Post Christmas Traditions for Families

After Christmas Traditions
By: Vickie Munsi www.vickiemusni.com

There are so many fantastic "before Christmas" traditions, but I seldom hear about many "after Christmas" traditions. I wanted to share 3 post-Christmas activities that I remember from my growing up years and things that we try to incorporate in our family.

1. Christmas Card Prayers - Around New Year's we would begin doing Christmas Card Prayers after dinner. My mom would pass around the basket of Christmas cards and each of us kids would get to choose one. We would read the card/letter, talk about any pictures or photos, and then my mom would tell us about who it was from. She would share how they knew that person, where they lived, and any other interesting facts. We would then say a prayer for each person or family whose card we read that evening. Sometimes it would take us until Easter to get through the basket but I always enjoyed doing it. I think this tradition may be why the Christmas cards we receive today are so special to me.

2. Share Piles - I grew up with three brothers and now have 4 kids of my own. Several years ago we started being more intentional about "sharing" old toys to make room for the new ones. We talk with the kids about the new toys they received and what a blessing it is to have new things and then we remind them that not everyone has as many toys as they do. We discuss the importance of sharing and then help them select toys to "share" with a local charity. Our goal is to select something similar in size/value for each gift that they received. It doesn't always work out exactly that way, but the exercise of sharing their toys is a healthy one.

3. Saying Thanks - I'm so grateful that my parents emphasized the importance of saying a proper thank you to people. Christmas time is one of the easiest times to practice this lesson because most kids have at least another week before they go back to school! I started having my kids "do" their own thank you notes when they were two years old. A simple way is type a short message in a bubble font and let the kids color it. You can also let toddlers or preschoolers color on a blank piece of paper (folded to make a card) and attach of photo of the child opening their gift or playing with the new toy. With older preschoolers, I often let them decorate the front of the card with stickers or pre-cut fun foam shapes, write a short message of thanks inside and let the child sign his or her name. By around age 5 or 6 kids can use those "fill-in-the-blank" cards that you can purchase from many stationery stores. Middle elementary age (and up!) should be able to
come up with at least 2 good sentences for a thank you letter. Watch for sales on cute Christmas stationery that often goes on sale with the Christmas cards! Just a word of caution - keep in mind your child's personality and attention span and don't expect them to write too many thank you's in one sitting!

God bless you this new year as you begin some new After Christmas Traditions!

New Years Eve Celebrations with kids

5 New Year's Eve Tips for Families
By: Trish Berg

1. FAST FORWARD - If you have young children, and midnight is way too late for them to be up, try fast forwarding the clock so that it reads midnight at 8 or 9 pm. Celebrate the New Year then with the kiddos, then put them to bed so you and your husband can celebrate at the REAL midnight.



2. BUBBLE WRAP STOMP - We have been doing this a few years now. Go to your local Pack and Ship store, and buy several yards of bubble wrap. Just before midnight, roll it out, and the New Year comes, your kids can stomp and stomp on the bubble wrap, making a ton of noise in celebration. Clean up is a snap. Roll up and throw out.



3. BOARD GAME BONANZA - Have your kids round up all their favorite board games, and make a stack. On New Year's Eve, play one game at a time, and work your way down the stack of games.



4. DUO PARTIES - If you are having a New Year's Eve party for families, you can have 2 parties going on simultaneously. Have the adult party upstairs and the kid party in the rec room downstairs. Adults- Can have fancier food and adult conversation or games. Kids: Can run around, watch movies, play games and eat pizza and pop.



5. HOURLY CHANGE UP - Each hour on the hour, have something fun happen. Draw a name randomly from a jar to win a door prize (that you can pick up at Dollar Tree); change seating positions, or bring out a new food to enjoy.


Trish Berg is author to 4 books, including Rattled-Surviving Your Baby’s First Year without Losing Your Cool and A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts. Read more of Trish’s columns, tips, and download tons of free stuff to help you simplify motherhood at www.TrishBerg.com.

Scones for frugal moms

The word FRUGAL has become an every day word in the Novotny home, as we continue to find ways to stretch our dollars.

My kids are big scone eaters, especially the Fisher scones that I make using the boxed mix. I used to purchase my boxed mixes at the local Grocery Outlet store, and even Costco carried it for a while. Unfortunately for my family neither have it on their shelves any longer. So, I have two options: full price at the grocery store (about $3.50-$4.00 per box) or find a new homemade version.

Being FRUGAL means going for the thrifty option of making homemade scones. So, I asked our 24/7 MOMS for their favorite recipes. As usual, they quickly sent in some MOM-tested scone recipes to share with us.


Simple Sweet Scones
Submitted By: Tammy Boring

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold, unsalted butter, cut up
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup milk

Heat oven to 425 F. Put flour, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl, stir to mix well.

Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender or rub in with your fingers, until the mixture looks like fine granules. Add sugar; toss to mix.

Add milk and stir with a fork until soft dough forms. Form dough into a ball, put onto a lightly floured board, and give 10 - 12 kneads.

To make triangular scones but dough in half. Knead each half lightly into a ball and turn smooth side up. Pat or roll into a 6-inch circle. Cut each circle into 6 or 8 wedges. Place wedges on an ungreased cookie sheet - slightly apart for crisp sides, touching for soft sides.

Bake about 12 minutes, or until medium brown on top. ( I like to gently pull apart where two wedges meet to make sure it is not still doughy in the center.) Put on a linen or cotton dish towel on a wire rack; cover loosely with the cloth and cool completely before serving.

For tea parties, the night before, I make the dough up to the point of adding the milk, storing the 'scone granules' in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. It's a simple matter the next day to add the milk, shape, cut and bake!



WONDERFUL SCONES
Submitted By: Kara Mcquillan
I found this one online last year and the scones bake up beautifully!

3 C all-purpose flour
3 T sugar
1 T baking powder
1/4 t salt
1/2 C chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4" pieces
3 eggs, divided
1 C plus 1 T milk, divided

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray a large baking sheet with
vegetable oil cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. With
a pastry blender or two knives, cut butter into flour mixture until
particles are the size of small peas. In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs
lightly with 1 cup milk. Add to flour mixture; stir until just
mixed.

On a lightly floured surface, knead dough gently (don't overwork or
scones will be tough). Divide dough in half. Pat each into a round
dome. Flour a knife before cutting into wedges. Place wedges 1"
apart on prepared baking sheet.

In a small bowl, combine 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of milk. Brush onto
scones. Bake 15 - 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from
oven and serve warm.

Yields 12 - 14 scones.

As a lovely accompaniment to your scones, you can make this (FYI
since the above recipe makes large scones, I normally double the
Devonshire Cream recipe):

MOCK DEVONSHIRE CREAM

3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 T sugar
1/8 t salt
1 C heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and salt. Stir until
well blended. Stir in whipping cream. With an electric mixer, beat
mixture until stiff. Store in refrigerator.

Enjoy!!

Do you have a YUMMY scone recipe send it to trisha@247moms.com

Luvs Diaper giveaway

One thing I know as a mom is that I love freebies, coupons and frugal ways to save money. So, today 24/7 MOMS is giving away ONE coupon for a FREE jumbo pack, any size Luvs diapers.

To enter to win the FREE jumbo pack of Luvs diapers coupon, enter your name and email address in the box below and answer today's 24/7 MOMS question and you will be entered for the Luvs Diapers giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list (if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber). Winner will be selected on December 30th, 2008


Today's 24/7 MOMS Question: Tell us one of your mom tested frugal money saving ideas that we can share with our 24/7 MOMS.

E- Cookie Exchange continues

Today we will wrap up our first 24/7 MOMS E- Cookie exchange. It was so much fun receiving all of the great yummy mom tested recipes this year and I look forward to 24/7 MOMS 2009 E- Cookie exchange.

Here are a few more MOM Tested cookie and baking recipes in case you are looking for one more yummy treat to make this Christmas Season.


WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEX MIX
Submitted by Kara Mcquillan

I have already made two batches of this since Thanksgiving and it disappears like crazy. My son Declan informed me "Mommy, this is the BEST!"

Ingredients
4 cups corn or rice chex cereal
4 cups mini twist pretzels
2 cups salted cocktail peanuts
1 bag plain M&Ms
1 bag peanut M&Ms

Toss the above ingredients together before coating in the melted chocolate

2 bags white chocolate chips
2 T vegetable oil

put chips and oil in microwave safe bowl. Cook on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir and continue to cook for 30 second increments until smooth, stiring after each increment.

Pour over dry ingredients and stir gently (otherwise you will crush chex and pretzels). Turn out onto large sheet of waxed paper. Let set for 30 minutes. Break into chunks and enjoy!!
Scotch Shortbread
Submitted by: Alyson www.threepsinapod.blogspot.com
www.3psmamasays.blogspot.com
Ingredients
½ pound butter (room temp)
½ cup corn starch
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour

Combine and mix (with fingers) until blended and soft. (Will seem somewhat dry) Press into a 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 200 degrees and bake 15 minutes more.

Cut in squares while hot.

Danielle’s Yummy Treat

Ingredients
20 cups of popped popcorn (air popper works great)
Frito Chips
Almond Bark

Directions-Melt bark in microwave. Mix in with popcorn and fritos. Spread on lined cookie sheets to prevent clumping. Serve. This will fill up the giant Tupperware bowls. Tasty!

Happy Baking!

Beethoven's Big Break - Preview night at the Novotny's

It was family movie night at the Novotny’s last night and we had the opportunity to review Beethoven’s Big Break. A brand-new hilarious family adventure featuring the world's best loved St. Bernard as he's never been seen before!

Beethoven’s Big Break story line was about animal handler Eddie (Silverman) who works with lots of creatures, and has a strict NO PETS ALLOWED policy and won’t let his son Billy keep adorable stray dog Beethoven and his family of puppies. But when dog-nappers steal the canine star of the movie Eddie’s working on, the studio big shots must quickly find a replacement and unexpectedly cast the lumbering canine as their next big star. Through his rambunctious antics and larger-than-life personality, Beethoven not only crashes into Hollywood but into Eddie’s heart as well.


The all-new adventure comes exclusively to DVD on December 26, 2008 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Beethoven’s Big Break is jam-packed with more action and laughs than ever before. Featuring an exciting array of bonus materials, the DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP.

For you Beethoven fans who are in need of even more puppy love, Beethoven’s Big Break will also be included in the new Beethoven's Dog-gone Best Movie Pack, available on December 26. Six hilarious full-length movies for one great price, Beethoven's Dog-gone Best Movie Pack includes every chapter of the hugely successful dog franchise. With over 8 hours of action, laughs and surprises, Beethoven's Dog-gone Best Movie Pack will satisfy the most devoted fans of the big-hearted, wet-nosed Beethoven and his adorable puppies.

The Novotny’s enjoyed previewing Beethoven’s Big Break so much that this mom is positive she will be hearing this movie played over and over again during our Christmas break.

Watch the below you tube to see a hilarious scene from Beethoven's Big Break....Available December 26th, 2008. You can pre-order it at the 24/7 MOMS Store.

Simple- Fast - Yummy Crispix Cereal Treat

Looking for a last minute simple, fast and yummy treat to bake for your family or for a gift to give to your family and friends?


Last Christmas my friend Valerie gave our family a fun decorated paint can filled with some simple, fast and yummy Crispix cereal treat. So I begged her for the recipe and tonight I made my first batch of it.

So, if you want rave reviews this year over your holiday baking I suggest you add this recipe to your collection and make a few batches for your family and friends.

A perfect treat to place in cellophane bags for simple gift giving.

Valerie’s CRISPIX Cereal Treat

1 pound butter
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 boxes of 14 oz Crispix cereal
Almonds or pecans (optional)

Heat all ingredients until glossy. POur over 2 boxes of Crispix cereal and nuts. Mix well until coated. Divide in 2-3 pans and bake in oven at 225 degrees for 1 hour mixing every 15 minutes. Spread to dry on wax paper.

Do you have a Simple, Fast and Yummy treat to share with the 24/7 MOMS email it to us at trisha@247moms.com.

Frugal and Thrifty MOM Finds

Looking for some FRUGAL money saving ideas? here are this weeks Freebies, Online shopping and money saving ideas at 24/7 MOMS.

Freebies:

$5.00 from Kohls - Just enter your email address to sign-up for their email alerts and you'll get a coupon to Save $5 off any $5 purchase.
http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/registration/sale_alert_signup.jsp$5 off $5 Kohl's Purchase


Online Bargain Shopping


Bath and Body Wall flowers on sale $6.00 each starter sets and refills.
www.bathandbodyworks.com







Nordstrom: 40% or more off a huge selection of coats and outer wear. www.nordstroms.com






Christianbook.com: Shipping upgrade UPS 2nd day air for the cost of UPS ground until 12/22 use coupon code 289292 www.christianbook.com



Old Navy: Is having a 60 gifts for $6.00 and under sale plus a huge clearance sale www.oldnavy.com




Amazon: has some amazing toy deals going on right now. Check out the great deals at the 24/7 MOMS Amazon store by clicking here: http://astore.amazon.com/27m-20 and going to the Toy and Game store. You can do additional AMAZON shopping at the 24/7 MOMS new store.

A few examples of the great deals are:

Techno Source Rubik's Revolution $8.57

Mega Bloks King Arthur Battle Action Castle $29.99

Polly Pocket Ultimate Party Boat Playset. $7.99

Vtech - V.Smile Pocket Learning System $42.82

Hasbro Playskool Dream Town Rose Petal Cottage $44.99




E-bates: Have you signed up for E-bates yet? This is the easiest way to save money shopping online.

E-bates, a shopping site that gives you up to 26% Cash Back every time you shop online. You can shop at over 1000 stores including Barnes & Noble.com, Gap, Target, Buy.com and Expedia. Plus you get additional savings with exclusive coupons, free shipping offers, and limited-time sales!

Sign up with E-bates today and you will get a $5 bonus when you make your first purchase!

How E-bates Works? E-bates has over 1000 merchant partners (stores) that pay E-bates for your business. Most sites keep the money, but NOT E-bates. They send you the savings in a form of a big fat check 4 times a year or transfer teh money into your paypal account. They can even send the money to your favorite charity. All 100% free.

So go ahead, sign up and start shopping now. Joining E-bates is always free - you'll never pay us anything.

Click here to sign up http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=TokJVAgilo2PYu65qkhYLg%3D%3D and get your $5.00 shopping bonus


Frugal MOM saving Tips:

Cammryne Shares her frugal money saving tip on Children's books:

If your house is anything like mine, you've got hundreds of children's books overflowing every shelf. And, every month the kids come home with new Scholastic book order forms from school. Well, my children don't need another book! But, I love that they love books, and want to foster that reading spirit. S

we use those book order leaflets as inspiration for what to check out from the library! The kids circle the books they are interested in on the form. Then, I log into my library account online and request the ones that are appropriate for our family. It's the best of everything - the kids get to read tons of new books, and it doesn't cost mom a dime!

Share your frugal saving tips with the 24/7 MOMS - send your ideas to us at trisha@247moms.com

E-Cookie Exchange Continues

The 24/7 MOMS E-Cookie exchange continues today with some great recipes submitted by several of our 24/7 MOMS.

Have you tried a new recipe this year? send it to us at trisha@247moms.com and share your great recipes with the 24/7 MOMS.

Holiday Date Bars
By : Allison Stephens
allisonstephens@jbfsale.com www.jbfsale.com

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
Cream butter and sugar, add eggs one at a time.

1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp water
1 8oz pkg dates, cut up
Combine soda and water, blend into creamed mixture, add dates.

3 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp cloves
Dash of salt
l cup chopped nuts
Stir together dry ingredients, blend with creamed mix, add nuts.

2 tablespoons sugar

On lightly floured board, shape into rolls 10" long by 3/4" diameter. Place 2 rolls on each butteres baking sheet. With fingers, flatten rolls to 1/2" thickness. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. While hot, make diagonal slices 1 1/2" to form bars. Enjoy!




GRANDMA'S CEREAL COOKIES
By: Lynne M. Kenney

What child doesn't like cookies? If you're having trouble geting your children to eat their cereal in the morning, here's the recipe for delicious, nutritious cookies, from my grandma.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening or organic butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
2 cups of your favorite nutritious cereal (We use Wheaties)
1 cup chocolate chips

Three steps that make you a cook:

1) Cream the shortening or butter, sugar, brown sugar, milk, egg and vanilla. 2) In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, the baking soda, the powder and the salt. 3) Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. When they're mixed fold in 1 cup chocolate chips and 2 cups of your favorite cereal.

Cook at 350 degrees on a buttered cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.


Pistachio Cream Cheese Fingers
Submitted By:Tammy Boring

PREP TIME 30 Min
COOK TIME 12 Min
READY IN 1 Hr 45 Min
Original recipe yield 8 dozen

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 (3 ounce) package instant pistachio pudding mix
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate
* 1 teaspoon shortening

* add to recipe box Add to Recipe Box
My folders:
* add to shopping list Add to Shopping List
* add a personal note Add a Personal Note

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, dry pudding mix, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Cover dough, and refrigerate for at least one hour for easier handling.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Shape teaspoonfuls of dough into finger shapes, about 1 1/2 inches long. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set and very lightly browned on bottoms. Cool completely on a wire rack.
In small saucepan over low heat, melt together chocolate and shortening, stirring constantly until smooth and well blended. Drizzle a small amount of chocolate over each cookie. Allow the chocolate to set before storing.



Darla Markovsky submitted these great cookies along with a cookies in a jar gift giving idea.

Best – ever Cowboy Cookies
(from Family Fun magazine, May ’06)

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, blend the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and continue to beat until fluffy, about 1½ minutes. Blend in the vanilla extract. Using a wooden spoon, stir the dry mixture into the butter mixture one half at a time. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 hours.

Heat the oven to 350°. Line a large, preferably light-colored baking sheet with aluminum foil, then grease the foil. Using a scant ¼ cup (a cookie scoop comes in handy for measuring), shape the dough into balls and place them on the sheet about 2 inches apart. Using your fingertips to flatten each ball to 1/3 inch thick. Bake the cookies on the center oven rack for 13 to 14 minutes, turning the sheet about halfway through. (Darla, WY, just bakes about 11 min and doesn’t turn!) When they’re done, the cookies should be very lightly browned and still look moist. Don’t over bake them. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Customizing Cowboy cookies:
Coconut Cowboy Cookies: 1 cup of flaked sweetened coconut, 2 cups of chocolate chips, and 1 cup of chopped walnuts

Cranberry White Chocolate Cowboy Cookies: 1 cup each of white chocolate chips and dried, sweetened cranberries

COWBOY COOKIE MIX IN A JAR

1 1/3 cups quick oats
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup chocolate chips (I used peanut butter & choc chips-only ½ c)
1 1/3 cups flour mixed with
1 tsp baking powder,
1 tsp baking soda,
and ¼ tsp salt.

Layer ingredients in order given in a 1 – quart “wide mouth” canning jar.
Press firmly in place before adding next ingredient.



COWBOY COOKIES
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Use your hands
to thoroughly blend mix.
Add:
1 stick butter or margarine, not diet, melted,
1 egg, slightly beaten,
1 tsp. vanilla, optional

Mix until completely blended. You will need to finish mixing
with your hands.

Shape into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2” apart in sprayed
baking sheet.

Bake at 350 for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly
browned. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to
racks to finish cooling.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

The Elf on the Shelf - A Christmas Tradition

A little visitor has been arriving at the Novotny’s home each morning. We have affectionately named him Alfie.

It all began last week, the morning after Dad read the story The Elf on the Shelf to Caleb and Nate-no. That morning the boys came screeching into our bedroom full of giggles and wiggles looking a little like they were dancing in circles. They were so filled with excitement that they had found Alfie sitting on top of the cabinets in our bonus room, and that he was actually looking at them. They were positive Alfie’s eyes were following them around the room.

Alfie is our newest Christmas tradition. Alfie's job is to keep his elf eyes on our children each day keeping track of their naughty and nice behaviors, then fly off each night and report each day's results directly to the man in red - Santa Claus. Alfie then returns to the Novotny home each morning, landing in a new location to be discovered by the Novotny children.

Nate is still trying to convince the children at school that he has a resident elf at his house. He even brought a friend over to prove it. What a surprise it was for his friend to actually see that Alfie existed.

If you have not discovered this new Christmas tradition, “Elf on the Shelf”, I recommend that you add it to your family Christmas traditions.

The Elf on the Shelf kit comes complete with a story book and elf which you and your children are given the task to name.

Send your Elf on the Shelf stories to trisha@247moms.com or leave your comments here on the 24/7 MOMS blog.

Day 25 - 25 days of MOMS Christmas Favorites giveaways

On the 25th  day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found the Draw Anything series for the artist on your  gift list this year.

Every young artist can draw a circle, a square or a triangle. And that's all they need to know to be able to draw... . anything! 

In his Draw Anything series (SoHo Publishing) Chris Hart starts with a simple shape and shows kids step by step how to create 50 lively drawings. 

Kids will be amazed at what they can draw: a mermaid, a superhero, a wizard, an airplane, a boy astronaut, a dragon, a rocket blasting into space and a whole menagerie of cute and funny animals, including puppies, horses, elephants, penguins, sharks and kittens. Budding artists will have so much fun drawing with these  easy-to-follow, inspiring books they won't even know they're learning!

You can purchase these fun books at the 24/7 MOMS store by clicking here  - 24/7 MOMS Store.

SoHo Publishing and 24/7 MOMS are giving away two of these draw anything books .   To enter for your chance to win one of these Draw Anything books, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for todays Draw Anything giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list (if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 17th, 2008, using the random number generator.

Day 24 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites

On the 24th day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found the fun Show Me How Knitting and Show Me How Quilting charming storybooks and how to instructions for kids.

Show Me How: Knitting and Show Me How: Quilting (SoHo Publishing) present how-to instructions for kids in a unique format that encourages interaction between kids and adults. Each two-part box set introduces the fun of crafts with a story for ages 8-12. Younger children will love having each story read to them; older kids will enjoy it on their own. Easy projects suitable for girls or boys complete a compact introduction to these popular hobbies.

Even adults who don't knit or quilt will be tempted to learn along with the kids when following the easy instructions. Then the whole family will be able to enjoy these crafts solo for a long, long time

You can purchase these books at the 24/7 MOMS store by clicking here 24/7 MOMS Store.

SoHo Publishing and 24/7 MOMS are giving away one each of these books. To enter for your chance to win one of these Show Me How books, enter your name and email address and which book you would like to win - Knitting or Quilting -in the box below and you will be signed up for today’s Show Me How giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list (if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 17th, 2008, using the random number generator at random

Day 23 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites giveaways

On the 23rd day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found Become Beauty, Beautiful inside and out products. www.becomebeauty.com

Becomes luxurious, professional-grade products deliver incredible benefits because they work at a cellular level to slow down the aging process.

At Become, they combine the power of science with the purity of nature to deliver the most technologically advanced line of cosmeceutical products, ensuring visible results and beautifully balanced skin. Results that you will see and feel within minutes!

Their groundbreaking formulations feature nano-, bio- and peptide technology along with rare herbal and gemstone extracts, and aroma / color therapy to provide maximum benefits for your skin.

They offer a home-based business opportunity offers with unlimited income potential with a product line that really works.

You can get additional information and see their full product line at www.becomebeauty.com


Become Beauty and 24/7 MOMS are giving away one Become Beauty Rejuvenating Hand Cream to ONE Winner and 10 runner ups will receive the weekend sampler kit . To enter for your chance to win one of these Become Beauty products, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for today's Become Beauty giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 15, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

Day 22- 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites, Jeanie B!

On the 22nd day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found Jeanie B! award winning Children’s musician who produces FUN and Entertaining CD’s for children. http://www.jeaniebmusic.com/

Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans is one of hottest acts on the kids' music circuit today. As a recent recipient of a Parents' Choice Recommended Award and a Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award for her sophomore CD "Mommy Knows Best," whose track "The World is a Wonderful Place" was voted Best Children's song of 2007 by The Children's Music Web Awards, Jeanie B! is on a roll…a rock n' roll, that is!

Critically acclaimed, packing shows across the Midwest, and in heavy rotation on the nationally renowned satellite radio network XM Kids… she owes it all to children. Not only her own — two strapping boys who are her true inspiration — but also the neighborhood kids who say the darnedest things…things that end up as irresistible pop songs. More and more radio stations across the country are discovering Jeanie's ability to see the world through the eyes of children, and then give them a voice. "Kids will tell me things about themselves or life, and it's like they are dictating lyrics to me!"

Her latest CD "Mommy Knows Best" (2006) is dedicated to Moms everywhere. Many of its 17 rockin', bouncin', toe-tappin' tracks pay tribute to a mother's special relationship with her kids, while staying true to Jeanie B!'s style of sometimes hilarious, sometimes educational, sometimes poignant writing.

Jeanie B! is a lifelong singer/songwriter who started playing the guitar at the age of 12. The rest of the Jelly Beans band is made up of professional, seasoned, fun-loving veterans on the rock, country and roots music circuit. Bass player Lisa Crowe is also a Mom of two young boys; Drummer Theresa Drda is one hot Mama — on the skins! Manuel Guevara fills out the sound with electric guitar; Keyboardist Raul Amezquitas hails from Mexico City; Blues Harp Player Jay Bonansinga is. Jeanie B!'s own husband of more than 2 decades. Their sound is Americana roots music — a mixture of bluegrass, country, blues, and enough rock 'n' roll to keep everyone dancing!


Jeanie B! and 24/7 MOMS are giving away one JOY - Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans CD. To enter for your chance to win, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for todays Jeanie B! giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 15, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

Day 21 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites - giveaways

On the 21st day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found the greatest T-shirt’s for kids “Child Safe Tee”. They come in a variety of kid favorite designs.


What makes Child safe Tee’s so amazing? - Imagine you are at an amusement park and you see a crying child. You approach the child and crouch down to try to comfort them. You notice they are wearing a shirt that says in big bright colored letters "Child Safe Tee" and just under that "If I'm lost read below", below that will be a design a child likes like a dinosaur, flower, fire engine, ballerina, etc. and below that you will see in smaller letters "Parents Cell Phone #'s". You might also see "I Am Allergic To" or "I Am A Diabetic", etc. You grab your cell phone and call the number, a frantic parent answers and you say "I have your child here by the giant mouse in cartoon land" the grateful parent says I will be right their. Now imagine if it was your child and you where the frantic parent wouldn't you want your child wearing a Child Safe Tee?

Be sure to check out www.childsafetee.com to see all the great designs and for more details.

Child Safe Tee and 24/7 MOMS are giving away two of these amazing shirts. To enter for your chance to win one, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for todays Child Safe Tee giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 15, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

Day 20 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites giveaways - Caesar Golf Balls

On the 20th day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found the perfect stocking stuffer for the golfers on your list, the smooth surface ball from Caesar Golf Company, these will become the conversation of the day this Christmas.


These Caesar golf balls are a smooth surface golf ball that allows golfers to hit straight, accurate drives, without hook or slice, and rolls smoothly, without wobble on the greens, is going to be a hot gift for men this holiday season.

The dimple-free ball, compliant with USGA and R&A (U.S. and UK golfing standards organizations) regulations, has a center ground core that creates a perfectly balanced ball. No more worries about a sweet spot.

“Each dimple on a traditional golf ball adversely reacts to each blade of grass from the golfer to the hole,” explains Vin Lee, CEO, Caesar Golf Company. “Caesar golf balls fly down the fairway or roll straight for the cup with the precision of a billiard ball.”

Dimple patterns were developed to give balls more distance. However, the presence of dimples on golf balls is often what causes a ball to hook or slice. The Caesar has been hit more than 230 yards in test, but was developed for accuracy, not distance.


“The golf ball industry has been focused on a Neanderthal mentality of powering the ball as far as possible,” says Lee. “Actually, the game of golf is about precision, placing each shot where you want it, not just trying to rocket out over the highway.”

The research scientists and engineers that developed the final design, materials and mold for the Caesar ball have been involved in golf ball manufacturing for more than 30 years. They became intrigued with the idea of a smooth circumference ball and agreed to work with Caesar Golf Company to produce a ball based on Vin Lee’s design.

“You only need a few of these balls,” said Lee, “Because they will go where you hit them. You won’t be spending all your time in the rough.”
Caesar Golf Balls are available online and in golf specialty stores by the holidays.

For more information, visit www.caesargolfcompany.com.


Caesar Golf company and 24/7 MOMS are giving away these great new smooth surface golf balls. To enter for your chance to win a sleeve of 3 golf balls, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for today's Caesar Golf ball giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).


Winner will be selected on December 14, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

Dear Santa........From MOM

This fun letter to Santa arrived in my in-box and I thought you might enjoy reading it. Maybe it will inspire you to try writing your own Dear Santa Letter in hopes that just maybe he really does exist.

My favorite line in this letter is the P.S. so be sure to read all the way to the end.


Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years. Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.


Yours Always,

MOM...
P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa.

Day 19 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorite GIveaways

On the nineteenth day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found Boca Beth....bringing Spanish to life products. A fun and educational gift that introduces Spanish to the children on your gift list this year.

You Don't Have To Be Bilingual To Raise A Bilingual Child

We live in an increasingly bilingual world, and children are exposed to the Spanish language more than ever before. You probably already know about many of the important benefits of helping your child become bilingual, but you might be concerned about how to introduce the second language to your child - especially if you're not bilingual yourself.


The Boca Beth fun products and easy-to-use techniques take kids on an interactive bilingual journey with upbeat songs featuring Spanish and English woven together within each song. Their award-winning DVDs with engaging visuals and fun movements keep your children completely attentive to learning while enjoying every moment!

Being bilingual is no longer an option, it's a necessity. The fun and affordable Boca Beth products make it easy for any adult to introduce Spanish and English to their babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary age school children. Experts agree, the earlier the better. You will delight as your child experiences early reading skills, advanced communication abilities, and becomes a lifetime language learner.


Boca Beth and 24/7 MOMS are giving away the My First songs in Spanish CD and a fun mini maraca. To enter for your chance to win the Boca Beth giveaway, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for today's Boca Beth giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 13, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

E-Cookie Exchange Continues

The 24/7 MOMS E-Cookie exchange continues today with a BIY encouragement to us MOMS who are looking for ways to pinch our pennies this Christmas season.

This holiday it's BIY (bake it yourself)
by Danille Simmons

If you’re weathering the economic storm, why not save a little dough (no pun intended) this holiday season and make some dough of your own – bake cookies and give as gifts! Cooking can lighten the stress of worrying how to fit gifts into an already pinched budget. Cookies are easy, affordable, and can be made ahead of time to satisfy the busiest of schedules. Cookies made ahead of time can be frozen until you’re ready to wrap and give. Baked from the heart is just as thoughtful as that must have scarf or gadget. And, cooking at home can be fun for the whole family. Why not put on a few holiday tunes, fire up the oven, and bake!

The holidays are a time of joy. Good friends, family and parties and gifts. However, this year, it seems every day a new report or news story to tell us what we already know – times are tough. It’s hard not to say Bah –humbug! We’re all hunkering down and doing our best to save money. We’re pinching our pennies a bit more and stretching dollars as far as they will go. Try not to let the Scrooginess of the economy get you down. Bake gifts for family and friends. Nothing says I love you more than food baked from the heart.
how2heroes, a website for food lovers and enthusiasts, is sharing its top 5 recipes, which go beyond fruitcake, to jumpstart creative baking ideas.

1) Peanut Brittle

2) Gingerbread Men

3) Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies

4) Pecan Tarts

5) Spritz Cookies

howtoheros.com has loads more of great cooking 

information, such as clever packaging ideas, what to do with all those yummy leftovers. Check it out.

Share your  Cookie and Baking recipes with the 24/7 MOMS by sending them to trisha@247moms.com

Day 18 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites Giveaways - Kidwinks

On the eighteenth day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found Kidwinks videos and cd’s.

Kidwinks offers a complete program to supplement your early talker’s language development skills. With our videos, featuring 

the lovable and quirky Bobby and Katie, your young ones will be practicing language development skills, and loving every minute of it. A perfect aid to speech therapy for children. Check us out and see how we can help!

The Kidwinks DVD series is designed to stimulate your child's interest and increase their awareness of words and language that are part of our everyday world. Kidwinks DVD's are designed for children in the early stages of speech and language development, and are meant to be educational and entertaining. Kidwinks DVD's help develop your child's speech and language by using short phrases and lots of repetition. They also model ways for parents to interact with their children to make speech and language development easier. The songs have been specifically created to support speech and language growth by using simple repetitive phrases with definite rhythms that help stimulate your child's creativity and intelligence.

The most effective thing you can do to stimulate and accelerate speech and language development is to spend time playing and interacting with your child, talking to them as you explore a variety of toys and objects that are part of their world.

Kidwinks DVD's help you do that in a way that's fun and effective. Using Kidwinks DVD's daily or several times a week will assist and support your child's speech and language growth. An excess of on-screen entertainment has been proven to be detrimental to your child's development, so please limit their film and video input to short periods of time, and use programs specifically designed with your child's developmental needs in mind.

If you suspect that your child is delayed in their speech or language development, it is important that your child be assessed by a professional Speech Language Therapist. To help find a qualified practitioner in your area, go to the American Speech Language Hearing Association's website (www.asha.org) to find a specialist in your area. You may also obtain assistance at your local school system or hospital.

Kidwinks and 24/7 MOMS are giving away  2 of their “Full Packages” Your children will delight to all three of Kidwinks DVDs. The learning and fun will continue with the Kidwinks soundtrack on CD.

To enter for your chance to win on of these Kidwinks “Full Packages”, enter your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for todays  giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list (if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 12, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org

Read Kiddo Read

“Reading is the window to the world” are the words my children have heard their dad quote over and over through out the years as he inspired our 5 children to become avid readers.

Today 3 of our 5 children have become avid readers, Their idea of a vacation is packing as many books as they can and laying around for hours reading and reading. our two youngest are still in Avid reader training, however Nate daily quotes to me that he is learning to read because it is the window to the world.

Today I found a great web site to continue inspiring our kids to read, Read Kiddo Read www.readkiddoread.com a site that connects children to books that will turn them in to life long readers.

A site full of Book recommendations, reviews and even a community to chat to other parents about children’s books and encouraging our kids to become avid readers.
As my husband says “ Reading is the Window to the World” open the window for your children and check out Read Kiddo Read.

Day 17 - 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites - giveaways

On the seventeenth day of the 25 Days of MOMS Christmas Favorites we found Lisa Leonard’s Designs , unique handmade jewelry. www.lisaleonardonline.com  

Lisa Leonard Designs are  creative and amazing she is often inspired by other artists--painters, scrapbookers, clothing designers and poets.  She also loves to soak up nature, the sky, the sea, the green hills.  She let’s all t

hese ideas and images swirl around in her mind and then she creates beautiful pieces of handcrafted jewelry. Stop by www.lisaleonardonline.com and see her creative pieces that will make great gifts for those on your gift list this year.

Lisa Leonard Designs and 24/7 MOMS are giving away  1 The Petite Original Necklace with the MOM on it.  To enter for your chance to win, enter 

your name and email address in the box below you will be signed up for todays Lisa Leonard  giveaway as well as be added to the 24/7 MOMS E-list(if you are not already a 24/7 MOMS subscriber).

Winner will be selected on December 11, 2008, using the random number generator at random.org.