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Posts tagged ‘mommyblog’

UltimateMama knows that sidewalks (city mamas) and malls (suburban mamas) can be challenging with strollers.  When you need to move ahead and a polite “excuse me” doesn’t work for the person ahead of you, try some restaurant lingo by saying “behind”. 

At a restaurant, “behind” is a command often used by food servers or waiters who are trying to prevent dropping their dishes while moving past another employee near the kitchen area.  When strolling her children, UltimateMama often uses the short, quick, kind command of “behind” when “excuse me” fails to get the job done!  Try it today!

UltimateMama wants you to know that Charlotte, N.C.-based Family Dollar Stores Inc. announced a voluntary recall of 1.8 million toy dart gun sets because of an aspiration hazard after two children died.

Plainfield, N.J.-based Henry Gordy International Inc., which imports the toy dart gun sets, refused to recall the toy sets. 

For more information check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website.

UltimateMama believes that the Gymboree rewards card is a no-brainer for those with children.  It is free and offers members special benefits, including:

– access to savings and promotions

– email alerts with discounts (online and in-store)

– $5 certificate for ever 250 points accumulated

– And more!

This weekend, those Gymboree Rewards cardholders get to take an extra 30% off any purchase with the special “Circle of Friends” event.

UltimateMama scored her daughter a leopard pink jumper (100% cotton) today for $3.49 (originally over $30). Now, that is what I call SAVING MONEY!

Rewards
Go online or to a store and sign up today!

 Chef UltimateMama has a fun, quick, and easy trail mix recipe for you to give your kids.  Whether you are feeding your child in the park, at home after-school, or packing a camp snack, UltimateMama’s easy trail mix is guaranteed to be a winner.  Toddlers, school-aged children, and adults will love this nutritious and yummy snack.

Easy Trail Mix

1 (16 oz). package dried apple 
1 (16 oz.) package pretzels
1 (16 oz.) package banana chips
1 (16 oz.) package dried pineapple or mango
1 (10 oz.) package raisins or dried cranberries

Mix all the ingredients together and store in a container with a lid or zipped bag. 

UltimateMama loves New York.  UltimateMama loves Tribeca.  UltimateMama loves movies of all varieties.  UltimateMama loves introducing her kids to everything she loves.  Put it all together and you have this DO NOT miss event of the year:  Tribeca Film Festival’s Family Festival Street Fair

Grab your partner, your kids, a backpack (of diapers/wipes/sippy cups/snacks/etc.) and head to Tribeca on Saturday, May 1st from 10 AM until 6 PM!  Meet local merchants, enjoy street performances, engage in arts and crafts, and enjoy some possible celebrity sightings!

UltimateMama loves to multitask. Every chance she can get she tries to accomplish a task while teaching her children in the process. 

This weekend her oldest daughter wanted raspberries – red, not golden.  Three year olds are very specific as most of you know!  Anyhow, UltimateMama and her daughter visited their local grocer and discovered that raspberries were $6.99 for a small container, way too expensive to purchase.  The good news was that strawberries were only $1.89 for a large container.  However, UltimateMama’s daughter did not see it as such and so began our quest for inexpensive red raspberries. 

UltimateMama took this opportunity to teach her daughter in a fun and sneaky manner the following:

– Seasonality of fruits

– Price differences between stores

– Budgeting money

After visiting three stores, UltimateMama helped her child with counting, weight calculations, and comparison shopping.

UltimateMama has received some questions lately from active readers wanting to know where they can find BPA-free cups, bowls, plates, and other tableware. 

UltimateMama wants you to try Preserve products which are made from recycled materials and are BPA-free and melamine free!

Treat your family to a safe, functional, attractive tablescape!

Cups

http://www.preserveproducts.com/

UltimateMama wants all of you to read the recently released Nursery Product Recall study by Kids In Danger, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on children’s safety.   

You will find a buffet of information on 2009 children’s product recalls.

Do it for your child!

UltimateMama and her family enjoy staying in condos when on vacation. She always makes grocery lists in advance so that she can swing by the grocery store and stock up on necessities for her family before checking into her condo. That way, all she needs to do is supplement here and there as the week progresses.  Also, there is no temptation to buy unnecessary items. 

By creating the grocery list a few days before she leaves for her trip she can also discuss the items on the list with her children who like to offer their input. This is a great way to involve the whole family in the process of meal-planning as well as get them excited for their upcoming vacation.

Below is a sample Grocery List for UltimateMama’s upcoming trip to Florida:

– Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries
– Bananas
– Apples
– Kiwi
– Oranges
– Lemon
– Cucumber
– Broccoli
– Garlic
– Carrots
 
– Pancake mix
– Syrup
– Cheerios
– Barbara’s Puffins cereal
– Fruit spread
– Peanut butter
 
– Ham
– Ground chuck, veal, pork (1 pound each)
– Salmon (1.25 lb)
 
– Apple sauce
– 2 cans of crushed tomatoes
– 1 can tomato paste
– Tomato sauce
– Olive oil
– Pam spray
 
– Thinly sliced whole wheat bread
– Rice cakes
– Pizza crust
 
– 2 dozen eggs
– Turkey bacon
– Cottage cheese with pineapple
– Mild Cheddar cheese
– String Cheese
– Mozzarella cheese
– 1 gallon Skim Milk
– 4 half-gallons of organic milk (or 2 gallons)
– Stoneyfield Farm Yogurt (big vanilla and small travel packs)
 
– Raisins
– Bottled water
 
– Size 4 diapers (Pampers)
– Size 5 diapers (Huggies overnights)
– Kandoo wipes
– Pampers sensitive wipes
– Desitin
– Sunscreen

UltimateMama enjoys helping with group class projects that are auctioned off to raise money for the school.

UltimateMama has a few creative group project ideas for your tots:

– Photo Puzzle – Take a class photo and convert it to a puzzle through any photo service.  Some photo services allow you to make “chunky” puzzles which may be easier for your toddler’s hands.  Also, you may be able to customize the puzzle by superimposing the school logo over the puzzle.

– Caricatures – If one of the parents in your class happens to be a caricature artist you may be in luck to do such a project!  The parent can do individual caricatures of the children and then the project can be framed and hung.

– Painted Toy Chest – Purchase a bare wood toy chest at a bare furniture store.  Paint the toy chest a cream color or something neutral. Have the teacher or parent helper paint each child’s hand or foot a primary or fun color (red, blue, yellow, etc.) and have the kids put their HAND or FEET
prints on the toy chest.  Use a permanent pen or paint pen and write each student’s names under their prints.

– Platter – Purchase a plain white ceramic platter (or serving dish or plate) and have the kids decorate it with paint and put their names underneath their little “paint marks”.  Many “paint your own pottery or plastercraft” stores will be able to help you out – and you may get a discount if you mention it is for a school fundraiser!

Photo calendar of the class.  Use an online photo center such as Shutterfly or Kodak and create a photo calendar of the school year.  Have all parents send in their favorite school-related pictures from the year!