DIY iPad Screen Replacement

Okay, mommies...

For those of you who are Mac-obsessed (like me,) I know I'm not the only one who's let their kiddos play with their iPads against their better judgement. 

I mean, really ... who can say no to those little faces when they ask you to share your "toys?"

And with that comes the risk of something we all dread: a dropped iPad. Replacing an iPad screen through Apple's services can cost you anywhere from 200-400 dollars. OUCH!

When my daughter dropped my iPad and I saw the spiderweb of cracks that covered the screen, I wanted to cry. But luckily I have a fearless husband who joined forces with me, and together we decided to attempt to tackle the replacement ourselves, after doing some research.

We bought our iPad screen HERE. (I have the iPad 2, but you can find your generation as well!) 

Before getting started, we first watched this video. Again - this video is for the iPad 2. But there are videos out there for each generation! This is just to give you a basic idea of what you're in for.

We were really nervous about breaking something as we started our replacement project, but here's what we found:

-If you use an "Exacto" type of knife or razor blade and slide it between the screen and the body of the iPad, simply avoiding the areas near the "Home" button and the "Volume" buttons, this process will go much faster, and you'll avoid shattering your screen even worse, and having little shards of glass go flying.

-The wi-fi tab is pretty obvious and easy to disconnect. Likewise, if you're careful, using your fingers near the "danger" zones where there are cables, etc, you should be fine while replacing the screen.

-It's really easy to end up with unidentifiable specks or smudges behind your new screen. I cannot stress enough that the most important thing you can do is spend the necessary time examining all aspects of the display, prior to adhering the new screen to the body of the iPad.

-The adhesive that comes with the replacement screen isn't very strong. Look into buying separate, stronger adhesive. But be aware that whatever you use may have to be removed if the screen shatters again down the road. We read a few reviews on the product site where we bought our screen that boasted of using SUPERGLUE to adhere the new screen to the iPad body. YIKES!! (Don't do that!!)

At the end of the day, we were thrilled with the results. We spent $25 and spent 2 hours replacing a shattered screen that Apple wanted to charge $200-400 to replace!!

Good luck, mommies! 

If you have questions about replacing your iPad, comment below and I'll try to help you based on my experience with my hubbie replacing ours.

Hoping you have a Merry Christmas,

This Blogging Mommy

How to Prepare Butternut Squash

I know I've said it a million times ...

I am not domesticated.

But believe it or not, occasionally I can master a culinary wonder that leaves people asking how it's done. And one of the things I've had people ask me is how I prepare butternut squash.

I know. Bask in my awesomeness.

But in all seriousness, for those of you who have been daunted by the large, beige THING you walk past in the supermarket, fear no more. I shall crack open its secrets.

First things first:

Cut that baby in half lengthwise.

Voila!!

Now, using a metal spoon, scoop out the seeds and stringy substance from the bottom portion of the butternut squash.

After all the seeds are scooped out, place the squashes skin-side up in a shallow pan and fill with about an inch of water. (I personally use a shallow pyrex dish.)

These guys were grown in my garden, and they are some of the smaller squashes we produced, so we did two.

Now ... put the squashes in your oven on 350 degrees.

Put the timer on for 20-30 minutes.

The time needed depends on the size of the squash, but you'll know they're done when you can easily stick a fork through the tough outer skin.

After they're done, let them cool for about 5 minutes, then scoop the soft flesh out of the skin and mash it up with a little butter or margarine.

And you have sweet, amazing butternut squash that your kids will love.

(Or at least mine do!)