Good Morning Sunshine: Tuesday Tips

I really could title this post: How I get anything done around this house while keeping my kids happy, but we'll stick with the regular Tuesday Tips.

Your house is covered with a plethora of toys, but for some reason your kids don't play with them...

Tip #1: Go to a yard sale, buy a new (interesting) toy - Save your sanity and your money!

I got this puzzle for $1, which is kind of "expensive" for a puzzle at a yard sale, but oh my goodness, Mallary has played with that thing for HOURS.

Tip #2: Need an hour of free time? Your child would love to play 52 card pick up! (Or at least mine did!)

Tip #3: Two words. BOARD GAMES.

Yesterday, my kids had A BLAST! (Granted I had a HUGE mess to clean up, but they helped of course) They didn't know how to play all the games, but they had fun with all the different kinds of cards, and playing pieces. The mom's choice winner of the day goes to the game shown above. That kept them both occupied basically most of the morning.

Tip #4: Go-gurt Popsicles will buy you a good 20 - 25 minutes.

My older sister taught me this one... Freeze your Go-gurts, and you have these great Popsicles! A crowd pleaser every time. (Well, my crowd is pretty easy to please.)

Tip #5: Can't seem to get any work done? Bring in a car seat from your car, and that will keep your kids happy and busy for quite some time!!

Seriously, the kids loved it. I remember the Super Nanny told a family who's child didn't like being in their car seat to bring it inside and let their child play on it to get used to it, and it totally worked. I just had Trevan's inside because someone had given him a ride somewhere, but it kept Mallary pretty busy. It was great!!

Tip #6: It's never too early to teach your kids about saving money, and how to use coupons!!

I was working here in my workroom and thought it was unusually quiet in the living room, and I poked my head around the corner and Mallary was busy going through my coupon book. I just let her go to town.

A little bit later I found my empty coupon book and couldn't seem to find the coupons anywhere. I asked Mallary where they were, and she showed me her "purse." She had stuffed them all in there.

And, don't even think about taking that "purse" away from her, because she is SERIOUS about those double coupon days!

Tip #7: When your house just doesn't seem big enough to hold all of their energy take them to pick blueberries!

Tip #8: However, DO NOT let your husband dress your daughter, in non - appropriate blueberry picking attire.

When I got in the car and saw what clothes he had put on her, I was too tired to take her in and change her clothes. So, he has a bit of scrubbing to do...

Tip #9: Running out of other entertaining ideas? You could always do a silly goose photo shoot. Trevan loves these.