10+ Mini Snack Cup Uses

The last year I've taken to using these little mini plastic snack cups for items like condiments & little snacks and putting them in lunches, taking them on road trips, picnics, or camping. Obviously, you could easily use little snack size baggies for most of these items, but sometimes cups are a bit more fun and less crushable for items like goldfish or cheerios.  And also, I'm not the best at always washing the reusable containers- or sometimes they just mysteriously vanish and are never to be seen again (maybe that only happens to me). Well, here are some uses I've found for them (food & nonfood).  I would love to hear your ideas too!

1- ranch dressing
2- peanut butter
3- salsa
4- hummus
5- nuts
6- cheerios
7- goldfish
8- raisins/dried fruit
9- chocolate chips/ m&ms
10-marshmallows

Hey, I didn't say it was all necessarily healthy!

Here are some more ideas.....

11- blueberries
12- peas
13- oyster crackers
14- any condiments
15- lego pieces/barbie shoes
16- pills
17- earring/rings
18- loose tea
19- coins
20- seasonings

Have fun thinking up ideas!

Blog Hop at Frugal Crafty Home Blog

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10 Easy Sensory Bin Ideas

Over the past year, I've been keeping my 2 & 4 year old busy with a sensory bin (well, now they are 3 & 5)! My husband brought home a large blue plastic container from work, and I thought, "the kids will have fun with this." I don't think that was his original plan. Really, you could use any type of plastic container.

Here are some things we've tried or will be trying. I try to usually pick things that are simple, cheap, and not too messy. Despite my best efforts, there is inevitably a mess of some sort. Of course, we do things like water & sand outside when the weather is nice. This is also nice for days that are too hot or too cold.

I don't usually have a theme, because I'd never get it organized on time and sometimes we keep it out for a day or sometimes a few weeks at a time! I'm sorry I don't have pictures of them all right now (working on that!). You can add any spoons, bowls, cups, toys, etc. that your kiddos might like. I think you'll find that your kiddos will get creative with it all on their own. Have fun!


1-pom pom balls

2-dry noodles

3-dry beans

4-plastic eggs & grass

5-popsicle sticks

6-water (snow in the winter, bring indoors)

7-cotton balls

8-sand

9-leaves (real or fake)

10- nut & bolts


Do you have any more ideas for a sensory bin? Please send them my way!

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10 Bible Verses

I use a bible app often on my iphone or ipad to read the bible.  It makes it easy to save or highlight your favorite or relevant bible verses, or even share them, etc. So I just pulled out my phone and here are some that I have "bookmarked".  Maybe they'll be meaningful to you too.  (in no particular order)

¹⁰
Proverbs 9:10

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Psalm 37:4

⁴ Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

1 Peter 5:10

¹⁰ And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Proverbs 22:6

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go;
    even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Hebrews 12:11 
¹¹ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yieldsthe peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Ephesians 6:10-11

  The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Psalm 33:20

²⁰ Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.

Acts 2:39

³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Colossians 3:2

² Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Proverbs 3:11-12

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
¹² for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.

What are some of your favorite bible verses?


A helpful site  Bible Gateway

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Springtime Fun-Top 10

Yeah for warmer weather!! I can finally send the kids outside more to burn up that excess energy. You know you've been thinking the same thing. We do have some family time too, of course :)  Here are some of the kiddos' favorite things to do on these warm spring days (that usually keep them busy for quite a while!).

1-Riding their bikes

2-Walking around the neighborhood or on the bike path

3-Bubbles (buy them or make your own homemade bubbles )

4-Sandbox (we just use a large plastic tub & put sand in it)

5-Playing with water & spray bottles (fill a plastic tub with water, grap some cups and you're set!)

6-Hula Hoops (found a good deal at the dollar general store)

7-Going to the Park (luckily we have a few parks to choose from)

8-Picnics (in the backyard or at the park)

9- Picking grass & flowers (yes, they throw it into piles and buckets & cook it up)

10- Sticks, dirt & rocks (they are just drawn to these things, can't keep them away!)

What keeps your kiddos busy outside?

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10 Pandora Stations

We listen to music on Pandora a lot- so I thought I'd share a quick list of the stations that we have listened to recently (don't judge, this is a fast top 10 list).  If you have a favorite station, please share! Of course, we have a variety of stations to fit our moods and personalities (and ages).

-Hillsong
-Jesus Culture
-Enya
-Dallas String Quartet
-Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Holiday)
-Veggietales
-Braveheart
-Snow Patrol
-Disney
-Newsboys

Here's a song from Dallas String Quartet that you might enjoy! We stumbled upon the DSQ almost by accident while looking for study music. We were pleasantly surprised :)

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10 Healthy Food Changes for My Family

I'm getting so overwhelmed with the whole foods/organic foods/plant-based diet information that's popping up everywhere. I wanted to start making some changes for my family, but budget is tight for our family of 6, and I'm still learning and researching. It's definitely a work in progress.

I have lots and lots of questions. For example....
-Is eating a little organic better than not organic at all?
-What kind of eggs do I buy or do we just eliminated them completely (you know, plant based diet)?
-Do we drink milk? If so, how much & what kind?
This list could go on....

Here's my list so far of little things I'm trying to do differently.
I don't know how helpful some of these are, but it's the thought that counts, right?

1- Reading more food labels, looking for natural ingredients

2- Trying to eliminate foods w/ high fructose corn syrup

3- Buying 100% whole wheat bread

4- Using other sweeteners like honey or raw sugar or stevia

5- Buying less processed food and trying to make more things from scratch (granola bars, cookies, muffins, soups...  Yes, I know we should probably eat less sweets,  but it's hard)

6-Cutting out on foods with hydrogenated soybean oil (this is hard, it seems to be everywhere!)

7-Cooking with real butter & olive oil

8- Buying organic apples (we eat a lot of them!)

9- Natural peanut butter & Jelly (okay, I like Jif Natural, but you have to start somewhere, right?)

10-Eating organic lettuce/salad

Please share your thoughts & ideas! And, please correct me if any of these are off base!


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10 Apps On Our iPad Right Now

Our iPad is shared by the whole family, so we have a variety of apps on it. Here's just a few that we use pretty often these days! (in no particular order)

1-Pandora (we like our music stations)

2-Netflix (movies at the touch of a finger)

3-Angry Birds Space & Star Wars (is there such a thing as too many angry birds ?)

4-Cookie Doodle (make & design cookies .... less mess & low calorie :)

5-Pinterest (why not? easy access to my recipes)

6-Chicktionary (fun word making)

7-Make it Pop (pop objects to practice letters, counting, colors)

8-Monkey's Lunchbox (early learning concepts)

9-Math Ninja (fight a killer tomato & do some math)

10-Toddler Alphabet (sing abcs, trace & identify letters)

What apps are on your iPad or iPhone? Any recommendations?

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10 Reasons Why I Can't Keep Up With This Blog

Things are a little busy around the house these days with 4 kiddos. I dream of the day when I can sit down for a few minutes (uninterrupted) and surf the web or write a blog or take a shower.

1- Feeding the baby

2- Diaper change #3

3- 12 Loads of Laundry

4- Making lunch

5- Out of Coffee. Cannot Think

6- Feeding the baby

7- Diaper change #5

8- Sink full of dirty dishes

9- Nap time (I wish it was for me)

10-Computer battery low (ahh, where's the charger !?!)

Yes, it's crazy busy, but I love this time with the munchkins nevertheless!
When do you squeeze in time for writing your blog?


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Advent Calendar Activities (10, plus 15 more)

I'm always looking for new ideas for advent calendars for the kiddos. Last year I made a calendar, but I wanted to try something different this year.  As a cruised through Pinterest, I saw an idea of using paper sacks that the kids could open each day. So, that was my starting point, and I adapted it for my kiddos (ages 8, 5, & 3).  Each sack has either a treat or special activity to do. I wrote the activities on index cards and stuck them in the sacks along with the items. I tried to make it as budget friendly as possible and use whatever we already had around the house.  I plan to stick the sacks under the tree and let them take turns opening a sack each day. Well, here's my list and what I stuck in each bag. Hope it's helpful! Have Fun! (scroll down for a few quick pics)

25 Activities 

1-M&M treat (m&m's)
2-Glow stick fun (glow sticks from dollar store)
3-Make Christmas Juice (kool-aide & straws)
4-Pick a toy to give away (Walmart sack)
5-Milky Way candy (mini Milky Ways-to remember Jesus is the way...)
6-Watch a Christmas movie (DVD we already have)
7-Balloon Fun (balloons to blow up & play with)
8-Drink Hot cocoa with marshmallows (baggies of marshmallows)
9-Make coffee filter snowflakes (coffee filters)
10-Pez candy treat (Pez candy & dispensers)
11-Write a thank-you note to someone (thank-you notes)
12-Read "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas'  (Santa hat for the reader)
13-Make Tree Craft (foam tree craft from dollar store)
14-Redbox movie night (popcorn & licorice)
15-Camp in the living room (mini flashlights & batteries)
16-Make Christmas cookies (cookie cutters)
17-Make Christmas cards to give away (holiday stickers)
18-Nerf Gun battle (nerf bullets)
19-Surprise in your stocking
20-Make a snowflake ornament (Popsicle sticks & puzzle pieces)
21-Family game night (deck of cards & LRC dice game)
22-Drive around and look at Christmas lights (mini light string)
23-Candy cane treat (candy canes- to remember Jesus is the Good Shepherd..)
24-Pick a gift to open early (gift bow)
25-Read the story of Jesus' birth (board book- but we'll read kids bible as well)

**Helpful tip: make sure you write down what you've put in each sack so you can be prepared for the activity or make a last minute change if needed!

What are your favorite Advent activities?

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10 Ideas for Do-A-Dots (aka Bingo Stampers)

Several months ago, I printed some alphabet pages for my girls (3 & 5). I thought they would enjoy abc stamping, so I found some bingo stampers at the dollar store. You can order Do-A-Dot markers online too, but we are sticking with bingo stampers for now.  Since my girls enjoy using them so much, I starting searching for other activities we could do using the stampers- here's what I came up with. There are lots of great sites out there with activities & printables. Check out the links below.

1- Do-A-Dot ABC pages
Make sure to scroll down to find this download.

2- Alphabet Mazes
You can stamp on the letters (or use stickers, color, etc.)

3- Stamping Games
Create your own bingo game and/or practice letters or numbers with these blank printables

4- Make patterns
Red, green, red, green.  Blue, blue, orange..... you get the idea.  Kids can make their own, or you can make some for them to copy.

5- Create your own picture
Grab some stampers, paper or paper plates and get creative

6- Dot Counting
Roll the dice and stamp the correct color & number

7- Bingo Dot Art
A collection of printables from DLTKs for seasons & holidays

8- Art Ideas
Ideas for fingerprint art and crayon resist art using stampers

9-Addition & Subtraction
Take a break from paper & pencil work and use some stampers instead

10- Do-A-Dot Activity book
There are books available to purchase to use with do-a-dot markers/ bingo stampers

I know there are more ideas out there. Please share!

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10 Baby Items for the 4th Baby

I don't think you need much for the 4th baby on the way, especially when you already have one boy, two girls and another girl on the way.  Regardless, it's still fun to go browsing at the latest baby items, and family & friends might be asking what you need. Or, if you give away items and/or get a "surprise" baby after you've sold everything at a yard sale,  you might need a few basic items again! So, here's a list of some things I came up with that might be helpful to you too (especially when your mind goes blank when someone asks......which rarely happens to me)!

1- Diapers  (You can never have to many diapers)

2- Wipes & Diaper cream (Ditto)

3- Infant car seat (Can't really go without this, especially when you give yours away ;)

4- Stroller for car seat (Who doesn't need a third stroller! I'm not lugging the double stroller unless absolutely necessary! The others are old enough to walk for a bit.)

5- Baby memory book- (I've tried to write notes for each kiddo, though not consistent, I give it my best try. Hopefully they'll appreciate any notes I can manage to write down)

6- Bibs (Always nice to have a few new bibs, after a few kids they get a little yucky)

7- Infant Medicine (Baby tylenol, gas drops, teething tabs..)

8- Pacifiers- (Need new ones for every baby, gerber nuk is our binky of choice)

9- Fisher Price Rock & Play Sleeper (Where was this when I had the other three kids? Thanks Mom & Grandma! Small, foldable, & light- guess where this baby will be sleeping?)

10- Gift Cards (For getting more diapers, wipes, formula, take-out dinners, and all the other things I can't think of right now and probably won't til the baby arrives....)

Hope this is helpful to you.  Now, what else can you think of that I've forgotten?

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10 Kids Memory Verses

The last few months we've been working on some easy memory verses with the kids, mainly our 4 & 8 year old. I thought it would be good for myself as well! We keep it simple and write about 1 new verse on an index card each week (or course, sometimes things just happen and we get a little behind!) We write in different colors - I think my four year old likes this best because she associates the colors with some of the verses. My 8 year old is doing a better job than I am! Well, without further delay, here's some we've worked on so far and a few that we will be doing sometime in the future. They are in no particular order.

1-In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  Genesis 1:1

2-Do not be afraid for I am with you. Isaiah 43:5

3-Every word of God proves true. Proverbs 30:5

4-I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

5-Children, obey your parents in all things. Colossians 3:20

6-Whatever you do, do everything for the Glory of God. 1Corinthians 10:31

7-Every good and every perfect gift is from above. James 1:17

8- Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2b

9- Pray without ceasing. 1Thessalonians 5:17

10-Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Is there a special verse that you like to do with your kiddos?

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10 Lemony Sweet Treats

Here are some yummy treats (with a hint of lemon) that I'd like to make in the very near future. I haven't tried them yet, but they look tasty to me. I gathered these from various websites & blogs. Each picture has a direct link underneath (It doesn't look like it, but the link is there when you drag the mouse under the pic). You can also check them out on my Pinterest board of Sweet Stuff.  Enjoy! Let me know how they turn out ...... if you start baking before I do!

Luscious Lemon Delight

Creamy Lemon Popsicles

Blueberry-topped Lemon Cheesecake

Pink Lemonade Pie

Lemonade Stand Pie

Lemon Chex Buddies

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bar Cookie Cups

Citrus Butter Cookies

Lemonade Layer Cake

Do you have any yummy recipes with lemon that you recommend? Please let me know!

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10 Sensory Bottle Ideas

I just made some sensory bottles for the kiddos this week. I found many ideas out there so I thought I'd share a few. We ended up using glitter & food coloring, dice, ribbon, plastic squares, and beaded necklaces. I also found VOSS water bottles at our local Kroger store. The labels were easy to peel off too, but you could use any kind of bottle you like!

Here are some things you probably already have around the house that you could put in the bottles.

1-glitter
2-curled cut ribbon
3-dice
4-bead necklaces
5-plastic beads
6-small pebbles
7-little Legos
8-plastic buttons
9-foam shapes
10-oil

I'm sure you could even mix & match some thing too. Try sand & pebbles, or food coloring & oil. We also found some little plastic frogs, colored paper clips & a few other things we wanted to try, but we ran out of bottles. Is there such a thing as too many bottles? I think I'll have to limit myself, but these would be great inexpensive gift ideas too! Oh, make sure that when you are happy with the bottle, glue the cap on.

Check out these links for even more sensory bottle ideas!

The Jandernal Journal- sensory bottles

Pink Pistachio- sensory bottles

Southern Thomas- discovery bottles

Meet The Dubiens- I Spy bottles

If you have any more ideas, please pass them my way! 

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10 Items Always on My Grocery List

These items always seem to be on my shopping list. We just seem to go through them so fast, we have to replenish weekly.  Keep in mind though, this is probably just 1/4 of my shopping list!

-Milk 
-Bread
-Eggs
-Cheese
-Cereal
-Bananas
-Apples
-Peanut Butter
-Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels

What's always on your shopping list?

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10 Books That Make Us Giggle

Here are some books that the kids & and I have enjoyed reading the last few months, and usually get a good chuckle! Some of them are a series of books. Most we check out at the library and a few we own.  The nice thing about these books is they are funny & a pretty easy read, so my second grader could read them to the younger two kiddos if I'm busy doing something (of course, that doesn't happen very often!) Are any of these your favorites too?

1. Elephant & Piggie (series)

2. Knuffle Bunny (and Knuffle Bunny Too & Free)

3. Fly Guy (series)

4. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

5. Olivia

6. Pigs to the Rescue

7. Ninja, Cowboy, Bear 

(try this if you like to play rock, paper, scissors!)

8. Little Critter's: The Trip

9.  I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!

10. Oh, David!

Happy Reading! 

p.s.  My 4 year old gave me her approval of these books while I was posting the pics! She gives them two thumbs up!

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Don't do THAT !

Top 10 don'ts that I probably most often say to my kiddos... You might hear them at our house on any given day.

1- Don't eat the toothpaste
2- Don't pick your nose
3- Don't sit on your sister
4- Don't throw your crackers on the floor
5- Don't step on the crackers!
6- Don't forget to wash your hands
7- Don't stand there with the door open
8- Don't lick that shoe!!
9- Don't climb over the sofa
10-Don't eat that off the floor!

Do any of these sound familiar? Please say yes, so I'll feel slightly normal.
In the meantime, I'll continue to pray for grace & patience.
I know someday I'll miss saying those things....

What is your most frequent "don't" ?

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10 Road Trip Snacks for Kids

So the kids (ages 7, 4, & 2) and I are getting ready to head out on a 8+ hour road trip this coming week, so I am starting to get packed and gather some goodies for the car ride.  I thought I'd share a list of the things I most commonly pack for them to munch on- which is usually easy, kind of healthy, and what I know they'll eat and hopefully not to messy! Well, it also depends on what's in the cupboard or on sale at the store too.

I try my best, but usually road trip + kids + snacks = mess anyway.

1-String cheese
2-Apple slices
3-Pretzels (stick pretzels & waffle pretzels are fun)
4-Fruit chews or fruit strips
5-Sliced red or yellow peppers
6-Squeezy applesauce pouches
7-Granola bars
8-Goldfish
9-Dried pineapple
10-Dry cereal (something fun like apple jacks, etc.)

Some of their other favorite things for when the going gets rough...
-licorice
-M&M's
-lollipops
-marshmallows
-fun juice boxes 

Here's a few pics of some things that might be handy.

Squeeze applesauce

Sippy cap for water bottles

  

Fun juice sippy & reusable too

   











What works for your kiddos on long trips?

Also check out Disneyfamily.com  for some more ideas.

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Top 10: Postive Words for Kids

Here's my first Top Ten Post. I may not be consistent, but I'll give it my best! 

When I was teaching I always found it helpful to keep a list of positive phrases by my desk to either say or write on papers, etc. You wouldn't think you'd forget these, but it happens in the midst of all the day to day hustle and bustle.  I think they would be helpful for anyone that's around kids.
Here goes...... 

1- Way to go!
2- Super
3- Good Job
4- Great Thinking
5- Awesome
6- Keep up the good work
7- Brilliant
8- You are so creative
9- Excellent
10- I'm proud of you

The list could go on...... here's a few more
- Cool!
- Very Interesting
- Wow
- You're a hard worker
- High Five
- Nice Work

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