Monday, July 26, 2010

Make Your Own Foam Letters for the Tub

As one of the many bath-toy options, you can buy foam letters for sticking to the tub. All it takes is getting them wet. But instead of buying pre-made letters, make your own! Not only can you create exactly the letters you want, but it's a lot cheaper to do yourself. For the record, the wet foam will stick to the fridge too, but of course it will fall off once dry. But, hey, that could be an activity to keep them busy while you make dinner, at least!

To make the letters, just buy some sheets of craft foam (I bought a multi-pack of 4x6 colored sheets at a dollar store) and cut out whatever letters you want. Of course you could also cut out shapes, numbers, or even animals.
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Friday, July 23, 2010

$1 Each for Popcorn and Drink at AMC Theatres on Sunday!

If you're taking the kids to the movies this weekend, plan to go on Sunday (July 25, 2010) at an AMC Theatre and you can get popcorn and a drink for $1 each...ANY size! Just provide your e-mail address to print the coupon.
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Thursday, July 15, 2010

Kid-Customize Some Pottery

Do you have a budding Picasso on your hands? Or even just a toddler who likes to draw on whatever she can find? A and I went to a pottery shop a few weeks ago to make some gifts. Basically, the shop provides various pieces you can choose from (all varying prices), and then you are set free to choose colors and paint it however you wish. At this particular spot, the price of the piece includes the paint and the firing of the pottery. We chose a couple of tiles to use as either a wall plaque or coaster. After we picked some paint colors, I let A go to town painting however she liked. We then topped that off with her handprint (and wrote her name and the date). She did get disinterested every now and then so she'd go play with some toys the shop had available. It certainly took longer to do than it would have sans a 2 year old (we were there about two hours), but she had a great time. And knowing she basically did it all by herself, the gift meant more too.

You can even do this with babies. Of course, you'd have to do the initial painting, but you could certainly paint up their little feet or hands and press them onto your piece. We had several babies with us when we went and they all made their marks--plus, all the mommies had some time to talk.

Once our masterpieces were complete, we left them at the shop so they could be fired. We returned a week later to pick them up. The little monkey immediately remembered that was her creation (and her hand)!
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Monday, July 12, 2010

Free Baby Sign Language Resources

Interested in teaching your baby sign language? When you sign up for the free Sign2Me Spotlight Newsletter, you'll receive a baby sing language chart, an American Sign Language alphabet chart (with illustrations) and an MP3 song. The e-newsletter itself includes sign demonstrations, tips, coupons, etc.

Signing can be a great way to bond and communicate with your infant. It can become key if your child has a hearing problem. It opens up a whole new world to them! I only taught A a few signs when she was a baby, but I'm planning to do more with T.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!
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Easy Planting: Seeds in Match Tips

My little monkey planted an herb garden and some tomato seeds with my mom a month or so ago. Now they have plants! While you can certainly go the traditional seed or seedling route, I just discovered a fun and very easy way for your kids to plant their own garden...even without your help. The Matchstick Garden Book of Seeds contains 10 matches with tips that include seeds. All you have to do is stick the matches seed-end down into the dirt. Choose from herbs, Italian herbs, mixed greens or wildflowers. You can find them for $3 each or less. These could be great in goody bags--especially if the party had a garden or flower theme.

Where to Buy:
Olive Barn
Pop Deluxe
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Free Sesame Street Webzine for Download

If your child loves Sesame Street, check out the free monthly webzine! Just download all or part of the latest issue in its PDF format and let your little one play and learn. Each issue has a different theme, and the current one is safari animals. You'll find various activities, from coloring pages to finding hidden objects to making animal sounds. 

Thanks, Freebies 4 Mom!
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I'm Back!

Thanks for sticking with me! I didn't mean to take such a long break from blogging, but it's amazing how quickly time passes when you have two little ones to work around! I'm hoping/planning to get back to a regular routine (but do please excuse any lapses!).

As always, if you have any events, products or activities to share, just let me know. In the meantime, here's a pic of the newest family member ("T"):
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