Moon Dough

Want dough that never dries out and is hypo-allergenic and wheat free? Then Moon Dough is perfect for your 2-4yr old. Moon Dough is an amazing new molding compound unlike anything you've seen before! I was surprised that it was very soft in texture and very easy to clean up. I have had the other molding compounds that were super hard to clean up. Most of the time we would have to vacuum it up and lose it all forever in order to get it off the floor. 

There are a number of fun Moon Dough play sets to choose from, including: The barnyard, Pizza Shop, Magic Molding Doghouse and the Burger Shop. We have the barnyard which my boys love. I think the part they love the best is seeing what animal comes out of the chute next. . This play set was so easy to put together. My oldest put it together himself. 

 

The dough is perfect for kids like my son who have sensory issues. There are certain textures my son won't touch . When he was encouraged to try he found the texture so soothing that he dove right in playing along side his brother. Moon Dough comes in eight exciting colors: Blue, Green, White, Orange, Purple, Red, Pink and Yellow. I think our next packed of Moon Dough will be Purple. Since it's my boys favorite color. 

Moon Dough Play sets are available at Toys "r" US, Target, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon.com, A.C. Moore, Michaels and eToys. These play sets are really quite reasonable and come with a few colors of Moon Dough in each box. 

Back to School

Yesterday was a milestone for LM. 

My miracle baby.

The one who struggled for life 5 years ago.

That was fed by a feeding tube for almost 2 years.

That sweet little inquisitive boy started Kindergarten!

Because of his Autism, I thought for sure his first day would be a struggle for him. 

He surprised me by being brave and sitting in his seat. 

His teachers say he didn't talk much (little do they know) but he was happy. 

He talked to me after school all bout what he had for lunch, that he colored not one picture but two!!!

And how he got to play on the playground. 

I love that he 's so excited about school this year. 

Last year was a struggle.

He's been in the public school system since the age of three but last year was a doozie.

It's looking like this is the year he will shine. 

Concepts grasped, coping with others will be easier, and wanting to be at school a priority. 

At least that's what I'm praying for.

How was your child's first day at school?

The Great Avocado

I detested avocados until I was about 15. Why I didn't like them is beyond me since I had never tasted them. I guess it was the fact that they were green and slimy on the inside. It wasn't until my grandmother encouraged me to try some while visiting her one holiday season in California. I was hooked. Now I eat them in my sandwiches, salads, with chips, and even pasta!  I even snuck avocados in LM's meals to help him gain weigh when he was younger and not gaining weight like we would like. He says he doesn't like them. Little does he know! But my favorite dish is a summer favorite. Tomato, Basil Salad with a vinaigrette dressing.  And those tomatoes have to be homegrown Not the store bought ones. 

Vinaigrette dressing

• 3 Tbs olive oil 
• 4 tsp wine vinegar or cider vinegar (4 teaspoons) or lemon juice 
• 1/4 tsp sugar 
• 1/4 tsp whole grain Dijon mustard or French mustard 
• 
  
  • salt
• pepper

Salad

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 6oz. mozzarella cheese (thinly sliced)
• 4-5 large leaves of fresh basil (chopped) 
• parsley (to garnish)

Not only do Avocados taste great they do contain healthy fats! According to the USDA-ARS, phytonutrients such as those found in Avocados may be beneficial to your health in a number of ways. 

                                                      • Serve as antioxidants
                                                      • Enhance your immune response
                                                      • Help metabolize vitamin A

The Avocado League has a contest going on called the "Big Hit". Please visit the site and vote for your favorite recipe!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Mexican Hass Avocado Importers Association. Mom Central also sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Open for Business!!

This has been in the works for several years. But with three kids it's hard to actually get things done. So I bit the bullet and did it. Marie & Rose offers craft supplies and handmade party favor boxes/bags, and gift tags.

At the moment I carry Marie - Madeline Studio sewing patterns. Not only are they easy to understand and the pictures  clear and full of detail, the end result is a beautiful item that classy, stylish and will be treasured for a long time!

Tessa Bloomers & Bag Pattern

Pleated Cottage Apron

In addition to these gorgeous patterns, I have in my shop Mini Tins (1/2 oz). These little cuties are perfect to package handmade glass tile pendants,  storing buttons, or use them for your next party and fill them with small mints or other candies. They are blank and perfect for decorating!

Mini Tins

I just received a shipment of ribbons and trim and a 2oz. size of the tins today. Those will be added this afternoon. In the next few weeks I will be adding more items so keep visiting Marie & Rose for your crafting and party supplies!

Beat the Heat with Gatorade

As a young girl the heat didn't bother me. But then again I didn't play sports. At least the outdoor ones anyways. But now I'm grown up . .

sort of

and I have a teenage daughter has a sensitivity to heat. She tends to get sick, shaky, and on occasion pass out. I always thought we were doing well to make sure she had water with her all the time. But somehow she always ended up sick.

Moms play a key role in keeping their athletes safe, and we need to understand that young athletes may be at greater risk for heat-related illness and know the ways to prevent it.

Water isn’t enough. While fundamental, water alone does not hydrate and refuel as effectively as Gatorade.Gatorade supplies the proper amount of fluid, electrolytes and carbohydrates to rapidly put back what your young athlete loses in sweat and provides energy to keep them going.

In drinking water, the brain may turn off the perception of thirst before the body’s overall fluid needs are met and stops the athlete from fully rehydrating.  The electrolytes in Gatorade help maintain the stimulus to drink so athletes drink enough to replenish and refuel .

Equipment makes a difference - wear light net-type jerseys, T-shirts and shorts, change sweat-soaked clothing, avoid wearing excess clothing, remove helmets when not playing and remember to stay hydrated.

You can help- download a free Gatorade Heat Safety Kit found at www.nfl.com/trainingcamp. For every unique download Gatorade will donate $1 to “Beat the Heat” charities up to $20,000.

Since I started giving my daughter Gatorade instead of water she has had no ill  effects from the heat and  hiking, horseback riding, volleyball, and riding bikes continues to be her favorite activities. 

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Gatorade’s “Beat the Heat” campaign and received Gatorade samples to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Mod Podge Rocks!!!

I have become addicted to all things Mod Podge.  

Seriously

I have so many projects in my head using my favorite stuff. It could quiet possibly take the rest of the year to finish them all.

There are so many possibilities when it comes to Mod Podge.

Not to mention peeling the glue off your hands when your done.

Come on!!!

You know you like it too.

So, this is what I have been working on.

This Framed Magnetic Board is perfect for a small space. And the Magnets are just Kanzashi Flowers. Cute huh?

What are you making this week?