My children bring so much joy and happiness into my life.  They also seem to multiply our household laundry load- I feel like I’m forever catching up on washing or folding!  If you do a lot of laundry, the cost of detergent can add up fast.  Why not make your own?  It’s easier than you might think, and it can save you a load (pun intended) of money.

What you’ll need:

• 1 bar of whatever bar soap you prefer

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Young children learn through play; it’s how they experience their world.  It’s why you’ll often see them putting things in their mouth (things that should never, ever go in a mouth) or find toys crammed in your vacuum cleaner attachment or toaster.  It’s why they love to eat things with their hands and play in the dirt.

Give those busy little hands something to do!  Sensory play is a wonderful way to teach toddlers math (sorting, measuring), creativity, gross and fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills.  Plus, it’s a good way to create boundaries…

Most women have cravings for certain kinds of food, and I’ve begun to believe that these cravings are more than a simple desire for a certain kind of food.  I think they really mean something.  Food cravings are your body’s way of telling you that it’s missing something- something found in that food.  Like chocolate, which contains magnesium, or salty foods, which contain chloride.

Unfortunately the foods we eat in order to satisfy these cravings are often not healthy for us.  And while I think a handful of chocolate chips or some tortilla chips (two of my favorites)…

On a cold day there’s seriously nothing I love better than a plate full of mac-and-cheese.  The more cheese the better.  We all have our “comfort food,” that dish we know isn’t great for us but you just can’t help ourselves.  So how can we make these guilty pleasures a little less guilty?  Let’s re-think a few favorite comfort foods.

Mac and Cheese

I have a folder of mac-and-cheese recipes on my computer.  That’s how much I love it.  Most of them use less cheese and add more goodies to bring…

It’s that time of year- cold season.  My daughter is working on her third cold in two months, and just last weekend my whole family caught a horrible stomach bug.  I’m pretty germ-conscious.  I wash my hands regularly, use a paper towel to open the door in public restrooms, and carry around a bottle of antibacterial gel in my purse.  Of course, there’s no way to completely avoid contact with germs.  They’re a normal part of life.  While I think it’s healthy to encounter germs in daily life (too little exposure can actually weaken your immune system, especially in children),…

American Kids Bedding is happy to introduce a new line of gear for kids on the go.  Whether your kids are at a sleepover or sleeping under the stars, our new kids sleeping bags, kids backpacks, nap mats and lunch bags are perfect for your kids’ on-the-go summer activities.

Each of these new items comes in your kids’ favorite patterns so they can take the familiarity of their bedding set with them wherever they go.  The kids sleeping bags are lined with snuggly cotton flannel to keep them warm and cozy and, measuring at 66×30, give them plenty of…