Gund Sesame Street Plushes $3.95 each

Children will love to snuggle with the Gund Sesame Street Plushes.The famous public TV stars come to life in these 12″ plushes. Select from Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Elmo. Crafted from polyester fibers with plastic stiffeners; surface washable. Each is filled with plastic pellets. Fun for playtime and cozy for naptime.

My First Purse $4.95

My First Purse comes with plush pieces to help your toddler pretend she is a grown-up lady. Soft purse has double handles and a fabric-magic closure. It comes with: Key ring with 2 keys, Lipstick, Credit card, Cell phone, Compact with mirror and powder puff.

Set Of 30 My First Crayons $8.95

The special design of the Set Of 30 My First Crayons makes them easy to hold. Children can also stack them for even more fun. These crayons are big and easy to grasp, and the hollow centers make them lightweight. Bold and bright, these chunky crayons are great for coloring and making original creations. For ages 2 and up.

Find Lakeside Collection promotional codes and deals at CouponMountain.com.

For several years, my husband and I lived on the other side of the country away from our families. We weren’t able to fly home with tons of gifts, and shipping Christmas gifts was just way too expensive. At that time, we started doing all of our Christmas shopping online and we still continue to do much of our shopping online, even now that we’re back in our home state.

We prefer online shopping for several reasons:  First, we hate crowds. Mall shopping is just about the last thing in the world that sounds appealing to me. Second, it’s easy to find good deals online. With literally thousands or retailers online all competing with each other for your money, you have a lot of leverage.

Here are my tips for shopping online for the holidays:

Make a list. Write down everybody that you need to buy gifts for and jot down some ideas for what to get them. What do they like? Do they have any specific interests that could help you in choosing a gift. If you keep an open mind about what to get them, you’ll be able to get the best deal. For example, I am looking for a small keyboard for my daughter this year. I’m keeping my search general and I am open to all reputable brands so I am more likely to find the best deal. If I narrow my search one brand and model, I’m going to have a harder time finding a good deal.

Check out your vendor. Before you plug your credit card number into a website, make sure that you can trust them. Have you ever heard of this retailer? You shouldn’t have to dig for a customer service phone number on a website you’re shopping on. My personal rule is that if I don’t find a customer service phone number within 10 minutes of browsing, I move on. I learned this lesson the hard way and my bank account suffered. Somebody ripped my card number off online and went on a shopping spree in California with my money! This probably sounds cheesy, but I really do use Smarter when I shop online because they weed out the bad guys and show you the best deals first.

Check the shipping and handling times. Order early enough to account for the busy season for the shipping carriers. There are often great last minute Christmas deals, but many times the items arrive after the holidays. This is great if your family has a late holiday get together (my in-laws get together in January), but not so great if you show up to a Christmas Eve get together empty handed.

Pick your card carefully. Use a credit card that offers protection if you don’t get the item you paid for or if your card is used in a way that you didn’t authorize.

Look for free or cheap shipping. If a retailer really wants your business, they won’t charge you an arm and a leg for shipping.  You can find free shipping coupons at CouponMountain.com.

Make it personal. If you’re going to be giving the gift in person, wrap it yourself. Paying a vendor to gift wrap is usually pretty expensive and you want to make sure that the recipient knows that you put more thought into their gift that just pointing and clicking online. If you’re shipping the gift directly to the recipient, include a personal card. Tell them why you chose the gift that you did. Your sentiment is just as important as the gift you chose.

Last year, a friend of mine got her inspiration from Juno and she and her husband dressed up and Juno and Paulie. It was very easy for them to put together and they got lots of laughs!

Adult Bun in Over Pregnant Maternity Halloween Costume: $69.99

This one is hilarious! You could easily make a DIY version with a large cardboard box!

This is so creative! Parents magazine had a pregnancy halloween costume contest and this was one of the submissions! You’d need a friend with a steady hand for this one!

Shop for more maternity costumes.

I bet you’ll say “awwwww!” when you see these cuties!

Goldfish Bunting Costume: $24.95 $18.71

Li’l guppies make a splash in our darling goldfish costume! This brocade bunting is wonderfully detailed, with lace “fins” and a charming character hood. Comfy and cozy, with double chest zippers for easy dressing.

1/2 Angel 1/2 Devil Costume $57.95

This is hilarious! Any parent would get a chuckle out of this one! This Infant / Toddler Premium 1/2 Angel 1/2 Devil Costume includes: an adorable, red and white, lined zippered bodysuit (with snap leg closures for easy diaper changes), an attached tail and detachable wings, a pair of slip on booties with skid resistant bottoms (booties are for indoor use only), and the matching character hood with horns and halo.

Infant Cuddly Teddy Bear Costume $29.95

How cozy for the colder climates! This Infant Cuddly Teddy Bear costume includes: A deluxe soft tan chenille jumpsuit with a little blue bow tie, non-skid soles, inner leg snap closures, matching headpiece and a little rainbow blankie. A great infant costume!

Shop through a variety of affordable baby costumes at Smarter.com.

October already?! It’s hard to believe it. Here in my part of the midwest we had a record breaking summer with the coolest temperatures we’ve had in years. My daughter is still asking to go to the pool! Instead of mourning our summer, I’ve decided to throw all of my enthusiasm into fall and Halloween. This year, my 2-year-old should be a little more brave when we go door to door for Trick-Or-Treating. Last year we dressed her as a witch and went door to door just to show her off. She did get candy, but don’t worry, we didn’t let her eat any. It all disappeared in a matter of days at our house! I just don’t know where it went! I’m innocent!

Here are some tips from Dr. Sears on how to Trick-or-Treat Safely:

KISMIF: Keep It Simple, Make It Fun!

Let this be your Halloween motto. Just because we try and make Halloween night safe and nutritious, doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. The costumes, the party, and your own antics help make it fun. In fact, kids like to see parents lighten up and act like kids again. As long as you weave in safety rules with fun, children both accept it and expect it. Consider these safety issues:

• Masks and hoods can obscure the view of oncoming traffic, and in the midst of all the excitement your impulsive little ghosts and goblins may not be as attentive as they should be to what’s going on around them. Insist on the pack staying together. Don’t allow children to wonder off on their own to various houses or rush on ahead.

• Be vigilant when crossing streets in neighborhoods. Children must travel with buddies, older friends, or parents. If you’re the designated adult trick-or-treater, why not dress up and have fun? Older trick-or-treaters may be more inclined to accept a chaperon who’s dressed for the occasion.

• Walk on sidewalks instead of the street.

• Stand outside the home that your child visits. If your children are invited inside the house, go with them.

• Bring a flashlight.

• Give your child a cell phone, if possible.

• Use reflective tape on costumes if they’re walking along dark streets.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Costumes should not be so long that children can trip on them.

• Make sure masks are easy to see and breathe through.

• Teach burn protection: tell children not to touch flaming jack-o-lanterns. If possible, use flame-retardant costumes and review the stop-drop-roll burn prevention with your child in case the costume catches fire.

•  Use non-toxic face paints. (read more)

Check out some links to instructions on how to make some homemade Easter baskets:

Bunny Baskets from FamilyFun.Go.com

Paper Bag Bunnies from AussiesScrapbooking.com

Pretty Paper Easter Baskets from AllFreeCrafts.com

I don’t typically think of lambs when it comes to Easter, but they make sense I suppose.  Also, this is just super cute!

Cotton Ball Lamb Basket from MakingFriends.com

Or…you can just crochet one if you’re that crafty….cute right??

Source:  Flickr.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for kids’ arts and crafts supplies.
Be lazy and just buy some Easter baskets.

Notice when you were little, holidays were fun and exciting? You couldn’t wait for the day to come, as you would undoubtedly get a nice outfit to wear and receive a suitable gift of some sort. Then you get older and began to dread the day that you had to celebrate something, especially when you have little ones…

I might differ from many on this, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that holidays are similar to Olympic events when your a mom. For instance, we have to:

1)  Fight the crowds at the mall to find the right size dress/shoes/matching hat & sweater for a little girl, or search high and low for a little suit that is actually AFFORDABLE  for a little boy (or do both);

2)  Take time to go to several stores to price out a few different gifts (depending on the holiday or event);

3)  Stop at Starbucks because we haven’t slept and are perpetually exhausted;

4)  Call our husband to check the account as we realize it is going to be a lot more expensive than was originally planned, not to mention we just spent our last few dollars justifying said Starbucks;

5)  End up spending $90 on over priced baskets since they now have those commercial options, with Princesses and Spidey and your kids are screaming for them.

To top it all off, as if this weren’t punishment enough, we end up eating badly at the end of the day since the only quick meal idea is fast-food and we have to get home to control the chaos that undoubtedly erupted while we were out. All the while looking ‘tore-up’ since we’ve been running around like a crazy person! Ugh…

OR maybe that’s just me? I’m not sure, but I am exhausted just thinking about it! That is why this year I am going with the simple, old school variation. Yup, I’m investing in the good ‘ol spring colored, wicker-materialized, reusable, Easter basket. That way I can fill it with sugar-free candies and inexpensive little goodies. What do you think? Do you feel the same? If you can relate, here are some suggestions:

Girls’ Sabrina Easter Baskets:

Easter Basket Grass:

Easter crafts to keep the kids busy:

Cheap sugar-free candy to fill basket:

Look on husband’s face when you are relaxed and rested:

PRICELESS.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Easter baskets.
Discounts on Easter basket grass and Easter candy.

Image Source 

Easter Brunch Pizza from FamilyFun.com:

Teacup Cupcakes from Parents.com:

Easter Bunny Cake from BettyCrocker.com:

Check out the Making Chocolate Easter Eggs Video from AllRecipes.com:

Easter Egg Cakes from MarthaStewart.com:

Enjoy!  I’m starving now.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for baking supplies.

Healthy Hearts recipe from FamilyFun.com:

Lollipop Cookie Valentines from AllRecipes.com:

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Meringue Icing from FoodNetwork.com:

Black Forest Sweet Heart Tarts from RecipeZaar.com:

Easy MINI KISSES Choco-Cherry Pie from Hersheys.com:

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for baking supplies.

Valentine “Luv Bug” Craft Kit:  $12.99 Now: $8.99

This craft set is super cute.  What a great idea to use the pixie sticks to make a butterfly!

These boxes below are a great way kids can keep their Valentine’s nice and tidy or simply for cute decor around the house.

Valentine Bear Card Box Craft Kit: $11.99 Now: $8.99

Cardboard Valentine Mailbox Craft Kit: $8.99 on sale

This is a perfect gift for their teacher.

Fleece Valentine Heart Tied Pillow Craft Kit: $19.99 Now: $13.99

These are probably my favorite!  They are super easy to make and are a little more personal than typical Valentines.

Valentine Foam Photo Frames: $8.99 on sale

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more Valentine’s Day craft kits.