Mom Review: Too Cold to Play Outside? Try Wii Outdoor Challenge

I live in Montana and we are smack-dab in the middle of the coldest winter I’ve ever experienced here normally Montana is fairly mild…(mind you, I grew up in Minnesota so my definition of mild may be a bit skewed).

We had a weeklong stretch where the kids literally could not go outside due to frigid temps.  They were getting stir-crazy…and so was I.

That’s what motivated me to purchase a Wii and Active Life Outdoor Challenge for Christmas - and since the weather didn’t break…we opened it up early.

It was an instant hit with my kids (a four year old boy…and five year old girl).  The loved the jump-roping, log-jumping, outdoor trampoline & mine cart race.  I was literally giddy as I watched them run in place, jump and swing their arms & sweat!

We love the game so much that we spend each afternoon doing a family workout.  I do a 20 minute running, hurdle & jumping routine while the kids run in place & jump beside me.  After that, they challenge one another in a variety of games while I clean the house.

Pinch me.  I have a clean house…I am getting a quick workout…and I have exhausted kids at the end of the day.

Here is a promotional video for the game.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the game if you have it (comments section)…and if not - give it a try!  Trust me, it is well worth the $59.00 price tag!

WAHM / SAHM TShirts, Gifts & Greetings - "Because Everyday is Casual Friday"

I created this new line of WAHM / SAHM products in the comfort of my raggedy sweats, sports jersey & baseball cap.  If I had some bunny slippers…I’d be wearing those too - but I am stuck with some fuzzy striped socks.  Yes, I am a vision.

Needless to say, my "casual" attire is just one of the reasons I love my "Work at Home" gig.  That’s why I created this fun line of silly tshirts, gifts, mousepads & more.

Here are a few samples…

Work at Home Mom by traci_designs
Make photo mugs On www.zazzle.com
See other Humor Sayings Mugs

Stay at Home Mom by traci_designs
cards from www.Zazzle.com
See more Parents Cards

Stay at Home Mom by traci_designs
Create personalized t shirts At www.Zazzle.com
Browse Parents T-Shirts

Crazy Crayons: A Fun, Inexpensive & Creative Classroom Gift Idea

It has been insanely cold here this week so instead of sending the kids outside to play, we’ve been creating gifts for our neighbors and their teachers & friends.  Yesterday, we made cookies & pumpkin bread…today is “crazy crayon” day.

I found this “recipe” on Martha Stewart and thought it would be a really great “rainy day”…(or just plain bitterly cold day) craft for the kids and I to try.  Once they were completed (see photos) the kids decided that they would make a great gift for their friends at school.  I couldn’t agree more. 

Here’s how we made ours….

• We gathered up all of our crayon scraps (we used about 40 crayons and parts to make 10 crazy crayons).
• Then, I put the kids in charge of peeling.  (This takes awhile so you may want to pop in a movie or turn on some holiday music while they peel).  If you plan ahead, you may want to soak the crayons overnight or for a few hours so they are easier to peel.
• Next, I sliced the crayons (using an old chopping knife) into pea-sized pieces and sorted the chopped crayons into small bowls by colors - (reds & oranges, blues & greens, blacks & greys, etc…)
• After that, I let the kids sort the pieces into muffin tins.  We talked about “earth tones”, primary colors, holiday colors etc…as they put the pieces into the muffin holes.
• Finally, I baked the crayon pieces in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.  You may need to bake them longer or shorter…they will look like liquid when they are completely melted. 
• It takes an hour or so for the crazy crayons to become solid so I put mine in the freezer when the kids started getting impatient. 

That’s it!  Wa-la…a fun, educational & “green” craft project & gift idea.  

We are going to make more later this week and put them into cute baggies for a little gift for the kids’ classmates. 

Warning: Vinyl Car Stickers May be a Safety Hazard for Families

Have you seen those cute little vinyl car window stickers that usually feature a silly depiction of each family member…and sometimes a name below?  IE: The Andersons…or individual names for family members.

According to a Fox News report, a law enforcement official says that these decals offer too much information about your family to someone who may potentially harm your children.

For example, a child predator could approach your child using their first name (that they saw on the vehicle) leaving the child to trust him / her more.

I am looking for a link to share to the actual report, but thought it was worth mentioning since these stickers are growing in popularity.

Just What I Needed Today…A Free Household Management Chart

Today was one of those days that seem to be happening all too often lately.  I spend the day frantically running around…cleaning, errands, laundry, more cleaning…more laundry…etc…  only to end the day thinking I got absolutely nothing accomplished. 

While surfing the web tonight…I found this site, “Mommyclub.ca” that offers free printable checklists (including my personal favorite which offers a checklist of things to do around the house). 

I don’t know about you…but sometimes I just like to be told what to do..and when to do it. =) 

Simple & Fun Kids Activity - Milk & Dishsoap"Fireworks"

Ever since the Fourth of July…my kids have been begging to see a fireworks show again.  I remembered seeing a little note that was sent home from my daughter’s summer camp showing how to make safe & fun “fireworks” from home. 

It was a lot of fun..and a wonderful learning experience for the kids.  Y

You simply take 2 or three cups of milk…put it in a pan and let the kids add drops of food coloring randomly in the milk. 

Then, allow the kids to put droplets of dishsoap on top of the drops of food coloring.  The reaction(caused by the milk-fat mixing with soap) looks like a mini fireworks show.

Our favorite part of this activity was watching the colors blend together. 

Here are some photos of our fireworks show.  (The colors aren’t nearly as vibrant as they are “live”. =) )

Enjoy!

On a Serious Note…Waiting Children from Africa

 
This is my sister and brother in-laws blog.  My sister in-law is spending her days in an orphanage in Ethiopia waiting for her newly adopted daughter (Eden) to be released to her by the court system there. 

While bonding with her daughter she’s met dozens of amazing children who desperately need homes.  Please read this post to learn more about one little boy who had his hopes of adoption shattered yesterday when he was diagnosed with HIV.  Please pass it along and share it with families you know who may open their homes to a waiting child.

I write a lot about simplicity in this blog and scaling back.  It is almost embarrassing to look back at my posts about “making life easier” when you consider the life of an orphan like “John” who would give anything just to have a home.

Please read Nancy’s post…and take a moment to donate or learn more about the plight of AIDS orphans from these links…

A Mom Finds A Few Clever Ways to Save Money

It seems like saving money is all the rage lately…chances are, you’ll enjoy this cute clip from Lifetime

In the News: FDA: Bisphenol A Bottles are Safe

If you are a new mother or expecting mother you are probably aware of the controversy regarding Bisphenol-A or “BPA” for short.  This is a chemical found in some plastic baby bottles that could increase cancer risks or cause brain abnormalities (according to some reports).

I am the guilt-ridden mother of two young children who used Avent bottles exclusively when they were babies.  Needless to say, I was thankful to read this recent news article - but somewhat skeptical. 

Knowing that this was even *somewhat* of a concern (at least concerning enough to get stores to pull BPA bottles off of the shelves) I am not so sure I would risk using them ever again. 

Here is the rest of the article…

What are your thoughts?  Post them in the comments section.

You can get alternative baby bottles (BPA-free and glass) at www.discountorganicbaby.com.

Behind the Scenes of the Anderson Family Holiday Card

Anyone who has preschoolers understands the challenges of trying to get a great shot for a holiday card.  I am pretty sure you’ll relate to the effort it took for me to get a great picture of my 3 & 4 year old kiddos for our Christmas card. 

…..and after 30 minutes of spitting, fighting, hugging, kissing and threatening….ta-da!