Now that the cold weather months are here, I'm working hard to decorate our home and make it more beautiful for the holidays. I love doing my own crafts here at home because I can save money and be creative at the same time. You can find all the items we used here to make this Moss And Butterfly Pomander Craft at your local Dollar Tree store. Moss and Butterfly Pomander Craft Supplies needed: Styrofoam craft ball Green ribbon Scissors Hot glue, glue gun Silk butterflies Crafting moss Green yarn Silk flowers Directions: 1. Begin by wrapping the entire foam ball with green yarn. Continue to wrap the yarn until all of the foam is covered and no white is showing through. When finished, add a dab of glue to the end of the yarn and press it to the ball to secure it. 2. Take some crafting moss and gently pull it apart to make it easier to work with. Add dabs of hot glue to the ball. Press some of the crafting moss to … [Read more...]
Make Your Child Feel At Ease At The Dentist
Every summer, I make sure to catch up on all of my kids' appointments since I teach full-time the rest of the year. Going to the dentist regularly is an important part of instilling good oral hygiene in my boys so we all go every six months for a checkup and a cleaning. My older son now sees the same dentist that my husband and I do because he is fourteen but our younger son still sees the pediatric dentist since he is eleven. Since we often made doctor's visits as a family, my younger son has had the opportunity of being present for his older brother's dentist appointments which has helped a lot by way of soothing his fears regarding what to expect during his own visit. I also allowed him to ask the dentist a lot of questions during my cleaning because he was very curious about the whole process. It really helped him to understand why we place so much emphasis on brushing his teeth a few times a day and flossing twice a day. Once the time came for his own dentist … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
My husband is part Cuban which means that I get to sample the most delicious foods and recipes at all of his family's gatherings. One of my absolute favorites is Ropa Vieja which is a Cuban dish consisting of shredded beef that usually is derived from either skirt or flank steak. The term "Ropa Vieja" actually means "Old Clothes" in Spanish because that is what the shredded meat in this dish actually looks like. I've always loved this dish when it has been prepared by my In-laws because the beef is always tender and so very flavorful. Since I have committed to using my slow cooker a lot more lately, I wanted to try making this dish in it. Here is a delicious Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja recipe: Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja Recipe Yields: 4 Servings Prep Time: 15 Minutes | Cook: 8 Hours Ingredients: 1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes 1 ½ pounds skirt steak or flank steak 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green), sliced thin 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced (can leave seeds or remove … [Read more...]
Felt Lady Bug Craft
Some of my teacher friends from other states have been reaching out to me this month to pick my brain about arts and crafts activities that they could use to start the school year. You see, even though we don't start school until September here in New York City, other parts of the United States go back to school earlier since their school year ended before ours did. Even though I teach high school now, I did start off my teaching career teaching pre-kindergarten so I still have some activities up my sleeves for younger kids. Some of my favorite arts and crafts expose kids to other subjects such as science and social studies. For this reason, projects that deal with nature and insects are a favorite of mine. Felt Ladybug Craft Supplies needed: embroidery hoop red, black, white craft felt scissors craft glue Directions: 1. Begin by placing the sheet of red felt in the embroidery hoop. Tighten the hoop so the felt is securely in … [Read more...]
DIY Hand Stamped Flower Towel
Lately I have been doing a lot of research into home decor for less and tried my hand at creating a DIY Hand Stamped Flower Towel. One of the things that I have learned is that there are many cost-effective ways to reproduce decorating ideas. This is a great way to update the decor in your home without breaking the bank. You would not believe how many projects can be done right at home with just a few materials. My latest project is updating our bathroom this summer so I have also been looking at ways to add decorative towels and make it more beautiful without spending a lot. Below you will learn how to create hand stamped flower towels just like the ones that you can purchase in retail stores: DIY Hand Stamped Flower Towel Supplies needed: - White cotton hand towel (.49 cents at IKEA) - Fabric paint in choice of colors, non puffy and non dimensional - Wood flower cut out (found at Dollar Tree or most craft stores) - Plate - Scrap paper - Paint … [Read more...]
15 Frugal Summer Snack Ideas For Kids
Now that summer is here, kids will want to eat all summer long. It’s true, it appears once summer break hits they turn into bottomless pits that can never be filled. The good news is you do have some frugal options when it comes to snacking. Look below at these 15 frugal summer snack ideas for kids so you can fill the kiddos up for less. You might be surprised at how far you can stretch your grocery budget even when an assortment of summer snacks is on the menu! 1. Fruit kabobs. Give kids wood skewers and cut fruit (use what it is in season as it will cost less!) so they can make their own yummy and healthy fruit kabobs. 2. Make your own freezer pops. Buy refillable freezer pop trays and fill them with fruit juice or powdered drink mix for a cool summer treat. 3. Make your own fruit chips. Dehydrate or bake fruit slices into fruit chips. These are perfect for snacking and a great way to use up produce before it goes bad! 4. Try making trail mix. Buy inexpensive nuts, … [Read more...]
Spider-Man Homecoming Is A Must See Movie! #SpiderManHomecoming #Ad
I have to admit, I have never been a big fan of the Spider-Man movies over the years. While I have always considered him to be an engaging superhero, I just didn't think all of the previous films did his character justice. Despite this, I wanted to keep an open mind when heading to the screening of the new Spider-Man Homecoming movie. I'm so glad that I did because it literally blew my mind how good this movie was! The factors that made a difference for me with regards to how much I enjoyed Spider-Man Homecoming were its great cast and the fact that it displayed the perfect combination of action and humor. Actor Tom Holland was the perfect choice to play young Peter Parker/Spider-Man because of his innate goofiness and sincerity. He did a great job of navigating his role of the web-slinging super hero as well as the awkward teenager in this movie. As Peter, he is thrilled by his experience with the Avengers and returns home where he lives with his Aunt May, played … [Read more...]
8 Ways To Save Money On Summer Activities For Kids
While the arrival of summer brings excitement, you might also be seeing dollar signs. It is no secret that beating summer boredom can also mean racking up the bills, but the truth is there are ways to save money while still having fun! Look at these 8 ways to save money on summer activities, so you can still have all the fun you want without going broke. 1. Check Groupon and Living Social daily. Since deals on these websites are always changing, it is always worth checking them out! Look for attraction tickets, movie deals, gift card deals, and other offers from summer fun spots. This way, you can enjoy the activities you love for less. 2. Call your local parks department. Chances are your local parks department is offering all sorts of summer camps and activities for kids. Since these programs are often funded on tax dollars, this means the cost passed onto you is minimal. Call your local parks department for a schedule of summer events and be in the know! 3. Head to the … [Read more...]
Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad
It might seem like the summer weather is far away when you take into consideration all of the rain that we have been having here in New York City lately. Maybe it is my wishful thinking longing for some sun and fun outdoors but I am really looking forward to cookouts and family get-togethers this summer. Since my brother and father work in the produce business, I always have access to fresh fruits during the spring and summer. There is nothing better than enjoying fruit salad with your loved ones when the weather is warm. Honey Lime Rainbow Fruit Salad is one of our favorite recipes because, not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it is delicious too! It's also an extremely versatile recipe because you can substitute any of the fruits for those that you prefer or that are more pleasing to your palate. Not to mention any that you need to exclude due to any existing food allergies that you may have. So have fun with it and serve it at your next outdoor event this summer! … [Read more...]
20 Ways To Be A Supportive Sports Parent
Do your children play sports? With options like basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, softball, soccer, and so many other athletic options, you could find yourself deep in the world of sports parenting in no time flat. Being a sports parent isn’t always easy! You are dealing with not just your child participating but the other parents, coaches, administrators, and the rest of the individuals that make the team go round as well! So how can you be a supportive sports parent and one that makes the event a fun one for your child? Luckily, there are plenty of ways. Look below at 20 ways to be a supportive sports parent so you can be sure your child has a fun, educational, and active sports season you all can be proud of. 1. Treat practice like a day at school. When your child returns be sure to ask how practice went and ask what new skills they may have learned. 2. Talk to your child about their strengths. Point out their strengths first so they can develop pride for … [Read more...]
