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. =) 

A Few Kitchen "Sprintcuts" for Busy Cooks

Have you heard of "sprintcuts" yet? It is a cool video campaign by Sprint that shows viewers how to do things faster.... Here are two of my favorites...view more (like how to "quick pour ketchup" at waitless.org.

Quickly Peel a Potato

Quickly Peel Boiled Eggs

Simple Child Journaling & Letter Writing Tool

What a great night.   I am in the middle of creating a digital album for my daughter who turned five last week.  The "drag & dropping" of photographs is going fine...but the journaling part - not so much.

So...I threw in the towel for the evening and started "stumbling" (a great firefox tool that lets you click through random websites in topics that you are interested in). 

And..."wa-la" I found this.   A simple "fill in the blank" tool to help you create a treasured journal for your child. 

Here is a highlight...

Dear _____________,
You are now _____ years old. This has been a year of __________________.
Over the past few months you have learned to __________________.
You spend much of your time doing __________. We have lots of fun together, but the thing I like to do with you most is _______.
Your favorite thing to eat is ___________ and you love to play with ____________.
You say and do some of the sweetest and silliest things, such as ________________________________.

My writers block has been cured...back to scrapping!  =)  

Once a Month Cooking Video Tutorials

This weekend my husband and I spent nearly $300 at Costco stocking up on items like cheese, milk, butter, eggs and cereal. Perhaps you noticed the cost of these items skyrocketing too?

When I didn't have two preschoolers underfoot I spent one weekend each month preparing a months' worth of meals. While the cooking day wasn't exactly fun (unless you *really* like cooking) I saved a tremendous amount of money and I loved having healthy "fast food" to serve each evening.

As a result of the recent jump in grocery prices, I am revisiting once a month cooking (or freezer cooking) as a way to save money on our families' grocery bill.

Since I am "polishing up" myself, I thought I would share some resources with you...

Free Downloadable Stationery & Invitations from Hallmark.com

I was just visiting the Hallmark.com online gift store to look for a few last-minute holiday gifts and ended up getting a little gift of my own!

Check out these fantastic stationery pages and invitations.  Would you believe that they are totally free?  You simply download the template from Hallmark.com and print them out on your home computer. 

Here are just a few samples.  They have dozens of great kids birthday invitations, adult birthday invitations, initial notecards, greeting cards and more.

Enjoy!

Simple Educational Games for Kids: MyNoggin.com

I never thought I would sign up for a subscription game service for kids.  With all of the wonderful (and free) sites like Starfall.com, PBSKids.com and NickJr.com why would anyone want to spend money on a website subscription?

Well, it suddenly made sense to me yesterday.  I allow my daughter to use the computer for about an hour or so in the mornings and again in the afternoon. The other day, she was wrapped up in a wonderful drawing program on "BillyBearforKids.com".  I thought it would be the perfect time for me to get some housework done.

Within moments I hear her yelling from the kitchen..."Mommy, I clicked on the wrong button".

Whaddaya know...she was suddenly watching a toy advertisement (as if she doesn't get enough of those on Saturday mornings).  It happened again at least three times.

I was reminded of a conversation with my cousin who told me about MyNoggin.com.  She said that her son loves the educational games and has been excelling as a result.  She also told me about the parent section where you can track your child's progress.

I gave it a try and was hooked immediately.   There are no ads and the website is so simple to navigate that even my three year old doesn't struggle.  I also love that you can customize the games based upon your child's age.  For instance, I logged my four year old daughter in as a Kindergartner and my three year old as a preschooler.  They both are adequately challenged by the games, but they are not too difficult either.

The subscriptions are very reasonable.  Plus, you get a free 7 day trial. 

Here are the rates...
$9.95 per month monthly (no commitment)
$7.95 per month with a 6-month commitment
$5.95 per month with a 12-month commitment

The site is appropriate for kids from preschool through age six and you can enter as many children per household as necessary.

Free Holiday Printables and More from Organized Christmas.com

I spent a few minutes yesterday scribbling down my shopping list and holiday to-dos on the back of a toy receipt.   Later that afternoon, I searched my purse, my van and a half-dozen bags for my  makeshift "planner".  I never found it and with my luck, I'll probably need to return the item that was paired with the receipt.  Ugh.

I am determined to make this Holiday season less stressful so I spent much of the morning looking for a "system" of sorts.  I want to plan my meals, my gift-giving, my cleaning and my cookie making (okay...cookie *purchasing*). 

This appropriately-titled website (Organized Christmas.com) is absolutely perfect. They offer free printables, charts, checklists and even a "step-by-step" system for planning your holiday giving and cleaning that doesn't involve writing shopping & to-do lists on the back of receipts. 

They even have "gifts in a jar" ideas, holiday gifts and crafts and a message board.

Check it out...and enjoy!

Technorati Tags: printable , planner , holiday planner , christmas countdown , organizers , get organized , christmas , christmas crafts , holiday ideas , free printables , free charts

Website Review: Become Santa.com - Create a Personalized Santa Letter in the Wink of an Eye

Soon, your kids will be busy making a list for Santa (if they aren't already).   Check out this fantastic (and super dooper simple site) that allows you to become Santa for a few moments and respond to them in the most personal way. 

You simply jot down their achievements and a few items on their wishlist.  Enter their name, address and wa-la - a letter will arrive direct from the North Pole (or Detroit...) - but who' se paying attention, right?   Check it out at BecomeSanta.com.

Technorati Tags: christmas gift ideas , santa letter , personalized santa letter , do it yourself santa letter , how to santa letter , letter from santa , write a letter from santa , wishlist for santa

Avoid Potentially Toxic Toys from China and Support Work at Home Parents

I've always been a big fan of supporting work at home moms.  One of my favorite places to shop is Etsy.com.  Normally, I purchase unique gifts there for friends and family members.  They have wonderful purses, artwork, jewelry and accessories that are always well-made, unique and adorable. 

In light of all of the recent recalls, I am going to be purchasing some of my kids' toys on Etsy this year.  

If you are looking for some safe toys and gifts for your kids this Holiday season, consider supporting some of my favorite crafters on Etsy.

Here's a preview of a few of the wonderful things you can find there for kids...

Custom Superhero Cape

Baby Tag Blankie

Childrens' Color Book

Nightmare Snatcher Monster Journal

Handcrafted Wooden Spinning Top

Coloring Book and Crayon Caddy

Technorati Tags: toxic toys , non-toxic toys , handcrafted toys , american toys , etsy , toy recalls , china , chinese toys , lead-free toys , holiday toys , unique gifts , christmas gift ideas , safe toys

I’ve Never Felt So *Mature* - My Real Age Test Wake Up Call

Have you ever taken the Real Age test?  If not, you should.   I have been watching Oprah's recent series about anti-aging and wondered what my real age would be. 

Before taking the test, I assumed that my real age would actually be younger than my physical age (33 1/2).   I am happy, healthy - I have a great family and I take relatively good care of myself (at least that's what I thought).

I started to cringe when I read questions such as...

"how many servings of fish do you eat per week?" - Do bites of my kids' fish-sticks count?

"do you take a multi-vitamin?" - an occasional Flintstones chewable when I am out of candy may not cut it.

"how much do you exercise?"- chasing  preschoolers apparently doesn't cut it for a cardio workout.  Grrrr...

"how many hours of sleep do you get each night?"   - Hmmmm...CONSISTENT, uninterrupted sleep?  What's that?

"do you eat a wholesome breakfast?"  - I am guessing that 3 cups of coffee and a handful of dry cheerios wouldn't be considered "wholesome". 

Needless to say, I didn't exactly pass the test with flying colors.  In fact, I ended up scoring nearly three years above my age.  Grrrr.  

What I loved most about the test is that you get a solution with the results.   Of course, I am not crazy about starting a workout program, eating fish (blech) and cutting down on the chocolate bars and red wine but I really feel like I owe it to my kids to be the most alert, youthful and energetic mom possible.

My goal is to become 26 again by the end of the year.   (26 was a *really* good age for me). =)

How about you?  Take the Real Age test and let us know your results!

Technorati Tags: real age , oprah , dr. oz , anti-aging , health , reduce aging , real age test