(photo source) Last week was quite stormy in our neck of the woods. Yesterday we did a post on Severe Weather Kits because we realized during National Severe Weather Preparedness week (April 22-28) that our families were not prepared for emergencies during severe weather. Today we're giving you 25 ideas for keeping your children calm during storms Keep yourself calm--This is the most important thing of all. If you are not calm, your kids won't be either. Cuddle--Sometimes a little physical contact is all your kids need to feel safe and calm. Practice--On non-stormy days practice what you would do in the event of severe weather. Knowing what to do will help your kids feel in control. Severe weather kit--Have your kids help you make a severe weather kit. It helps them to know what you have that will keep them safe. (photo source) Light--Lots of kids get scared in the dark so make sure you have plenty of flashlights on hand to keep things bright if the power goes … [Read more...]
Severe Weather Kit
The National Severe Weather Preparedness Week was April 22-28. Did you practice safety techniques during that week? We did! In Minnesota we have quite a few severe thunderstorms and tornadoes each year. This year, spring came early and we had an earlier than expected severe thunderstorm. Our power went out and we realized we had not gathered our kit yet. So, after the storm was over I was determined to make a kit and store it in the same place all year so we would always know where it was. For our severe weather kit we have the essentials: candles and a lighter, a weather radio, flashlights and batteries. We have a small handful of flashlights because we have a large family, it's nice for each person to have their own light. We also have extra batteries for a couple of reasons. They are primarily for the flashlights but the other purpose they serve is for my kids Leap Pads. We found that these are great distractions from the "scary-ness" of no power and crazy winds. I want to … [Read more...]
Quick and Easy Meal Planning with Relish!–Giveaway too!
What's for dinner? It is a question that many of us dread each day. What is for dinner? What do I have the ingredients for? Ugh...I don't feel like cooking... If you've been paying close enough attention to our blog, you know that Lindsi is a meal planning freak "expert" and Jamie has been trying her hand at meal planning too. We both find meal planning to be helpful in stress, energy, and money saving. It also helps with the dreaded, "What's for dinner?" question! The one problem however, is the time it takes to come up with recipes. Flipping through multiple different websites and cook books can get confusing and overwhelming. Add in the time it takes to make a grocery list for all your meals and making a weekly meal plan can take up to 1/2 a day! That's where Relish! comes in! We've been using Relish! for our meal planning for a little over 2 months and we couldn't be happier! The first week Jamie used Relish! her Facebook status said, "Trying out a new online … [Read more...]
15 Ideas for Getting Rid of the Mommy Grouchies
Let's face it, we all get cranky at times. You wake up thinking the day will be great and then find yourself constantly yelling at the kids. Nothing is going the way you think it should and you just want to pull your hair out. source of photo We've got 15 ideas that might help brighten your mood when you've got the Mommy Grouchies! 1) Get out of the house--Take your kids to the park, go to the mall, just take a drive somewhere...maybe your kids are feeling just as cooped up as you are. 2) Mommy time-out--Give yourself a time-out just like you do to your kids. Tell your kids that you are in a time-out because you are cranky. Sit in your room for 5-10 minutes and gather yourself together. 3) Chocolate--Chocolate can cheer anyone up! Run to the store and pick up your favorite chocolate treat! photo source 4) Listen to music/Have a Dance Party--Crank up the tunes. You'll be amazed at how your favorite song can cheer you up. Dance with your kids and you'll be … [Read more...]
The Myths About Signing With Your Baby
Today we are pleased to have Kristy from HearMyHandsASL.com guest posting for us. Hear My Hands recently became one of our sponsors and we are so thrilled to be working with her! Jamie has a special place in her heart for ASL (American Sign Language). She started learning it in First grade when her elementary school partnered with a school for the deaf a few miles down the road. Years later, Jamie took ASL as a second language in college. Unfortunately Jamie has not kept up with her ASL skills and has lost most of it. She was hoping to teach her girls sign language at a young age but her husband wouldn't let her due to popular myths. We now have Kristy guest posting for us so that others don't fall into those same myths! Check out Kristy's website HearMyHandsASL.com. She's got some GREAT info on there and has frequent signs for words up on her blog. If you're in her area, check out her classes! Without further ado, here is Kristy... The most common myths when … [Read more...]
50 things (other than candy) to put in your child’s Easter basket
Candy overload?!!! It seems like once the Halloween candy was gone then the Christmas candy came and when that was gone then the Valentine's candy arrived....so now Easter candy too? Ugh! My kids like candy like every other child out there, but we thought it might be fun to share some ideas of what to stuff their Easter baskets with other than candy that won't break the bank. Without further ado... 50 non-candy Easter basket ideas... 50. Sunglasses for the coming sunny months 49. Deck of cards, go fish or old maid work great too- my kids think this is the coolest thing ever! 48. A bag of balloons- for water balloon fights this summer 47. Lip balm or lip gloss- my kids go crazy over this one! 46. Terracotta pot- paint it together and plant something pretty 45. Seeds (for planting their favorite colored flower or vegetable) 44. A new book- who doesn't like a new book? 43. A new DVD 42. Puzzles 41. Digital photo frame- get those pictures off your computer and phone! 40. … [Read more...]
