A question I get asked every now and then.
On my other blog (I really should just consolidate at this point... everyone who reads this reads the other) I often post videos. People ask how I get those short perfect clips... well, I cut down the long ones silly.
If you have a Windows computer this will work. If you have a Mac... your on your own, but you've got much better and easier tools to do it.
On a PC:
1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Find Windows Movie Maker and open it. On Vista it's listed right in the programs list. On XP I think it was in the accessories folder.
3. Click Import Media and find your movie file. You can also drag and drop it into the big open space in the middle.
4. Click the play button on the right side of the screen. When you find the point where you want to cut the video click the Split button (just under the video screen, by the play button).
5. You will have two clips in the center section now. If you click on the second clip (the second half of the clip you just cut into two) you can click play again and split it again if needed.
6. When you have a section split into the shorter clip you want to make, then drag it from the big window down to the first movie spot at the bottom.
7. Choose File (at top of screen) and then Publish Movie.
8. Choose This Computer and click Next.
9. Give the file a Name and tell it where to save. Click Next.
10. On the next screen I usually choose More Settings and then Windows Media DVD Quality. This makes the file so that's its not great quality, but an ok size to upload to my blog. You can play with it. At the bottom it shows the estimated file size. Keep it in mind when making your choice.
11. Choose Publish.
Here is the file I just shortened:
And the original:
Not very long to begin with, but now you wouldn't be able to tell that Ash fell on his bum afterward!
1.11.2010
12.16.2009
That's right... this tip is how to spoil your kids (rather than the obvious NOT spoiling your kids).
I'm writing it this way because I don't know any better. I've spoiled my little guy ROTTEN. What I'm hoping is that by showing all the ways you CAN spoil your kids, that maybe some of us (*cough* me included *cough cough*) will learn how to reign it in and gain control of the spoiling situation.
So... here's how I tend to spoil my child:
* buy 5 million x-mas, birthday, and assorted holiday presents
* make special trips every now and then to the toy store just to buy a new toy
* try to get all the Disney Cars (they made one for almost EVERY car in the movie)
* allow your child to visit the toy section of every store you visit and then purchase any toy they REALLY like. (umm... they always REALLY like at least one)
* look at every toy you pass by wondering if your child would REALLY like it
* notice how they REALLY like a friends toy and run right out to purchase it
* use toys as bribes (see post below)
I thought for sure I was on the path to a cure before Christmas. I had decided only to purchase the toys on my child's letter to Santa. That was before I took my child to the store and saw how much he also loved like three more toys that weren't on his list and also purchased those.
I'm not sure I'll ever learn... maybe when I have more kids it will get easier.
As for now... we're just happy we have a whole room to throw all those toys in.
11.30.2009
Diapers... I'm getting tired of them.
My little guy is almost 2 and a half. Big enough to poop like a man basically. It's disgusting.
I'm ready to start potty training him. He has a different opinion.
We figured the whole teeth brushing thing worked out pretty well (we don't even pay him anymore, he just brushes them now)... so why not try bribery for this as well?
He really wants this toy.
Yes that truck... all the way up on the top of that bookshelf. See it? He played with it at his cousin's house ALL NIGHT LONG (that's pretty long in two year old time).
We tried just telling him we would get it for him when he pee-peed on the toilet.
That didn't work.
Now we've actually purchased the truck and placed it all the way up there so he can't play with it. Once in a while we do get it down and let him hold it, but just as a reminder he can have it after he goes.
We'll see.
As for now it's a pretty awesome living room decoration. You should all get one.
9.13.2009
Yes, I did it... If Ash fussed in the night, then I would bring him in my own bed and let him sleep.
I know... rookie mistake, but I love to snuggle and cuddle him!
He loves all the free space to roll and move and roll and move and roll and move. (you get the point).
I did not sleep well this way.
AND he learned to wake up EVERY NIGHT and fuss until I came and got him.
Once again... NOT sleeping well this way.
So my advice? Don't bring them in your room to sleep. As much as you want to, it builds bad night habits. Too late for this advice? Already have a 2:00 AM fusser like I did? Here's how we remedied it...
When Ash fussed we tried the whole ferber method thing (let him cry himself back to sleep). Except Ash would scream FOREVER and I didn't have the patience for it.
Instead my husband and I took turns laying on the floor by his bed until he went back to sleep. We explained to him that its still night time and he needs to stay in his own bed, BUT we will sleep by him for a while. It takes him a whole ten minutes to fall asleep and then we are back in bed. SLEEPING. Like normal people. After about a week of this he started just sleeping through the night again.
I've also heard of people who lay on the kid's bed with them. Then after a few days they moved to sitting in a chair by the bed. Then after a few days they move the chair closer to the door, etc., and eventually the child starts sleeping through the night.
So there. That's my advice for all it's worth. Now does anyone have advise on losing the binky? I've already tried cutting it. Didn't work. Also tried asking him to give them to the babies at the hospital. Didn't work either.
Oh the binky... I don't think we'll ever get rid of it.
