The Donated Room – Vinyl Wall Decals

I love vinyl wall decals because they mean less painting time for me. The thing is, the really work! They look great on a kids wall and when you pull them off they don’t leave any sticky residue or mess up the paint. Check out these great ones we used in the donated room from Studio jk Vinyl.

I CANT GET THE VIDEO TO WORK HERE IS THE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtLlnVMWWw8

DIY Ways to make learning to write fun

As my preschoolers have learned their letters were are now working on helping them learn to write them.  We are no where near the “writing our own names” stage, but here are some ways that we are learning to trace letters and shapes.  Hopefully, developing the fine motor skills they will use in penmanship for the future.  Here are three of our favorite – make-it-yourself – resources.  I bet these can be adapted for both older and younger learners.

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First we have sticky sticks. We made these at home one afternoon, they are great for molding and for tracing letters.  You can also use them for “dot-to-dot” activities. I drew the letters out first for my daughter, but for a more advanced writer, you can leave the dots and have your child “guess” the letter they are tracing as they use the sticky sticks to go from dot-to-dot and form the letters….

We have also created a mini-whiteboard out of an old CD case.   Our kids are still at the early stage of writing, so I need to write the letter first (usually in one color of dry erase marker) and then our kids will trace the letter I wrote in another marker.

If your child is already able to write letters, you can play a guessing game where you write the letter and try to guess what the letter is before you are finished writing it – you can also do the same “game” with words.

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This last learning resource is my son’s favorite!  He especially loves the way that the gel “squishes”. They are super easy to make with things you should already have at home (ziplock baggie, hair gel & food coloring). Basically, I filled a bag with gel, added the food coloring, used packing tape to seal the top and let the kids have fun!

We traced letters, maps, pictures, and even just “squished” the bag with our hands. Be careful, the bags can burst with enough force.

DFW Family Expo

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, family-friendly excursion in Dallas this Saturday, March 13^th, head down to Centennial Hall at Fair Park for the inaugural DFW Family Expo, put on by Metroplex Baby and Kids (MBK), and benefitting Children’s Medical Center.

It promises to have something for family members of all ages and stages, including on-site baby gear demonstrations for new and expecting parents and a toddler zone with bouncehouses and face painting.  Even mom and dad can take part in the fun by stopping by the Tony & Guy booth in the Home & Family Services section for mini touchups and TIGI product samples.

“There really is something for everyone! With specially designed sections, exhibitors and providers are able to cater to the consumer’s needs… Those looking for deals can head over to the Market Place and Resale Zone to shop for clothes and more, at prices 40%-60% off retail. There is so much more with amazing giveaways, children’s concerts and even trackless train rides,” says Barbara Arnondin, Co-founder of MBK.

Tickets to the Expo are $3 for adults and $2 for children 2 and over. All the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Children’s Medical Center. On-site parking is $10, but attendees are encouraged to take DART (a Green Living sponsor and official transportation provider) for easy and inexpensive access to the Expo. You may also find free parking nearby at the Women’s Museum.

Some of the other sponsors include all three major baby retailers- Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and Lone Star Baby & Kids. Industry leaders like Britax, Maclaren and Born Free will also be on-site to demonstrate their products and answer questions. This is only a fraction of the companies represented at the Expo.

For a complete list, more details, and to purchase tickets online, check out www.DFWFamilyExpo.com.

Jill is the DFW mom of a son.  She was once a self-proclaimed priss who traded in pointy toed high heels, daily trip to Starbucks between business meetings, and aspirations to be the next Katie Couric for life as a mommy.  She blogs at Baby Rabies.

I shopped the consignment sales and survived!

Watches were repeatedly checked to see if the appropriate time had arrived. Eyes shifted about cautiously, assessing the competition. Legs and arms were stretched, ensuring that muscles were warm and limber.

Surveying this group of women (and one lone man) that had convened in the halls of the Plano Centre, one might think these mamas were getting ready to begin a 5k race or compete in a great physical feat of motherhood. No one would suspect these women were preparing to do some serious shopping.

I am not speaking about a dash of frantic women searching for ridiculously cheap wedding gowns or barging through the doors of a newly opened Nordstrom Rack.

No, my friends. These women were on the prowl for children’s clothes.

Recently I found myself in the middle of these moms, stroller in hand, running shoes laced up and credit card searing a hole through my wallet in hope of being used. I was waiting for the doors of the Plano Centre to be opened and to join the masses as I shopped the  Divine Consign sale. Once 4:30pm (my allotted shopping time) finally arrived, I attempted to nonchalantly speed walk to the girl’s 2T section to scour the racks for smocked dresses marked at deeply discounted prices. I secured a spot in the 2T’s and began quickly examining the clothes on the rack, pleasantly surprised by the amount of Gymboree, Baby Gap and boutique labeled clothing I came across. My stroller filled quickly as I acquired a nice little wardrobe for my child, including a few smocked dresses and a precious pair of  overalls with attached tutu.

After some time spent in the girls section, I wandered over to the boys section and gathered some great things for the little man in my life. Although polo shirts and jeans do not hold the same excitement level as frilly dresses, I was again thrilled when I found several pairs of NWT (“New with tags” to those of you who shy away from browsing eBay in the middle of the night for a shopping fix while the rest of the house sleeps) Gap jeans which will be perfect for preschool. Not a tear will have to be shed or a stain stick used in vain when said jeans return home from school covered in paint drops or bearing a worn knee. Boys are rough on their clothes and I breathe a bit easier knowing my son is most likely mucking-up a pair of $5 jeans as opposed to a $30 pair as he enjoys his days at school.

Next season’s wardrobes secured for both children, I headed off to the toy section. I selected a few things for each child (Diego action figure for the boy, Snow White costume for the girl) and stocked up on some things for upcoming birthdays. Next stop was the book and movie section, where I came away with some great titles for just a few dollars. By this point the stroller was becoming heavy and my shopping time was winding down. I bypassed the section of outdoor toys, feeling a tug at my heart as I passed over the adorable children’s easel that was marked at a reasonable price. I managed to resist the urge to purchase it, knowing that our home is currently not in need of such big items. After congratulating myself on demonstrating such willpower, I scooped up a pair of new red Mary Janes for my daughter and a few booster seats for a friend, then  found my way to a check-out station and paid for the goods.

As I loaded all my finds into the car, my muscles felt like perhaps they had participated in a 5k as opposed to a shopping extravaganza. However, I pulled out of that parking lot smiling because I knew the physical exertion was worth the money I had saved by taking the consignment route as opposed to purchasing such items in retail stores.

Besides, retail stores often frown upon moms who speedwalk (nonchalantly, of course) to the 2T section.

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Afraid that you have already missed out on the deals of Divine Consign? No worries. Divine Consign Plano is this weekend, March 7-9. Details, directions and information are all available on Divine Consign’s website.

Tips for your Taxes

It’s a bright sunny day, the birds are singing, all is well! You go to your mail box, and what do you see there – the dreaded tax forms for the year!

The harsh reality of this “college term paper of the real world” can be softened with these tips:

Create a master file for all tax related papers
Even before your 1099 papers arrive, start a master file using an expanding red folder and manila files. Label the files with the important tax categories –W-2 information, interest and dividend income, capital gains and losses, charitable donations, medical and dental expenses, deductible business expenses, and miscellaneous deductions (educational expenses, safe deposit boxes, financial planning). Even before your papers arrive, this file will be their “home” and papers will not get lost! And to prepare for the current year, begin a master file for incoming documents for the current year, so you will not have to search for them at this time next year.

Set aside time on your calendar to collect tax related information
Around January 15, mark your calendar for a 2 hour tax session with yourself! Go through your checkbook and files to find important items to copy for accounting purposes. If you already use an accountant, usually a tax preparation document will arrive for you to base your information. Three weeks later in February, again mark a 2 hour tax session to wrap up those loose ends and file your documents in your master file. If necessary, two weeks after this set up one more session for yourself to complete your work. You are then prepared to begin your actual preparation or send your information to your accountant.

Use technology as your assistant
Financial software can rescue you from your tax nightmare! Beginning this year, load Quicken on your computer! Enter your checking information using the pre-set categories, and Quicken has tax information categories set. So as you pay your monthly bills, you are also categorizing items for your taxes. Simply go back to the program and create your tax information with a click of the mouse!

File electronically
Nothing is more of a nightmare than to have finished your tax work, and then to stand in the long line at the post office! File electronically with the IRS, and upon receipt, you will receive confirmation!

And finally, don’t delay and put off your work! The earlier you file, the earlier you receive that wonderful refund check! If you owe taxes, you will feel better if you complete your tax work, and know the amount due.

Source: http://www.professional-organizer.com/tips_tax.html

These tips brought you by SoccerMom Accounting Referral Service.  We have a network of very knowledgeable tax preparation CPA stay-at-home moms that are ready to help you with any tax or accounting needs.  Visit us at www.soccermomcpa.com or call 214-769-4515 today.

The Donated Room – Bow Holder

I’ve seen cute bow holders before. But I’ve pretty much never seen anything as adorable as the bow holders from Add a Lil Charm (A local etsy store out of Southlake, by the way) is pretty much the cutest I’ve ever seen.

It looks so cute with bows on it!

Yeah, it’s really that cute.

Thanks for the donation Add A Lil Charm!

The Donated Room – Peace Sign Stool

No room is complete without a little peace, right? Well, this stool donated by Ali Katz Design pretty much ended up making the donated room of awesomeness about nine times more awesome.

Ali Katz Design has some of the cutest hand painted wood stuff I’ve ever seen, and it’s high quality, too. I love that she takes the time to seal her work and even add some funky fiber.

Look at these adorable hooks. I think I will have to get one in blue just to… you know… complete the room.

Water on Wheels Tour & $400 GIVEAWAY – Enter here

The Water on Wheels Tour is making stops across the DFW Metroplex to spread the word about PUR and the global need for clean drinking water.

We want YOU to get involved!

We want YOU to win a $400 gift card to Lowes!

 

The Water on Wheels tour truck is full of fun and educational activities:

• PUR Water Bar
• Rock-Climbing Wall
• photos and gear from the Summit on the Summit climb
• PUR Water Taste Test challenge

We want YOU to visit and let us know what you think.

Here is the Water on Wheels tour truck North Texas schedule - they will be in the store parking lot from 10:30 to 4:30 on each date:

THESE are the UPDATED dates and locations:

Feb. 19 – Friday:  Lowes @ 4134 Ridgemont Drive, Abilene

Feb. 20 – Saturday:  Lowes – 4444 N Galloway Avenue, Mesquite

Feb. 21 – Sunday:  Lowes – 5720 South Broadway, Tyler

Feb. 24 – Wednesday:  AAFES – Exchange Main Store, 1765 B Military Parkway, NAS JRB Fort Worth

Feb. 26 – Friday: Lowes – 11920 Inwood Rd, Dallas

Feb. 27 – Saturday:  Lowes – 4305 Bryant Irvin Rd, Fort Worth

Feb. 28 – Sunday: Lowes – 2949 N George Bush Freeway, Garland

We are giving away a $400 Lowes gift certificate courtesy of PUR AND 10 PUR water filtration pitchers.

We are giving away a $400 Lowes gift certificate courtesy of PUR AND 10 PUR water filtration pit.chers.

did I mention We are giving away a $400 Lowes gift certificate courtesy of PUR AND 10 PUR water filtration pitchers?

Here is how you enter:

1. ONE entry for a comment left below on what you learned about PUR.
2. ONE entry for a tweet about any of the above events (please use the hashtag #PUR) and leave a comment below about the tweet (you may do this daily through the 28th).
3. TEN entries for a photo you took AT ONE OF THE WATER ON WHEELS events, please email the photo to Holly@BurbMom.net*.
4. TEN additional entries if you write about your experience at one of the WATER ON WHEELS events – either on your blog and leave the link in the comments below – or by sending your write up to Holly@BurbMom.net*.

*Please only send photos and write-ups that we have permission to use on Burb Mom.

We will choose a winner randomly from all entries on March 5, 2010.

Good LUCK!

The Donated Room – The Mobile

What room is complete without a super cool mobile?

As it turns out… pictures aren’t really the best way to showcase a mobile.

I have to say that a mobile pretty much makes a room. You can get yours here from The Wonderland Studio. They have some really great mobiles in all sorts of crazy colors!

If you end up purchasing one, I’d love to hear how you like it!

Melt My Heart

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