Save those plastic egg cartons! {quick tip}

If you buy the eggs that come in the plastic cartons, don't throw them away! I have been saving them for crafts. They are great for holding small amounts of many colored paint and small crafty objects like beads, pom poms and such. 

Is there anything you save and use for crafting? I'd love to know!

 

12 Ways {for me} to be a Better Mommy in 2012

I am not the type to make a resolution but I did set one important goal for myself this year: to be a better mommy. It's not that I think I'm doing a bad job, but there is always room for improvement. I came up with 12 ways I can improve myself to be a better parent to Bug. Afterall, she deserves the best!

Here they are {I will add a link to the post as I write about each}:

1. Spend more time outside: being that it's getting colder and colder I have been slacking outside time. I just downloaded the book "15 Minutes Outside" by Rebecca P. Cohen for my Kindle app. which I got for free on my desktop & phone. There are so many ideas to do outside with your kids.
2. Play more: No matter what I'm doing {with a couple exceptions} when Bug invites me to play with her, I will play! Not in 10 minutes, not in 5...right then.
3. Welcome toddler help: Bug loves to help, but sometimes I am in a hurry or it would risk burning dinner {I can not multi-task well} that when she is trying to help me I don't always welcome it. No more!
4. Get messy: I love watching Bug make a mess but I don't always get messy with her. I know she would love it if we got messy together.
5. Read more together: we read a lot as it is, but more couldn't hurt. What's an extra book at bedtime going to hurt? Nada!
6. Encourage independance: Unless we have somewhere to be on time, I will let Bug try to dress herself. So what if she picks out her own outfit & it doesn't match? If she wants to pour her own milk I will put it in a small pitcher/measuring cup for her to do it.
7. Be a good role model: it's easy to teach good manners & how to handle your emotions but it's another thing to do as you say. I don't want to be one of those moms who has to say "do as I say, not as I do".
8. Leave the Computer/TV/Phone for Bug's nap & bed time: I may be up a little later than usual getting things done, but I will save electronic time for when Bug is asleep.
9. Get into a routine: we aren't always consistant around here but having a routine is beneficial and makes transitioning less of an issue since they would be expected. 
10. Teach Bug to Pay it Forward: be it picking up trash we see on a walk, helping a neighbor carry in bags...we are going to try to be more helpful to those around us & the environment.
11. Pray Together: Bug is getting older and I think it's about time we say some morning & nightly prayers together. 
12. Be happy: things aren't always peachy keen. We have been struggling with some things and the stress doesn't always keep me in the best of moods. I have been finding myself loosing patence quicker than I used to and I don't like it...not one bit. So that's about to change...now!

I will be posting in more detail about each of these throughout the next few months.

I'd love for you to share your resolutions if you made any! :) {of if you have any ideas to help me with mine}