would never guess that.  By looking at Will, you probably would.  As a mom, it is hard to decide what to give your kids as a snack.  I know that I don’t want them eating chips.  Right now, my kids are cereal snack freaks.  They can easily finishing off a big box of cereal in less than a week due to eating it for breakfast and then snacking on it the rest of the day.  I try and pick nonsugary cereals as much as I can (though when daddy goes grocery shopping, he lets Madison pick a box of her own choice which usually is a tad more sugary than I would like). Madison loves vegetable too, so you would think this would be easy.  However, the normal things you would find in a veggie tray is off limits for Will (per his doctor).  I can’t feed Madison something I can’t give Will.  So, in my house, our snacks tend to include cereal, fruit cups, and goldfish crackers.  What kind of snacks do you buy for your kids?

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as an entry for a contest sponsored by Brothers-All-Natural.”

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I guess he should have just given him a couple of pens to run around and color the house with too! Actually, I was not too upset with the mohawk (I think it is cute too!), but that he did it with sunscreen.  Gel is a whole lot cheaper than sunscreen dear!  I can’t wait to try and get that all out of his hair!

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I have to wish my dear hubby a Happy Birthday today!  We have nothing special planned, so I am not sure what we are doing tonight.  Madison wants to go to McDonalds!  LOL  I have a feeling that is not going to be happening.  My mom’s birthday was yesterday so she gets a happy birthday wish too!  Now, we put candles on both their cakes, I wouldn’t need any lighting in my house at all!  Seriously though, I have to go check and see if we have any cake mix, so we can make daddy a cake.  If we do, I’ll make sure we post a picture.  If not, I’m running to the grocery store for cupcakes.

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