Toddler SunCatchers/ No-Mess Finger Paint!

This is a great idea for kids walking age to age 5+. Of course the younger kids will be more excited by this but it is for everyone and a great piece of art. 

Grab some 1 Gal zip lock bags. I made three.. (You cant just make one)

using washable crayola paints Place some globs in the bag. 

Pic Your Colors. Add Globbs of paint on the inside of the bag

I am using Crayola's Washable Finger Paint - $4.39 at Meijer for 6 colors

Seal the bag... let your kids start to move it around.

HANDS ALL CLEAN!

SEE!!

"MOMMA THIS IS SOO MUCH FUN!"
Tape them to the window or sliding glass door. High enough so the smallest child can reach without falling over.

This is a great project for ALL ages. My cousin (21) thinks its awesome and sat for 20 mins making different designs in it as well as I.
A fun and Creative way to spend some time with your kids. Draw out some numbers or letters. ABC's & 123's. There is nothing wrong with learning while having fun!!


*Update: These lasted about 2-3 weeks! Super fun and we had a blast moving it around from window to window and catching the sun different ways. My son LOVES this and asks for it all the time! so its not just a spring, time thing. Great for ALL YEAR ROUND!

Make Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes

I started buying Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes once I started couponing. I do have to admit they are great! Seriously expensive considering what they actually are. I love making cookies from scratch! They are awesome! Since we have moved I love the convenience of MANY things. My sister came over one day and we were talking about cookies, and making some for her friend. I told her "lets whipp some up!" and she looked at me, went into my pantry, and said "Okay were is the box? If it doesn't come in a box, I have no idea what I am doing!" 

I thought this was kinda funny... I said "You buy those? They are super expensive, regular price is $2.50 or more!" and she laughed "Oh that's right, you use your 'coupons' and its cheaper, I'm not into all that, you know that." Well, I do know that but I wont accept it, i needed to find a way to Make Them Myself in a way that I can give them to others, Like "Cookies in a Jar" but without the $5.00 Jar... So i Googled it. I typed in "Make it Yourself Cookie Mixes Blog" and one thing came up Fake-It-Frugal

Here are some recipes off Fake-It-Frugal website:

Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookies:
1 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix & Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes.

Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies:

1 1/2 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup White Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix & Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes. 

Betty Crocker Oatmeal Cookies:

1 Cup Flour
1/2 Cup White Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
Optional: 1/2 Cup Raisins and/or Nuts

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1 Stick Melted Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract.  Mix, Refrigerate for 30 Minutes & Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes. 

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookies:

1 3/4 Cup Flour

3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 Tablespoon Ground Ginger

1 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag.  Write instructions on the bag to add:  1/2 Stick Softened Butter, 1 Large Egg, 1/8 Cup Molasses.  Mix & Bake at 350°F for 9-11 minutes. 

Peanut Butter Cookies

Make a few extra sugar cookie mixes.

1 1/2 Cups Flour

3/4 Cup White Sugar

1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

Write on them "Peanut butter cookies" Add 1/2 Cup Butter, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract and 1/2 Cup Peanut butter.

Credit

Snicker Doodle Cookies

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 3/4 cups flour

2 teaspoons cream of tartar 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 salt 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons cinnamon

Mix together and store in a quart size ziplock bag. Write instructions on the bag to add: 2 Large eggs and 1 cup Butter - Mix in this order: Sugar and Butter untill Fluffy, Eggs and Vanilla. On low speed, beat in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt until well combined, scraping bowl occasionally. In small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar-cinnamon mixture and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Chill cookie mix for 15 minutes before putting on sheet. Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, remove from pan immediately after baking. 

Okay, So is it really worth "Making It Yourself" and putting in a little effort now to save money later. Lets do the math!

The Make-It Yourself Breakdown: Make It Yourself Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes (Pantry Ingredients, Between $0.30-$0.40 each mix)

Total Fake-It Cost:  $3.20 (probably less) for 8 Cookie Mixes

Compare to Real Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes ($2.50+ each)

Total "Make It Yourself" Savings:  $16.80