Crafty Mom – The Milk Memoirs

Cupid’s Poop – A Classmate’s Valentine gift idea (& Free printable label)

Posted on February 12, 2020 by MilkAdmin

So we don’t have to do this. This whole Valentines day friendship gift vibe. There is NO pressure to do it. My kids don’t beg me to do it. (although now after years of doing it, and being involved in the whole process, they’ve now come to expect that we do it)…So,know that there there are zero external pressures on us to do these kind of things, but if there is a way I can show my kids small and sweet little ways to be kind and spread a little sunshine in an easy fashion to others, and thus help lay the foundations for gracious and thoughtful grown human beings in the future, then HELL YEAH I’m going to take the time to make little class Valentine gifts!

Yes, I’m going to take precious time I could have been vegging out on Netflix or catching up on old blog posts half way written, and instead, spend it getting cramps in my right hand from cutting out labels and helping my staple them to little trinkets that say, “HEY, YOU! You’re cool. I see you. I like you. And you’re awesome just for being you.”

And each year that passes (aka with each new baby we add to the brood), I try to make this easier on myself, because Continue reading →

DIY Lush Bath Bombs

Posted on October 6, 2016 by mommabeartrax

You can swing a cat just about anywhere these days and you’re sure to hit a couple of Lush fans… I mean, who doesn’t LOVE them some Lush goodies right? All the spoilage is too hard to resist. Especially their bath bombs – can I get an amen? But those pretty little puppies can quickly start racking up heavily on the wallet if you used them as often as you’d like to. And trust me, I really want to everyday. Also, I have an insane and unstoppable need to make stuff myself. As is evidenced by this here blog. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a few cool bath bomb recipes last year. I had some trial and error and eventually perfected a recipe that worked perfectly for me. So much so, I even made a few as a take-home “dragon egg” bath bomb gifts for the littles at our recent kiddy Dragon Party.

What’s more is that the ingredients are all natural and are made especially for those sensitive skins. I am a huge fan of Epsom salts, which is great for skin, ridding the body of toxins and even helping calm kiddies down right before bedtime. (Hence I thought it was a great gift to the parents of those kids, after a party.)

Before we go Continue reading →

Easter Basket Ideas

Posted on March 16, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Love the idea of an Easter Basket, but not sure what to put in, or you’re running out of ideas? Well, then read on!

We’re steadily hopping down that bunny trail all the way to Easter. If fact, do you realise, it’s NEXT week?! Well, it is, and despite how much all the stores’ well-merchandised and prettily stocked shelves would like to remind me, it actually only hit me this week just how close we are!

So in my efforts to have all my shit together this year, and not scoot around the house like a maniac the day before,trying to Continue reading →

Easter Bunny Crunch – a quick and easy alternative to the humble Easter Egg

Posted on March 15, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Ok, sure, you’re not going to be able to teach them the signifigance of why Easter eggs are hollow with this one, nor are you going to be able to use this as an opportunity to teach your kids why we even use EGGS at all as a symbol for Easter, but damnit, life happens, you know?

Life happens where you just don’t get the time to go to Continue reading →

How to catch a leprechaun – and other fun ways to enjoy St Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 7, 2016 by mommabeartrax

So St Paddy’s is not too high on your typical South African’s celebratory list, although that depends on who hang with, and also if you don’t count the usual celebratory pubcrawl down Long Street. But it is up on our list. – however small it may be.

Ps. For How to make Leprechaun Magic Rocks, see here.

And by the way, when I say “our”, I actually mean “my” list. Thankfully, hubby just smiles and goes with it – mostly, I think, because Continue reading →

The Coolest Rechargeable Glow in the Dark Slime

Posted on March 4, 2016 by mommabeartrax

How to make Alien Slime

Since the girls have been really enjoying “playing” in the dark, thanks to our Star Gazing adventures (see here), a lot of our recent activities have been revolving around just that. So, in keeping with the star gazing theme (think aliens) I thought I’d add some fun with glow in the dark slime…Or as we call it: Alien Slime!!!

‘Cause, I mean, when you’re teaching them about astronomy, “aliens” is a totally legit topic to cover right? Right?! Right. Besides, I still I had Continue reading →

Galaxy Play Dough – The Softest No cook Play Dough Recipe ever!

Posted on March 2, 2016 by mommabeartrax

The Perfect Starry Night Sky Dough

So recently, the …errrmm…stars aligned for us as a family to have the perfect night for star gazing. A windless clear night with balmy temperatures of 35‘C….not to mention, no one had any sniffles. So for the first time in a very long time,Mike, myself and the girls all parked outside in our backyard on the mattress to enjoy a night of star watching.

With the girls now being a bit older, they got into it much more and absolutely enjoyed it. In fact, Parker reckoned as we packed up, “mom, I like playing in the dark”. Morgan piped up in agreeance. Which was all met by me cunningly rubbing hands together, plotting all the new fun little ways I could cook up, to help teach them about stars, planets and the basics of our galaxy. (Almost as if I’m any expert on it!Pfft!) But one thing’s for sure, these starry night adventures are Continue reading →

Up the ease factor with these Air Travel Packing Tips

Posted on February 24, 2016 by mommabeartrax

My Top 10 Air Travel Packing Tips

For some people, packing for a trip is a breeze and not too much to think about. For others it can feel quite daunting:do you have everything, does it all fit, do I have all my travel papers together? Now add a kid or two (or three) in the mix, and you’re very likely cranking up that worry-dial to the max! Lord knows we pack up the entire house and the kitchen sink when we’re just heading to the grocery store with kids in tow. But if you put these few simple tips and tricks into play, you may just be able to bring that stress-dial down quite a few notches. At least for the packing bits.

For all the Continue reading →

Our Dinosaur Adventure – Our list of 9 Awesome Dino-themed activities!

Posted on February 14, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Firstly…YOH(!) I cant believe how long I took to get this post out. It’s just been patiently sitting in my drafts folder since last winter, waiting for it’s time to shine. And finally it’s day has come. Although given how life has been up to now (see here), I think it’s perfectly understandable that lots of little things are going to fall through the cracks now and then. What matters is that we are gentle with ourselves, calmly come back to it, scoop ‘em up, dust them off, polish it up, and well….in this case, publish them!

I love the fact that our girls love cars and bikes as much as their baby dolls, love playing out well- choreographed fight scenes with me as the baddy, as much as they love playing tea time with their daddy. Love their Ninja Turtle figurines as much as their Barbies (maybe more actually – and somewhat remind me of my Barbie and her solid relationship with Bravestar: My Continue reading →