Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE Free Kroger Greek Yogurt Pre and Probiotics, variety (5.3oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click any here for more details.

Toddler and Baby Bedtime Books

I love reading to my children. Reading helps develop their language and learning skills. Here are some of our favorite bedtime (or nap time) books to read:



1. The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton: This book is one of my toddler's favorites. A group of animals prepare for bed by brushing teeth, finding pajamas, and taking a bath. We have read this book so much, I can pretty much recite it.




2.  Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown: This book is a classic and shares how a bunny goes to sleep by saying goodnight to the things he sees in his room.



 
3.  Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney: A bunny and his parent share how much they love each other until the little bunny goes to sleep.



4.  How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague: This book goes over how dinosaurs should and shouldn't go to sleep. It's great for kids that struggle with bedtime etiquette.



5.  Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman: The zookeeper says goodnight to the animals, but a little gorilla isn't ready for bed.


 What are some of your favorite bedtime stories for toddlers and babies?

Please note this post contains affiliate links.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE (1) FREE Take 5 standard size bar (1.5 oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Toddler Sorting, Counting and Comparing with Blocks

I try and have learning time with my toddler every day. Sometimes we use my toddler's toys to help him learn. The other day, we sorted his blocks by color. The blocks have two colors per block, so we sorted by the color that was facing up. After sorting the blocks, I asked him which color had the most blocks. When he finished telling me his answer, we lined up that color into a row and counted that color. Then we counted the next color and compared the number of blocks. We continued on until we had counted each set of colors and determined which color had the most blocks and the least. My toddler loved this "game" so much that he wanted to do this the next day and the day after that! What toys have you used to help your toddler learn? To get the same set of blocks that we have click here, Maxim 45mm Wooden ABC Blocks, 40 Pieces.


Please note this post has an affiliate link.

Having a Cleaning Schedule

I love having a clean, organized home. It promotes healthy work habits, living style and a greater overall happiness. Sometimes, it's hard to maintain a clean home especially with young children. I like to have a plan to help me try and stay organized so I created a cleaning schedule. It doesn't take long to do most of the items on the list especially if I do them on a weekly basis. How do you maintain a clean home?

Bean and Popcorn Art with a Toddler

My toddler and I were looking for something fun to do. I found some foam with a sticky back and we decided to place popcorn kernels and black beans on the sticky part to create a piece of work. You can probably use all kinds of other beans or items around your house like buttons, cheerios, and yarn. My toddler had lots of fun and wanted to make another one the next day! This craft kept him busy and helped to develop his creative skills!

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for 1 FREE Moonstruck Chocolate Bar (3 oz.) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

This is a great item to give to your special valentine!

Cleaning with a Toddler

As a mom its easy to be tempted in doing all of the housework chores on your own: it's easier, quicker and less of a hassle. I've noticed my son gravitate towards wanting to do chores and he even likes to pretend to do chores. Instead of discouraging him, I try to encourage him to help. I am hoping that cleaning will encourage good  habits. There are several chores toddlers can help with: dusting, picking up toys, putting clothes in a hamper, wiping up spills and scrubbing the floor. We use equal parts water and vinegar for the floor and he has his own scrub brush. He's not perfect at chores and sometimes makes a mess, but I practice patience and praise him for his effort. We also try to make it fun! What chores does your toddler help with?

Toddler Craft - Valentine's Day Wreath

My toddler and I decided to make a fun Valentine's Day craft. We cut out the middle of a paper plate and glued hearts along the edge to make a fun Valentine's Day wreath. We might make a couple and hang one in each window. My toddler especially liked using a glue stick This craft is easy fun and easy to do!

Reynolds Slow Cook Liner Review

I frequently make slow cooker meals. They are easy to make and prepare without too much effort! The only thing that is a pain about slow cooker meals is scrubbing the slow cooker after each meal. Reynolds eliminates the scrubbing with their Slow Cooker Liners! Slow Cooker liners are easy to use (simply place snugly in slow cooker, pull top of liner over rim, then prepare slow cooker meal) and don't interfere with the cooking of a meal. Slow Cooker Liners make slow cooked meals even easier! 

Here's the meal I made with the slow cooker liner:

2-3 lb of Pork Roast
2 cans of Sauerkraut
1/4 cup of Brown Sugar
1 package of Dry Onion Soup Mix
2 TB of Water

1. Line a 5-to 6-quart slow cooker with a Reynolds® Slow Cooker Liner. Open slow cooker liner and place it inside a slow cooker bowl. Fit liner snugly against the bottom and sides of bowl; pull top of liner over rim of bowl.

2. Add pork roast.

3. Rinse off Sauerkraut. (I usually place it in a strainer then rinse under tap water.)

4. Mix Sauerkraut and remaining ingredients in a bowl and then place on top of Pork Roast in Slow Cooker.

5. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

6. Eat and Enjoy!

7. Cool slow cooker completely; remove empty liner and toss. Do not lift or transport liner with food inside.

Disclaimer: I received my sample from Crowdtap for free for testing and review purposes in exchange of my opinion, which is reflected in this entry.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Panda Express

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Panda Express and get a free "Gold Bar" also known as a Chicken Egg Roll on Monday, February 8, 2016. To get the coupon and find out more, click here. We usually print out one coupon per person in our family.


You can also share a red envelope with friends via Panda Express' website, by clicking here.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE (1) FREE Snickers® Crisper Bar (1.41 oz) or Snickers® Almond Fun Size 6 pk (3.74 oz) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates. Click here for more details.

Things to Do in Boise for February

Are you looking for things to do in Boise for February? Here's a listing of some of the events

happening in Boise (area) for February:

• February 6, 2016 - Wild at Heart from 10 am to 5 pm at Zoo Boise. Wild at Heart includes Valentine's Day themes, face painting, photo-ops, and make a Valentine Day Card for your favorite animal. Enjoy FREE admission. Find out more here. 
• February 6, 2016 - The Piano Guys from 3 and 8 pm at the Morrison Ctr. Tickets range from $39.50 -$169.50. Click here for more details.
• February 10, 2016 - Grape Growing Class from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Boise Public Library 717 S. Capitol Bld. FREE (but needs registration). Click here for more details (search for gardening class). 
• February 11, 2016 - Idaho Theater for Youth's The Shakespearean Stealer at 6:30 pm at the Boise Public Library on 717 S. Capitol Blvd. Boise. Call (208) 972-8200 for more information. FREE event.
• February 13, 2016 - Run 4 Luv (1/2 Marathon, 10k and 5k) at Ann Morrison Park. Click here for more information.
• February 17, 2016 - Organic Gardening from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Boise Public Library 717 S. Capitol Bld. FREE (but needs registration). Click here for more details (search for gardening class). 
• February 18 - Shakespearience's Hamlet at 6:30 pm at the Boise Public Library 717 S. Capitol Bld. FREE. Call (208) 972-8200 for more information. Recommended for grades 7-12.
• February 23-24, 2016 - Fruit Tree Pruning from 6 to 8:30 pm at the Boise Public Library 717 S. Capitol Bld. FREE (but needs registration). Click here for more details (search for gardening class). 
• February 24, 2016 - America and the West During the Orphan Train Era from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Boise Public Library 717 S. Capitol Bld. FREE. Call (208) 972-8200 for more information.

If you are interested in having your event posted (must be family friendly), please contact me.

Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets Non-Stick Parchment Paper Review

Several of my cookie sheets have gotten ruined from not using parchment paper (especially needed

for homemade fruit leather). Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets Non-Stick Parchment Paper makes clean-up for baking easy, more even and easier to clean-up. I highly recommend having parchment paper on-hand. I always forget to get it at the store and it makes baking so much easier. You don't have to worry about scrapping and scrubbing the pan after baking and it helps the baking to be distributed more evenly! To learn more about Reynolds Cookie Baking Sheets, click here.

Disclaimer: I received my sample from Crowdtap for free for testing and review purposes in exchange of my opinion, which is reflected in this entry.

February Giveaways (some are low entry)

Here are some low to moderate entry giveaways that I've found on other blogs. If you win a giveaway that I've posted please let me know either by contacting me via the contact page or leaving a comment.

Orchard Valley Snack Assortment and $50 Visa Gift Card (ends February 1, 2016)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Blu-Ray Combo Pack (ends February 1, 2016)
$25 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends February 1, 2016)
$50 Paypal Cash (ends February 2, 2016)
Boulder Organic Product Coupons (ends February 2, 2016)
Clorox2 Prize Pack (ends February 2, 2016)
Chuck E Cheese Guest Pass (ends February 2, 2016)
Entenmann's Prize Package (ends February 2, 2016)
3 That's It Healthy Snack Bars Cases (ends February 3, 2016) 
Chuck E Cheese Guest Pass (ends February 3, 2016)
1 Week Sunbasket Organic Meals (ends February 3, 2016)
$100 Kohl's Gift Card (ends February 3, 2016)
$25 Arch Card and Coupons (ends February 3, 2016)
$30 Credit Zozu Baby (ends February 3, 2016)
$100 Kohl's Gift Card (ends February 3, 2016)
Chapstick Prize Pack (ends February 4, 2016)
$100 Kohl's Gift Card (ends February 5, 2016)
RHEA Footwear (ends February 5, 2016)
$100 Kohl's Gift Card (ends February 5, 2016) 
Godiva Chocolates (ends February 5, 2016)
2 Hanes Bras (ends February 5, 2016)
$250 Amazon Gift Card (ends February 6, 2016)
$100 Wayfair Gift Card (ends February 6, 2016)
Jack & Lily Toddler Shoes (ends February 6, 2016) 
$100 Credit Nene Shoes (ends February 6, 2016)
Entenmann's Start Rich Prize Pack (ends February 6, 2016)
$10 Paypal Payment (ends February 7, 2016)
$10 Paypal Payment (ends February 7, 2016)
$25 Visa Gift Card (ends February 7, 2016)
Sweet Scarlett's Gift Basket (ends February 7, 2016)
$10 Starbucks Gift Card (ends February 8, 2016) 
Entenmann's Coupons (ends February 8, 2016)
Clorox Prize Pack (ends February 8, 2016)
$25 Arch Gift Card and Chicken Sausage Biscuit Coupons (ends February 8, 2016)
$100 Kohl's Gift Card (ends February 8, 2016)
$50 Minted Credit (ends February 8, 2016)
GrubMarket Fruit Box (ends February 9, 2016)
Naturally Fresh Coupons (ends February 9, 2016)
$25 Target Gift Card (ends February 9, 2016) 
Sunbasket Meal Delivery (ends February 9, 2016)
$15 Paypal Payment (ends February 10, 2016)
$50 Albertson/Safeway Gift Card (ends February 10, 2016) 
GrubMarket Fruit Box (ends February 10, 2016)
Valentine's Day Package (ends February 10, 2016) 
Sunbasket Meal Delivery (ends February 10, 2016)
$75 American Express Gift Card (ends February 10, 2016)
$25 Target Gift Card (ends February 10, 2016) 
Self Care Kit (ends February 11, 2016)
$20 Starbucks Gift Card (ends February 11, 2016)
$75 American Express Gift Card (ends February 11, 2016)
GrubMarket Fruit Box (ends February 11, 2016)
2 Books from the Book Depository (ends February 11, 2016) 
$50 Costco Gift Card (ends February 12, 2016)
$75 American Express Gift Card (ends February 12, 2016)
$50 Costco Gift Card (ends February 12, 2016)
GrubMarket Fruit Box (ends February 12, 2016)
Entenmann's Start Rich Prize Pack (ends February 12, 2016)
$75 American Express Gift Card (ends February 13, 2016)
$10 Amazon Gift Card (ends February 14, 2016)
$10 Amazon Gift Card (ends February 14, 2016)
Signed Seeking Peresphone (ends February 14, 2016) 
Halo Mandarin Orange Prize Pack (ends February 14, 2016)
Book (ends February 14, 2015)
Naturally Fresh Coupons (ends February 14, 2016)
Enjoy Life Prize Pack (ends February 14, 2016)
$50 Amazon Gift Card (ends February 15, 2016)
$25 Kroger Gift Card (ends February 15, 2016)
Chapstick Products (ends February 15, 2016)
Grubmarket Fruit Box (ends February 15, 2016)
Chapstick Prize Pack (ends February 16, 2016)
Krusteaz Breakfast Night Starter Kit (ends February 16, 2016)
Krusteaz Breakfast Night Prize Pack (ends February 16, 2016)
Krusteaz Prize Pack (ends February 16, 2016)
$25 Gift Card to Barnes and Noble and/or Used Books (ends February 16, 2016)
Krusteaz Breakfast Night Kit (ends February 16, 2016)
$50 Shabby Apple Gift Card (ends February 16, 2016)
$75 Zutano Gift Card (ends February 17, 2016)
Little Bites Cinnamon French Toast Prize Package (ends February 17, 2016)
NAOT Shoes (ends February 17, 2016)
$25 Michael Angelo Food Vouchers (ends February 17, 2016)
Chuck E Cheese Prize Pack (ends February 18, 2016) 
Larabar Gift Pack (ends February 19, 2016)
Muslim Swaddle Single Blankets (ends February 20, 2016)
Coupon for Van's (ends February 20, 2016)
Entenmann's Prize Pack (ends February 20, 2016)
Chaptick Prize Pack (ends February 21, 2016)
Shakalee Sample Bag (ends February 21, 2016)
$25 Uncommon Goods Gift Card (ends February 22, 2016)
Learning Kit (ends February 22, 2016)
Nature's Path Granola Prize Pack (ends February 22, 2016)
$25 Gordman's Gift Card (ends February 23, 2016)
Play Teepee (ends February 23, 2016)
Krusteaz Breakfast Pack (ends February 23, 2016)
Organic Girl's Greens Month Supply (ends February 24, 2016) 
TEMPUR-Cloud Soft & Lofty Pillow (ends February 24, 2016)
$100 Whole Foods Gift Card (ends February 25, 2016)
Boulder Organic Soup Coupon (ends February 25, 2016)
Premium Denim Pair (ends February 27, 2016) 
Dreambaby Products (ends February 27, 2016) 
Nature's Path Prize Pack (ends February 27, 2016)
$50 Pink Blush Gift Card (ends February 28, 2016)
Joann's Gift Card (ends February 28, 2016)
Nature's Path Prize Pack (ends February 28, 2016)
$100 Amazon Gift Card (ends February 29, 2016)
BeKOOOL Prize Pack (ends February 29, 2016)
Legend of Easter Robin Book (ends February 29, 2016)