Seven Mom Tips : Activia Selects

As a stay at home mom, and an admittedly, addicted blogger. I try to do things as quickly as possible. [This is just my nature, I've always been this way.]

I've learned to involve the kids in what I'm doing. They love to help. Include them. This sometimes counteracts the getting it done quickly, but it keeps them busy while I can get it done.

When I can't involve them, there are a few tricks I've learned to get everything done, and still stay [somewhat] healthy and [somewhat] sane, in my three looooooong short years of motherhood:

1. Doing laundry one day a week. This is a new concept for me, but it's very freeing [Thank you Happy Hooligans for posting your tip on The Play Network]. Choose a day to do laundry and just get it done. Don't drag out the folding and putting away, get it done and have a mess-free laundry room as well as clean clothes instead of, where is that shirt? is it clean? is it in the hamper? This way you know you washed it and where it is. If its not clean, its put away, if its not there, its dirty.
   

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Fudoo Boards Special Price!

Start tracking your family’s “food” and “do” adventures and know you are enjoying the good life!

Füdoo Boards [a sponsor of hands on : as we grow] would like to extend a special exclusive offer to all hands on: as we grow readers!

Yay for us! 

Get your family a füdoo Board kit for only $20.00.  

[A savings of over 25%! ]

As well as using a füdoo Board at home, these could be a great addition to lunchtime in the classroom, too! The kids could check in each day with your boards and track what you ate and did that day! [I can see doing some graph activities to track their lifestyle habits!]

There's no special code or anything to remember, just use this link provided here to buy it at this awesome price!

Sarah at Füdoo Boards is always very open and informative if you have any questions. The website is full of information on how to live a healthy lifestyle, but feel free to ask her questions at  sarah@fudooboards.com. 

Henry is 3 years. George is 1 year.
Head on over & check out our sponsors: Fudoo Boards Betty Lukens Felt Sets A Mom with a Lesson Plan

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It's Playtime! : Creative Fun Art

Some creative and fun art that's sure to brighten everyone's day!

The colorful art I found on It's Playtime brought a smile on my face, so I hope it does to you too!

Take a look at the beautiful kid's creations!
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26 Tin Can Activities, Music & Crafts

Upcycling is free.

Upcycling is versatile.

Upcycling can be done with things you have on hand.

Tin cans... I have a lot on hand, at all times!

Upcycle those tin cans before you recycle them!

Here are 26 activities, crafts, holiday ideas, as well as music makers that you can do with tin cans - with the kids!

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Sensory Activity : Hauling Corn

With harvest in full swing at Grandpa's farm, Henry's always begging to go along and ride in the combine. This weekend, the entire family got out there and rode along!

I decided to bring home some corn straight from the field [okay, it may have gone through the corn bins before I got to it].

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Craft : Yarn Monsters

Monsters made of yarn, just in time for the spooky season.

There's not much to these monsters, but I think they turned out kind of cute.

Henry and I used the same technique we did for our Yarn Circle Garland.

[You can check out the details on how to create the yarn circles there.]

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Kid-Friendly iPad Apps : iPad Giveaway

How do you feel about introducing your preschooler to technology?

I think technology is a necessity. While I don't want Henry to sit in front of a video game all day, I do believe that technology rules this world and will only be moreso as our children grow up in it.

I've let Henry use the computer now and then. Practicing typing on the keyboard to learn the letter placements. He gets a kick out of it and he's learning in the process. The mouse is a little tricky for him yet, but I'm sure he'll grasp that soon enough.

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Another Month Review : Thanks Sponsors!

I can't believe its October already...
Thinking about Halloween and the holidays are just around the corner.

September has brought about the kickoff of a monthly hands on : as we grow newsletter. Here's the first one, in case you missed out.

Be sure to sign up to get sneak peaks of the upcoming month!

I've also decided to give Raising Kids is Tough a revamp. A new format and a new name. Keep an eye out in the upcoming weeks for the change.

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September's top ten referring blogs.

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