Uncategorized Archives - Busy Moms Helper

Free Printable: Stress-free Thanksgiving Planner

November 12, 2019 by Lyra Almoite Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving is waving hello at the corner. As moms, we all know that pulling off a beautiful, flawless thanksgiving dinner is a no easy task. If only hosting a thanksgiving party will come at an ease, we would probably do it as often as we could. Who doesn’t love spending time with our family and friends over a good food, right? With the seven thousand things we have to do and buy, somethings will definitely fall into cracks and we’ll remember it last minute when it’s too late to do it or run to the grocery store. Here’s a Free Printable Stress-Free Thanksgiving Planner to help your holiday!

Free Printable Stress-Free Thanksgiving Planner #printable #thankgiving #freeprintable

Since we started a family, we’ve hosted a handful of thanksgiving dinners so, I know a thing or two that I can definitely share so you don’t have to go through all the troubles and frustrations I’ve dealt with.

So I am sharing a simple FREE PRINTABLE STRESS-FREE THANKSGIVING PLANNER that will help you keep stress away in hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

From the menus, grocery lists, appointments, down to chores it’s all covered in here.

Download the printable stress-free thanksgiving planner HERE.

Worst Ways to Use Money at Disney World

May 1, 2019 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Watching your budget on vacation isn’t the easiest thing to do. In fact, it’s super tempting to just let the chips fall where they may and contend with the credit card statement after the fact – sadly I’m totally guilty of this! However, spending at Disney World is a tricky thing as options and upgrades constantly present themselves. For a vacation destination that is notoriously expensive to begin with, Disney has a way of still getting more by leveraging our desire to make the most of the trip. While some Disney extras are totally worth it, here’s some that are the Worst Ways to Use Money at Disney World.

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Disney Dining Plan

The dining plans are popular at Disney World because you prepay for most meals, so in theory, you don’t have to think about money. The bundle mentality makes us think we’re getting more value by paying for meals in advance. However, no sooner do we sit down to eat then the conflict begins to squeeze out as much value as possible. The problem is that the way the package is structured, Disney practically always comes out ahead. There’s a big difference between saving money and not thinking about money. So the Dining Plans are a hard pass – except when free, when in SOME cases it can save you money.

Park Hopper Plus Tickets

This upgrade on an upgrade is just a silly waste and one of the worst ways to use money. It entitles you not only to hop to other theme parks, but to the water parks as well. No matter how you slice it this is a bad deal, because you are paying for the privilege for everyday of your multi-day ticket. If you do use the opportunity to do this, you’ll essentially be paying more to do less. The compiled time between parks and the diminished capability to do anything within them simply don’t justify the additional expense. It’s better to buy one less day and get a separate water park ticket, if desired.

Minnie Van

Direct private travel by Disney is a great concept – and a fun idea – but the price just doesn’t justify it compared to the competitive cost of Uber. Although they no longer charge the flat rate, you would do best to make sure the pricing is fair. In most cases, the complimentary transportation in Disney World is sufficient and even adds to the overall vacation experience.

Check out Get Away Today for great prices on your Disney trip! Use Promo Code: BusyMomsHelper

Too Many Snacks

Even if you’re watching your budget, I still recommend signature or fine dining, at least once during the trip (particularly if it’s a couples-only trip and/or a special occasion). While food prices are high at Disney World, you can see an increase in value per dollar the higher up you go on the “food chain”. On the flip side of that is the ridiculous cost of some of Disney’s most iconic snacks. Eating between meals is one of the worst ways to use money, because you’re still going to be paying for the meals whether you finish your plate or not. Snacks at Disney are fun for sure and you should certainly enjoy some, but try to limit them (this is the one I struggle with the most!).

What would you say to avoid spending money on at Disney World?

Guide to the New Toy Story Land: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

July 4, 2018 by Danielle

I’m so excited that Toy Story Land is now open at Walt Disney World! This will be the first new expansion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1994. The new land, themed to Andy’s backyard and all of his favorite toys, is being revealed right in the middle of the peak summer season. It’s going to be incredibly busy, but with this guide you’ll get a really good understanding of what’s in store. Read on to learn more about the new Toy Story Land, what it brings to the table, what to expect in terms of crowds and how to deal with them.

photos courtesy of Walt Disney World, used with permission

What to Expect at Toy Story Land Opening

Disney openings are notoriously huge with record crowds and multiple hour wait times for a single ride. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not a large park to begin with, which is why this expansion is so important to the park. What that also means is that there will be growing pains as the park reaches full capacity and has to turn guests away at the gate. For those who do make it in to experience the new land, remember to be patient and try to enjoy yourself.

Toy Story Land Tour

Toy Story Land is located behind Pixar Place around the back of the Chinese Theatre. It will include the recently refurbished Toy Story Mania attraction in which guests are invited by Woody, Buzz and the gang to try their hand at racking up points on various Toy Story themed carnival rides, full of thrilling competitive fun that uses 3D technology to work it’s magic.

The new offerings as you go deep into Andy’s backyard are the Slinky Dog Dash and the Alien Swirling Saucers. The saucers should be familiar to anyone who’s visited Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure. It’s the same spinning, twirling attraction. The new sci-fi theme features the green aliens from the claw machine at Pizza Planet. Slinky Dog Dash is a coaster that zips all over Toy Story Land. It will be open to all guests that reach the minimum height requirement of 38 inches.

Slinky Dog Dash is the big attraction in the area. Across from it in the back is the Alien Swirling Saucers attraction. In the front of the land on the opposite corner of the main entrance is Woody’s Lunch Box. The Lunch Box is a counter service food location within Toy Story Land that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. It features a sure-to-be-popular dessert, lunch box tarts. The stuffed pastries will come in raspberry and chocolate hazelnut.

Tips for getting the most out of opening day

It’s going to be a very crowded opening and is going to reach capacity – meaning guests will be turned away at the park gate. To ensure your entry into the park, arrive two hours in advance. I know – ouch – but worth it to ensure you get in on the fun!
If you’re staying at a resort within walking distance, you should walk. Otherwise, use a ride sharing app so you aren’t waiting for busses or searching for parking.
Since the Lunch Box serves food all day, finding an opportunity to slip in will be challenging. Have someone in your party get the food while you’re waiting in line. That way you can eat while you wait!
In the coming months, it will be very important to have a Fastpass for Slinky Dog Dash and continue to arrive at the park early. If you can get a Fastpass for evening, use a park hopper ticket to get in during the late afternoon after many of the morning’s guests have left.

If you’ve been to Toy Story Land, let me know your thoughts!

15 Sensory Bins for Kids

January 29, 2018 by Danielle

Sensory bin activities can be a great addition to your lesson plan, or even just a fun way to keep the kiddos entertained while you’re making dinner. My kids LOVE sensory bin activities! If you’re looking for some fresh new ideas, don’t miss these 15 Sensory Bins for Kids.

Cranberry Sensory Play

Frozen Pom Pom Sensory Play

Water Sensory Bin

Ocean Sensory Bin

Ice Cream Sensory Bin

ABC Sensory Bin

Night Sky Sensory Bin

Garden Sensory Bin

New Year’s Eve Sensory Bin

Halloween Sensory Bin

Farm Sensory Bin

Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin

Snow Dough Sensory Bin

Snowman Sensory Bin

Iceberg Sensory Bin

DiY Cork Trivet

July 16, 2015 by Keri Houchin

A cork trivet is a stylish solution to protect your table from hot dishes or cold, condensating glassware. This do-it-yourself version is easy to make with a few basic supplies and a little creativity.

Hello! It’s Keri from One Mama’s Daily Drama and today I’m going to share with you an easy craft that you can do in less than an hour. I’ve had several pieces of cork board sitting in my craft stash for a while that have been begging to be used.

If you don’t have any cork, check your local office supply store. With back-to-schools sales popping up, there will probably be some great deals on small cork boards for dorms.

You can make this cork trivet in any size or shape, so use whatever you like. The cork I used was thin, so if you find something that is pretty thick, you might be able to use just one layer.

Supplies

a sheet of cork (mine was 12-inches square and about a quarter-inch thick)
ruler
pencil
scissors
permanent markers (any colors)
spray glue
spray clear polyurethane*

*This is a protective layer that will coat the finished trivet so that the colors don’t smudge or fade. I had some that I got at the hardware store for other projects, but you should be able to find it at craft stores too.

Directions

1. Before getting started, it’s important to find a good work space. I went outside so that I didn’t have to worry about fumes from the glue or polyurethane. I also spread out newspaper to protect my table.

2. Start by deciding how big you want your trivet. Since my cork was a 12-inch square, I thought 12-by-6 was good. Measure and draw a line where you want to cut. Cut the cork with a sharp pair of scissors and trim the edges as needed to remove any uneven bits. You need two pieces of cork that are the same size.

3. Lay one piece of cork on the work surface and spray a generous amount of glue. Immediately place the second piece of cork on top and line them up. The spray glue won’t set instantly, so you have a few seconds to adjust the cork pieces if necessary. Let the glue dry for two or three minutes.

4. On one side of the cork, use the ruler and sharpies to draw your design. I love the colors of my patio cushions, so I used red, orange, turquoise, and black to match. I just drew straight lines using the ruler and filled them in randomly.

5. When you have finished decorating the cork, use the polyurethane to coat the top. I sprayed two layers, letting it dry about twenty minutes in between. Let the final coat of polyurethane dry for an hour or longer, until it is not tacky at all.

You can use any colors or designs you want to decorate your trivet. Freehand a design or use a stencil. You could also make some smaller square coasters to match.

This was so easy to do and I love how my cork trivet can be pretty and functional. For more matching table décor, make a few mason jar candle holders using the same color scheme.

DIY Chalkboard Banner

July 15, 2015 by Lynn Driver

Hey, ladies! It’s Lynn, from Riggstown Road, with a simple little summer project for you. Best of all, this DIY Chalkboard Banner is something you can use all year ’round!

Y’all probably know by now that I love projects that are easy and ~~cheap~~ affordable. I made this adorable banner for less than $2.00 and I can use it over and over again. That’s one of the nice things about chalkboards: they are erasable. To make this banner, I used my favorite trick for no-paint, low-cost chalkboard material; it’s poster board! With a few minutes and a few supplies that you probably already have on hand, you can make one, too.

SUPPLIES

1 piece black poster board
1 roll jute twine (or other string)
1 hole puncher
scissors
pencil
measuring tape / yardstick / meter stick
ruler

DIRECTIONS

Use measuring tape (or yard/meter stick) to divide the poster board into three equal sections (horizontally.)
Measure and cut each section into evenly-sized triangles. (Smaller ruler is easier for this.)
Punch two holes in each triangle.
String the triangles using your choice of material. I love jute twine!

Now all that’s left to do is decide what message you want to write. Plain ol’ chalk works just fine. Whether it’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CONGRATULATIONS, or simply SUMMERTIME, you can easily change your message with a regular chalkboard eraser. I wrote “family” on these and then erased and rewrote it differently and it worked perfectly. In fact, it makes the banner look more authentically chalkboardish.

How easy is that? Busy moms don’t always have hours to spend on projects, and thrifty moms don’t always have the budget to buy everything ready-made. And it’s a shame to only be able to use something once. I love this banner because it can be used for every occasion! Not only can you easily change the writing when you need to, you can add more pieces (or take some away) by sliding them on or off. Aaaand if you want to get really fancy, just use curvy-edged craft scissors instead of regular ones.

I wish everything was that easy. Don’t you?

I’d love to hear your simple summer project ideas!

Back to School Decor

July 6, 2015 by Danielle

It’s July. I repeat – it’s JULY! Over a month into summer, less than 2 months until school is back in full swing. Seriously?! I use to think time went by so slowly, but holy cow it’s flying by now. Guess we better get a head start while we can, starting with this fun Back to School Decor!

For this month’s Craft Lightning theme, it’s all about Back to School – and everything takes 15 minutes or less, as per tradition. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do at first – I think my mind was protesting the fact that school will start next month – but then decided to take some common school supplies and make them into a neat school wreath for our door!

Supplies

Rulers (as many as you’d like; I used 8)
Crayons (I think the chunky/large ones look best)
Chalkboard piece (I got a cheap framed one from Walmart)
Hot glue/gun
Ribbon for hanging

Directions

Lay out everything so you know how you want it to look BEFORE you start gluing.
Start with a layer of rulers, centered in the middle of the chalkboard back with some hot glue, plus glue on the frame so they have two spots holding them into place. Stack the next layer on top to add some dimension.
Now add the crayons.
Keep layer things until it’s as simple/full as you want it, then a dab of hot glue to make the ribbon a hanger and you’re done!

You can switch things out for markers or color pencils, glue sticks, whatever school supplies you want to get your desired look. My frame originally came plain wood, so I used markers to give it some color.

Be sure to check out the other amazing Back to School Crafts for this month’s Craft Lightning fun all week!

We Go Together Plaque

June 30, 2015 by Kathleen Clegg

Hi! Happy Summer! It’s me, Kathleen, from Fearlessly Creative Mammas here to share a secret with you. Here it is, I’m a sucker for cute little signs and plaques. I have a few around my house. I’ve made a few, bought a few and a few have been gifts. When I saw this paper at Wood Creations, I knew I had a make a We Go Together Plaque for our family room! It just perfectly describes my sweet hubby and I. I’m sure it describes lots of you too, so make one for yourself!!

[Read more…]

No More Missed Moments: Our Trip to the Zoo

June 21, 2015 by Danielle

Growing up, it was awful doing any type of car trip – whether it was to Grandma’s house across the state or just an hour trip to the zoo, my motion sickness really got in the way of my fun. Unfortunately, my daughter gets motion sickness, too – even worse than I ever did. Luckily we can now keep it controlled and there’s No More Missed Moments: Our Trip to the Zoo!

If we went further than about 30 minutes from our house – so pretty much anywhere – no matter what the roads were like, she’d get sick and need to use one of the baggies we’ve learned to keep stocked in the vehicle. When we decided it was time to just tough it out and go to the zoo, I was really worried it’d be a miserable time! We decided to take the ‘No More Missed Moments Challenge’ and Dramamine® Non-Drowsy Naturals and they worked like a charm!

I don’t have to worry, because they contain the clinically-tested ginger dosage required for preventing and treating motion sickness, so it’s safe to use every day if we need it. That’s going to be a life-saver when we go to some theme parks this year!

I made sure to give it to her about 30 minutes before we left, as it directed, and it lasted her all the way there, in the park, AND the drive home that late afternoon.

I’m so glad Dramamine® Non-Drowsy Naturals are non-drowsy, otherwise our day at the zoo wouldn’t have been nearly as fun and active!

She was so excited that she didn’t have to reach for your baggie stash even once on the drive – and we even hit major stop-and-go traffic due to construction during the hour drive! Ya, normally that would’ve been pure torture!

We had such a fun (although super hot because, hey, it’s Texas!) day at the zoo, and can’t wait to do it again! I’ll share more about that soon – and we’re all for going again now that we don’t have to worry about motion sickness 😀

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

DIY Coat Rack

May 29, 2015 by Kathleen Clegg

Hello. It’s Kathleen again, from Fearlessly Creative Mammas, to bring you a really great DIY Coat Rack. A little over three years ago my husband, youngest daughter and I moved to China for a year and then to Korea for a few months. We decided to rent our house out to our oldest daughter and her family while we were gone and they made some changes that were awesome for their family, mainly because they are younger and younger people’s tastes are different than older people’s taste. Yes, I am the older person in this story. [Read more…]

Where Hope Grows Movie Hits Home

May 12, 2015 by Danielle

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Godspeed Pictures, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #wherehopegrowsmovie http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

As I snuggled up with Hubby watching a pre-viewing of Where Hope Grows, I expected to get some of the feels and a good message. I had no idea the wide range of emotions that would come as we watched! This amazing movie was such a touching story that I could connect with in many ways, and truly enjoyed seeing the characters as the progressed and overcame challenges. Here’s the way the new Where Hope Grows Movie Hits Home in such a wonderful, must-see way!

To give you an idea, the story is about a man named Calvin Campbell, a single dad who turned to alcohol after being forced into early retirement for freezing at the plate as a pro baseball player.

His 17-year-old daughter is ready to give up on him, and in her desperation for love and attention goes for a really big jerk.

Neither of them expected that Produce, a local grocery store worker with Down Syndrome, would have such an important and moving influence on them to change turn their lives around!

Produce is such an amazing guy with such a huge heart, facing a world full of challenges and people who don’t understand.

Watching him go through the struggles and having my heart just hurt for him made me think of some very special people in my life with disabilities to deal with – this amazing family:

This sweet mamma, Andrea, is raising the two most down-right fabulous kids ever! They both have different disabilities, pretty major, so their life is anything but easy. I can honestly say that these three are some of the most unbelievable caring, faithful people I’ve ever had the privilege to call my friends!

Andrea’s boy is in the same grade as my Black Widow, so when we first moved here they really hit it off as great friends. What I loved the most was – I hadn’t met any of these guys, yet, and almost every day she’d come home from school talking about him, the fun they had, how sweet he was…..not once did she describe him in a way that made me think he had disabilities. NOT ONCE. It wasn’t until a school teacher pulled me aside one day, complimenting on how sweet my daughter was for her patience in helping him with his differences did I know.

I was such a proud mama that my daughter could see past any differences and just have a true love for her friend! This is some of what Calvin learns to deal with as he befriends Produce in the movie – others don’t understand. Luckily, Calvin learns to love him deeply for the sweet friend he is, and the life lessons that he learns from this unlikely teacher.

After I finally met Andrea and her kiddos, we became amazing friends and I can’t say enough how much I love and care for every one of them. About a year ago, I invited her to bring them to a neighborhood play date at the park – she was shocked. When she told me that they pretty much never get invited to things like that because of the kids’ disabilities, it broke my heart! After leaving her house, I had to sit in the car a bit and just cry.

Okay, totally let the feels get me as I’m writing this and I’m now sitting here at the computer crying. Woah! This movie really delivers a meaningful message, and includes humor along the way – so don’t worry, you’ll laugh, too! Where Hope Grows hits theaters 05/15 so check your local theater for showtimes!

10 Best Tips for Attending a Blog Conference

May 6, 2015 by Danielle

I received a discounted conference ticket in exchange for this post. All opinions and ideas are my own. May contain affiliate links. #SoFabUOTR #cbias

A little over a year ago I was preparing for my first ever in-person blogging conference. I was super nervous, had no idea what to expect, what to do…or what to wear (that seemed to be a common concern)! Luckily I had friends who helped give me some tips, and now I’m passing on that wisdom with these 10 Best Tips for Attending a Blog Conference!

Now, I’m not saying I’m an expert by any means! I do have some experience with conferences now, and am currently prepping for a couple more this month! I was so excited there were some here in Dallas, TX that made it pretty much too easy to say no….so I said YES!

On May 30th I’ll be getting with about 50 other fabulous bloggers at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center for the raved about SoFabU on the Road! It’s going to be a chuck-full day of chatting with other amazing bloggers, fantastic brands and learning more information than I could hope for – such as How to Use Social Media to Drive Blog Traffic. The main speaker? My friend Randi Dukes of Dukes and Duchesses, a craft and DIY blog!

Randi’s blog went from a hobby into a business in the last few years, and she’s passionate about using social media to promote and monetize it. She’s one of those people that I really admire, and I can’t wait to learn about her strategies that built her over half a million combined followers on her social media channels.

They recently announced ‘The Adventure’ portion – we’re going behind the scenes for a photography/video lesson while learning from top Chef’s at some of the Gaylord Texan’s award-winning restaurants, plus walking around their 4.5 acres of indoor gardens and waterways. Yup, I pretty much yelled ‘Woot woot’!!!

I also can’t wait to talk to some of the great sponsors like Johnny Rockets, Müller, Kraft and iBlog plus some other great companies! As I’m getting all prepped, I’m keeping in mind these 10 Best Tips for Attending a Blog Conference.

Tip #1: Making Friends is Easy – so Be Social!

I’m a shy person initially, but once I feel comfortable with someone I’m a total talker! I slowly learned, after attending more conferences and socializing, that I had the best time when I just pushed myself to be friendly and go outside my comfort zone. You never know who you’ll ‘click’ with, so reach out – just start with a ‘hello’ and go from there!

Tip #2: Bring Business Cards

You’re going to be meeting so many bloggers and brands, you WANT to stay organized…the best way is with business cards. Keep theirs (hole punch them and use a binder ring to keep them together). It keeps your mind from going crazy trying to remember everyone’s details, and it’s much easier to follow up after the conference!

Tip #3: It’s Ok to Use the Camera on Your Phone

I know this isn’t EVERYONE’S opinion, but most that I know agree that it’s just a pain to carry around a DSLR. Many of the pics you want are general ‘fun’ and candid ones – it’s difficult to get these when you’re pulling out the massive camera and messing with settings. You’ll stress a lot less by just using you phone camera. This tip alone saved my sanity at my first conference!

Tip #4: Notebooks are a Must, Laptops are Optional

You’ll want to take notes – LOTS of notes! You definitely need a notebook and something to write with (or a couple – you never know when your pen will run-out mid-session). But again, lugging around a big piece of tech isn’t going to be fun or help you feel more comfortable, so a laptop is up to you. It could also die in the middle of the day, then you’re either carrying around a useless, getting-heavy laptop or racing back to your room to put it away and missing out on more socializing.

Tip #5: Dress Comfortably

I know, we all want to look our best when meeting other bloggers and brands – but don’t go overboard and make yourself miserable the whole time! Stick to your favorite pieces that you NORMALLY wear; don’t feel like you have to go out and buy a new wardrobe. Also keep in mind that conference rooms can really vary in temperature – you could be freezing in one session, then sweating in another – so be flexible and do layers.

Tip #6: Use Your Social Media – Everyone Else Will Be!

In general public, it’s considered rude to sit there on your phone while you’re talking to someone. When you’re surrounded by bloggers, it’s the norm, so do it! I’m not saying never talk to someone while making eye-contact, but join everyone else is sharing about the conference, your new friends and all the fun on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, whatever.

Tip #7: Back-up Batteries can Save Your Life – or at Least Your Phone!

My first conference, the biggest frustration I had (and several others) was our phones dying part-way into the day. We have much more social media to do and pictures to take! I bought a battery back-up before my last conference, and it was a life-saver!

Tip #8: Don’t Try to Learn Everything 100% the First Time

You’re going to be hearing so much excellent information, and if you’re like me you’ll want to go implement ALL of it right away. Do NOT do that! Your brain will go crazy trying to process all of that, plus the whole time issue. Make notes of the top things you think would be BEST to do immediately, and address those very shortly after you get home. Keep your notes on the rest for down the road.

Tip #9: Perfect Your Blogger Elevator Pitch

Every time you meet a new person or brand, you’ll probably repeat your elevator pitch. What IS an elevator pitch? Basically it’s you describing yourself and your blog in 60 seconds or less. Your name, blog name and what it’s about. Difficult, I know – I’m still trying to perfect mine!

Tip #10: You’re Never the ‘Newest’ Blogger

I could have sworn I’d be the newest, smallest blogger at my first conference – and this affected how social I was willing to be! I wouldn’t even TRY to talk to ‘the big’ bloggers because my thought was ‘I’m nothing compared to them, why would they want to talk to me’. First of all – that’s entirely NOT true! They want to be friends with you regardless of the size of your blog! Secondly, there’s ALWAYS someone there that’s newer, smaller, quieter, whatever than you are. It’s a huge assortment of people – so don’t let that affect how much you get from your conference!

Bonus Tip: Have Fun and Don’t Stress!

Seriously, I always kick myself when I stress unnecessarily about a conference because I always end up having the most amazing time (even the one where I got sick and sounded like a toad the ENTIRE time)! It’s going to be great, you’ll learn lots and meet so many fabulous people – so just have fun and go with the flow!

SoFabU on the Road Events are open to all bloggers and influencers! Go check out their website to find them at a city near you!