Quick Tip: No More Soggy Sandwiches

Are your kids complaining that the jelly on their PB&J has soaked through the bread by the time they get to eat lunch at school? Or that their sandwich was soggy at lunchtime? Here's a quick tip: Spread peanut butter on both pieces of bread and then add the jelly on top of the peanut butter. With a meat and cheese sandwich - lay the meat on one slice of bread and cheese on the other slice. Then add mayo or mustard on top of the meat and/or cheese. You still get the flavor you want but, by keeping the wet ingredients off the bread, you lose the soggy factor.

Quick Tip: Summer Playdate Contact Cards

Every summer my kids miss their classmates.  Since teachers don't send home classroom contact lists, I don't have anybody's information.  So, to be sure we stay-in-touch with my children's friends, I make Summer Playdate Contact Cards.  On index cards I wrote my child's name, my name, my contact information and a short note saying my child would like to get together over the summer.  I gave each of my kids three index cards to hand out to friends they want to visit this summer.  I've already gotten two calls from moms and school just ended two days ago!  Looking forward to a summer fully of friends and fun.

New Baby Favorite - Portable Cradle

My sister recently had a baby and bought a portable cradle for her and it's awesome!  It's the Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'n Play Sleeper and it costs around $50.  I wish I had one when my kids were babies!  My niece loved it so much but now at 9 months old and 20 lbs, she out-grown it.  So, it was handed to my other sister for her baby who is 4 months old and she loves it too!  

There's no need to lug around a big, heavy Pack-N-Play for your tiny new addition when visiting family and friends.  The sleeper is lightweight and foldable, making it easier to take on trips to visit family and friends.  It also has a buckle to keep baby safe and secure.  It's even rockable, making it easier to get your little one to sleep.  It has a deep seat, increasing the snuggle factor for baby and keeping them super cozy.  One of the best parts is, it's backrest is inclined.  So, for those of you with babies who have gas or a cold, this will help them sleep better.  

You can place it next to your bed and have easier, faster access to your baby.  Or keep it next to your couch while you fold laundry or watch your favorite show.  It's easy to take with you from room to room but, please don't move the sleeper with baby in it.  This shouldn't be a problem since it's so lightweight you can carry it with one hand.  BONUS - the cover can be removed and tossed in your washing machine!

This is definitely going to be a recommendation for all my friends expecting or planning to have a baby.  It would also make a great baby shower gift!!  Here's to making a difficult time in a mother's life a little easier and more enjoyable.

Teacher Appreciation Gifts

This year I got a gift for each of my child's lead teacher, our bus driver and the new Assistant Principal who was a huge help to us this year with our son.  We love to give to the teachers when we can but, we don't have as much as we would like to give.  So, I try to make the best of what I can find. 

This year I found some great gifts in the $1 bins at Michael's craft store (my favorite place to go for teacher gifts).  Since we are giving the gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week and the school year is almost over, I decided to put together a "pampering kit" for the teachers to help them relax and rest up over the summer.

Pampering Kit ($1 items from Michael's):

• Nail Files - 2 pack
• Sleep Mask
• Manicure/Pedicure Kit
• Back Massager

Each of the items came in 4 or 5 different colors.  So, I gave each teacher all the items in one color and put them in a gift bag ($0.79 at Michael's) that was the same color.  I buy white tissue paper in bulk, so I already had some at home.  I only used one sheet of tissue paper for each bag. 

I added a little something to spruce up the packaging.  I had ribbon at home from the hair bows I make my daughter.  So, I used coordinating ribbon to make a bow on each bag.  From the bow I had their name that I printed out on card stock and cut out with decorative craft scissors.

I also had note cards that I bought from the $1 bin at Target (10 note cards for $1).  So, I used those to write thank you cards to the teachers and tell them how grateful for all their hard work and for being kind to our kids.

I think they turned out great!  I hope the teachers like them as much as I did.  =)  Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week!!!

*These gifts are also great for End of the Year teacher's gifts, Mother's Day gifts and Christmas gifts too!

Ways to Stay Sane as a Mom

1. Embrace the Chaos and have a dance party.  I head to Grooveshark and create a playlist full of high energy dance songs and let the kids go wild.  I like to join them.  My kids are great about not criticizing my moves.  =) 
2. Give yourself a Mommy Time-Out!  Plop the kids in front of the TV or sit them at the table with a stack of coloring books and hide out in the bathroom.  It's the best place to hide for most moms and a great time to flip through that magazine you got in the mail. 
3. Exercise!  When your husband gets home, pull your walking shoes on and kiss him on the way out the door.  Head to the gym or just walk around the neighborhood to blow off some steam.
4. Schedule a monthly Moms Night Out.  On the last Wednesday of every month a few friends from church and I go to Wednesday night church service and then meet up for coffee afterward.  It's a great way to lift our spirits and have girl time too! 
5. Think Like a Kid and color, play in the sprinkler, get messy,...  You won't believe how much fun you'll have.   
6. Ask for Help from your husband, family, friends, or neighbors.  You've heard of "it takes a village to raise a child".  Well, it's true and it benefits not only you but your kids too.
7. Rock Out in the Minivan/Swagger Wagon! Listening to the kids music all the time can make you go crazy on it's own. So, the next time you are cruising around town with the kids, turn up your (child appropriate) music, roll down the windows and sing along to the tunes. You may get a few stares but, your kids will get a kick out of you letting your "hair down". Be sure to keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road and have fun!
8. Laugh whenever you can!  Start now by watching this video:

Have a Say at Your Child's School

I felt there was room for improvement when it came to my child's school communicating with the parents.  After doing a bit a research, I realized the school's PTA is responsible for keeping the parents informed of the happenings at school.  So, I decided to become an active member of the PTA at my kids' school. 

I contacted the PTA President via email and found out that there was a need for someone to maintain the fairly new school Facebook page and the newsletter.  So, I quickly volunteered to help out with both - especially since these are the main means of communication with parents, which was my biggest concern. 

Now, I'm a PTA board member.  The title felt a bit overwhelming at first but, working on the Facebook page and newsletter are things I can do at my own pace and on my own hours from home.  So, it is perfect for me being a stay-at-home mom with two Elementary School kids and a 2 1/2 year in tow.  The bonus is, I have the opportunity to speak up about decisions being made at my kids' school and I finally get to see things change that had always worried me. 

If you feel there is a need for change at your child's school and you can spare 1 HOUR per month, join your school's PTA and make a difference in your child's education.  There is a membership fee for the year but, it's usually small.  Our school's PTA membership is $5 for the year.  That's it!  So, join the PTA and speak up for your child.

Box Tops for Your School

With a new school year starting, it's a great time to help your child's school.  A great way to earn money for your school is to collect Box Tops!  There are a lot of great brands that participate with Box Tops:  Cheerios, Ziploc, etc. 

Visit the Box Tops website for lots of great ways to help your school earn money to help fund for your school's needs.  You can also earn eBox Tops buy shopping online at great stores like GAP, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy and Land's End.  So, while doing your back-to-school shopping, think about Box Tops!  Gather them to send to school with your child. 

You can view Box Top Success Stories online for motivation.  Also, "Like" Box Tops on FACEBOOK for events and information to help your school collect Box Tops. 

Healthy School Snacks

My niece is starting Preschool this fall and my sister called me asking for a list of ideas for school snacks.  She would like to pack her healthy snacks.  So, I put together a list of healthy snacks, with help from a list sent home from my son's Elementary school a couple of years ago.  This is what I've come up with:

Snack Ideas

• Apple Slices
• Plums
• Pears
• Bananas
• Oranges/Orange Slices
• Fruit Cups
• Dried Fruit, ex: Raisins, Apricots, Craisins, etc.
• Carrots
• Celery Sticks
• Cucumber Slices
• Yogurt
• String Cheese
• Cheese Cubes
• Goldfish CrackersCereal
• Graham Crackers/Teddy Grahams
• Saltines
• Animal Crackers
• Wheat Crackers
• Granola Bars
• Pretzels
• Jello Cups
• Trail Mix
• Nuts

Save money by buying in bulk and sending snacks to school in reusable containers.  For example:  instead of buying fruit cups, buy the large can and divide into your own containers.  You could also make your own trail mix with raisins, goldfish and pretzels or anything else you choose.

Going Back-to-School with Ease

My kids start school in just a few weeks.  School preparations are in full-swing.  From buying school supplies to figuring out what to pack for lunches and snacks, it can all be overwhelming at times.  So, I searched from some tips on how to make the transition from summer to school easier on everyone.

Tips

• Back-to-School Cheat Sheet by Good Housekeeping
• Parents Magazine's Back to School
• Back 2 School, SchoolFamily.com

On these sites, you can find helpful tips on how to communicate with your child's teacher, the brands to buy for school supplies, lunch ideas and more.  I hope you and your kids have a terrific school year!

Moms' Night Out Ideas

After the first time a couple of my friends and I got together for a girls night out, we were hooked.  Somehow chatting with each other over food helped us feel recharged as moms and as women.  So, we promised to get together as often as we could. 

However, coming up with ideas for a girls night out for moms can be different than planning one for single girls.  So far, we have only met up at restaurants.  But, I wanted to find more options.  My top favorite moms' nights out/in ideas are: bowling, wine bar and game night. 

For more ideas visit these sites:

• Girls Night Out
• Moms' Night Out
• Girls' Night In Ideas
• Moms' Night Out Ideas

Whatever you decide to do for your Moms' Night Out, be sure to take your planner with you and schedule another one before too much time passes. 

Back-To-School Books

Reading books to your children about school is a great way to prepare them for kindergarten or getting them ready to return to school.  Books about school are also great to have in the classroom.  Here are a few of my favoirtes and more:

 

Entering Kindergarten 

• "I Love School"  by Philemon Sturges
• "Little Critter: First Day of School" by Mercer Mayer
• "The Berenstain Bears Go to School" by Stan & Jan Berenstain 
• "Kindergarten Rocks!" by Katie Davis
• "David Goes to School" by David Shannon
• "The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book" by Deborah Lee Rose & Carey Armstrong-Ellis 

Back-to-School

• From the Black Lagoon Series by Mike Thaler (My 1st grader picked these books each time his class went to the library.)
• Bookshelf Bests: Favorite Books for Back-to-School by Scholastic

For coloring pages about going back to school, check out my post Free Back-to-School Coloring Pages.

Fun Ideas for Sleep Overs

My son is having a friend sleep over tonight and I want to make sure they have plenty of things to keep them busy.  So, I came up with this list of options. 

Sleep Over Fun

• Card & Board Games
• Kid Friendly DVDs
• Multi-player video games
• Outside Play and/or Walk
• Play-doh
• Scavenger Hunt or Treasure Hunt
• Wall Football (football template)

We'll see how it goes!  If you have any ideas, please share them by leaving a comment.  Thanks! 

Finding the Right Babysitter

Finding a babysitter for your children can be difficult and time consuming.  However, it is also one of the most important things you will do for your family.  My husband and I haven't had a babysitter for our kids in a few years.  So, we are looking once again.

First things first, how much do you pay a babysitter?  I did some research and found a lot of great information to help us decide what we can afford.  If you need help figuring out the going rate for babysitters in your area, check out my post How Much to Pay the Babysitter.

Now, time to find the babysitter.  Luckily enough, a young girl across the street from us passed out flyers advertising that she was looking for babysitting jobs.  I plan on giving her a call very soon.  If you need help finding a babysitter, try these helpful links:

• Wanted: The Perfect Babysitter
• Using A Babysitter
• I Need a Babysitter - Where Do I Find One?

There are online sites that specialize in finding babysitters too.  They often offer background checks on the babysitters they provide, which is great!

• Sittercity
• Babysitters4hire

Once you've decided on a possible babysitter, it's a great idea to give them a trial period.  I plan to invite the babysitter over a few times to watch my children while I am at home with them (great time to do some deep cleaning around the house).  It's a great way to help you decide if they are a good fit for your kids.  Since I'll be home, I will be paying less than I would if I were out.  After the trial period, I'll increase her pay for the times I am out of the house.

Do you have helpful tips on finding a babysitter?  I'd love to hear from you, so please leave a comment and share your story.  Thank you!  

How Much to Pay the Babysitter

Although the economy is still rough, my husband and I feel it's worth spending the money on a babysitter again to keep our sanity and to keep our marriage alive.  We haven't had a babysitter for a few years and now our family is one child heavier.  So, I felt the need to research the cost of babysitters again. 

While searching the web, I found a few helpful online articles.  They all agree that there are many factors to consider when deciding on how much to pay a babysitter:  

1. Babysitters age, experience babysitting and training (CPR, first aid, classes etc.)
2. Where you live:  big city versus rural area.  (Try the Rate Calculator below.)
3. How many children the babysitter will be watching
4. The day of the week and time of day you will need the babysitter
5. How often you will be needing the babysitter:  every day or one night a week, etc.

Below are the articles I found to have the best information:

• About.com Child Care
• CBS Moneywatch.com
• NY Family Guide

Here are a couple of helpful links for deciding how much you will pay your babysitter:

• Rate Calculator
• Saving On Sitters

How much do you pay your babysitter?  Please leave a comment and help moms like me.  Thanks!

Inexpensive Summer Fun for Kids

As a stay-at-home mom, summers can be challenging.  You have to find a way to keep the kids entertained all summer long without breaking the bank.  A couple of weeks before summer vacation starts I like to take the time to make a tentative plan of how our weeks will go during the hot, summer months.  And the more thrifty ideas, the better.  Below are some ideas on how to have fun with your kids this summer without dishing out too much dough.

• Day at the Zoo - Pack some snacks, a picnic lunch and drinks and head to your local zoo for the day.  Print free coloring pages including animals the kids will see at the zoo and bring them with a box of crayons, for a break from all the walking. 
• Miniature Golf - Check your mail for your free Valpak!  They usually have great deals for local miniature golf locations.  If you can't find a coupon, call your nearby miniature golf place and see if they have any summer events.  Our local Putt-Putt has a different even each day of the week, like: Wacky Wednesday with 3 attractions (18 holes, 20 arcade tokens and 3 batting cage tokens) for $10/person.
• Pizza Party - With a pizza party you kill two birds with one stone - something fun to look forward too and dinner served!  You can order in or let the kids make their own pizzas.  For extra fun try out a dessert pizza part.
• Sign Up at Your Local Pool - Check out the prices for your local pool.  They are most likely less expensive than you think.  If your church has a pool, they often only ask for a donation.  Whatever the cost, you may find it's worth it by the end of the summer.  It's a great way to keep the kids cool and good and tired for bedtime. 
• Treasure Hunt - You can find some great pirate stuff at your local Dollar General/Dollar Tree to help make a great treasure hunt for you and your little pirates.  Michael's craft store also has some great pirate crafts.  But since they can be kinda pricey, use them as inspiration for making your own.  You will be amazed at how much you can make with construction paper, crayons, scissors and tape.  (Click here to print a pirate hat and eye patch for free.)

• Sundae Party - Invite some of your kids' friends and ask them each to bring a fun sundae topping: licorice bits, sprinkles, Mini-M&M's, Oreo crumbs, etc.  Don't forget the whipped cream and cherries!  Let the kids get imaginative and try out some new sundae ideas.  If you'd rather not deal with the mess, head to an ice cream parlor.

However you choose to spend your summer this year, get creative, have fun and be safe!  For great FREE ideas check out my post Free Summer Fun for Kids. 

Free Summer Fun for Kids

Are you looking for FREE ways to keep your kids busy this summer.  Here are some great ideas that may help you through these long, hot summer months. 

• Public Library Events - Check out your public library.  Most libraries have summer events that the kids love, like: pet shows, magic shows, family movies and age-appropriate story times. 
• Go to the Park - Try out a different playground/park whenever you can.  You may find a new family favorite.  Take bikes, bubbles and pack up some snacks or a lunch for a day that will surely wear the kids out.
• Movie Nights - Break out your DVDs/Blu-Ray Disks, pop up some popcorn, grab a few candy bars for the sale bin at the grocery store and lay out a blanket on the living room floor.  You are all set.  If you and your kids are tired of the same old movies, try Netflix.  They have great trial-offers for free and inexpensive monthly plans too!
• Game Night - Dust off those board games and have some good old fashioned family fun. It's a great way for everyone to stay connected and have fun.  If your family wants a new game to play, ask a neighbor to swap board games with you for the night.
• BBQ Fun  - What is summer without a good, ole cook-out?  Let your hubby grill up some burgers and dogs while you and the kids have fun in the backyard.  Blow bubbles, run through the sprinkler, play volleyball...the options are only limited to what's in your garage.
• Head to the Beach - If you are blessed to live near the beach, pack up the sunscreen, sand pails & shovels and a picnic lunch for a fun, sun-filled day. 
• Find more summer fun ideas in my post Inexpensive Summer Fun for Kids.

Printable House Rules

As part of starting a Token Reward System for my kids, I was searching the web for a fun way to display our House Rules.  I couldn't find anything that I liked.  For that reason, I decided to make something of my own.  Then, I figured if I was looking for a House Rules template, other people probably were too.  So I am sharing it with you.  To download a copy of my House Rules template click here.  Hope this helps you as much as it has helped me.   

Token Reward System

As most parents know, or will soon find out, we often have to change how we discipline our kids.  Children try to test their limits every now and then, or get new video game consoles we have to regulate, etc.  Well, I have reached that point again when I need to try something new.  I remember discussing a Token Economy in one of Psychology college courses and thought it might be a great way teach my children about earning privleges.  It is also a great tool for teachers to use to help enforce class rules.

I hit the keyboard and right away found a PDF file all about building a Token Economy.  The file includes checklists and ideas on how to get your own Token Reward System started.  So, I decided to try it out with my kids.

I went to the store today and picked up a 2-pack of medium Ziploc Twist 'n Loc storage containers for my two oldest kids and wrote their names on them with a permanent marker.  My husband had 200 old plastic poker chips that he had never used stashed in the garage that I designated for the tokens.  I am keeping all the undistributed tokens in a plastic storage container I already have and labeled it as the Bank.  I am going to keep the Bank stored where the kids cannot reach it, just in case they try to get clever and snag tokens on the sly. 

Next, I plan to create charts to display listing:

• Rules - Complete Chores, Be Honest, No Back-Talking and Do As You are Told.
• Token Values - Completed Chores - 2 tokens, Honesty - 1 token, etc.
• Rewards - 10 minutes TV time - 1 token, 5 minutes of Video Games - 1 token, etc.

I will also keep a running tally of how many tokens they each have and post it on our dry erase board on the fridge.

I am hoping this will encourage good behavior just in time for summer.  If not, I'll have to try something else and don't worry I'll blog about it of course.   

Insect Repellents for Your Family

For a few years there has been talk of the main ingredient of most insect repellents, DEET, being unsafe especially for children.  People began turning to natural insect repellents that didn't contain chemicals.  Now you can find both natural and DEET insect repellents at the stores like Walmart.  So, it can be a bit confusing as to which one to get.  With a family camping trip coming up, I decided to do some research on DEET to help me find the best insect repellent for my family.

DEET is the active ingredient in a lot insect repellents.  It's applied to human skin to repel insects, not kill them.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DEET is not a health concern as long as insect repellents containing DEET are used by following the label's directions and consumers take proper precautions like:

• Do not apply to open wounds, cuts or irritated skin.
• Do not apply to children's hands or near their mouths and eyes.
• Do not allow children to handle insect repellents.
• Only used repellent on exposed skin and/or clothing (not under clothing).
• Only use the amount needed and not more.
• When you go indoors, wash off repellent with soap and water.
• Do not spray indoors.
• Spray repellent on hands and apply to face.  Do not spray directly on face.

During my search I read a few articles that state that insect repellents with DEET should not be used on children under the age of 2 months old.  Also, it is recommended that no more than 30% of DEET be used on children.  The amount of DEET does not make a repellent more effective but, it does make it last longer.  So, if you will only be outside for a few hours you can use a product with a lower percentage of DEET.  Insect repellents can always be reapplied but, do read the labels instructions for more information. 

Natural repellents do not contain chemicals like DEET.  However, they do not last as long and leave a greasy layer on your skin that may be tempting to wipe off.   Natural repellents tend to use oil of eucalyptus but the labels read that it should not be used on children under the age of 3 years. 

With this information in hand, it was time for me to decide whether to go with a natural insect repellent or one with DEET.  Since I have young children (including a 2 year old), I thought it best to try a repellent with a low percentage of DEET. 

After reading the reviews on insect repellents on ConsumerSearch.com, I decided that I would try OFF! Family Care Smooth & Dry.  It has 15% of DEET, which is in the recommended safety range for children.  It dries quickly, doesn't feel greasy and it is long-lasting (about 8 hours).  However, since it contains DEET, we'll have to make sure to wash it off once we go indoors.  Also, it can damage synthetic materials.  With these things in mind I do still believe this is the best choice for our family. 

Baby Registry Checklists

Whether you are expecting your first, second or even your third child, you most likely need need a checklist to help you figure our or remind you of the things you need to get before your baby comes.  Baby Registry Checklists aren't only for baby shower registries, they are a great tools to help you keep track of what you need for your new bundle of joy.  There are lots of great printable checklists from tons of different sites.  However, I believe these to be the best of the best:

• In my opinion, Target.com has the best list out there.  They provide a downloadable PDF Registry Checklist.  Target also offers a Baby Welcome Kit (available at stores only).
• BabiesRUs also has a downloadable "Must-Haves" Registry Checklist.  It's cleverly categorized and very detailed.  They also have an online version of the list with links for each subcategory, making it easy to find things on their website.
• If the guides above are too overwhelming, try out Baby Center's simpler Baby Registry Checklist.  Baby Center also has a wealth of parenting information for parents and parents-to-be.  I visit their site just about every week for information on everything from kids health and milestones to recipes and crafts.

Now, don't feel obligated to get everything on these checklists.  They are guides to help you along your way to welcoming your newest addition to your family.  Congratulations and happy shopping!