New Way to Make Flash Cards

This is one of my favorite posts from this past year.  The originally posted back in January, so I thought I would share it again.  :-)

 

My son HATES flashcards.  I used them before to teach him his letters.  We had almost all of our letters learned, then we started being lax on it (because he hated it so much).  Now we only have a handful of letters learned.  So Mommy is retrying, but this time with a different approach.  A much more fun and creative approach.  We are doing appearing letters.  This example is of an “A”.       I drew an apple on a piece of white paper with a Sharpie.  Then I drew an “a” with white crayon in the middle of the apple.  I tried to get a shine off of the crayon in the picture, so you could see it.       

I gave my son a red paint marker and asked him to color the apple.  While he was coloring, I asked him what letter apple starts with?  He couldn’t tell me.  He started to fill in the apple and when the “a” appeared he recognized it!  I was so excited. 

We have done this with “b” for ball and we will be doing it with “c” for cat. It was fun and he learned without even knowing it.  :-)  Huge success!! 

Variation:  This would work great for older kids with math problems.  You can write out the math problem, then put the answer in white crayon.  Have your child put their answers down, then use a marker to reveal the correct answer.  They can see if the answers match up.  What a fun way to learn and reinforce math!

Reindeer Poop?

“Yes, I guess olives could look like little reindeer poop.” 

Oh, yeah.  I said it.  My kids love black olives.  I actually have to limit their consumption.  I didn’t think I would be saying after the last time we had them, though.

 

So what crazy things have come out of your mouth lately?  Don’t make me feel like I am the only one.

Chex Mix - $25 Kroger Gift Card Giveaway

The holiday season is here.  There is party after party.  Whether you are hosting the party or attending, chances are you need to make something to bring.

So what is a busy mom supposed to make that is easy and fast?  We all know we need our time to actually put on make up and do our hair, not to mention wearing clothes not covered with stains or spit up. 

How about Chex Mix?  It’s fast.  It’s easy.  It’s addicting.  It’s yummy!  There is the traditional Chex Mix.  You have delicious recipes that take only 15 minutes like Chex Chocolate Malt-Cherry Mix and Chex Chai Mix.

I was sent two boxes of Chex cereal, in hopes that I would try to make some mix, but little do they know that my kids’ favorite cereal is Corn Chex (I am dead serious).  Never made it to a mix, but still very delicious!  Can you see the excitement?

How would you like two boxes of Chex to make some yummy mix?  Oh, and since you will need other ingredients there is also a $25 Kroger gift card!

I am going to shake this up a bit and there will be no entry form this time.  I am going to give the $25 Kroger gift card and two boxes of Chex to one of you that “likes” Mom Tried It on Facebook. 

So if you already “like” Mom Tried It, you are entered.  If you like Mom Tried It, but haven’t done so on Facebook I would like to encourage you to do so. 

But please do not “like” Mom Tried It just to be entered.  I don’t want numbers just to have them.

If you are not on Facebook (I can think of a few of you right now) or would prefer not to “like” Mom Tried It you can still be entered.  Just email me and I will enter you.  :-)  Obviously you already read this site or you wouldn’t be here right now.  By the way, thank you so much for reading this site.

A winner will be selected on Tuesday, December 21st at noon CST.  You will have 3 days to claim your prize once contacted or a new winner will be selected.

Disclosure:  I did receive this prize pack in order to review the product.  Receiving that pack or hosting of this giveaway did not effect my opinion in any way.  I am always very honest, and you should know that by now.  :-)

Kim

Christmas Tree Food Activity

Cole’s teachers have always told me that they like parents to come in and lead an activity.  Until now I thought they were just saying that.  But recently I took them up on their offer.

I went to Cole’s Pre-K class and did an activity that I did when I was in preschool.  We made Christmas trees out of sugar cones. 

Here is what you will need: sugar cones, frosting, green food coloring, candies to decorate.  I used mini M&M’s (as ornaments), Twizzler Pull & Peel (when peeled, they make great garland), and various fun shaped sprinkles.

I put the cone upside down in the middle of the paper plate and surrounded it with the sprinkles and candies.  I put the frosting in little cups (I used applesauce cups). 

 

The kids spread the frosting on with popsicle sticks.  Charley got to be in pre-k for a day (she loved it).

Then they got to decorating.

It turned out great.  The kids had a blast, and that is the most important thing.

Kim

Maximus (the miniature)

This is Maximus.  He is our Miniature Pinscher.  He was our first baby.

Now he is surrounded by children and has been reduced to a pet.  Every once in a while he gets to bask in the glory days (like when the kids are gone or sleeping).

I shared this photo over at I Heart Faces for their Pet Challenge. 

Kim

Holiday Hair and Lips Giveaway

Last year I did a review and giveaway for Softlips.  I have loved Softlips since high school, so I jumped on the opportunity to share my love.  The holiday flavors were great, too.

This year I was contacted again to review the new holiday line of Softlips.  The new line up is just as fabulous.  Flavors such as Winter Mint, Sugar Plum Berry, Sugar & Spice (…and everything nice), Sugar Cookie, and Mint with a hint of Vanilla.  Don’t those sound great?

Softlips really does what their name suggests.  They make your lips soft, moist, and very kissable.  Perfect for colder weather. 

Softlips make great stocking stuffers or attach them to a gift tag on the present.  Your recipient may be so excited over the Softlips, they may forget to open the present.  You can get free shipping on www.softlips.com through December 10th.  So act fast!

 

Scunci, the name you have known for years in hair care and accessories, has an easy way to do a holiday up-do.  The Upzing is stylish, yet so practical.

 

No need for hair dressers.  Even moms like me can do this.  I can’t make my hair fancy to save my life.  When my hair was long, I was a ponytail kind of girl.  I wish I had these hair ties then. 

The no-slip hair ties are perfect for anyone that uses a flat iron to straighten their hair.  It can become so smooth that even pony tails don’t stay in place.  That is what would happen to me all of the time. 

Scunci has a new facebook fan page.  Check them out and “like” them (trust me, there is something in it for you).

And what is hair care without brushes?  These two are fabulous!  Conair has really thought of everything. 

The pink one has a gel grip on the handle.  How cool!

               

This tourmaline brush uses ions to help your hair get smooth as you blow dry while reducing static electricity.  Perfect for wool coat season.

These items can all be purchased at mass merchant retailers.  They are all very reasonably priced and make great stocking stuffers.

How would you like to win all of these awesome products?  Yeah, I knew you would.  You get Softlips from the holiday collection, both hair brushes, the no-slip hair ties, and the Scunci Upzing.

I would like to have this open to everyone all over the world, so if you live outside the U.S., please still enter.  If you win I will ship it to you myself.  :-)

This giveaway is closed.  The winner is Gladys F.!  The winner will be selected using random.org and notified by email.  The winner will have 3 days to respond to my email and claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. 

Disclosure: I was given these items to review and provided with product information.  This did not have any influence my review or my opinion.  The representatives of these companies have generously offered to sponsor a giveaway, as well.  I will also be doing a surprise giveaway and sending the products I received to a reader.