I love that through the power of my blog I am able to share ways to donate to the community around you. I have always done the holiday donations like most people and we do our best to give to food and diaper drives. Since finding the non profit organization Champions for Kids I have been energized to give each month a donation or my time. Champions for Kids makes it easy to know what to donate by each month giving you ideas of what to do and giving you a place to report back to. Its a great organization.
Earlier in the week I went shopping to make an Energizer Light Up a Life Winter Care Kit to donate to a local charity. I shopped at Walmart to buy batteries, flashlights, first aid items, anti bacterial items, winter hats and gloves, water, snacks and activities. The Winter Care Kits are geared towards what kids would need in an emergency. Here in California there is rain and cold that does knock out the power and during the summer months there are rolling black outs when the power grids get over whelmed causing the lights to go out. As a kid having your own flashlight, snacks and activities makes it easier to get through situations that can be scary.
I purchased Snoopy band-aids for my kit. Love the Peanuts characters!
I found many great emergency kit items in the travel section including this to go first aid kit.
Hand wipes with anti-bacterial are a must have. I like to purchase Wet Ones for the quality.
Batteries are a must have item for any emergency kit.
I found the cutest cartoon character flashlights made by Energizer.
These mini flashlights are good to have too.
I like to use rechargeable batteries in items. It saves money and the environment.
Any Winter Survival kit needs hats and gloves.
Your kit should also include extra regular batteries for times when your rechargeable are out and you have no way to plug in the charger.
Snack food items are important for survival but also to keep kids feeling like things are normal. I wanted to get granola bars and fruit snacks since they are kid friendly and not too high in salt. I included some yogurt bites in my kit for a tasty snack that requires no refrigeration. Dried fruits and raisins would be good too. Water is a must have and I purchased the junior sized waters that make it easier for kids to carry. I think water bottles are easier to use to keep track of your supply and less likely to spill.
My parents always found a way to make times during a storm much more relaxed with board games so I purchased a few decks of cards. They are small enough to fit into a bag and can be used for all sorts of card games. I also included glow in the dark bracelets for fun and function. I thought that a necklace might be a bit of a hazard in the dark but a bracelet would be fun.
I took my son with me to donate our Energizer Winter Survival Kit to a local charity that helps families with kids transition to a home with job training and life skills. I selected this charity since they help families who are homeless. It can happen to anyone who loses a job then their home, I want to be able to make transitional living just a bit easier with my donations. The manager will make sure my kit is donated to a family that lives there.
Giving our donation to the charity manager I was telling her everything that was included in the kit.
My son at Home Start donating our Energizer Champions for Kids Winter Survival Kit #EnergizerCFK
You can learn more about Champions for Kids and Energizer by visiting their websites:
A winter coat is a must have no matter what part of the USA you live in. We dont get the snow like some people do here in CA but we get wind and rain that requires a good coat. My son is out growing his current winter coat and I wanted to find him one that was durable and stylish. I also wanted to make sure it had a touch of brown, its oddly one of my favorite colors. His current coat is brown but my husband thinks maybe a bit more color will have him seen better so I picked a blue coat.
iPlay makes cute clothing for kids that is safe for kids by the products that make the clothing. They use organic cotton and the coat contains no PVC while still being waterproof. We reviewed a Waterproof Insulated Jacket that is great for the winter and rainy spring time. My son looks cute in blue and I know he will be able to wear the coat again next year.
Product info about the coat:
Warm waterproof winter jacket. Elastic around hood helps keep ears warm. Front pockets to keep little hands warm and zip-front closure. Girls’ has elastic gathering in back. Waterproof microfiber with hypoallergenic poly fill insulation and microfleece lining.
GIVEAWAY
Win a iPlay Waterproof Insulated Winter Coat in your choice of size and blue or pink color.
To Enter This Giveaway: (mandatory entry before extra entries)
*Leave a comment answering the question and be sure to leave your email address if its not public in your Google account*
Extra Entries: Can be done after leaving a comment for mandatory entry. If the extra entry says 1 extra entry leave 1 comment and 2 extra entries leave me 2 comments and so on.
-Follow Frugal Family Tree on GFC ( right hand side) +1
-Like our new fan page on Facebook Frugal Family Tree +1
-Follow FrugalFamTree on Twitter +1
-Share this giveaway on Facebook ONLY, using the Share Button at the bottom on this post. +1 for each share you do. (can be done once a day)
-Copy and Paste This Tweet on Twitter and leave me the link (to find the link click on the time stamp under your tweet. Can be done once a day for the duration of the giveaway)
#Win a Insulated Waterproof Coat from @iplayinc at @FrugalFamTree #Giveaway ends 03/07 http://www.frugalfamilytree.com/2012/02/iplay-insulated-waterproof-winter-coat.html
*Limited to US residents; 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts February 28th, 2012 and ends on March 7th, 2012 at midnight PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.
2 month old? I know we always say time flies when they are so little, but really it does. Miss Ashley is already a little over 2 months old! She has been my "best" baby. She hardly fusses, she sleeps really well and is always smiling :) We love this little girl more and more every day.
One of my favorite places in Seattle is The Pike Place Market. It's very well known as a tourist attraction here in the city and the crowds do get heavy with visitors in the summer time. Over ten million visitors pass through here a year. I was here last Tuesday and it wasn't crowded at all. It was really lovely to stroll down through the main arcade and look at all the produce that was for sale.
The colors are so beautiful that I just had to start snapping pictures! I love buying vegetables here because I am helping to support all the farmers who come here from all over Washington State to sell their produce. The quality is always excellent, too. Did you know that at one time the Market was going to be bulldozed and a parking lot put in it's place? Fortunately, the citizens of Seattle rallied together to save it and give it historical preservation status, insuring that it will be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy. I love Pike Place Market and all it has to offer. Some people say it's the heart of Seattle. I agree.
I am getting happier as it gets closer to March 1st. To me that means Springtime! I am loving that it stays lighter out a bit longer. I can feel that the warm weather is on the way. No more cold nights, no more running the heater and shorts weather will be here soon. I want to plant a garden, make sun tea and have picnics at the park. My son has changed so much since last Spring and I am looking forward to the many new experiences we will have. I want to get him his own little fishing pole for the lake and a mini pool so I can show him the basics of swimming.
What are the signs for you Spring is coming and what do you look forward to this year?
My family and I moved to the Seattle area when my youngest child Megan was six years old. We loved walking in all the different neighborhoods in Seattle and making new discoveries of things we liked. In Pioneer Square we found the most delightful toy store called Magic Mouse Toys.
This has become our favorite toy store, and we have come here many times through-out the years to pick out birthday and Christmas presents. There are two floors filled with the most beautiful and unique toys imaginable. Dolls, puzzles, educational toys, games, cars and more will be sure to completely delight you and your child. And if you don't have a child, this magical store will delight the child in you.
My daughter Megan is all grown up now. We were recently walking by Magic Mouse Toys and I said to her "Remember?"
So if you are in Seattle, or planning to visit Seattle, go to Magic Mouse Toys. Like the name says, this store really is Magic.
I love using a toaster. Bread, english muffins, eggo waffles, toaster strudel and my favorite bagels! My last toaster was attacked by ants on a hot summer day when a toaster strudel got over cooked and I could not get it out. While attempting to extract my burnt strudel the side was torn and sticky cinnamon goo went everywhere. Then the ants came! It was not good! Some of the ants even got stuck inside the toaster and the toaster was ruined. I have been weary of getting a new one until I knew what needed to be improved on my toaster so this did not happen again. Mainly the extraction of toasted items is when things are broken or torn on your toasted delights. With this in mind I looked for a toaster that would make it easy to get items out of it.
TheT-Fal 2-Slice Avante Deluxe Toaster was just what I was looking for. The toasting area is at an angle so it makes it easy to see and remove your toast. Pus it has a lift button that pushes your item up above the toaster level for an easy grab of your toasted items. This toaster has two other great functions that I have not has on a toaster.
The bagel button made me say "oh yes!" Since I am a huge bagel fan this was an awesome feature for me. The first time I made a bagel I did not push the button just to be able to compare the results. The first bagel came out burnt and I wondered if I really did to use the bagel button. I tried it again using the button and it came out perfect! Not too tasty and warm all the way through. The stop button is great too. If you see its getting to toasted you push is and up pops your toast.
The angled design provides effortless viewing of the bread while toasting as well as safe and easy removal of toast. With 1200 watts of power this toaster toasts bread 40 percent faster than conventional toasters. The extra-wide self adjusting slots that are ideal for any bread thickness so you'll get perfect toast every time.
Bagel toasting technology toasts the inside and gently warms the outside
One touch light-up function to toast frozen breads
7 customized toasting levels for desired browning quality
Brushed stainless steel front with cool-touch exterior
Stop button stops toasting process at any time
If you are in the market for a toaster I would recommend this one since its simple but up to date on cool extras like a slanted angle for easy pull out, a lift lever to push the toast to you, a Bagel button (so cool!) and a stop button.
*I was not paid for our review. The opinions are 100% mine and may vary from others. I was provided the product mentioned in this post to review for free from the PR company that represents them.
Classic Disney movies like Lady and the Tramp are fun to watch with my son. I remember watching it as a kid and sharing it with him is a delight. As a girl I think I was more swooned by this movie as a little girl. Its a cute romance between a dog, Lady who is a upper class dog living a pampered life with her humans and the dog Tramp who is a run a muck street dog who lives his doggie life without boundaries.
There is the classic spaghetti eating scene that all romantics know about. Its a cute movie for kids and adults. My son LOVES dogs so he though this was a great one. We have watched 4 times already! When Sam and I were kids we would sing the Siamese cat song and laugh and laugh! My son was big eyed for the cat scene. With dogs and cats he was in heaven. I loved being able to relive a great movie with my little guy and I know he will enjoy this movie for years to come. With the Blu-ray combo pack I know we will be able to keep up with the technology to keep watching it.
Blu-ray Bonus Features:
Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
Disney Second Screen
Inside Walt's Story Meeting
Audio Commentary: Inside Walt's Story Meetings
Three never before seen deleted scenes
Never before heard deleted song
Classic DVD bonus features
Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition is now available on DVD and Blu-ray in stores and online.
At select Walmart stores the movie comes with the cutest little Lady and the Tramp bowl and spoon with a combo pack.
*I was not paid or compensated for this post. The opinions in this post are 100% mine and may vary from other opinions. I was provided for free a copy for my review.
My son loves cats, but I think he is starting to turn into one! He has a few characteristics that make me think this.
1. He hates water on his head. Getting him into the tub is a wrestling match. He hates it! He grabs onto the towel bar in fear of the tub and will shriek and jump onto me trying to get out if water touches his head.
2. He will jump off of anything! ANYTHING!
3. He loves to eat fish!
4. He has a strong "escape instinct" lol if I try to get him for a diaper change, nap time or to wipe his hands or face he runs for it.
5. He will follow you around and jump on your lap as soon as you sit down.
6. He is an aggressive player. Just like a cat jumping, rolling, biting, wrestling are all things he thinks are apart if playing. Thank goodness he does not have claws!
7. He likes to lick up his beverages. He cracks me up he will pour a small amount of liquid onto a surface and lick it up like a kitten. He thinks its hilarious!
8. He will jump into your seat the second you get out of it then just lay there like it was his spot in the first place.
9. He likes to chase birds! If he sees them at the park he will run for them full force trying to catch one.
10. He has different noises he makes that mean different things. He does talk but he likes to make noises to say things. If he starts to purr I am going to really worry.
Living in California our winter weather is not as severe as it can be in other states. Sometimes this means we are not as prepared for when the power goes out as people living in colder regions. Many families do have earthquake kits that have the basics. But things like hats, mittens, kids items like card games and cool flashlights often get left out. We make sure as parents we have the things on our list. For kids it can be even scarier to have the lights go out and we need to have items just for them in a kid friendly Winter Survival Kit.
I remember as a kid when we lived in WA state there was a snow storm that made the power go out at night time. A powerline right by our house went down and we could see the lights of the fire department out there working on things. It was a very scary time. My parents stay calm, gave us flashlights, lit the fireplace and got out board games. We oddly had a blast playing hours of board games with the room lit by the fireplace and flashlights. We played well into the night and all fell asleep in the living room bundled up in sleeping bags. They made it like a indoor family camp out and that made the difference of us not being scared.
I encourage everyone to get together and make Winter Survival Kits to donate to children in need. Even a few friends and family members can make one together to donate. Or if you have a group like a Mommy group, scouts, sports team or church group you can do this as a donation project. It is a great way to give back and come together as a community. Each month Champions for Kids introduces an idea and gives you tips on what to donate and a form to report back your good deed.
More information about Champions for Kids:
What does Champions for Kids do?
Champions for Kids works to mobilize MILLIONS of people by providing training and resources to improve the lives of children in communities across America and beyond. Our goal is to mobilize 20 Million people by 2020.
What is Champions for Kids vision?
Our vision is to change the culture. Ultimate success is when there is a transfer of identity from Champions for Kids as an organization to Champions for Kids as part of our collective identity, who we are as a community and as citizens. Each year millions of children suffer silently and in many cases, die, not because we don’t have the resources but because of a massive failure of our imagination to engage more people in efforts to improve the lives of children in our communities. People care about our youth. They will help. We work to mobilize MILLIONS of people to be a force for good in their communities. If our plan works, then we change the life course for millions of children—for generations to come
What are the results for Champions for Kids so far? In six, short years, Champions for Kids has provided over $500,000 in challenge grants to local and state youth serving organizations. We have worked closely with 58 nonprofit organizations and 232 organizational leaders who collectively serve over 180,000 children in Arkansas and beyond (Kansas, New York, Massachusetts).
I am planning out my list and gathering coupons to take a trip to Walmart with my son to buy the supplies we will be making our Energizer Light Up a Life Winter Survival Kit to donate.
You can learn more about Champions for Kids and Energize on their social media pages.
What would you include in a Winter Survival Kit to keep kids safe, warm and entertained? New ideas would be great to add to my kit.
*This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #Cbias #EnergizerCFK #ChampionsForKids
All opinions expressed in this shop are my own and your experience may vary
I am a sucker for new products! I love samples and store demos. On weekends I go to specific stores knowing there will be sample and demo events. I always say if you dont try something how will you know if you should buy it or not. I have found many great products by sampling something new.
Recently I attended a Dial™ NutriSkin™ Lotion demo event at my local Walmart. This winter my skin, especially on my hands has been dry and often cracks. I wash my hands all day long and use sanitizers more so in the winter time too. I have about 4-5 lotions I have been trying to rehydrate my skin and be able to stand up to my excessive hand washing. Plus demos and sampling events almost always have coupons for the product they are showcasing and I LOVE coupons!
When I arrived the demo lady had just gotten there and I was the first person she did her demonstration for. I asked her if she had tried the lotion but she said no. I thought that was a bit odd but she did say with the gloves she was required to wear the lotion would make them slide off. I sampled a few of the new Dial™ NutriSkin™ lotions and my favorite one is the Extra Dry Skin with Shea Butter. I love how this lotion smells. It works great, after 4 days I noticed my hands were softer and stayed hydrated though hand washing. I also purchased the Dry Skin Aloe lotion to use as a body lotion. It was very soothing to use on my arms and legs. I have sensitive skin so this was great that it did not irritate my skin at all.
The Dial™ NutriSkin™ is reasonably priced and when you can find a coupon for it thats even better. I noticed on the Dial™ NutriSkin™ lotion website that there is also a Soothing with Chamomile lotion in the new line from Dial™. My Walmart did not have this one so I will be checking back often to see if I spot it.
Day 1 before lotion use, dry cracked itchy skin
Using the Extra Dry Shea Butter on my hands for 4 days of testing. #DialNutriSkin
Day 4 of lotion use, my skin is soft and hydrated even after hand washing.
You can learn more about Dial™ NutriSkin™ including info on the Men's line (one of them has sea kelp in it and can also be used on the face!) by following them on twitter. If you are a facebook fan of Dial you can enter to be fan of the week and often get coupons. #DialNutriSkin
You can see my entire shopping experience and the Dial™ NutriSkin™ lotion demonstration by reading my Google+ story here.
*This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #Cbias #DialNutriSkin All opinions expressed in this shop are my own and your experience may vary
Does having a pretty calendar or notebook make you more inclined to fill it out and help you to keep on top of things? One of my sons gave me an Amazon gift card for Christmas this year. As I was browsing the site I remembered I hadn't bought a calendar for the new year yet.
I was so happy to have found this calendar from the National Gallery of Art. It's very beautiful, with pages of photographs of the paintings that hang in the Gallery. And it was half off! That's frugal beauty. But seriously, it has helped me to write down important dates and deadlines. I keep it with me and use it everyday. I am so much more organized now!
Around my house there has been a lot of chocolate cake. I seem to bake like crazy when I have a lot on my mind. That and I also love chocolate anything! My son seems to have inherited my love for the treat. The other night there was a cake mess that my husband let our son eat a piece when I said none today, he told me the baby blue eyes asking for cake made him give in lol. This afternoon my son was being very quiet, always a sign of something naughty going on, he usually is talking, singing, babbling, or making sound effects while he plays so I knew for sure he was up to something. I peeked around the corner and saw that he had a huge piece of cake in his hand. I explained to him if he wants something he needs to ask mama and then sit in his chair to eat it. He of course said "Okay" like he has been saying to everything lately. He doesnt mean okay he just knows thats what he should say lol.
When I met my husband he was working in a restaurant but not as a chef. After sadly getting hurt on the job they switched him over to being a chef. He learned tons of recipes, prep cook stuff and eventually ended up working as a chef in a really nice restaurant. Well that has been awesome for me! He cooks dinner for me all the time.
The other night he made some of my favorites! Salmon (no sauce because he knows how I loathe sauces lol) Dill Garlic Potatoes ( lots of garlic even though he cant really have it ), Asparagus ( just a bit mushy since I like it even though he doesnt) and Garlic French Bread (extra crunchy!). It was so good! He is no longer a chef but he still has the skills and when I ask he will make me anything I wish and just the way I like it even if its just for me since I am a picky eater with how I like stuff made.
The other day he also made me fudge, it only lasts a few days lol.
For all the men out there woman LOVE it when you can make them an awesome meal that it to their tastes.
Today was a great day to take my two grandsons to a place they really love visiting, our local bookstore. I really believe in spending my dollars here because I don't want to see all of the small, independent bookstores go out of business. Amazon and the other giants have their places, but my heart belongs to all the little bookshops that sometimes struggle to stay in business.
There is so much more than just books to read. Trains, games, puzzles and more!
Our local bookstore offers a great selection of children's books of all kinds and for all ages, from babies to teenagers. We bought all of our Harry Potter books here and they even had Harry Potter parties here at midnight, when the books were released. The staff is very patient and helpful, too. Don't worry, that's not a real skunk! It's one of the many cute puppets they have for sale.
I love encouraging the boys to look at books, even at this young age.
I very much appreciate this bookstore in my community. It's a gathering site for local book lovers. We have author readings, book club meetings, guest lectures and much more. This is the entrance to the children's section. I love how everything is so bright and cheerful. Please support your local bookstore. They need our business to stay in business. And reading is fun!!
Today, HP launched eSmiles, a project that will build financial and emotional support through HP’s ePrint technology for children and their families staying at five participating Ronald McDonald Houses in the U.S. For every well wish or “eSmile” sent, HP will donate $1 and is committed to help raise $10,000 for each House.
Through pilot programs around the world, the HP eSmiles program has already raised over $120,000 for participating Ronald McDonald Houses in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. The program will help drive further awareness and support for participating Ronald McDonald Houses – globally and in their local communities.
The Ronald McDonald Houses that will participate in the U.S. launch are San Diego, Orange County, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York City. HP has donated a Photosmart 7510 e-All-in-One to each House, which allows the families to receive eSmiles from around the world. Each participating House will have its own customized ePrint address, allowing you to select exactly where you want to send your eSmile.
How it Works:
HP ePrint technology enables people to print on the go by securely sending photos and documents directly from a mobile device to a printer’s unique email address – from virtually anywhere. Each participating Ronald McDonald House has its own HP ePrint enabled printer with customized ePrint address, allowing you to send an eSmile to a Ronald McDonald House down the street or around the globe.
To find out more about the program, become part of the global community and to see the donation updates, visit hpesmiles.com and find a participating house near you!
My son makes me laugh so much. He has been mastering nose, ears, eyes, hair, mouth, feet, hands all the stuff he needs to know. So much so that he points it out on other people. He poked a kid in the eye (so sad) then stuck his finger in another kids nose (so gross!) He tells me everyday about where all of mine are too. Its very cute. In the process of learning all these he also learned boogie.
Now he calls his nose a "Noogie" its a cross between nose and boogie lol.
Happy Valentines Day to everyone. We are planning to spend the day with our families. We hope everyone enjoyed our gift guide. We still have the giveaways going until Feb 20th so be sure to enter. There are extra entries for daily FB shares and Tweets.
If you have not purchased a gift there is still time. Plus who does not love a gift any day of the year!
Well its not literally upside down but all the chairs are. It seems no matter what I do with the nos, time outs and explanations my son could care less as to why he should not jump from kitchen chairs or use them to get on top of the table to try to leap from there. He thinks it "cool" as he says to leap from everything he can. He worries me and I try to stay calm asking him nicely to get down. I know hes a boy, they are wild but oh my the time I came into the kitchen and he was standing on the kitchen table with the biggest smile on his face like he climbed Mount Everest I nearly passed out. He leaped as soon as he realized I had seen him. Thankfully I caught him but then he giggled and now thinks its a really fun game. My solution has been to turn the chairs over. He can almost pick them up but I tell him its not time for chairs and he seems to be satisfied with that answer, for now.
I hear from Sam her younger boy has the same love for chairs and leaping from things. I am not sure if it their genes or their love of the thrill of making Mom freak out. I used to blame my husband for our sons wild streak but now it seems to be a trend on my side. lol
I dont want to give fear to my son. I love his fearless nature. He is a mini explorer and very energetic. I want him to be careful but not fragile. I just tell myself, well when I am not saying no-no or get back here, that I am sure people that are in extreme sports or stuntmen probably were like this as kids, right?!?
