Friday Favorite

One of my new favorite kid things is something called the Parking Pal. I saw it on Baby Half Off and thought it was such a good idea (and price)...why not give it a try?!  What is a Parking Pal you ask?  Well it's a round magnet that you stick on the side of your car.  It has a cute kid-friendly pattern on it as well as an outline of a handprint.  When you are loading or unloading the car up (say at the grocery store) your child or children put their hands on the handprint. It's all about parking lot safety...gives you peace of mind knowing where your child(ren) are and eliminates the risk of parking lot injury.  

Archer's Parking Pal

Right now, Palmer (my 4 year old) uses it the most. We are out running errands pretty much every day and it always takes me a minute to get her little brother in/out of the car, get the stroller out, etc. So having somewhere for her to stand while I do all this really helps me.  She loves the Parking Pal and couldn't wait to show it to her older sister and tell her how to use it :) When Archer (my 1 year old) gets a little bigger, I already have one for him to use!

This is what Palmer does while I get Archer in and out of the car.

  If you want to learn more about these, where you can get some and about their other products (like Penalty Pal) check out their website!

**They have a deal right now, if you buy 4 or more, shipping is free! So why not get some for you car, Dad's car and who ever else might be toting your precious cargo around! 

The 4 Gifts Idea

When I first saw this idea, I thought to myself how simple yet genius! My kids always end up with waaay to many toys, most which hardly get played with after they are opened. So last weekend, I told my kids that Santa sent mommies and daddies an email and said this was his guidelines for Christmas gifts this year.  I told them the four categories.  My six year old's first comment was, "but what about toys?' I told her that would be under the "Things you want" category.  She and her sister were just fine once I explained that to them.  

So I asked the girls what it was they wanted for Christmas.  They thought for a while and then said, "I don't know." OK clear sign they have way too many toys!! I told them what my brothers and I did a few times when we were growing up...instead of asking Santa for a few smaller things, we would all ask for one big thing that we could share.  I could see the wheels turning in their little heads.  They were trying to think of something big that they and their one year old brother could all enjoy.  Then it hit them....a playhouse!  So we got on the interest and searched for something they would all like.  This was their favorite one (well favorite close to our price change. haha)...

All the playhouses we looked at were in the $300-$375 but I'd love to get it cheaper so I'm going to keep my eyes out for any internet deals, Black Friday deals, check out places like Costco (where I've seen similar playhouses for cheaper) and also keep my eyes on ebay and craigslist.  If you know of another place that might have a good deal on an outdoor playhouse, please let me know! 

Another thing we are doing, along with the 4 Gifts idea is having the children pick out at least five toys, they already have that they have outgrown or lost interest in and we are going to donate them.  This idea led to a great conversation starter with my four and six year old.  We talked about being blessed and grateful for what we had. Both of them told me what kinds of things they were thankful for (a nice house, food to eat, clothes to wear, toys to play with, family.  After they did that, I asked them how they would feel if one of those things was taken away.  Their faces immediately changed.  I then explained how there are some kids out there who are not as lucky as they are- who don't have nice clothes to wear, a house to live in, food always available, a family, etc.  My six year old said that made her sad.  We then talked about ways we can help out those in need.  That's when I told them the idea that they would go through their toys and pick out at least five things (that are still in good shape) and we would leave them in a bag for Santa to take with him when he came on Christmas Eve.  They were so excited, they ran into the playroom and started going through all their toys. 

Thank you to Pinterest for this idea and photo!

I am so glad I came across these two ideas (I love the internet!) and we have now started two new traditions in our house!  I challenge you to stick to your list this year instead of going crazy and overbuying (like I always have) and to donate some of those toys that are just sitting around, not getting attention.  Remember the true meaning of Christmas and let's instill that in our children!

Remember to like me on Facebook!

Thursday's Tip of the Day...

Not too long ago one of my bestest friends, Lynsey, did a post about doing one of those many things you see on Pinterest.  It wasn't a cute craft or yummy recipe but something even more attention grabbing...an emergency car seat sticker.  Why hadn't this ever crossed my mind?! In case of an accident, my kids are young and most likely won't be able to give an emergency worker all their personal info.  So I went on Pinterest and repined that pin and printed off the list with the car seat emergency info.  I pray that none of us will ever be in a situation where this car seat sticker has to be put to use but I hope everyone of you with young children joins me in doing this pin!

We have a seat cover on Archer's seat so there wasn't a big space to put his sticker but as long as it's on there, that is the important thing!

Palmer helped me find a spot for hers and it was a great conversation starter about what to do incase of an emergency!

Palmer also helped me pick out a spot for Harper's sticker since Harper was at school. And Palmer couldn't wait to go pick her sister up and tell her about the stickers. I loved hearing Palmer explain everything to Harper...too cute!

Even though my four and six year olds know their address, my phone number, and their birth date, I put one on their seats. They are both shy to talk to strangers and in the case of an emergency, I have a feeling fear might take over and neither would be able to get the info out. 

Like me on Facebook!!

So What Wednesday...

Yay...So What Wednesday link up with Shannon is here again...

This week I'm saying "So What" if...

• I don't shave my legs when my husband is out of town.  You know we do it for them...I mean really who shaves because it's just so much fun!? 

•  I was really bummed over the weekend when I realized I needed to stay home with our little guy because he was sick and would miss going with my husband and daughters back home for a visit.  Then I had a light bulb moment...

•  I got so much stuff done...work stuff, cleaning those things that I never seem to have time to get to (the inside of the fridge, tile grout...you know those kind of things) , got some miles in on the treadmill, prepared for my first upcoming booth event at my daughter's school-eek!  Then I had another light bulb moment...

• My pre-wife, pre-mommy self would laugh so hard thinking that this would be her future idea of a successful weekend! 

•  I ate an UNREAL candy bar for dinner the night my kids and hubs left!  My girls would die if they knew that let's keep that one a secret...or I'll never hear the end of it :)

•  I am getting the kids pictures taken this weekend for the first time since Archer has been alive. How terrible is it that I have never had Archer's picture professionally taken and he is 12 months old!!??  Oh well better late than never right?

Now head on over to Life After I "Dew" and check out Shannon's fun blog!

And don't forget to follow me on Facebook

Natural Cold Relief

It's that time of year again...cold season...ugh! With three young kids, one of which is in elementary school and one in preschool, it's inevitable germs will be passed around. I have given all of my children probiotics since they were babies and my girls get Shaklee's Incredivites and Mighty Smart Chews every day.  But nothing can completely prevent occasional colds.  Over the years, I have tried about every kind of cold medicine out there.  None of which seem to help much.  So I decided to look for a more natural way to treat their colds, especially for Archer, who is too young for over-the-counter meds.

That's when I came across No Ordinary Homestead.  I love this blog and have gotten all kinds of natural remedies from it but since this post is about colds, I'm just going to share the Soothing Natural Cough Remedies for Kids and the Natural Cold Remedies for Kids.  There is a list of what essential oils you will need on both links but where to find them proved harder than I would think. We have a Vitamin Shoppe here so I went there thinking I would find everything I would need. I only found two of the oils there, Lavender and Tea Tree.  Instead of driving around checking other stores, I jumped online and got the rest of what I needed (Neroli, Ravensara, Thyme Linalol & Eucalyptus Radiata) on AromaLand.  I searched a few other sites before I found this one and it was the only one (I tried) that I could find all four of those essential oils and all for a decent price.  Shipping was only $2.99 and if you order $50+ it's free. My grand total ended up being $39.78 + shipping = $42.77.  I know you might be thinking that's a lot for four small bottles but you only use a few drops at a time so they will last for a long while! Plus, think about how much you spend on a few bottles of cold/cough over-the-counter meds...even the store brands are several dollars a piece and that adds up quickly!  

While I was waiting on my oils to be delivered, I came across a more natural version of Baby Vick's chest rub.  I needed something to help bring some relief to Archer and was excited when I found Maty's All Natural baby chest rub. I found it at CVS and it cost $6.99.  It was about a $1 more than Vick's but it is petroleum and menthol free. And it worked a lot longer than Vicks.  I was rubbing Vicks on Archer's chest at bedtime but when I got him up in the morning, I couldn't smell it anymore. When I put Maty's on his chest at night, the aromas worked all night and I could easily smell them in the morning.  He also slept better that night.

As soon as I got my package in the mail, I put the oils to use.  I added the appropriate amount of drops and carrier oil in the kids' bath as well as added a few drops to an old burp cloth for Palmer to sleep with and a few drops on Archer's sleep pal. (Check out the links for the correct amount of drops to use because it varies by age.) Archer slept until his normal wake up time and the first words out of Palmer's mouth when she woke up were, "Mommy, I didn't cough all night!"

This is what I used as my carrier oil.

One VERY important thing I learned is you CANNOT substitute regular eucalyptus or thyme essential oils for the eucalyptus radiata or thyme linalol when using them on children.  The regular oils are much too powerful for small kids!

 

Remember to find me on Facebook!

Friday Favorites

Today's favorite is a candy...I figured with Halloween just a couple of days ago everyone has candy on the brain.  But this is a different kind of candy! I first heard about this from one of my most favorite blogs 100 Days of Real Food.  I was off to CVS  the next day to get me some! :)  I grabbed all the kinds they had:  

UNREAL5-chocolate, caramel and nougat bar  (like a Milky Way)
 UNREAL77-Peanut butter cups  (like Reese's Cups)

UNREAL8-chocolate, caramel, peanuts and nouget (like a Snickers)

UNREAL41-candy coated chocolate.  (like M&M's)

UNREAL54-candy coated chocolates with peanuts (Peanut M&Ms) I didn't see this one at the store so I haven't gotten to try it yet.

*Not sure of prices at other stores but at CVS they were $1 apiece (if you bought 2 or more otherwise they were $1.19 each) Not bad!

This candy is called Unjunked for a reason...

• NO corn syrup
• NO partially hydrogenated oils
• NO artificial ingredients
• NO GMO's
• NO preservatives
• And it has a low glycemic index

So all that sounds great, but how does it taste you ask??? I put some of the toughest critics I know to do the test...my kids and husband (and myself too) and we tried all four of the UNREAL candies I brought home. 

It was yummy! My girls loved the UNREAL41 so much they asked if they could have some more after dinner.  And my husband, who is not a chocolate lover like myself, really liked it.

My family is convinced and hooked.  Since we all need that little chocolate fix every so often and keeping all things sweet away from my kids will never happen, at least I know there is a go to candy out there that doesn't have all that junk in it.

I love the colors of the candy coated chocolates!  The serving size on these is 50 pieces and our package came with 52, so you can basically have the whole thing! Don't you hate when you get something and their are 2 or even more servings in a package?  How can you open up candy and only eat a few pieces or bites!?!

Check out the really awesome Get Unreal website today to learn more and find out where you can get yourself some of this good stuff!

***UPDATE: Yesterday, I found a local dentist office that was having a Halloween Candy Buy Back and they were sending the candy they collected overseas to our troops. I told the girls that if they took their candy  we would go and get some UNREAL candy for them to eat instead. They put their candy in a bag and off we went.  They ended up selling back 4 lbs of Halloween candy and got $8 to split.  We headed to CVS and they chose to get the chocolate coated candy (like M&Ms).  I saw the peanut kind and got to try those...they were yum! Now you know this UNREAL stuff is good if I can easily convice a 4 and 6 year old to give up their Halloween candy and buy them it instead! 

 Find me on Facebook


 Linking up on www.parloandlogi.com today...head over and check her awesome blog out!

Thursday Tip(s) of the Day...

As many of you know, I have become obsessed with freezer cooking.  How can you not love going to the grocery store for one big shopping trip, making and cleaning up one mess, and spending your child's nap time or two preparing enough meals for at least a month??? The last time I did this was the end of August and we have made it until the middle of October on those freezer meals.  Now we didn't eat one every single night...we went out of town once for four days, we usually eat out one night on the weekend, and Harper's school has school nights at local restaurants to raise money for her school so we try to participate in those a couple times a month, and then there are the occasional weekend nights that my husband wanted to make something special for dinner (he enjoys cooking). But other than that it was freezer cooking to my rescue!  It is so nice not having to fret over what to cook for dinner all day and then spending my afternoon cooking and my evening cleaning...blah...who wants to do that!?!  I just go look at my list on the side of the fridge and pick out a meal that sounds good and dump it in the crockpot.  The house smells yummy all day and my cleaning consists of throwing away the bag I froze the meal in and taking the crockpot liner out of the crockpot after we are done eating. (I do wipe out the crockpot with a wet cloth after each use and wash it after a few meals).  There are some nights where there will be a pot to wash from a side dish I made to go with the meal but seriously how simple can it get!?

When my freezer starts to get low on meals this is what I do: 
1.  Head to the internet to find some new recipes or search through old favorite recipes:
~ringaroundtherosies.net and six-cents.com are my favorite blogs for freezer cooking. You can even find shopping lists and printable recipe cards for the freezer cooking recipes on these blogs!  I have also found great ideas on fromnature-tonurture.blogspot.com
*When I find a recipe I like, I write it down on an index card. That way, I can easily browse through my cards to search for a recipe and it's an easy way to make notes (like favorite side dishes to serve with a particular meal, etc) on the cards.

2.  After I have 15-16 recipes (each recipe makes enough for two bags aka two meals), I type out my list that I stick on the side of my fridge. I make a check beside the recipe once I prepare it and its in the freezer and then when I take it out to fix it for dinner, I mark through it. That way I know what I still have left.

3.  Then I get out my Ziploc freezer bags and write on them the name of the meal and any instructions. That way I don't have to do it as I prepare my meals.  I try to get everything done while my son is napping so not having to stop and write on each bag as I put the meal together saves me time.

4.  My next step is making my list.  I either use the grocery list from the blog or I write my own using this handy dandy note pad. It already has categories for the different sections of the grocery store so my list is organized.  I am a list maker, make one for everything so when my mom found this she knew it would be perfect for me. LOVE it!  

5.  Before heading to the store with my list, I check my pantry, fridge, and freezer to see if I already have any of the items. If I do, I say "yay" and mark through that item on the list.

6.  Now onto the grocery store. If you are lucky enough to have time to shop without the kids, I would recommend it.  I always have at least two of mine with me and they can be a bit distracting. I have definitely forgotten some items before and bummed when I get ready to make the meals and realize I'm missing an ingredient or two.

7.  Another time saver, is to cut, chop, slice, etc. all the veggies first.  That way they are ready to throw in the bag when I get to the recipes that call for them.  While I'm chopping my veggies, I have any ground beef I'm going to use browning on the stove. 
*Sometimes I make it even easier on myself and buy a bag of whatever frozen vegetables I'm going to need and I don't have to do as much cutting, chopping, or slicing but I try to use as many fresh veggies as I can.

8.  After a couple of hours in the kitchen, I clean my mess up and am done for at least a month.  My freezer is full and I am one happy momma!!

*Make sure you get all the air out of the baggie before sealing it up and sticking it in the freezer so your meal will taste fresh!

*I never let my meals thaw overnight in the fridge (I usually don't think about dinner that far in advance.) I run the frozen bags under hot water for a few seconds when I'm ready to put them in the crockpot and that way the meal isn't stuck to the bag. I have never had any issues from doing this.

*If your excuse to not try this is you don't have enough room in the freezer, I felt the same way before I tried it. At first I only made enough meals for two weeks.  Then I realized I could clean out some of the things and reorganize and I would have more room. My freezer isn't huge and we haven't gotten a stand alone freezer yet so sometimes if I can't fit all the meals in the freezer at once, I will prepare and freeze all the ones that have meat in them.  Then as we start to eat the meals (and make a little room in the freezer again) I will make and freeze the couple of meals that didn't have meat...like potato soup, manicotti, etc.  

Sorry this picture is slanted. Just wanted to show you that I do not have a big freezer but I can make it work :)

 *My last freezer cooking shopping trip was to Wal-Mart and I spent about $200 (it was actually a little  more than $200 but I got some additional things that had nothing to do with freezer cooking).  I know $200 sounds like a lot but these meals will feed us for 1-2 months.

*If you have any questions at all, please ask. I have learned a lot by doing this for the last few months.  I'm no cook but I can tell you how my family liked a certain recipe or what I might do differently to it to help it be more kid friendly or freezer cooking shopping and organizing tips! 

*Don't forget these...they now come with 6 in a box instead of 4!! Makes cleaning up that much easier :)

Coupon for Slow Cooker Liners

And don't forget to follow me on Facebook!