Ziplock Your iElectronics

My kindergartener and toddler always want to use my electronics, iPhone and iPad, and I don't mind letting them. What I do mind are the umpteenth fingerprints and nondescript sticky/wet residue found across the screen.

I bought a waterproof protectant for my iPhone once upon a time but never opened it. I stumbled across it recently and put it on my phone. Afterwards I realized that the sealer covered the holes for me to change my phone or connect it to another device. What a waste. 

It randomly occurred to me to put my iElectronics in a ziplock. Before letting my toddler play with the phone, I'd throw it in a sandwich bag that snapped closed. It was a great and quick temp solution & it's portable for car rides & beach trips (we went on one yesterday)! Then I thought, why not extend this idea to the iPad. I just needed a larger ziplock & voila, it works well. 

The kids can have their fun and I don't have to worry about them spilling something on it or transferring whatever is on their little sticky fingers. Now lets just hope they don't drop them too hard!

MEMORIAL DAY

This day is to celebrate those who have sacrificed and lost their lives for this country. Let's also celebrate those who put their lives in danger for this country but haven't lost it. Here's an idea!

Medallion Heart Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup & Lifer-Juice (coffee)!
Give your soldier a purple heart! or multiples for that matter.

Other Ideas:
Apple Pies in a Mason Jar for your JarHead
Dog Tag mini-candybar

Have fun with it!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!!!

When Springtime and Summertime return, the first thing my kids and I want to do is grab a popsicle or ice cream. It's always nice when the warmer seasons return. Allergy attacks not included. However, this unpredictable New England weather leaves me in the habit of not ever having any cold treats on reserve for those "just-in-case-it's-hot" moments. Lately, there have been more of those moments than not which forces me to spend more money than I would like to. I waste money on gas and cold treats when I have to constantly make runs to the supermarket to restock or bypass the grocery store altogether and have an off-the-cuff family outing at the local ice cream shoppe.

On my most recent ice cream and popsicle run, I stumbled across a DIY popsickle mould. That's when my light bulb went off! Why hadn't I thought to do this before? After all, that is what I do. I bought the mould and planned to be prepared for the next heat wave.

       

I used to subscribe to all of those cooking and parenting magazines, once upon a time, when the internet option didn't quite exist. Ah, being a first time mom. I went through some of the articles I saved and stumbled across some popsicle making ideas. These are what I found from a Parenting Magazine from 2008:

Parenting Magazine 2008

Parenting Magazine 2008

Parenting Magazine 2008

Parenting Magazine 2008

In the words of the late Dunkin' Donuts spokesman, "It's time to make the popsicles." Well, not his exact words. Remember to let each tier freeze for an hour, no matter what you put in, before adding the next tier.

Here's what we came up with, Vanilla Yogurt, Apple Juice with Blueberries Popsicle. There are as many possibilities as you can think up!

                                 

Stay cool!

Happy Mother's Day

She smoothes my edges and keeps me on balance.

She's my mother.
She saw me draggin' my feet,
heavy from burden, and gave me her heels.
She's my mother.
She satiated my emptiness  with love.
Reconstructed my self-confidence with care.
I'm under construction.
She's still building.
She's my mother.
(original poem)

(Stock photo taken from internet)

I live in southern NJ which I also consider to be a suburb of Philadelphia. On mother's day, I love to go to the Silver Diner and get my free carnation and give my 5 year old quarters to put in the jukebox. We eat pancakes and listen to oldies. The simple but meaningful lyrics take me to my "happy place" and then we stop by the aquarium to collect yet another free carnation and spend more time together. It's great. So to all the moms out there, with or without a physical child, Happy Mother's Day!

Loose Laundry Socks UPDATED

What to do with those loose children's socks?

1. First cut the tip of the toe and also cut a hole for the thumb. I've found that the added thumb hole keeps the cut sock from rolling and sliding up kid's arm. Have your kids wear it as an 80's "bracelet" when they're snotty. Instead of wiping snot on their sleeve, the cut sock can act as a boogie wipe!

2. Create sock puppets!!! For the non-DIYer, don't feel embarrassed. These basic toys are a gem!

Edible Beauty Products

The TV was randomly on the live well network channel which I didn't even know existed and saw some really cool ideas. I'm not a fan of make up and wear a lipstick for a special occasion. I also don't believe in spending tons of money on beauty products because I can't understand what 99% of the ingredients are and don't trust the product. What's great about these natural beauty products below is that they can be composed with items found in the grocery store or in your pantry and are so safe, they're edible!

(Stock photo taken from internet)

Java Exfoliant Scrub

• 2 cups ground Coffee
• 1/2 cup Himalayan Pink Salt
• 1/2 cup Turbinado Sugar
• 1/3 cup Olive oil
• 3 Tbs. Almond oil

(Reduces appearance of cellulite)
Scrub on hands, gets rid of dead skin

Sencha Mask

• 3 tsp. Green Tea Powder
• 2 tsp. honey
• 2 tsp. water
• 2 egg whites

Make mask & chill in fridge
Apply and let sit for 15 min. Will last a week.

Ginger-Grapfruit Elixir

• 1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 tsp. fresh ginger, finely grated
• 1 Tbs. honey

These can be great gifts for friends and family if put it in a glass or see through jar and tie with a ribbon.