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Post from: Keeping the Castle

While I have been fortunate enough to review some plastic organization bags, the cheapest, most frugal and earth-friendly choice is to reuse the plastic zipper bags that we get from purchasing bedding and other home accessories.  I have put to use all of the bags in our house that have come with shams, curtains, sheets, comforters, etc.  I have two of them that are used for sleeping bags and as you can see here, I am using this one for all of the children’s bubble supplies.  This bag came with my daughter’s crib bedding.  It’s been around a while.

The clear zipper bags keep all of the parts contained and since they are clear, you can easily see what’s inside.  In this case, the plastic bag also keeps the bubble solution from leaking. 

Do you reuse your plastic bags?

For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, visit We Are THAT Family.  Image (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Thanks to free resources such as Plugged -In Online and Kids-in-Mind, you can quickly check out a movie’s sexual content, violence, language, drug use, and more.  Just this week a relative came over and wanted to know if my kids could watch Marley & Me.  I said, “No way!”  I pulled up Plugged In Online and started reading all the things about the language and sexual content.

From Plugged-In Online:

Marley & Me is advertised as fun family fare, which should imply that profanity is kept on a leash. But audiences still end up stepping in one s-word and another 10 or so uses of “h—,” “b–ch,” “a–,” “d–n” or “b–tard.” God’s name is misused at least a dozen times. There are references to “boobs” and “balls.”

From Kids-In-Mind:

A husband and a wife kiss in bed and it is implied that they have sex (we hear squeaking springs). A husband and wife kiss, she sits on his lap, she stands up and takes off her dress in front of him (we see her bare shoulders and the side of her breast), she jumps into a swimming pool . . .

We hear a scream, a man rushes to a neighbor’s house and we see that a young woman has been stabbed (she has blood on her side).

As you can see, both of these free websites provide detailed information about the movie and allow you, the parent, to decide if a movie is suitable for your family.

Are there any movie review websites that you would recommend?

images from websites listed above

Post from: Keeping the Castle

I’ve been collecting some Easter and spring articles for your enjoyment.  Have fun and let me know which ones are your favorites.

20 Last Minute Spring and Easter Party Treats @ The Kids Birthday Fun Review

Lead Me to the Cross:  Reflections for Good Friday @ Way More Homemade

Easy Last Minute Easter Egg Dyes @ Bostom Mamas

Jelly Bean Poem @ Little Fun; Little Learning

Bird’s Nest Spring Treats @ The Kids Birthday Fun Review

Kids’ Easter Activities @ Thrifty Mommy

Two Tales of Bunnies: Easter Reads @ Alpha Mom

Super Cute Bunnylicious Cake @ Bostom Mamas

Paper Plate Easter Basket @ Little Fun; Little Learning

Growing Bunny Prints Easter Craft @ Blisstree

Finger Puppets, Decoupaged Easter Pails, and More @ Alpha Mom

A Natural Way to Dye Eggs @ Thrifty Mommy

Adorable Rice Krispies Treats Bunnies & Eggs @ Blisstree

Simple Easter Table Decoration @ She Knows Parties

10 Recipes for Your Easter Brunch @ She Knows Parties

Easter Ham Recipe @ Blisstree

Braided Easter Bread @ Blisstree

Emeril’s Easter Feast Roasted Asparagus @ Good Morning American Recipes

Easter Outfits on a Budget @ Thrifty Mommy

Recipes to Celebrate Spring @ Thrifty Mommy

Keep Your Pets Safe This Easter @ Thrifty Mommy

Easter Safety Tips @ Blisstree

Spring Party Centerpieces – Egg Flower Cups @ She Knows Parties

Egg Songs @ Little Fun; Little Learning

Handprint Flower Craft @ Little Fun; Little Learning

If you have an Easter link, please leave it in the comments.

Happy Easter!  Enjoy!

image: Karen Weideman

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Our younger children are 3 and 5, so we have asked them to do simple things such as bring all the laundry baskets to the laundry room, take the laundry baskets back to the rooms, and put away the socks that I have already folded.  My daughter is 5, so she sometimes asks if she can help fold washcloths or put them away.  Now that we have a 10-year-old in the house, I have asked him to switch the clothes from the washer to the dryer or hang up his shirts. Even my 3-year-old likes to help switch clothes from the washer to the dryer.  I am actually the one that is switching them.  He just likes the throw them into the dryer.  It takes a little longer, but he wants to help and I need to encourage that.

Here are a list of things your children can do to help out with the laundry.  Of course, you must choose which ones are appropriate based upon age and maturity.

• bring laundry baskets to the laundry room
• take laundry baskets back to the rooms
• put socks, pajamas, and underwear away
• get hangers
• help sort the laundry into darks, coloreds, whites, and towels
• switch clothes from the washing machine to the dryer
• match socks
• If you are line drying, the child can hand you clothing and clothes pins.

How do your children help with the laundry?

image sxc.hu

Post from: Keeping the Castle