Homemade Baby Food

I made baby food for all of my kids, most especially the last three. In fact, I don't think Adam or Kaden ever ate a jar of storebought baby food. I did buy the rice cereal though because it's a great thickener and I tried different recipes for baby cereal at home and didn't have success until they were old enough to advance to oatmeal and the like.

Mia, the third child, wouldn't touch baby food. No way, no how. Never took to it ... she wanted solid food. At 7 months old she was eating pizza from the restaurant in our plaza. But that's a different story ...

And why am I posting this here, you wonder? Because with all the money you'll save you'll be able to shop more at Ditto Kiddo (and I just think it's a good idea).


Here are some links for homemade baby food recipes/hints/tricks, etc. If you don't what you're looking for ask ... I may have an answer to your question.





Wholesomebabyfoods.com

Baby food recipes

National Network for Childcare: Baby Foods

More baby food recipes

Amazon.com - search for baby food recipe and plenty of books come up!

Bon Appetit!

Halloween Shopping at Ditto Kiddo

Today I can believe it's fall. I'm loving the nice breeze we've had yesterday and today. While the beautiful weather doesn't have me digging out the kids winter sweaters and coats (I so look forward to the few days they can wear sweaters!) it does have me thinking more seriously about Halloween.

We do have quite a few costumes at Ditto Kiddo, including an adorable clown and a menacing Darth Vader. All are priced between $1.9o and $7.90.

If you're interested in bringing costumes in they must arrive at Ditto Kiddo by this Wednesday, the 3rd of October.

When I was a child we usually made our own costumes. Some years we were treated to a store costume, complete with stiff plastic mask with gigantic eye holes, but most years we made our own. This was in Wisconsin and back before kids trick or treated at the mall so under or over our costume was our heavy jacket ... which kind of distracted from the costume!

But here we are in Florida, where my kids have never had to wear a jacket on Halloween, but where they still often have home made costumes, often out of parts of other costumes, things from the dress-up box, Ditto Kiddo shopping, and a bit of sewing from Mom.

Not only does the "make your own" technique of costuming save money but it allows the kids to be more self-expressive and creative. AND, we've found that the costumes that win the contests are usually home made ... and really really cool!

Last year three of my kids were the Blues Brothers (when they had the little kid with them), one was a good purple witch (using parts of store bought costumes), and the last was a pirate (he's always a pirate).

So what kind of costume could you make from your finds at Ditto Kiddo? Here are a few simple ideas:

denim overalls + flannel or t-shirt + hat + straw or raffia = scarecrow
jean skirt or jeans + white t-shirt + scissor-fringed vest = cowgirl or cowboy
shredded dirty white clothes + face make-up = mummy
jeans + white tee with sleeves rolled up + loafers = James Dean
white tee + white tights + stuffed pillowcase with arm and head holes cut out = marshmallow

For more great ideas, even some instructions, check out these sites:
www.familyfun.com
homemade halloween costume ideas
JoAnn Fabrics
Halloween kids
Budget 101

Awesome Crib Bedding Idea

I'm madly in love with this canopy idea! (and to tie it into Ditto Kiddo: any of our wonderful bedding sets could be adapted to this idea with a trip to the fabric store!). See more at the Whistle and Wink website.

Cool New Stuff

Call or stop in for details!

Diaper Ointment Tip

While we were in Wisconsin Kaden got a rash all over his torso and face and Cassie's face had lots of dry spots. We went into town to get some California Baby Soothing and Healing Spray (which is also great for sunburn). The healthy living store was out of it but she said to apply diaper rash cream ... not the zinc oxide stuff, but the good stuff with calendula cream or similar. I happened to have some of the California Baby Calming Diaper Rash Cream (we have a few left at the store in the travel sizes - half price even). It really worked!

I eventually got Cassie hydrocortizone with aloe and she has been very pleased with that. Kaden's rash cleared up (maybe from the sun or the life jacket?) after a week or so.