I have a Kindle Fire, and the kids love to play on it.  I downloaded an app called Zoodles which lets them play age targeted games safely (they can’t surf the internet and they can’t accidentally buy anything.)

Every day, Amazon offers apps and ebooks for free for Android devices- phones and tablets.

Today’s freebie:

Math Training for Kids.

Looks like a fun way to sneak some practice in!  I’m a mean mom and I make them play math games for 10 minutes before they get their computer turn. Now they’ll have to do math training before they can play on the Kindle, too!  Bwa ha ha ha.

Free Homeschooling App- Math! originally appeared on Milehimama on February 7, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Julianna is one year old today!  Hard to believe it was a year ago that her Daddy had to catch her in the bathroom.

She is still a little nursing piglet.  She wears a size 5 shoe.  Her favorite game is peek-a-boo, and her favorite toy is a ball.  Her favorite food is whatever I’m eating.

My pretty little Juli girl.
And… she started talking this week!  She’s said “Da” for a while.  Last week she came out with “What’s that?”

My mother made her a soft fleecy animal quilt – here’s what she thinks of it (with her saying her first words- “what’s that”

Sunday night she added another one- “Welcome”.  She’s definitely a Stauber weirdo. No mama-dada for her. No, she says “welcome”.  Sweetie.

Here she is checking out her birthday present from Grammie.

{Yeah, the floor needs to be vacuumed but what are you gonna do?  Make the baby pause her cuteness?  Nah.  Now you know why this is not an organizing housecleaning blog!}

Happy Birthday, darling!

Julia is One! originally appeared on Milehimama on February 6, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

alternately titled: Mama takes a test drive!

I drive a Ford, my giant VanBeast.  That thing is like a tank. Gets the gas mileage of a tank, too.

So, when Ford invited me down for drinks and snacks and a look at the new cars, I said “no kids allowed? I’m there.”  Sometimes you just need a break.  And while I’m not a car person, really, I can appreciate driving around with that new vehicle smell and a lack of empty cups and muddy sweaters between the seats.

Now, as you know, we’ve been a one-van family for quite a while.  Which mostly works out OK, but it’s an aggravation if I need a vehicle for the day.  And we’ve decided we really need to become a two-car family.

My husband, being a red blooded male (yes, I’ve checked, don’t worry, no one needed stitches), wants either a motorcycle or a truck.  He uses a lot of tools in his work, and a truck would come in handy.  I outright reject the motorcycle, even if it does get stellar gas mileage, because maybe- just maybe- I would want to drive something besides a 15 passenger van once in a while, and how can I get groceries or take a baby to the doctor on a motorcycle?  Besides, what’s hubs going to do, strap his tool bag to his back?

(Ford actually makes a Harley Davidson edition F-150.  Shh. Don’t tell him.  I’m holding out for the day that Ford makes a Merry Maids edition, I’d buy that one. But only if it comes fully staffed.)

Anyway, I decided to test out the new Ford F-150.  Sweet!  My friend Sara and I were together, and she drove first so I ended up in the extended cab.  It was raining, dark, and I only had my cell phone camera so I brazenly took publicity stills from the Ford site.  Just in case you were wondering how my photo skillz improved 15,000% overnight.

Now let me tell you, the last “extended cab” I’d ever been in was back in the 90s, where you had approximately 8″ of room to perch on a little fold down seat.  Crushed between the front bench and the back windshield, you hoped it wasn’t a long ride because your knees were up by your shoulders, meaning you couldn’t feel your toes after a while.

I am happy to report that things have gotten bigger and better since those days.  The back seat of the F-150 is bigger than the back seat in my van.  Very roomy, and plenty of room for car seats, even the rear facing ones.  It’s an actual bench seat (that can fold down if you need cargo space) back there.  With actual upholstery and actual leg room.  Sweet!

Then I got to drive.  It didn’t feel “trucky” at all.  You know what I’m talking about, how you have to haul yourself up into the driver seat, then bounce all over when you hit a bump.  In fact, I forgot I was driving a truck until I had to turn in tight quarters- and then it was the front that reminded me how big it was.  Yeah, the engine’s huge.  Probably there’s a joke in there.

I would tell you about the Ford Mustang which looked awesome, but I can’t drive a stick.  So I just gazed from afar and imagined myself in the driver seat.  Then I realized if I did have a sporty little car like that, I’d be a hot mess like Tea Leoni in Spanglish when she was in the convertible.  Because that’s what I do – I compare myself to imaginary film characters in order to console myself during disappointments.

All thoughts of truckiness and sportiness flew out of my mind when the Ford salesman started talking about the new Ford Explorer.

It has automatic parallel parking.

Shut the front door.  Seriously?  You’re downtown, you finally find a spot where you can use quarters to pay instead of shelling out $5 at a seedy gravel lot, you push a button, and the vehicle parks itself?  Awesomesauce.

I am a terrible parallel parker.  About the only time I even attempt it in the VanBeast is if I can see myself in a store window reflection.  Last weekend, I had to go down to a shop in Rice Village and holy moly, was that a parking experience.  The new feature is called “Active Parking Assist“.

Then we talked to Scott Monty, who does Ford’s social media.  I actually “knew” him, since I’ve followed his blog and twitter for months. (Check him out if you’re a social media nerd like I am.)  Anyway, Scott started talking about the new Ford Flex, which to be honest I had never heard of.  It’s a crossover, which basically means “minivan light” or “station wagon on steroids”.  I might have to check that one out.  Scott’s wife loves hers, and it seats 7.  The seats fold down for  grocery hauling.

Meanwhile, I’ll dream of the day when Ford creates a vehicle that not only parks itself, but knows how to drive itself home after a long day.  Then maybe I’ll finally get a nap once in a while.

What options does does your dream car have?

Blogging with Integrity: I wasn’t paid for this post, though I did go to a test drive event for bloggers.  I just thought the features were cool. And we seriously need another car. 

Various Musings on New Ford Vehicles originally appeared on Milehimama on February 2, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Yes, a day late and a dollar short.  Actually, several dollars short. I came in way under budget this week, but I’m sure I’ll make up for it next week. We’re already on our last gallon of milk.

I shopped at HEB this week and did some stocking up for our emergency kit.  HEB had several shelf stable staples (say that three times fast!) on sale, including Bear Creek Soups, which are dehydrated pouches that only need hot water.  There’s one flavor that is MSG and dye-free, so that’s what we got!

Total spent: $148.  I have $52 from this week and $9 from previous weeks to roll over.

HEB $138

10 jars pasta sauce $10
20 Annie Chun noodle bowls (hubs takes them to work) $20
10 pkg Pepperidge Farm goldfish $10
10 boxes instant oatmeal (10 packets each) $10
2 bottles yellow mustard $1.70
4 pkg. Bear Creek Chicken Noodle Soup $12.30
4 pkg. Bear Creek pasta mix, FREE
100 ct. yellow corn tortillas $2
2 bags marshmallows $2.25
Bag pretzels, $1.25
2 bags tortilla chips, $4
16 oz. jar salsa FREE
24 oz. jar salsa $2
1 can coconut milk $1.50
Qt. box organic beef broth $2
4 boxes organic granola $10

2 bags frozen okra $2
2 lbs. strawberries, $4
1 pint blueberries $2
5 boxes Smart Taste pasta $5
Dove chocolate minis $2 with coupon
Sea Salt organic chocolate bar, $2.25 17.25

1 lb. pork chorizo $2
4# natural pork chops $17
2.5 lbs. sausage $12.50
2 tubs turkey lunchmeat, FREE 31.50

Kroger: $5
2 loaves french bread $4
6 bananas $1 ish.  (Sent the kids and they forgot to use the Kroger card, grrr.)

99 Cents Plus: $5
4 loaves ww bread $4
5 heads garlic $1

WIC: 3 dozen eggs, 10 tangerines, 1 bunch kale

What we’re eating:

1. Baked potato bar
2. Pork chops, rice, broccoli
3. Meat and gravy (I was gone)
4. Roast chickens, rice pilaf, brussels sprouts
5. Hambone soup
6. Dal
7. Kale and potato soup

I’m going to do a series on soups next month- what’s your favorite?

Hack the Budget Back {week 3} originally appeared on Milehimama on January 25, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

You might have noticed that you can’t access a lot of your favorite sites. Wikipedia, Craigslist, bloggers- even Google has blocked out their logo.

Today is a symbolic day of protest against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). SOPA is poorly written and will break the internet. If SOPA passes, you won’t have Facebook. Yeah, that’s an unimaginable world, isn’t it?

Here’s a little more about it:

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Do me a favor? Look up your Senator on this list, and just make a quick phone call or send an email. Tell them SOPA is bad for internet and bad for the economy, and you don’t want it passed.

Got an extra 5 minutes?  Contact both of your senators. It’s important.

Stop SOPA originally appeared on Milehimama on January 18, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Hack your budget back!  Join me as I try to reclaim my grocery budget.  Post your shopping trip, tips for saving in the kitchen, or how you keep your grocery budget in check so we can all help each other!

My goal to hack my budget back is to spend $200 a week out of pocket on food and household goods.  My household is 11 people, but Baby J doesn’t eat much so I’ll call it 10- about $20 per person per week.  I’m putting in approximate prices, too.

Well, this week we had some chicken drama.  The $25 chickens I bought last week were rotten, so I took them back.  I thought it was a fluke, so I got new chickens.  When I pulled them out to cook, they were STANK-Y!  So I returned them.  I think our Costco has some issues.  I’ve been a member since October and had to return meat three times so I’m going back to buying my meat at Whole Foods.

If your Costco does NOT have issues, you can get chickens even cheaper- $1.75/lb. for Coleman organic hens.  Just buy a case.  You don’t have to call ahead and order it, just ask at the meat counter.  A case is about 65 lbs.

ANYWAY, I’m up $25 since I returned the chickens.  So, I bought some junky food for Hubs at his request. And then ate some of it myself.

My budget was $225, and I spent $216.  I have $9 to roll over to next week.

Whole Foods $65
8 antibiotic/hormone free chickens $60
Chicken salad “snackable”, my dinner $5

HEB $90 Their fancy, spiral cut brown sugar fully cooked hams are all marked down to .99 a pound this week! The “sell by” is in February, but I bought a couple to stock the freezer.  Make a ham and eat for a week!

10 boxes Smart Taste spaghetti $10
3 bags (7 oz.) alphabet noodles $.75
2 boxes instant oatmeal packs (for food storage) $2.50
4 lbs. dry pinto beans $3.10
2 tubs 8 oz. lunchmeat FREE w/coupon
2 1/2# smoked sausage $12.60
Nitrate free bacon, 12 oz. $3.80
1 qt. organic beef broth $2
4 spiral sliced half hams (39 lbs. total) $38.75
50 ct. quart storage bags  $2.50
4 bottles dishsoap $4
Toilet paper (12 rolls, 1000 sheets) $7.50
Zote laundry soap $1

Kroger $27.50
(Hubs made this trip, as you can see from the purchases.  I would never, ever buy Buffalo Lays, yech. And holy moly I just looked at the receipt- junk food is pricey!  Now you know all his vices. Except the black beans were for me.)

Lays Potato chips, $3
Bakery Cookies $2.80
Oreos $3 (he must have hidden these at work, I never saw them.)
1 can black beans $1
2 bottle soda $3.40
Frozen tator tots $4.50
2 loaves bread $3
Sausage $4
Sour Cream $1.60
$1 to the food bank

99 Ranch Market (Asian store) $18.50
2 bunches celery $1.40
4 lbs. onions $1.90
9 lbs. organic apples, $9
6 cucumbers $2
3 lbs. tomatoes $2
4 pkg enoki mushrooms $2.30

Costco $15
40 oz. tortilla chips $3.60
Frozen eggrolls $7.80
1 qt. Promised Land whipping cream $3.50

WIC- 4 boxes cereal, 1 gallon milk, clementines, 2 avocados, 1 bunch green onions.

Are you hacking away at your grocery budget?  If you posted your recipe, menu, budget, or a frugal kitchen tip, come link up!  Just link back to me from your site, and if you have a great tip in your archives, link it too!

Hack Budget Back {week 2} originally appeared on Milehimama on January 16, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

I have business cards, and boy, do they come in handy.  How?  Here’s some of the ways I use my cards.

1. Give them to other moms.  How often have you scrambled for a scrap of paper to write down your phone number for a mother of your child’s classmate or a new friend met at the neighborhood park?  Make it easy and quick to hand over your contact information.

2. Win free stuff.  Often, restaurants or local businesses will have a fishbowl on the counter for business cards.  Drop yours in and you could win a free lunch!

3. Little Girl Lost.  When we go out into crowds, I give each of the kids my business card to carry with them.  If they get lost, they are supposed to go find someone else’s mommy and give her my card.

This came in handy when we were at the Renaissance Festival.  Miss C wandered around the backside of a shop tent and out of sight.  Luckily, she remembered what to do and found a woman with kids, who called me on my cell phone.  We were only about 20 feet away but with so many people, I couldn’t see her.

4. Keep your promises  Sometimes, I’ll have to tell the kids “you can do that tomorrow” or “you can have it later, I promise”.  That wouldn’t satisfy them, and they’d whine “you’ll just forget!”  And they were right.  So, for those extra special promises, I give them a “ticket” – my business card with the guarantee on the back.  Just write on “Good for one ice cream cone” or “I owe you a dollar” on it and hand it over as an I.O.U.

5. Preparedness.  Bad storm shuts down the city?  Hurricane or fire forcing evacuations?  Pass your business card to your neighbors to stay in touch, and leave one on your front door.  When Hurricane Ike came through, it was a call from a neighbor that let us know electricity was restored and that we could come home again.  Also, our neighbor was right there with our house and was able to put our mind at ease about damage, when we were far away.  If your card is in a neighbor’s wallet, it most likely will be grabbed in an emergency as they run out the door, and it will help you stay connected.

6. Finding its way back  Worried about a book or piece of curriculum finding its way home after you loan it out?  Tape your business card to it!  Keep a few in your wallet as well, in case of loss.  You driver’s license doesn’t have your email or phone number on it, but if you’re business card is tucked next to it a good Samaritan or customer service clerk can quickly get ahold of you.

You can print your own at home using special paper, but it’s much cheaper and easier to just order them online.

For years I’ve used Vistaprint to get great cards for a super low price.  Right now they’re offering 250 business cards for free (pay $5.67 shipping and handling).

Inkgarden also is offering 100 free cards, (single or double sided!) all you pay is the price of shipping $4.99.

I recommend against Staples business card service.  I tried them and the cards were truly abysmal and they didn’t meet their deadline, meaning I had to make two trips.  I ended up cancelling them altogether.

What to put on them?  Well, that’s up to you.

I’ve seen Mom Cards that have email, phone number, and kid’s names and ages so the other parents know which mom belongs to the kids, which is a great idea.  It makes it a lot easier when you know someone only as “David’s mom”!

My cards have my name, my email, my site URL and my twitter handle (really, they’re blog business cards) and I left a space to write down my phone number.  I don’t necessarily want to give my cell number to everyone I give my card to, so this gives me a little privacy control.  Plus, we have a landline for the kids, so I can also choose which number to give out- mine or the family line.

What info would you put on a Mommy Card?

Linking up!

Works for Me Wednesday

6 Reasons Moms Need Business Cards originally appeared on Milehimama on January 10, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Woo hoo!

The Healthy Indian Diet ebook edition is on sale right now for under a $1.  Grab it while you can!

The Healthy Indian Diet {sale} originally appeared on Milehimama on January 9, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Hack your budget back!  Join me as I try to reclaim my grocery budget.  Post your shopping trip, tips for saving in the kitchen, or how you keep your grocery budget in check so we can all help each other!

My goal to hack my budget back is to spend $200 a week out of pocket on food and household goods.  My household is 11 people, but Baby J doesn’t eat much so I’ll call it 10- about $20 per person per week.  I’m putting in approximate prices, too.

We do get WIC, though, and I decided not to count WIC foods, though I will note it at the bottom.   If you’d like more info on why I buy the kinds of foods I do, (spending more for antibiotic/hormone free meat, for example) read my Real Food Manifesto.

Also, I’m not starting with an empty pantry and an empty fridge.  I have a lot of staples on hand- salsa, baking goods, rice, etc.- that will show up in my meal plans.  But later I’ll have to replace them so it should work out in the final tallys.

Budget Meal Plan:

1. Pot roast with potatoes and carrots

2. Pasta salad (I have the cutest snowman pasta shapes I was saving for New Year’s Eve – but we were sick. So we’re having them this week w/ 1 lb. grilled chicken breast, white beans, tomatoes, cukes, salad mix, and creamy onion dressing.  Ingredients from pantry.)

3. Roast chicken, sesame garlic green beans, rice

4. Lentil enchiladas, refried beans (Sour cream, lentils, rice, chiles from pantry)

5. Meat pies (pierogies? pasties? empanadas?) w/ ground beef, potatoes, leftovers if any.

6. Chicken tortilla soup (using bones/leftovers from Day 3)

7. Dirty rice (ground beef, rice, garlic, spinach, carrot slivers.)

Lunches:  burritos, macaroni and cheese, egg fried rice, quesadillas, homemade “ramen”.

What I spent: $199

Whew! Barely made it- and I only managed because I put a package of apples back at Costco.

Costco: $84
20 lbs. organic, frozen veggies (green beans, broccoli, Normandy mix, and mixed veggies) $25.50

2 organic chickens (11 lbs. total @$2.29/lb) $25.50

4 jars all natural applesauce (47 oz. each) $8

1 lb. container organic spring mix salad $4

10 lbs. organic carrots $6

2.5 lbs. celery sticks $3.50

40 oz. bag organic tortilla chips $4.60 (tortilla chips are a staple at my house!)

2 lbs. Tillamook mild cheddar $7

Kroger $52
I stocked up on beef- my store was running Nolan Ryan beef at 40% off.

6 lbs. antibiotic/hormone free 85/15 ground beef $18.50

9 lbs. antibiotic/hormone free boneless chuck roast $27.50

2 6-packes 7-UP, 17.9 oz bottles (husband’s comfort food when he’s sick) $4.50

Softsoap .88

99 Ranch Market (local Asian supermarket) $19
5 lbs. red skinned potatoes $1.80

9 lbs. cuties, $9

12 lbs. yellow onions $5.20

Japanese style noodles, 12 oz. $1.20

Rice sticks, $1.80

HEB – $44
HEB was having a great deal- buy a gallon of milk, get a dozen eggs free~ and they were the fancy eggs I like to buy, from vegetarian fed-antibiotic-hormone free hens.  Also they had SmartTaste pasta for $1 a box- it has 5 grams of fiber and isn’t as heavy as whole wheat, so it’s our preferred brand for making macaroni and cheese.

4  gallons whole milk $15

4 doz. eggs (FREE!)

4 lbs. sugar $2.30

2 cartons oatmeal, 42 oz. $5

12 oz. cocoa powder $2.30

4 boxes SmartTaste elbow macaroni $4

8 lbs. dry pinto beans $6

8 oz. organic white sesame seeds from bulk bin $2.25

10 lbs. organic russet potatoes, $6

50 ct. sandwich bags $1.30

 WIC:
2 lbs. cheese, 4 packages whole wheat tortillas, 2 pints raspberries, 1.5 lb. roma tomatoes

 Share your grocery Budget Hacks! 

Please use your best linky manners, and link directly to the URL of the post you are sharing, not your homepage.  Please link back to me.  Let’s do this together!  I can’t wait to read how you’re managing your grocery budget!

Linking up!

Menu Plan Monday 

Hack Budget Back {week 1} originally appeared on Milehimama on January 9, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

There’s a slight kerfluffle with CNET, a well respected tech blog, calling mommyblogger’s posts “low grade content”.  I wrote it up on my site for all things blogging, Houston Blogging Chicks.

If you’re a mommyblogger, you might want to give it a read!
Are Mommyblogger Sponsored Posts Low Grade Content? 

Mommyblogs, Sponsored Posts, and Content Quality originally appeared on Milehimama on January 3, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year with a sniffle.  And a cough.  Poor husband started feeling bad after work on Friday, and has been down with a bad cold all weekend.  Fortunately, he doesn’t have to go back to work until tomorrow.

Judging from Pinterest, this year everyone is going to get into shape by eating budget meals, after organizing their entire lives with chalkboard labels.

Isn’t always that way at the beginning of January?  There is just something so optimistic about a fresh year, a clean slate.  And why not?  Now is as good a time as any!  (And  I must admit, I love me some chalkboard labels.  And a chalkboard label on a mason jar? Swoon.  I guess maybe I’m a country girl at heart.)

Several of my friends are really trying to mind their food pennies, and since that’s a theme I keep returning to here on this blog.  I’m going to start a linky party- if you post your grocery shopping or about keeping your food budget down, feel free to link up each week!

The first post will be next Monday, and you can link up old posts if they are relevant.  All I ask is that you use your best carnival manners and don’t post objectionable content and link back to me.  I’ll have a graphic for you to grab later this week.

Speaking of food budgets, I have a new secret frugal food- Masoor Dal.  They’re red lentils but they cook up creamy and light yellow and without that heavy lentil taste I’m used to from French lentils (brown lentils).   I made a barley lentil soup with it last week and even Mr P, my lentil hater, didn’t complain and ate a second bowl.

What are your frugal food secret weapons?

This is the Year originally appeared on Milehimama on January 2, 2012. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Last year, we moved our school room from the little office/den to the family room.  When we ditched the office, we ditched the white board.

A year later, I finally got a clue and realized that I could reclaim this space for a home office instead of wasting it on mere homeschool storage.  And a whiteboard would come in handy in my new office.  I’m a list maker, and even though I’m kind of a techie, I prefer handwritten lists.  It helps me organize my thoughts.

Unfortunately, there was months of dried Expo marker on the board, mostly from the kids randomly using it to play school and tic-tac-toe.

My husband recommended spraying it with brake cleaner.  Um, yeah.  Not such a good idea in a small room with lots of little kids around.

However, I know a trick.

How to Clean a Whiteboard the Cheap, Non-Toxic Way

Toothpaste.  Get the cheapest toothpaste you can find (note: toothPASTE, not gel).  It’s best if it has baking soda, but if you can’t find that kind just add some from the orange box.

Apply toothpaste with a cloth.  Smear it all over the board in a thin layer.  Let it dry.

Then rinse out your cloth and wash the toothpaste off the board.  The marker comes with it!

Be prepared for 8 different people to ask you 8 different times why the house smells minty fresh. Try not to get annoyed.

You may get an extra special bonus, and find that someone has used Sharpie, not just Expo, on your whiteboard.  Use hand sanitizer to remove it.

If you’re really lucky, you’ll find the hole reinforcements you KNEW you bought at the back to school sales, but couldn’t find when you needed them.  A little Goo Gone or vegetable oil, and you’re good to go!

Ta-da!

Linking Up!

How To Clean a Whiteboard originally appeared on Milehimama on December 27, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

May you have a happy and holy Christmas, and may the Prince of Peace rule in your hearts in the new year.

My gift to you: beautiful Nativity coloring page for the kids.  Keep them busy while you wrap and bake today!

Merry Christmas 2011 originally appeared on Milehimama on December 24, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

We are thinking about going gluten free.

I’m worried about Miss A.  She’s so tiny.  She’s always been small, but she’s not growing much.  She went from 20% percentile to 10% percentile to 5% percentile at her last visit.  They say I shouldn’t be worried, that she’s fine, but I’m not sure she’s optimally healthy.  I do think there’s a gap between “optimal health” and “sick”.

Miss A, age 30 months, is the same weight as Baby J at 1o months.  (J is 24 lbs., A is 26 lbs.)  They’re in the same size diapers, although A is much taller than her little sister.  A few months ago, A stepped in a fire ant pile and has had a terrible patch of eczema on her feet and ankles ever since- I can’t get it to clear up.  Her hair is brittle; if she gets a tangle, it will just fall off in my hand when I try to comb it out.  She has bags and dark circles under her eyes.

And she is so, so tiny.  There’s not a scrap of fat on her.

She still fits in the same Christmas dress she wore last year.

Developmentally, she’s great.  She’s very smart, talks in paragraphs (although she still has 2 year old pronunciation, so you can’t always understand everything she says), and in learning something new everyday.  She’s beginning to write her name.  She’s rarely actually sick, and is almost always happy.  She loves to dance and sing and draw aliens.  (She has a bit of obsession about aliens, thanks to her big brothers.)

On the one hand, I don’t want to just jump on a diet because it seems popular.  Gluten free is becoming a fad diet of sorts as all of the major food manufacturers jump to get “gluten free” on the label.  One of my other children also has dark circles and the same kind of hair- brittle, hard to manage, wild. Maybe it runs in the family and it’s just genetics.  Maybe I’ll be wasting my time.

On the other hand, gluten free is medically indicated sometimes and I know it’s helped lots of people.  I have two blood relatives who cannot eat wheat or gluten foods (one is celiac, one is not.)  I know that runs in the family, too.  Going gluten free could help, and it’s minimally invasive (no medications or steroid creams needed.)  We’ve used diet to help heal other illnesses and we are still on a dye free diet for Mr R, several years later.

But it’s hard, and I’ll be honest, I’m scared of it.  We would have to put the whole family – all 11 of us- on a gluten free diet.  It would be an enormous amount of work, would probably cost a lot more, and most of all, I’m worried about the learning curve.  I know how to bake with flour and yeah, there’s some pride that goes with making biscuits, rolls, cookies, and cakes.  I don’t like it when I don’t know how to do things, especially when they are fundamental things to fulfilling my vocation as a mother.

It’s terrifying to think of the fundamental changes that will have to take place.  How will I manage the children’s complaints when inside I know I’m complaining too?  I love carbs.  LOVE like crazy.

We are well stocked with gluten-foods- I have at least 50 boxes of whole wheat pasta in the pantry (what can I say, it was buy one get one free, plus I had a coupon!) I have tons of oatmeal and cream of wheat.  I have 25 pounds of white whole wheat flour in the freezer, plus unbleached all purpose and whole wheat.  I have a gallon bottle of soy sauce on the shelf.  I’d have to throw half our food storage out and start over with gluten free foods.

I try to avoid unfermented soy, so many “gluten free” substitutes are out for us.  No “gluten free” brownie mix or pancake mix.

It would be a huge and expensive change.

Then again, eating dye free was an expensive change.  Homeschooling was a huge change, though I don’t think it costs more than all the various  fees and supplies for school.  Choosing to be a work-at-home mom was costly, too.

I might need a little hand holding from you.

Thinking About Gluten Free originally appeared on Milehimama on December 22, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

I hardly ever get out with just friends- no kids, no hubs, no agenda, no errands to run.  So of course when American Express offered to sponsor a night out with my peeps, I jumped on it.  After much schedule wrangling – it is December and we’re all mommies, after all- we ended up with a table for four- Bobbie, Kristi, and Kristin came all the way out to the Galleria to hang out.  We’re scattered to the far corners of Houston so the Galleria is actually central.

I am a bad blogger and forgot my camera.  We got some camera phone pics, though.

We went to the home of legendary sandwiches, Kenny and Ziggy’s.  It’s a New York style deli, complete with in-house made pickles on the table.  They make their own corned beef and pastrami and their menu is crazy long.  It’s authentic- there are plenty of tongue and liver recipes.

Also? They don’t skimp on the portions.

We talked Christmas shopping and visitors.  We talked about bloggers and blogging because we all have websites and we understand the language.  We swapped stories and complained about school.  We did what women do when they get together.

My daughters think that when I go “play” with my friends it’s boring, but it’s anything but!

We topped off the evening with dessert.

I brought my husband home an eclair that was the size of a baby.  That was my bribe for him since he had to spend the evening alone.  Well, not exactly alone, but devoid of adult company.

American Express has a new program called Serve, and we used it to pay for dinner.  Serve is a prepaid debit card, and you can easily and quickly swap money between friends or anyone who has a Serve account.  Right now, you get $10 just for signing up.

My friends paid for dinner, and I used my phone to pay them back because dinner was on me (and American Express).

Imagine! No more dirty looks from waiters when you ask to split the check!

Honestly, my friends using the Serve app on their iPhone had a hard time logging in.  When they got home the money I sent them was there, but they couldn’t see that while we were at the restaurant.  I was using an Android phone, as was Kristin, and we had an easier time getting on the site.  The mobile site was still glitchy, and both of us had to attempt login twice.  We were all using 3G service, since Kenny and Ziggy’s doesn’t have wifi.  I haven’t tried using it mobile via wifi (and don’t recommend doing that in a public place, for security reasons.  Public, unsecured wifi networks are exactly that- public and not secure.)

I could see us opening Serve subaccounts for our kids as they become teenagers, for their allowance and to pay them for work around the house.  Our 13 year old would love this (and the 12 1/2 year old would be waiting for the day he got his card.)  We would be able to teach them how to use a card wisely from an early age, and it would help us pass on our “cash only” philosophy in our credit card world.  The kids see us use debit cards all the time, but I’m not sure they really understand the difference between debit and credit cards.  Serve could help us with that, because when there is no money, the card won’t authorize. Also?  I can view all their spending. (Note: only family members over the age of 13 are eligible for Serve subaccounts.)

I also like that it is a debit card- we’re a cash only family so Serve is probably the only way an American Express card would find its way into my wallet.  My friend Bobbie had an excellent tip.  We were discussing shopping online for Christmas, and she mentioned having a card and account that is for online transactions only- not attached to checking accounts or money that is crucial for the running of a family.  I think I found a new use for my Serve card!  It’s so easy to swap money in and out, that using it as a dedicated “online” card sounds like an easy way to add another layer of protection to our finances.

There are fees for using the ATM, but sending or receiving money is free.  You can send or receive from friends, other Serve account holders, or your checking account.  (There is a fee for loading your Serve account using a credit card.)

You can see a comparison of Serve and other similar services here.

Photo credits: Sandwich and potato pancakes by Clumsy Crafter, eclair by The Hubs via Android phone.

From Serve:

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

{Comments closed, contest is over}

Serve It Up originally appeared on Milehimama on December 20, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Just .99 for Kindle edition!

I’ve been more and more interested in trying and making Indian food lately.  I make Mark Bittman’s dal and even the neighbor kids like it.  But I don’t know much about the cuisine and all of the recipes I’ve cooked actually come from old white guys (Bittman, and Andrew Weil.)

Indian food is interesting, lots of people seem to like it, and above all, it’s cheap.  We choose to eat meat that is antibiotic and hormone free, and in order to afford it we only eat meat a few times a week.  So, I’m always on the lookout for things to do with lentils.

A friend of mineintroduced me to The Healthy Indian Diet, by local MD Raj Patel. She’s helping him get the word out on his book and since she knows I write about real food- and since I’ve asked her for recommendations for where to find authentic Indian food in Houston- she passed it along for me to review.

I thought this was a cookbook, but it’s much more than that.  Instead, it’s a book about how diet affects health.

I have written this book for two reasons.  One, I want to highlight what modern science tells us about how various foods help us stay healthy and improve our well being…Two, I want to propose an alternative to the Mediterranean Diet based on the traditional cuisines of India, which includes many nutrient dense whole foods. – p.2

I see echoes of many other books here- Nourishing Traditions, Food as Medicine, and Eating Well for Optimum Health all spring to mind.  This is not surprising, since new data is pointing in a new direction for food- that low fat isn’t as healthy as previously thought, inflammation is to blame for many diseases, and that eating whole, real foods with minimal processing is to be encouraged.

In fact, the complete title of the book is The Healthy Indian Diet: How Traditional Foods of South Asia Help Prevent Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Cancer.

I found that the book had good explanations of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.  Chapter 2, Understanding Chronic Disease was quite helpful and should be required reading for anyone thinking of using diet to treat chronic ailments.  The medical processes are simplified, but not dumbed down.  Dr. Patel points out that cancer often occurs at the site of previous injury and inflammation.

He makes a topic that could easily become dense and boring into an easy read, yet still cites studies and provides charts, graphs, and references to back up his assertions.

In Part II, he compares the Mediterranean Diet, the Western or Modern Diet, and the Indian diet.  He makes special note of the powerful spices that are used in Indian cooking, such as turmeric.  I was already familiar with this- when someone close to me discovered cancer and I began researching, turmeric (containing the active compound curcumin) turned up again and again in studies showing effectiveness against breast cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and brain cancer.

I have several of the spices in my cupboard (hint: buy them in bulk, at Middle Eastern or Asian markets, or on the ethnic aisle of the grocery store.  Skip the little jars with American brand names.  You will be shocked at how cheap cardamom is if you buy it in a bag near the red lentils!)  I’m going to have to work my way up to a few of them- I’m still a little leery of asfoetida!

Dr. Patel defines the “Healthy Indian Diet”, making a distinction from the diet adopted in India during the British Raj.

I considered what foods, traditionally speaking, are common in all parts of the Indian subcontinent…

One foundation of all Indian diets is the emphasis on plant foods, another is that everyone eats dals and other legumes, and to varying extente fermented dairy products like dahi and pickles. – p. 71

What really stood out for me in this book were the practical helps.  This is a book about real food for real people.  It’s not a theoretical book and it’s not a book asking Americans to suddenly become model eaters by sheer willpower alone, and even advises against a “cold turkey” approach to dietary change.  He includes “Useful Philosophies” which include:

• Perfection is the enemy of good
• Moderation in all things
• Focus on changing your environment, not your behavior

These are things I’ve written about here, because they are my “useful philosophies” too.

Dr. Patel goes on to give a handy list of Basic Principles of the Indian Diet, which are nine things to keep in mind.  The recommendations will be familiar to any in the NT crowd- eat plant foods.  Avoid hydrogenated oils.  Use ghee or coconut oil.  Get rid of refined grains.  Eat fermented foods regularly.

Where he differs is in his recommendation to include antioxidant rich spices, and his ninth principle is “Create a daily diet that is varied and above all else, tasty”.  You find day after day of bone broth and egg yolks on his diet.

After elaborating on the principles (and quoting Michael Pollan), Dr. Patel makes careful note of what foods don’t belong in the Healthy Indian Diet.

Part III includes selected recipes, but the website Show Me The Curry is recommended as a resource.  These recipes go far beyond my current practice of putting curry powder on chickpeas, and I can’t wait to dive into all of the fabulous looking recipes.

I think this book is a great intro to a healthy real food diet in general, and to the specifics of an Indian diet in particular.  It is exactly as advertised, and it contains real world, common sense advice that is easy to remember.  You won’t need to buy expensive supplements, and he doesn’t villify and entire group of macronutrients.  You won’t need to consult charts or lists to find out what food you should today, and there is no schedule to follow.

This isn’t a comprehensive course on nutrition, and the book is slim (184 pages, plus 11 pages of endnotes and references).  It’s a great intro, however, and as a total newbie to Indian cooking I found it helpful.

You can buy The Healthy Indian Diet on Amazon. Paperback is less than $12, and the Kindle version is around $5.

The Healthy Indian Diet originally appeared on Milehimama on December 19, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

This whole Million Moms contest entry deletion gets curiouser and curiouser.

I called ABCNews yesterday and spoke with K.B.  She told me ABC was responsible, but another company was doing the actual contest and she would find out why comments were being deleted and whether I (and others) were still entered in the contest.  She took all the details, took my name and phone number, and promised to call me.  I have not heard back from her at this time.

I contacted ABCNews through their webform.  I received an autoreply, but have not had my concerns addressed yet.

Meanwhile, BlogFrog employee “John” posted on someone else’s Million Moms post to clarify the Mckmama situation (bizarre).  Holly Hamann of BlogFrog tweeted me that deleted entries were still entered in the contest.  Meanwhile, after Holly tweeted to me, BlogFrog John emailed me and told me he didn’t know.

I have not been informed as to how deleted entries are being entered.  After all, they are deleted from the private community page.  So how is BlogFrog tallying up entries?  What methods are being used?

Jennifer Mckinney (trade name: Mckmama) emailed me and told me that my comment was still entered, despite the comment being untruthful and not helpful.  My comment was sarcastic, but it was truthful.  Mckmama herself has mentioned being foreclosed on two homes, and her bankruptcy paperwork makes it clear that they have surrendered the third home.  Mckmama made several false accusations about me in her emails, but I’m not surprised. That’s pretty much her M.O.  She also demanded that I delete my blogfrog comments (bizarre, since she already deleted them, which is how this whole thing got started.)

Here are some things you can do- please raise questions in as many places as you can.  Perhaps someone will bestir themselves to answer.

Reference this URL http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/million-moms-challenge/2011/12/15/healthy-baby-101/

Contact ABC News. 
Phone: 212-456-7777  When I called, I had to (calmly, don’t get mad) repeat that I was calling regarding the Million Moms bloggers posted on ABCNews.com.  There were several transfers before I finally was sent to the correct department.  I personally spoke with a woman named Kimberly.
ABCNews contact form, for questions and comments about content (save a copy of what you send.)
ABCNews contact form, for technical issues using the site.  Missing comments are a technical issue.

Contact BlogFrog.  Again, save a copy of your comments.
On Twitter: @theblogfrog, @hollyhamann, @rustinb

Continue to ask questions on the hashtag, #amillionmoms, if you tweet.  We may be able to find others who were affected this way.

Contact the FCC, and fill out their online form.  ABC News is a television station, with a website (ABCNews.go.com)

Contact the FTC, and fill out their online form.

If you get responses from ABC, BlogFrog, or anyone else, I would appreciate it if you forward it my way.  BlogFrog has already told me two different things- first that it IS an entry, then later that they didn’t know and are researching it.

Update: You can read GirlMeetsGeek’s take on it here: {Scammed} An Update on A Million Moms

More Million Moms originally appeared on Milehimama on December 17, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Have you heard of “A Million Moms“?

A Million Moms is about helping women in Africa get better health coverage, have safer pregnancies, and reduce the maternal/infant death rate.  Those are good things.

The Million Moms Challenge is sponsored by BlogFrog and is giving away an iPad2, among other things.

However, A Million Moms is partnered with quite a few organizations that are not pro-life, and are even anti-life, such as The Bill and Melissa Gates Foundation, AMREF, UNICEF, and others.  These organizations actively promote family planning programs in Africa that include expanding access to abortion and pushing IUDs on African women.  In fact, Bill Gates gave a speech indicating that he would like to use vaccines and “reproductive health” to reduce the world population by 15%.” (See minute 2:38 and onward)

So, not normally a contest I would enter.

But when I saw they hired notoriously bad mommyblogger Mckmama to pen “Healthy Baby 101″, the irony killed me.  So, I left a comment and entered the contest.

You can only enter once per person, but I left additional comments, including one responding to a woman questioning why the other commenters would take the time to post about Mckmama.

Today, my comments- and my entry into the iPad giveaway- were gone.  Deleted. I checked the official rules.  The requirement was to leave a comment to enter.  There were no restrictions on comment content. My comment wasn’t profane, rude, threatening, or illegal.

Frankly, I was appalled that they would hire this mommyblogger as an example of healthy parenting.

In fact, here they are:

1)  Here’s what Mckmama taught me about being a better parent. After reading her recent bankruptcy paperwork, I’ve vowed anew to always pay my utility bills before I pay my iPhone and web hosting bills. I’ve learned from her example, because now I’ve seen how badly that worked out for her. Also I’ve learned how important it is to keep up with those nagging bills like house payments. She’s had 3 foreclosures in just a few years and I know I don’t want my kids to go through that kind of upheaval. If you can’t be the good example, be the horrible warning. Thanks MckMama!

(Ed note: I am working on getting copies of the court documents which show the past foreclosures.  As I do not have them in hand yet, the above is my opinion only.  However, you can see the documents detailing her latest house default here.  This house is in default, but may not be foreclosed in the traditional sense of the word, the paperwork says “surrendered”.  See Sch. A, also see p. 46.)

2)  Oh! I just thought of another parenting tip from Mckmama (another what-not-to-do) Don’t dress your little boy up in pigtails and a bow tie and nothing else, take pictures of him wrestling n@ked with his brother, then dedicate an entire post about it on your blog ESPECIALLY if you are a “public figure” whose address is openly available on the internet. Keep your babies safe! I’m a pretty seasoned mom, but I do admit I learn a lot from her blog.

3) I don’t have a copy of this comment, but it was a response to Jennifer of “Jenny’s Blog” about why I cared about what Mckmama did.

Snarky?  Yes.  It was very snarky and I should have worded it differently.  I admit it.

And perhaps I should just mind my own business.  Except, mommyblogging IS my business (although I don’t earn over $100k a year at it, I just take in a little here and there) and Mckmama is constantly breaking rules, ignoring federal requirements for FTC disclosures, *possibly* running illegal lotteries, and generally giving mommybloggers a bad name.

(Ed. note: Jennifer Mckinney (trade name: Mckmama) has never been convicted in a court of law of running illegal lotteries.  It is solely my opinion that the lotteries are not in compliance with the law. I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.  I have amended my statement to reflect that they are possibly illegal, not proven-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt illegal, at Jennifer Mckinney’s request.)

Maybe it’s because I commented more than once?

Honestly, I don’t care about winning or not winning.  But the arbitrary deletion of any comments that criticize their choice of this mommyblogger gets on my nerves.

See, I was featured on ABCNews.com before.  And the comments were… awful.  Name calling, veiled threats, insults.  And for every comment attacking me, there were at least 10 attacking Walmart.  No one deleted those comments.  I’m a big girl and I can recognize that on the internet, not everyone will agree with me.  Some quite passionately disagreed with me.  Vehement, even.

Why is BlogFrog/ABC deleting comments/contest entries?  I did make more than one comment which may have disqualified me (I’m not sure) but I saw a few commenters that were only made once, and should have been a valid entry.  Poof!  They’re gone.

Isn’t that illegal for a contest?

I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.

If you commented on Mckmama’s “Healthy Baby 101″ post, and your comment has been deleted, would you contact me?  Let me know if you used BlogFrog or Facebook interface to comment, and if you have a copy of your comment.  We’ll get this sorted out. Thanks.

If you tweet this article, would you please add the #amillionmoms hashtag so it shows up in their stream?

I won’t go into all the reasons I think Mckmama is a bad blogger, but the #1 reason that gets me every time is her exploitation of children- her own, her Compassion International children, and any other babies and kids she comes across that she thinks she can use to promote her blog.

UPDATE:

I called ABCNews.com to relay my concerns.  The woman who answered the phone said ABC is responsible for the contest but it’s being run by another site (I’m guessing BlogFrog).  She will be looking into it.

Meanwhile, on another Million Moms Challenge post,  John from The BlogFrog commented:

Thank you for all your comments and feedback, and we understand your concerns. While we understand that discussions may occasionally upset or offend some readers, BlogFrog does not moderate or delete responses unless they are threatening or violate our terms of use: http://theblogfrog.com/learn/tou.aspx . All BlogFrog community owners have tools to moderate their own communities at their discretion, and we leave those decisions up to them. BlogFrog communities are forums for our members’ opinions, so we strive to keep a neutral, hands-off approach, just like Facebook doesn’t moderate people’s comments on their walls. If anyone has questions or comments about this issue or other BlogFrog policies, please contact us at http://theblogfrog.com/Learn/Feedback.aspx Thanks, John BlogFrog Customer Support

I KNOW it can’t be legal to let each “community leader” arbitrarily decide who is allowed an entry into the contest.  Also, the requirements for complying with The BlogFrog’s terms of use are not included in the official rules.  I didn’t enter using BlogFrog, any way, I entered using my Facebook ID.

UPDATE 1:28.  I commented on the Million Moms Challenge facebook page, and my comment was deleted withing 15 minutes.  I took a screenshot.

My comment was not profane, rude, vile, or threatening.  SOMETHING’s up.

UPDATE 3:45PM:  Mckmama has told me that only helpful, truthful comments will be accepted on her post.  She did not tell me which part of my comment was not truthful or helpful.

Holly of Blogfrog has tweeted me:

while community owners do have the right to delete/moderate comments, those replies remain valid contest entries.

Hi Lisa – its a sponsored conversation that is networks the discussion in both communities.

Hi Lisa, ABC News and UN Foundation sponsored that post as part of the campaign

Please see part 2- More Million Moms here for information on how to contact these companies and file a complaint.

Million Moms Challenge- Cheating? originally appeared on Milehimama on December 16, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

Husband had a dentist appointment, so he was home early.  He wanted to make dinner, and even went to the store to get ingredients.

This made me happy because I pulled a package of ground beef out of the freezer today, and that’s as far as dinner planning got.  I had a vague idea of doing something with the bok choy I bought earlier this week.

Husband came home and unloaded the groceries.  And his boss called him out on a service call, promising that it would be a late night.

Sigh.

I’m thankful for the hours, but I like having him around more.

And now I’m grumbling around the kitchen wondering what to make for dinner.  (Hubs asked me to save the ground beef because he’ll cook tomorrow. So now? I gots nothing.)

Isn’t it funny how that happens?  I was going to cook anyway. Had already planned on it.  So why is it making me cranky now?

I have a nice house with a nice kitchen, a working stove, pots and pans.  I have a pantry full of food and I am not worried about being able to buy more next week.  I have plenty of options- pasta that someone else made, that I merely have to boil.  Rice that’s been washed and prepared, I just need to add water and cook.  I’m not worried about access to fresh foods- in fact, I’m more worried that the abundance in my fridge will spoil before we can eat it.

I have a husband who wants to make me dinner.

And yet, I putter around the kitchen thinking “this sucks”.  I stare at packed shelves thinking “I just don’t feel like pasta tonight.”

Entitled.  Spoiled.  Grumbly.  The very things I take pains to correct in the children.  Truly, the mote is in my own eye.

I have a long way to go on this Advent road.

Dinner Drudgery originally appeared on Milehimama on December 15, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com

It’s time for toy shopping.

I’m not a big fan of toys that do only one thing, make a lot of electronic noises, and limit the imagination.  I want toys that inspire the mind and encourage the kids to be active; open ended toys that can be played with by children of different ages and different skill levels.  Also, I intentionally look for toys that will get them outside, get them moving, and give them a place to channel their energy.

We also have a budget, and I want toys that will last.  Toys that will be played with for a few days and forgotten are too expensive at any price; I’m looking for classic items that kids will play with for years.

Sure, we have bikes, skateboards, and basketballs but we also play with lots of other toys that encourage activity, body control, and a lot of open play.

Many parents give a kid a bike, a little freedom, and watch her ride off into the sunset.  Great for both balance and exercise.

But…if you’re having a little trouble with the “giving them freedom” part, do what I did: get a set of walkie talkies.  We have a creek behind our house that the kids love to explore, but it made me nervous to let them go.  So we keep in contact with the walkie talkies, and I can call them home easily.  We skipped the ones shaped like cartoon characters and bought a “real” set that can be recharged and with a good range because we live in a neighborhood with lots of houses and buildings around.  We’ve also used them when caravanning before we both had cell phones.

Nerf (we own for boys, age 4-13)

My boys age 4-13 love Nerf.  I thought some of the products  were a little expensive- $20-$40 for a plastic gun?  But my boys play with them for hours and hours, daily.  They run, tuck, dive, and roll.  They also play with kids of all ages in the neighborhood, and even the 2 year old gets in on the action.  These guns have served us well and are one of the most popular toys at our house.  I recommend getting at least two guns, or this set, to start with so it’s easy to include a friend.  You can buy a basic Nerf gun for around $7.

Xploderz (For R, age 13; P, age 12; S, age 9)
This year my boys are crazy for Xploderz, which are a cross between a water gun and a paint ball gun.  The ammo are little beads that you hydrate (like those water gel beads you can use in the garden) so when it hits the target, it splats.  We’re getting R and P the Xploderz Ranger 2000 and S is getting the Faceoff 400.

Play Silks (all kids)

These are a feast for the imagination, but also encourage active play.  Playsilks can be used in many ways: forts, tents, superhero capes, parachutes, princess dresses, fairy wings, or more.  You can buy them from educational and natural toy stores, but they can get pricey.  So, we’re making our own!

Dharma Trading company has the cheapest silk “blanks” (white, hemmed 100% silk scarves) and we’ll dye them with Kool-Aid (caution: you can only dye animal-based cloth this way, not rayon or cotton.)  I purchased 30″ white squares t0 dye, a few black squares, and a rectangle.  At around $4-5 each it’s a good investment to make. We’re giving them as gifts this year, too. What colors? Check out the Kool-Aid dye chart!

Balls

Of course basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls will promote activity, but smaller children might enjoy a sensory ball.  These are made of tough plastic and have nubs to help little hands catch and grab.

Building Toys (all kids)

Large blocks such as cardboard bricks encourage whole body movement as children stack, play, and knock down.  We bought a set of these last year and they were a huge hit.  I’ve seen Melissa and Doug brand at Hobby Lobby.  Find a ubiquitous 50% off coupon and you can get a great deal!

 Playhouse (for Juli, 10 months; Allie, 2; Xavi, 4, Clara,5)

These are expensive, so we’re pooling the gift for the little ones because I know they’ll play for hours and hours with the little house.  We chose this particular model because it has a “secret garden” children need to crawl into, a faucet and stove burner inside, and room for taller brothers and sisters to be served outside.  Plus Miss C (age 5) and Miss V (age 7) love to play restaurant, and it has a built in table and order window!  I searched high and low, and Walmart has the best price at $129.99, especially if you “ship to store” for free.
Walker Wagon (for Juli, 10 months)

This was the most economical simple walker I could find.  It has plenty of space for Baby J to “put in and take out” (the favorite baby game of all my toddlers) and it’s sturdy enough for her siblings to push her in.  We can use it both inside and outside.

Squinkies (Favored by Miss C, age 5)

These are only an exercise device if you have a crawling baby.  YOU will get a workout leaping from your chair to fish 1″ tall princesses out of the baby’s mouth and you’ll work that waistline doing the “bend and snap” before vacuuming.  Other items in the “Choking Prevention Workout” include Legos, Barbie shoes, and army men.

Blogging with integrity: I am an Amazon.com and a Target.com affiliate, so if you make a purchase through the link you will help support this site!  As noted, we actually own some of these toys, and others will be under the tree this Christmas.  I have actually purchased the items listed here.

Christmas Gifts for Active Kids originally appeared on Milehimama on December 12, 2011. If you see this posted on any other site, please let me know! Leave me a comment on www.milehimama.com