barrettes

The girls and I just made some fab little hair barrettes.  All you need are:  feathers, a piece of felt, a hot glue gun, an alligator pinch clip, silk flowers, and beads.  You can buy all of this at Michael's.  Here's the skinny - cut a small square piece of felt and hot glue around the barrette so it covers all sides.  Then hot glue the feathers one at a time onto the felt and finish with a flower.  Or you can stuff a few beads through a feather, then glue gun to the felt on the barrette.  Here's an eco-barrette made with organic cotton.  Kinda pretty and super easy.

we fly

We got back from "the land" last week and the girls flew for the first time.  Here are seven fly tips to ease your trip with the kiddies.  1.  Bring snacks like trail mix and fruit.  Or you could buy an airplane meal for $10.  2. Huh?  I said, ear plugs work.  They will slowly equalize pressure against the eardrum. Try Flents ear stopples eco-friendly ones.  3.  Stuff an extra shirt in your purse.  Your baby could throw up from the turbulence.  4.  Save money and stow your kid's luggage on the plane.  5.  Pass out the gum or sip water.  Swallowing and yawning as the plane is pressurized opens the ear-to-throat connection. 6.  Pack a small blanket for plane naps. 7.  Bring crayons, pencils and workbooks to pass the time.  The kiddies will love to pull the seat table to play.  Have fun!

disneyland food tippies

We are in the magical land of happiness.  Our first family vacation.  Here are my seven cost saving foodie tips for eating at Disneyland.  1.  Bring snacks. They don't mind, meals are expensive and your kids are too excited to eat full meals anyways.  2.  Bring water. Or you can buy it at the park for $3-5 a bottle.  We bought a case at the mini mart near our hotel.  3.  Find the hotel buffet breakfasts that let kids eat for free.  4.  Pack cereal, paper bowls, spoons in your luggage and buy the milk and bananas at the mini mart.  Great afternoon snack and/or cheap breakfast option.  5. Eat dinner at Ihop.  Kids eat free@ Ihop after 4pm when an adult buys a meal.  What kid doesn't want pancakes and strawberries for dinner?  6.  Avoid the park food courts and opt for the restaurants.  You get more bang for your buck$. 7.  Do the character dinning (see pic).  Great memory.  Just realize that's what your paying for.  It's $35 per adult and $19 per kid.  We had a tasty breakfast at Ariel's Grotto while the princesses strolled around. The girls loved it.  Bring your camera and keep snappin' and bring your appetite, because they will keep the food flowin'. 

earth friendly snack bags on sale

In honor of Earth Day, Mama Luvs is having a sale!  Get 30% off your entire purchase with free shipping on all orders through the month of April!  Use code "SMDF Earth Day" to nab this exclusive savings.  Mama Luvs snack bags have new springtime fabrics. These are perfect for summer camps and packing meals for daytime adventures at the parks and beaches this spring and summer! - Taken from http://www.seattlemomsdealfinder.com

spring showers

Enough with the rain. We live in the pacific northwest and the induction of spring only means more rain.  Sigh.  Besides going to the movies and indoor germ infested kiddie centers, here are some other ways we are beating the showers around these parts...roller skating, ice skating http://www.rinktime.com/skating_rinks/wa/washington_skating_rinks_arenas.cfm, library visits, painting pottery (like Paint the Town), or check out volunteer matches at http://www.volunteermatch.org/

springing forward

Bye bye winter.  Hello daylight at 8pm.  So hard to put the girls to bed when it's flippin' bright out.  Enter Eclipse Thermaweave curtains. I bought mine at Target for about $25 for two panels.  And they work great!  Not only do these triple weave construction window coverings help keep your babies napping and slobbering longer, you will save 25% on your home heating and cooling costs.  Gotta love saving a lil cheddar.  Read more at www.eclipsecurtains.com. 

tasty glue

Edible Glue.  You might refer to it as Ranch Dressing either delightedly or with distaste.  I'm going with the latter.  But the girls love dipping their veggies in it. And I am all for my babies getting their veggie fix on. I refuse to buy the bottles at room temp because the artificial smell of glue really shines on these.  Here's my workaround - O Organics refrigerated Buttermilk Ranch or any buy cold organic version.  You could also make your own!  And not the MSG laden powdered kind where you add mayo.  Weelicious has a recipe with the following that I made, that's not so bad. Here it is: Ranch Dip- 1/4 Cup Yogurt (I use Greek Yogurt), 2 Tbsp Vegansaise or Mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp Fresh Chives, chopped, 1 Tsp Lemon Juice, 1 Tsp Dijon Mustard, 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder, 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder, Salt to taste.  Makes 1/3 Cup.  Happy dipping.