Toy storage solutions by Heather Ledeboer
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: It Worked 4 Me | Posted Monday, March 31, 2008
Some people love to be organized, I am one of them. With kids this can be a challenge, as you know. Here is something that has worked well for organizing many of our kids little toys.
When you buy new bedding the sheets and pillowcases often come in clear plastic zippered bags. I save these and use them for our kid’s toys. They work well because they are sturdy and allow us to easily see what is inside. Inside their closets, under their clothes, we have put together the metal storage squares that you can buy and assemble to the height/width that work for your space. This makes an easy area to store these bags of toys. We find that this method allows for quick cleaning as we can give each of our kids a bag and tell them "ok Hunter, you put all the plastic animals in here" and they have a focus and something easy to carry with them.
Snow and blueberry muffins by Heather Ledeboer
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: The Journey of Motherhood | Posted Saturday, March 29, 2008
Ok so it is snowing today, again. The last 2 weeks have brought a series of snow storms and then "warmer" weather. The good news in this is that the snow doesn’t have time to accumulate as the warm weather melts it. The bad news is that it makes spring feel oh so far away. Alas, what is a girl to do on a snowy day but bake? So the kids and I made blueberry muffins. The recipe is pretty quick and easy and it is a favorite for weekend mornings. Perhaps you will find yourself in the baking mood today too. If so, here is our recipe:
1 egg
1/2 c milk
1/4 c veg oil or melted shortening (I use oil)
1 1/2 c flour
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c blueberries (3/4 c if canned) – we use frozen blueberries from Costco
Mix together: egg, milk and oil. Blend together dry ingredients and stir into liquid mixture just until flouris lumpy. Do not over-mix. Gently stir in blueberries. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake in 400 degree oven (or toaster oven as I do) for 20-25 min, until golden brown. Makes 12 medium muffins (I often double the recipe and just make a few at a time in my toaster oven so we can make then fresh each morning for breakfast). Enjoy!
As I said, we like these muffins. The kids are in a pretty silly mood anyway today but below is a video of them when I told them the muffins were ready:).
Hair Clip Holder – Weekly Giveaway
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Mom 4 Life News & Giveaways | Posted Friday, March 28, 2008
Happy Friday and a big congratulations to Barb for winning our Slurp & Burp Nursing Cover and to Angela for winning the Polliwalks shoes. Of course if you didn’t win the Slurp & Burp Nursing Cover, head over to Mom 4 Life now to get yours at 10% off for one week only!
This week we are giving away something both fun and functional (I love items like that). If you have a little girl in the house (or know some one who does) this Hair Clip Holder (that comes with 6 adorable hair clips) is sure to be used for years. Available in 5 different styles, you are sure to find one that fits your little girl’s personality! Retail value is $36.00. Here are the two sisters that created this fun product:
To be entered to win: Simply click here to take this week’s survey. it is short and sweet and covers a new product option that I have looked at a few different times and thought, "hmmmm, could be useful, what would my customers think about it?" So here is your chance to let me know! Please finish the survey by Tuesday the 1st at 9:00 PM PST in order to be entered to win.
Recap from the website survey from last week Wednesday: Overall, you guys really like the design and logo for our website (yeah:) and have had very little navigation problems. Thankfully, most of the suggestions you provided for improvement are in the works for our next updated version of the site coming this spring (i.e. a better search box, see all option, not being directed away from the website when you add something to your cart with a not-so-easy return, the option of having a buy now button right next to the colors you want to order rather than in a long drop down box). Overall, you found the categories clear but the "Holding" category did cause some of you some trouble (not knowing for sure what would be there). A few of you suggested the name be changed to "Babywearing". I liked that idea and have implemented it already so thank you! I am hopeful that will be less confusing to those navigating around on the site. Thank you so much, your opinions are so helpful!
Recap from last week Friday’s survey: Last week you gave your opinion on the Wupzey High Char Food Catcher. Although you were almost all very encouraging to have this item added to Mom 4 Life (because you thought other moms might like it or need it), very few of you reported that you would buy it yourself. You felt that you were likely going to have a mess from the food going over the top of the tray anyway so perhaps just investing in a food mat or eating over a wipe-able floor might be just effective in the long run as it likely wasn’t going to catch all the food anyway. I tended to agree with most of you. I thought this was a unique concept and I like the creativity that this mom inventor showed but I guess I personally haven’t had much trouble with food going down and out near my children’s feet. Food going on the floor over the edge of the tray has been a much bigger issue. So I am going to pass on this one and thanks again for your valuable input!
Update on a recent item added to our site because of your feedback: We just added the Parking Pal to Mom 4 Life (you voted on this product in a recent survey) and I have to say I think I might be adding one to our van! Also, you might want to visit the first page or two of our "new items" link as my assistant Anica has been hard at work adding new products (there are over 20 new items listed just this week)!
Get fit with friends
By mel | Category: Fit 4 Life | Posted Thursday, March 27, 2008
Its hard to make time for yourself to work out so try to incorporate into your daily activities. If you usually meet with a friend for coffee after carpool, make it a fitness outing. Go for a power walk and then get your drink of choice. Getting the beverage after the walk works as a reward and you will be more likely to walk faster if you are not sipping away. Also after working up a sweat, you might want a refreshing iced green tea or non fat latte instead of a Carmel Frappucino.
*Tip *If you you want to cut back calories start with your morning drinks. Creams and flavorings are very high in calories sugar and/or fat. Opt for coffee with the flavor already in the beans, its yummy but with out the extra calories . Also earl grey tea with "latte’ style" soy milk is delicious.
Starting a fitness group will motivate and inspire your friends and people around you. Together you can support each other in your health and fitness goals. Feel free to email me and ask me where start. mel@tightbodwithapod.com
example: A walk to the park with friends turns into an instant play date. Do some push ups and sit ups while your little ones play. Remember be active everyday!
Mel Gregory
Tight Bod with a Pod
It is not all about me by Heather Ledeboer
By Heather Ledeboer | Category: Hot New Finds | Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Don’t you love maturity? I know that as my kids get older it is wonderful to start seeing little glimpses of it. In my opinion, a big sign of maturity is not only the ability, but the desire to put others first. In all honestly, my desire in this area often at odds with my ability (hey if my husband is willing to change the next diaper, I am not likely to insist that he let me). But really, what is more beautiful than a life reaching out to touch the needs of another with no other motivation other than the desire to help.
I got an email this last weekend from Hailey, a 12 year old girl whose brother died at 6 week of age. She has started a blog to share her feelings and has decided to try to do what she can to help others, not only with her on-line diary as she tells about her emotional journey but also with any financial donations she may receive. I invite you to visit Hailey’s blog and would also love for you to post a comment below telling us of any other examples of young maturity you have been blessed to witness.
