Contact Paper & Tissue Paper Craft

from:  preschool-learning-and-crafts.com

With your Toddler:

1. Place 1 piece of contact paper sticky side up in front of your toddler
2. Allow toddler to stick paper, confetti, or tissue paper on the contact paper (without moving any of it!!)
3. When he is finished, place the second piece of contact paper onto the first
4. Trace or draw desired shape onto contact paper and cut it out

Homemade Bread in a Crockpot

from:  article and picture from artisanbreadinfive.com

Form 1 lb of pre-made dough into a ball and place it on a sheet of parchment paper. Lower the dough into the Crock-Pot (Slow Cooker), mine is a 4-quart, but I think it will work in any size.

(Update:  I just mixed up a fresh batch of Peasant Bread Dough, let it rise for the two hours in the bucket, then formed a 1-pound loaf and stuck it in the crock pot.  So, you can use fresh or refrigerated dough.)

Turn the temperature to high and put on the cover. (Not all crock pots behave the same, so you should keep an eye on the loaf after about 45 minutes to make sure it is not over browning on the bottom or not browning at all. You may need to adjust the time according to your machine.)

Bake for 1 hour (this will depend on your crock pot, you may need to increase or decrease the time. If you are using a 100% whole grain dough, you may want to go for a bit longer as well). You will have a fully baked loaf of bread, but the crust is very soft, almost like a steamed bun. To check for doneness I poked the top of the loaf and it felt firm. Before it is fully baked it felt soft and almost mushy when I gently pressed the top.

The bottom crust should be nice and crisp, but the top of the loaf will be quite soft. Some folks desire a softer crust, so you will love this loaf. If you want a darker or crisper crust…

Stick the bread under the broiler for 5 minutes or until it is the color you like, with the rack positioned in the middle of the oven.

Free Personalized Calendars

So, I know I have posted a lot of coupons lately, but do not be dismayed.  This is not converting into a coupon blog, I've just had not seen many great ones lately and here are a few.  This one is for a free calendar from Vista Print.  All you have to pay is shipping.  Click here for more details and the link to get your calendar!  This is also a good idea for Christmas, think ahead for the grandparents.

Free Chili's Kid's Meal & Chips and Queso

Click here for the details and link to the coupon for a free Chili's kid's meal and chips and queso.



This coupon is only good for 2 days, through September 12, 2012.

Want to become a "Mom Tester"?

I have not personally been a "Mom Tester", but I know of moms that save a bit of money by doing this.  You may not receive the diapers you prefer, but you could cut costs a little by getting a few free samples.  I wish I could tell you a little more about the specifics... I have joined the Facebook group that lists testing opportunities.  It looks like the most recent was for a razor, before that to have a will written for your family...  So, you sign up for opportunities as they come.

If you have been a "Mom Tester", please give us new moms advice or insight in the comment section below.  If you know of other websites that allow you do test products, please share so we can double up on the benefit.

This specific link will take you to the Facebook, directly to their "Mom Tester" page.  Sign up with me today and let us know how it goes!  Click here if you want to become a "Mom Tester".

Also, if you want to jump on their offer of 2 years free, you'll find that Parenting.com.  However, as long as I have been a mom, I think this offer has stayed the same.  If I am correct, you have to pay for one year to get the 2 free years.  It is still a pretty decent rate.

Synonym Sun

from:  hsclassroom.net

Here  is one of many uses for paint strips.  I have seen many and I'll be posting more on these later.  For those of you with older kids, here is a fun way to learn synonyms.  (I did not see this exact post on the link above, so if you want more detail you can go search on your own!) 

As always, if you find any new information on this, or if you try it on your own, us moms would love your feedback in the "Comment" field below.

Favorite Kid's Book: Click, Clack, Moo

This book was, so sweetly, given to Riley when we moved to Kentucky.  At the time, she was too young to enjoy it, but I wasn't!  I found myself reading this book, just because I loved it so.  I would read it multiple times a day because it was just too cute.

I've looked at some of the other books by this author and this is my favorite, still.  This buy is worth it!

Go to your local library to try this book out, or just go straight to Amazon to buy it.  I'll let you make the call, but know it has my thumbs up!