Even More April Fool's Day Tricks

Still need a little inspiration coming up with just the right prank to play on your friends and family.. check these out.

Candy in a Fruit Can

Spaghetti and Meatballs?

Meatloaf Cupcakes

You could do a backwards dinner and serve the cupcakes for dinner and spaghetti for dessert.  

Swagbucks Update

This will be a daily post to show you how quick and easy it is to use Swagbucks.  It takes just a few minutes a day to see the benefits.  If you haven't tried it yet signing up is easy and you get bonus bucks.  Give it a shot and see how you do. 
Here are my daily Swagbuck totals for March following the steps listed here:
3/1 - 1
3/2 - 68
3/3- 113
3/4 -184
3/5- 297
3/6- 359
3/7- 426 - bought a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
3/8 - 38
3/9 - 105
3/10-178
3/11- 286
3/12- 391-bought a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
3/13 - 18
3/14 - 85
3/15-178
3/16 -278
3/17 - 393 - bought a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
SBTV on the toolbar is great.  I can watch videos and continue to use the web. 
3/18- 35
3/19- 147
3/20 - 200
3/21- 294
3/22-375 bought a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
3/23-29  
3/24 - 128 - lots of videos today so I earned more then usual
3/25- 250
3/26 -348
3/27 -448 - bought a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card
3/28 -87
3/29 - 208
3/30 - 320
3/31 - 430
As you can see I made almost $30 this month using Swagbucks.  It is so easy and takes very little time to build it up. 
Read more about Swagbucks here.

More April Fools Tricks

April Fools Day is for the kid in all of us. Here are a few more ways you can fool your children.

Bedtime Switcheroo
After you children go to bed move around some of their furniture or toys. They will wake up to a big surprise!

Mouse Malfunction
For your older children who check their email or Facebook first thing in the morning you can put part of a post-it note over the tracking ball on the computer mouse. It won't work for them! You can write April Fools on the post-it.


If the Shoe Fits 
Stuff tissue in the toes of your children's shoes so when they go to put their shoes on they can't!


*Ideas from Parenting.com

Wacky Wednesday

Create a scavenger hunt.  Create a simple list of with items for your child to find - around the house, outside, or looking out the car window as your running errands.  Add pictures for little ones.

April Fool's Day Pranks

When we were growing up my parents were big tricksters on April Fool's Day.  We had to be on guard all day.  You never knew what was coming.  Check out these ideas from Parenting for some family friendly pranks. 

This one would be perfect to do on my son-in-law since I know he has cereal EVERY morning.
Put water in a cereal bowl, and freeze overnight. The next morning, offer to fix Dad or your kids a bowl of cereal. Pour the cereal on top of the ice, completely covering it, and watch them try to dig in.



Kids Eat Free at Chili's

Oops.... I almost forgot to remind you that tonight, March 29th  kids can eat at Chili's for free AGAIN!!  The free meal is available to kiddos 12 and under. Limit two Kid’s Meals per each adult entree ordered. So if you already made dinner save it for tomorrow and go enjoy a night out.

Tasty Tuesday

Getting children to eat healthy is tricky.  These quick, easy to make Carrot Apple Raisin muffins from Blade and Cauldron that you can grab and go in the morning is a nutritional way to jump start the day.

Home Depot Kids Workshop

The free Home Depot workshops teach children ages 5 -12 do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children.

In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

Kellogg's Coupons

Sign up for $5 in coupons, special offers, promotions & more from Kellogg's!Click Here and you can print money saving coupons.
Also, you can get a $10.00 prepaid Master Card when you submit UPC codes from select Kellogg cereals.

Museums on Us

On the first full weekend of every month, get free admission to participating museums, zoos, science centers, botanical gardens and more just by showing your Bank of America Card. This is such an incredible deal. Go here to find a museum near you.
Here are the dates for 2011
April 2 & 3  
May 7 & 8    
June 4 & 5 
July 2 & 3
Aug 6 & 7
Sept 3 & 4
Oct 1 & 2

Nov 5 & 6

Dec 3 &  4

Craft of the Week

 Has spring got you in the mood to garden?  These garden stones would be a colorful addition and the kids will have so much fun making them.  Check out the complete tutorial on Twig and Toadstool.

Barnes and Noble Events

Barnes and Noble stores offer weekly storytime for preschooler and toddler's as well as other special events.  Times and activities vary be location so check your local locations to see what is happening in your area.

Edible Finger Paint

I take care of an adorable 15 month old little boy while his mom works.  I thought he would have fun fingerpainting but I knew it would go from hands to mouth so I wanted something edible.  I knew I could use pudding but I wanted something his mom could save. This is what I came up with:

Ingredients:
1 cup of flour
1 cup of hot water
1 1/2 cups cold water
2 Tbsp salt
food coloring

Directions:
Mix the flour, salt and cold water in a saucepan and stir well. Smooth out any lumps. Add a cup of hot water to the mixture and stir well. Put the saucepan on the stove and let it boil on medium high heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens. Monitor the mixture as it boils to ensure it doesn't burn or turn into clumps. Turn off the heat as soon as the mixture thickens.  Place the mixture in a bowl.   Use a mixer or whisk and beat the mixture until very smooth.

Divide the mixture into several small disposable cups or bowls.  Add different food coloring into each mixture according to the desired colors.  Let cool.  Place on freezer paper or fingerpainting paperand let the fun begin.

A few tips I learned: 
After whisking for about 5 minutes the mixture still had clumps so a ran it through a strainer to remove them.
If I was making this recipe for just a couple of kiddos I would cut the recipe in half or maybe in fourths.  It made a lot of paint.

Wacky Wednesday

Rise and Shine Dance Party
Choose some energetic music and turn the stereo up loud enough to wake up your sleepy kids and have a dance party.  Yes, they will think you have lost all you marbles but isn't that what is fun about Wacky Wednesday. 

If you haven't already don't forget to read Wacky Wednesday.

Easter Party Ideas

Check out these Easter treats!! Aren't they adorable? It's alway's a party at the Parker's has these and many more wonderful party ideas on her blog. The tags, wraps, signs... are available to print so you can make your own wonderful treats for your Easter Party.

Upside down cupcakes! I never would have thought of that.

 A cute little take home treat for party guest.

I need to get the recipe for these marshmallow cookies.

Chili's Kids Eat Free

March on into Chili's Tuesday, March 22nd because they are giving kids 12 and under a free kids meal. You can order two FREE kids meals per adult entree purchased! If you don't mind the noise sit in the bar area and get free chips and salsa. This makes for a cheap night out.

If you haven't signed up for the Chili's Email Club make sure you do and you will receive a coupon for a free order of chips and queso. Sign up here.

Tasty Tuesday

 

I have such a sweet tooth.  Every time I think of my post for Tasty Tuesday that is where my mind goes - straight to the sweets.  Today I thought I would feature something a little healthier but just as yummy.  And what kid won't love having food served to them on a stick?   This recipe is brought to you by Super Healthy Kids.


Ingredients:
All natural peanut butter 
Shredded apples (with a cheese grater)
Shredded carrots (also used a cheese grater)
1 Whole Wheat tortilla
1 bamboo skewer

Spread the peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla. Top the tortilla with shredded carrots and apples. Roll up. Place the pinwheels on the skewer along with a few apple slices. 

Just think of all the variations you could do with this idea:
Nutella instead of peanut butter, bananas instead of apples.. you get the idea.  Have fun with it.  It is a great way to get kids to eat healthier. 

Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic

Lowe's Build and Grow workshop for children is this Saturday, March 26th at 10:00 AM.  This kit is fun for the whole family! Ask a question, shake up the kit and look inside for the answer! The class is open to the first 50 participants at each location so register in advance.

Each child also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.

March is National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month!  Yoplait wants to encourage us all to snack healthier and Yoplait is one way to do that. With the many nourishing options that Yoplait has to offer - with varieties like Yoplait Light, Yoplait Original, Yoplait Fiber One, Yoplait Kids and Yoplait Delight Parfaits it is a great snack for the whole family.

Be sure to "like" Yoplait on Facebook.

 Each product offers different benefits, and loads of variety, to make eating well a no-brainer. Here are five great ways to `get your snack on´ with Yoplait this March!

1. Start spring off right with Yoplait Light´s Two Week Tune Up Plan - Replace breakfast and lunch with a cup of your favorite flavor of Yoplait Light, a whole grain and a piece of fruit and you could lose 5 pounds in two weeks. Go to Yoplait.com for full diet details.

2. Get more calcium with Yoplait Original style yogurt - Now with two times the calcium of the leading yogurt (50 percent of the Recommended Daily Value) in one convenient 6-ounce cup*, Yoplait Original style yogurt is committed to women´s health, offering a product that has even more of the calcium women need for strong, healthy bodies. Grab a free cup while supplies last during the Million Cup Giveaway on Yoplait on Facebook!

3. Try the newest flavor from Yoplait Fiber One - Yoplait Fiber One´s new Blueberry flavor yogurt is packed with filling fiber, calcium, vitamins A and D, real fruit and the great taste of blueberries. With only 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat, this deliciously creamy yogurt won´t break your calorie bank.

4. Stress less over snack time with Yoplait Kids yogurt - With a wholesome and fun snack like Yoplait Kids yogurt in the fridge, you can feel good about what your children are eating at snack time. Yoplait Kids provides an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, and has 25% less sugar than the leading kids´ yogurt**. With yummy flavors, and favorite friends like Dora and Lightning McQueen on the packages, Yoplait Kids is a hit with moms and children alike.

5. End the day with a Delight Parfait from Yoplait - Even with two luscious layers providing a double shot of rich and creamy yogurt, these 100 calorie indulgences from Yoplait contain only 1.5 grams of fat per serving. Now available in two new flavors, Chocolate Éclair and Cherry Cheesecake, you can enjoy a dessert that´s 100 percent guilt-free.

*Leading yogurt has less than 25% Daily Value calcium per 6 oz.
**Yoplait kids has 9 grams of sugar per 3oz. the leading kids' yogurt has 13 grams of sugar per 3oz.
"Like" Yoplait on facebook to get the latest information and news.

Disclosure: This information was provided to us by Yoplait and by posting the information I have the chance to win a prize provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

The Knack Free Family Event - Make-It Take-It Bottle Caps

Learn how to turn ordinary bottle caps into a work of art.  Michael's is holding a free event for children ages 3 and up on Sunday, March 27th.  This event is from 1 PM - 3 PM, while supplies last.