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How to Transition Your Child from Crib to Toddler Bed

Transitioning your child from a crib to her big-girl toddler bed can be a bittersweet time. Between the excitement of reaching new milestones and the hint of sadness that comes with watching her grow up and get one step closer to independence, actually figuring out when she’s ready to make the big switch can be a bit confusing.

Work on Your Child’s Timeline

If your child has physically outgrown her crib, then it’s probably time to start transitioning to a toddler bed. Before then, there’s no hard and fast rule dictating when you have to move her out of the crib, although most children are ready to be moved by the time they reach 37 inches. If your eighteen-month-old is ready to move and eager about the prospect of a big-girl bed, or if she’s pushing three and still seems reluctant, you can and probably should work on her schedule. If you’re worried that an active little one is showing signs of attempting to climb or even jump out of her crib, then you should take that into account for safety reasons. You should also take into consideration, however, that toddler beds are designed to allow her to get in and out independently. She will be able to crawl out of her new bed when you’re fast asleep, meaning she could potentially get into a dangerous situation. If sleeping through the night is still an iffy proposition, lowering the crib mattress as much as possible will make it harder for her to climb over the sides. It is worth noting that some children can become even more attached to their cribs the longer they sleep there. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks of the switch and paying close attention to your child’s reactions can help you determine when you’re both ready to move her out of the crib.

New Additions

One common reason for parents to begin a transition from the crib to a toddler bed is to prepare for the impending arrival of a new baby. If this is the case in your situation, you’ll want to shoot for having your child totally accustomed to sleeping in her new bed at least six to eight weeks before your due date. If she’s still attached to the crib and considers it “hers,” her perception after the baby’s arrival may be that the new sibling is taking over a place that still belongs to her. One solution to easing the transition when there’s a new baby involved is to keep your newborn in a bassinet in your room for the first few months, that way your older child has more time to get used to the idea and you’re better able to tend to a new baby’s needs in the middle of the night.

Generating Excitement

As with so many milestones in childhood, the key to success often lies in your ability to create a sense of excitement and anticipation surrounding the big event. Letting your child pick out her own bedding and accompany you to purchase her new bed are both great ways of helping her feel more excited and like she has a role in the transition, rather than like she’s simply having a change forced upon her.

Establishing a Routine

Making sure that you begin your child’s transition when she’s not facing any other major lifestyle changes is another way you can help ease the process a bit. Establishing a bedtime routine is a key part of helping things run smoothly. Picking out pajamas, brushing her teeth and reading a bedtime story every night before bed, for instance, can help your child understand that the bedtime ritual is part of going to sleep each night.

Patience is a Virtue

For some children, the transition to a toddler bed is quick and painless. For others, it can be a bit more difficult to manage. If your child falls into the latter camp, the best thing you can do is simply be patient with her and continue providing her reassurance until she becomes accustomed to her new bed and no longer feels anxious about making the change. More often than not, younger siblings have an easier time moving to a big-kid bed because they’re anxious to emulate the older siblings that they look up to. As a result, the most difficult transition will probably be with your first child. Just keep in mind that, like adults, some kids respond better to change than others, and do your best to make her feel as secure as possible along the way.

Winter Olympics: Easy-to-Make Korean Dishes to Make for The Family

If You Cannot Physically Be At the Winter Olympics in South Korea, You Can Still Enjoy and Prepare Korean Dishes With the Kids and For Your Family

We are well into the first full week of the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. While watching the athletes compete, I cannot help but think about my recent discovery and love for Korean food and how I now enjoy preparing Korean dishes at home.

I searched and found The Spruce has curated 10 easy-to-make Korean recipes you can make for the family and/or with the kids! Here are the four I think I will try:

Korean Rolled Egg Omelette (Gaeran Mari)

You only need 10 minutes to make this beautiful dish. You could enjoy a Korean rolled egg omelette for breakfast, as part of a bento lunch, or for dinner. You can vary the vegetables and even add some ham or other meat.

Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokumbap)

Making kimchi fried rice is a great way to use leftover kimchi that’s a bit past its prime, as well as leftover rice. You can make it with Canadian bacon or thinly sliced beef, pork, ham, or even Spam. Or, use tofu for a vegetarian protein.

 

Spicy Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Jjigae, Kimchichigae)

This popular Korean stew can be whipped up in just 35 minutes. It’s another great use for older kimchi as that will lend more rich flavor. There is a lot of room for variation in this dish. You can use beef, pork, or canned tuna, and vegetables including potatoes, zucchini, and mushrooms. It can be a go-to meal to clean out the refrigerator.

 

Korean Seasoned Spinach (Sigumchi Namul)

You only need 15 minutes to make this side dish of Korean seasoned spinach. It can also be used as part of other well-known main dishes in Korea such as chapchae (stir-fried noodles), kimbap (rice and seaweed rolls), and bibimbap (rice with mixed vegetables).

Check out the rest here!

We’re Excited: One More Week Til Disney Frozen on Ice!

One more week, DC and Maryland, until Disney On Ice presents Frozen! launches at our door steps!

As a Feld Family Ambassador, I cannot wait to take my daughter to discover the full story like never before via a dazzling ice skating showcase with  amazing special effects and memorable. We’re so excited to be transported magically to wintry Arenllew on Valentine’s Day, the day the show opens in DC.

You too can be a part of Anna’s fearless adventure to find her sister, Queen Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom in an eternal winter if you purchase tickets to the show which will be featured from February 14 to 19 at the Capitol One Arena in Chinatown, DC and February 8-11 at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland.  For those of you who do not live in DC or Maryland, you can see here  to find out when it will be near you!

Join the hilarious snowman Olaf, rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer sidekick Sven as they help Anna in a race to bring back summer. Encounter Everest-like conditions and mystical trolls as you sing along to Academy Award®-winning songs like Let It Go and ultimately discover true love is the most powerful magic of all.

Hosted by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, your whole family will delight in special appearances by stars from Toy StoryFinding DoryThe Lion King and the inspiring Disney Princesses.

Experience magic at every turn and create memories to last a lifetime at Disney On Ice presents Frozen – the show worth melting for! Watch the preview!

10 Valentine’s Day DIY Kids Crafts Ideas

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and soon you’ll be scrambling to find activities for your little ones to do while celebrating the day together! Here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Make heart shaped pancakes – Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast! Put pancake batter into a squeeze bottle and draw heart pancakes on the griddle! You can also cut sandwiches, deli meats, and fruits into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Creating heart shaped cupcakes or muffins is simple, just drop a marble or rolled up piece of tinfoil between the baking liner and muffin tin before baking to create an indent in the finished product, it will look just like a heart!

2. Create a conversation heart wreath – Cut the middle out of a paper plate to create a ring. Have your children help you cut out hearts and write short messages on them such as “I love you” or “You rock” and glue the hearts onto the ring to create a conversation heart wreath. Be creative with your phrases and make them special to your family.

3. Make your own valentines – Younger children will usually have a party in their classroom to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their classmates, so take some time to help your child create their own cards. They don’t have to be fancy, all you need is some construction paper, glitter glue, stickers, doilies, and adhesive to jump start the creativity in your child. Encourage your child to be creative and let them create whatever they want to, the cards don’t all have to be the same as long as there is one for every child in their class.

4. Valentine’s Day scramble – Post a piece of paper on the wall that has the words “Valentine’s Day” on it and see how many words you can create from those letters, adjusting to the age of the children around you. How many words can you find? You could also add the traditional candy heart phrases and see what additional words you can make using those letters.

5. Hold a Valentine’s Day dance party – Invite your neighbors over for a fun, family friendly dance party! Decorate the room with streamers and balloons, choose a few fun songs together, and get ready to dance!

6. Themed worksheets – A quick search online will turn up dozens of Valentine’s Day themed worksheets, from math sheets to crosswords, so you can easily find something to meet your child’s needs.

7. Love themed books – Hit up the library for books with a Valentine’s Day or love theme; most libraries will have seasonally appropriate books on a separate shelf, which makes finding them easy. Check a few out and read them together!

8. Create coupon books for family members – Talk about what love is and what it means and then discuss various coupons you could create to show family members that you care about them. Offer to walk the dog for free, give a back rub, have one on one time, play a game together or offer to sweep the floor. The receiver can then choose when to redeem the coupons. Coupon books are a great way for kids to be able to give back to the family without a monetary contribution.

9. Go pink and red! – Create a pink and red theme! Pink lemonade, strawberry milk, cupcakes with pink frosting, watermelon, beets, strawberries, and apples are all great pink and red foods to offer for snack time.

10. Make a paper heart chain – Use your cutting and gluing skills to create a chain of hearts to hang up in your house! You can either create a chain by cutting hearts out like you would with paper dolls or cut out hearts together and tape or staple them together to create a chain of unique hearts. Hang them where everyone can enjoy them.

Have fun!

Get Khloe Kardashian’s $3000 Satin Maternity Look for $50

Not just Chrissy Teigen, but Khloe Kardashian is another hard working expecting mom. The first-time mom-to-be has wrapped a busy promotional calendar for her E! TV show Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian which just returned to the air last month.

She gave several interviews during that time and we spotted some pretty cute ones we’d like to cop, like the navy satin Cushnie et Ochs Black Pyramid Pencil Dress cut out dress she wore on an appearance of Jimmy Kimmel Live about a month ago.

The label is a fave of stars like Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Teigen and Michelle Obama and is known for its intricate cut outs and asymmetrical lines.

The Good American Apparel co-founder draped a similar color  trench jacket by Galvan which retails for $1,175.  The dress goes for $1,695.

If you want a much less costlier version and don’t mind getting it shipped from Amazon, you can pick up a similar dress by Hello MIZ. Their Women’s Cold Shoulder Knee Length Fitted Maternity dress starts at $19.99 and has gotten great reviews from customers who bought the dress!

And Amie Finery has a similar Cut Out Cold Shoulder Dress that isn’t just for pregnant women but comes in a loose fitting A-line so it could accommodate them too. That dress too starts at about $20 bucks! Add an Open Front Cape Trench Duster coat by HaoDuoYi which retails $26.94 and you’ve recreated Khloe’s  nearly $3,000 look for about $50! 

Score!

But if you insist on copping the original, the line has pieces that start about $250! Totally doable!

Super Bowl Party Dishes To Make With the Kids

Heading to a Super Bowl party this Sunday? Or are you hosting one. Most likely, finger food will be on the menu. Go-Tos for the occasion are pizza, sliders, nachos and other types of snacks.

These dishes are super easy to make and you can get your kids involved. We curated three of the best recipes around for these three top most-served dishes:

New York-Style Pizza

(adapted from allrecipes.com)

1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

1 can tomato sauce

1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1 tbsp dried oregano

Preheat oven to 475°F. Flatten dough on a lightly floured surface. Roll out into a 12-inch circle and place on baking sheet. Spread tomato sauce evenly over dough. Sprinkle with cheese, basil and oregano. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until bottom of crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Let cool. Slice and eat!

Custom Tips

  • Spicy-food fans, drizzle sriracha hot sauce over the toppings for an extra kick.
  • Breakfast lovers, crack a whole egg on top before baking for a gooey golden treat.
  • For a perfectly crispy crust, cook your pie on a preheated pizza stone.
  •  

Sliders

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 package slider buns
  • 8 eggs
  • 1/4 c. milk
  • 2 tbsp. sliced chives
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 4 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 3 tbsp. butter, divided
  • 1 tsp. maple syrup

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Slice slider buns in half lengthwise.
  2. On the bottom layer of the slider buns, sprinkle 2 cups of the cheddar cheese.
  3. In a large bowl, beat eggs with milk and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp butter. Cook eggs to desired consistency.
  5. Top bottom layer of sliders with eggs and crumbled bacon. Top with remaining cheese. Place the slider tops on top.
  6. In a small bowl mix the butter with the maple syrup. Brush on top of sliders. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and slider tops are golden. Serve.

NACHOS

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces ground chuck
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion (from 1 small onion)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 9 ounces corn tortilla chips
  • 1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 12 ounces pre-shredded Mexican 4-cheese blend (about 3 cups)
  • 1/2 cup minced red onion (about 1 small onion)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeño slices
  • 1 medium-size ripe avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 cup jarred salsa
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

DIRECTIONS

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place ground chuck and onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Sprinkle with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until meat crumbles and is no longer pink and onions are softened, about 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Step 2

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread chips across pan in a single layer with as little overlap as possible. Top chips evenly with meat mixture, beans, and cheese.

Step 3

Bake in preheated oven until cheese melts and just begins to brown in places, about 8 minutes. Remove chips from oven, and top with onion, jalapeño, avocado, sour cream, and cilantro. Serve with salsa and lime wedges.

Report: Monica Brown is Expecting Her Fourth Child

Sources to notoriously accurate gossip blog  Fameolous are claiming that R&B singer Monica Brown is expecting her fourth child.

The site quoted a backstage snoop at one of “The Boy Is Mine” singer’s recent concerts who overheard Monica telling another friend that her daughter Laiyah asked her to dye her hair blue because she thinks her mom is having a baby boy.

Brown, who is married to NBA player Shannon Brown, has yet to confirm the news and is keeping the news to herself and close family until she is further along.

If it is a boy (or twins, some sources say she is expecting two), then it would be her third son. She has  a 13-year old son, Rocko and 10-year old son Romelo with her ex,  rapper Rodney ‘Rocko’ Hill.

This would be her second child with Brown, a former Cleveland Cavalier player who currently plays for the Wisconsin Herd.  In a recent photo of Monica with our more recent Bumpwatch alum, Blac Chyna, she wore a top that seemingly revealed a sizeable baby bump.  Time will tell.

Mixed with Chyna

A post shared by Jermaine Dupri (@jermainedupri) on

 

Daddy Makeover Trend: All You Need to Know

Daddy Makeover photo1

By now, a lot of people have heard of the term “mommy makeover” which refers to the plastic surgery that some women get after completing their family to get their pre-pregnancy body back, but did you know that Daddy Makeovers are a trending now too?

They are the surgical procedures that more and more men around 40-55 years old (usually already married and fathers) get to restyle and correct small imperfections of their body and face .

Why Are More Men Getting Daddy Makeovers?

It is commonly known that most women gain weight while pregnant, usually from increased calorie intake and a growing fetus. It is very common for dads to join in the extra snacking and to thus pack on excess pounds during their partner’s pregnancy. It is called “sympathy” weight gain.

Also, those men who are middle age and are experiencing empty nests, have more times to refocus on themselves, take  exotic vacations, entertain more, get out more regularly, and with that, they want to regain their youthful body.

Daddy Makeover photo 2

Male Plastic Surgery Is More Common Than You’d Think

Nationally, men account for 18 percent of cosmetic surgery procedures. A lot of professionals between the age of 45 and 55 who do sedentary desk jobs, spend less time in the gym. They now have kids to come home to and shows to binge watch. They’re not taking care of themselves as often and find they’ve accumulated a few extra pounds around the abs, hips and notice their skin sag around the chin.

They look in the mirror and see themselves aged and realize they can afford to get a nip and tuck and the stigma that was once associated with plastic surgery is not there that much anymore.

Common Daddy Makeover Procedures

We talked to Dr. Paul G. Ruff, the Medial Director at West End Plastic Surgery in Washington DC, who said he has seen a significant increase in interest in daddy makoevers during the last five to eight years.

He gave us some insight into this trend. The common procedures that men seeking a daddy makeover get include:

  • VASER Liposuction: high definition body contouring which involves sculpting the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas of the body
  • Gynecomastia  (Man Boobs): correcting and reducing breasts tissue
  • Eyelid surgery
  • Neck Contouring
  • Pectorial Implants: adding pecs to create the appearance of a more buff chest.

Daddy Makeover stats and trends

There are other nonsurgical and surgical options aside from these more common ones. Each practice has its own and each year, the industry comes out with new and unique options.

And of course, non-surgical procedures like Botox are common and even more popular than ever. A quick review of the latest stats from 2016 put out by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that nonsurgical procedure accounted for 44 percent of expenditures in this area. These include nonsurgical skin tightening, injectables like Botox and chemical peels.

Daddy Makeover stats and facts 2

The Ryan Gosling Effect is Real

Daddy Makeover photo 3

“Mostly men, just like women, want to look like a refreshed, more vital version of themselves,” says Ruff.

And just like with women, men too have a celebrity muse they want to emulate.

“On occasion we have people reference current stars like Brad Pitt, Ryan Reynolds, and Zach Efron,” Ruff shares.  “I am always leery when someone is requesting to look like a specific star.”

Certainly, we’ve seen controversial media stories of people who go overboard trying hard to change their natural appearance to look like a celebrity.  The Iranian Angelina Jolie fan comes to mind as does actor Nicholas Ryan who got a load of plastic surgery done to look like Ryan Gosling. 

Dr. Ruff explained that among the considerations that are discussed during a consultation is whether the patient can emotionally, financially and physically handle surgery so we imagine that they’d weed out those with unhealthy expectations out during this process.

Among the issues to discuss is whether there will be someone at home to help a patient through recovery. But not all do so they may elect to stay nearby. Ruff says his office, which conducts in-office procedures and surgery, has a relationship with a nearby hotel so that those who come from out of town who do not want to travel far to return home can stay there for a day or two before returning home.

 

You’ll Never Believe How Short Recovery Can Be

In short, there really is no need for a hospital stay. These procedures are generally outpatient surgeries or treatments and the recovery depends on the amount of work to be done or the combination being performed.

“For simple VASER Liposuction, the recovery to return to work and routine daily activity can be as little as two to three days,” Ruff shares.  Larger and combination procedures may have a recovery that can be up to two weeks.

This information should always be part of thorough consultation.

(Speaking of CONSULTATIONS, mention you saw this post when you call the West End Plastic Surgery center, and get a no cost consultation, a Saving of $150. IMPORTANT NOTE: if you cancel your appointment, you’ll be billed a no-show fee)

Daddy Makeover photo 4

It’s A World Wide Thing

We asked if the male or daddy makeover is a phenomenon just in the United States or are European, Asia, Australia or other parts of the world experiencing it as well.

In this generation of rapid transit of information, Ruff explains, people all over the world are in contact with information. Also, the US is fourth worldwide in plastic surgery, and thus, areas of the world like South East Asia and South America have high rates of male plastic surgery patients as well.

“Statistically men are an increasingly higher percent of the cosmetic practice,” Ruff adds.  “Still nowhere near the percent of women in most plastic surgery practices.”

But more practices are adjusting their office spaces even to make them more accomodating to male clientele.

This shift “is underscored by the modifications of offices to be more inviting to men based on color schemes, seating choices ,art and the availability of men only office hours and events,” sates Dr. Ruff, adding, “the daddy makeover is definitely a more specific interest and one that we see regularly rather than a couple of times a year.”

Daddy Makeover stats and facts 3

We are not surprised to note that in America, the Mid-Atlantic region which includes New York City, one of the fashion capitals of the world, and the West coast, home of Hollywood, tie for the region of the country getting the most plastic surgery (17.8%) compared to the rest of the country, according to American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Average Daddy Make Over Cost and Can You Afford It?

The cost of a Daddy Makeover will depend on region, combination of procedures and surgeon experience. The range can be as low as $2500 to over $20,000, says Ruff.

A chart of data from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveals that an average practitioner’s charge for liposuction is about $3300, $2700 for a chin lift, and about $5,000 for male boob reduction and for non surgical procedure, Botox is about $375 per treatment, and sclerotheraphy cost close to $360. Of course, prices are different per region of the country.

While those who are  professionals and from middle to upper income levels are more likely to get plastic surgery, there are financing and creative funding options available at practices nationwide and world wide.

“If you want to get more than one surgery done, you can also save money by getting them done simultaneously,” suggests Dr. Gregory H. Croll is one of the top plastic surgeons Columbia, Missouri has. “Doing this  not only saves you and the surgeon money, but it can really work better for you as well. That way if you have to ask off work for recuperating time, you are recuperating from both surgeries instead of having to ask off for days for two separate surgeries. It can also save money and time for both you and the surgeon because

you only have to go under the knife once.”

No Longer a Secret

We asked if men are keeping quiet about it or are they open about having work done and were surprised by the response: both.

“Men are usually quiet about the inquiry but more talkative about the experience, especially if the result is excellent,” Ruff shares.  “Talking about expectations and maintenance is part of the satisfaction level and ultimate transparency about having something fixed.

“Men have that hunter mentality engrained either socially and genetically and then the celebration of the kill.  The same goes with these procedures.”

Couples Do It Better Together

Also, more and more, mom and dad and other types of couples are coming in together for consultations.

This is true at Dr. Ruff’s practice as well.

“Having support in the decision making and perioperative phase if tremendous and leads to better outcomes and satisfaction” adds Dr. Ruff.  “This tends to bring couples together because it is another journey in which they can share.  When couples decide to do these makeovers together, we find there is more empathy between them.”

Now that you’ve gotten some comprehensive insight into daddy makeovers, the next step is to talk to a doctor, if you are so inclined. As mentioned above, if  you mention you saw this post when you call the West End Plastic Surgery center, and get a no cost consultation, a Saving of $150.

[IMPORTANT NOTE: if you cancel your appointment, you’ll be billed a no-show fee]

Our Editor in chief, JJ, visited the offices this week and expressed satisfaction and excitement over the quality of professionals, doctors and practioners there, the proximity of the office to area hospitals, George Washington, Georgetown University and Sibley Memorial in DC; the top-notch quality of the office space and friendliness of the staff, overall. And she was gifted a generous $100 gift certificate to use for services but that gift does not impact the opinions shared in this post which are hers and honest.

 

Daddy Makeover infographic

Looking for Valentine’s Day Activities for Your Kid? Here are 10!



Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and soon you’ll be scrambling to find activities for your little ones to do while celebrating the day together! Here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Make heart shaped pancakes – Make heart shaped pancakes for breakfast! Put pancake batter into a squeeze bottle and draw heart pancakes on the griddle! You can also cut sandwiches, deli meats, and fruits into heart shapes using cookie cutters. Creating heart shaped cupcakes or muffins is simple, just drop a marble or rolled up piece of tinfoil between the baking liner and muffin tin before baking to create an indent in the finished product, it will look just like a heart!

2. Create a conversation heart wreath – Cut the middle out of a paper plate to create a ring. Have your children help you cut out hearts and write short messages on them such as “I love you” or “You rock” and glue the hearts onto the ring to create a conversation heart wreath. Be creative with your phrases and make them special to your family.

3. Make your own valentines – Younger children will usually have a party in their classroom to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their classmates, so take some time to help your child create their own cards. They don’t have to be fancy, all you need is some construction paper, glitter glue, stickers, doilies, and adhesive to jump start the creativity in your child. Encourage your child to be creative and let them create whatever they want to, the cards don’t all have to be the same as long as there is one for every child in their class.

4. Valentine’s Day scramble – Post a piece of paper on the wall that has the words “Valentine’s Day” on it and see how many words you can create from those letters, adjusting to the age of the children around you. How many words can you find? You could also add the traditional candy heart phrases and see what additional words you can make using those letters.

5. Hold a Valentine’s Day dance party – Invite your neighbors over for a fun, family friendly dance party! Decorate the room with streamers and balloons, choose a few fun songs together, and get ready to dance!

6. Themed worksheets – A quick search online will turn up dozens of Valentine’s Day themed worksheets, from math sheets to crosswords, so you can easily find something to meet your child’s needs.

7. Love themed books – Hit up the library for books with a Valentine’s Day or love theme; most libraries will have seasonally appropriate books on a separate shelf, which makes finding them easy. Check a few out and read them together!

8. Create coupon books for family members – Talk about what love is and what it means and then discuss various coupons you could create to show family members that you care about them. Offer to walk the dog for free, give a back rub, have one on one time, play a game together or offer to sweep the floor. The receiver can then choose when to redeem the coupons. Coupon books are a great way for kids to be able to give back to the family without a monetary contribution.

9. Go pink and red! – Create a pink and red theme! Pink lemonade, strawberry milk, cupcakes with pink frosting, watermelon, beets, strawberries, and apples are all great pink and red foods to offer for snack time.

10. Make a paper heart chain – Use your cutting and gluing skills to create a chain of hearts to hang up in your house! You can either create a chain by cutting hearts out like you would with paper dolls or cut out hearts together and tape or staple them together to create a chain of unique hearts. Hang them where everyone can enjoy them.

Have fun!

Your Complete Guide to Thrifting and Upcyling Like a BOSS!

Saving money is trendy, believe it or not and so is Thrifting! When thrifting for larger items that you may fix up, polish, reupholster and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) into a new masterpiece, it’s called Upcycling!

Rare finds like vintage armoires and antique dressers are among the best pieces of furniture to repurpose, collect, or display in your home. But even ordinary used furniture and housewares can be transformed into unique and functional pieces! Collecting and repurposing furniture and household items is all the rage right now. Images of refurbished and made-over salvaged pieces can be seen splattered all over Pinterest and Facebook.

Since part of an upcycler’s job is turning trash into treasure, it’s important to learn the ins and outs of thrift shopping. If you are new to this, knowing where to begin can be tough. This guide helps you learn what to look for while thrift shopping, where to go, thrift shopping etiquette, and money-saving tips for garage sales and estate sale shopping. It also includes suggestions on what types of housewares are easiest to upcycle, and types of furniture that are best for beginners to refurbish or make over.

Do Your Research

Start by conducting some online research. A great source for finding estate sales in your area is Estatesales.net. This site offers photos, maps, and directions, and you can search by city or county. Other sources are your local PennySaver magazine and Craigslist. Craigslist has a section for local garage sales, and under “for sale” there is a section called “free.” You can find real-time curb alerts in your area. You can also download a Craigslist app to your phone to make treasure hunting easier.

To find the best places to go, ask your friends and join social media groups. Goodwill, for example, has a vast selection of housewares available most of the time.

What to Bring

Preparation is key when thrift shopping. Keep a small bag in your car for planned and unplanned shopping trips. Here are a few things you should keep inside this thrift shopping emergency kit.

A Thrifter's Emergency Kit


Source: Fix.com

Tote Bags: Many estate sales and garage sales do not provide bags. Keep a few neatly folded in your emergency shopping kit.

Newspaper: Newspaper or scrap packing paper comes in handy for delicate items.

Measuring Tape: Keep a small tape measure to ensure accuracy when shopping for large items.

Screwdriver: For large items that may need to be disassembled to fit in your car.

Cash: You shouldn’t necessarily keep a wad of hundreds in your emergency kit, but keep in mind that most estate, garage, and yard sales will be cash-only.

Wish Lists: It’s important to remember your needs versus your wants. It’s never a good idea to shop frivolously. Even if you are getting a good deal, it’s good to know when to say no. Keep two lists – what you need and what you want – to prevent overspending.

List of Measurements:This is handy if you are furniture shopping. If you are looking for the perfect chair for your living room, for example, make sure you know the dimensions you need. This way, you’ll be certain your new piece will fit perfectly.

Before heading out to find the perfect coffee table to paint or armchair to reupholster, be sure to measure your room. Measure its length and width, as well as any relevant wall space. Consider doors, windows, fireplaces, and existing furniture. It helps to make a rough sketch of your room and placement of your furniture. Don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be to exact scale, but this way you’ll have a better idea of what fits before making an ill-fitting purchase you may regret.

Standard Measurements for Living Room Furniture


Source: Fix.com

Thrift Shopping Etiquette

Now that you are armed and dangerous, thrift shopping etiquette should not be overlooked. Here are a few helpful hints to keep in mind. Estate sale shopping is a little different than thrift store shopping. There are two schools of thought when it comes to upcycling at estate sales. You can get there early and be the first person there, or wait and go at the very end. Getting there early is good because you will have the most selection. However, if you wait until the end you have the most negotiating power. If you are just browsing, you may benefit from waiting until the end and finding an awesome deal, but if you have a specific item in mind, your best bet is to get there first.

Next, be sure to shop with heightened sensitivity. Estate sales are often conducted by someone who has lost someone that they love; the items on sale have meaning to the seller. Finally, have fun and be patient. It may take a few estate sales to get used to the process.

Money-Saving Tips

Just because you are “thrift” shopping, doesn’t mean you are always getting the best deal. Use your smartphone to compare prices to equivalent and newer items that are similar. Second, be aware of sales. You can call ahead to your local thrift or donation stores to find out about upcoming sales. For example, Goodwill stores have a special “colored tag of the day.” Look for the colored tag and get 50 percent off. Third, if you see a chip or other blemish you can easily repair, don’t be afraid to respectfully ask a thrift store clerk for a discount. Nine out of ten times they will give it to you! Finally, be nice. Try not to play too much hardball when negotiating at yard sales and garage sales, especially if it’s early in the day. It won’t be well received. Simply ask, “Can you tell me your best price for this?”

What to Look For

Estate sales, garage sales, and thrift stores are great places to get inspiration and find your next DIY project. With a little preparation, knowledge, and fortitude, you can find hidden gems and turn someone else’s trash into treasure. But for beginner upcyclers, perusing cluttered shelves and tables can be overwhelming.

Sturdy glass vases, containers, baskets, and wooden bowls can be easily painted, frosted, wrapped, decoupaged, or embellished. They can be used not only for flowers or fruit, but for storage, organization, and gift wrapping as well. Mirrors and frames can easily be transformed and repurposed as well.

Upcycled Creations Before and After


Source: Fix.com
Small furniture pieces like chairs, side tables, accent tables, stools, and ottomans are great pieces for newbies to make over. Examine the piece before you buy it. Make sure it can be easily taken apart and put back together. If it looks too difficult, pass on it until you are more experienced. For upholstered pieces, if it smells bad, just say no and move on. Some smells are impossible to get rid of. Also, do not pay attention to the color or fabric. It can always be changed. Rather, look for the shape, lines, and curves that interest you. Small scratches and blemishes can be easily repaired as well.

Your trash to treasure adventure can now officially begin. You know where to look, what to bring, how to act, and what to look for. Ready, set, thrift!

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