Reminiscing: My Day With Dyson

Dyson Domestic Engineers

March 19th, 2010 was the day that I attended the Dyson Domestic Engineers event held at the Dyson headquarters in Chicago. This was no ordinary event. It was very casual, like hanging out with the girls. We took a tour of the headquarters, had lunch, and talked about our current vacuums and what we’d like to see in future vacuum models. She has a Kirby. I didn’t know those were still on the market. She names every single one of her appliances. Can you believe she has a fridge named Franny?

After lunch, we broke off in to groups where we pretended to be Dyson engineers. Much like Dyson engineers, we started with a problem and worked towards a solution. We had to build a prototype device using cardboard that would serve as a spider catching device. The goal was to catch the spider without harming it. It was so much fun sharing our ideas, crafting, and getting a good laugh at the outcome.

Dyson Domestic Engineers Spider catcher team 2
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. – Thomas Edison

We also had a chance to test drive some vacuums; both Dyson and other brands. We even did an activity where we assembled both a Dyson and a Bissell. The goal was to see how easy it was to assemble a Dyson. Dyson won.

To conclude our day, we were told that we’d be sent some cool Dyson toys (like this) for both us and our kiddos. We then, hopped in cabs and headed over to The Drake where we were graced by a harpist, afternoon tea, and miniature sandwiches and sweet treats. She had a hilarious faux pas straining her tea. It was a pretty awesome day.

More photos on Flickr…

A Gift To Him & Us

060We’re still cosleeping and it’s great when we aren’t trampled in the process. We have the toddler bed right next to ours. They are both now about the same height which makes it easy for Jayden to make his way into our bed. We did this for convenience, but our plans for good have started to foil.

The boy tears through both beds. Maybe using the word trampled was a bit of an exaggeration, but I don’t understand how someone so little could do so much damage while sleeping. One night, he literally just threw his body right on over me and landed in between Greg and I banging us both up in the process. Offended and out of sorts, we just adjusted and went back to sleep.

So while we’re realizing we have to get him sleeping in his room (for real this time), we wonder about keeping him in his toddler bed when it seems he needs a little more space to sleep. We’re looking at a few twin beds with rails for him. I found some really cute low lofts with storage that I know he’d love. We plan on having a few more kiddos, so saving space is really important. One bed has built-in storage, and the other has a slide with open space at the bottom for storage and an additional bed if we need to add one. I think I’m leaning towards bed numero dos.

I’m hoping to have him in his room, in his new bed by the new year. I think decorating his room will encourage him. It would also be a great Christmas gift to him and us. I think we’ve got ourselves a plan…

062

This is an update to Transitioning From Co-sleeping.

Fwoggies

froggies1
Wild Creations Classic EcoAquarium Starter Kit

And the winner is…Tanyetta! Congrats!

For Jayden’s 2nd birthday, we were sent some friends; not quite doggies, but African Dwarf Frogs. Unlike fish, there are fewer variables to maintain when caring for African Dwarf Frogs. They are extremely easy to care for and almost impossible to croak. The live gravel and bamboo plant included in the Classic EcoAquarium provides a natural environment for the frogs. They only have to be fed four pellets twice a week and the springwater has to be changed every three months. I actually changed the water this morning and the little guys are still chillin’.

We’ve kept them up on our kitchen counter and yesterday, we moved them to a shelf we put up in the kitchen. I’m hoping having them teaches Jayden a little responsibility and a science lesson or two. He sure does love his fwoggies and asks to see them every day.

005 Fwoggies Sophistishe Digital Mom

For a chance to win a Classic EcoAquarium Starter Kit (includes live frogs), fill out this here form. The secret code is Sophistifrogs. A winner from the U.S. will be chosen July 18th, 2010 at 7PM CST. You may want to take a look at my basic giveaway rules. Good luck!

wild creations
Use code BLOGGER for $10 off orders with a Jewel Starter Kit in the cart.
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Migrating Google Friend Connect From Blogger/Blogspot to WordPress

Migrating Google Friend Connect From Blogger/Blogspot to Wordpress Sophistishe Digital Mom

With so many bloggers migrating from Blogger to WordPress, I’m frequestly asked how to do so without losing Google Friend Connect Followers. So it’s time I post a tutorial on how to do it, so that I don’t have to explain anymore ;) .

Go to http://www.google.com/friendconnect.

Select the Blogger/Blogspot blog being transferred to WordPress.

Select “Add the members gadget”.

Customize your widget’s colors and width.

Generate the code and copy and paste it in notepad. You’ll be pasting it the sidebar of your WordPress blog momentarily.

Towards the bottom of that code, there will be a 20-digit site id that looks like this:
site: ’12345678991234567899′

Copy your 20-digit site id number and paste it in this URL after “id=”: http://www.google.com/friendconnect/admin/site/settings?id=

It should look like this:
http://www.google.com/friendconnect/admin/site/settings?id=12345678991234567899

Enter the edited URL into your browser.

Under “Home URL”, enter the URL to your WordPress blog.

Now go paste the code you generated on the Google Friend Connect site in your sidebar/widget or install the Google Friend Connect Integration plugin.

Did this help you? Click here to vote for me. All you have to do is click and it will register. ♥

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