On Hiatus

Well, I have tried really hard to balance motherhood, home-making, blogging and working part-time, but I can't keep up.  I have decided to go on a hiatus from the blog for awhile.  I know I introduced my math series and haven't followed through, but plan to when I return.  I am not positive of when I will return, but my guess is early summer when the school year is over.  Maybe sooner if I can get things to run smoother around here.  I will not be returning to work next school year, so perhaps I will have more time to devote to the blog.  Please sign up for a feed so you are made aware of Early Motherhood's return.  Thank you for reading and I hope you will return when I do!

Beech-Nut Baby and Toddler Kits

I have signed up for these in the past and they have come with coupons for FREE baby food.  Not sure if these will, but it's worth a shot:

• Beech-Nut Baby Starter Kit
• Beech-Nut Toddler Welcome Kit

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

CVS, Target, and Randalls $5.65

I had some catching up to do on deals today since we've been sick.  As a result, I missed out on several, but here's what I did accomplish:

CVS

Aussie shampoo

$2.99

- 1.00 (RP 2/14)

= $1.99 and earned 2 ECBs

Used 1 ECB

Total OOP = $1.07 and earned 2 ECBs

Target

Puffs facial tissue (x2) Note: I opened them before I remembered to get a picture

$1.99

- 1.00 (mailer)

= $0.99 each

Glade candle tin (x2)

$3.32 ($1.66 each)

- 3.00 ($1.50 manufacturer's coupons found in tins)

-1.00 (Target mailer)

= +$.68 overage earned for both

Method laundry detergent 64 loads

$7.48 (orig. $14.99, on clearance since Method has new packaging)

Used $5 Target gift card

Total OOP = $4.58

Randalls (Kroger Stores)

Right Guard antiperspirant (x2)

$1.00 each

- 1.00 (printable $2 off 2)

= free

Total OOP = $0

Free Music/Story Downloads

Sorry for such a long break.  S and I have been very sick, but we're slowly recovering.  Here are some free music/story downloads for you to enjoy with your little one: 

"John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" and "Yankee Doodle Boy"










The Best of Countdown Kids: 10 very familiar tunes

Use code NAPTIME here to get a PDF of The Original Story of Winnie the Pooh, an MP3 of the story read aloud, and an MP3 of the song "House at Pooh Corner" by Fred Molliin







Thanks, Freebies 4 Mom!

Pampers Gifts to Grow 30 Point Code

Here's a 30-point code for Gifts to Grow:  GTGPLAY2USA2010

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!

Free Sample of Burt's Bees Toothpaste

You can sign up for a free sample of Burt's Bees toothpaste here.  It may be a good one to try when S is ready for fluoride toothpaste.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

Toddler Math: Introduction (Part 1 of 7)

I realized the other day that S's early literacy skills are developing very rapidly and that I don't plan as much with him in the area of math.  This is ironic because I myself am a "math person".  In fact, the part-time job I recently took is as a Math Specialist at an elementary school.  So I asked myself why this was the case and realized there is so much more to math than being able to perform operations.  I also realized that we do more math than I had originally thought simply through play.  After these realizations I decided to break down the components of math for myself and take a look at each one to evaluate how I could develop early math skills in these areas with S.  From all of this I am starting a new series of posts titled "Toddler Math." 

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics breaks math into six standards:

• Number and Operations
• Algebra
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Data Analyis and Probability
• Process Standards

I plan to continue this series by writing a post about each of the six standards.  In each post, I will share four components:

• Concepts and Vocabulary
• Educational Products, Toys, and Manipulatives
• Activity Ideas
• Children's Literature Connections

My goal at home is to have S engaged in an activity a few minutes a day that addresses a standard each day of the week  (ex. Monday-Number and Operations, Tuesday-Algebra...).  There are six standards, but Process Standards will be integrated throughout all of the above standards (more on that to come).  I hope you enjoy following along.