Fun Find Friday – The Shine Project

June 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As I was browsing through Facebook this week I came across a post about a brand new social impact company called THREADS.  They employ at-risk youth in Phoenix to make these amazing bracelets so they can pay their way through college.

“Threads is a cause driven business that changes the future of at risk youth. They come from various backgrounds, but all have one thing in common, they want to break the cycle. By employing them, we instill values of self reliance and hard work. They are paid fair wages for the bracelets they make, and in turn are able to pay their way through school. Many of Threads employees are first generation college students. They dream of becoming nurses, broadcasters, writers and engineers.”

After doing lots research and spending some time on The Shine Project‘s website, I can tell you I have honestly fallen in love with this organization and its mission of spreading hope, positivity and inspiration into the community.  Other than these stunning bracelets, one of my favorite things they offer are Pass It Forward cards.  For $2.50 you get a pack of ten Pass It Forward cards and each card comes with a personalized ID number.  The idea is to do a random act of kindness and add the Pass It Forward card with the act.  The person who receives the card will go to www.spreadtheshine.com and enter the ID # to describe the expereince.  That person is then supposed to “pass it forward” with another random act of kindness.  The new recipient can get on the website and add their story.  I can only imagine where these cards will end up and what stories will be connected to each one.  What an amazing idea!  I don’t know about you, but I’m heading over to The Shine Project to order a bracelet and a packet of cards right now.  We are in no way affiliated with The Shine Project, we just think it is doing amazing things for our community and world and we want you all to know about them.

Filed Under: Charity, Community, Fun Finds, Youth Programs Tagged With: , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Sea Life Aquarium

June 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Have you been to the Sea Life Aquarium inside Arizona Mills lately?  It is a wonderful way to entertain the kids, learn about sea life (appropriately named, eh?) and escape the summer heat.  The aquarium houses over 5,000 creatures in 30 displays, including a 360 degree tunnel with sharks, rays and the Ziva, the aquarium’s famous rescued sea turtle.   They also offer a hands-on center where you can hold a crab or touch a starfish.  Pretty cool, huh?  Well, I’m just getting started because today I was lucky enough to get a VIP behind-the-scenes tour, which they are opening to the public on Friday, June 29th.  Tours will be held five times each day at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:o0.  During this tour you and your gang will learn how the team cares for the 5,000 creatures, how they make ocean water in the desert, visit the laboratory, animal care and kitchen areas as well as experience hands-on learning and interactive fun.  I have got to tell you, before today I hadn’t been out to the aquarium but WOW, my son loved it and we will definitely be going back very soon.  Don’t live in the Valley?  Don’t fret, there are Sea Life Aquariums all throughout the United States.  Visit www.sealifeus.com to find an aquarium near you.  Here are a few pictures from our adventure today.

 

 

Filed Under: Family Fun, Fun Finds, Things To Do, Things to do with Kids Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Fun Find Friday!

June 15, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I was out to dinner with friends last night and two of my girlfriends were raving about their newest fun find, their Birchboxes.  What is that you say?  Yes, a Birchbox, it’s a little delectable box that shows up to your door once a month with samples of the newest beauty products; lip glosses, bronzers, perfumes and so much more.  For just $10 a month you get your own personalized, yes personalized – you fill out a little survey, of things that you might enjoy.  The most delectable part is that they are typically very high-end products, so not only are you getting fun mail (always awesome) you are getting something that you might consider a little lavish :)  If you are looking for a little way to treat yourself, this is definitely the way to go!  Also would be a thoughtful gift for a friend, and you look like the best friend ever because you get more than one!  If you are looking for more info or want to sign up you can check it out at www.birchbox.com.  Hope everyone is having a fun Friday – and have a great weekend!

Filed Under: Fun Finds Tagged With: , , ,

Fun Find Friday: Father’s Day

June 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I’m not sure how it happened, but Father’s Day is next Sunday and that means we need to get serious about some amazing gifts.  If your husband is anything like mine, he’s horrible to shop for.  While I love celebrating him and making him feel special I get a tad bit stressed out trying to find the perfect gift for him.  Well, this year I think I have it under control (let’s just hope he doesn’t read this post).  Have you been to Paper Coterie yet?  If not, run, do not walk there now (click here to go to their website).  They have an amazing selection of custom cards, stationary and gifts, and the coilbound “All About My Dad” book has got to be the best Father’s Day gift out there.  It’s similar to the Shutterfly books we’ve all seen before but it has space for your child to truly customize the book for his or her daddy.  Daddy is sure to cherish this book for years to come and you, my friend, just hit a home run in the gift department.

What’s more meaningful than a DIY project? A Do-It-Together project! This unique and creative DIT book is perfect for documenting a child’s special relationship with Dad. Each book can be personalized with 19 photos and your own text. When the book arrives, plan a special activity time together to complete the book by capturing all the important details they love about Dad. It’s the perfect DIT project! Printed on premium, uncoated, 100% recycled fiber paper. Just add crayons!

* Note, we are in no way endorsed by Paper Coterie, we simply love their stuff!

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Fun Find Friday: Gift Wrapping

June 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

This is my second Fun Find Friday dealing with gift wrap, so you probably think I’m obsessed with wrapping gifts, but really that’s not the case.  In fact, I actually don’t truly enjoy wrapping, so I’m always looking for ways to make it more interesting and fun.  My mother-in-law is the “master wrapper” so I have a lot to live up to.  Here is my latest trick: create a pocket from the wrapping paper to tuck the card into.  I can never find a cute way to attach cards to a package and I hate taping them, so this is the perfect little trick and it’s really SO simple.  Here are some pictures to explain the process:

1. Measure wrapping paper and cut to size according to the gift you are wrapping, allowing for a little extra paper on one end. Pinch a 2" portion of paper and fold over.

2. Flatten pinched paper out and crease.

3. Wrap the gift as you usually would, flip the gift over and voila --- a pocket to tuck your card into.

Filed Under: Fun Finds Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Fun Find Friday!

May 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you read our last month’s newsletter you may have seen our awesome craft project brought to us by Jen Hughes, an Art Director with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Scottsdale.  Well today’s Fun Find is brought to you straight from her and she has tested it on over hundreds of kids and it is officially approved!  What is it? Kiwi Crate, monthly projects that enhance creativity and spark curiosity for kids ages 3 – 7 AND the best part is, it’s delivered straight to your door!  If you’re ever at a loss for something for the kids, need something on a rainy day or just want scheduled crafts readily available, you’ve got to sign up for Kiwi Crate today!  Take a look at their website, www.kiwicrate.com to learn more and sign up today!

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Alex’s Lemonade Stand

April 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I was sitting at lunch talking to a friend about her son’s 3rd birthday party.  We were going back and forth on ideas, themes, locations and so much more.  Then I brought up that dreaded question all parents are asked when a child’s birthday is looming, “What can I get your son for his birthday?”  The typical answer is, “Oh, I don’t know.”  Thanks for the help, friend!  Well, much to my surprise she had an answer for me!  She said to donate the money we would normally spend on a gift to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.  Not sure what Alex’s Lemonade Stand is?

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, 4-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since Alex held that first stand, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across the country carrying on her legacy of hope.

 

Your child can too hold an Alex’s Lemonade Stand birthday party.  All you have to do is register your child’s party online and notify your family and friends that in lieu of gifts, donations are being accepted in your child’s name.  Click here to read all about it!  Not only is this a great way of raising money for childhood cancer, it’s a great life lesson for our kiddos.  In my eyes, it’s a win-win.

Filed Under: Fun Finds, health & fitness, Party Planning Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Fun Find Friday – Cooking Tips

April 6, 2012 by 4 Comments

Now that my son is eating more table foods I’m forced to get back into a cooking routine.  Prior to his arrival last year I was quite proud of my skills in the kitchen, I would meal plan (in case you missed the meal plan printable, click here to get it now) and cook most nights.  I fully admit I slacked in that department this since my bundle of joy arrived.  Well, I’m back and I decided today was the perfect day to share some of my favorite cooking secrets.  Now, I fully admit I’m by no means a chef, but I’ve shared these two tips with a few friends and looked at me like I just cured cancer.  It’s not that cool people, I promise, but it will save you some time and some clean-up, which we can all appreciate.  Without further ado, here we go…

1.  Lay a wooden spoon over a pot of boiling water to prevent your pot from boiling over.  Simple and oh so smart.

2.  Rather than keeping a stinky grease jar under the sink (ah hum, mom, I’m talking to you…), soak up excess grease with a piece of bread then throw it in the trash.  I usually use an end of the loaf because who uses that anyway?

I told you they were helpful, now go try it out and let me know what you think.

Filed Under: Fun Finds, What's Cooking? Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Looking for the perfect baby gift?

April 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Citrus Lane has it!  This is one of the most unique yet simplistic ideas for new moms I have see out there yet – and only wish I would have heard of it months ago!  Citrus Lane provides gift boxes to for newborn to three year olds containing innovative, fun, and mom-approved products for you to enjoy!  You can sign up on a monthly basis or purchase a 3,6 or 12 month care package.  All of the items (toys, sippy cups, blankets, the list is long!) are age appropriate for your child and are reviewed by the Citrus Lane advisory board before making their way into your package.

Now, not only is this an amazing gift for others, but this is truly an amazing gift for yourself!  I know there is nothing I love better than finding that perfect product that provides me a solution to a silly “mom problem.”  And here are lots of those solutions arriving at my door, who could ask for anything better?!  Make sure to read all about Citrus Lane at www.citruslane.com, and don’t feel guilty if you just buy all the gift boxes for you, we won’t tell!  :)

Filed Under: Fun Finds, Products Tagged With: , , , ,

Fun Find Friday – April Fool’s Day

March 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In honor of the year’s silliest day, I’ve made a list of April Fool’s jokes that are sure to make your kids laugh.

  • Unscrew the cap on your faucet and place one or more Crayola Color Bath Dropz in before replacing the cap.
  • Serve their breakfast cereal in mixing bowls and eat with serving spoons.
  • Turn your house upside down the night before – picture frames, baskets, toys, small appliances or even furniture are all fun ideas.
  • Tape the handle on the kitchen sink sprayer down.  This is a classic April Fool’s joke that never gets old.
  • Place a glob of Vaseline on the bottom of the door handle so slippery hands can’t open the door.
  • Buy realistic looking bugs or critters and place them inside your child’s sandwich, yogurt or other snacks.
  • Place a few drops of food coloring in your child’s glass of milk.
  • Serve meals backwards for the day starting with dessert in the morning breakfast in the evening.
  • Sprinkle a little bit of salt on your child’s toothbrush the night before.
  • Place glitter or confetti on top of fan blades and watch it scatter when your child turns the fan on.

What are some of your favorite April Fool’s jokes?

Filed Under: Family Fun, Fun Finds, Makes you Laugh Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
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