Self Feeding Oatmeal *tip*

So, there definitely comes a time when as a mom, feeding your child becomes a task.  In my mind, I'm thinking... I could be unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the kitchen, making my bed... SLEEPING (not really but, still...).  Well, my little guy pretty much eats oatmeal EVERY day for breakfast.  He's ok with pancakes/waffles and can self feed himself those, even scrambled eggs sometimes.  But I don't want to feed him waffles EVERYday (even though I use sugar free syrup... just not too keen on the idea).  So, back to the oatmeal... Have YOU ever let a 17 month old feed themselves ANYTHING?  It is a nasty, but necessary sight.  

Oatmeal is especially dangerous... sticky... sometimes runny... the list goes on.  Well, a friend of mine, Angie showed our MOPs group this AWESOME tip, and we've been using it pretty diligently.  It's easy and fun and frees up my time in the morning!!  So, thanks ANGIE!!!

Are you ready for the tip??

Sound Machine Tip

 Ok... so I got this from one of my FAVORITE deal sites Steals and Deals for Kids...
Once we had baby number 2 a sound machine was a MUST !  It seemed that every time I would finally get one kid to sleep, the other one would wake up.  It was a VICIOUS cycle... I felt like I was getting NOWHERE!!  So... I just waned something simple... I opted for a sound machine... I just wanted white noise.  You know, to drown out the crying in the room next door.

This is the one that we chose.  It was perfect.  Small, inexpensive, loud ;-), light... you get the picture.  It really was/is great.  we could take it with us on road trips and it worked very well for us.

Unfortunately, my rough and tough infant quickly started pulling up on things and standing and become a wobbly, grabbing, toddler.  He definitely stood there playing with the sound machine and dropped it :-(  so... now we've got 1 machine and 2 kids.  It's ok some times... but others, times we need one!

So here's the tip part 2... INSTEAD of buying ANOTHER sound machine, you can just click here and download a $0.99 MP3... yeah that's a RIDICULOUS savings amount!!

Hope this helps...

Housemom *UPDATE*

So... I've shared some fun tips/ideas and whatnot with you... have you tried any?  Do you have pictures to prove it??  Please FEEL FREE to e-mail me them... tell me what you've done... how it has worked (or not worked) for you handyhousemom@gmail.com

Here's a quick update in our house...

First of all... the plants are GROWING (click here to see where we started)!  Hallelujah! 

GET TO WORK! HAHAHAHA

So... there are some aspects of being a teacher that ALWAYS get brought into the home... teachable moments, time on task, responsibility, etc...
Today was out FIRST day using our morning responsibility/JOB chart.  For the record, it's NEVER to early to incorporate the kiddos in helping with chores around the house!  Even Wyatt 11mo will help 'clean up... clean up... everybody everywhere..' (I KNOW some of you were singing along with me) the bathtub toys or his toys in the play yard.  Addison has been doing these things for some time now but if I want to ADD things to her 'list'... then I have to START with things she can already do!  **She's GOT to be successful to stick with it!!**  So, I've been a little busy and haven't gotten the chart put together but, I've had it designed and ready for some time now :-/ LIFE got in the way...SHEESH!! 

Now, I KNOW that there are LOTS of different chore charts and whatnot and you can DEFINITELY google it and come up with some GREAT printables.  You can even find stuff at the store (office supply stores often sell BLANK charts).  But, I wanted something SIMPLE and (of course) FUN!  So here's what I came up with...

Now... Lemme explain WHAT this is... I started with pictures of Addison and the words that explain WHAT she's supposed to do.  I covered them in self-laminating pages (for an ATTEMPT at protecting them) and just scotch taped them to the fridge.

And I made a 'thumbs up' symbol  magnet to show that the task has been completed.

And... in the end... SHE LOVED IT!!!  She was running back and forth to put up another marker... she was SO PROUD!  So, for like another couple weeks we'll just do this.  THEN, I will incorporate an evening routine/JOB chart!

*Tip* Organizing Toys

Thanks so much to reader Melissa W from Georgia for sharing this GREAT tip! 
We would all like to have toys organized, right?!  How about when we travel?  Isn't that just the worst?!  Well, this tip has SEVERAL pluses... so KEEP READING :-)

SPRING CLEANING TIPS

It's THAT time of year again... actually, spring cleaning, once it's done... is AWESOME!  There's something comforting about being in a CLEAN house.  I had a reader message and ask for some spring cleaning tips/ideas.  Here's what I found... about.com has LOTS of GREAT tips and ideas.  I picked one article to read and try (for now) and wanted to share what I got out of it with you (click here to see the rest).

We all want to involve the entire family on a Saturday morning for some spring cleaning.  Check out these tips for a successful family cleanup day.

*TIP* Can't live without...DAVE RAMSEY!

When asked what's one thing she could not live without, reader Morgan C from Texas answered,

"Dave Ramsey...we're almost debt free and I have his teachings to thank for that."

*Tip* Getting RID of the Pacifier!! Let's Chat...

Clearly, my babies LOVE their pacifier.  I do too, much better than sucking their thumb (MY opinion).  Nothing more germy than a thumb... why NOT stick it in your mouth?!  YUCK!  ok... back to the topic at hand.

*TIP* Mesh bag...MUST HAVE!!

This little gadget is a MUST HAVE!  I first saw it in use with mom, Kere M from Florida was letting her teething baby go to town on fruits and veggies!  Since then, it has been a staple in my house (as well as a popular baby shower gift from me)! 

I LOVE the fact that babies can eat the actual FRESH fruit or veggie and get all of the yummy vitamins and there is NO RISK of choking (one of my biggest fears).  You can also put frozen or refridgerated foods in there and it's a miracle worker on swollen gums!

CLICK HERE to get yours today (*remember* if you're new to diapers.com get this special deal )

10% off your orders for 3 months + Free Shipping! New Customers only. Code "A10AFF".

Here are some testimonial pics...enjoy... :-)

*TIP* Dirty High Chair

So, just the other day I was considering getting a dog because I am SICK and TIRED of sweeping 213,124,436,239 times/day! ;-)  Bottom line is, if there was a way to get rid of even ONE thing from my LIST of THINGS TO DO EVERDAY... I'd take it! 

*TIP* Can't Live without... A Large Tote!

What item can you NOT live without?

Amy S from Virginia says that it's a large utility tote.  Amy says that she uses the tote for LOTS of things. 

"I started with just one utility tote and last summer decided that I would get more. I have 2 in my trunk ALL summer. I use one for pool toys, clean towels, food, sunscreen and such. The other I use for the wet towels, wet bathing suits, etc. During soccer season I pack one with "team" snacks and the other with books, games, blankets, extra clothes, etc."

Beach Tips

Had a request from a mom and I think it's a GREAT idea!  She wanted beach tips with the kiddos.  Since the beach is... well... FREE... it's a GREAT place to spend some time (not to mention... there will be a SERIOUS nap to follow any successful trip).  Here are some of the tips that I have... Please feel free to add any other ideas!! 

FYI... all of the products posted are links... you can go and order them RIGHT NOW :-)  AND a lot of them are from diapers.com AND... if you've never used diapers.com there's a deal... 10% off of all your purchase for the first 3 months AND free shipping (use code A10AFF).

Taco Tip

Here's something we do in our house to make eating a soft taco/burrito easier for little 2 year old hands.  It might not be the safest idea and might not work for you... but we do it and it keeps the taco/burrito from unrolling.

**MOM TIP** Tervis Tumbler (+deal x2)

**be sure to read all the way to the bottom...for a DEAL**

Thanks to Kelly M (our contest WINNER) from Colorado, for sharing her MUST HAVE item!  Kelly says that she can't live without her... TERVIS TUMBLER (personally, I TOTALLY agree)!! 

Kelly listed a TON of reasons WHY the tervis tumbler is so great... but, I have found a picture that pretty much sums it all up...

Thanks to carolshallmarkstore.com for the photo!

**HERE'S THE GOOD PART**

• Kelly shared with us that she uses a Bed Bath and Beyond coupon (you know... those 20% off coupons that come in the mail like what... once/wk?... you KNOW you have at LEAST one).  BUT, she uses a MOBILE APP too... you just text COUPON to 239663.  You just complete the enrollment form and then you'll begin receiving coupons to your mobile phone FOR THE CASHIER TO SCAN!!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??  They're really making saving money TOO easy these days!! :-)
• One more way to save on your very own Tervis Tumbler... 'like' them on Facebook for a friends and family deal that is valid through the 25th!

THANKS FOR SHARING KELLY!!!
Happy Shopping...

Dirty Microwave **MOM TIP**

Be honest... have you ever had a dirty microwave? 

**NOT my microwave... got this pic off the Internet ;-)**
http://www.jozza.net/blog/category/nothing-to-see-here/

Spaghetti explosion?  Oatmeal overflow?  You know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.  A dirty microwave is NO FUN!  Growing up, my mom always had us cover things with a napkin or paper towel (WHEN we remembered...RARE).  Now, who's ever gotten pieces of the paper towel IN their oatmeal?  YUCK!  It wasn't a great solution and since we only USED the napkin or paper towel... say 30% of the time... it didn't work well.  Cleaning the microwave was a necessity.

Now, that I have a home of my own and two little ones that keep me busy cleaning up toys and spills and doing laundry, playing, teaching, etc... (you get the picture).  I do NOT have time to scrub the microwave everyday.  Sooooooo, what to do?  WHAT to do??

Well, thanks to mom, Mary C from Savannah, GA, we have a solution!

DUH!  Why on EARTH didn't I think of something like this?!  Now, the coolest part is, you leave it IN the microwave so that you don't 'forget' to cover your food/drink.  And if there's a spaghetti explosion... just stick the cover in the dishwasher (or hand wash it...)! 

If you look closely, you'll also see that the cover has holes for ventilation.

GREAT IDEA!  Thanks for sharing Mary!  Now, I'm sure you're wondering... WHERE CAN I GET ONE??  Well... just head on over to (you can click that logo... it's a link ;-)) and search 'microwave spatter cover' (feel free to check out ALL of the other great deals on the site as well.

Before long... we'll ALL have microwaves that look like this...

Now... THIS microwave IS mine :-) hahahaha...

**MOM TIP** LEAPFROG LEAPSTER

Thanks to Kristi S from Vero Beach, FL for giving us our very FIRST MOM TIP!! 

When asked, "What is one thing you could never live without and why?" 

Kristi said, "Leap Frog Leapster!"  She said that she was hesitant to buy it but it has become a must-have at her house.  It's great for doctor's office trips or quiet time at home.  Kristi also said that the Leap Frog Leapster has taught her kids so much! 

Thanks so much for sharing that with us Kristi!! 

You can check out a GREAT deal on a

Leap Frog Tag Jr. Book here:

New Tag Jr Book- Springtime Surprise. Get it Now for only $4.99! Offer valid now through March 31st!