Shutterfly's Current Specials

Do you need to preserve special moments in a photo book, with prints or other home décor?  Graduation season is approaching; do you have invitations or announcements to create, but you're not sure where to get started?  Head over to Shutterfly for all your picture needs!  I have used Shutterfly for quite some time and have always been more than happy with the quality of products and their professional, courteous customer service!

Here are their current specials for customers...  

Shop Shutterfly's Special Offers!  Ends June 18, 2014

Use code SHIP30 for free shipping on orders of $30 or more!  Ends June 30, 2014

Coconut Fruit-Filled Oatmeal Bars

Our little guy and I love granola & Nutri-grain bars, so last evening I played around in the kitchen experimenting with my own recipe because homemade is always better, right?  They were still cooling before bed, but if the taste was any indication of the aroma that filled our home, we were in for a treat.

When I woke up this morning, little boy was still fast asleep, but I decided to sneak a taste of the raspberry-filled bars.  OH MY! These are too yummy not to share! 

Coconut Fruit-Filled Oatmeal Bars

Bars:  2¾ cups flour, 2¾ cups quick oats, 1¾ cups brown sugar, ¾ cup flaxseed meal, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1¾-2 cups of solid coconut oil

Fruit filling:  1 cup sugar and  2 cups of cherries, pears, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, apples, cranberries, mixed berries, or any other fruit of your choice 

Directions:  Preheat oven at 350 degrees and grease 13x9 pan.  With a potato masher, mix dry ingredients.  Mash in coconut oil until crumbly.  Set aside.  Mix sugar and desired fruit in a small saucepan.  Bring to a rapid boil until it thickens like syrup. Place ½ of dry ingredients in greased pan, lightly pack.  (I used the potato masher to do this; it worked great!)  Layer the hot fruit on top.  Add the remaining dry ingredients on top and lightly pack again.  Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool and serve.             

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FREE 8x8 Photo Book from Shutterfly EXTENDED

OFFER EXTENDED UNTIL WED. MAR. 26



Enjoy a FREE 8X8 Photo Book

 Offer ends Wed. Mar. 26  Promo code: STORYTIME
 

One thing I love about Shutterfly is all the freebies (just pay shipping) they offer you!  I have made prints, mugs, magnets, mouse pads, books, you name it through them and have been pleased with each order!  I have been putting off making my son's "First Year of Memories" photo book, but it looks like I have a task to complete ASAP.

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Military Discounts at Amusement Parks

We are not huge amusement park goers, but I am confident that once our little guys are older we will be making a few visits.  I know from past experiences how expensive it was just for my husband and me to visit a park or two and I am dreading the cost of a family for four visiting.  We will definitely start a travel savings plan prior to our visit. 

It may drive my husband batty at times, but I would say 99.9% of the time we go anywhere whether it is shopping, out eat, traveling, etc. I ask if they offer a military discount.  Sometimes it just pays the tax, but that is extra money we are saving so I am definitely not complaining! 

I recently came across this list of military discounts offered at several different parks in a Facebook group I am part of for military spouses and I thought I would pass it along to you! 

http://www.military.com/discounts/the-best-amusement-park-military-discounts.html

Information on the "Waves of Honor" program as well:  http://www.wavesofhonor.com/

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FREE Annual Passes for US National Parks

From Operation Homefront, "If you're looking forward to warm weather and are already making plans to visit the great outdoors, check out FREE annual passes to National Parks for active duty military and families." 

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm

I don't know about you, but we are ready for warm weather and sunshine!  In fact, I told my husband when we PCS, I wouldn't mind taking orders to the middle of a dessert for a few years.  I love winter and everything that comes with it, but this has been one...long...winter.  We didn't take advantage of this benefit last summer since it was our first time being a family of 3, but this year, despite expecting another little sailor, we will be getting a pass and utilizing it when we can. 

What a fabulous way to discover history and explore nature with your kiddos!  Parks are hidden gems; they have so many learning opportunities within them.  The learning is endless; from Science to Math to Social Studies to Language Arts to Technology. If you're planning a visit to one of the US National Parks in the future make sure you stop by their website and download visitor guides, kids' activities, etc.  Kids can even become a "Web Ranger!" 

Enjoy and happy traveling! 

Stay up-to-date with Operation Homefront and their services at http://www.operationhomefront.net/

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Infantino Teether Product Review

Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this review.  I have received the Squeeze & Teethe product line from Infantino to facilitate my review.

Relief, adorable, and overall excellent product!  We could not have received this teether on a more appropriate morning; our 14 month old started cutting a new set of teeth the night before the box came.  When our little sailor woke up that Friday morning, he was suffering from his first teething fever and wanted to chew on anything within his reach.  We had tried a multitude of teething products with the past 8 teeth; natural necklaces, frozen teething packs, wash cloths, etc. and nothing seemed to tickle his fancy.  I couldn't tear in to the box fast enough when I saw the Infantino label on the outside of the box.  I won't lie; I was a little skeptical though if he would take to this toy or if he would reject it like others.  Ellie, as we have named it, accompanies us during playtime, while reading books, running errands, and even hangs out during bath time!  She is definitely getting some use while we are in this developmental stage.  Well done, Infantino!      

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A Day in the Gardens

Last week was the first day in months that I can remember being outdoors without having to bundle up like I was in the middle of the frigid Arctic, so we skipped an indoor play-date at the children's museum and headed over to the Chicago Botanic Garden.  What a great choice!  My little sailor and I took advantage of the outdoor paths despite the melting snow and muddy trek and walked a little over 2 miles breathing in the fresh, cool air while the orchid show was taking place indoors.  I wrestled with the idea of letting him stroll through the indoor color display since I wasn't sure if this was "an appropriate practice for a mom of a 13 month old," but I figured, "What the heck?!  Learning should be through real-life, real-world exploration and we are going to do just that!"  We were off to purchase our orchid show tickets!

Now, let me first say that we were there in the middle of a school-day so there weren't too many children there.  I think I saw 5-6 littles running around with their mommies besides my little guy and me.  I think 90% of the visitors that day were well over 55 years old. 

After purchasing our tickets, we were off to learn about colors, our senses, textures, flowers, etc. leaving the stroller at the entrance of the exhibit.  My anxiety level was rising thinking about how quickly my eager little boy moves when he discovers new things along the delicate flowers and displays before us; not a good combination, but we were going to make this a positive learning day! 

As we started walking through the colorful array of orchids, I could feel the disapproving looks from numerous elderly women.  Now I am typically a very out-spoken, matter-of-fact person, but today I decided I would let our actions speak louder than words.

My husband and I have been working with our son on the concept of "gentle touches" with our hands, so as I observed him gently touch leaves, brickwork, benches, etc. around him I was simply awe-struck that our little explorer was taking in his surroundings just as we have been modeling for him at home without me intervening.  Of course, as any mother would, I was beaming with pride on the inside, but as I glanced away from my little guy for a split second, there, before us, stood an older woman who clearly was not pleased with my decision to teach my son about natural beauty as she shook her head in disbelief at us.  I smiled gently at her and continued to point out the different colors to my eager learner, but I started doubting my decision until an elderly man passing by says, "that there is a picture-quality."  Why yes, yes it is, sir and thank you for validating my parental decision today!   

 

 

Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden http://www.chicagobotanic.org/

As an added bonus, the gardens are free, you pay for parking.  Military members and families can show their ID for FREE parking. 

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Time to Tidy-Up!

Prior to meeting my husband I was very organized with everything in my home; probably a bit too much at times.  When we met and moved in with each other, I promised him I would loosen up with my extreme need for cleanliness, organization, and perfection in our apartment.  I did, for a short while, but now that we have an active 14 month old on the loose and another little boy due in a few months, I have decided to kick-it-up-a-notch to keep things tidied up around the house in order to have more quality, family time with them. 

After looking at several different "cleaning/organization challenges," I decided there wasn't one that fit our lives perfectly, so I wrote my own.  I have challenged myself to complete it at the start of each new season.  I am into Day 2 and so far so good!  I will update you in 19 days. 

 

 

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DIY Sensory Table

We bought our little learner a water table that he is absolutely in love with, but I wanted a sensory table for his learning area to include sand, colored pasta, oatmeal, etc. without spending an arm and a leg!  During one of my favorite Google searches I came across an easy DIY double sensory table thanks to http://blog.jaxinthebox.com/2013/05/01/diy-sand-water-table-60-minutes-50-done/. 
 
I had to alter the measurements in order to fit the bins I purchased at Home Depot.  (Thanks to the awesome store associate, she measured and cut everything for me!)  I also had extra PVC pipe leftover, so I asked the Home Depot employee to cut me 2 additional sets of legs so the table can grow with our little guy.  As an added bonus, Home Depot had many of their plastic storage items on clearance; so watch those sales tags!
 

 

 

 

Supply List: 

2- 28 quart bins (grab the lids too!)

10- 1.25 inch tees

8- 1.25 inch ninety degree elbows

4- 1.25 inch PVC pipe (10 feet each)

2 cans of spray paint

 

PVC pipe cut into the following:

5- 20 inch

2- 23 inch

4- 10 inch

My 3 sets of 4 legs are 16 inches, 20 inches & 24 inches  

 

*There will be some leftover PVC pipe.  I used it to make rain sticks.  (If you do this, purchase the caps for the ends.)

 

Ideas for your sensory table bins: 

sand, rice, colored pasta, cotton balls, oatmeal, flour, water, beans, corn meal, bubbles, shredded paper, popcorn, sponges, straw, ice cubes/blocks, tissue paper, felt pieces, a variety of material scraps, newspaper, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, shaving cream, soil, mud, fingerpaint, bird seed, the ideas are endless! 

 

*Always supervise children at the sensory table. 

 

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Simple Colored Pasta

I wanted to add colored pasta to our sensory table for our little guy to investigate color and texture.  Rubbing alcohol will allow your pasta to hold the color better and longer, but I warn you: keep all windows/doors open in the kitchen when you are drying it.  Or you could lay the pasta on trays covered in paper towels and place outside on a sunny day.  (I put our trays in the garage with the door cracked open for ventilation.)  Any way you choose dry it, make sure there is plenty of fresh air to eliminate the strong alcohol smell. 

 

 

Shopping List:

3 boxes of your choice pasta

1 box of food coloring

1 bottle of rubbing alcohol

Large Freezer bags

Paper towels

Trays/cookie sheets

 

Directions:

1.  Decide how many colors you will make and designate one bag per color.

2.  Divide the pasta among the number of bags/colors desired. 

3.  Mix 10 drops of food coloring (or more if you want a darker color) and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol together and pour into freezer bags.  Secure and shake until all of the pasta has been covered.  Lay the bag flat.  Repeat for each color.

4.  Let the bags sit for 45-60 minutes. 

5.  Cover trays/cookie sheets with paper towels.  (Bounty paper towels absorb the best.) 

6.  Dump pasta evenly on top of the paper towels and allow to dry.  The alcohol scent will go away the longer you let the pasta dry in open air.  (I made mine in the early evening and set out to dry overnight.) 

7.  Store in an air-tight container when not in use.

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