The Intentional Momma

Walgreens trip and coupons!

2012-02-24T14:04:00.000-06:00

On my shopping trip to Walgreen this past Saturday, I got some really fun deals!

Huggies packages are $9.99, they were on sale for $8.99, then I used the $2-off-Huggies coupon in the Walgreens February savings books (located at the front of the store) which I stacked with a $2-off manufacturer's coupon, and it came out to only $4.99!

The laundry detergent was on sale for only $1.99.

The best part, the Chapstick was on sale for 99 cents, and by using the $1-off Chapstick coupon in the February savings book, I got all these Chapsticks FREE! I just had to pay tax!

I got all of this for under $8!

Here are some current coupons I really like:

Giveaways Ending Soon!

2012-02-17T16:11:00.004-06:00

If you haven't already, be sure to enter these awesome giveaways on my blog!

Enter here to win a Jamestown Tray from Willow House with Lauren ($58 value)!

Enter here to win a copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget, ($14 value) in bookstores now!

Have a great weekend!

Cracker Box Choo-Choo DIY

2012-02-15T09:00:00.002-06:00

I recently made this school bus from a cracker box, and my toddler loved it so much, I decided to try my hand at a train!

Most of the toddlers I know just love trains!

I started with a saltine cracker box, a smaller box, and a small Dixie cup.

We painted everything black and let it dry. Then, I attached the pieces as shown. Hot glue is probably the easiest way to do this. Then I drew the features on the front and the wheels and windows on the sides with a metallic permanent marker.

Next time, I will paint the locomotive a different color so that it's more colorful and doesn't limit our color options!

Nutella Puppy Chow

2012-02-12T18:00:00.000-06:00

Today's guest post is brought to you by my friend Ida, the fabulous cook behind

Love Thy Kitchen.

Here's what Ida has to say: While attending college at Baylor University, I loved cooking for friends and coworkers. Sharing a home-cooked meal or dessert became my love language, and my kitchen became a place to make memories and build relationships. Paul teaches in Galations 5 that we should express our faith through love. Through loving my kitchen and using my time there to show others how much they’re loved, I think I’m better able to express my faith in Christ. As most of my friends moved away upon graduation, Love Thy Kitchen has given me a way to continue sharing meals with them – now in the form of pictures and recipes. I hope that trying out some of these recipes and sharing the final product with family and friends will cause you to love your kitchen just a little bit more.

Here's an easy crowd-pleaser! Just make sure you have lots of people around when you conjure this up because it makes way too much for one person to handle.

You'll need:
1/4 cup butter
1 cup Nutella
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp vanilla
9 cups Chex (I used Rice Chex.)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Melt together the butter, Nutella, and peanut butter in a medium-sized saucepan on medium-low heat until smooth and creamy.

Pour half the cereal into a bowl, top with the hot nutella mixture, and then add the rest of the cereal.

Stir together gently.

Pour the mixture into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag filled with the powdered sugar, and shake!

Enjoy!

Giveaway! The Money Saving Mom's Budget

2012-02-10T09:37:00.000-06:00

I recently had the opportunity to review a pre-released copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget. Now I am giving away one new copy of this fabulous book!

Open to US residents only. Last day to enter is 2/22. Multiple methods of entry using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A British Perspective: Being Realistically Prepared for a Newborn and a New Child (Guest Post)

2012-02-10T08:00:00.002-06:00

This guest post was written by Rose, who loves talking about pregnancy, pregnancy symptoms, and what happens after the birth! Brought to you by the UK's best pregnancy site, offering help and support throughout your pregnancy.

If you’re expecting a baby at the moment you might be working out the last days before your maternity leave, or you might already be kicking back and trying to prepare for the little one.

You have the nappies, babygros, cot, milk, books, check-ups and everything else all sorted. So you’re totally prepared, right? Maybe not...

Experiences
A friend of mine who recently gave birth was quite blasé about the whole prospect of being a mum. However, once the little one arrived, things dramatically changed. A prior facebook-addict, suddenly her status remained static for weeks, with only the occasional: ‘biggest yawn ever, so adorable!’ or ‘just managed to have a shower then been vomited on,’ statuses to show us she was still around. Incredibly, she’s slimmer now than she was before the pregnancy thanks to changing her diet to revolve around the baby and to breast feeding. When I asked her what her secret was she replied, ‘not having time to eat.’ Well, if it works for her!

Sleep
Recently, Michael McIntyre, a British comedian, caused a laugh or two about the difference in partners’ sleeping patterns depending on whether they have children or not. He commented on the smugness of some couples’ goodnight ritual: ‘goodnight, sleep well,’ replied with, ‘I will, and you.’ He then compared it with those of couples with children: ‘good luck.’ While the reality might not be this extreme, you will have to kiss those ‘till noon’ sleep-ins goodbye for the time being. Don’t give up hope though, in eighteen years’ time when your teen is nursing a hangover you’ll be able to sleep in until two before they rise from the sofa!

Language
In the meantime, you might have to tone down your vocabulary. And I’m not talking about fancy words with four or more syllables. Nope, its swear words. Your child will copy you in language and tone so next time you accidentally drop a pan on your foot you’ll have to expel your anger with a teeth clenched, ‘sugar’ I’m afraid.

Also, it might be time to confront the inside of the dreaded kitchen appliance. The cooker (or in my case, the microwave.) Once your baby arrives you’ll have less time and more germs to worry about so get the marigolds on and get it out of the way now! (Or you could just stop cooking.)

Funnily enough, the one aspect of her life my friend had no problem changing was priorities. Whereas before she saved up for an expensive dress for the work party, now she’s happily forking out for baby classes, the best new toys which promise to teach your child to walk, talk and cook a four course meal all at the same time, and the most practical, state-of-the-art designed push chairs.

I’m not sure anything can really prepare someone for the changes to their life a baby brings, but perhaps if you try only going for a shower when there is someone else in the house you might get a little idea of how much influence your baby will have on your schedule!

Forget facebook, if you’ve had time to read this whole article, you’re doing well!

"Fancy up" your Valentine's Day with a little red velvet (Guest Post)

2012-02-09T08:00:00.004-06:00

Today's guest post is written by Andrea Karapas, the Colorado food blogger behind I'm From Baklava and Ouzo...a love story.

Valentine’s Day is the one holiday of the year where, depending on your relationship status at this particular point in time, you can either feel blissfully and romantically in love or woefully and unhappily alone. It can be a rollercoaster from year to year, especially during those awkward middle school years where relationships come and go in the blink of an eye and if your timing is off just slightly, you risk humiliation in the form of going unnoticed or feeling invisible. If you’re privy to my No Ordinary Girl or Grilled Cheese Sandwich post, you’re aware that this is one of my worst fears.

I’m going to take you back to a memorable Valentine’s Day, one that stands out to me as if it was yesterday. In the winter of my 7th grade year I had the opportunity to go shopping at the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, MI with some girlfriends. “Big Deal,” you say? This was a HUGE deal to a small town girl who lived nearly 20 miles from the nearest mall worth going to. The Twelve Oaks Mall was even bigger than that one! Add in the fact that I was going to be able to shop without the supervision of a parent and this was a pretty sweet deal. I convinced my mom to hand over enough money to buy myself a winter coat. I remember telling some sob story about how my winter coat didn’t fit that well anymore and that I just needed something warmer. Michigan winters can be cruel. I don’t recall exactly how much she gave me but it was enough to have a nice day at the mall with some friends.

There were several winter coats I tried on that day but the one I actually came home with was the last one my mother would have pictured me in when I was pleading my case for a few bucks. I found myself a black, rabbit fur coat and she was a little less than pleased with me when I showed it to her once I got home. How I found myself in a fur store is beyond me, but when I tried that coat on I immediately fell in love and realized I had completed my look for the Valentine’s Day dance that happened to be the following weekend. Since my timing happened to a bit off that particular year, I was without a special someone, however I had my eye on a tall, cool drink of water and I wasn’t going to go unnoticed. I planned to show up “fancy.”

Underneath my black, rabbit fur coat, I wore my 2-piece, pink and black leopard print pantsuit that tapered at the ankle, accented with a wide black belt and black pumps. The confidence that ran through me that evening is almost indescribable and I’m certain that I’ve never been able to channel it at that level since. One thing I didn’t anticipate though was having to take that coat off at the dance. Caught between the decision of ending up with BO from sweating under that heavy coat or leaving it in the bleachers out of sight and risk having it stolen from me, I compromised with leaving it in the bleachers but checking on it between songs, which didn’t leave me much free time to work on landing the boy. Ahhhh…the awkwardness of a 7th grader.

The evening ended just how it should have, with me and my fur coat. With as much as I loved that fur coat on that Valentine’s Day in 1986, he was no match for it. And whether anyone else at that dance remembers it or not, it was our night to shine...and in my story, we did.

When thinking of what to bake for this post, I immediately went to the “fanciest” dessert that would stand up to my black, rabbit fur coat story…Red Velvet Cupcakes. With its deep red color and sweet cream cheese, vanilla frosting, it’s one of the most elegant and richly delicious cakes, not to mention stunningly beautiful. Dating back to the 1940s when it became popular in eateries and bakeries throughout Canada, the Red Velvet cake got its deep red color from the use of boiled beet root. Today red food coloring is commonly used to enhance the color. This recipe comes from the browneyedbaker, who adapted her recipe from the Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook. I’ve tried many Red Velvet cupcakes at bakeries and this one stands up to the best of them. It was scrumptious to say the least. An extravagant dessert whether you’re spending your Valentine’s Day with a special someone or your favorite “fancy” black, rabbit fur coat.

Note: I’m pretty sure no rabbits were harmed in the making of this memory. If the rabbit fur was real, there’s no way I would have managed that price tag.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients for the Cupcakes:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons red food coloring (use less if using gel food coloring since it’s more concentrated)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup buttermilk
1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Ingredients for the Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 ounces butter, at room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard muffin/cupcake pan with liners.
On medium-high speed, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to high and add the egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another couple of minutes until completely combined and smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center of the largest cupcake comes out clean.
Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting: Using the whisk attachment, whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.

*Note: This recipe can be doubled to make an 8 or 9-inch layer cake.

Giveaway! Willow House Jamestown Tray

2012-02-06T23:00:00.002-06:00

Today, I'm excited to share a giveaway from Willow House with Lauren!

If you are interested in decorating, entertaining and organizing on a budget…Willow House is for YOU!! I became a design consultant for Willow House three years ago. I went to a home party and absolutely fell in love with the products and all that the company has to offer…I decided I had to become a consultant! At the time it was more of a hobby for me. I was looking for a way to decorate our home without completely emptying the pocket book! I believe that your home should be a true reflection of who you are and that people should be able to tell the things that are important to you and your family just by walking in. Willow House has really helped me turn my house into a HOME!

I love WH products because not only are they beautiful, they are so versatile…you can take them from the kitchen table to the coffee table. You can turn many of the products, such as our hurricanes, upside down to create height on your counter tops and tables.

I have included our Jamestown Tray as the giveaway. I always refer to this tray as the “little black dress” of Willow House because it can be used in so many different ways! For entertaining, you can slide dinner menus, photos or invitations underneath the glass insert and place food, glasses or even plates on top of the tray for serving. You can place the tray in an office space or even on countertops for organizational purposes. The tray can always be used as part of a centerpiece for decorating! Whatever your needs may be, we definitely have amazing products for anyone and everyone that are affordable!

I am now a stay at home mom and Willow House has turned into something completely different for me over the last year…it has become a way for me to earn extra income, become part of a team of incredibly supportive women and continue to fund my love for decorating and entertaining in our home! Please visit my website at www.southerngalsimmons.willowhouse.com to browse the WH catalog online, shop our monthly sale and outlet items and get inspired to decorate for Spring!! Also, you can visit my Facebook page at Willow House with Lauren for more design inspiring ideas!

Giveaway!
Lauren is sponsoring a giveaway for one Jamestown Tray from Willow House, valued at $57.96! It's easy! Just enter your name into the Rafflecopter form to get started, or enter using Facebook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIY Valentine Water Shaker for Toddler

2012-02-06T13:40:00.000-06:00

I recently made a winter-themed water shaker for my toddler, so I had to do a Valentine-themed one for February! These are so fun and easy.

With a plastic bottle, some small crafty things, water, and a dab of hot glue, you have a fun, new toy for your toddler!

DIY Cracker Box School Bus!

2012-02-05T20:00:00.001-06:00

My little one LOVES buses. LOVES them. So we decided to get a little bit crafty and make our own yellow school bus from an empty box of saltine crackers.

First, I taped the box closed and painted a coat of white craft paint onto the box. Then, I painted the box yellow.

Second, I quickly pencil sketched the basic features of the bus and outlined with a black permanent marker.

Third, we filled in the red lights and stop sign with a red marker.

Fourth, we mixed a dab of blue and black paint into some white craft paint and painted the windows with a small brush.

Finally, we painted the wheels and the belly of the bus with black craft paint.

This is an easy and inexpensive project which is great for a rainy day!

Happy Hour Handprints! (Guest Post)

2012-01-31T08:00:00.006-06:00

Hi, I'm Adrianne, and I blog over at Happy Hour Projects, where I focus on quick and easy projects that can be done in an hour or less, usually with things you already have on-hand. I'm so happy to be a guest at The Intentional Momma today! Brooke always has fabulous activities to do with your toddler!

Now, my daughter is not-quite-toddling yet. This is my little cutie (and me):

So today I am going to share an activity that you can do with your kids at any age - hand (and foot) print art ideas!

Ever since she was born, I have been so enamored of her tiny little hands and feet. You know what I mean, right?

She is growing so fast, I want to keep as many little memories as I can!

Painting up your baby can be a little scary if you haven't done it before, I know. It really does work best with two people - but you can still manage if it's just you! Let me show you a few of the prints that we have done so far at home:

Ok, so neither of us are booking any art shows in the near future. But they are so precious to me! :) I'm going to give you a few tips today that I have learned from gettin' messy with my baby girl, and to share some more hand and foot print ideas that you might like to do with your kiddos!
First of all, you have to embrace a few truths:

You will get paint in places you don't want to, so a good place to do this is outside if you have cooperative weather, or your mud room or kitchen - someplace easy to scrub down - if you have to do it indoors. When I'm feeling brave (or if I have a second set of hands to help me!) I will let Raya paint in her high chair. Make sure what you're both wearing can be quickly and easily washed, or you don't mind if it gets stains. Just putting newspaper down won't cut it - especially if your little one is at an age where newspaper is extremely interesting to crumple up. Yes, I know this firsthand. :)
Be ready with washcloths. More than one. I draw a bowl of warm water when I get started, and toss in 2 or 3. I also draw a bath, where she goes immediately after we are done. If your child is old enough to wash their hands at the sink, that will probably simplify things quite a bit, but that's not an option for us just yet.
The younger your child, the more prints it will likely take until you get a "good" one. Be ready with about a dozen sheets of paper and ample paint!

I will enthusiastically recommend finding a non-toxic finger paint - and also admit, I just use whatever I have (usually acrylics). Every parent can use their own judgment on this one, but if you are using something potentially hazardous, be sure to get ALL of it cleaned up off of hands, feet, anything in the nearby vicinity and any eating surfaces as quickly as possible once you're done working. After wiping Raya down with my washcloths at-the-ready, she goes into the bathtub. Her high chair tray gets wiped down and then goes right into the dishwasher. As always - just be smart about any medium you introduce your child to. :)
So once everything is prepared not just for art-time, but for a quick cleanup as well, I just paint her hand (or foot) with a paintbrush,

And help her place it.

That's it! If it's not perfect, that's OK! It's still sweet, because it's your kiddos prints, preserved. :)

This is the one we just did for Valentine's day. I have incomplete hands here, and some experimental smudges by my little artist up in the corner. It doesn't really even resemble the heart I was going for, so I outlined it (sheesh, mom's no better artist than the baby!)

Outlining or adding details is a great way to make your prints into fun shapes, animals, flowers, etc. I have a Pinterest board of my favorite print ideas that you are welcome to check out! Let me share a couple of ideas I can't wait to try out (click the image to visit the source):

So cute, right? And you're only limited by your imagination!
I would love to see the hand and footprint art you make with your kiddos! If you have a fun design idea you want to share, be sure to leave a comment, or drop by Happy Hour Projects to let me know!
Thanks for having me, Brooke!!
~ Adrianne

Giveaway! Simply. Photography by Shelly Negrete

2012-01-27T00:01:00.004-06:00

As Shelly says, "there is no rewind button on life." My little one seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, and I couldn't agree with that statement more!

We recently had the privilege of working with the FABULOUS Shelly Negrete for some amazing family portraits while we were in Texas! My husband and I couldn't be happier with the photos. Shelly was able to capture all of those natural expressions that we just love!

Shelly is 1. Super fun. 2. Hilarious. 3. Creative. 4. Her laugh is contagious!

Here is what Shelly has to say! "I love, love, love capturing the silly, beautiful, loving moments between all of the members of your family! I provide on-location photography for your family, newborns, little-bits, big kids, tweens, seniors and more. I love to be creative with my photos adding your family's favorite things to the photos. You won't find me posing your group or kids to fit a mold. I love to photograph real life...the bumps, bruises, secrets shared between sisters, the giggles, muddy feet moments that you will remember forever! I love, love love to use the natural light in your home to create beautiful family portraits. I also love using nature's backdrop and funky locations around the area! I have lots of top secret locations {hehehe} and often drive my 9 year old crazy driving around "scouting" new locations on Saturdays and Sundays! Someday he'll thank me...right? Check out my website for more information!"

Here's a little glimpse of some of my favorites!

Thank you Shelly! We will treasure these forever!

Giveaway!
Shelly is offering a FREE session to one lucky Central Texas reader! Valued at $125, this is your chance to get those fun family portraits you've been waiting for! There are multiple methods of entry, so enter now!

Enter your name and email address, or log in with Facebook to get started! It's easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to Make a Winter Wonderland Playhouse!

2012-01-26T08:00:00.001-06:00

Today I am posting at The Denver Post's Mile High Mamas! Head over there to check out my Winter Wonderland Playhouse DIY project!

To see my very first Newspaper Playhouse DIY Project, visit Boulder Moms Connect!

Baby and Toddler Food Coupons!

2012-01-25T13:36:00.000-06:00

Here is a great coupon you don't want to miss!

$1.10-off-4 Beech Nut baby food jars (makes them 36 cents each at Walmart)

Remember, you should be able to print this coupon twice!

Also, Beech Nut is offering a FREE toddler starter kit when you sign up for their newsletter. This includes a bottle of Juicies, a package of Steamies, and two boxes of Goodies.

Guest Post: Garden Party 1st Birthday!

2012-01-25T08:00:00.001-06:00

My friend Ashley recently guest posted with her Scarf-tastic Baby Activities, and she's back today to showcase ideas for a fun garden party!

Who says you can’t have a garden-themed party for a December birthday?! Not me! Our daughter’s birthday falls a few days before Christmas, and I wanted her FIRST birthday to be warm and bright regardless of the cold temps outside. Below are some highlights from the planning, decorating and day of our first First Birthday Party!

Cheap thank-you notes from Wal-Mart, plus a few scrapbooking supplies and a cute picture of the Birthday Girl = INVITATIONS

Plastic flower pots (serving dishes), grass turf (table runner), real plants, thrift store silverware with spray painted handles (thank you Pinterest), various garden/flower toys, balloons = TABLESCAPE

Animal crackers, goldfish, cheese cubes, veggie spears & dip, fruit skewers, PB&J, pigs in a blanket, water, juice boxes, sodas, beer and “Birthday Bubbly” (jolly ranchers in champagne) = FAMILY-FRIENDLY MENU

Cake mix baked in a real terracotta flower pot (new and cleaned), plus mini cupcakes on kabob sticks to look like flowers growing out of the pot = CAKE

Mini spiral notepads and crayons in small zip baggies = FAVORS

Postcards with pictures from the party and a note of thank-you to guests for attending and for so many wonderful birthday gifts = THANK YOU’s

My #1 Tip For Any Event = ‘HIRE’ A PHOTOGRAPHER! As the hostess, I am usually too busy running around during a party to take photos of my guests enjoying themselves, so I have found that by appointing one person to be the event photographer I end up with so many more photos than I would be able to take by myself. Plus the photos are from a different point of view than my own, so I get to experience party moments that I may have missed. We are lucky to have an uncle with a great camera who agreed to take photos throughout this party. He captured some wonderful memories that we will be able to re-live in HD quality even in 20 years! So whether you pay a professional photographer or give a friend your camera, have someone take photos of the event for which you planned, cleaned, cooked and hopefully enjoyed!

~Ashley

Ask Abby

2012-01-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

When I received a serious reader question, I turned to Abby--the tell-it-like-it-is mom who writes the advice column at Boulder Moms Connect. Here is the message, followed by Abby's response. Please feel free to comment with words of encouragement to this reader if you feel so inclined. Abby, thank you for taking the time to address this question.

My sister is having a baby and I don't know what to do. She and her boyfriend don't have jobs. She has asked my hoarding, 61-year-old, hard-of-hearing, overweight grandmother to help her take care of the baby in her house. My sister sleeps until noon, plays on Facebook all day, hangs out with bad friends at night, only eats take-out, uses bad language, never cleans her room, and has no clue how much money a baby costs. I am away at college, so I'm not around. For some reason, they aren't considering adoption. I'm so worried about the baby, and I've been praying non-stop. Please, please tell me what to do.

I would like to start off by saying that this is a very serious question, and since I am not a licensed psychiatrist, minister or counselor, I can only answer from my own life experience. So, here goes.

Sadly, while people have to meet requirements for many things in life: a mortgage, a bank account, a job, a driver’s license; there are no minimum requirements to be a parent. Your sister does not appear to meet even what most people agree are the basic requirements for a good parent: stable job and income, responsible personal habits and some fumbling realization that a baby is not a pet that you can shove off on relatives. Unfortunately, because there are no mandatory requirements for parenthood, there is really nothing you can do. Your sister is an adult and you cannot make her decisions for her, although that sounds like it would be preferable.

You do not say if you and your sister are close, or if you have spoken to her about your concerns. If you have not, I would advise that you do; but, you must approach this conversation very carefully. Candidly, your sister is a loser. People like this, although they appear to care only about themselves and may constantly assert they do not care what other people think, typically have low self esteem and really DO care about what everyone else thinks. Thus, they usually do not respond well to criticism about how they live their lives and tend to get defensive when confronted. Therefore, you should try to not put your sister on the defensive by attacking her current lifestyle. I would make the tone of the conversation supportive and inquiring – “I’m so excited for you! How are you planning on paying for formula, diapers, etc.?” By asking questions, and not coming from a place of judgment, you can at least hear her out and make suggestions and offer any help that you are capable of offering. Attacking her could mean that she will shut you out of her life, and the baby’s life, and I heartily believe that would be a disaster, since you may be the only person in your sister’s life with some common sense and real love for the child. Additionally, I would recommend that you do some research to see what resources may be available to your sister where she lives. For instance, is she eligible for the WIC program (www.fns.usda.gov/wic), are there local support or mom’s groups, newborn care classes, and free activities, like library story times, etc, that she can take advantage of? She, likely, has thought of none of these things, and being able to have some tangible suggestions at the ready will be much more effective than suggesting she do her own research.

You do not mention your parents, and I wonder why. Are they alive? If so, do you and your sister have a relationship with them? Are they concerned, can they help in any way, even if this help is in the form of a conversation? If they can, your sister may be more likely to listen to them, or to all of you, with the above criteria in mind. If your parents are not in the picture, is there anyone else that may influence your sister that could be involved, perhaps a family friend, or another relative? Multiple people offering the same type of advice is always more effective.

Can you, or another concerned relative/friend, offer to come out and stay for a week or more after the baby is born? It may be helpful for your sister to see a positive role model interacting with the baby – and being there to offer help and support during that time may go farther than anything else you can do.

As with any situation involving a child, you can always involve the proper authorities after the child is born if you feel that the child’s welfare is truly at stake. I truly hope that it never comes to that.

And, last but certainly not least, it is always possible that having a baby could change your sister for the better. Perhaps being responsible for another human being will be the kick in the pants that your sister needs to wake up and be the person, and the parent, she needs to be. I wish you, and your family, all of the best in this difficult situation and I hope, for all of your sakes, baby included, that your sister will rise to the occasion and that your fears will be unwarranted.

Free Brawny and Cheap Plum Organics!

2012-01-20T17:00:00.001-06:00

Today at Target, I purchased Plum Organics stage 2 pouches. These are regularly $1.49, but by stacking a Plum organics manufacturers coupon with the Target coupon, you can get these for around 69 cents.

At Kroger and King Soopers, you can get FREE Brawny paper towels. Print out the 55-cents-off Brawny coupon, and the store will double the coupon up to $1, so a single roll is free!

Remember you should be able to print each coupon twice!

Sensory Bin--Winter Theme

2012-01-20T13:00:00.001-06:00

For a snowy day, here is an easy idea for a winter-themed sensory bin for a young toddler. Please remember that it is important to supervise your toddler at all times!

Just think snowballs, and whites, blues, and silvers.

I added a knitted square of yarn, a few yarn pom-poms, wadded-up balls of foil (make sure your foil is not sharp), silver duct-tape (which I taped to itself to cover the sticky side), cottonballs, white tulle, and a white cardboard roll.

My little one loved sticking everything into the cardboard roll and feeling all of the different textures. She also loved taking everything out and putting it back into the bin.

Have lots of fun!

Northern Colorado Baby and Kids Expo!

2012-01-19T15:56:00.000-06:00

It has been a very busy 3 months for the Northern Colorado Baby & Kids Expo! We are so excited that even in our first year, the support and excitement from the community has been outstanding. If you are a business that provides a product or service to expectant mothers, babies, children or parents – you just found THE place to showcase all you have to offer. We will have vendors from all over Colorado AND the West, including preschools, birthday party locations, sports, camps, doulas, tutoring, health and wellness, toys, kids’ consignment, books and much more! We will also have fun, FREE activities for kids, including a bounce castle, bubble activities, princess appearances, balloons, games and more. Our raffle prizes include an organic crib mattress, double-electric breast pump, pillow for nursing moms, gift baskets filled with awesome product and MORE! We are also giving away 2,000 Expo bags filled with coupons, resource guides for new moms, information on local companies and FREE products and samples! If you live in Colorado and you have kids, you don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event!

The Expo will be held on Friday and Saturday, April 27th and 28th of 2012 between the hours of 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. The Expo will be held in the Exhibit building of the Boulder County Fairgrounds, located at 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont, CO 80501. Kids under age 12 are FREE admission; Adults are $2.00 at the door. Vendor booth spaces and advertising opportunities are available until April 1, 2012. For more information, please visit our website http://www.ncbabykidsexpo.com/. Contact Heidi@NCBabyKidsExpo.com or call (720) 684-6465.

Seeking Guest Bloggers and Giveaway Sponsors!

2012-01-19T12:10:00.003-06:00

February is going to be a busy month for our family, so I am seeking a few good guest bloggers as well as giveaway sponsors!

If you are interested in serving as a guest blogger, please note that posts must be family-friendly and focus on one of the topics listed to the right. Email me at intentionalmomma {at} gmail {dot} com with your idea!

If you are interested in sponsoring a giveaway on my blog during the spring, please send me an email. I can also host Etsy Shop giveaways, and Rafflecopter will most likely be used for all giveaways.

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!

DIY Yarn Pom-Poms

2012-01-18T15:28:00.001-06:00

Here's a quick DIY:

To make these yarn pom-poms, just wrap yarn around your fingers approximately 50 times. Spread your four fingers for best results. Use a longer piece of yarn to tie around the middle. Cut through all of the loops with a pair of scissors, and then trim as needed!

These are super easy and very versatile!

DIY Wintery Water Shaker for Toddler

2012-01-17T16:47:00.000-06:00

Now, this is a project that your toddler will find fascinating. Really. And it's so easy.

You are going to start with some kind of clean, clear, plastic bottle. You can use a water bottle, but I opted for a plastic spice bottle. (Our bay leaves had expired.)

Now gather up some goodies like yarn, ribbon, buttons, sequins, and glitter. Add them to your bottle. Add some water, and leave a little bit of room at the top. Use a hot glue gun to secure the lid on the bottle, and allow it to cool.

Then, let your toddler shake away! Voila!

Devil's Backbone Hike

2012-01-10T15:55:00.001-06:00

This weekend we ventured out to the Devil's Backbone, an open space and rock formation in Loveland, Colorado. You can hike up to the keyhole, which is pictured below. With the sun setting over the mountains, the views of the valleys and red rocks are absolutely breathtaking. While the trail is a bit bumpy from the rocks, it is an easy 2.5 mile loop, with the keyhole being the highest point of elevation. The red soil and rocks offered a simple, yet stunning, change of scenery. This is also a dog-friendly trail. We will definitely be going back!

The Money Saving Mom's Budget--Book Review

2012-01-09T15:29:00.000-06:00

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing a pre-released copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget, and I'm so glad I did! After reading the Table of Contents--I was hooked! In fact, I've now read the book cover-to-cover--twice!

In her book, Crystal Paine discusses some of my very favorite topics--slashing your spending--and my absolute favorite--streamlining your life! As I read the book, I was underlining one thing after another. She also recommends several other helpful books and resources that I'm anxious to explore.

Last year, when we went from two incomes to one in order for me to stay at home with our baby, I turned to The Money Saving Mom for ways to save money. Soon, I began seeing a big difference in some of our spending habits.

Now that I've pored over this book, I've come away with so many awesome new ideas to be even more intentional in my organizing, planning, and parenting! From minimizing clutter to setting goals to finding alternative ways to earn an income, Crystal offers a plethora of dynamic ideas and solutions.

This is more than just a budgeting book--it is a motivational resource, perfect for any mom who is seeking to be more intentional in her daily life. The Money Saving Mom is as intentional as they come! Her recommendations are more than just informational--they are inspiring!

The Money Saving Mom's Budget is scheduled for release tomorrow--January 10, 2012!

From the Husband

2012-01-07T13:26:00.008-06:00

At long last, I bring you From the Husband. Let me explain. Back when I was pregnant in 2009, we started a typical little family blog to share all of our pregnancy updates with friends and family. Well, my husband wrote several humorous entries that got some laughs. Since it's been awhile, I thought we'd revisit some of those. So, here we go...

From a first-time father-to-be:

Ahhh... the trials and tribulations of walking around with a pregnant belly. Of course there's the steadily increasingly frequent potty breaks. There is the continuously shrinking kitchen - is the kitchen really shrinking or is she just getting bigger? And, of course, making sure that she doesn't laugh so hard that she accidentally... well, you know. None of these things are bad. Actually, they can be quite humorous and fun at times.

But, few dividends of being with child are so commonly, and yet somehow still unexpectedly, experienced as the mysterious affect a pregnant belly has on strangers' desire to give their polarizing, unsolicited opinions and their uncanny need to touch the belly.

Now, don't get me wrong here. Advice, suggestions, and funny stories are fine - up to a certain point. And Brooke usually doesn't mind at all if you want to rub her belly - as long as she knows you and your hands are warm. But, that's not what we're talking about here.

We're talking about annoying remarks from the cashier at WalMart or the random person in the cereal aisle that wants to put both hands on the belly and starts mumbling weird chants under their breath. That's what we're talking about here.

Here are a few funny, contradicting, or redundantly annoying thing we've heard over the last few months. Any of them sound familiar?

"Well, back in my day..." (in a tone of, "You don't know what you're doing.")

"Oh, you're going to give birth in a hospital? Home births are the only way to go." (in a tone of, "You don't know what you're doing.")

"Well, I don't believe in epidurals." (in a tone of, "You don't know what you're doing.")

"You're actually going back to work?!" (in a tone of, "You don't love your baby.")

"You're actually going to stay home for more than a week before going back to work?!" (in a tone of, "Selfish people like you are why we're in a recession.")

"Please don't tell me you want people to wash their hands before they hold your baby..." (which sounds to me like, "I don't wash my hands after going to the bathroom.")

"Oh, you're pregnant? Man, that pain is a drag." (She couldn't have been a day over 17. So, we'll give her a pass.)

"Well... we put babies to sleep on their stomachs and they turned out just fine." (Well then pass the Marlboros and Wild Turkey, because you smoked half a pack a day while still pregnant and drank after dinner each night to calm the baby down a bit. Does that still apply or has science updated us on that too?)

"Put the baby on a feeding schedule as soon as possible!" (with such polarizing certainty)

"If you put the baby on a feeding schedule, she'll get fat!" (with such polarizing certainty)

"Be careful who you let hold the baby... shaking a baby is fatal." (Who do you think we'd let hold the baby? Goober the idiot Circus Boy or Lennie Small from Of Mice and Men?!)

And honorable mentions:

"We were going to name our little girl that too! That is, until she was born and she turned out to be a boy. But that probably won't happen to you." (This one wasn't annoying, but was simply funny.)

"How long 'til your bun's done, Hun?!" is an actual quote we were asked by a waitress about a week ago. I kid you not. When she walked away I asked Brooke, "Did she just say, 'How long 'til your bun's done, Hun?!'?" She just looked at me trying to keep a straight face and said with slight laughter in her voice, "I really can't talk about this right now..." Hilarious.

Honestly, most of the quotes that we get aren't rude or annoying in principal. It's all in the nuance of the delivery. It's when it comes across as condescending or absolute that it's annoying.

So, if you ever see a pregnant lady and you feel one of these sentences coming on... just stop and think about it. Instead, just lean over and say quietly in the tone of an inside joke, "I bet you're expecting me to say something like, "How long 'til your bun's done, Hun?!"

Savings and Deals Galore!

2012-01-06T16:30:00.001-06:00

Dollar Tree:
Since moving to Colorado, I have discovered a (national) store chain called Dollar Tree. As I have been reviewing a pre-released copy of The Money Saving Mom's Budget, she mentions it in the book, so I decided to check it out! Here's the deal: this place is actually pretty legit! The one in our area is super nice and clean and has tons of name-brand products. Everything in the store costs $1 or less, and it's full-sized! Since the prices are so low, you can't use coupons.

Here are the highlights from my recent shopping trips: Tons of board books and coloring books, such as Brainy Baby, Sesame Street, Winnie the Pooh, Disney, and more. Craft supplies and school supplies. Kitchenwares. Grocery items. Seasonal items.

Yesterday's trip included Swiss Miss, Minute Maid 100% juice box package, Lay's potato crisps, 3 Sesame Street bath books, Mitch Albom hardback book, and Fisher-Price Alphabet flashcards, all for under $8. Regular retail price is over $29, so I am loving this store!

Current Coupons:
$1-off Kashi cereal (makes single-serve packs at Target FREE)
$2-off Neutrogena cosmetics
Play-Doh Buy Two Get One Free (use at Target to get 3 four-packs at $1.49 each)
Scotch Brite wipes Buy One Get One Free
$1-off Arrowhead Mills (makes cereal 79 cents at Safeway)
$1-off 2 Nabisco (makes snacks cheap at Walgreens)

Sunday Coupon Preview: There will be 6 huge coupon inserts in this Sunday's paper! I am going to pick up multiple papers on Sunday so I can begin couponing again now that the holidays are over!

Customized 2012 Calendar for $1: You will pay shipping. These make super cute and inexpensive gifts for the New Year, and you can get more than one! Shipping on each additional calendar is just $1.99.

100 Free Business Cards: Love this deal for new businesses!

Free Samples of Brand-Name Products: As seen on Fox news, this is a free program!

A Frozen Sprague Lake

2012-01-06T08:00:00.002-06:00

This past weekend, as we made our way into Rocky Mountain National Park, we saw people ice fishing in and around Estes Park! Now, ice fishing is definitely something you don't see in Texas!

We spent the majority of the afternoon hiking around Sprague Lake, which is a flat half-mile loop. It was a brisk and beautiful day, and Sprague Lake offers great views of the mountains. The piers and bridges make it even more picturesque!

A Newspaper Playhouse--Frugal Fun

2012-01-04T10:00:00.001-06:00

Today I am posting at Boulder Moms Connect.

After a recent coupon-clipping frenzy, I had a stack of newspapers that I was ready to recycle. At the last minute, I found a fun newspaper re-purposing idea for a geodesic dome from Disney FamilyFun. Little did I know that this would be one of the best rainy day ideas ever! This project will take you less than one hour to complete, and it is extremely versatile and fun for kids (and dogs) of all ages! Here's my spin on it:

If you want to try it for yourself (trust me--you should do it), you'll need some newspaper, tape, scissors, stapler, and a dowel rod (or pencil). For optional flair, try ribbon, fabric, wrapping paper, stickers, paint, markers, or colored duct tape.

1. Crossbars: The tutorial mentioned using 4 sheets of newspaper per crossbar, but I would recommend having around 4 Sunday papers handy and using 5 sheets of newspaper per crossbar for added strength! You'll make 25 of these crossbars from newspaper and tape.

To make a crossbar, open a newspaper and lay out 5 full sheets stacked. Starting at a corner, lay down your dowel rod and roll the newspaper diagonally around the dowel rod, then remove the dowel rod and tape the crossbar securely. Make sure the lengths are all around the same size, and clip any ends if necessary.

2. Triangles: You are then going to use 15 of the crossbars to make 5 triangles by stapling the ends together, and then add connecting crossbars across the top. Stand the triangle row up on its side and staple the ends together so that you have a standing pentagon. (This is the trickiest part since it is a bit wobbly!)

3. Star: Form a star with the remaining 5 crossbars. You'll staple the ends of the stars to the joints of the pentagon at the top of the structure for reinforcement.

I used clear packing tape to reinforce all of the joints and cover all of the staples! I then used fabric strips to tie bows around the joints. Preschoolers and older children will love to decorate their playhouse with your help! Get creative, take your time, and have fun!

When my little one woke up from her nap, I had prepared a little animal reading nook that she just loved! My little one's favorite part--when we draped a sheet over the structure to form a tent! We also added some plastic balls to make a fun ball pit! I am sure we will construct many more of these in the future.

For more on coupons, crafts, and toddlers, visit The Intentional Momma's blog!

Image credit: Disney FamilyFun

New Year's Resolution freebies

2012-01-03T15:20:00.000-06:00

Whether you are ready to get organized, lose weight, or save money for your New Year's resolution, there are several great FREE resources to check out! Get one week free at 24 Hour Fitness! Also, save money by planning your family's meals for free at Food on the Table. Finally, be sure to print coupons to save money on groceries, toiletries, and household products! Happy New Year!

Dublin, Texas and Dr Pepper

2012-01-02T11:00:00.000-06:00

As a Texas girl, I grew up on Dr Pepper!

On our recent roadtrip through Texas, we drove through Dublin, a small Texas town that is not only the oldest Dr Pepper bottler in the world, but they still use the original Dr Pepper formula with Imperial Pure Cane Sugar. I love the nostalgia!

On your next Texas roadtrip, be sure to make a stop in Dublin and pick up some bottles of Dublin Dr Pepper!

17 Hours Each Way: Colorado to Texas Roadtrip

2011-12-31T15:21:00.001-06:00

For the holidays, we did a scary thing--instead of flying home to Texas for Christmas, we drove non-stop for 17 hours with a toddler and a dog in tow. We stopped only for fuel and restrooms.

For my toddler, I packed a tote bag with several new books and toys, and Grammy and Poppa generously provided a portable DVD player which was a lifesaver!

Aside from some heavy traffic in Denver and a 5-minute meltdown from our toddler around 10:30 p.m., it was smooth sailing. (I can say that because I took a little nap while my husband drove through the night. Thanks, husband.)

Ten days later, we did the same thing in reverse.

It was basically a lot of this:

We literally drove halfway across Texas and it still took over 11 hours to reach the state line...

Diaper and Wipes Deal at Walmart

2011-12-30T08:00:00.019-06:00

Today I scored a nice deal on some Pull-Ups and Wet Ones antibacterial wipes at Walmart!

Using the current 75-cents-off Wet Ones coupon, each of these packages was only 22 cents! I love keeping these in the diaper bag for hand washing before snacks and meals when we're not at home.

With the current $2-off Pull-Ups coupon, jumbo packages are $6.99.

These are popular coupons, so print now while they last! You should be able to print each one twice.

Other current coupons:
$5 off Enfamil formula
$1 off Kashi cereal
$1.50 off Desitin Bath
$1 off Balmex
$1 off Pediacare
$1 off Robitussin

Bear Lake in the Snow

2011-12-29T13:47:00.000-06:00

Just a couple of months ago we were sitting by Bear Lake and watching the leaves change...

Now, as December is coming to an end, Bear Lake has transformed to a beautiful winter wonderland! A frozen lake covered in snow. Waterfalls frozen like glass. Hiking trails requiring snowshoes.

This is a fun and easy hike for people of all ages, with the total distance around the lake only .5 mile! There are several benches and boulders along the trail, which make it great for leisure (and de-stressing)!

If you're feeling more energetic, the Bear Lake trailhead offers access to some of the most beautiful hikes (in my opinion) in Rocky Mountain National Park!

Poudre Canyon in the Snow

2011-12-28T14:02:00.010-06:00

We recently took a drive along the Poudre River in Northern Colorado! The recent snowfall made everything even more beautiful! Poudre Canyon is known for excellent fishing and hiking. Here are a couple of photos from our day:

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T11:00:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to quickly wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Animal Magnets for Toddler: DIY

2011-12-22T10:35:00.000-06:00

After making the number magnets last week, I wanted to use the remaining magnets for another project! When my daughter and I were coloring one day, I got the idea to make symmetrical little magnet creatures that she could use for "matching." So, we made three of her favorite things: a ladybug, butterfly, and owl! After priming the magnet with white paint, I traced circles onto two of the magnets and drew and butterfly on the third. I painted and traced with a black permanent marker. After they dried, I lightly painted a clear coat on top! By cutting them down the middle, you instantly have your very own simple matching activity! So easy and tons of fun for little ones!

Fun Playdate Sponsored by Oral B Stages!

2011-12-17T15:10:00.000-06:00

I recently had the pleasure of hosting a "Mommy Party" sponsored by Oral B Stages! We moms gathered with our little ones at Butter Cream Cupcakery and watched Disney's new Winnie the Pooh movie while enjoying popcorn and cupcakes!

Oral B and P&G provided us with gift bags including Disney Daily Renewal Naturals Lavender Baby Wash, Oral B Stages toothbrushes, Oral B Stages toothpaste, and coupons! For our entertainment, Oral B provided the movie, popcorn, flashcards, and balloons!

To be completely honest, teeth-brushing can be a real struggle with my little one, and several other moms at our playdate agreed!

The little ones loved the movie, the popcorn, the balloons, and the cupcakes!

Some of them couldn't wait to test out the new products!

I was provided with a box of products for hosting this party, sponsored by Oral B Stages and P&G.

The opinions expressed are my own.

A very special thank you to MommyParties, Butter Cream Cupcakery, and Brian Buss.

Toddler DIY: Salt Dough Wreath Ornaments!

2011-12-17T00:02:00.001-06:00

Here is a project that we spread out over two days! It is so much fun, and there's plenty of room for creativity and discovery for your little one! It is a get-your-hands-messy project that will hold your toddler's attention for a long stretch of time.

PART 1: Make and Bake!

You need:

1/2 cup salt

1/2 cup water

1 cup flour

cookie sheet

1. Pre-heat oven to 250.

2. Mix flour and salt with water until it forms a dough.

3. Spread flour out on flat surface, and flour your hands.

4. Roll or flatten dough to around 1/4 inch thickness.

5. Cut desired shapes. We kept it simple--circles and flowers.

Use cookie cutters if you have them! Cut holes for ornaments.

6. Place shapes on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for two hours.

Remove from oven when slightly brown and let cool.

PART 2: Decorate!

We made our circles into wreath ornaments. We used two shades of green craft paint, plus red and gold craft paint. My little one painted with a paintbrush and her fingers, and she made dots with her fingers. After the paint dried, we tied ribbon through the holes!

Make Colorful Magnets for Toddler DIY

2011-12-16T10:36:00.000-06:00

This is a fun and easy re-purposing idea that I love! You know those free magnets you get from pizza take-out places, or the large magnets with high school football schedules on them? I like to paint them and make my own magnets! With a little one at home, the possibilities are endless! So, if you're at a loss and need an easy project to spice things up for the day, this is a winner.

Yesterday I made these colorful number magnets. My little one is at the age where she loves magnets, so this was something fun for her to play with today. She can learn about numbers and colors and shapes, and she loves carrying them around from the refrigerator to the dishwasher to the filing cabinet.

First, I paint the magnet with a white coat to prime it. Then, I measure and cut the magnet into smaller pieces, if necessary.

This time, I painted each magnet a different bright color and then painted a subtle circle in the center by simply spinning the paintbrush.

Once the magnets were dry, I used a black permanent marker to draw numbers on each magnet. For added dimension, I lightly dry-brushed some shadows on the corners.

Finally, I finished it off by lightly painting a clear coat on top!

When your little ones are a little bit older, they can help decorate the magnets with paint, stickers, or anything else you can imagine!

More Mountain Escapes

2011-12-15T00:15:00.001-06:00

Now that I'm living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it's easy to forget that these mountains are much bigger than the state of Colorado.

When I was in high school, my family traveled to Alaska for almost two weeks. We flew from DFW to Washington and then on to Anchorage. One of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen was the sunset from that airplane. At that age, I had a hard time appreciating the landscape around me. We traveled to Denali National Park where we counted eighteen grizzly bears on our tour of the park. A mother bear and her two cubs walked right past our vehicle, and we have the home movie to prove it. My other favorite part of that trip--panning for gold. It was really fun, especially since I found a small amount! My parents have also really enjoyed traveling to Alaska to fish for salmon and halibut.

If you're interested in the possibility of traveling to Alaska, or if you'd like to teach your children about the largest U.S. state, you can get a FREE official Alaska Travel Book, loaded with page after page of great information and beautiful photos.

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL DEALS!

Santa Fe, NM: For a total of only $119, you can get a two night stay at the Southwest Boutique Hotel, daily breakfasts, and a $40 food and drink credit. This deal is a no-brainer! From art to shopping to skiing, there is so much to see and do. I can't remember ever seeing a getaway deal this good!

Steamboat, CO: My first ski trip was at Steamboat Springs when I was in high school, and I absolutely loved it! For $256, you can get a two night stay for two at the Rocky Mountain Inn, daily breakfasts, ski discounts, and more!

Whistler, Canada: For $349, you can get a two night stay for two, daily breakfasts, yoga, and beverages at the luxurious Whistler Chalet! Whistler offers world-class dining and outdoor activities.

Target: My Fun Deals Today!

2011-12-14T15:38:00.000-06:00

Today I went to Target and picked up a couple of fun deals while I was there! With the $1-off-Eucerin coupon, I got two FREE travel sized lotions, which I love to keep in the diaper bag during this cold time of year! Target also has their Curious George DVDs on sale for $4.75, and with the $3-off Curious George coupon, I picked up two of these! You should be able to print two of each coupon!

More great coupons:

$1-off Colgate Sensitive

$10-off Fisher-Price Little Mommy My Very Real Doll

$1-off PediaCare product

$1-off Nivea lotion

$1-off Aquaphor product

Hiking Bridal Veil Falls in the Fog

2011-12-13T16:15:00.000-06:00

One of the things I love most about Rocky Mountain National Park--and about Colorado in general--is that the landscape changes so dramatically with the changing weather and seasons. One of our most beautiful hikes was through dense fog to Bridal Veil Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. From the trailhead, the hike is 3.2 miles to the Falls.

Home for the Holidays

2011-12-10T23:20:00.004-06:00

Since we've always lived near our parents, this is the first Christmas that we will actually have to travel home for the holidays. Although the snow here in Colorado really gets us in the holiday spirit, we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our families! With our little one at an age where she recognizes Christmas trees, toy trains, and Santa, I could not be more excited to experience it all through her this year. Having your own children really makes you feel like a child again!

In the spirit of going home for the holidays, check out this new video! Pink dresses--check. Great vocals--check. Flash mob--check. Putting you in the holiday spirit--check. LOVE IT!

Merry Christmas!

This post is sponsored by T-Mobile.

Flying with a Toddler--Suggestions

2011-12-09T08:00:00.001-06:00

Continued from yesterday's post.

This was my toddler’s third roundtrip flight in her short life. When she was an infant, we flew to Tulsa for my husband’s business trip. When she was a pre-toddler, we flew to Breckenridge. This trip from Denver to Austin was my first time to fly alone with her. So, I was definitely nervous. If you are going to be flying with a little one, here are some things that really help:

Food and drink: Clearly, have a drink for your little one to help with ear pressure. Milk, water, juice, whatever they like. And, I armed myself with two GoGo Squeez baby food pouches for each flight. My little one loves these, and they are somewhat of a special treat. So, I give her one on the way up and another on the way down. It occupies some of her time, she loves it, and it helps with ear pressure. It’s a no brainer. Bring some puffs (or another snack they like) in a snack catcher container, which will help prevent spilling.

Books: Slip a few books into your carry-on. Even better, slip a new book or two into your bag.

Comfort item: If your little one has a favorite blanket or teddy bear, be sure to bring that along!

Coloring: Bring some paper and some crayons, print off coloring sheets, or buy coloring books for a dollar at Walmart. We were coloring a picture of Elmo and a crayon fell. Please don’t be the red one. It was the red one.

For older ones, you have more options.

iPhone or iPad: We don’t let our little one play with our phones. A) They are extremely germy. B) We don’t want to develop any bad habits just yet. But, we make an exception when flying. Yet another special treat. And let me tell you, there are so many fun, free apps for little ones. Our free apps included coloring, drawing, ABCs, sign language, songs, and games. We also downloaded some free television shows and podcasts from iTunes. I think we got about 6 free episodes of Sesame Street, an episode of Pocoyo, Blue's Clues, and Backyardigans. These things were lifesavers.

At this point, I don’t think I’d want to go more than three hours or so with her on a plane by myself.

While you'll be tempted to pack tons of stuff to keep him/her occupied, don't do it. Feeling cramped by excess baggage could actually make things worse. It's all about the quality of the items you bring, not the quantity. If you can pack anything that's new to your child, do it. In this situation, you'll get better mileage out of something that's new.

Last winter when we flew to Tulsa with her, we were so nervous. There was an active soldier sitting next to us headed toward his call of duty. He told us that he was leaving his wife at home alone with two toddlers and twin infants. He said that they recently flew eleven hours to Germany, just the two of them with four little ones, three of them in diapers. Super impressive. Things like that really help put things in perspective..

If you have any suggestions for traveling with little ones, please leave a comment!

Get 3 Melissa and Doug puzzles for only $10!

2011-12-08T12:28:00.000-06:00

Today only, you can get this set of three Melissa and Doug wooden peg puzzles for only $10, and it is eligible for FREE super saver shipping! I just placed my order! We are practicing our alphabet and numbers now, and my little one loves fish, so I could not be more excited about this 50% off deal!

You can also get 100-piece set of colorful wooden Melissa and Doug blocks for only $10. These are regularly $20 and they are a classic!

You can't go wrong with Melissa and Doug. Not only are they classic wooden toys, but kids love them!

More Holiday Flurry Toy Deals here!

Flying with a Toddler--Southwest Airlines

2011-12-08T07:00:00.003-06:00

I have been a slave to American Airlines and their frequent flyer program for many years now. But recently, to my surprise, I found super cheap flights from Denver to Austin for only $59 each way. My parents were flying me and my little one home for a few days for a visit.

Saturday we arrived at the Denver airport, checked in, and they even allowed my husband to escort us to our gate. At security, however, my husband realized he still had his pocket knife which had been a gift from his dad. So, we had to proceed without him... with a toddler, several bags, and a stroller while juggling shoes and liquids. As many of you know, it isn’t especially easy. My iPhone was in my pocket and it set off the alarm, so they took it from me and we made through with no beeps. Then the lady patted me down while I was holding my toddler. Then came the process of them checking our sippy cup liquids.

At that point, I was getting a little nervous about time. I still had to take the train to another gate.

Luckily, I got to the gate around twelve minutes before our scheduled departure. The lady at the desk asked if I was Brooke, and I said yes, and she told me I’d made it just in time. That’s when I realized that my phone was still at the security desk across the airport. I asked the lady what she recommended I do, and she told me to choose between the phone and the flight, so I reluctantly opted for the phone since she told me that they would probably be able to get me on another flight later.

I figured my husband was probably still at the airport, so I went to the payphone to try to call him. It accepted my credit card, but no answer. I left a message. I tried my parents. No answer. Then the phone stopped accepting my card. I had 4 quarters in my wallet, which would give me one more call. No answer, and the payphone kept my money.

So, I took the tram back to the security area and went to the information desk. The guys at the Denver airport were so, so nice. They let me call my husband, who thankfully had received my message and had already retrieved my phone.

Southwest people offered to put me on the next flight, but with stops in Amarillo and DFW, I really didn’t want to be stuck on a plane with my toddler for over five hours. So, we got a nonstop flight that evening.

Once on our flight, the pilot came on and said, “we have asked the flight attendants to remain seated for an extended period of time as we are expecting severe turbulence as we push through this cold front and storm.” As the male flight attendant went back to his seat, he stopped and told me, “if and when the masks drop from the ceiling, be sure to to put yours on before putting one on your child.” Great. Fabulous. There was an off-duty crew member seated behind me who said, "“we are expecting several fifteen foot drops.”

As we hit the turbulence, I was holding on to little M for dear life. The plane was shaking and it was like she was flying off of my lap. The lady next to us was sobbing with her head buried in her hands. What was Little M doing? She was laughing HYSTERICALLY. Not at the lady, but she was just having more fun on this thrilling airplane ride. We hit 39,000 feet and finally settled in at 33,000 feet, but it was bumpy nearly the entire flight.

Luckily, Colorado to Texas is only an hour and a half, maybe two hours. And let me tell you, this flight crew was hilarious. They don’t take themselves too seriously, and they have fun. It makes the flight so much more enjoyable. They made the standard, boring announcements fun which put people in a good mood and made them listen. I loved it!

While in Texas, I decided to stay a few days longer so I could see a few more family members and have dinner with my brother in Dallas. Southwest doesn’t charge a change fee, so it was no big deal to just switch my return flight.

Read the rest of my Flying with a Toddler tomorrow!

Germs. The Gift that Keeps on Giving.

2011-12-07T08:00:00.002-06:00

With the holidays here, I can't help but remember the holidays we have experienced over the past year. I posted about it back in May. Our little one has been sick for every single holiday, except this past Thanksgiving. (Although she had a virus the week before.) With multiple ear infections, strep, viruses, and tubes in her ears, we have the medical bills and undereye circles to prove it. Like most other kids, she plays at the playground, library, church nursery, gym, and on playdates, so she is routinely exposed to germs.
In the spirit of giving, I'm going to give you a list of the most disgusting places you'll want to avoid this holiday season:

Shopping carts: While last-minute shopping and meal planning, keep in mind that 72% of shopping carts have fecal bacteria. E. coli can cause severe infections. In addition, you get residue from meat juices. In addition to fecal bacteria, think salmonella.

Cell phones: 1 in 6 cell phones harbors traces of fecal bacteria, and they have 18 times more bacteria than a toilet handle.

Purses and wallets: These are super germy! Purse handles, purse bottoms, and the entire wallet, inside and out. If a man carries his wallet in his back pocket, the warmth from his body heat allows bacteria to flourish. Currency (money) is covered in bacteria from all of the lovely people who have had their grubby hands on it.

Remote controls: Remember this especially in hotel rooms, as the remote is the most germ-infested item in the room.

Water fountains: On average, the water spigot has twice as many bacteria as a toilet seat.

Buttons: On elevators, drink machines, ATMs, crosswalk buttons.

Airplane bathrooms: These are apparently some of the most germy bathrooms in existence. They serve a lot of people in a short amount of time, and people avoid washing their hands in the small sink, so there is a thin layer of E. coli covering everything.

Gas pumps: This is our lucky winner... Generally speaking, the gas pump is the dirtiest thing you can possibly touch.

I'm not saying freak out and have nightmares about bacteria, but--

Here is what you can do:

1. Please. Be conscientious. Be aware. Don't be careless. Especially when kids are involved.

2. Wash. Your. Hands. Please. Every time.

3. Wipe down those surfaces with alcohol wipes. Yes, clean your cell phone.

4. Clean surfaces in your home--like doorknobs, handles, and light switches--with disinfecting wipes.

5. Wash and/or sanitize your hands before holding or touching someone else's baby. It's common courtesy we learned in the hospital.

6. Use those shopping cart wipes to wipe down your shopping cart.

7. Clean the hands of your children, to protect them, and to protect others.

8. Use hand sanitizer when you can't properly wash your hands.

Keep these things in mind to help avoid illness during the holidays!

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/ http://www.cnn.com/ http://abcnews.go.com/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Holiday Magic. It's no Hocus Pocus.

2011-12-06T08:00:00.001-06:00

This is a guest post written by Andrea Karapas, a Food Blogger in Fort Collins, CO. She takes time away from her career as a Career Counselor to tap into her own passions: writing, food, and photography. I'm From Baklava and Ouzo...a love story launched a year ago as a way for Andrea to share her love for food through personal, heart-felt and sometimes humorous stories. Honoring her Greek heritage, she spotlights many recipes passed down through her family.

Ahhhh…the magic of the holidays, it moves us to display bounding amounts of generosity and love toward one another. There’s an energy in the air that moves our spirit and softens our heart. It goes beyond hearing our favorite carols, seeing our neighborhoods come to life with beautiful lights, and even our children’s annual visit to the awkward Santa Claus in the mall. It’s in the subtle moments that the magic happens: the light in your child’s eyes as they open the gift they really wanted most but never added to their list, the pride in her heart as you hang the handmade ornament your daughter made in 1st grade on the tree, and the kindness that’s shared in providing for a family less fortunate. Somehow, these moments pierce our very being like no other time of the year. The memories of the physical gifts we receive seem to fade quickly from year to year while the magical gifts of the spirit live on for us to share much later. They take on a deeper meaning and touch our soul.

My family has had many holiday traditions passed down through the generations and some new ones that we’ve created ourselves along the way. A favorite of mine that has been tucked away for nearly 20 years is the old tradition of lighting your walkway with luminaries on Christmas Eve. Adopted by the small town I grew up in, every house would line their sidewalk with candle-lit paper bags. Since my aunt and uncle would host Christmas Eve at their house, I’d take that magical walk from my house to theirs down the street that was lit at my feet. Add a light snowfall to that walk and it’s a memory burned into my heart.

I remember teaching my oldest daughter, Julia how to make paper snowflakes, sharing with her my shallow knowledge of the fact that no two snowflakes are alike, even when they’re created with paper and scissors. One year we covered all our windows with them and each one was as unique as she is.

Mexican layer dip is a long-standing tradition as an appetizer for my family during the holidays. If I added up all the Mexican layer dip I’ve eaten throughout my life over the years, there’s no doubt that it would add up to a disgustingly memorable amount. Though all those years put together couldn’t outshine the unforgettable Christmas Eve that my older sister, Angela, and I put away nearly the whole thing on our own. Hiding out in a room by ourselves, pretending to be in deep conversation, we indulged until we were repulsively ill. In these moments are the magic of the holidays. The time we spend with family, creating warmth, love and memories.

This feature highlights two of our recent favorite holiday treats, White Chocolate Party Mix and Peppermint Hot Cocoa. Both represent the holiday magic that happens when you bring individuals together. Alone, each ingredient is special…but together, they create magic. The White Chocolate Party Mix was discovered at a work-related holiday party. A dish to pass at the top of my “A List”, my friend, Christa, was a hit with this one. I nearly passed it up, heeding her warning that if I ate one piece, I’d be hooked forever. With Chex Mix, m&ms, and peanuts melted together with white chocolate, this is the closest to sinful that holiday treats can get.

Who doesn’t love hot cocoa during the holidays? Add in a World-famous Hammond’s Peppermint Candy Cane and you’ve got special drink. As beautiful as it is delicious, this piping hot cup full of goodness will warm your spirit and dissolve your stress from holiday shopping. Hammond’s Candies have been a Denver tradition since 1920 and if you haven’t been on a factory tour yet, add it to your holiday “To Do” list. Quickly becoming recognized throughout the world for their hand-crafted candy canes and other specialty candies, Hammond’s knows how to cater to a sweet tooth. Don’t miss their two-day annual Candy Cane Festival coming up this weekend on Dec. 9th and 10th.

Each year brings new memories and new traditions. Gifts will be exchanged and treats will be shared. Yet, it’s the magic that stays consistent throughout the years. I’ll be digging up some old traditions this season with the luminaries down my front walk way, paper snowflakes on my windows, and Mexican layer dip amongst the spread of goodies. But it’s the magic I’ll be watching for in my daughters’ eyes, in my partner’s laugh, and all the stories we’ll retell.

Martha Stewart’s Peppermint Hot Cocoa
Ingredients:
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 quart milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
pinch of salt
Instructions:
Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.
Recipe from: Martha Stewart

Fresh Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy or whipping cream
2 to 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar, sifted, or granulated sugar, to your taste
A few drops vanilla extract
Instructions:
About 15 minutes before you plan to prepare this topping, place a medium-sized bowl and the beaters from your electric mixer in the refrigerator.
When you’re ready to proceed, pour the cream into the chilled bowl. Starting at medium speed, beat the cream until it starts to thicken. Increase the speed to medium-high and continue to beat until the cream holds soft peaks. Add the confectioners’ sugar, stirring it in with the beaters so it doesn’t fly up in your face when you restart the machine. Continue to beat the cream until it is stiff but not grainy. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed, no more than several hours.
Recipe from: Pie: 300 Tried-and-True Recipes for Delicious Homemade Pie By~ Ken Haedrich

White Chocolate Party Mix
Ingredients:
1 pound family bag Traditional Chex Mix
2 pound bag of plain m&ms
1-12 ounce tin of unsalted peanuts
2-12 ounce bags of white chocolate morsels
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 200°. Combine Chex Mix, m&ms, peanuts, and white chocolate morsels in a large disposable aluminum baking pan. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring often. When chocolate is completely melted and incorporated into entire mix, pour onto baking sheet lined with wax paper. Smooth into a thin layer. Place in freezer for at least 1 hour to harden. Beak apart and store in sealed container and in a cool area.
Recipe from: Christa Menning Johnson – Fort Collins, CO

Thanks Andrea! I can't wait to try these yummy recipes. For more deliciousness from Andrea, visit her blog!

Northern Colorado's Blooming Massage

2011-12-05T14:30:00.001-06:00

Through Boulder Moms Connect, I recently had the pleasure of meeting Dayna Orton, a stay-at-home mom who recently started her own massage therapy practice. Located in the Longmont and Niwot areas of Northern Colorado, Blooming Massage offers services such as aromatherapy hot stone massage as well as therapeutic massages including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology, pre- and post-natal massage, injury rehabilitation massage, trigger point therapy, and sports massage.

Blooming Massage: Restoring Health Naturally Through Therapeutic Touch.

Our Mission is to enhance and sustain your quality of life by providing massage services. Relaxation and pain relief will be priorities during the massage including specific work on areas of stress or injury. Each massage session is contoured for each client. It is my hope that, after each session, you will leave feeling noticeably better, more relaxed, and ready to engage the day with positive energy. Regular therapeutic massage contributes to sustained good health and increased function.

I was so lucky to receive a 60-minute therapeutic massage from Dayna at Blooming Massage! When I walked in, Dayna warmly greeted me and we briefly discussed the tension in my back before the massage began.

First off, let me tell you that it has been at least a year since I've had a massage. For special occasions, my husband regularly gave me gift certificates for one-hour hot stone massages back in Texas. And I had a few other Swedish massages here and there. But the thing about Dayna at Blooming Massage was that she really focused on trigger point therapy, which I had never experienced, but I loved! Since I'm always toting a toddler in addition to typing and doing housework, I had a lot of tension in my back, neck, and shoulders. The tension resulted in knots, and Dayna worked her magic! The environment was so relaxing with soft music and sounds of a waterfall.

Blooming Massage is taking Northern Colorado by storm! If you visit her website, you can view her homework videos for stretching between massages. One of the coolest things is that Dayna will offer amazing specials on her Facebook page! Like her page and have the opportunity for great discounts and deals. She also offers a frequent massage card for those of us who like massages on a regular basis.

Dayna, a Hawaii native, is part stay-at-home-mom and part massage therapist. One of the things that impressed me most about her was that after being unable to find a traditional job, she went back to school in the evenings in Denver so that she could open her own massage therapy practice! I find that very inspirational!

What sets Dayna apart is that she is extremely nice, very professional, and well-versed in various methods of massage, in addition to offering some unique specials to help you save money! With the holidays quickly approaching, give the gift of Blooming Massage!

For more information on Blooming Massage, you can visit the Blooming Massage website and Facebook page!

Northern Colorado Baby and Kids Expo: Vendors wanted!

2011-12-05T11:00:00.000-06:00

Are you a business that features products or services
for moms, moms-to-be, babies, kids & families?
WE WANT YOU!
You're Invited to our FAQ Session!
WHEN: Monday, December 12th
WHERE: Panera Bread Company
425 Ken Pratt Blvd.
Longmont, CO 80501
TIME: 9:00 am -10:00 am
Come to a brief meeting and learn more about
how you can get involved in our exciting event!
Information on booth pricing, The BOCO Book,
payment and more will be discussed.

Remember - Early Bird Rates END on December 31st!

Don't miss these incredible savings or the chance to be
a vendor at the event!
Register for a Vendor Booth TODAY!

Become a Sponsor!

Northern Colorado Baby & Kids Expo
April 27 & 28, 2012
At the Boulder County Fairgrounds!
Visit the NCBKE Website

Holiday Gift Exchange Party Ideas. Or not.

2011-12-04T14:55:00.004-06:00

Chinese Christmas. Round Robin. Secret Santa. White Elephant. Yes, these are just a few of your options when it comes to your upcoming holiday gift exchange party. Are you looking forward to it? Or, are you being forced to go against your will? I’ve been there.

I remember my first Chinese Christmas. It was in Girl Scouts when I was in elementary school. This was the 80s. I went home with a card full of stick-on stud earrings. Do you remember those? Maybe they’re still around. They were the hard plastic multicolored ones.

My first Secret Santa experience was in Student Council in elementary school. The student council members and the teachers were paired up. As the hospitality chairman, I organized our Secret Santa party. As a fourth grader, I remember sitting on the floor of my parents’ bedroom making telephone calls to my fellow student council members and asking them to bring various dishes to our breakfast in the school library. That was back in the days before we helicopter parents started hovering so much and doing everything ourselves. My Secret Santa gave me a pair of Christmas socks, some fluorescent Crayolas, and several packs of gum.

That brings me to my next issue. When it comes to giving and receiving at these holiday gift exchanges, there really seem to be two schools of thought. Say you have a $20 price point, or limit, on the gift. Do you give one big gift, or a goody bag full of several smaller gifts? I remember as a kid, I liked my Secret Santa gift with the socks, the crayons, and the gum. More was better. I think many adults have a tendency to preference larger gifts, something that maybe they wouldn’t necessarily go out and buy on a regular basis. But, I also think that a lot of the women I’ve met love to give gifts with lots of little trinkets inside. I’m not sure why that is. It is probably more fun to shop for it, I’m guessing. You could go pick up a $20 gift card somewhere, or you could go mix-and-match 20 items from the Dollar Spot at Target. Don’t get me wrong, I love Target. But I don’t love clutter.

My husband is surprised at the fact that I was a hospitality chairman as a fourth grader. But, I believe that in most cases, kids are going to rise the expectations that are set for them, as long as they are realistic and fair. In this position, I wrote thank-you notes, I planned our breakfasts, and I organized our Secret Santa program.

Over the years, I have endured my fair share of holiday gift exchange parties, from family to friends, from school to the workplace. Some were fabulous, some crashed and burned. One of the most important things to consider is communication—make sure everyone is aware of the expectations, from gifts to price point. If the price point is $20, don’t be the guy who brings a $5 gift. The person who gets stuck with it probably won’t like you anymore. One time I was one of five people invited to a White Elephant gift exchange for the first time. This party had been going on for years, and I thought I had the perfect, most hilarious gift. They didn’t communicate to us newbies that it was really a Chinese Christmas. All of the regulars had brought super fun, awesome gifts, and all of the newbies had brought ridiculous White Elephant gifts. That lack of communication made it really awkward, and I felt terrible about my once-hilarious-now-lousy gift.

So, if you need to spice up your holiday party, make it a tacky holiday sweater party. Wear your most glittery, colorful holiday sweater vest with your antlers and jingle bell necklaces, holiday socks, and just get all decked out. Consider karaoke. Or not. And remember, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

Huggies and Gerber: Target Shopping Trip

2011-12-01T11:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I got one of the BEST diaper deals EVER! Thank you Target! This purchase consisted of 3 Big Packs of Huggies Little Movers Slip-On diapers (56-66 count) and 8 Gerber Graduates Grabbers.

Here are the coupons I used for Huggies and Target.

(Gerber coupons are not pictured.)

To print your own Target coupons for Huggies, Gerber, and more, go here and click on coupons under ways to save at the bottom!

Right now, Target has a diaper deal where you buy 3 Big Packs of diapers at $19.79 each, you will get a $10 giftcard.

In addition, I used:

(2) $2-off Target Huggies Little Movers Slip-On diapers

(1) Target $2-off Huggies diapers

(1) $2-off Huggies manufacturer coupon

(1) Buy $25 worth of Kimberly Clark products, get a $5 Target giftcard

(Sunday paper coupon SS 10/30)

(1) Spend $50 at Target, get a $10 giftcard

(1) $2-off Gerber purchase of $10 or more (Target home mailer)

(2) $1-off Target 4 Gerber food items

Here is my receipt along with the 3 giftcards I received valued at $10, $10, and $5 to use in the future!

Total before coupons and giftcards: $77

Total after coupons and giftcards: $38

More Huggies coupons to print!

Here, here, here

More coupons at the following links:

New Coupons and Freebies! Huggies, Gerber, Target, MegaBloks, and more!

2011-11-30T16:10:00.001-06:00

I'm excited about lots of great new coupons and freebies to save money during the holidays!

Coupons
Crayola, MegaBloks, Similac
Burt's Bees, Colgate, Listerine
I Can't Believe it's Not Butter
Seattle's Best Coffee
Pillsbury, Smart Ones
Yoplait, Smart Balance
Odwalla, Minute Maid
$1.25 off Reynold's Wrap

Target Toys and Coupons (click on "coupons" under "ways to save" at the bottom)

Huggies, Gerber, groceries, and more!
25 Days of Toys - One Hot Toy Deal Every Day Until Christmas
Target Toy Coupons

Freebies
Click on my Coupons and Freebies page at the top!

Last Day for Free Chips and Queso coupon from Chili's!

Autumn Recap: Recommendations, Reviews, and Giveaways

2011-11-28T16:14:00.007-06:00

With November coming to an end, I wanted to give a quick recap of the awesome products and companies I have had the opportunity to work with the past few months! It has been a pleasure!

Noonday Collection
Brian Buss Videography
Prefense Non-Alcohol Hand Sanitizer
Groove Kid Nation Music In Motion
Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado
Heaven is for Real for Kids by Todd Burpo
My Purple Toes by Blair Hahn
My Purple Kisses by Blair Hahn

Also, read my recommendations for your Pre-Toddler Survival Kit and Best Books for First-time Moms!

My Kohl's Deal! Columbia, Keurig, Kitchen Aid, toys, boots, jewelry, and more!

2011-11-27T15:37:00.000-06:00

Now that we're living in Colorado, we had to buy some legitimate winter coats. Back in Texas, you can get by with a fleece jacket and a pea coat, but not here. And winter coats can be pretty expensive.

My husband and I just took advantage of the awesome deals Kohl's is having this weekend and we each got a Columbia winter coat!

Here's how you can save a ton of money on your Christmas gifts this year, whether it is apparel, Keurig, Kitchen Aid, boots, jewelry, toys, or anything else on your list! You don't even have to fight the holiday shoppers--just shop from home today or tomorrow!

When you shop at Kohl's, use coupon code CYBER20 at checkout to take an extra 20% off, plus you'll get free shipping with no minimum purchase required! Shop today, and you will also earn $15 in Kohl's cash for every $50 you spend!

So, we got our Columbia winter coats for around 50% off! This is one of the most exciting deals I've ever gotten!

Finally, if you click on eBates and then go through Kohl's, you will get an additional 4% cashback!

Walgreens Freebies and Deals--Saved $110

2011-11-25T19:31:00.000-06:00

I made two trips to Walgreens this week since they were having special Thanksgiving deals! I spent a total of $32.69 and saved a total of $110.18 from coupons, deals, and register rewards!

Act fast and you can get lots of freebies from Walgreens! After register rewards, I got (and you can get) FREE Crest toothpaste (5), Colgate toothpaste (2), Dentek flossers (4), Oral B toothbrushes (3), GUM toothbrushes (4), Cortaid (1), Advil (1), and Scunci hair elastics (2).

There are also RR deals on Huggies diapers (1), Schick shaving gel (2), and Gillette skin care (2). I used coupons on these things and on the Scott paper towels (6).

Several items are actually money makers. For example, I used coupons on all of the toothpaste. So I made up to one dollar for each tube of toothpaste after register rewards.

I was able to use my extra register rewards to purchase Huggies wipes (3) and Fisher Price Little People toys (3). We got the bus, fire truck, and tractor sets! These coloring books are 3 for a dollar! Sesame Street, Disney, and more.

Keep in mind that you will have to do multiple transactions in order to get all of the Register Rewards possible!

Black Friday Deals!

2011-11-24T00:20:00.001-06:00

Read my Black Friday tips here.

Kohl's Black Friday online deals are now live! Also, be sure to make note of the free personalized products from Vistaprint. Finally, Amazon is offering some fabulous Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on electronics, appliances, books, beauty, magazines, and fashion, in addition to their "lightning deals" and the must-have Kindle. If you're planning to shop online, be sure to consider using Ebates so that you can receive cash back on your purchases!

Scrappy Tutu DIY

2011-11-23T22:00:00.001-06:00

Recently, I made a fun tutu out of fabric scraps! I've seen these done with bandannas, but I had lots of pink and brown scraps in different shades that I wanted to use.

I started with 24 strips of fabric, each approximately 20 inches long and 3 inches wide. The great thing about a scrappy tutu is that it is supposed to be shabby! Some of the fabric strips I ripped, while others I cut with pinking shears. Some cuts were angled. Some pieces were longer than others.

I then used a crocheted headband as the waistband and tied strips of fabric through the holes. So easy!

Paired with the monogrammed onesie I made not too long ago (DIY here), this will make for a super cute photo opp!

If you'd like a custom tutu, hairbow, and/or monogrammed onesie to give as a holiday gift, please email me at intentionalmomma {at} gmail {dot} com.

More kid-friendly craft and project ideas here!

Black Friday 101: Five Survival Tips

2011-11-23T00:27:00.000-06:00

Today I am posting at Boulder Moms Connect.

When it comes to the day after Thanksgiving’s “Black Friday” shopping extravaganza, there are typically two schools of thought: A) I’m going to be there before the doors open! or B) I will be as far away as possible, asleep in my bed, and grazing on leftovers most of the day.

I have always been the latter. Big crowds and long lines have never appealed to me, no matter how great the deal. However, as a new stay-at-home mom, good deals are sounding more and more appealing, and I am seriously contemplating joining the masses this year!

For Black Friday 2011–my first Black Friday experience–I have done a little research, asked some questions, and compiled the best practices for achieving the best results and maximum savings with the least amount of headache:

1. Shop with a friend. You can hit up different departments and save time, but most importantly, one person can wait in line while the other person shops. If parking is an issue, then one person can head into the store while the other person finds a parking spot.

2. Plan ahead. You need to map out a detailed strategic plan. See when doors open and sales start at the stores you want to visit. List the stores in order of opening, and list the item(s) and department(s) you want to visit at each store. That way you don’t waste a single second. Do your research ahead of time so you can compare prices and so you don’t miss any doorbuster deals!

3. Keep a level head. Don’t get so caught up in the excitement that you make unwise decisions. Have a list handy with the budget and desired item(s) for each person on your list. Don’t give in to “deals” that really aren’t all that great.

4. Be aware of alternatives. Many retailers are expanding their Black Friday deals this year–with quite a few available online–allowing you to avoid the crowds. In addition, several major retailers are starting Thursday night: Toys R Us will open at 9pm on Thanksgiving Day, and Target, Best Buy, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Gap will all open at midnight. If you choose to shop online, cash back sites will often offer additional savings.

5. Remember your well-being. Stay safe, particularly if you will be braving the dark nighttime hours. Stay hydrated and nourished while shopping, so bring along some water and a snack. And, stay sane and don’t let the stress get the best of you. Be courteous to your fellow shoppers and store employees. It will be an adventure!

Most Black Friday deals have been released on the websites of each individual retailer, or click the link below:

Our First Temper Tantrum

2011-11-20T00:41:00.003-06:00

Oh, the ever-changing world of toddlerhood.

One minute, you think you've finally grasped the complexities, and the next minute, everything changes.

Yesterday was not a fun day. We were at the park on a playdate with our friends, and suddenly, I started feeling really sick to my stomach. I mumbled a few words and headed to the car, calmly talking to my toddler to avoid a meltdown.

In the car ride home, I nearly cried. I thought I was going to be sick, and my husband was out of town. My little one had just recovered from a virus herself.

At this point, she is crying, and I'm trying to pacify her while feeling overcome with pain in my stomach. None of her toys or books seem to satisfy her. Suddenly, she just starts crying really hard and just gets stiff and starts flailing her legs. Is this really happening? I'm asking her what's wrong and where it hurts, and she just looks at me between deep sobs. Don't panic. I'm just thinking that she might have a genetic predisposition to seizure disorder. Is that what's happening? The doctor said she just had a virus.

Then, she stopped. Then she started again. And it hit me. She is having a temper tantrum. She was disappointed we left the park. She was getting whiny and stubborn and having a difficult time communicating. She was tired. She was frustrated. She was uncomfortable and bored and confused and upset. Wow, this is extremely unpleasant.

Flash-forward to today. As I am starting to feel better and as I was reflecting back on the nightmare yesterday--being alone in a new place with a frustrated toddler while I was very sick--I realized one thing about the days ahead--Must. Stay. Busy. We really must keep things fresh for her and for me as much as possible. Since we'd been home sick with her all week, she was disappointed that we had to come back home so abruptly from our fun playdate. Being cooped up all week really is no fun for either of us. We are both in better spirits if we are engaged in fun activities.

Time to sign up for new mommy-and-me classes, stat.

Best Books for First-time Moms

2011-11-19T23:00:00.002-06:00

I'm at the age now where most of my peers are having children. Since I was one of the first of our friends to have kids, I have been getting more and more questions lately about pregnancy and parenting for first-time parents.

One of the questions I get asked the most involves my favorite books for moms-to-be!

In some ways, I guess babies do come with instructions!

As for books, I love learning, so I read tons of books. Several were absolutely terrible, some were mediocre, but some of them were lifesavers.

My favorite pregnancy book is The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. It offers medical information regarding pregnancy along with great illustrations and descriptions, and I preferred it over several other pregnancy books I read.

To prepare yourself for crying, colic, and/or the "5 S's," I would at least skim The Happiest Baby on the Block. You will probably want to read this during your eighth or ninth month of pregnancy. Don't completely absorb yourself in pregnancy books and forget to prepare for those first days at home with a newborn!

My two favorite books for infant behavior and trouble-shooting are the two Baby Whisperer books. I wish I had read them earlier rather than waiting until she was 3 months old to read them. It helps you to establish a flexible routine in your baby's life to give yourself some sanity.

The Babywise book is somewhat controversial. It is extremely helpful and provides a good foundation for ToddlerWise, but I would probably recommend the Baby Whisperer if I had to choose between the two for infancy issues.

However, no one really talks about what to do once your baby reaches a year old! At that point, I was lost. I would highly recommend PreToddlerWise, and I would start reading it when your baby is around eleven months old.

Then, Toddlerwise. Prepare yourself. Or else. :-)

So, here's the breakdown of what to read when:

1. Pregnancy: Before, during, and after: The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

2. 8-9 months pregnant, and after delivery--The Happiest Baby on the Block

3. 0-11 months old: The Baby Whisperer books, and/or BabyWise

4. 11-18 months: PreToddlerWise

5. 18-36 months: ToddlerWise

If you have any recommendations for baby or toddler books, please leave a comment below!

Toddler Crafts and Activities!

2011-11-17T17:30:00.001-06:00

This week we did a few fun new things! Since we are still in the early stages of toddlerhood, our activities and projects are still very simple and basic.

To enhance my little one's fine motor skills, we worked on stringing cereal on a piece of yarn. This was a cheap, easy, and yummy activity!

With old fabric scraps, bandannas, or scarves, tie fabric pieces end to end and then place in an empty baby wipes container, paper towel cardboard roll, or kleenex box. Help your little one pull it all out. The more colorful, the better! For more fun scarf activities for infants, read Ashley's guest post from earlier this week.

Fun with shadows on the wall!

This week at our mommy-and-me class, the little ones made really fun butterflies with paper towels, markers, pipe cleaners, and water! Start by coloring a paper towel with markers. Try to color closer to the edges of the paper towel rather than the middle.

When you finish coloring, spray the paper towel with a water spray bottle. This will allow the colors to start running together. Gather the paper towel in the center with a pipe cleaner.

Allow to dry and enjoy your butterfly!

Northern Colorado Giveaway!

2011-11-15T00:01:00.004-06:00

I'm pleased to announce another very exciting giveaway for the residents of Northern Colorado, my new home! The winner will receive a professionally filmed and edited video from Brian Buss Videography. Brian is an award-winning professional whose experience includes ABC News, NBC News, BBC, ESPN2, and multiple other local and national clients.

Brian Buss Videography is a husband and wife creative video production team operating in Fort Collins, CO and serving Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming. Valued at $420, this prize includes one hour of shooting and two hours of editing for free! Ideas include birthday parties, recitals, baby videos, holidays, interview with grandparents, or any other event you would like to have captured on film. Please click the link below to see some examples of our work. No event is too big or too small. If you can imagine it, we can produce it.

We specialize in:

Weddings
Corporate training and safety videos
Business company profiles
Video for the web
Infomercials
Performances
Birthday and holiday parties
Lifetime Memory Videos--We'd love to sit a grandparent in front of the camera and have them tell us about their life history.

Brian Buss Website Gallery

"Welcome to the World" Baby Video

Just click the green button and instructions for each method of entry!
Confused? How to enter Rafflecopter giveaways

$50 Giftcard Giveaway, Noonday Collection!

2011-11-14T21:00:00.008-06:00

This weekend, Wynne posted about their incredible journey to adopt a son from Ethiopia. She's back today to offer an amazing giveaway--a $50 voucher for accessories and gifts from Noonday Collection!

Here's what Wynne has to say: I fell in love with Noonday Collection's unique items & accessories, and as someone who loves to buy gifts, I love knowing that I'm not only purchasing a unique item, but I'm also helping the artisan who made it find a pathway out of poverty. Noonday Collection started as an adoption fundraiser for the founder, Jessica Honegger, and has turned into an amazing opportunity for artisans all over the world to get paid a fair living wage for the beautiful work they do WHILE also allowing women in the States look stylish. Every piece has a story, so when I'm out & about and someone tells me they love my earrings, I don't say "they are from forever 21" anymore - I have a story to tell about the place they are from & the women who made them! Our items are all hand made from all over the world: Ethiopia, Peru, Ecuador, Uganda, Bali, India, Guatemala just to name a few! Think of it as fashion & style being a pathway for changing women's lives! I personally started becoming an ambassador for Noonday to help raise funds for our adoption of Camp & hope to one day help other families raise their funds! It's a win-win for everyone!

(Just click the green button and the instructions for each method of entry!)
Confused? How to enter Rafflecopter giveaways

Scarf-tastic Baby Activities! (Guest Post)

2011-11-13T20:02:00.005-06:00

Hello followers of The Intentional Momma! Isn’t she the greatest?! I was so honored when she asked me to write a guest blog. Thank you for this opportunity and I hope it is inspiring for us all!

I am so fortunate to be able to stay at home with my beautiful 10-month-old daughter, who we can call “Sweetie.” Being a stay-at-home-mom is an unbelievably exhausting yet totally fulfilling job, which is probably a true statement about motherhood in general. I’ve spent a decent amount of time looking for activities and entertainment ideas for infants and young babies. I found a lot of craft ideas (which I CANNOT wait to do with her) but I didn’t find much that I felt was specific to young babies. Then one day I bought a yellow floral scarf at the thrift store for 50 cents and got creative. Below are some activities we have discovered and created with our many colorful scarves.

Scarf-tastic Baby Games
1. Peek-A-Boo – This is a classic game. When Sweetie was an infant, I would hold a scarf in front of my face and ask, “Where’s Mommy?” and as I dropped the scarf, “Here she is!” As she grew older, I starting putting the scarf on her head and would ask, “Where’s Sweetie?” Then I would quickly pull the scarf into her lap and exclaim, “There she is!” Before long, she learned to pull the scarf down on her own, and now she will pick up a scarf and hold it in front of her face and then laugh as she pulls it down. It melts my heart!

2. Hands & Feet – When Sweetie was much younger and before she was grabbing at things, I would roll up a scarf and VERY GENTLY tie it around her wrist or ankle. The bright colors would catch her eye as she moved. This is a good way to help your baby find her hands and feet and discover that she can control their movements. Fascinating!

3. Fly A Kite – We learned this at a baby class at our local library. I sing ‘Let’s Go Fly A Kite’ (or any other song I can think of, honestly) while I gracefully wave the scarf around like it’s a kite in the breeze. I often give Sweetie her own ‘kite’ but at this point, she just puts it in her mouth. Whatever makes her happy!

4. Sorting – I sort the scarves by color. As I put a scarf in a pile, I talk about the colors and patterns on it as well as those already in the pile.

5. Magic Trick – I stuff a scarf into an empty toilet paper roll leaving a small piece hanging out. Then I slowly pull it out to reveal the whole scarf and wave it around. You could also put several scarves tied together in a paper towel roll or an empty baby wipes container. TADA!

6. Swirly Scarf – With two or three scarves tied together end-to-end I hold one corner and swirl them around ribbon dancer style! The weight of the knots helps to make nice shapes and spirals in the air so sometimes I tie a few extra for good effect. (The cat likes this one, too!)

7. Popcorn – I sit on the floor with Sweetie and pull all of our scarves together. Then I take handfuls and throw them in the air. As they fall I grab more handfuls and throw them up again and again and again. I like to see if I can have at least one scarf in the air at all times. This can be quite exhausting because sometime the scarves fall a bit out of reach so I am grabbing and throwing and reaching and throwing. All the while, Sweetie is sitting there watching me make a fool of myself. My husband said I appear to enjoy this game much more than Sweetie. Secretly I know he’s right!

8. Dancing Scarf – I hold a scarf by two corners in front of a bright window or light. In varying speeds, I shake one or both corners and make the scarf dance. Sometimes I even dance along!

9. Stroller Scarf – I tie a scarf to the canopy of Sweetie’s stroller. When we are out for a walk, the breeze catches the scarf and she watches it wave around. She also likes to kick it with her feet, and sometimes she is even fast enough to grab it with her hands.

10. Free Play – It is important to provide free, unstructured play for babies and young children, so I often will sit Sweetie on a pile of scarves and let her explore the textures and colors on her own terms. I often do this early in the morning while I sit and drink my coffee.
I hope you find inspiration from our colorful games! Please share any more Scarf-tastic ideas you and your baby have discovered!

Follow my fabulous friend Ashley on Pinterest!

Wynne's Adoption Adventure! (Guest Post)

2011-11-12T23:00:00.001-06:00

My name is Wynne & I blog about our family adventures over here. I was so excited when Brooke asked me to tell my story with you all. Let me first say that my life looks nothing like I had planned (and I’m a major planner!), but instead my life has been “gloriously ruined” by the gospel. This being a momma blog, I wanted to share with you my journey to become a mom (it’s still happening, people!). Again, nothing like I planned.

In August 2009, almost overnight I felt something from God that it was finally time - I was ready to be a mom. After being married 3 years and wanting nothing to do with mommy-hood just yet, God changed my heart. I remember having lunch with good friends & telling them the exciting news that we were indeed “removing the goalie” as my husband calls it and going to start trying to have a baby. I knew it would be no easy feat as my own mother tried 7 years to get pregnant with me – so it was the whole “if it happens, it happens and if not, it’s not 'God’s timing'" thing. Well after a few short months of that, I was ready to have a baby – God’s timing or not! You gals who struggle with infertility know what I’m saying, so imagine this – at one point I had 27 friends in Midland (where we live) alone that were pregnant. TWENTY-SEVEN! (I only know this because one night at Bunko we made a list). It seemed like every month that “aunt flow” came to visit, at least 1 good friend would call me with her happy news. Of course I was truly happy for my friends, but at the same time sad for me (just being honest). The months went on & almost a year into it I was so consumed that I had to just give it up for a season.

During this season (at summer Camp) a new friend (hi Katie!) asked me why I didn’t have any kids yet. After I told her the story she asked me if I had ever thought about adoption. Well, no I hadn’t. She encouraged me to pray about it and really the rest is just "God's perfect timing" - so glad He didn't work things out in "my time." See, I always thought people who adopted or went on overseas mission trips were a "special kind of people." That was “their thing” and not mine. But after seeking God and asking Him to reveal his heart for adoption to me, I realized all those things I thought were a big fat lie! We were adopted by God! We have entered into His family and out of the overflow of our hearts we adopt & we love - because He first did it for us!

God revealed to me very quickly what we were to do and after months of praying for him to change my husband's heart, He did! At Together for Adoption last fall the Holy Spirit spoke to my man, and we were off. We are now “paper pregnant” and waiting for our precious son. Today actually marks 4 months on the wait list for a precious little baby boy from Ethiopia. Our lives will never look the same – the Lord has already begun to transform our lives and teach us more about Himself than we ever could have imagined. After our first trip to Ethiopia this summer, we are even more convinced God knows what He’s doing, it truly felt like home. I'm so glad that His timing is best, because the world and life that we now know, we wouldn't have known existed if things happened "when we wanted them to." The journey has just begun – to stay updated, visit our family blog!

Texas quick trip

2011-11-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

My parents are flying me to Texas for a few days so they can see our little one (and maybe me, but mostly the little one). All that to say, I will be gone for a few days!

When I return, be prepared for some really awesome upcoming giveaways! I'm not just saying that--you will love them!

Hope your weekend is going great!

Baby to Pre-Toddler Transition and my Pre-toddler Survival Kit

2011-11-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

Transitioning from baby to pre-toddler was tough time for me as a parent. Overnight, it seemed like everything changed. I was completely at a loss for what to do with my little one. Here are some things that are life savers for this transition! I call this my pre-toddler survival kit--things we couldn't live without! (Pre-toddler refers to the 12-18 month range in a child's development.)

First, the Pre-Toddlerwisebook was instrumental! Read this when your little one is around 11 months old!

Feeding transitions are going to be one of the biggest changes. My little one refused to drink milk from a cup. She would drink water out of a cup, but not milk. The thing that finally worked for us was the NUK Learner Cup. It makes for a more natural, gradual transition from bottle to cup.

Also, there are two snack containers that I couldn't live without. The Snack Dispenserhas four compartments, which is perfect for separating snacks or meals. The second one is the Snack Catcher, which allows little ones to eat things like puffs and cereal on their own with minimal spilling.

As far as other snacks go, stock up on frozen peas. They're yummy, healthy, and easy in so many ways. We also love the GoGo Squeez Applesauce on the Go because it is around 65% cheaper than similar products, it travels well, it's healthy, there's little mess, you can take it hiking, and little ones love it!

Finally, I realize that DVDs can be a controversial topic for some parents, and I completely respect parents who don't allow their little ones to watch. There are two DVDs that we couldn't live without! First, Baby Einstein: Baby's First Moves is super fun because it's interactive. It teaches little ones how to clap, twist, and move, and it features "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands." My little one was very eager to learn and participate and that song with all of the little babies gave her so much joy! Second, Baby Einstein: My First Signs. We didn't get this DVD until our little one was around 17 months, and I wish we'd gotten it sooner! We have all learned basic signs (taught by actress Marlee Matlin) and it has made communication so much easier and less stressful. Our little one watches intently and loves signing and speaking words like ball, friend, please, thank you, eat, drink, milk, dadda, momma, baby, blanket, and more. It has provided a foundation for us to build upon to further our communication skills, and it has been fantastic.

So, if I could go back a year, these are the things I would arm myself with in preparation for the upcoming transition to pretoddlerhood!

Colorado and Texas Getaway Deals Make Great Gifts!

2011-11-01T13:30:00.003-05:00

South Padre Island, Texas: Get two nights in an oceanview room for up to four people, including daily breakfasts, swimming pool, high speed internet, and a private beach. While you're there, visit the sea turtle conservatory and the Birding and Nature Center. Only $149!
Monarch, Colorado: One night stay for two at the Monarch Mountain Lodge. Includes complimentary bottle of wine and access to indoor heated pool and hot tub. Great gift for parents! Only $87!

Colorado Springs, Colorado: Get two to three nights for two to four people at a Victorian bed and breakfast. Includes gourmet homemade breakfast. While you're there, visit Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods. Starting at only $109!
Snowmass Village, Colorado: One night stay for two in a deluxe condo nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Includes welcome gift basket, private balcony, hot tubs, free airport shuttle and ski shuttle, and wireless internet. Only $175.
Texas Hill Country: Get one night for up to four people at the JW Marriott Golf Resort in San Antonio. Includes a full day of golf for two and access to the resort's water park. (This would make a great gift for the Dad who has everything!) (Regularly $848) $359

Walgreens free and cheap this week!

2011-11-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

It has been so long since I have been couponing at Walgreens, but I decided to get back into the swing of things this week since lots of coupons are expiring. Here's how I did:

I used $29.37 worth of coupons, sales, and register rewards, and I spent $31.90 out of pocket. This is a savings of nearly 50%.

Highlights include:
-Crest Pro-Health toothpaste: On sale, used 2 $1-off coupons, received $5 RR=totally free
-Ricola cough drops: received $2 RR=totally free
-Colgate toothpaste: Used 2 50cent-off coupons, received $2 RR=25 cents each
-Nivea bodywash: on sale for $3.99, used $1 off coupon, received $2 RR=99 cents
-Pantene: priced at 2 for $7, used a $1-off-2 coupon, received $2 RR=$2 each
-Pampers: used $2-off-2 coupon, received $3 RR

Filler items:
-Campbell's soup: on sale for 59cents each
-Betty Crocker muffin mix: on sale for 99cents each

I used to think drugstores were just really overpriced, but now I've realized that if you're willing to play the "drugstore game," you can save loads of $$ on toiletry items and non-perishable grocery items!

To see which grocery coupons are currently available to print free, click on the link below!

Hot! Target and Sesame Street deals today!

2011-10-31T11:06:00.003-05:00

There are a few deals today that I have to share! You can get some of your Christmas shopping done at a fraction of the price!

I just returned from Target, and items in the Dollar Spot at the front of the store are 70% off! This includes basic Sesame Street board books for only 30 cents each! They also have cute scrapbook paper packages (18-count) for only 30 cents! I am sure that all stores are going to be different, but there are lots of fun finds, including kids' socks, markers, Halloween items, and other goodies. These items make great stocking stuffers, or you could possibly add them to your Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I also found Circo toddler pants on Clearance for $2.50! These were stacked on a shelf on an endcap instead of being on the clearance rack in the clothing section.

If you visit Target Coupons, click on Shop Now and visit the clearance section, there are tons of baby and kids' clearance items, with shorts and ruffled skirts starting at only $1.57! I found bodysuits for $2.25. For $2.50, you can get toddler girl tiered skirts, which paired with leggings, are super cute for fall! In books, you can get Fancy Nancy for $3.09, Tinker Bell for $2.24, or The Very Hungry Caterpillar hardback for $4.19. Stock up on tons of items for $50, and get free shipping! Get 6% cash back through this link! If it is your first Target Coupons purchase, you will get a $5 credit. Don't miss this awesome scenario! You won't be able to find a better deal anywhere else! You could get 25 new items for less than $50.
Finally, I found a daily deal that I will be taking advantage of! My little one loves Elmo and we are learning about the alphabet right now. You can save 84% and get Elmo's ABC Book plus DVD for only $2.50 at Taste of Home Coupons. The list price for this set is $15.99, and it would make a wonderful Christmas gift for toddlers or preschoolers. Once again, if this is your first purchase, you will get a $5 credit! This one is a no-brainer!

Have a great day!

Heaven is For Real for Kids by Todd and Sonja Burpo, as told by Colton Burpo, Illustrated by Wilson Ong

2011-10-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

"A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back"

I still have chills after reading this book. After hearing so much about the #1 New York Times bestseller Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo, I was thrilled at the opportunity to review this version for children, as told by Colton Burpo. If you aren’t familiar with this story, little Colton visited Heaven during life-threatening emergency surgery and returned with intricate, Biblically-accurate details about his experience.

First of all, the illustrations in this book are absolutely breathtaking. The colors are so vibrant, and artist Wilson Ong made the story come alive in a way that will capture the minds and hearts of young readers.

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical. I would imagine that a lot of people are pretty hesitant to believe this story. But, now that I’ve read the children’s version, I will be reading the grown-up version—immediately.

The part that really struck me was that in Heaven, Colton was greeted by his older sister, who (lost in a miscarriage) he didn’t even know existed. I realize that some people are doubtful, but you really must read this book for yourself. The book also comes with a Q&A section and a guide for parents.

Heaven is For Real for Kids is written in Colton’s own words about his experience. Young kids will easily be able to grasp Colton’s simple phrasing and descriptions, and once again, each page is illustrated beautifully. The message of love will surely bring peace, comfort, and joy to all who read it.

As a parent, I highly, highly recommend this book for all children and expectant parents!

I received a complimentary hardback copy of this book from the publisher through BookSneeze®.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.

Ladybug Crayon Project

2011-10-28T09:26:00.005-05:00

This week we made ladybug crayons! The process is the same as the crayon melting project we did last week, but you just add a couple of simple steps!Depending on how many ladybugs you want to create, you'll definitely need red crayons and at least one black crayon. Ladybugs come in different colors in nature, so it would be fun to make different colored ladybugs! Although it is difficult to tell in this first picture, I added some orange to one of our ladybugs and some pink to another one. We also mixed different shades of red into all all three of these.

Like in last week's project (instructions here), we used a mini-muffin tin. An adult will need to cut the black crayon into short pieces. I just used a kitchen knife. Set the black crayon pieces aside. After you spray your mini-muffin tin, place pieces of the red crayons in, and consider mixing in some orange, yellow, and/or pink for some variety!

Once you've baked them and the wax is cooling, wait just a couple of minutes so it can begin to thicken up. Then stick your black crayon pieces in so that the round end will form the ladybug's spots! If you find that you've waited a little too long and the pieces won't go in, remember that you can stick them back in the oven for a minute or two to melt them a bit and then try the spots again! My little one is in love with these ladybugs! Here's a picture of how fun they look on the bottom!Have fun creating these with your little one!

Brooke

$9 for only $3 by couponing at Walmart and King Soopers

2011-10-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

Well, I didn't do much couponing this week, but I will try to do more this weekend since many coupons expire on the 31st.

Since we're new around here, I was very pleased to learn that King Soopers will double coupons up to $1! That is a luxury I didn't have back in Texas.

King Soopers had Pampers wipes marked down to $1.99 per package (regularly $2.50), and I doubled coupons up to $1, which means that I scored wipes for only 99 cents per tub!

Walmart has 4.6 oz packages of Colgate toothpaste for 94 cents, and with a $1 off coupon, I got it free! With a Nesquik coupon, I purchased Nesquik for only 40 cents.

There are a lot of great coupons coming out in Sunday's paper which you can preview here. I am probably going to be purchasing more than one newspaper!

Or, you can print free grocery coupons here!

Have a great weekend!

We're not in Texas anymore...

2011-10-26T23:57:00.006-05:00

I am a Texas girl. I've been skiing a couple of times, and I've been snowshoeing. On vacation. But, I'm not on vacation now. This is real life! It is October and Colorado received so much snow over the past 24 hours! Late last night, we watched the ground turn white in a matter of minutes. We woke up to a totally different world! It is beautiful! Amazing! At this point, we've had about a foot of snow! It literally snowed all day long! I secretly wanted to sing Christmas carols.

In Texas, we are conditioned to freak out any time it snows or the temperature drops to 32 degrees. All of your favorite television shows are interrupted by frequent weather updates stating: "Please be advised that you might see possible snowflakes or sleet. Water freezes and may become slippery when it reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If we receive any precipitation, schools will be closed until further notice. Bring all pets indoors and do not drive your vehicle. Ration all food and water. Stay in your home with doors locked and remember to duck and cover. " People make a mad dash to the grocery store for milk, bread, water, and batteries. If we receive a quarter inch of snow, children at each and every home will scrape up all available snow to build a snowman with lots of dead grass mixed in. Two hours after sunrise, all snow will have melted.

We took our little one out in the snow today and she loved it! That is to say, she loved walking on surfaces that had been plowed. She wasn't so sure about standing in a foot of snow. And she really didn't want to wear her gloves. And I think we need to purchase snow pants. And I probably need a winter coat.

So. Many. Deals. (Gift Ideas!)

2011-10-25T12:40:00.004-05:00

There are so many great deals going on right now, I can hardly stand it! I'm combining them all into one handy post in case any of them interest you! I will keep you posted with any new deals I see!

1. Get your holiday cards half-price from Tiny Prints today at Zulily!

2. Get a $25 restaurant gift certificate for only $2 from Restaurant.com by using promo code PUMPKIN at checkout. Go through Restaurant.com Coupons to get an additional 40% cash back! If it's your first purchase, you could also get a $5 credit! Unbelievable.

Here are some deals that have been going on for a while, so grab them while you can if you haven't already!

3. Two free parenting magazine subscriptions!

4. Free chips and queso from Chili's!

5. Free customizable gifts! There are nine free products available from InkGarden. Canvas People has a free 8x10 photo canvas (just pay shipping) or get 40% off plus free shipping!

15 Toddler Activities and Rainy Day Ideas

2011-10-24T01:00:00.000-05:00

Parenting is full of learning curves, as we all know. In addition to transitioning from Texas to Colorado, we have also been transitioning from pre-toddler to toddler. Being in a new place, knowing no one, while entering toddlerhood has been quite an adventure. I have scoured the internet for fun things to do with young toddlers, but it has been hard finding activities that apply to toddlers under two-and-a-half.

So, here is a list of what we've tried and loved so far:

1. Mommy-and-Me classes. From music classes to toddler gym, these are super fun and inexpensive.

2. Library Storytimes. This is a free activity hosted weekly by most public libraries. We go and listen to stories, sing songs, watch puppet shows, and then play with toys. While you're there, you can check out books, music, and DVDs.

3. Coloring. My little one started coloring at around 17 months old, and she loves it more and more every day. We use the jumbo Crayola crayons, and I've also melted crayons into chunky crayons to spice things up a bit. She sits in her high chair next to me, and she tells me what she wants to draw and where on the paper. So, we draw trees, balls, balloons, butterflies, apples, umbrellas, flowers, circles, and letters. It is a great opportunity to practice colors and the alphabet, among other things.

4. Books and reading. Sit down and quietly read with your little one in your lap for at least 30 minutes each day. Check books out at the library. You can also get cheap board books from the dollar spot at Target.

5. Educational DVDs. First of all, it is imperative to limit TV and DVD watching. Up to thirty minutes per day, though, can provide a great opportunity for you and your little one. You can check out DVDs at the library as well. I have viewed lots of options from the local library, and for younger toddlers, I recommend Baby Einstein, Brainy Baby, Blue's Clues, and any Sesame Street singalongs. There are some real duds out there for toddlers which are a waste of time and money. My little one is not quite old enough for Veggie Tales, but I am looking forward to those days in the near future!

6. Going to the zoo or aquarium (or the pet store). Most toddlers love seeing and learning about animals. On a nice day, take a trip to the zoo. Or, if your city doesn't have a zoo or aquarium, take your little one to the pet store to see all of the fish swimming around the fish tanks. They'll love it!

7. Stickers. We just recently discovered how fabulous stickers can be! I looked around different places for some sticker books, but they were extremely expensive! When I went in to Joann's craft store the other day, they had tons of sticker books at the front of the store for only $1! Each book has over 600 stickers. You could also check Target's dollar spot as well.

8. Sign language. This is a fun way for your toddler (and you!) to improve communication skills and vocabulary. I would recommend starting with Baby Einstein's My First Signs and then following with Baby Wordsworth (both are taught by actress Marlee Matlin).

9. Toys. There are two toys that we absolutely can't live without! The Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack and Roll Cups provide entertainment and learning while enhancing your child's motor development, plus they're really inexpensive! Second is the Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm. This toy is so wonderful. My little one carries the animals around with her and practices their sounds and then takes them in and out of the actual farmhouse. It is great for toddler development, and the little figures are just adorable! We also love any chunky wooden puzzles, like those made by Melissa and Doug.

10. Playgrounds. Local parks are free and so much fun! Swinging, sliding, running, climbing--your little one will have a blast and sleep well at night!

11. Pots and pans. If you have a lower cabinet or drawer that your little one can access, fill it with safe bowls, colanders, plastic or wooden spoons, cups, measuring cups, cloth napkins, plastic plates, etc. Switch them out every couple of days to keep it fresh!

12. Take a walk. Walking on a nice day, either in the park or at the mall, can be an easy way to get you out of the house for a while!

13. Rocks. Go outside and look for rocks. Or flowers. Or leaves. So simple, but toddlers are curious creatures! They will love exploring and discovering since everything is still new and exciting to them! Compare the different colors and sizes and textures of the rocks, and practice counting. Point out trees and flowers and falling leaves, and they will have the best time.

14. Sing songs. Crowd favorites include The itsy bitsy spider, If you're happy and you know it, Twinkle twinkle little star, and The wheels on the bus. Do hand motions and get ready to par-tay!

15. Help Mommy. I ask my little one to "help" me with laundry. So, I will hand her a clean sock from the washing machine and she'll put it in the dryer, then we'll repeat it a few times until she's bored, and then I'll finish loading the dryer. Or I'll say, "can you please take these shoes to your room?" And she will happily take her little pink shoes to the doorway of her room.

While we have tried coloring books and playdoh, we are just not quite ready for those things yet! You can see last week's toddler activities here!

Please feel free to leave any additional suggestions in the comments section below! Thanks!

Denver Aquarium

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Visiting the Denver Aquarium was one of the first things we wanted to do when we moved to Colorado! We have spent lots of time snorkeling in the Caribbean, and we love viewing the marine life! Plus, our little one had recently begun saying "fish," so it would be a great learning experience for her! Despite the fact that it seemed a little pricey, we took the "plunge." (We didn't actually dive into the aquarium, although that option is available if you're interested.) Having been swimming with tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and rays, and having been to the aquarium at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, I wasn't sure how an aquarium in the Mile High City would measure up. I have to say--the Denver Aquarium is extremely impressive! With each step you take through the exhibits, it gets better and better!

First and foremost, our little one was captivated with even the tiniest of fish. We had to drag her away from each exhibit and on to the next. But, as we reached the grand finale--the shark tank--we were all mesmerized. This wasn't just some measley shark tank. It was huge. It surrounds you. There are even portholes in the floor that allow you to view the marine life below. Our little one would scoot across the portholes, having the time of her life. And then she sat contentedly at the glass watching the sharks (which were getting a little too close, in my opinion), and she could have stayed for HOURS.
The downside: the pricetag, particularly if you have several people in your family.
The upside: awesome, awesome, AWESOME experience for little ones and families!

Highly recommended! This is a must-see for anyone visiting the Denver area!

Prefense Giveaway Winner!

2011-10-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Ashley M. (lucky number 12!) on winning a two year supply of Prefense non-alcohol hand sanitizer! Please email me with your contact information, and Prefense will ship the product directly to you!

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 38
Result:
12
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Young toddler activities this week!

2011-10-20T21:18:00.003-05:00

This week we tried a few new, fun things to add some excitement around here! Overall, it has been a lot of fun! It has allowed me to keep things fresh and avoid monotony, and it has allowed my little one to learn and explore! Today we went to the park and went leaf-hunting! All of the trees are such beautiful colors, so we gathered leaves in a bag and talked about the different colors and sizes of all of the leaves! We kept our favorites, and at home, we traced the leaves on a sheet of white paper and then colored the pictures!We made a couple of trips to craft stores this week, and I looked for sticker books while I was there! Sticker books can be extremely expensive, apparently! Lo and behold, both Michael's and Joann's had these fabulous sticker books for only $1 each! They have up to 700 stickers in each book, and they're full of fun animals and bright shapes. (Joann's has them at the front of the store in the bargain bins, and Michael's had them on an end cap in the back!)

I checked out several new board books at the library. One day when my little one woke up from her nap, I had prepared a cozy little reading cave with fun new books to explore!Finally, I attempted to make homemade PlayDoh, but since I didn't have cream of tartar, I tried another version with salt, flour, water, and food coloring. It didn't turn out quite right, unfortunately. However, I put the yellow "goo" and the blue "goo" in a double zip baggie, and it was still lots of fun for my little one to squish around! The colors starting mixing into green, and then we refrigerated it, which made it nice and cold for later, which contributed another element to her sensory development!

If you have any fun ideas for toddlers between 18-30 months, please let me know!

Target: $10 for under $2.70 using coupons

2011-10-20T16:00:00.002-05:00

Today at Target I snagged a few good deals using the current printable coupons!

1 Johnson's corn starch baby powder, 1 small Axe bodywash, 1 bottle Visine for contacts, and 2 Johnson's Red Cross first aid kits = Over $10.

After coupons = Under $2.70.

Johnson's printable coupon and more

Freezer Paper Stencil Monogram DIY

2011-10-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another craft project I've been wanting to try for a while: freezer paper stenciling. I decided to monogram a onesie! This project is super fun, easy, and inexpensive! First, I started with a onesie. You can get plain single onesies or packages at the craft store, Carter's store, Walmart, Target, in addition to other places. Then, you need a roll of freezer paper, which can be found next to the foil at grocery stores. You'll need fabric paint. Finally, you'll need an exacto knife and an iron.

I found a font I liked and created the monogram in Microsoft Publisher, but you could easily use Word or a similar program. Print it out as an outline. Then lay your freezer paper over your printout. Carefully trace the outline with the exacto knife. I taped my freezer paper to my printout to avoid slippage. Make sure the shiny side of the freezer paper is down.

Once you've cut out your stencil, lay the stencil (shiny side down) on your fabric, and iron it on. Then fill in the stencil by dabbing the fabric with your fabric paint. When you're done, just peel off the stencil!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-18T22:06:00.001-05:00

Sometimes it's the little things.

Crayon Project!

2011-10-17T22:53:00.005-05:00

Well, I am officially obsessed with Pinterest. In past 24 hours, I've seen lots of fun crayon-melting projects pinned, so I had to try it for myself! Truthfully, I've wanted to do this since I was a kid! Since my toddler loves coloring, and since we've broken a few crayons lately, this seemed like the perfect easy project to try. There are tons of ways to do this, but here's what I did:I grouped my crayons into shades of the same color. You can get really crazy with lots of color combinations, but I wanted to keep it simple since my little one is still working on the basics! I used a mini-muffin tin, sprayed with cooking spray, and preheated the oven to 275. If using a mini-muffin tin, I found that 4 regular sized crayons fit perfectly into one cup. I broke four crayons into four pieces each, on average, and it worked great! I also attempted to get a spotted look by standing them on end. Then I baked them for seven minutes and carefully removed them. (Be sure you don't overfill the cups!) Don't be too anxious for them to dry. Wait until the cups are cool to the touch before putting them in the refrigerator to finish cooling. (On my first attempt, a few of the chunks cracked, so I had to re-melt them!) Once they've cooled, you can just turn the pan over and they will fall right out! Here is the finished product! I'm excited to surprise my little one with these tomorrow!

Pin It

Groove Kid Nation music review

2011-10-17T11:00:00.002-05:00

Groove Kid Nation
Music in Motion

Kid's Songs
The Groovy Way to Learn About Musical Instruments

This is such a fun CD, and I think it would be excellent for the 3-7 year old age group. Since I have a toddler, we listened to the CD while we colored pictures. My daughter also looked at the illustrated booklet of the characters and instruments. You can go to Groove Kid Nation and download a free coloring book of the characters in the songs! The website has videos, games, and music downloads. Be sure to check our their CDs while you're there.

Exposure to music is an important part of early childhood development, and Groove Kid Nation is not only educational, but it's fun for both kids and adults with its "groovy" beats! The songs teach kids about instruments and give instructions on how to interact with the tunes.

After listening to the CD, we visited Groove Kid Nation and watched "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" music video, and my daughter loved it! She started clapping and pretending she was playing the piano. I found it pretty entertaining myself!

Overall, our Groove Kid Nation experience exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to checking out their Wheels on the Bus CD next!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Snowshoeing Memories

2011-10-16T08:00:00.007-05:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that I'm really looking forward to showshoeing this year since we've moved to Colorado. The best part is, we'll have our little one along for the ride!

Last week we went to Rocky Mountain National Park and there was already snow and ice on the ground at the higher elevations. I'm excited to bundle up and breathe the crisp mountain air!

A few years ago, we went snowshoeing along several trails in RMNP. I'm feeling a little nostalgic!

There's me, trekking across the mountain above!

Snowshoeing across a beautiful frozen lake.

Pin It

Giveaway! 2 year supply of hand sanitizer 10/21

2011-10-15T00:01:00.002-05:00

I am one of those people. I use hand sanitizing gel or wipes multiple times per day. I wipe down shopping carts. With a little one at home, I am even more paranoid about germs. I recently received a bottle of Prefense Alcohol-Free Hand Sanitizer to review.

This silica-based hand sanitizer is refreshing for a few reasons. First, it doesn’t dry my skin out like the usual gels and wipes. My hands feel nice and soft after using it. Second, it has a light, fresh scent.

Ultimately, Prefense is different because one application lasts all day, or up to ten hand washings. One eight ounce bottle lasts up to two years, and it is safe for kids! From small families to major corporations, Prefense is becoming a popular alternative to regular hand sanitizer. Prefense saves you money with fewer applications needed.

I have been reviewing the foaming hand sanitizer bottle, but Prefense is also available in wipes, wall units, and more. It is recommended that each person in a household apply Prefense each morning to protect against illness.

You can follow Prefense on Facebook and Twitter, or visit their website at http://www.prefense.com/.

GIVEAWAY!

Prefense is offering my readers an opportunity to win up to a 2 year supply of Prefense hand sanitizer! One bottle contains 640 applications. The winner will be selected randomly via random.org on Friday, October 21. The giveaway bottle of Prefense will be shipped directly to the winner from Prefense.

EASY ENTRY!

To enter, all you have to do is leave one comment, any comment, on this post (with a way to contact you)!

Extra (easy) entries:
1. One extra entry for following The Intentional Momma via Google Friend Connect and leaving me a second comment letting me know you’re a follower.
2. One extra entry for “Liking” The Intentional Momma on Facebook and leaving me a third comment letting me know that you hit the Like button.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado, Illustrated by Toni Goffe

2011-10-14T08:00:00.004-05:00

I am so thankful for the recent opportunity I had to review Max Lucado’s children’s book Just in Case You Ever Wonder. When I read Traveling Light by Max Lucado for the first time several years ago, I was hooked. He is a gifted writer and minister, and I was anxious to read a children’s book written by him. While Just in Case You Ever Wonder is packaged as a children’s book, this book’s message is truly meaningful for people of all ages.

The message to our children is simple—I love you, and God loves you. We are on your side, and you are special. You are deeply loved. Come to us, and we will be here for you.

As I sat down to read this book to my daughter while she sat contentedly in my lap, I really almost cried. Just in Case You Ever Wonder is a precious book that should be in every home’s library.

This book will likely be more appealing to older toddlers than to younger toddlers since the illustrations aren’t as bright and colorful. We will absolutely treasure this book. I know it will be a perfect bedtime story as my daughter grows older. I give this book my highest recommendation and suggest it as a perfect gift for children and expectant parents.

I received a complimentary hardback copy of this book from the publisher through BookSneeze®.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Purple Series by Blair Hahn, Illustrated by Tate Nation

2011-10-13T12:41:00.005-05:00

I recently received hardback copies of My Purple Toes and My Purple Kisses to review on my blog. The Purple Series was written by a father after a humorous, yet endearing father-daughter experience. Each silly, light-hearted book will surely be a hit with little girls. Both stories are very upbeat, and My Purple Toes received the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award. I would recommend these books for girls ages 2-6.

Reading these books with my young toddler provided her with several fun interactive learning opportunities. The illustrations are fun and the text is descriptive. By asking her simple questions as I read the books, she remained engaged and eager to respond.

In My Purple Toes, she learned about the color purple, she practiced counting, and she enjoyed finding the hidden frog on each page. She pointed to the dog and said “woof woof.” She recognized the red hearts, the ladybugs, the green grass, and the yellow starfish. She said “night night” and practiced wiggling her toes.

With My Purple Kisses, my little one immediately kissed the first page. She excitedly shouted “Bear!” and “Dog!” and laughed. She pointed to her cheek, and she found the inconspicuous ladybugs and purple kisses.

Overall, these simple, amusing stories are worth reading!

I received complimentary hardback copies of these books from the publisher through Business2Blogger. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Free Baby Magazine Subscriptions!

2011-10-12T20:11:00.005-05:00

If you're like me and love reading parenting magazines, you'll love that you can get FREE BabyTalk and American Baby magazine subscriptions! Just click on the images below. Have a great day!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-10-11T17:00:00.002-05:00

Our first Colorado Autumn.

Pin It