Nifty Ways to Save BIG

So recently I have been dedicating some of my time and going out of my way to find fairly easy ways to save or get some stuff for free. Normally rewards and coupon programs are either too time consuming or not worth it in the end but two programs I found useful.

Groupon: I ended up getting a super deal on Bear's new tricycle and got two years of parenting magazine for $5. Whats great about Groupon is they give you one of these neat links: http://www.groupon.com/r/uu42050789 and every time someone uses that link to buy a Groupon you get $10 off your next purchase! So when you sign up and get your link make sure you use my link to get started :)

Viggle: It's an app for Android and iphones. Basically you watch TV, check in, get points and redeem them for gift cards. I have had the app for about 6 weeks and gotten $25 in Starbucks cards and $20 in Gap/Old Navy Cards! That's a pretty sweet deal for checking into the shows I watch anyways!

Starbucks Cards: If you are a regular at Starbucks like me, you know how much they get you on the prices. I used my Viggle points and redeemed them on the Starbucks app and ended up being a "gold Card Member" and get a free coffee and special offers every 2 weeks. Now that adds up!

RadioFlyer.com: Sign up for the email newsletter and get a $10 coupon on your kids birthday. 2 is a big year for tricycles and wagons and $10 off isn't a bad deal.

Anyone have some neat and easy money savers?

Love,
PlusPeace

FREE Template! DIY Placemat!

Made these placemats from scratch and I'm proud of them! That's why I am offering them FREE to my followers and passerbys! There are two, both fairly generic, butterflies and flowers or trucks and cars. 

To upload click which one you would like:

FLOWERS

TRUCKS

They are 8.5 x 11 and can be printed on any color home printer. I happen to have a lamination machine at work but if you don't have one it's likely that someone you know will.

Let me know your feedback!

Love,

PlusPeace

A Spoonful of Sugar

I saw these on a blog I frequest (http://www.swiss-miss.com/2011/12/medicine-ice-lollipop.html) and had to share!

I am SURE no kid loves taking tylenol, or any other icky sticky medicine, not to mention it's almost impossible to get the entire dose out of the little cup.

Pour the dose of medicine and 1 drop food coloring into a small cup (the plastic dosage cup would work great but there are also lolipop molds on amazon) put a stick in the center (the dull end of a skewer or a lolipop stick) and anchor it down with tape. Then freeze until frozen and offer up the lolipop when a dose is needed!

Enjoy,
PlusPeace

The Cutest Gift Ever

Dear Nana discovered these gems yesterday so we decided to give it a whirl. We didn't expect them to turn out this cute. We sat around the table for about 45 minutes deciding who we should give them to! So here is a breakdown of the how-to as well as some tips on doing them with a toddler.

You will need:
Ornaments - the non-breaking ones are best. We found that the glitter and matte ones turned out the best.
Thick White Non-Toxic Paint (white, black & orange)
A thick paintbrush, and a thin paintbrush
A sharpie
A toddler

Directions:
It is helpful to have a helper (as in two adults) for this project. Sit the kiddo on one persons lap and cover only one hand in white paint. Get a nice handprint with the palm at the bottom of the bulb and fingers pointing up. About a medium thickness of paint works best and an apron is recommended. After all the ornaments have one handprint wash your toddlers hand and paint the other with white paint and do the same to all and give a final wash to the hands.

Next step is for you to do or an older kid in the family. With the fine brush, use the black to paint hats & coal eyes and mouth on each of the fingertips to look like snowmen. Then use the same brush for the carrot noses.

When completely dry, use the sharpie to write your kids name and the year. You can make these every year as keepsakes!! SO CUTE!!!

The trick for these is do them fast, use two adults and thick paint.

Love,
PlusPeace

These are ours:



(http://fullofgreatideas.blogspot.com/2010/11/five-fingers-snowman-ornament.html)

Loose Ends.

I've got a lot of loose ends to some of these blogs so lets wrap em up!

Well apparently the thing with the kitten is a-ok. It just takes time to adjust when you add a furry friend to the mix! He's learned how to pick her up and doesn't boot her across the room anymore!!

The Halloween costumes came out great! Tiger was definitely the way to go and Bear had a blast going from door to door with us:

And I thought I would share these books for Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas, they are neat! http://www.spoonsisters.com/product/65901.html

All for now, it's getting late!

Love,

PlusPeace

How to Handle a Teething Toddler

Bear has been a TERROR since he started teething again. Maybe this will all sound familiar, he is short tempered because he's in pain and doesn't understand why, then he's frustrated because it hurts to eat and he can't tell me, then he throws a tantrum while I try to figure out what he wants, then he bites me. Which logically would be a good way to show someone that your mouth hurts.

Step Number 1: Stay calm. The angrier I get, the shorter my temper is and the less helpful I will be. If you stay composed, while trying to figure everything out it goes way smoother. I know it's not easy having a little 2.5' person hanging off your leg by his teeth but trust me, as much as you want to flip out, you'll only feel guilty for doing it.

Number 2: Figure out exactly what he needs. If it's some kind of food, let him explore the kitchen and find what he wants - within reason. Keep in mind hard foods may hurt, yogurt, peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, spaghettios, etc are all nice soft foods.

Number 3: Tylenol, Orajel Night & a redbull for you (you wont be getting much sleep).

Some great things Bear likes is me keeping him distracted (like playing and being silly), brushing his teeth (he loves how this feels) & that vibtrating corn teether that he liked when he was 6 months is now a favorite again.

Best of luck,

PlusPeace