Dry Erase Magic

I created this in photoshop, developed it as an 8x10 picture, framed it, made a felt flower, attached a dry erase marker with eraser and now we have an easy way to track our family home evening assignments.
The glass on the frame works with dry erase markers!
This method could be used for several different lists- shopping, to do, meal planning, etc.
I wish I would have taken step by step pictures but I only have pictures of the finished product.
Enjoy!

Helpful by Accident

I needed to make a shopping list for our upcoming vacation and I didn't have any paper nearby, but I did have an empty envelope from the mail received that day. I started writing my list as usual, and marked the items that I had a coupon for with a (c) and the items that were on sale with a (s).

Then a beautiful thing happened; I realized I could simply tuck the coupons that I planned on using on this shopping trip into the envelope! I took it a step further and wrote down the meals I needed to prepare and other tasks to be complete to get ready for the trip to avoid several different lists (which I am known for).

Shopping was so much easier! Well, as easy as it can be with a 4 and 1 year year old. Once I marked off the item on my list I put the corresponding coupon on my wallet in my purse.

I have tried countless methods of streamlining my list making, coupon using, shopping ordeal and this is my favorite to date. Next time I will put a paper clip on the envelope to hold the used coupons.

I even felt good about 'recycling' an envelope! (hey, it's the little things, right?)

$ store cookie sheet turned magnet board

I have a slight obsession with $ store cookie sheets. I am not sure when it started but I just keep coming up with ideas on how to use them. I will share with you just one of those ways right now.

Drill or nail small holes on the corners of the cookie sheet.

Place cookie sheet with bottom facing outward on wall.

Hammer in nails.

Repeat with as many as you want to make as large of a surface as you desire.

Done.

Other options:
- Paint with chalkboard paint for magnetic chalkboard!
- Hang with ribbon or twine instead of nails.
- Place clear contact paper over the flat part and now it's a dry-erase board, too!
- decorate this 'til your hearts content. (paint, glitter, jewels, etc). Mine is plain because it hangs by my sons art area.

Thanks for reading!

Cutting Up Food Made Easy

Having small children means lots of time spent cutting up food into bite-size pieces. I got tired of fighting with a fork and knife, and after relishing in the ease of cutting pizza with a pizza cutter, I realized pizza cutters didn't have to just be for pizza cutting!

Use a pizza cutter (rolling or slicer style) on waffles, pancakes, French toast, sandwiches, quesadillas, burritos, spaghetti, meat... The list goes on and on and on! If it needs cutting- try a pizza cutter. This also works great on brownies, pies and cakes!

Bath time knee protection

Problem 1. My baby is so squirmy there is no other position I can sit in while giving him a bath except my knees.

Problem 2. The boys' bathroom is tiny and I don't have the room for one of the (expensive) bathroom kneelers sold in stores.

Problem 3. I don't like using a folded towel to protect my knees because it gets too wet (I have some pretty skilled splashers on my hand and while I can close the shower curtain with my older son I can't with my younger), same problem with bath mat.

SOLUTION- use a gardening knee pad! It can withstand the water and fits nicely under the sink when not in use. With lots of color choices and price tag around $2 how can you go wrong?

This works great for those long mommy prayers as well. Just keep one under your bed.

No more achy, bruised knees!

Letter Trays to Organize Puzzles

Want an inexpensive way to organize children's puzzles (which could result in the puzzles being used more often)?
Stack up some letter trays and slide on the puzzles.
There are many different styles of letter trays which will accommodate almost any puzzle; letter size, legal size, front load, side load, etc.
Happy Organizing!

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Baby Wipes- baby wipes are not just for babies

I absolutely love, love, love- and am actually a little obsessed with things that have multiple helpful uses.

Baby Wipes would be one of those things. 

I hope you will find comfort in knowing I have a rule that I will not post anything that I have not tried myself or know first hand someone that has tried whatever it is that I am writing about.

You will want to keep baby wipes with you wherever you are- at home, as well as travel sizes in your purse, vehicle, desk at work, backpack, etc.  If you cannot find travel sizes then just put some in a zip top baggie or small plastic container.  If they dry out, just add a bit of water to revive them.

Where to begin...let's start with basic and go from there:

- Any time you need to wipe a face, nose or hands for you or your child. (think playgrounds, eating out, pumping gas, using a shopping cart, etc.)

- Clean off an owie if an alcohol wipe is not available.

- Wipe vehicle dashboard and other hard surfaces for a quick cleaning.

- Wipe your face and neck after a workout or being in the heat.  You will feel cooler and cleaner.

- Wipe leather couches, coats, purses, belts and shoes. No more expensive leather cleaners!

- Wipe down dogs or cats.  This will help them smell fresh as well as remove excess hair and dirt.

- My favorite non-traditional use is as a stain remover on clothing, skin and upholstery in your home or vehicle.  The only stain I have tried these on so far that they have not worked on is blood on clothing and upholstery.  Everything else I have tried them on: ink, ice cream, all forms of baby fluids (and solids), mud, makeup, tea, grass- has come out instantly! 

- My second favorite use is as a makeup remover.  Skin feel so fresh and clean and it even works on removing waterproof mascara!  To remove really heavy eye makeup without rubbing a lot (and therefore increasing chance of wrinkles), put a dab of petroleum jelly on your eye area first, then wipe with baby wipe.  

I have used several different brands and they all do the trick, but my favorites are Pampers (I use sensitive for makeup removal and scented for everything else) and Kirkland brand.  Huggies are really durable and cloth-like and you can even wash and re-use them.  You will probably find a brand that you prefer- just give a variety of brands a test run.  Once you find a favorite you can buy them in bulk from Warehouse stores and there are usually always sales on one brand or another.  If you purchase them in a plastic container you will get an added bonus!  Save the container and use it to store a variety of things; canning lids, sewing supplies, craft or scrap book supplies, small toys, first aid kits, hair accessories, office supplies, your secret candy stash- the possibilities are endless!  Some brands even have really cute designs already on the containers.  You can also easily paint and decorate them yourself, just spray an acrylic adhesive over the finished project it so the decor stays. 

Sorry for the lack of pictures for this post.  Please let me know of any uses you have found for baby wipes that I did not mention; I would love to increase my use of these inexpensive helpers!