Kid's Activity Boxes

Do your children have toy sets with lots of little pieces that always end up scattered and mixed together all over the floor? Mine did–until we organized them all into activity boxes. It seems like toy organization is a constant battle for most parents these days. Thankfully, once you learn the tricks for how to organize kids’ toys the right way–it doesn’t have to be a battle anymore! These activity boxes provide awesome toy organization for us–I bet they will for you too!

Activity Boxes Materials

• Toys
• Several Plastic Shoe boxes
• Labels (optional)

Activity Boxes Instructions

The process for assembling these activity boxes couldn’t be easier. Simply purchase several plastic shoe boxes (the number you need will depend on the number of toys you have), separate your children’s toys back out into like groups, and put each group into a shoe box. Labeling the boxes can help your children return the right toys to the right boxes, but it really isn’t necessary.

Activity Box Content Suggestions

These plastic shoe boxes can be used to hold all sorts of toys. Here are a few suggestions that have worked well for us:

• Legos
• Playdoh
• Superheros
• Barbies and accessories
• Art supplies (crayons, markers, stickers, paper)
• Lincoln Logs
• Polly Pockets
• Cars
• Puzzles
• Rubber Stamps

Once you have the boxes assembled, the key is to tell your children that they can only play with one box at a time. This way, they can make as much of a mess with the box as they want, because they only have to scoop and dump everything back in the box to put it away. If you let your children get multiple boxes out at a time, they pieces get mixed up and the toy organization strategy doesn’t work nearly as well. Insist on a one box maximum (Two if you are feeling nice and the pieces go together. For example, the superheros might want to go visit the Lincoln Log house).

These kids’ activity boxes might seem like a very simple method of toy organization, but that’s the beauty of them! They make finding and returning pieces so easy that even a child could do it–which means that you don’t have to.

BLOG TOUR: No Rest for the Weary by Leatrus Iversen

No Rest for the Weary

By- Leatrus Iversen

Genre- Women’s Fiction

Linette Sanderson is a single mother of two wonderful children. She works two jobs to make ends meet and her faith in God keeps her grounded and focused as she strives to make life better for her family.

Linette is faced with a dilemma when her past seems to make its way back into her already hectic and demanding life. She finds herself in a tug of war with her emotions and although she takes it to the Lord in prayer the answers still remain unclear as to how she should handle the situation.

When tragedy strikes her family several times, she finds herself questioning God and her beliefs. She fights with the temptation of giving up on hope and her life. Will Linette be able to remain strong through this tragic time and lean on the Lord for support or will she lose her faith?

Product Review: Deluxe Clear Tote Bag

This is a very functional and cute bag.  Although I won't use it for every day, it makes the perfect travel bag or if you need a clear bag for a stadium game.  The size is just right to fit the essentials and even has a key fob attached to the inside of the bag to hold your keys.  I will mainly use this bag for the beach.

The only drawback is the zipper.  A few times, we had an issue with closing the bag.  I think a better quality zipper will make this bag a five star item.

*** I received this bag from the company at a discount in exchange for an honest review. ***

If you would like to purchase this bag or read my reviews, you may visit Amazon.

Olde Westport Spice Company

Online specialty Food Company stands the test of time - Spice Company creates custom spice blends, sesonings and dry soups. Olde Westport Spice & Trading Company is a 33-year-old spice manufacturer that is still going strong. This online company operates a small plant in Goodland, Kansas, and knows a thing or two about spices, seasonings and soups. This family owned and operated company was originally founded in the Kansas City area and has stayed true to its mission of making custom spice blends for main meal dishes and appetizers as well as nearly 20 varieties of dry soups. The products are available online at www.oldewestportspice.com; at food-related craft and trade shows throughout the Midwest; and at gift and gourmet food shops. Olde Westport's spice blends and seasonings include Italian, Cajun, Taco, Fajita, Chili, Jalapeno, Beef Sauce, Salsa, Garlic and many more. All of the products use quality ingredients for a balanced flavor that compliments meats, pastas and vegetables. The company also invented dry soup mixes that are simple and easy to make including Antonio's Minestrone, Country-Style Creamy Potato, Chipotle Black Bean, Creamy Broccoli and Cheese, Kansas City Steak & Ale, Gold Coast Garlic Pasta Alfredo, Mesa Flats Chicken Enchilada, New Orleans Red Bean & Rice, Southwestern Tortilla, White Chili Soup and more. Olde Westport Spice and Trading Co. is owned and operated by Bill and Judy Petersen, who along with their daughter, Ann Myers, also own and run a restaurant (Westport Grill) in Goodland featuring the products. Bill first custom created all of the spices and seasonings in the kitchen of his home. Today the company has a manufacturing facility where Bill still researches and develops new recipes and dishes for future products. For more information or to place an order, please visit www.oldewestportspice.com or call 1-800-537-6470.

CHAMPIONSHIP CHILI SPICE BLEND - This championship spice has helped chili creators win 12 state and national championships throughout the years and all over the US! But what is most important to us about our Olde Westport Chili Spice Blend is that our customers love to use it in their chili whether it's for a national championship cook-off challenge or simply for their own family in their cozy kitchen on a cold winter's night. We've heard from countless customers that our attention to detail and quality is what makes this chili spice blend stand out above the competitors. We know you might put beans in your chili or maybe you add apples and sausage or perhaps you have a special recipe that is top secret but starts with thick-cut bacon... however you concoct your chili we hope you'll try our chili spice blend. 

GOLD COAST GARLIC SHAKE - Gold Coast Garlic Shake spice blend is truly one of those special blends of garlic, herbs and spices that our customers use in sour cream dips, sprinkle over steamed vegetables, fresh vegetables from your garden, garlic mashed potatoes or steak on the grill. There are more than 50 recipes in the Olde Westport Gold Coast Garlic Cookbook that will give you lots of ideas for quick simple meals with that high-end restaurant flavor. A garlic experience you will never forget. Check out the Olde Westport web site for a few recipes and placing orders.

Readers would get 10% off of their order.
http://usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?regionid=75&bid=11887&dealid=1844 @usfg

AdoramaPix - Save 25% off our square photo books

AdoramaPix helps people turn their digital photographs from abstract computer files into beautiful keepsakes designed to last a lifetime. Their custom photo books display your captured memories in rich color and vibrant detail. Thick, durable, professional grade photo paper resists fading and ensures that your photos will be just as colorful for future generations. The binding is lay-flat, so even panoramic images can splash across two pages without any separation. Your memories deserve to live in a stylish, archival home with AdoramaPix photo books.

25% off our square photo books (6x6,8x8,10x10,12x12). Use code: pxusfam25 ends 09/30/2015 11:59 pm EST

Solution to Clutter

As a wife and mom of five children, organization has always been a problem.  Each child was in a different activity and grade so therefore, we always...yes ALWAYS, had tons of paper, sports equipment, bikes etc around the house. After reading the The Mom's Guide to Home Organization, we were able to start getting some type of system.  I will continue to use this guide to set my family on a path of being clutter-free.  Happy Mom is a happy home right??! 

Buy Today at: Amazon

Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind: Raw Faith by Elizabeth Chalker

Title: Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind: Raw Faith

Author: Elizabeth Chalker

Paperback: 470 pages

Genre: Christian Non-Fiction

Format: Paperback/Kindle

ISBN-10: 1612151205
ISBN-13: 978-1612151205

 

Elizabeth Chalker is still in the furnace of life’s' calamities and fighting the good fight of faith and endurance, keeping her eyes on the prize of heaven. Before serious, physical illness devastated her body, Elizabeth was on the fast track as a successful psychologist and addictions specialist, working with violent juvenile offenders and their families, near completion of her third graduate degree. Her life is a testimony of faith that is steadfast and remains no matter the seemingly dark, unjust, and treacherous circumstances of life. She resides in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Elizabeth continues to minister to those in need and aspires to show God's glory through every breath she takes.
This is a real life story of being in the fire, where I currently remain, where my heart for the Lord has become increasingly insatiable. A deepened intimacy has developed and continues to grow even through this very moment, and will continue beyond. As you read, this is my hope and prayer for you as well.

I have one book currently, “Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind: Raw Faith”. This is a book that was written while still in the midst of trials with no promise for the suffering to end. It took 10 years to write while suffering serious, physical illness. My prayer for the book is to inspire individuals to self-examine and find their core; to realize that we are all children of God and therefore, one in Him. We tend to see life and our circumstances as if from under a quilt as it is being made, where all that is seen is a bunch of haphazard threads from our view. God’s view is from above where everything comes together and forms a beautiful and complete picture.
My hope is also to encourage individuals to seek love and extend love.
One of the most important messages of the book is to strengthen anyone who reads it, to cause him or her to embrace all of who he or she is, the parts we deem ‘dark’ and unacceptable as well as the parts we see as praiseworthy and pleasant.
Most importantly, my hope is that the reader will embrace intimacy in relationship with God and realize that raw expression of heart, no matter how unacceptable to the world, is honorable in the eyes of God and welcomed.

Website    Twitter   Facebook

Amazon   Barnes   Itunes: