Tip Tuesday (by the skin of my teeth)

Messy Time

My kids have always hated bibs (rip 'em right off), but the only real alternative was to strip them down to a diaper (then they needed MAJOR scrubbing or I was afraid they were cold). So when Jenna was little (wasn't she a cutie pie?!), we got in the habit of using one of my old T-shirts for messy meals and art time. The shirt really came in handy...just pull it off after a spaghetti dinner or a Picasso moment and throw it in the wash. Plus, it covers a lot more area than one of those little bibs!

P.S. Double Tip Tuesday...see the Press & Seal wrap on the high chair tray? Easy cleanup #2!

Terrific Tip Wednesday?

No, this is not an April Fool's joke, I'm just a knuckle head and forgot to post yesterday's tip! So, today's post is a little bit tip and a little bit creative holiday thinking. Enjoy!!!

Easter Stuffers

I was talking with the ladies at preschool the other day and they thought it was hysterical (and pretty clever) that I put band-aids in the kids eggs last year. It started me thinking, what other non-candy goodies would fit in those little (and big) plastic eggs?

• hair stuff (purchased from Bitty Bird Bows, of course :-))
• stickers, stamps, & temporary tattoos
• bouncy balls
• Matchbox cars (may have to put in the bigger plastic eggs)
• plastic animals
• army men and parachute men
• play jewelry
• nail polish & nail stickers
• money
• lip balm
• mini boxes of raisins
• alphabet fridge magnets
• barbie outfit (taken out of package, of course!)
• Thomas trains
• mini rubber ducks
• pacifiers & paci clips (for the baby egg hunters)
• travel toothpaste (they make kiddie versions...my kids got them in their xmas stocking)
• bracelet sets (beads and a piece of elastic for the older ones, yarn or elastic and fruity cheerios for the little ones)
• crafty items...little baggies of pom-poms, googly eyes, sequins, adhesive foam shapes & letters

How about putting a slip of numbered paper in some of the eggs and the number would correspond to a wrapped gift after the egg hunt was done. This is a good way to give treats that are too big to fit in an egg...puzzles, books, jump ropes, boxes of sidewalk chalk, bubbles. The list is endless. Let me know if you have any other good ideas for egg stuffers and happy egg hunting to you!

Terrific Tip Tuesday

MORNING MENU

In our house we have a "you get what you get" mentality for most meals, except for weekday breakfasts. On those mornings, I give the kids a choice, usually simple items like waffles, toast, or cereal. This can be a difficult decision for toddlers and preschoolers who have just gotten out of bed and are still a little "out of sorts" (i.e. cranky, tired, and hungry as a bear.) I got a great tip from a fellow mother (of 4, bless her!) on how she's made mornings easier at her house. She takes an "order" the night before at the dinner table, asking each child what he or she would like for breakfast the next morning. The choices are simple ones, mostly hot or cold cereals, and the kids have all of dinner to think about it and make their decision. Their choices are then put up on a chalkboard (a notepad or dry erase would work as well) and she can have their breakfasts ready and on the table in no time in the morning...no complaints, right?! She says complaints have been minimal, since she reminds them that they made the choice. I just like the idea of less discussion with cranky little ones in the morning!

Terrific Tip Tuesday

I'm adding a new weekly post to the blog: Terrific Tip Tuesday's. It'll feature great tips to make life a little easier with little ones. If you have any good suggestions, email me and I'll post your tip. This should be fun! This Week's Tip

Gabriel is going through the whole "I do it" stage, so last week I had a great idea for a used up bottle of sprinkles (or jimmies for those of you from Philly). I put a few spoonfuls of parmesan cheese in the container and let him go at it on his spaghetti and pizza. He's thinks it's great, the mess is minimal, and even if he doesn't eat it, it keeps him sitting at the table a few extra minutes. Well worth it!!!