Mommies Coffee Break for SALE!!!
By Lara | June 26, 2009
I am sad to announce that I must put Mommies Coffee Break up for sale. I just do not have the time. I have neglected this site too long…her ranking is dropping and I feel bad.
It is a great site and design. With some effort and a new vision, this site will rock.
The sale comes with…
- 1 year Cpanel hosting
- New custom tagline if desired on header
- Help getting it set up and minor tweaks to design
- An email blast and several Twitter announcements when sale is complete and you are ready to announce new MCB to the world. (over 3000 combined to date)
- Continued linkage
- I will also write one original article a month for it. (6 month commitment) with tagline, of course.
- The newest Wordpress
- All the perks of Cpanel hosting and Wordpress
Like I said, the site has been ignored, so the traffic has not been as good. However, with a little love and attention, this site will pcik right back up. YOu already have plenty of content and linkage to get you started! 
Please note: We are looking for legitimate offers that can be paid via Pay Pal.
Topics: Announcements | No Comments »
My dream $10,000 summer vacation
By Lara | June 25, 2009
If I had $10,000 to use for a summer vacation I would go to the Mediterranean…for sure! I have always dreamed of doing a cruise their…However, my oldest daughter would love to go to Australia…so…that is an option too! Can you imagine having $10,000 JUST for a vacation!? Man, you would have to be loaded to spend that kind of dough on a vacation. LOL!
I found a great site that can make it possible for the average family to have a $10,000 vacation at no cost to them! Save Our Summer Vacation (They also offer HomeAway Vacation Rentals)!
HomeAway invites you to join the movement to Save Our Summer Vacation
These days, many people feel uneasy or stressed out about spending money, but today’s challenging economy shouldn’t challenge your right to take a summer vacation.
HomeAway is standing up for your rights- your right to:
- Take a break from stress
- Recharge and reconnect with family and friends
- Have enough space to truly relax
- Travel in style without breaking your budget
Join the HomeAway “Save Our Summer Vacation” movement by petitioning Congress to proclaim August 7 as a “National Vacation Day.” Get your friends and family to sign the petition NOW!
PLUS, they are having a CONTEST!
All you have to do is tell them why you deserve to have HomeAway save your summer vacation!
Whether you’re stressed out, tired of hearing about the gloomy economy or simply want to escape, HomeAway is searching for the person who is most in need of a vacation.
If that sounds like you, we want to hear your story. Submit a text entry, a photo essay or a video explaining why you deserve to win the $10,000 getaway complete with a stay in a HomeAway vacation rental. If your story doesn’t top the list, don’t worry: two runners-up will each receive a $5,000 trip.
The contest runs until July 2, 2009 and is followed by two rounds of judging. On July 2, voting opens up to the general public: that’s your chance to get your friends and family to vote for your entry. The top 15 vote-getters move on to the final round which is judged by our panel of experts.
The three winners will be selected on July 28, 2009. It’s time to get moving, so good luck!
Topics: Contests | No Comments »
Debt Counceling Help for Families
By Amanda | May 13, 2009
Unfortunately, we are one of the many US families that are not only in debt, but suffering from the current recession. This has led me to begin searching for help to eliminate debt and better utilize the money we have…instead of using it to pay off debt!
I think I may have found what I am looking for in Consolidatedcredit.org. They offer debt counseling and family money management tips and ideas.
Their primary mission is to help families end financial crisis and solve money management problems through education and professional debt counseling. By utilizing educational programs, professional counseling and money management instructions, Consolidated Credit establishes a customized program that fits your needs. They walk with you through getting out of debt and the ultimate goal of freedom from debt.
Some of the things they will help with are…
- Finding out if you need help
- Help Understanding Debt
- Free Debt Consultation
- Explain Debt Management
- Credit Counseling
- Housing Counseling
- Money Management Help
- Bankruptcy
- Budget Basics
- Credit Basics
- Home Buying
- Saving Money
- Youth & Money
- Interactive Courses
- Help Understanding Financial Terms
And much more!
Again, their primary mission is to help families end financial crisis and solve money management problems through education and professional debt counseling. I am really considering seeing what they can do for me and my family…
Topics: Family, frugal | No Comments »
5 Tips to Get Your Toddler to Eat More Vegetables
By Amanda | April 27, 2009
Try these five tips on how to improve your child’s opinion of vegetables.
- Let them see you eating whatever it is you want them to eat. It doesn’t matter if the particular vegetable you’re trying to get them to eat isn’t one of your own favorites, take a big bite, chew it up, swallow it, and look like you’re enjoying it. You may even want to tell them how “yummy” it is and that they’re really missing out by refusing to eat it, you get to eat it all by yourself.
- Look at the foods they will eat and try to think of ways you can sneak vegetables into them. For instance, if your toddler would rather lose their favorite toy for the rest of their life than eat carrots, break out your favorite carrot cake recipe. Give it another name, though, or they’ll figure out that it actually has carrots in it. The sweetness of the cake, along with the cream cheese frosting, is sure to be a hit and they won’t realize they’re eating those dreaded carrots.
- Make eating vegetables fun. If you cut them up into smaller pieces that don’t seem too big to eat, they may be more willing to give them a try. One little girl refuses to eat broccoli pieces unless they are made into “little trees” that are easier to eat after they’ve been dipped into her favorite dressing. This concept might mean you have to be a little bit crafty in making the vegetables kid-sized and fun, but if you want your toddler to eat more vegetables it might resort to this.
- Let them help in the kitchen. Of course, you’re not going to give your toddler a sharp knife and ask them to cut up vegetables, but you can still get their help. Get out your hand masher and let them mash either white or sweet potatoes. They’ll have fun mashing the potatoes to smithereens and may find themselves licking the mess off their chubby fingers.
- Limit snacks like cookies and have only healthy vegetables available for your toddler. Keep carrot sticks, celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, and cucumber slices available and easily accessible. They may not be happy that they’re not getting cookies or crackers, but if they’re truly hungry they’ll be glad to have the vegetables. Make a low-fat dressing they can dip the veggies into and you may find that you’ve changed your cookie monster into a veggie monster.
The goal is to outsmart the little darlings!
Topics: Cooking with Kids, In the Kitchen, Life with Toddlers, Nutrition, Parenting | No Comments »
Finding Good Birthday Party Supplies for your Kids Birthday
By Lara | April 16, 2009
I have been contemplating what to do for my little one’s birthday. She wants a party…and not just any kind of birthday party. She wants a princess party. She is all about the girly pink and princess stuff.
So, being the wonderful accommodating Mom that I am…LOL…I went on a search for birthday ideas and supplies. Frugal is important too! In my search I found, Birthday Express. An online birthday party superstore! They sell birthday party supplies like no other!
They even have princess birthday supplies! I mean they have everything a good Mom needs to throw the perfect birthday party for their child. The pricing is right up my alley as well. I can get quite a bit of fun stuff and not break the bank while trying to make my little princess’s dream come true.
As I was browsing, it made me think of my soon to be 16 year old’s birthday as well. Would they have something that would appeal to the oh so cool teenager in my life?
YES!
This place has a theme for kids of all ages. They have certainly done their homework and know what kids want. So, no matter how old your kids are or what gender they are, Birthday Express seems to be a great place to get your birthday party supplies.
Topics: Birthdays, Reviews, Tips | No Comments »
“Grow” Your Mom a Bit of Sunshine
By Amanda | April 16, 2009
Moms love to receive flowers for Mother’s Day, so you may want to think about how you can ‘grow’ mom a bit of sunshine this year instead of hoping that the day is sunny. This is a craft idea that even young children can do to honor mom and brighten up her special day.
First they’ll need to find a planter if the weather isn’t such that the flowers can be planted directly into the ground. Of course, the seeds will take a while to grow very large, but you may want to consider how large the plant will get if you plan on leaving it the planter.
Look for a beautiful planter to grow sunflowers in. They may want to find something that’s as bright as a sunflower. Make sure the planter is large enough and heavy enough to hold a large flower unless you plan on transplanting it later.
Buy a large terra cotta planter and let your children paint it with any design they like. They can create a design of their own, find a design they like and use that, or they can paint the planter a solid color and then paint a message on it.
Go to your local garden center or department store to find sunflower seeds. They’re not expensive and you can find a number of varieties in different colors.
If you’re planning on letting the children start the seeds in smaller pots and then transplanting them, you may want to pick up the other needed items while you’re there. You’ll need a peat pot or another container that allows for drainage, potting soil, or seed starter mix.
If you don’t want the children to get terribly dirty, you may want to provide an apron or over-shirt for each child while you’re getting the sunflower seeds planted. Then let the children fill each container with the potting soil or starter mix. Have them gently push one or two sunflower seeds down into the center of the soil. Next they’ll lightly water or mist the soil and then set the planters into a warm, sunny window.
As the seeds begin to grow, don’t forget to check the planters each day. You want to keep the soil moist but not wet. The seeds don’t take that long to be visible above ground; usually they germinate in 7-10 days. Once that happens, be sure that the plants get plenty of sun each day.
The day before Mother’s Day, tie a pretty ribbon around the planter and attach a card or poem. Mom will love the thought of being given a piece of sunshine that her child helped grow especially for her. Of course, the best part is that mother and child can enjoy watching the sunflower grow all summer and remember the reason why the plant was given.
Topics: Activities, Fun Stuff, Just for FUN!, Mother's Day, Parenting | No Comments »
Celebrate Mom and Make Mother’s Day Special
By Amanda | April 15, 2009
There’s no denying that mothers play an important role in their children’s lives. Not only do they nurture and love their children, they can be a steadying force whether the problem is heartbreak after their first crush or helping to deal with the loss of a loved one. With all that moms do, when it comes to Mother’s Day, you may be looking for ideas on how to celebrate and make this Mother’s Day special.
History of Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day was started by Julia Ward Howe. She wanted mothers who had lost their sons during the Civil War to stand up and celebrate peace and motherhood. While there were some people who followed Howe, it was more regional than national and was quickly forgotten.
Anna M. Jarvis, however, took up the cause of creating a national Mother’s Day to honor her mother who had passed away. What began in 1908 as a celebration of motherhood in Jarvis’ local church soon spread across the country, and was copied in countries around the world. By 1914 there was so much support for the holiday that President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in March as the newest national holiday – Mother’s Day.
Jarvis later bemoaned creating Mother’s Day and pushing so hard to see it become a national holiday. Whereas she wanted the holiday to bring families together to cherish mothers and remember mother’s who had passed on, the holiday had become commercialized and was seen as a means for florists to make money. The commercialization of the holiday continues as millions of flowers are sent to mothers around the country each year.
Today Mother’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world at various times of the year, however many countries do celebrate during the month of May. The traditions may vary from country to country but the concept is the same – to honor mothers and their influences in the lives of those around them.
Now that you know a little about the history of Mother’s Day, you may be wondering how you can make it special for your mom and not just an excuse to put more money in the pockets of local florists. Luckily, there are many things you can do to honor Mom and make her feel special, even if only for one day a year.
Unusual Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day
- Help her remember her life by going through your family photos and finding pictures that bring back good memories. You can either create a scrapbook of her life starting at her childhood and moving forward to today or the scrapbook can be based on your immediate family. Find enough pictures that you can create a scrapbook on your own or, if you’re not crafty in that area, pay someone to put together a scrapbook for you. Be sure to provide names and dates for each photo if you ask someone else to do the actual scrapbooking for you.
- Photo Books are popular today, especially with the digital cameras on the market. They are less time intensive and are printed on photo paper that is nearly indestructible. You can take photos with your camera and then go to a discount or photography store where they have a photo kiosk. Pick and choose the photos you want included in your photo book and it will be printed right on the spot. The benefit of using this type of technology is that you can create multiple copies of the same photo book to share with all of the “mothers” on your list.
- Coupon books are a good idea, especially for younger children who may not have access to very much money. They can make a coupon book out of colored paper, stickers, markers, and some serious thought. Coupon ideas include doing dishes without complaint, applying fingernail or toenail polish for her, watching younger children while she relaxes in bubble bath, preparing dinner for a week, or tackling that pile of laundry that she’s trying to conquer for her. Use your imagination to think of things the mother in your life would enjoy.
- Does she have a favorite romantic movie? Maybe you can talk Dad into recreating a particular romantic scene from the movie with him as the leading man. If he’s not too interested in role-playing, you might suggest that he find a babysitter for the children, take Mom out to a romantic dinner, and then go home to watch the movie. She’s sure to remember the night for a long time if Dad refrains from making comments about the movie being a chick flick and tries to enjoy the time with his wife.
- Make plans to clean the house for her. She doesn’t want to have to worry about the house being a mess and knowing she’ll have to do the cleaning. Take a little bit of time the day before Mother’s Day and pick up for her. Of course, if you can do it once, she may expect you to help around the house more often. If you’re not able to clean the house, perhaps you can hire a maid service for this one-time event. It won’t matter to her who does the cleaning, but she’ll appreciate the fact that it wasn’t her!
- Gather together old home movies and have them transferred to a DVD. Then spend the day watching old movies so Mom can reminisce about how the children have grown and how everyone has changed.
- Just because you don’t want to give your mom a bouquet of flowers that’ll soon die, that doesn’t mean you can’t give her flowers. Why not give her flowers that she can enjoy for years to come? Buy a couple of rose bushes, if that’s what she likes, and help her plant them. If she’s not into roses, choose another flowering plant that she does like. Of course, she’ll enjoy the flowers, but she’ll probably enjoy the time spent with you even more.
Crafts Children Can Make for Mother’s Day
Young children love to make things for their moms, there’s just no getting around it. Why not use some of these ideas of crafts the children can make and give to Mom to show her that they love her? The crafts don’t have to be elaborate for Mom to love them. In fact, some of the simplest crafts make the best Mother’s Day gifts. Remember that clay pinch pot you made when you were a child? Your mom probably still has it.
Turn ordinary household items into something Mom will enjoy and recycle at the same time.
* Promise plates. Find two paper plates, some crayons or markers, a hole puncher, colored ribbon, and glue. Fold one paper plate and cut it in half. Let the children decorate the half of the plate how they like. Line up the decorated half and the whole plate and punch holes around the plates about an inch apart. Thread the ribbon through the plates leaving enough ribbon to make a bow at the top. Let the children think of ways to help Mom around the house and write them down on index cards. Put the cards that have been written on into the pocket created with the two plates and be sure to write “Mom” on the front so she knows it’s for her.
* Older children may want try their hand at making soap balls for Mother’s Day. This craft takes 2 cups Ivory Soap flakes, ¼ cup water, food coloring, and fragrance like perfume, flavoring extracts, or essential oils. Mix the liquid ingredients together and then add the soap flakes. Mix this until it is crumbly and can be shaped into balls. Be sure the make the balls so they’ll remain together and then smooth them out. You can wrap each soap ball in netting or a piece of lace tied with a ribbon.
* Buy a ready-made journal and decorate the front by hot gluing on flowers, sea shells, ribbon, or whatever Mom likes. You can even have the children write special messages for Mom on the inside cover.
Meals to Make for Mother’s Day
A lot of mothers are treated to breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. You can choose to do that if you think Mom won’t mind having crumbs in her bed, but she may appreciate having breakfast prepared for and served to her in the kitchen. But who says that Mom only deserves breakfast in bed? Why not plan meals for the whole day and prepare them for her so she has at least one day that she’s not the chief cook and bottle washer?
You can start with breakfast early in the morning, but it’s quite possible that Mom will enjoy being able to sleep in late for Mother’s Day if your family doesn’t attend religious services. If time’s not an issue, let Mom sleep in for the day and take that time to create a wonderful Mother’s Day brunch for her instead.
Pay attention to the things Mom says she likes in regard to the foods she eats and then plan the day’s menus around those foods. Is she wild about waffles but normally makes pancakes because they’re easier? Break out that waffle iron and fix the woman some waffles for Mother’s Day! Make them special by topping them with her favorite fresh fruit and whipped cream. She’ll feel like she’s been taken to one of those restaurants that specialize in breakfast foods.
Fresh squeezed orange juice is one hundred times better than store bought orange juice. See if you can locate the juicer and fix her fresh squeezed orange juice to enjoy with her waffles. She may also like gourmet coffee; prepare a pot of her favorite flavored coffee and watch the smile on her face.
Since you’re preparing a brunch, don’t forget to include her favorite meat. She may be fine with eating bacon with her waffle but she may enjoy a minute steak instead. If you’re really not sure what she’d prefer, start asking her questions about her favorite foods a couple of weeks before Mother’s Day. Perhaps she’ll forget that you asked and will be entirely surprised when the big day arrives.
If Mom likes to spend time outside, and the weather cooperates, you may want to plan a picnic for lunchtime on Mother’s Day. Fill a basket with Mom’s favorite picnic fare and make an afternoon of it. It’s unlikely that many people will be picnicking on Mother’s Day so you should be able to find a nice spot to sit and enjoy the warmth, the sunshine, and the time with Mom.
Make dinner an event to remember. Plan an elegant meal complete with dessert. Just because it’s elegant doesn’t mean that you have to break the budget. Break out the best China, a cloth table cloth, cloth napkins, and the good eating utensils. These items probably aren’t used on a daily basis and there’s no better reason that Mother’s Day to use them.
Take time to set the table with candles and a floral centerpiece. She may have to rub her eyes when she sees how beautiful the table looks. Of course, it may be that she’s wiping tears from her eyes when she realizes the effort that you took to create such a special table just for her.
Don’t skimp on the dinner meal. If you can afford something really nice, it will make the meal something she’ll remember for a long time. What do you do if you can’t afford to spend a lot on the meal? Don’t feel bad if you can’t fix something fancy; do the best you can. Mom will still appreciate the effort. Besides, every meal tastes better when it’s served on China!
Places to Take or Send Mom
Many families take Mom out for a meal during Mother’s Day. Why not take her to the restaurant she’s wanted to try. You can take Mom to lunch or dinner at her favorite restaurant. If she normally chooses the least expensive item on the menu, tell her to get what she wants for once. Let her splurge and live it up! Mother’s Day only comes once a year. Besides, for all she does on a day-to-day basis, she’s well worth the extra expense. Should finances be a concern, everyone else can order cheaper meals so that she can have what she wants.
Take her shopping at her favorite mall. This might be something that Dad and any boys in the family balk at, but it’s not like they have to go with her every week. Besides, members of the male sex have been known to lose themselves in mall stores for hours, too. You don’t even have to spend money while you’re there if you don’t find something you or Mom wants. Taking the time to stroll through the mall window shopping may mean more to her than any other gift you could give her.
Take her to the movies. Let her choose which movie you see. Yeah, it’s possible she’ll want to see a romantic comedy if there is one out, but you might be surprised by what she chooses. Remember the purpose of Mother’s Day is to let Mom know you love and honor her. Would it be too bad to watch what she wants just this once?
Send Her to a Day Spa. There’s probably not a mom in the world that wouldn’t love to be pampered even if it’s only for a few hours. Moms do so much for their families that they often neglect themselves. By sending her to a day spay, you’re showing Mom that you’re aware of her sacrifices and that you thank her for making them.
Don’t skimp on the spa package you get for her. There are many services that day spas offer, it would be a shame to buy the cheap package when there’s so much more that she would enjoy. Remember, it may cost you a little bit more, but isn’t your mom worth the extra expense? Of course she is!
Take her to a museum. Many museums have special prices for mothers during the Mother’s Day weekend. She may enjoy a little bit of culture if she’s used to staying at home most of the time. Art museums usually have a wide variety of exhibits, something for everyone. Be sure to take the time to actually look at the art work rather than rushing through because it doesn’t appeal to you. You may be surprised to find out that Mom once dreamed of being an artist. If this is the case, you can get some ideas for Mother’s Day gifts for next year – art classes.
Does she love music? If there’s a local college or university, they may be offering spring concerts around Mother’s Day. Maybe the music isn’t something that either of you are really that interested in, but what you do often isn’t as important to her as the time you spend together.
Maybe you’ll luck out and find a concert that your mom truly wants to see. Remember that her Mother’s Day gift doesn’t have to be given immediately. If you get concert tickets but the concert isn’t for a couple of months yet, you can still give her a card with a certificate stating that you request her presence on the date of the concert. She doesn’t have to know what the event is, only that you’re making a date for her on that day.
If your mom is the outdoorsy type, she may enjoy spending the day outside. You can plan a hike on a local trail or perhaps she’d like to go to the local botanical gardens. Zoos are mostly out of doors, she may enjoy a trip to the zoo, particularly if your family hasn’t gone in a long time.
You can also take the bicycles out of storage, spiff them up a bit, make sure there’s air in the tires, and go on a bicycle ride. Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen so no one gets sunburned or faints for lack of water. You also want to pay attention to how long you’re out so you can get back before it gets dark.
Honoring Step Mothers
The fact is that 40% of all moms are stepmothers. Perhaps your parents are divorced and your dad has remarried. Don’t forget to honor your step-mom on Mother’s Day.
Stepmothers often have a hard time, especially around Mother’s Day. If they don’t have children of their own they may not know what to expect when Mother’s Day arrives. They’re honestly not trying to replace their step children’s real mom, but they are a part of the family, too.
Here are some ways you can honor your step mom along with honoring your own mom:
Find a Mother’s Day card specifically written for step moms. Be sure to write a note of thanks for being a part of your life.
Women love flowers so it would be nice if Dad and the children pick out flowers that the children can give to Step Mom.
A small gift to let her know you care. This could be a blank journal with a nice pen, a feminine tea cup and saucer, or a piece of jewelry.
There are so many ways that a family can celebrate and make Mother’s Day special. If you’re looking for ideas, these may help. However, you may be able to come up with much better ideas than these if your family will pay attention to the hints Mom gives and you take the time to talk about it together.
Think about what Mom enjoys – the foods she likes, the amount of time she spends caring for others, and what she likes to do. If you think about it, you probably already know what it takes to make Mom feel special. Now do whatever you can to make that a reality, not only for Mother’s Day but all throughout the year.
Topics: Mommy Stuff, Mother's Day, Tips | No Comments »
Picky Eaters - One the Go Eating
By Amanda | April 14, 2009
My little ones graze. I mean they do not sit for a normal meal. They prefer to eat a little here and a little there. They are “On the Go Eaters.”
Toddlers are growing in so many ways; however, their little tummies can’t contain much at a time. This is why they tend to eat On the Go. What you allow them to On the Go on can make all the difference in the world as to how healthy your little ones eating habits will be in the future.
Perhaps your little ones prefers to eat a limited amount of food during actual meals. If so, you may be concerned that they’re not getting enough nutrients to be healthy and continue to grow. What you may not realize is that On the Go Eating keeps them going like the energizer bunny. It also helps to maintain their blood sugar level which is important even at this young age.
If you’re concerned that your little ones On the Go eating can lead them to become obese or overweight in the future, start thinking about what you allow them to eat on the go. By keeping only healthy, nutritious foods available during the day, your toddler won’t have chips, crackers, cookies, and soft drinks to graze on.
Take time to prepare fruits and vegetables ahead of time so they are ready to eat when your toddler asks for a snack. Use the fruits and vegetables that they will eat as the basis for creating a snack tray for the day. Include items such as grapes cut in half, diced apples, banana halves, quartered tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes, and anything else they may actually eat. If there is a bowl or plate with these foods available to your toddler all day long, you’ll know that they’re eating healthy foods when they On the Go.
Keep your little ones from watching television while they snack. In fact, it’s better to refrain from eating anything while watching television and that goes for everyone in the family. The problem with snacking and watching TV is that you’re not aware of how much you’re actually eating.
Try not to stress out too much about your little ones On the Go habits; it’s normal for young children. Encourage them to eat during meals but don’t worry too much if they only eat a few bites. They’re not going to allow themselves to get too hungry. By having healthy snacks available your little one will be able to meet their nutritional needs and keep both of you happy…On the Go!
Topics: In the Kitchen, Life with Toddlers, Nutrition, Parenting, Preschoolers, Shooting the Breeze | No Comments »
Fingerprint Flower Vase
By Amanda | April 13, 2009
If you know children, you know most love to get their hands messy. They also love to pick wild flowers and weeds to share with those they love. Why not let them to be crafty for Mother’s Day by allowing them to create a fingerprint flower vase to give to Mom or Grandma this year?
Toddlers and young children may see Mom, Dad, or their brothers and sisters enjoying crafts. They may wonder why they don’t get to make something as well. This craft is perfect for little hands and will result with a gift any mom or grandma will love.
Since it’s springtime, your toddler or preschooler has probably already brought you a handful of daffodils or dandelions. Did you have a vase to put them in? Your child can make their own fingerprint flower vase that can be used for all of their future bouquets.
You don’t really need a lot of art supplies for this craft, just an empty jar or two and enamel paints in a variety of colors. You may also want to have some newspapers on hand to keep the mess to a minimum. However, if you’re working outside in the sunshine, you may not be concerned about the mess.
You’ll want to help your child with this craft project because it’s important they don’t put their fingers in their eyes or their mouth.
Fingerprint Flower Vase
* Start with clean and dry glass jars. It doesn’t matter which type of jar is used as long as the label has been completely removed. If you’d prefer to use an actual glass vase, these can be purchased inexpensively at any dollar store.
* Read all of the instructions on the back of the enamel paint bottle so you know how it should be used.
* Have them hold the jar by the mouth so they don’t mess up the paint.
* Let the children choose a color. They can dip their fingers into the paint and decorate the jar or vase by making flowers with their fingerprints.
* Your child can make any number of flowers on the vase. How they decorate the jar/vase is entirely up to them.
* After they’ve made a circle of fingerprint flowers, they can go back with a contrasting color to make the center of the flowers.
* Follow the directions on the paint to let the paint dry. If this includes baking it in the oven, an adult would need to handle it. Drying time may mean allowing it to air dry for up to three weeks before using it for the first time.
If you’re uncomfortable using enamel paints for this craft, you can use acrylic paints instead. The flowers will wash off, however, unless the project is protected by an acrylic sealer.
When Mother’s Day arrives, let your toddler or young child present their fingerprint flower vase. They may even want to give it with flowers inside. Any mom or grandmother would be proud to have this precious keepsake.
Topics: Activities, Life with Toddlers, Mommy Time, Preschoolers | No Comments »
Pumpkin Bread Pudding
By Lara | October 28, 2008
6 croissants, cubed and toasted
1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin puree
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1/8 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
Combine all ingredients and put the bread in last. Spread evenly in a casserole dish and sprinkle top with some extra brown sugar and cinnamon. A few slices or cubes of butter on top will help it get a nice brown layer on top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 - 20 minutes. Can be served warm or cold..or with cinnamon ice cream! YUM!!
Topics: Autumn, Cooking with Kids, Holidays, Recipes | 2 Comments »
« Previous Entries