Surprise! ...Snack

My elementary schooler was always hungry after school. It was too early for a full meal but I couldn't think of a snack off hand. One day, I scoured the cabinets and realized that I had a jackpot of snacks hidden away in a bottom corner cabinet! What a waste. They were unnoticed, unopened and I often went out to buy something.

Here's the money saver. I move them to a higher cabinet where I wouldn't forget them and wrote a list of the snacks that I had. Then, I wrote them several times on paper, cut out the snack names, folded  (or bunched) them and threw them in a drawstring sack. 

NOTE: Use pencil case pouch with age appropriate snacks for younger sibling(s).

When my kids came home, I explained that I had a "snack sack" for them and that they had to pick a paper to determine what surprise snack they would receive for the day. This small activity made a world of difference. They were more excited about the snack now that it was a...surprise! 

If I had suggested it without the game, then the snack would've been less appealing. Trust me, I speak from experience. 

It's a win-win. Snacks aren't wasted & time + money is saved from going out and buying extra. 

Teether = Kiddie Ice Pack

        Hold on to your baby's teethers. They can be repurposed into ice packs as they grow. We all know how kids are prone to bumps and bruises. For those new parents that don't know yet, you will soon learn!

        The now ice packs can be used on swollen eyes, bruised lips and any other boo boo that needs a cold compress. The other upside? If you're child is 2+, then s/he can hold it in place themselves.

       What parent would pass up the chance to steal a few extra minutes where they can? Not many, if any! Add that to your parent resume, right next to professional boo boo kisser.

Happy healing!

"Clutch Wipes"

Huggies rebranded their portable wipes as "clutch" wipes but the rebranding is more expensive because it's packaged in a decorated thick plastic/rubbery pouch. It's not just a crinkled plastic pouch anymore.

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It's a great idea and that's why it's time to hack it! 

All they did was put the preexisting portable wipes in a "rubber resealable pencil case." (See below)

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1. A thin slit can be cut in the center on one side of the case with a box cutter so that the wipes can be pulled out easily,

Or 

2. the entire pouch can be removed and reinserted every time it's used. 

It's a personal preference. Either way this would be great for those with or without children. 

Ladies can carry and conceal wipes to freshen up. Mothers don't have to sacrifice style for motherhood. There doesn't have to be a trade off. We can have it all!

Stay tuned for the next off-the-beaten hack.