Aug 2
I figure we’ll try to post a funny video at least every week, so when you need a good . . . clean . . .laugh, you know where to go! Mommas Choice Funniest Videos!
Give us a little time to fill it up, there’s a few there now, with many more coming! Laughing does wonders for the abs!
Jul 28
Ok, I know that most of you already cut your own bangs, but do you know the hairdresser’s secret to making it look 
like you didn’t do it yourself? In less than 2 minutes you’ll be cutting your bangs like a pro and learn a quick way to put your hair in a “Summer Updo” on the run, at the beach, no mirror or comb required – although I think a mirror would be nice, especially for someone like me who can be all thumbs. A handful of bobby pins and this simple technique is one of those great tricks that all busy moms (that want to look good) should know!
Check out some of the other really helpful videos at this mom-friendly site. (take a look at KIDS)
http://www.dailycandy.com/video/71506/Fringe+Benefits
Picture to right is from HaircuttingSecrets.com A MUST go-to for their virtual hairstyle tool. See what you look like BEFORE you cut!
Jul 25
All sorts of new approaches to weddings have been emerging over the last few years, that I thought you’d enjoy watching some of the most famous. This first one is in the top 10 most viewed URLs on the internet!
Then, there’s the much copied “First Dance” wedding video: (I believe this is the one that started the craze), Brian & Katie’s Evolution of Wedding Dance:
Jul 24
Recently, our family has decided to buy only organic foods for our youngest child due to some health issues. If it wasn’t so expensive, I’d love buying all organic food, but we like to eat too much. A family of 7 isn’t cheap to feed as most of you know, so finding the best prices on everything is MY full time job!
A favorite and very convenient snack in our house is dry cereal. It’s fast, portable and not too messy. Cheerios have been a staple in our household for a long time! In our search for a low-salt organic replacement we have definitely tasted our share of twigs and bark. Envirokids looks like the winner. They have an assortment of animal-named counterparts to Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, even one with peanut butter and chocolate (ugh) . The one that we like the most is “Gorilla Munch”, which tastes just like Captain Crunch, but doesn’t leave that greasy coating on the top of your mouth like Capt Crunch does. The kids LOVE it.
So we checked the prices for Gorilla Munch at Publix and Krogers (Walmart didn’t carry it), and the price per 10 oz box was $4.95 and $3.94 respectively. Ouch. I looked it up in our food coop catalog, and it comes out to about $3.75/10 oz box when you buy 12 boxes, not including the extra fees that the coop order charges. (not that much if you order regularly anyway)
Then my mom looked it up on Amazon and found you could get 3/23 oz bags for $19.02 and if bought with the Subscribe & Save Plan, it’s only $16.17. Do the math and it comes out to the equivalent of $2.34/10 oz box. Remember that Amazon doesn’t charge tax, either. Some of you don’t pay tax on food, but in TN, it’s a whopping 9.25%! So buying it from Amazon saves us almost half ! Oooh. . . I love it when we find a deal like that!
There’s also an option on Amazon for Gorilla Munch for 160/1 oz bags that comes out to only a little more than buying it in the big bags. ($2.46/10 oz). If you find yourself filling little baggies of cereal a lot, this could be a great option, but be sure you know your kids like it, 160 bags is a lot of cereal!
How does Amazon’s Subscribe & Save really work?
If you’re like me, I was hesitant to try signing up for scheduled delivery and even ended up getting double shipments the first time I tried it. Now, a regular S & S-er, it’s a really convenient option that saves you an extra 15% on anything that qualifies. Here’s the nitty-gritty on the Subscribe & Save:
First, when you are on the page of the item you want to put on Subscribe & Save, select how often you want it and it will automatically take you to the checkout page. Don’t worry about how often you chose to have it shipped, you can change and even cancel it at any time by going into ‘your account’. They will ask you what address you want it shipped to and how you want to pay for it.
Second, it doesn’t matter if it’s under $25, you get free shipping on ALL Subscribe & Save orders. I like that! If you have other items you are ordering in your cart, your Subscribe & Save item will not show up, but is on it’s way.
Third, if you go through an entire case of your order on Subscribe & Save program and now you’re sick of it (happens), you can cancel the entire thing and the next scheduled order and all future orders (of that item) will be cancelled. If you only want to delay it for a few more months, you can do that too. It’s really a great program with no ‘catches’. My mom uses it all the time, and if I was online more, I would too. Finding someone to share the quantities with makes it even more fun.
Want to know what I like best about getting a good deal? Having it delivered on my front porch!
Envirokidz Gorilla Crunch-3/23 oz bags, $16.17
Envirokidz Gorilla Crunch – 160/1oz bags, $46.39 (don’t think it’s Subscribe & Save eligible, it’s what they call a ‘manager’s special’ and already 50% off). Still no tax, but $0.99 shipping.
For more Amazon deals take a look at the blog, The Good Deal Gal. She lists the best deals on Amazon every month along with lots of other good deals!
Jul 20
We’ve always tried to incorporate a little signing in our homeschool studies, but face it, learning signing from a book isn’t easy. We had tried some of the ASL videos from the library, but they weren’t much better. That is, until we found the Signing Time videos at the library! If you live near us, you won’t find them at the library, because we usually have them checked out. (sorry . . ) Rachael even found a deal on Ebay and bought the entire set, but said many of the deals on Ebay cost more. If you watch Amazon, someone might list one used for a cheaper price, but even most of the used ones on Amazon hold their value. It’s because they are the best videos for learning signing that’s on the market right now. Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.
On SigningTime.com, you can watch short clips to get an idea of what I’m talking about. It’s done by a mom of a daughter that is deaf, and the whole family takes part in the videos. Mom has a great singing voice, and kids love watching other kids do the signs to songs. My son (that has Down Syndrome) amazed his special ed consultant with all the signs he learned in a very short time. It’s just because it’s so fun to do! During school time, all we did was set aside 30 minutes after lunch to watch one of the videos…standing up, of course! It’s active and engaging, your kids will LOVE these videos, I promise.
On their website, they also point out that babies that learn sign language at an early age have higher IQ’s, are better adjusted, and read at an earlier age. I’m not sure how they determine that, but I know that more and more parents are teaching their babies sign lanquage to help bridge the early communication barriers. How many moms would trade a simple ‘thumbs down’ sign to a loud scream when their baby wants down from their high chair?
Jul 18
Here’s a fun site for the busy mom that doesn’t have time for (too much) image upgrading. Moms tend to gear their hair styles, makeup, clothing, and even their diets to whatever is quick, easy and cheap. That doesn’t mean that we don’t like to look good, it’s just sometimes we forget to look in the mirror! Here’s a way you can grab whatever time you might have, even if it’s after everyone’s gone to bed, to give yourself a virtual makeover FREE.
There’s many other great down-to-earth ideas, product reviews and beauty tips on this blog you will love. It’s a great place to give yourself a little “mommy-time”. My guess is that you have earned it.
Go to http://www.dailymakeover.com/makeover/virtualMakeover