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After reading so many blog posts about making homemade play dough, I finally decided to give it a try. You'd think after six years of parenting I might have tried making a batch before this! I glanced at various recipes, including ones posted on Almost Homeschoolers and Little Page Turners, and decided to make a small test batch using the following recipe from our local family resource center. This recipe is amazingly simple to make. The kids really liked kneeding the warm dough and squishing it with their fingers. The dough has a nice, soft, silky texture and is easily moldable.
Homemade Playdough
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
1 cup hot water
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 Tablespoon oil
Food coloring
Combine all ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it forms a ball. Remove from pan, cool slightly and kneed till smooth. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Since St. Patrick's Day is only a couple days away, we decided to color our playdough green. I experimented by substituting strained peppermint tea water for the water in the recipe. Unfortunately, after cooking, the peppermint tea smell wasn't very detectable. I was also hoping that the tea would make a nice mossy green color, but it "looked yucky" according to my kids so I ended up adding green food color.
Further experimenting, we added the dried tea leaves directly to the play dough, and pretended that we were adding ground up shamrocks! This "shamrock" playdough has an interesting grainy texture and looks mossy. It also has a more pronounced peppermint tea smell (be careful experimenting with teas and/or essential oils if someone in your family is sensitive to fragrances or has sensitive skin). I think next time we'll try adding mint extract and maybe add some gold glitter to the dough. I'm sure the area leprechauns will come our way shortly to sneak a peek. Perhaps we'll finally capture one of those tricky little fellows this year!
Have you tried making your own play dough? Did you have success adding scents to the dough?
I struggle with trying to find healthy food options for breakfast and snack time. When I'm hungry, quick and easy is the best. I'm particularly fond of smoothies, but I don't often make them because either I don't have all the ingredients needed or I'm feeling too lazy to locate them and put them all in the blender.
Recently, thanks to MyBlogSpark, I had the opportunity to try out Yoplait Frozen Smoothies. This smoothie mix is found in the freezer section of the grocery store. The smoothie package contains Yoplait frozen yogurt chips and frozen fruit -- everything needed to make your own fruit smoothie, with the exception of milk. All that you need to do is dump the contents into your blender and add milk (the package says to use skim, but I used 2% because that is what we had on hand.) It only takes a couple of minutes to make a delicious drink.
The mix comes in four different flavors: Blueberry Pomegranate, Triple Berry, Strawberry Banana, and Strawberry Mango Pineapple. One package makes two servings and each serving contains only 110 to 120 calories.
We tried out the Triple Berry flavor containing strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the package and noticed the 
large frozen real fruit chunks. Instead of adding 1 cup of milk, we added a little more to make a thinner smoothie that the kids would be able to drink with a straw. I like my smoothies thicker so next time I'll follow the package directions. It only took a minute for the blender to mix up the batch, and we had a nice, frothy cold drink to enjoy. It's an easy, peasy, no fuss way to a yummy smoothie. The smoothie tasted as good as anything I've made from scratch, and I love that it contains calcium and live and active yogurt cultures. My son loved his "shake." Unfortunately my daughter was less excited about it because it contains seeds. Someday soon I hope she'll get over her seeds in food issue! I plan to keep a few packages on hand for when I'm craving a light and cold fruit-filled snack.
Even though MyBlogSpark sent along an awesome 3-speed KitchenAid® Blender to use, we decided to use our own, not-as-fancy blender to review the product and will donate the lovely new KitchenAid to a charity. I'm sure a deserving family will really appreciate receiving it during the holidays.
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Like many children attending school, my daughter helped shop for all the things on her supply list before school began this year. The list included your typical supplies like pencils and crayons, but I was surprised to see Ziploc bags included. Why in the world would the teacher need that many Ziploc bags?
This past Tuesday I volunteered to help out in the classroom, and I learned how she uses some of the Ziploc bags. One of the tasks I performed was to inventory, organize and assemble the literacy "fun" bags so that the kids could start taking them home. The themed literacy bags are totes filled with a book, games and activities and sometimes stuffed animals and the kids take them home to encourage parent involvement in teaching early reading skills and other kindergarten basics. A lot of the totes contain small pieces or things that need to stay together. My daughter's teacher uses the Ziploc bags to keep all the pieces together. Some of the literacy bags even contain bubbles, watercolor paints, and glue! Those items need to be contained in strong and dependable bags so that they don't spill all over and make a big mess. Ziploc bags and literacy? Who knew? But, it's definitely something I'm willing to support!
We use a lot of different Ziploc products in our home so I was very happy to receive several different products to review as part of a Family Review Network blogging opportunity. Ziploc sent us four different products:
· Ziploc Brand sandwich bags
· Ziploc Brand Freezer slider bags with expandable bottom and smart-zip seal (quart)
· Ziploc Brand Storage slider bags with expandable bottom and smart-zip seal (quart)
· Ziploc Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal (medium square)
I'm sure many of you are familiar with the sandwich bags so they probably don't need much description. However, this is the first time I've tried out the expandable Ziploc slider bag. Both the freezer and storage bags have a special folded bottom that expands out so that the bags stay upright when you fill them. The bags are also roomi
One of the items that gets the most use in our bathroom is our step stool. The kids use it to wash their hands and they like to store little items in the step storage area. My husband and I use it to reach the top shelves of our storage cabinets. Sometimes I even pull it out of the bathroom and use it to reach the top shelves of my bookcases! Thanks to CSN Stores, I have the opportunity to offer a giveaway not one but TWO KidKraft Step N' Store Stools.
If you read yesterday's bathroom post, I'm sure you expected some sort of bathroom book holder giveaway from CSN. Now I'll be perfectly honest with you. I did an online search for a shelf or rack that would work for books in the bathroom. After all, CSN Stores is a huge group of over 200 online stores so I thought something interesting might pop up in my search. CSN does has a ton of bookcases and other storage products, and there were plenty of interesting options that I found. The Lexington Studios Bathroom Reading Book Organizer is one option. The Little Colorado Potty Chair with Accessories comes with a built in book rack, but it is meant for toddlers. Good options but I thought not everyone would find them useful.
Everyone can use a good step stool though, right? CSN Stores has kindly offered to giveaway a KidKraft Step N' Store Stool to two (2) Brimful Curiosities readers. I don't personally own this step stool, so I can't offer a review, but it has received several favorable comments on both CSN and Amazon. Each winner will be able to choose a KidKraft Step N' Store Stool of their choice valued at $24.95 or less. There are several varieties and colors available in this style, including a pretty cool John Deere tractor design.
To enter to win a KidKraft Step N' Store Stool ($24.95 or less), visit CSN Stores and leave a comment mentioning the step stool color/design you'd choose if you won.
• For contact purposes, if you are a non-blogger or your email is not access
My daughter threw a huge temper tantrum last night. No, it wasn't over a toy or anything else that would usually set off a child. She became upset because I told her that we didn't have time for our nightly read-aloud. A week ago we began reading a chapter a night from The Mrs. Piggle Wiggle Treasury. I recently picked up copy of the book in the Borders Bargain section because I remembered liking the stories as a child and thought my daughter might also like to listen to them. Like is an understatement. She loves the stories and looks forward to the nightly dose, giggling over the silly cures.
We've been strapped for time lately, so I have been reading a chapter to her while she takes her bath. Finding time to read aloud to kids, especially finding time to read a chapter book isn't exactly easy. My toddler son is too young to listen patiently to a chapter book so that makes trying to find some one-on-one reading time with my daughter even harder. Turns out that bath time works perfectly because she can play while also listening. Plus, it is right before bedtime so it's a great way for us both to wind down. She won't be needing Mrs. Piggle Wiggle's radish cure anytime soon!
Lots of people read in the bathroom, whether in the bath or on the toilet. In fact, there is a whole series of books meant for bathroom reading -- those Uncle John's Bathroom Readers. Plus, don't forget the Reader's Digest. That's a standard in my parent's bathroom. In fact, in June some brave individuals even celebrate National Bathroom Reader Week. No, I'm not kidding. Look it up!
Where am I going with this? Well, the problem with reading in our bathroom is that there is not really a good place to put the reading materials. I have a basket on top of the toilet that we use currently, but I'm a little concerned that the book might accidentally fall off and end up in the bowl. So here's what I'm wondering. Why don't more bathroom vanities include a book holder or rack?
This week, thanks to CSN stores, I'll be giving away a bathroom accessory to a lucky reader. Bet you can't guess what it is! Watch for the giveaway in a few days. Can you stand the suspense?
This past weekend we went shopping. Yes, we even braved two stores during Black Friday! Kohl's department store was our first stop. Kohl's ranks high on my list of favorite stores partly because it based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Max Kohl opened his first department store in 1962 in Brookfield, Wisconsin (the Kohl family operated grocery stores before the department stores). Kohl's is now one of the largest discount department store chains in the United States, operating 1,059 stores in 49 states.
However the main reason I love Kohl's is because I can find quality merchandise at reasonable prices for everyone in the family all in one store. We shop there for clothes, shoes and for items for our home. We even registered at Kohl's before our wedding. This weekend we took advantage of the great holiday sales and purchased Christmas dress clothes for both of my children, a king-size sheet set, a rug for my kitchen, a new coat for myself, and some clothes for my husband.
Kohls.com is the perfect place to shop during the holiday season with numerous gift options available. In fact, they even have a handy Holiday Gift Guide so that customers can view popular gifts and top picks in several price ranges. I recently browsed through some of the featured items and picked a few favorites:
For kids:
Kohl's Cares for Kids® "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" Book ($5) - this book by best-selling author Laura Numeroff is a bargain at $5. Plus 100% of the profit from Kohl's Cares for Kids products go directly to support children’s health and education initiatives. A win-win situation all around and I applaud Kohl's for supporting the nation's youth!
While this isn't on their gift guide, like I said before I always buy my kids' Holiday clothes from Kohl's. In the store they have a huge selection of gorgeous dresses and I bought a cute sweater vest outfit for my son. Kohl's also offers a surprisingly large selection of TOYS and GAMES.
For teens:
This weekend we need to finish preparing for the first day of school. My daughter starts school for the first time next week, so we're getting excited and a little nervous. Earlier in August I had the chance to listen to a back-to-school blogcast sponsored by Office Max along with 200 other bloggers. The blogcast starred organization guru Peter Walsh and two mom bloggers, Ana from BonggaMom and Heather from Tweenteacher.com (plus two students Megan and Keaton.)
They shared many great back-to-school tips, but one word kept coming up time after time: ORGANIZATION. Yes, that is something that we need to work on around here. According to Walsh, organization helps keep the stress out of daily life and promotes confidence and self assurance. Good lessons for back-to-school beginners.
As parents, it is especially important to model good organizational habits. Some suggestions Walsh had during the blogcast for parents included:
- Show that you value organization
- Establish clear limits and clear routines
- Finish the cycle (complete tasks, don't leave things done half-way and make sure to regularly purge items)
The more you involve your children in organization, the more invested they'll become and the more likely they'll help in maintaining order around the home.
Since this is our first year with kids in school, we're trying to start off on the right foot. We don't want to rush around in the mornings, and we want to avoid mad dashes out the door. The blogcast helped me get into the school year mind-set. Hopefully our transition from summer to school will go smoothly and with out worry.
Office Max kindly sent us a box of Schoolio Von Hoolio school supplies to help us on our way to an organized year. The box included binders, and expanding file, a notebook, pocket folder, composition books, and a pencil set. My daughter loves the owl and cupcake designs, and I'm sure all the supplies will get used throughout the year. Right now Office Max is running some great back-to-school deals for last minute shoppers.
Related Links:
Watch a recording of the blogcast: www.officemaxsolutions.com/btsblogcast
Behind the blogcast scenes posts from Ana and Heather:
http://bonggamom.blogspot.com/2009/08/behind-scenes-at-officemax-back-to.html
http://tweenteacher.com/2009/08/08/peter-walsh-officemax-and-me-oh-my/
Thanks to Office Max and Peter Walsh for the opportunity to participate in the blogcast and for providing us with school supplies. (View my full disclosure statement for more information about my reviews.)
Thanks to the generosity of CSN Rugs, our church now has an amazing play rug for the children's area. A while back I mentioned that a representative from CSNRugs.com contacted me and wanted to know if I would like to write a giveaway or review post about their area rug selection. The timing was perfect because our church is currently working to set up an activity area where children can play during bible studies, meetings and other activities. CSN Rugs graciously provided us with a very large city and street play rug for review. Although we still need to purchase chairs and a bookshelf, the activity area looks marvelous so far, as you can see in the above picture.
CSN offers a wide range of rugs including many, many kids area rugs. We received a 5'3" x 7'6" L.A Rugs Supreme Streets Rug ($185). While CSNRugs.com no longer offer the supreme version with hand carved pile, a nearly identical rug is available in sizes up to 4'3'' x 6'6'' under the name, Fun Time Around Town Road Rug. The church on the upper left of the rug looks very similar to our church and the kids have a great time pretending to drive people to services and parking the cars! The rug we received features hand carved pile around the buildings and roads and is very plush and soft to the touch. The roads are wide enough that the kids can use the large, chunky Hasbro plastic cars and multiple children can easily play together on it. Non-skid backing keeps the rug in place. While the price for the supreme rugs seems a bit high, the quality of the rug we received is much higher than those we considered purchasing from the big box stores. The rug shipped quickly after the order was placed and was packaged well, rolled up onto a cardboard tube and covered in heavy duty plastic wrap.
I've spent quite a bit of time browsing the CSNRugs.com website and the selection is very, very large. The Joy Carpets line offers several rugs appropriate for educational classrooms, daycare and library use and includes The Faith Based Collection, perfect for religious organizations looking for commercial grade rugs. If you are looking for a supreme style rug like ours with hand carved pile, I recommend you you check out the The Supreme Collection From L.A. Rugs. CSN Rugs strives to offer the very best deal with their 120% Price Match Guarantee.
Many thanks to CSN Rugs for the opportunity to review a rug and for providing our church with the play rug. The members at our church truly appreciate it!
After reading so many blog posts about making homemade play dough, I finally decided to give it a try. You'd think after six years of parenting I might have tried making a batch before this! I glanced at various recipes, including ones posted on Almost Homeschoolers and Little Page Turners, and decided to make a small test batch using the following recipe from our local family resource center. This recipe is amazingly simple to make. The kids really liked kneeding the warm dough and squishing it with their fingers. The dough has a nice, soft, silky texture and is easily moldable.
We make our own play dough all the time. I have added vanilla, almond, coconut, and peppermint extract at different times (not all together, of course!). We have also added cocoa powder, spices, glitter and food coloring. I find the best way to add all of these things is to add them before you cook the dough and mix it really well.
I love the idea of shamrock play dough.
I've never tried making my own, but this is fun to see what worked and didn't. I think it's pretty cool looking though.
This looks like a fun batch of play dough. We make it pretty regularly and try different things. Some work and well, some don't.
This is fun. I used to make this stuff when I was a kid. I have yet to make it for my own kids. I'll be following your recipe soon. Thanks for posting!