Ten Things My Kids Would Miss If I Got Abducted By Martians!

Here is a unique opportunity brought to me by Social Moms and Mars Needs Moms. What would my children miss most if I were abducted by aliens. Here are some things I think they would miss if mom suddenly disappeared without any explanation.

1. My baking! Who wouldn't? My kids love the fact that I love to bake! So, does my loving husband too. I really don't have a favorite thing I like to bake as it's all yummy. Baking helps me not eat as many sweets!

2. My playing with them! I love building Lego's and playing board games! My favorite board game is Sorry! Sometimes the kids get mad when I sorry them but it's all in fun!

3. Bath time. Seriously who would remind them time for baths? I have 2 different sets of ages in my house. The older kids need reminding as we time space baths because their are so many of us to have hot water. The little ones love for me to bathe them and play with them in the tub.

4. Read books! If I wasn't here they would have no one make the different voices for all the characters in the books. They all love it when I do that.

5. Teach them! They would have no one to teach them how to cook or how to sew. Or how to do their math problems correctly.

6. Of course my cooking! If I wasn't here they wouldn't have no one to cook for them. Or like I said teach them how to cook. They all love my cooking and helping.

7. Movies. They would have no one to snuggle with when watching a movie. I love snuggles.

8. My hugs and kisses. What kid would not miss their mom's hugs and kisses? That's the first thing they get in the morning and the last before they go to bed. Along with all the others I sneak!

9. Someone to tell their problems to. If I wasn't here they wouldn't have anyone to just talk to. Yes, I talk to my kids everyday and sometimes they just need us to listen.

10. Devotions. We have family devotions every morning before school. This is something all the kids look forward to and participate in.

So, what would your kids miss about you?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

About Mars Needs Moms

Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases nine-year-old Milo’s (Seth Green) quest to save his mom (Joan Cusack) from Martians—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). .

Tutorial: How to make a toddler girl apron!

I personally love to sew and have little helpers that love to help in the kitchen. So, since my 21 month old didn't have a apron yet and wanted to be like her big sissy whose 3 I decided to make her one too.

First, you need to cut your pieces. I use my rotary cutter, mat, and ruler to do this.

You need the following:

(2) 6"x7" squares for the top

2" x 10 1/2" rectangle for waist band

2 1/2" x 15 1/2" for neck strap

 (You might want to shorten this as it does make it a little longer in the neck. But I like it this way as I can pin it up and let it out as they grow.)

(2) 2 1/2" x 21" for waist straps

13 1/2" x 23" to 25" bottom

 (depends on how long you want it measure your child) 

This is what your pieces should look like all cut out.

After you get all that done it's time to set to work. Take the neck strap and fold it in half right sides together and sew a 1/4 seam allowance down the long side. No need to sew one end closed as that will be hidden in the top. After you get that done turn the strap right side out.

I then go ahead and do the same for the waist straps but we take one end and sew it at a angle.

It should look like this.

Then turn it right side out. And I press all the straps to get all the wrinkles out and make it look nice and pretty. This is what your waist straps should look like when finished.

Put aside the waist straps for now. Get the neck strap out and pin it inbetween the 2 front pieces right sides together. You will be pinning the straps to the corners of the front pieces. It should be sewn where it is 7" wide and 6" tall.

Sew only the sides and the top part where the straps are going to be using 1/4 seam allowance. Then turn right side out.

Put this piece aside as now we are going to work on the bottom. For the bottom I do a 1/2" hem and fold under 1/4". I do this for the sides and bottom and then I press it. I really hate using pins so I use my iron as much as possible.

After doing that you can go ahead and do a baste stitch at the top of the bottom piece. You can do 2 rows or one to gather the material to fit. I perfer doing 2 rows but to each their own.

Then you are going to take the waist band and fold the sides in 1/4" and press. Then take the waist bands right sides together and put in the bottom piece making sure you work your gathers out evenly. Of course get the pins and pin it as much needed.

After you get the gathers to your liking sew the waist band and bottom togethering using a 1/4 seam allowance.

I then take the waist band and press under on the open part 1/4". Then I take my waist straps and center it on the sides of the waist band. I also center my top piece in the top of  the waist band. I then pin it and sew it all together.

Then you are finished!

My very happy model!

Hope you enjoy! If you have any ?s please feel free to leave a comment!

Curious Chef Review!

Do you have kids or little ones that love to help in the kitchen? I know I do! I love the fact that Curious Chef has made cooking utensils that are child safe and friendly.

We received the 17 piece measure and prep kit to try. I have to say I love it. The measuring spoons and cups are made not like normal measuring cups. They even have a 3/4 cup measuring cup! I haven't seen one of those.

This kit includes large poly spoon, 3-piece prep bowl set & lids, 6-piece measuring cup set, 6-piece measuring spoon set, and kitchen timer.

 

We just made homeade graham crakers! Let me tell you they are yummy!

My little helper pouring in some honey! She really loved using the 17 piece measuring and prep kit from Curious Chef.

 

This is what our graham cracker dough looks like.

Here is where we got the yummy recipe from.

 

This is the finished product.

It's amazing at what little hands can help do. Plus, it's a great way to get them to love cooking or baking so they don't hate it as adults. Since they love to help why not satisfy it with letting them. I know sometimes it can be a headache but it's very good to teach our kids the necessities of life.

 

I also used the graham cracker dough as the crust of my cheesecake. But that will be another post.

 

If you have curious little chef's in your house you really should go check out all the great products that Curious Chef carries!

 

 

*This product was received for the purpose of this review no other momentary compensation was received.*

Shutterfly 8x8 Photobook Giveaway!

I know as a parent it's very important to take pictures of our kids and family as it grows. What better way to see how far they have come then a picture?

I also love making photobooks to me it's scrapbooking. I have made several over the last few years of my little ones from birth to a year. I have made one from when my husband and I met till present.

They also make great gifts for grandparents as well!

Well because I want to share the love I am giving away a gift code for a free 8x8 Photobook to Shutterfly! This code does expire March 17th so if you don't think you will have time to use it don't enter. This will be a short giveaway just for that fact.

Mandatory Entry: You must be a follower of my blog. This entry must be done first or else all other entries are void. Please leave a valid email address or else you forfeit the prize.

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each entry. Make sure you leave the appropriate amount of comments as this is your entry.

1. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway. (2 entries)

PLS RT! Win a 8x8 Photobook to Shutterfly @momof_manyhttp://tinyurl.com/62p93bc ends 2/27 #giveaway

2. Grab my button and leave a link where I can find it. (3 entries)

3. Blog about this giveaway leave a link back to me. (5 entries Make sure you leave a link where I can find it and not to your homepage)

4. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama by email. (3 entries)

5. Vote for us at TopMommyBlogs.com (1 entry per vote per day)

6. Enter one of my other giveaways. (1 entry per giveaway and let me know what giveaway)

7. Leave a relevant comment on a nongiveaway post during the duration of this giveaway. ( 1 entry make sure you tell me where to find it)

8. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama in a reader. (2 entries)

 

This giveaway will end February 27th and a winner will be chosen via random.org

Tons of WINNERS!

Congratulations to the following WINNERS!

The Winner of the BobbleRoos Giveaway is comment #14 Jennifer!

The Winner of the Tropical Traditions Giveaway is comment #35 Tina Deanette Gower!

The Winner of the Due Maternity Giveaway is comment #305 Kimberly!

Congratulations again to those winners and a big Thanks to all who have entered!

Another creative moment!

As a mom I am so busy. I try to make time to get stuff done. So, in the spirit of potty training I decided to pull out my Tinkle Time Trainer pattern and whip one up.

I only made one as I haven't made this pattern yet and wanted to see how it fit my little one. This is a medium trainer with FOE (fold over elastic) and 2 rows of snaps so it can expand.

It fit fine for her a little big in the waist but it will work. I think next time I make one with FOE I will not add the extra inch of elastic in the waist band like it says to. My little one is skinny and petite. Here are more pictures. The outer.

The inner.

I will be making some more this week. As I am sick of taking diapers on and off to go potty. This trainer is great as it unsnaps or pulls up and down. So, if you have a oppps it makes clean up easy.

Then I decided to make something for the new baby. So, I made the Comfy Sleep Set by Fishsticks Designs that is in the new Stitch Magazine. This is a 0-3 month Comfy Sleep Set.

Love this pattern! So easy to put together! Can't wait to put the new edition in it.

Now off to be more creative and get some more sewing done!

Frigidaire Accessories Giveaway!

Are you in the market for some new accessories for your home? If so you should check out Fridgidaire!

They have stuff for your kitchen to your grill. They have lots of stuff to chose from and don't think you have to have a frigidaire to shop their either.

Well now on to the giveaway!

Frigidaire is offering one of my lucky readers a $30 gift code to use!

Mandatory Entry: Go to Frigidaire and tell me something you like.This must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted. Please leave a valid email address in your comment as this is how I will contact you should you win.

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each entry. Make sure you leave the appropriate amount of comments as this is your entry.

1. Become a public follower of my blog. (2 entries)

2. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway. (2 entries This can be done once per day. Leave your status link.)

"PLS RT! Win a $30 gift certificate to Frigidaire @momof_many http://bit.ly/etuBOc ends 3/1 #giveaway"

3. Grab my button and leave a link where I can find it. (3 entries)

4. Blog about this giveaway leave a link back to me and Frigidaire. (5 entries Make sure you leave a link where I can find it and not to your homepage.)

5. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama by email. (3 entries)

6. Vote for us at TopMommyBlogs.com (1 entry per vote per day)

7. Enter one of my other giveaways. (1 entry per giveaway and let me know what giveaway)

8. Leave a relevant comment on a nongiveaway post during the duration of this giveaway. ( 1 entry make sure you tell me where to find it)

9. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama in a reader. (2 entries)

This giveaway will end March 1st at 11:59 pm CST. Winner will be chosen at random via random.org.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to say Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has something nice planned for their love one! I am not quite sure what my hubby has up his sleeve as he is very secretive when it comes to Valentine's Day!

I plan on making something yummy for desert tonight and still debating on what to do for dinner. As I don't know if we are going to get a sitter and go out or just stay at home. Either way is fine with me.

So, what do you have planned for Valentine's Day?



Need Your Help!

Okay I am going crazy trying to find this recipe but I just can't find the blog I got it off of. It's a recipe for homeade vanilla wafers! I know no biggie right? But it is I thought I had wrote out the recipe or printed it and I can't find it no where. My kids loved these as they looked and tasted just like the ones in the box.

So, if you are a blog that has recipes can you please post your link! Or if you are the blog I am talking about please leave your link! Thanks! This recipe was posted near the end of last year. 

Creative Side!

I haven't posted in awhile as I have been busy sewing and using my creativity.

Remember that dress I posted a pic of my 3 yr old in here? Well this is what I did to it.

And then I made this hair clip to go with it.

I also made her this other dress that I am not done dressing up yet but will post more pics after I dress it up.

Then I took a button up shirt and made this dress for my 20 month old.

Now let me share with you some awesome tutorials that I used to make this stuff with. I made the flowers with this tut. I used this tut to make a dress from a button up shirt.

I love finding tutorials that help make things easy and finding new things I want to make. So, if you have any great tutorials that are craft related please share.

Not only that but after all that hard work I made some Oats N Wheat Blueberry Muffins!

You can find that recipe here. I will say they weren't overly sweet like most muffins and when I make them again I am going to add 2/3 cup of honey. I think they could use a tad bit more sweetness but either way they where delicious!

Also, besides those I posted I do test sew patterns from time to time for people and can't post pics of those as I have to wait for the pattern to come out.

If you are creative in anyway please feel free to share some links. I love looking at what other people have done!

Intelligender Prediction Test Review!

A while back I did a review and giveaway for IntelliCeutial and Intelligender. They where nice enough knowing I was trying to concieve at the time to send me a IntelliGender Gender Prediction Test!

Two working moms with seven children between them contemplated; “there must be a better way”. Fascinated about learning the gender of their developing babies as early as possible, they felt there had to be a way of bridging the curiosity gap between conception and Ultrasound. Early in 2005 they began identifying a group of medical and business professionals to help make this idea a reality. They assembled a world class organization ultimately forming IntelliGender® to research the development of an inexpensive, in-home gender prediction test. With an entrepreneurial spirit, they obtained the necessary capital and engaged scientists, chemists and engineers to help realize their dream. In November 2006, they launched the IntelliGender® Gender Prediction Test™, the world’s first, in-home, urine based test for gender prediction in the market. Intelligender quickly grew and is now available in retail outlets throughout the United States and in numerous countries around the world

IntelliGender's Gender Prediction Test™ is a simple urine analysis similar to the pregnancy test you took a few weeks ago. It uses first morning urine and a proprietary mix of chemicals which reacts with a combination of hormones to indicate the gender of your baby. It can be performed as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy (six weeks from the first day of the missed period). It is an easy test to perform and provides quick results in-home so the news can be shared right away.

IntelliGender reminds all pregnant moms that seeing an obstetrician early in the pregnancy is critical for the health of the mother and the baby and should follow the advice of their physician.

You simply collect first morning urine and insert into the test vessel. Swirl rapidly in a circular motion, place the test on a flat white surface undisturbed for minutes.

I took mine this morning and this is what I got!

I am 12 wks and 5 days pregnant today. I sure hope that this result is right. But we shall see come March when I have my next ultrasound to find out the gender. We sure could use another boy in this house!

I will say I had fun taking this test! You can find this at Walgreens and some other retailers.

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this product and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion*

Wordless Wednesday-New Dress!

My lovely 3 yr old has been begging me to make her a new dress. So, she asked her daddy to buy her some fabric for mommy to make her a new dress! As she can see she is overexcited and she went threw the house modeling it for everyone. I am not done with it I am going to add a emblishment to the front and make her a headband or bow to go with it.

Due Maternity Baby Items Review and Giveaway!

Pregnancy is a time of change, but DueMaternity.com believes the one thing that shouldn’t have to change is an expectant mother’s style and fashion sense. Carrying this mission beyond pregnancy, DueMaternity extends its fashion-forward style into infant gear and accessories for the first time in the company’s seven year history, as it unveils a fresh, contemporary site design and an all-new DueMaternity Baby Items section. The carefully selected products in the DueMaternity Baby Items offerings reflect the quality, contemporary fashion and functionality today’s trendsetting moms-to-be have come to expect, while the updated site design reflects the up-to-date, modern attitude of the DueMaternity.com customer.

I recently got to shop for some baby items at Due Maternity for my baby on the way! I have to say I was excited and had a hard time deciding on what I need this go around. So, I decided to get a baby monitor as I really been needing one for quite some time now and some new bottles.

I went with the True Choice Digital Monitor.

It comes with 1 nursery unit and 2 parent units. I love it! I tested it out as soon as I got it. I love the fact that the parent units have a clip on it so you can clip it to your side and they also have a head phone plug so that not everyone has to hear your little one cry. I have to say I was impressed with this monitor as I have had some that weren't great at all. It has a range of 1,000 feet according to the box.

I also got the Breastflow BPA Free Starter set.

I have heard about these bottles for sometime and decided to get some to try for when this new little one gets here. I have had a heard time before finding just the right bottle for my little ones to take as I do breastfeed. But these bottles are suppose to make the baby work just like it is breastfeeding. I got the start kit as they have 2 different size bottles. These will be perfect for when I want a night out with hubby.

I have really enjoyed my shopping experience with Due Maternity and will be shopping with them again soon!

Due Maternity is offering a $50 gift certificate to one lucky reader!

Mandatory Entry: Go to DueMaternity.com and tell me something you would love to have! This must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted. Please leave a valid email address in your comment as this is how I will contact you should you win.

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each entry. Make sure you leave the appropriate amount of comments as this is your entry.

1. Become a public follower of my blog. (2 entries)

2. Follow me and Due Maternity on twitter and tweet this giveaway. (2 entries This can be done once per day. Leave your status link.)

"PLS RT! Win a $50 gift certificate to Due Maternity @momof_many http://bit.ly/hIAXt1 ends 2/16 #giveaway"

3. Become a fan of Due Maternity on Facebook. (2 entries)

4. Grab my button and leave a link where I can find it. (3 entries)

5. Blog about this giveaway leave a link back to me and Due Maternity. (5 entries Make sure you leave a link where I can find it and not to your homepage.)

6. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama by email. (3 entries)

7. Vote for us at TopMommyBlogs.com (1 entry per vote per day)

8. Enter one of my other giveaways. (1 entry per giveaway and let me know what giveaway)

9. Leave a relevant comment on a nongiveaway post during the duration of this giveaway. ( 1 entry make sure you tell me where to find it)

10. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama in a reader. (2 entries)

This giveaway will end February 16th at 11:59 pm CST. Winner will be chosen at random via random.org.

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this product and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion*

Tropical Traditions Organic Whole Rye Grain Review and Giveaway!

I recently recieved some Organic Whole Rye Grain to try from Tropical Traditions. I don't have a grain mill yet it is on my wish list so I took my grain over to my friends house who grinded for me. I have to say I love the taste of rye bread. I love baking and making bread from scratch as it is so much better for you! Of course taste better fresh!

As many have probably heard of Tropical Traditions they are famous for their coconut oil and products. But as you can see they carry more then just that.

Have you ever had I can't remember if it was Longhorn or Outback Steakhouse rye bread? I have and it's delicious so I went on a search to find a recipe. This is the recipe I found:

3 packets dry yeast

1 1/2 c warm water- divided

1 Tbls. sugar

1/2 c dark molasses

1 Tbls. salt

2 Tbls. vegetable oil

2 c rye flour

2 1/2- 3 c all-purpose flour

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water; stir in sugar; let stand 6 minutes or until bubbly.

Combine dissolved yeast, 1 cup warm water, molasses, salt, oil, and rye flour in a large bowl; beat until smooth.

Work in all-purpose flour until dough is smooth, pliable, and elastic, not sticky.

Knead dough for 4 minutes.

Place dough in a large bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

Punch dough down.

Divide and shape dough into 2 large round loaves and place on greased and cornmeal dusted cookie sheet. ( I didn't do this I just put in my bread pans worked better to me)

Cover dough with a damp cloth and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size.

Bake loaves in a 375 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until crust makes hollow sound when tapped on.

Serve with whipped butter.

Bread can be frozen for later use.

It was delicious and a success. I made 4 loaves. I did one with honey instead of molasses as it has a slight bitter flavor. But the kids loved both and so did I.

Tropical Traditions is offering one of my lucky readers their very own 5 lb bag of Organic Whole Rye Grain! 

Mandatory Entry: Go to Tropical Traditions and tell me another product you would like to try. This must be completed before you can qualify for additional entries. All extra entries who don’t do the mandatory entry will be deleted. Please leave a valid email address in your comment as this is how I will contact you should you win.

Extra Entries: Leave a separate comment for each entry. Make sure you leave the appropriate amount of comments as this is your entry.

1. Become a public follower of my blog. (2 entries)

2. Follow me and Tropical Traditions on twitter and tweet this giveaway. (2 entries This can be done once per day.)

"PLS RT! Win a 5 lb bag of Organic Whole Rye Grain from Tropical Traditions @momof_many http://bit.ly/fr7QiT ends 2/15 #giveaway"

3. Subscribe to Tropical Traditions newsletter. (3 entries)

4. Like Tropical Traditions on facebook. (2 entries)

5. Grab my button and leave a link where I can find it. (3 entries)

6. Blog about this giveaway leave a link back to me and Tropical Traditions. (5 entries Make sure you leave a link where I can find it and not to your homepage.)

7. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama by email. (3 entries)

8. Vote for us at TopMommyBlogs.com (1 entry per vote per day)

9. Enter one of my other giveaways. (1 entry per giveaway and let me know what giveaway)

10. Leave a relevant comment on a nongiveaway post during the duration of this giveaway. ( 1 entry make sure you tell me where to find it)

11. Subscribe to Adventures of the Domesticated Mama in a reader. (2 entries)

12. Add my giveaway to a giveaway list and tell me where to find it.(2 entries)

This giveaway will end February 15th at 11:59 pm CST. Winner will be chosen at random via random.org.

Disclamer:Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.