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Winter Activity #8 - Turn Your House Into a Movie Theater

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:35:31 +0000

I took my boys to the movie theater to catch Yogi Bear on the big screen. Admission cost $15 for my 4 year old and me. The baby got in ...

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When Mom is Away...

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:26:39 +0000

Last week, I traveled 2,000 miles away from home. Without kids. Without my husband. Without middle-of-the-night wake-up calls or diaper changes. It was the first time I had ever left my children for more than a night or two and, from one coast to the other, the longest distance I'd traveled away from them.

Jelly Bellies in the bread box. Where is your mother?
Photo © Apryl Duncan

While I was gone, my husband stepped into the role of Mr. Mom. His parents stayed at our house to serve as live-in nannies.

After my week away, I returned to a house that was still mine ... but different. My children were in one piece, which was the most important part.

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When Mom is Away... originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Saturday, February 18th, 2012 at 12:26:39.

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More Veggies, Please!

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:38:23 +0000

I used to feel so lucky when I was talking to my mom friends, and they were complaining about their kids refusing to eat vegetables. My son was eating everything from broccoli to beets.

A picky eater lets you know how he feels.
Photo © Apryl Duncan

Then my luck ran out.

It started with my son's self-imposed ban of any food that was green. Then he began using his hand over his mouth to protest anything but mashed potatoes and corn.

Once he discovered Mommy had been hiding vegetables in his mashed potatoes, he pursed his lips tightly into an impenetrable fortress when he saw the white stuff coming. We were down to corn as his solo veggie.

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More Veggies, Please! originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 17th, 2012 at 10:38:23.

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Winter Activity #7 - Play a Life-Sized Board Game

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:22:53 +0000

My preschooler loves board games. He also loves being super-active. I combined the 2 to make a life-sized board game filled with fun and adventure. These instructions show you how to create your own life-sized board game in a short amount of time.

A life-sized board game brings the family hours of fun.
Photo © Apryl Duncan

Our game design always changes. I use painter's tape to mark off the board's spaces. One day we'll play in the living room. The next day, the board game will have him traveling down the hall, into the dining room and through the kitchen.

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Winter Activity #7 - Play a Life-Sized Board Game originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 at 10:22:53.

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5 Things Parents Should Never Post on Facebook

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:35:10 +0000

Proud parents love to show off their kids. Used to be that we would just force our wallet full of photos onto unsuspecting strangers at the doctor's office or in grocery store lines. Today, it only takes a couple of clicks for us to share our kids' photos with everyone from Aunt Susie in London to an old kindergarten classmate in Alaska.

Be careful of what you post on Facebook.
Photo © Getty Images

Facebook can easily be called the number one resource where parents post their children's photos. It's easy to keep up with family members and reconnect with our long-lost friends.

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5 Things Parents Should Never Post on Facebook originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 13th, 2012 at 10:35:10.

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Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Moms

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:42:02 +0000

Roses wilt then leave a mess mom has to clean up. Jewelry is pretty but isn't practical for a mom who chases toddlers all day.

Make sure your gift is memorable in a good way.
Photo © maxlain / stock.xchng

This year, think outside of the chocolate box for Valentine's Day gift ideas for mom.

There are plenty of great gifts for mom that aren't cliched or impractical. So when you head out to do your shopping, keep walking past the aisle with the pink plastic hearts and red balloons to stay off the bad gifts for mom list.

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Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Moms originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 10th, 2012 at 10:42:02.

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Winter Activity #6 - Create an "I Ruff You" Foam Dog

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:07:37 +0000

One of the very first Valentine's Day projects I created with my older son is the "I Ruff You" foam dog. This cute pup has been living on our refrigerator for the past 3 years.

Say "I Ruff You!" to family and friends
Photo © Apryl Duncan

Step-by-step instructions show you how to create an "I Ruff You" foam dog of your own. And your supply list is simple: a few foam sheets that cost about 50-cents each, some googly eyes, mini pom poms and a pen. Everything can be found at your favorite craft and hobby store.

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Winter Activity #6 - Create an "I Ruff You" Foam Dog originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 10:07:37.

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Take the Kids Around the World Without Ever Leaving Home

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:40:45 +0000

Where can children see monkeys roaming through their neighborhood? Where do kids eat beet soup topped with sour cream?

Go on a global adventure with your kids to explore other countries. You don't even have to leave your living room. With activities that start with preschoolers and go all the way up to your school-age children, the whole family can explore world cultures together.

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Take the Kids Around the World Without Ever Leaving Home originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Monday, February 6th, 2012 at 10:40:45.

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Things to Do with Kids in February

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:02:06 +0000

Are your kids screaming, "I'm bored," from being trapped indoors yet? We're starting to hunker down around here with the nippy weather forcing us to stay inside.

February is full of fun activities to enjoy with your kids, despite the weather outside. And with important month-long observances, such as American History Month, Black History Month and American Heart Month, there are plenty of opportunities to teach your kids something new while you're waiting for the weather to warm up.

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Things to Do with Kids in February originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 11:02:06.

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Winter Activity #5 - Shoot an I Love You Photo Collage

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:39:29 +0000

Just in time for Valentine's Day, this week's winter activity lets the whole family get creative to shoot an "I Love You" photo collage. It's a great gift for grandparents, but you'll soon see you want to make one for yourself too. These step-by-step instructions show you how to make a unique collage.

My son was barely 2 when we started creating these for Dad. I printed off the letters in "I Love You" and "Daddy" on 8.5x11 sheets of glossy paper.

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Winter Activity #5 - Shoot an I Love You Photo Collage originally appeared on About.com Stay-at-Home Moms on Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 at 10:39:29.

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