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!

Quick Tip: Frizz Control

My hair stylist taught me a couple of simple tricks to help me control my frizzy hair and they work!

1. Cold Rinse - rinse your hair with cold water after conditioning.  Similar to shingles on a roof, hair cuticles lie flat after a cold rinse.  This results in less frizz and more shine.  When you rinse your hair with hot water it causes your hair to be more frizzy or rough looking.
2. Cool Shot - finish with the cool shot on your hairdryer.  A cold rinse definitely helps but how you dry your hair will make it last.  To keep the frizz down, apply a serum to damp hair before blow drying (I use Rusk's Softwear).  Then finish with a cool shot from your hair dryer.  I use the Revlon Ionic Ceramic Pro Stylist Dryer but any hair dryer with a cold shot will do.  

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:

Quick Tip: Save the Chocolate Syrup!

Stop tossing out the last couple of servings of your chocolate syrup.  Just open the lid and put the bottle of chocolate syrup in the microwave and heat for 10-15 seconds.  It melts all the syrup off the inside of the bottle making it easy to pour out.

Printable and Homemade Valentines

Disney Family Fun magazine has done it again - they have my favorite Valentine's Day crafts of the year!  This year they even share Printable Valentine's Day Jokes and Printable Valentine's Day Cards.  These are great for your child's class.  You could also use them as lunch box notes for your kids leading up to Valentine's Day.  Family Fun also has cute crafts that I plan to use for my kids' classroom celebrations this year.  My top favorites are:

• Valentine Pencil Toppers
• The Write Card
• You Rule!

Share these crafts with those you love this Valentine's Day or any time you want to spread the love.  For more Valentine's Day Crafts visit my post from last year:  Valentine's Day Crafts and Homemade Cards.  Happy Valentine's Day! 

 

Quick Tip: Cleaning Counter Tops

If you cook, have kids or a messy husband, this is a good trick to know.  When toothpaste dries on your bathroom counter top it can sometimes seem you may need a jack-hammer to get it off.  Same goes for dried spaghetti sauce on your kitchen counter or even the floor.  Try this easy trick to help get your dried goo cleaned up:

1. Wet a paper towel or washcloth with warm/hot water.  Ring out most but not all of the water.
2. Let the paper towel sit on the dried goo for 5-10 minutes.
3. Use the same paper towel to easily clean up that stubborn goo.  No harsh chemicals needed!

Snowflake Crafts

A great way to celebrate the winter season is to do snowflake crafts.  It's a great way to pass the time with your family when it's cold outside.  Here are some great craft ideas I found that I plan to do with my kids.

• Glittery Window Clings
• Winter Scissor Skills Project
• Q-Tip Snowflakes
• Coffee Filter Snowflakes
• Sparkling Ice Crystals 

Stay warm, have fun and get creative!

Super Simple Chili

A new favorite in my house this winter is chili!  I like to use the McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix.  I base my chili recipe on the McCormick recipe but I add a few things.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can (15 to 16 oz.) kidney beans, undrained
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 2 c. cooked rice
• shredded cheese

Directions

1. Brown beef in medium pot on medium-high heat.
2. Stir in McCormick Seasoning Mix, diced tomatoes sauce and kidney beans. Bring to boil; cover. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve over rice and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

*Sometimes I serve the chili as a soup and let the kids scoop it up with Ritz crackers or add Goldfish crackers.  They like to have a part in making their dinner.