Everyone this season is in the mood for giving back but this year we are also pinching pennies. As I have been telling you about sales this season I have also mentioned a few times about my donation plans. In case you missed some of the posts heres my plan and I will reccomend you try to find a way you can give back too.
Every year we give away extra toys allie hasnt used. Youd be surprised how many unopened toys you can gather. But this year I have been watching sales and picking up extra toys at HUGE discounts. I feel extremely fortunate that I thought of this early and came up with a plan. I am so happy to be able to help children since I think this year has been extremely tough on everyone.
WE also have been looking at trying to give back locally. Some places this year are sponsoring local families and we have been looking for these to bring our toys and extra food items to. Check around because our grocery store actually had a list of about 10 chilcren they were helping and my daughters daycare is sponsoring a nearby apartment complex that has been hit by hard times.
In the spirit of giving Robeez is being very generous. Robeez will donate a pair of soft sole shoes to K.I.D.S. with every soft sole purchased through December 23rd http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/seasonofgiving.htm
Never heard of robeez? They are awesome soft sole shoes for kids just learning to walk. They arent stiff and restrictive so they can move easier and yet protects thier feet and gets them used to shoes. Every MOM should have robeez.
Check out these cute boots from Robeez. Allie had a pair when she was little and everyone used to comment on them. Now its time for Xander to get his first pair of robeez.
http://www.robeez.com/Robeez-Boardin-Bear-espresso-Robeez-baby-shoes/product.aspx?ProductID=1017&deptid=230&PriceCat=2&Lang=EN-US&RefID=20091123_us_sog
So if you are in the market for new shoes for your toddler check them out and be happy knowing another child will recieve a free pair of shoes thanks to your purchase.
http://www.robeez.com/
Robeez will donate a pair of soft sole shoes to K.I.D.S. with every soft sole purchased through December 23rd http://www.robeez.com/EN-US/seasonofgiving.htm
Thanks twiter moms and robeez for getting me talking about this.
Check out how others are giving back.http://www.twittermoms.com/forum/topics/tell-us-how-you-plan-to-give
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
From the Heart - Cranberry Wreath
It wouldnt be fair for me not to share this gorgeous wreath with you. Ive seen versions of it in many magazines over the years but i beleive I saw it first on TV when Martha made it one year. Its one of the few things I make that I actually have to say I saw her do first.
Its very simple but time consuming. I have also done topiaries with this and they are gorgeous too.
You need:
1 foam wreath shape or cone/topiary- from a craft store or dollar store
ribbon
floral wire
wood toothpicks I buy the cheapest flat ones I can
1-2 bags of cranberries depending on the size of wreath you make. I usually can get away with 1 bag and make about a 15" wreath.
Cut or break toothpicks in half and poke one end into the wreath and the other end into the cranberry. I like to make a row of cranberries and the next row goes in between the first row. SO they are very close together. you just keep alternating like that around the wreath.
You only have to cover the front of the wreath so just eyeball what you can see. Once covered you may decide to add a second layer on top. Its a prefernce if you like to fill in the holes. Then wrap a ribbon around it, add a wire to hang and your done.
This has become a tradition for me since the first one i made. The natural colors of the cranberries are perfect for the holiday and give an old world feel. Juts be on the lookout for falling cranberries as the season goes on. they wont start dropping off but you'll have a few.
Send me in the photos of your wreaths.
Melissa
Its very simple but time consuming. I have also done topiaries with this and they are gorgeous too.
You need:
1 foam wreath shape or cone/topiary- from a craft store or dollar store
ribbon
floral wire
wood toothpicks I buy the cheapest flat ones I can
1-2 bags of cranberries depending on the size of wreath you make. I usually can get away with 1 bag and make about a 15" wreath.
Cut or break toothpicks in half and poke one end into the wreath and the other end into the cranberry. I like to make a row of cranberries and the next row goes in between the first row. SO they are very close together. you just keep alternating like that around the wreath.
You only have to cover the front of the wreath so just eyeball what you can see. Once covered you may decide to add a second layer on top. Its a prefernce if you like to fill in the holes. Then wrap a ribbon around it, add a wire to hang and your done.
This has become a tradition for me since the first one i made. The natural colors of the cranberries are perfect for the holiday and give an old world feel. Juts be on the lookout for falling cranberries as the season goes on. they wont start dropping off but you'll have a few.
Send me in the photos of your wreaths.
Melissa
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tips for getting kids to bed.
I was just recently discussing this topic with a friend of mine online. Shes having issues with her daughter and needed help. I too have gone through spurts with Allie when I think "FINALLY, we're over that hurdle" and then a week or so and again we have another battle...
Although there is no magic answer that works 100% of the time for ALL kids there are some things that can help.
Top 5 tips
1.) Keep a schedule/routine - I know you've heard this before everyone says it but its hard to do. Create a routine and stick to it. This will help even if you are out of town. Children like routines. If you start one when they are small it will become second nature for them.
2.) Storytime - This is part of our routine that my daughter looks forward to. Its daddys one on one time with her. It helps her wind down from the day and I believe gives her something to go to sleep dreaming about. Kids need something to help them wind down from the day and this is also great to promote reading skills later.
3.) MUSIC or soft white noise - when my daughter was young we figure out that she was listening to EVERY noise to keep herself awake. She was and still is VERY nosey. SO we started playing classical music to give her a distraction. This soothed her and blocked out all other things going on. Today when she hears classical she still calls it sleepy music AND it usually starts her yawning.
4.) Get rid of EXCUSES- this is easier said then done. to try to minimixe Allie goes to the bathroom AFTER her story. She used to go before her story BUT for a while there she insisted on getting up a second time when the story was over so we just switched the order. We also have let her have a very small cup of water so if she feels the need to get up and get a drink she knows its there. After a few days when she realized that we were treating her like a big girl she didnt get up as much to drink it.
5.) START EARLY - We have found this is VERY important. when it gets later She fights it more. If we eat early and get ready early we can usually get through the night without a struggle.
I know I said top 5 but heres what to do if all else fails....
FALL ASLEEP NEXT TO HER. LOL Not sure its on purpose but thats what my husband does and it usually works when nothing else does.
Thanks to twitter moms and http://www.dramau.net/ for getting me to post about this topic.
Although there is no magic answer that works 100% of the time for ALL kids there are some things that can help.
Top 5 tips
1.) Keep a schedule/routine - I know you've heard this before everyone says it but its hard to do. Create a routine and stick to it. This will help even if you are out of town. Children like routines. If you start one when they are small it will become second nature for them.
2.) Storytime - This is part of our routine that my daughter looks forward to. Its daddys one on one time with her. It helps her wind down from the day and I believe gives her something to go to sleep dreaming about. Kids need something to help them wind down from the day and this is also great to promote reading skills later.
3.) MUSIC or soft white noise - when my daughter was young we figure out that she was listening to EVERY noise to keep herself awake. She was and still is VERY nosey. SO we started playing classical music to give her a distraction. This soothed her and blocked out all other things going on. Today when she hears classical she still calls it sleepy music AND it usually starts her yawning.
4.) Get rid of EXCUSES- this is easier said then done. to try to minimixe Allie goes to the bathroom AFTER her story. She used to go before her story BUT for a while there she insisted on getting up a second time when the story was over so we just switched the order. We also have let her have a very small cup of water so if she feels the need to get up and get a drink she knows its there. After a few days when she realized that we were treating her like a big girl she didnt get up as much to drink it.
5.) START EARLY - We have found this is VERY important. when it gets later She fights it more. If we eat early and get ready early we can usually get through the night without a struggle.
I know I said top 5 but heres what to do if all else fails....
FALL ASLEEP NEXT TO HER. LOL Not sure its on purpose but thats what my husband does and it usually works when nothing else does.
Thanks to twitter moms and http://www.dramau.net/ for getting me to post about this topic.
Black friday savings
Ok so I know its been a while but with thanksgiving, blakc friday and then my daughetrs birthday its been quite a week. I just wanted to report some of my great finds on black friday.
since some are gifts i wont post photos or list everything just the best of the best.
TOYS R US
got about $230 worth of toys for just over $100. I had a $10 off when you speant over $100.
the best deal was Hasbro card games Buy 1 Get 1 free (B1G1). AND since I had a coupon for B1g1 as well that meant 4 free card games!!! Found those coupons in USA weekend inside the newspaper. Wish I had more of those.
It even impressed the girl ringing me out. She wants me to email her where to find coupons. lol
Ive been finding coupons in odd places lately. Parade magazine, in random mailers, at the DR.s I just keep checking everywhere to pick up more.
Walmart I got a new Kodak Printed for $99 (saved $50). We had actually been looking at it already online so it was cool for it to be on sale. a new coat for allie on sale $7.
Michaels had an item for $40 but price matched kmart for me to $18.99!!! YEAH I didnt know they would but asked. Since I used to work as a teacher there the girl was very nice and didnt even make me show her the ad. Also I got 25% off my total order so it came out even less. I bought a bunch of $1 items. They have great $1 bins right now. Check them out. LOTS of Disney stuff.
I did good at Walgreens and CVS but dont have the stuff right handy to give you exact amounts. I will post later.
since some are gifts i wont post photos or list everything just the best of the best.
TOYS R US
got about $230 worth of toys for just over $100. I had a $10 off when you speant over $100.
the best deal was Hasbro card games Buy 1 Get 1 free (B1G1). AND since I had a coupon for B1g1 as well that meant 4 free card games!!! Found those coupons in USA weekend inside the newspaper. Wish I had more of those.
It even impressed the girl ringing me out. She wants me to email her where to find coupons. lol
Ive been finding coupons in odd places lately. Parade magazine, in random mailers, at the DR.s I just keep checking everywhere to pick up more.
Walmart I got a new Kodak Printed for $99 (saved $50). We had actually been looking at it already online so it was cool for it to be on sale. a new coat for allie on sale $7.
Michaels had an item for $40 but price matched kmart for me to $18.99!!! YEAH I didnt know they would but asked. Since I used to work as a teacher there the girl was very nice and didnt even make me show her the ad. Also I got 25% off my total order so it came out even less. I bought a bunch of $1 items. They have great $1 bins right now. Check them out. LOTS of Disney stuff.
I did good at Walgreens and CVS but dont have the stuff right handy to give you exact amounts. I will post later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)