Weekend Catchup: highlights from the week of 6/6/11

UGH. I'm in the second 12 hours of what I hope is a 24-hour flu. SELF-PITY!

But enough about me! Let's have a look at the last week at Parent Hacks:

How to make sure nothing gets left behind after vacation stays

A simple, effective system for packing up at the end of a vacation stay. Many commenters talked about the effectiveness of detailed packing lists. And pdxfoodmama gives a prize to the finder of a forgotten item!

One simple maneuver for cleaner diaper changes

Stacy's trick for keeping baby's hands out of the "poop zone."

Vapor rub on the back of the hand helps congested thumb-suckers breathe easier at night

Many people swear by putting vapor rub on feet as well. 

Busy parents: don't forget your pocket knife!

Ah, the utility of the multitool. Folks shared their fave brands in the comments, although Lyn Never suggested that one could do 90% of those jobs with a good pair of nail clippers (with the file thingie).

Pack a stamped mailing envelope in your carry-on bag to "save" TSA no-nos

After sharing the story of my beloved pocketknife that got confiscated at airport security, I came up with this hack. In the comments, Tiffany shared an even better variation:

Instead of an envelope with a random amount of postage, you might be better off (if you want to go that route) using a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope (with Ziploc bags for stuff going in it). That way the postage is enough no matter how much it weighs...

How to combat summertime "brain drain?" Talk amongst yourselves (and possibly end up on TV)

I was Skyped-in as a guest on a taping of "Moms Get Real," and ABC New Now program. The topic: summertime "brain drain." I'll let you know as soon as the program airs, but in the meantime, you can still be a part of the show! The producers are accepting your video tips (camera video is fine) until Monday -- a few will be chosen to air along with the guests. So get those videos in! See the full post for details.

Amazon deal: Chan rubber teether (by the maker of the famous Sophie the Giraffe) 20% off

Given the near-religious fervor over Sophie the Giraffe, I figured this was worthy of coverage on Parent Hacks. You've still got time to get in on this deal.

Twitter and Facebook highlights:

Lots of good convo on Twitter and Facebook, as always. We batted around ideas for quick room dividers, good-tasting fish oil supplements, meal planning strategies, and much more. Always so much to talk about!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

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