mothers day ideas - mothers day gifts: February 2011

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Coming Soon - For the Kids Friday Link Party!

I am SO excited to announce my very own link party, which will officially kick off this Friday, March 4th. I have loved participating in the various link parties on the web. What a great way to share all of the wonderful ideas you are all coming up with! However, I want to put a slightly different spin on this one.

The Fun for Kids Fridays party will be a link party to share ideas, activities and recipes for children. If it is something that children can make, do, or participate in, even better! What craft projects, educational activities, family traditions, or ways of simplifying life with kids, have you come up with?

More details to come Friday, so stay tuned! I am excited to see what you will have to share!

St. Patty's Day Fun

St. Patrick's Day is a very special day in our home. No, we aren't Irish... but it is the same day that my hubby and I met about 14 years ago. So we like to find ways to make the day special. Now that our kids are getting older, it is fun to find ways to make it special for them too.

So here are some of the things we've been up to...

Hanging, Sparkly Shamrocks

We made these shamrocks to hang in the window, which the kids had a lot of fun making. We followed the directions for the Stained Glue Valentine Hearts found at HolidayCraftsAndCreations.com, HERE.

We used green yarn in place of string, and added lots of green glitter to the top of the glue. I hung them with fish line.

Just note, it took our shamrocks a couple days to completely dry... and we are in the dry winter here in the Midwest. So prepare your kids for a long wait to enjoy their creations!

Shamrock Snacks

Aren't these cute?! I came across the idea in the March 2011 issue of Family Fun Magazine. I couldn't wait to try these with the kids. HERE is the link to the FamilyFun.com directions. However, I've outlined them with photos below :)

Ingredients:
- Pkg of Yogurt Pretzels
- White Chocolate Chips (I used about 1/2 a bag, or 1 cup)
- Green Frosting (I made my own, using a great recipe from Allrecipes.com found HERE)
- Green Sprinkles

Directions:
1) Place about 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips in a glass dish, and microwave for 30 seconds at about 50% power. Stir. Do this two or three times, until you are able to completely melt the chips. DO NOT OVER HEAT!

You should be able to stir the chocolate smooth and free of lumps.

2) Line a surface or baking sheet with wax paper.

3) Dip the bottom half of a pretzel in the melted chocolate, making sure each side is nicely coated. Place the pretzel onto your wax paper.

4) Repeat Step 3 with the second and third pretzels, laying each to form the shape of a shamrock.

5) If you have broken pretzels, you can use them for the stem of your shamrock. If not, you can carefully cut pretzels like we did below.

6) Dip the end of the shamrock stems into the melted chocolate, and put into place on the wax paper.

Here is what your shamrocks will look like when assembled. Some of them, we chose to lay the stem flat, while others (like this one below) we had placed so that it stood off of the wax paper.

And we thought we'd try to to make some four-leaf clovers while we were at it... of course, right?

7) Time to mix up some frosting! I used a great Sugar Cookie Icing recipe from Allrecipes.com, found HERE. I like this frosting because it sets hard, and is easy to whip up. I doubled the recipe, and found that I had twice as much frosting as I needed. So if you use one package of yogurt pretzels, you can expect to follow the recipe as it is written.

Icing Recipe:

- 1 cup powdered sugar

- 2 tsp milk

- 2 tsp light corn syrup

- 1/4 tsp almond extract (or vanilla)

- we added green food color

I added it to a piping bag with a small tip, but you could just as easily use a Ziploc bag and cut a small tip off of the corner.

8) Outline your shamrocks with the icing. Add your sprinkles soon after, before the frosting begins to set!

And there you have it! A fun St. Patty's day snack!

We ended up with 18 shamrocks, using all of the pretzels that came in the package. Not too difficult, and the kids were able to join in. We give this one a thumbs up!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

4 MONEY Saving MOM Deals You Will Love

FOUR DEALS:

#1 - Chocolate Cupcake Club - Pay $8 for $16 Worth of Kid’s & Family Products at Chocolate Cake Club. Click here to get deal now. *Plus use code FRIENDS20 and get an additional 20% off of your Mampedia deal making it only $6.40

#2 Cookie Jar Fun - Pay $10 for $25 Worth of Cookie Jar Fun, Educational DVDs at Special Mamapedia Prices. Click here to get deal now. *Plus use code FRIENDS20 and get an additional 20% off of your Mampedia deal making it only $8.00.

#3 Image Canvas - Pay $39 for One 16x20 Photo-to-Canvas Print from Image Canvas ($89 Value). Click here to get deal now. *Plus use code FRIENDS20 and get an additional 20% off of your Mampedia deal making it only $31.20

Deal BELOW (Mabel's Labels) starts on Sunday at 6:30am EST

#3 Mabel's Labels - pay $10 for $20 Worth of Organizational Labels from Mabel’s Labels. Prices. Click here to get deal now. *Plus use code FRIENDS20 and get an additional 20% off of your Mampedia deal making it only $8.00.

*For a limited time, you can use the coupon code FRIENDS20 to get 20% off any Mamapedia Sweet Deal! (Maximum discount of $10 off. One coupon code use per person. Offer ends 2/28 at midnight)

Ballet Shoe Advice For Parents of Little Ballerinas

Your child is now a budding dancer – complete with bun, leotard, chiffon skirt and pink ballet shoes. In 15 years, she’s going to take the stage and be the next Anna Pavlova!

That, of course, will take years of hard work and training. But you can make a significant contribution to your child’s dance career early on by ensuring you buy proper-fitting ballet shoes.

When ballet shoes fit, they should fit like a snug sock and move with the feet. If they are too tight, the toes will curl inside and the back will cut into the achille’s heel – a painful way to dance. If the shoes are too loose, the shoes will look “floppy” and the child will struggle through jumps and turns.

Proper-fitting ballet slippers don’t have to cost a lot. The typical pair runs anywhere from $15-20 and with the internet, you can buy them online if you know your child’s size. For the first pair, it is recommended that you get your child fitted at a store that specializes in dancewear.

Inevitably, as your child grows, you’ll need to invest in new shoes to maintain the proper fit. But don’t despair, as you can buy shoes that are a ½ size larger in some cases so they can grow into the shoe. Be careful to ensure the fit is not too loose for the child.

Ballet shoes often run a few sizes smaller than street size, so if you noticed your child’s street size increasing, it might be time for new ballet shoes.

If you’d like to learn more about how to buy ballet shoes, visit Best Ballet Shoes.

WIN - Muscle Cars book

The 1960s and early 1970s were the age of raw American automotive power. Whether it was a classic Hemi ‘Cuda, Pontiac GTO, Charger, or Boss Mustang, big engines were king at local drag strips and cruises. Muscle Cars explores this era and the current models with a broad survey of classic muscle and today’s new machines. Each chapter is organized around a theme (milestones, factory racers, etc), each model getting a multi-page spread of full-color photography, performance stats, trivia, and more. Photos and stories from the people who built and raced these amazing machines make the book a must-read for any fan of American muscle.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and First Gear are giving away a Muscle Cars book.

Enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on March 12, 2011.

**We received a complimentary Muscle Car book for review no financial compensation was received.

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q: What makes you tick?

Riddle:
Q: What part of a clock is always old?
A: The second hand.
(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

Friday, February 25, 2011

Prevention Magazine Best Easy Healthy Eating LIVE Chat

Are you like me, a busy mom, who wants healthy food for their family? Prevention Magazine has chosen their Best Packaged Food Awards 2011. 24/7 MOMS is partnering with them to host a LIVE Q & A about how to eat healthy, and live well. Join us March 1^st, 9:30am PST / 12:30 pm ET. Bring your friends & your questions! We will be live at www.247moms.com

Prevention.com Packaged Foods Webcast from Brian Boyd on Vimeo.

5 Fun Manners Games - Teaching Kids the Fun Way

My favorite scene in the movie cheaper by the dozen is the crazy breakfast scene where the missing frog reappears and creates complete mayhem.

This scene reminds me of the continued need for table manner training in my home. And I have some fun simple ideas and games to help you teach manners to your kids

Oink Oink - This s a fun table manner reminder game. You will need some sort of pig either stuffed, plastic or a picture you have printed off the computer of a pig.

To Play -
If someone breaks a table manner rule that is on the list 2 or 3 of the ones you are working on and another family member squeals on him by saying "Oink, Oink " the pig is then placed in front of the table manner breakers plate and they are informed as to what manner rule was broken.

Through out the meal the pig will travel to person to person as rules are broken. The last person with the little pig during the diner meal is the Oink , Oink helper of the night and given a kitchen duty such as clearing the table, sweeping the floor etc.

* A variation of the game would be to keep score and wait till the end of the week and decide who is the Oink, Oink helper.

Manners B-I-N-G-O - Using manners bingo cards with various table manners written in each square to play Bingo. You can download FREE manners bingo cards .

To Play:
If one of the table guest ( family members) is seen doing a great job on one or more of their table manners they get to put a "X" on that square. The first one to get a bingo wins.

* From moreofamom.com

Table Manner QUIZ - Give a pop quiz to your family members (and Mom and Dad too!) on what kinds of things you should and shouldn't do at the dinner table. The winner gets to pick who washes the dishes that evening. Click here to get your FREE pop quiz.

Mrs. Manners Says - a Manner variation of Simon says. During dinner or family time Mrs. Manners calls out good or bad manner actions to those playing the game. If it is a good manner the players are to act it out, if it is a bad manner players are to remain still. For example Mr.s Manners calls out "chew with your mouth closed" players all chew with their mouths closed. If Mrs. Manners calls out use your shirt sleeve to wipe your mouth, players are to remain still. If a player makes a mistake and does a bad manner action you can choose to have them sit our the next round of play.

Blunders Game -The game Blunders board game, teaches children table manners, introductions, guest and host skills, not to gossip, to show respect and telephone manners. Designed for ages 5 to 10, it can be played by two or more players. Blunders is available at http://www.blundersmania.com/

Thirteen Indoor Activities for Snow Days

By Trisha

The kids are out of school for a snow day and its cold out. The “I’m bored” syndrome is hitting your home. What is a mom to do with a group of bored kids on those long snow days?

Fear no more! Here are 13 fun ideas to cure the “I’m bored” syndrome in no time.

To read the full article and see my list of 13 fun ideas click here.

Be sure to leave me a comment over at SC Johnson

*Each week Trisha Blogs on SC Johnson Family Economics website as a paid writer be sure to read her weekly organization articles.

WIN - Baby in Bliss Prize Pack

Baby in Bliss is a new CD and DVD that brings out peace, calm, joy, love, focus, and inspiration in children and helps deepen the bond between mother and baby. The drum beats of the melodies are said to connect us to our pulse and our heartbeat, grounding us back to the rhythm that began in the womb. It’s great for newborns through young children. The tracks are titled spiritual themes ranging from Peace, Gratitude, Love, and many more. Instantly calming and contagiously happy, Baby in Bliss is grouped with melodic voices, inspirational lyrics, positive messages, and beautiful instrumental accompaniment.

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Baby in Bliss are giving away a Baby in Bliss Prize Pack including: CD, DVD, one bib, and two onesies.

Enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on March 12, 2011.

**We received a complimentary Baby in Bliss product for review no financial compensation was received.

9 Giveaways Ending Saturday at Midnight

WIN: Crocs, Inc. is giving away a pair of Crocs Tone shoes. Click here to enter.

WIN: Sassy is giving away all 3 products: Rock Star Developmental Gym, Teething Feeder & Silly Squirts. Click here to enter.

WIN: Case-Mate is giving away a DIY Case-Mate Case that you can crate and personalize. Click here to enter.

WIN: Munchkin, Inc. is giving away a Munchkin Safety Gate (the Auto-Close). Click here to enter.

WIN: Neve Designs is giving away a Neve Designs Electra Sweater (winner chooses color). Click here to enter.

WIN: Lionsgate & Hit Entertainment are giving away an Animal Tails DVD. Click here to enter.

WIN: First Gear is giving away a Hot Rods book. Click here to enter.

WIN: HEXBUG is giving away a HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set. Click here to enter now.

WIN: Goji Gourmet is giving away a $25.oo gift certificate to Goji Gourmet. Click here to enter now.

Table Talk

Tonight's Table Talk
....to create conversation

Q: How many hours do you spend on your computer each day? How much time do you spend "surfing the Web"?

Riddle:
Q: What is black and white and red all over?
A: A skunk with diaper rash.
(each day 24/7 MOMS posts a question and riddle to help you create dinner time conversation with your families)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Re-Play For MOMS -Kids and Manners Matter

Five Manners Essential to Your Child’s Success and FUN Table Manner games to play with weekly Host Trisha Novotny and guest Arden Clise of Clise Etiquette

Video chat by Stickam.com

Five Manners Essential to Your Child’s Success

Arden Clise shared these tips with us on Kids and Manners during this week Live Webcast.

Five Manners Essential to Your Child’s Success

by: Arden Clise

1. Good table manners.

· Chew with their mouths closed and chew quietly.

· Wait to eat until everyone has been served.

· Put their napkin on their lap and to use it to wipe their mouth but never to blow their nose.

· Don’t eat with their fingers unless they are too young to use utensils.

· Teach them how to use their utensils properly.

2. Introduce themselves and others.

· Introduce themselves if not introduced

· When introducing two people say the name of the older person or person with a title first and say the name of the younger person or person without a title second. Example: “Coach Ball this is my friend Mary Smith.”

3. Conversation skills.

· Listen, don’t interrupt

· Not a monologue.

· Don’t just wait to talk.

· As parent, reinforce listening skills. Put Blackberry down. Be a good role model.

4. Write thank you notes.

· Kids need to be reminded and prompted.

A few TY note pointers to help:

1. Have a supply of note cards on hand.

2. Send the card within 48 hours so that feelings are still fresh

3. Follow this format for thank you notes:

a. Say thank you for the gift or whatever it is you received.

b. Let the giver know what you plan to do with it or have done with it.

c. Tell the person how much you like the gift or why you are so happy with it

d. If your child didn’t like the gift or received a duplicate have them say something about how thoughtful it was of the giver to give them a gift.

5. Be nice and courteous to others.

· Respect differences

· Be kind to others and don’t intentionally hurt people.

· Say please and thank you.

· Help others – hold doors, help coach put equipment away, visit friend in hospital

· Look for the positive – give sincere compliment

Modern Manners for Modern Children class, March 5, 11am to 1pm, Bothell, WA. For more information go to http://www.cliseetiquette.com/events/

DIY LEGO Capes Kids can make

Hanging out at LEGO land this week with my two of my LEGO addicted boys got me thinking about fun craft projects boys might be able to do with a LEGO theme. In my search I came across this fun idea from Zakka Life - LEGO capes.

This would be a great LEGO birthday party activity as well.

Click here to get the complete how to instructions.

Coupon Myths Busted- to Your Benefit!

Amy Hannold
247Moms Frugal Living Editor

Couponing does not save me money on what I eat:

A: Learn to find coupons for items you use. Contact companies which make the products you use. Enlist the help of friends and family, and you’ll be blessed with more coupons.

B. Your couponing may be more profitable at drugstores, retail/malls, dining, travel, or services. Whatever you want to save money on, focus your money-saving efforts on that spending Research “best buys” on what you buy and you’ll succeed.

Buying generic products is the cheaper way to shop: Certainly, we first promote the use of comparison shopping and do agree that generics are often as good/better than the brand name products for everyday shopping. However, if you can "stack" a coupon with a sale (and any additional Catalina/Rebate/Promotions) – you’ll stock up on your favorite brands for less than generics. Knowledge, tools and a little practice work wonders. When people have preferred brands or will only buy a “brand”; couponing can help you afford your favorite products.

My husband doesn’t support/see the benefit of couponing. Once you’ve racked up a series of money-saving successes, show him the receipts! Find his motivation – what does he want to be able to afford? When he sees that buying “his likes” doesn’t break the bank, he’ll be on board. If he’s a numbers guy, add up your savings at the end of the month, and hand him his share to save for a rainy day – or towards his goals.

Couponing means too much clutter: Simply put, you have to be somewhat organized in order to save money and enjoy the process. Find and create a couponing system that works for you. Binders and files can often be bought at the thrift store. No need to buy expensive couponing tools, as ones you create will often grow with you. Realize that what you start working with may change, as your interest and success in couponing increases.

Coupons are only for junk/processed foods and unhealthy cleaning products: Sure, the newest kids’ cereal and whamo-cleaning products are promoted through coupons. Baking supplies, toys/games, plain oatmeal, baby products are as well. Homemade is always the best – but couponing can make meals and cleaning more affordable for those who use prepared products. Housewarming or “New Baby” packages made with an assortment of convenient products are appreciated – those gifts can save you money. Food banks love peanut butter, canned chili and soup – if you can get it free or for far less – double your donations and shop with others in mind!

None of my friends use coupons - I don't want to be "weird". If "normal" is paying way too much of my hard-earned money on everyday things - I'll be weird. You can change the "normal" in your circle when you share how couponing and frugality helps you reach your goals. Couponing can be added to nearly any social/activity - and it has so many more benefits than getting together to spend money. Soon enough, your friends are competing and enjoying the search for a good deal.

Couponing takes too much time: For the first 90 days, like any other new life change or hobby, you will spend more time than those who are “experienced”. “Couponing”, the process, has become more efficient thanks to the internet. Bloggers with money-saving websites feature weekly “What’s on Sale” lists, which do the matching of coupons to sale for you. Coupon databases track what coupons are distributed when; all you need is your set of filed inserts and scissors – and you’re saving money in no time!

Couponing is overwhelming - all of this new, valuable information! Have you ever started a new hobby or learned a new job? Couponing is no different – go slow, find support and don’t try to do it all at once. Avoid burnout and frustration by making small goals and being organized. Choose one area of your spending to begin couponing with. Limit your sources of information and techniques to a few, adding more as you become more enthusiastic and proficient

WIN - Funky Monkey Snacks

Delivering on the promise of having everything you need and nothing you don’t, Funky Monkey® Snacks continue to populate the shelves of many of America’s top food retailers—not to mention into the pantries of countless U.S. homes. Using a proprietary freeze-drying process to separate itself from others in the category, the company has seen explosive growth in just three years.

Funky Monkey Snacks has increased its distribution at places like Target, Whole Foods Market, Safeway, and others, as well as with online retailers like Amazon.com and Drugstore.com. The freeze-dried fruit brand, which turns 100% real fruit slices and pieces into crunchy snacks that are nutritionally equivalent to their fresh counterparts, resonates with the growing consumer demand for delicious, convenient and nutritious snack options.

Funky Monkey Snacks’ one-ounce bags contain three of the four daily recommended servings of fruit. The 0.42-ounce (12 gram) packages are ideal for vending, convenience stores, schools and other food service distribution and contain one full serving of fruit per bag.

Both the sizes are available in the following flavors:

· Applemon®(Freeze-Dried Apple and Organic Cinnamon),

· Bananamon® (Freeze-Dried Organic Banana and Organic Cinnamon),

· Carnaval Mix^™ (Freeze-Dried Organic Banana, Pineapple, Apple and Papaya),

· JiveALime® (Freeze-Dried Pineapple and Lime Juice),

· MangOJ®(Freeze-Dried Mango and Orange Juice)

· Pink Pineapple® (Freeze-Dried Pineapple and Guava)

· Purple Funk® (Freeze-Dried Organic Banana and Organic Açai – pronounced ah-sigh-EE)

WIN: 24/7 MOMS and Funky Monkey Snacks are giving away 7-one serving bags of Funky Monkey Snacks.

Enter for your chance to win:

1. Become a 24/7 MOMS Subscriber Enter your email address below then leave a comment that you subscribed along with your email address.

2. If you are already a subscriber just leave a comment that you are a subscriber along with your email address.

US entries only and one entry per person. Winner will be chosen on March 12, 2011.

**We received a complimentary Funky Monkey Snacks for review no financial compensation was received.