National Moment of Silence for Sandy Hook and Ways You Can Help!

It’s hard to believe that a week has passed since the horrifying events at Sandy Hook Elementary that forever changed the lives of 27 families and that led the rest of the nation to take a step back, re-prioritize, and huge our own children a little tighter.  I have a 5 year old son and an 8 year old daughter and I cannot imagine what these parents went through when they found out that they wouldn’t be taking their children home with them that day.  I also work in an elementary school and I know that when you work in a school, your co-workers become like a second family.  Not a day has passed over the past week when I haven’t though of the faces of those beautiful children and their families.  I have cried for them and prayed for them and today at 9:30 AM EST, I will be taking a moment to join thousands of others across the nation to #the same.

If you’re looking for ways that you can help support these families and the city of Newtown, CT, here are a few:

Send a Message of Condolence – The US Postal Service has established a unique PO Box to allow the public to send condolences to those affected.  Send your cards and messages here:

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
PO Box 3700
Newtown, CT 06470

Make a Snowflake for Sandy Hook Elementary’s New Home – The PTSA is hoping to line the walls of the new home for Sandy Hook Elementary School students with snowflakes when they return to school in January.  You can send your snowflakes by January 12th to this address:

Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

Participate in #26Acts – Ann Curry sent out a message via social media earlier in the week asking people to complete Random Acts of Kindness in honor of students and faculty who died at Sandy Hook Elementary.  You can post about how you have participated by posting on the 26 Acts of Kindness page on Facebook or by Tweeting using #26Acts.  Find out more about this movement here–> 26 Acts of Kindness

Donate to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund – There are numerous private memorial funds that have been set up to support the families or charitable organizations in honor of those who were killed.  You can also donate to the general fund to help the entire community of Newtown, CT recover from this tragedy.  Find out more about the Sandy Hook School Support Fund here–> Sandy Hook School Support Fund

Most importantly, hug your children a little tighter tonight.  Take time out from the busyness of life to reflect on your blessings and to pray for these families.

Dash Seven-Jar Yogurt Maker only $27 shipped! ($60 value)

If you missed this deal last time, it’s back!  Get this Dash Seven-Jar Yogurt Maker for just $27 shipped!  The last time this deal was available, it sold out very quickly, so hurry and get it while you can! This is a $60 value!

At-home chefs easily whip up homemade yogurt with Dash’s convenient countertop appliance. After less than 10 minutes of prep time, the yogurt maker creates up to seven jars of creamy yogurt in 8 to 12 hours. The easy-to-use kitchen accessory features a one-touch on-off switch, a digital interface with large numbers, and an integrated timer function. The set’s seven glass jars are dishwasher safe and can be sealed with included BPA-free lids.

If you haven’t signed up with Groupon before, click here to register first–> Groupon registration

Click here to get this deal–> Dash Seven-Jar Yogurt Maker only $27 shipped!  

  • Makes up to seven jars of yogurt
  • Less than 10 minutes of preparation time needed
  • Makes homemade yogurt in 8–12 hours
  • Easy one-touch on-off button
  • Digital interface makes up to five hilarious facial expressions
  • Integrated timer function
  • Dishwasher-safe jars with BPA-free lids

I’ve found lots of great gifts in the Groupon Goods section!  Check that out here–> Groupon Goods

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out the 2012 holiday gift guide here–> 2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Find the most recent holiday idea posts here–> 2012 Holiday Gift ideas

Make sure you keep your holiday packages safe this year with your free UPS My Choice Membership–> Keep your packages safe this year with your free UPS My Choice membership

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Cooking With Kids Thursday: Candy Cane Sticks

These candy cane sticks only require 5 ingredients to make and are great for helping those little ones with their fine motor skills!  My kids love palying with playdough and one of their favorite things to make are worms.  They use those same rolling skills to make these sticks with cookie dough.  Then they get to practice painting with the glaze and sprinkling with the peppermint.  So fun an festive for the holiday season.  Thanks Recipe.com!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • 1 tube (16.9 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
  • 1/2 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Here’s how to make them -> Candy Cane Sticks Tutorial

 

Ocean Spray Cranberries FREE after coupon at Target!

If you love Ocean Spray Cranberries, right now you can score them for FREE after coupons at some Target stores!  The pricing at some Target locations with grocery options is just $.99, which makes these free after coupons!

Click here to print your coupon–> $1 off Ocean Spray Cranberries coupon

Don’t forget you can also print a coupon for $5 off a Target Grocery purchase of $30 or more!  Click here to print your coupon–> $5 off a Target grocery purchase of $30 or more (it was on page 7 for me when I sorted by Grocery)

Make sure you also grab your coupon for FREE Reach Floss–> FREE Reach floss after coupon!

Click here for more printable coupons and match-ups–> Printable coupons 

PLEASE NOTE:  Pricing and availability may vary by location!

(Thanks Coupon Mom!)

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information

Hot Wheels Remote Control Terrain Twister Vehicle for $63.99! (36% off)

If you’ve missed the previous deals on this Hot Wheels Remote Control Terrain Twister Vehicle, this is the lowest price it has been since Black Friday for the red one and the lowest price EVER for the green one!  Get the Hot Wheels Remote Control Terrain Twister Vehicle for $63.99 shipped!  If you have Amazon Prime, you can still get it delivered in time for Christmas!  I got to see this at a conference I attended this summer and it was really cool.  My son is getting one from Santa!

Click here to grab this deal in red–> Hot Wheels Remote Control Terrain Twister Vehicle

Click here to grab it in green–>  Hot Wheels Remote Control Terrain Twister Vehicle

Find out how to get free 2-day shipping for 3 months here–> Amazon Prime free for 3 months 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out the 2012 holiday gift guide here–> 2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Find the most recent holiday idea posts here–> 2012 Holiday Gift ideas

Please note that pricing and availability changes frequently on Amazon.  Verify final pricing before completing your order.

Make sure you keep your holiday packages safe this year with your free UPS My Choice Membership–> Keep your packages safe this year with your free UPS My Choice membership

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information