Free Stuff for Baby!

How to Save Hundreds of Dollars Every Year on the Things You Need Most, by Sue M Hannah

I found this great book and I borrowed it from the church nursery. There are a list of websites and phone numbers for coupons and free stuff, and a few recipes for homemade toys.

CLAY for Baby's Handprints or Footprints

Materials
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 tablespoon salt
3/4 cup water
large plastic margarine container

Instructions
1) Mix all the ingredients in a medium sauce pan
2) Heat on high heat until boiling starts
3) Turn heat low and keep stirring until mixture is thick and creamy and hard to stir
4) Remove from heat, cool it
5) Knead with your hands and place into containers, flatten the top
6) Baby places hand/ foot prints
7) Write name and date on the clay with a tootpick or pencil
(8) For hanging, poke a hole into the top section of the clay, tie with a ribbon after
8) Decorate with stones, seashells, marbles or mosaic pieces
9) Hardens over a few days
10) Another idea, roll clay flat with a rolling pin and use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Poke a hole in the top section, decorate etc. Baby's first Christmas ornament!

JIGGLE SOAP
Bathtime and Jello!

Materials
1 package gelatin (clear, unflavored)
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup liquid bubble bath
food colouring

1) In a small bowl dissolve gelatin in hot water
2) Mix in bubble bath and stir thoroughly
3) Optional, mix in a few drops of colour
4) Refridgerate four hours and cut into cubes
5) Store in the fridge until use

Other ideas: Fish in a bag! Triple the recipe, use blue food colouring to make "water" and pour into a plastic bag. Add a plastic fish or sea creature and refridgerate the bag for 5 hours. Jar of Jello Soap! Pour the soap into jars, make layers too,and tie with ribbons to make a cool party favor.

PLAY DOUGH
2 cups flour
3/4 cups salt
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cups water
large mixing bowl
food colouring

1) For colour, add food colouring to wet ingredients first
2) Mix flour, salt, vegetable oil and water in large bowl. Knead until smooth.
3) Store airtight in the fridge

OCEAN IN A BOTTLE
Materials
2-litre plastic pop bottle with a screw on lid
2 cups of cooking oil
funnel
Blue food colouring
glitter, metallic confetti and sequins
water

1) Pour oil into the bottle
2) Add blue food colouring
3) Add glitter etc
4) Fill to the top with water
5) Option, secure lid with glue gun or strong lid

Waterslide Dream

The other day, I awoke to the sound of Maggie giggling and laughing in her crib. She was contently on her belly, arms flailing and her head flipping from side to side as if she were slippling, sliding and splashing down a winding waterslide at a waterpark. Her eyes were closed and she was quite asleep but dreaming I imagine.

I let her sleep a little longer so I could sleep a little bit longer too! Yah, we often flip her over on to her belly if she awakens too soon in the middle of the night. We found that she actually sleeps alot longer on her belly, and even if she awakens, she stays quiter and more peaceful on her own.