Winstead Wandering

Prone to Wander

Free Mother’s Day Printables (for Grandma, too!)

by

These adorable and FREE Mother’s Day printables make perfect inexpensive gifts! They’re a thoughtful keepsake Mom or Grandma will treasure, and they’re perfect for creating an annual tradition.

These adorable and FREE Mother's Day printables make perfect inexpensive gifts! They're a thoughtful keepsake Mom or Grandma will treasure, and they're perfect for creating an annual tradition.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday!

I created these fun and free Mother’s Day printables (with a grandma version, too) as a cute way to memorialize my kids’ thoughts about me and their grandmothers. It’s true that kids really do say the darnedest things, and who appreciates that more than moms and grandmas? Probably no one, which is why these printables make such great gifts.

These adorable and FREE Mother's Day printables make perfect inexpensive gifts! They're a thoughtful keepsake Mom or Grandma will treasure, and they're perfect for creating an annual tradition.

The pages are great for giving on their own, especially if you don’t usually buy Mother’s Day gifts for grandmas. They make wonderful gift-giving inspiration, too; let your child’s response to one of the blanks (“she loves to wear…”) serve as a starting point when it’s time to shop for presents.

To get this free Mother’s Day printable, as well as free access to all my printables, simply sign-up below for my free newsletter. If you’re already signed up, the link and the password you received in the original email are all you need.

Subscribe to our newsletter to access FREE printables!

* indicates required



Once you subscribe, you’ll get an email with easy-to-follow instructions for accessing the printables library. Be sure to check your spam/junk folder if you can’t locate the email.

Pin these Free Mother’s Day Printables for later!

These adorable and FREE Mother's Day printables make perfect inexpensive gifts! They're a thoughtful keepsake Mom or Grandma will treasure, and they're perfect for creating an annual tradition.

Instant Pot Refried Beans

by

Forget the can, and forget sweating over a hot stove. Instant Pot Refried Beans have that smooth restaurant-style texture you love, with the perfect hint of spice.

Forget the can, and forget sweating over a hot stove. Instant Pot Refried Beans have that smooth restaurant-style texture you love, with the perfect hint of spice.

It all started with a bag of frozen Green Chile Chicken Taquitos. Two bags, actually. We had two bags, 14 taquitos in total, in the freezer at church. They were too old to give to people (“Congratulations on the birth of your baby! Here’s a bag of slightly freezer-burnt taquitos to help you out.”), but not too old to feed to the Wednesday night crowd.

14 taquitos wouldn’t be enough to feed everyone, of course, so I volunteered to make more. I volunteered before I was told just how many more would be. 100+, as it turns out. By that point I was all in, though, so I brainstormed a side dish, too. I’ve been making slow cooker refried beans for ages, so I knew immediately I had to replicate that recipe for the instant pot.

I’m used to having beans cooking all day when I make them in the slow cooker; it was so nice to have these guys ready in a fraction of the time, with the added bonus of not needing to stir them occasionally. The group at church Wednesday nights is mostly kids, so I wasn’t sure how refried beans would go over, but they were a hit! Several of the kids came back for seconds. At the end of the night, there hardly any left in the pot.

Forget the can, and forget sweating over a hot stove. Instant Pot Refried Beans have that smooth restaurant-style texture you love, with the perfect hint of spice.

[Read more…]

Free Teacher Appreciation Printables

by

These adorable printables are perfect for showing teacher appreciation any time of year. There are a ton of cute gift ideas, too!

These adorable printables are perfect for showing teacher appreciation any time of year. There are a ton of cute gift ideas, too!

Free Teacher Appreciation Week Printables

Did you know next week is Teacher Appreciation Week? It definitely is.

If, like me, you’re super grateful for everything your children’s teachers do and, also like me, you want to show them even a small measure of that gratitude, I’ve got you covered.
I made nine cute, fun printables that I’m giving away for free. I even added a list of inexpensive gifts to go along with each printable, as well as my best tips for getting prints for cheap.
All you have to do to get access to all nine teacher appreciation printables is subscribe to my email list below:

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required



Once you’re subscribed, you’ll get an email from me with easy-to-follow instructions for accessing the printables library.
Free teacher appreciation printables in a bunch of fun colors. Inexpensive gift ideas included!

But wait, there’s more!

I’ve got more printables on the way in the next few months. Subscribing to Winstead Wandering’s email list one time gets you access to all the printables in the library.

Not interested?

If tangible gifts aren’t in your budget, or if you don’t have the time to make them happen this year, know that you child’s teacher isn’t expecting to be showered with presents. Obviously being recognized for working hard feels good, but you can show your gratitude in other ways. As a teacher, the sweetest gifts I’ve received have been handwritten notes of appreciation from students.

If you’re child is old enough, consider having him write a thank-you note. If he’s too young (or even if he isn’t), you can write one yourself. Be sure to mention anything specific your child’s teacher may have done, like showing extra patience with a personality quirk or providing additional remediation or enrichment. Chances are your child’s teacher pours her heart into her work; recognizing that is one of the kindest gifts you can give her.

These adorable printables are perfect for showing teacher appreciation any time of year. There are a ton of cute gift ideas, too!

Toddler Craft: Easy Stained Glass Art

by

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

My two oldest kids, ages six and four, love crafting at home. They both do a lot of art projects at school, but they’re up for more at home (hence the three batches of salt dough ornaments we made last Christmas). I’m so not a Pinterest mom, though; I tend to find an easy craft that requires a few inexpensive supplies and run with it.

Speaking of Pinterest, I remember making stained glass art with my preschool students way back in 2008, before Pinterest was even a thing. It’s been on my mind for the last few months, but it took me that long to remember to buy contact paper and then to figure out where in Walmart to find it (in the plastic storage containers/shelf organization aisle, if you’re wondering).

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

We made our rainbows the same day I brought the supplies home, on a fittingly rainy Monday. The kids loved it so much we made donuts the next day- B’s suggestion- and they’re already dreaming up the shapes they want to try next. We still have nearly the whole roll of contact paper and a ton of tissue paper left, so I’ll have no problem pulling off easy stained glass art again and again.

With just two inexpensive supplies and a few minutes of time, you and your toddler can create this easy stained glass art.

[Read more…]

Tips for Easy School Lunches

by

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #2Good2Bear #CollectiveBias

Does packing your kids’ lunches fill you with dread? It doesn’t have to! Check out these tips for easy school lunches.

Does packing your kids' lunches fill you with dread? It doesn't have to! Check out these tips for easy school lunches.

My two oldest kids started school this year. I went from only worrying about my own lunch to being responsible for the three of us (full disclosure: J makes their lunches sometimes, too). I started the school year with big ideas about what I’d pack them and how I’d make the process easier. Some of those ideas panned out, some of them flopped, and some have been tweaked to create what I consider to be a pretty streamlined system.

Tips for Easy School Lunches

Prep for the Whole Week on Sunday

Maybe you can relate to this: Sunday night brings the best intentions regarding school lunches. You’re going to pack well-rounded meals every day. Monday goes well, and Tuesday isn’t bad either, but things go downhill. By Friday, you’re raiding the pantry for combination of items that won’t draw judgment from you kids’ teachers.

Here’s my best tip for overcoming that weekly slide: do as much prep work as possible on Sunday. This can include slicing cheese, making sandwiches, cooking a batch of chicken nuggets or pasta and portioning it into containers. Basically, do in advance anything you can. Not only does it take little additional time to make five sandwiches instead of one, you’ll also save yourself the headache of doing the same chore four more times during the week.

Turn to Ready-Made Treats

I’d say at least 80 percent of what I send in my kids’ lunches is prepared in our home. I’m not talking homegrown produce or from-scratch bread, but instead of prepackaged cheese and crackers, we buy a box of crackers and a brick of cheese. We do this to save money and to make sure our picky eaters get meals we know they’ll eat.

Does packing your kids' lunches fill you with dread? It doesn't have to! Check out these tips for easy school lunches.

There are times I turn to store-bought snacks, though, because they’re convenient and because my kids love them. One of our favorites is TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snacks. My kids love that they’re shaped like bears, and I love that they don’t contain artificial colors, artificial flavors, or high fructose corn syrup. They’re made with ingredients I’m familiar with, like eggs and milk (and, of course, chocolate!).

Does packing your kids' lunches fill you with dread? It doesn't have to! Check out these tips for easy school lunches.

Don’t forget to use ibotta to earn cash back when you purchase TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snacks.  I grab them in the cracker/cookie aisle at Walmart when I’m stocking up on other school-lunch necessities. If you were there February 23, you might have noticed a fun demo featuring TEDDY SOFT BAKED Filled Snacks and GoGo Squeeze.

Use Your Freezer

A long time ago, before I had kids, I saw a tip about making and freezing peanut butter sandwiches. I thought it was ridiculous because peanut butter sandwiches are crazy easy to make. Then I had kids, and those kids started school, and I learned how naive I’d been. Sure, making a peanut butter sandwich may take two minutes, but that’s sometimes two minutes you don’t have.

Now, I buy a loaf or two of bread and use all the slices to make peanut butter sandwiches. I half them, freeze them, and pull them out one at a time as needed. I also use the freezer for berries purchased fresh in season and for pureed vegetables used to make our own pouches.

[Read more…]

Best Baby Products Under $20

by

These are seriously the best baby products under $20. They’re all mom-tested and -approved, and guaranteed to make this parenting thing a whole lot easier.

I’ve bought a lot of baby products over the last six plus years. Some I’ve loved, some I’ve hated, and some I’ve enjoyed so much I’m constantly telling others about them. If you’re looking for a roundup of must-have baby products, this isn’t it. If you want a list of items guaranteed to make your life a little easier, read on.

Best Baby Products Under $20

These are seriously the best baby products under $20. They're all mom-tested and approved, and guaranteed to make this parenting thing a whole lot easier.

 

  1. Self-Laminating Baby Bottle Labels, $9 | If your baby spends any time in a place with other babies- church, daycare, grandma’s house- you need these labels. They’re super easy to use and will hold up for months.
  2. Bandana Bibs, $5 | Q is a drooler. Big time. She’s pretty much worn a bib around the clock since she was three months old. To avoid covering all her outfits with a big, bland bib, I bought a couple sets of these bandana bibs. They’re adorable and they help hide the fact she’s actually wearing a bib. Bonus: these come in an adorable bag, perfect for gifting.
  3. Diaper Cream Brush, $10 | Okay, so I don’t own one of these, but I totally want one! I hate applying diaper cream with my fingers; the feeling and the smell never seem to go away. I would definitely use and love this brush.
  4. Mesh Feeder, $7 | These mesh feeders are ideal for when baby is first learning to self-feed. You can pack the pouch with fresh or frozen fruits or veggies and let baby suck and chew away. If you’ve ever used something like this, you know the product gets really hard to clean after a few weeks. That’s why I love this brand; you can buy replacement mesh for the feeding part.
  5. Silicone Teething Necklace, $12 | You know how babies put everything in their mouths, including whatever jewelry mom is wearing? This necklace is the perfect solution. It’s made of silicone is specifically for baby to chew on.
  6. Burpy Bib, $7 | Q was a messy eater from day one. We found these burp cloth/bib combos so convenient because they button around her neck like a bib, but then they lay flat over your shoulder like a burp cloth. They’re way more convenient than trying to keep a regular burp cloth tucked up under baby’s chin.
  7. No-Squeeze Pouch Holder, $5 | This is such a brilliant product. We love using baby food pouches, both store bought and homemade, but babies have to be pretty old before they can understand not to squeeze the pouch. With this box, the pouch goes inside and baby can’t squeeze. Perfect!
  8. Take & Toss Cups and Bowls, $3-$9 | My aunt got a set of these bowls and cups for us at G’s baby shower more than six years ago and we still have a bunch in our cabinet. They’re cheap enough to be considered disposable if necessary, but durable enough to last for six+ years and 2+ kids.
  9. Bambino Land Muslin Swaddle Blankets, $14 | There are lots of companies out there making muslin swaddle blankets, but Bambino Land is my favorite. I love their prices, their prints, and their quality. We have a ton of these and have used them as swaddles, nursing covers, burp cloths, changing table covers, floor blankets, car seat covers, and more.
  10. Munch Mitt, $18 | Q sucks and chews on her hands pretty much nonstop when she’s awake. Ever since she started teething, she’s been making them red and dry by constantly having them in her mouth. I went in search of a product to help and discovered the Munch Mitt. I initially thought I’d have to buy a second one, but I put it on one hand she uses her second hand to pull the mitt into her mouth. At first I was appalled by the price of this thing, but it’s ended up saving her poor little hands.

What would you consider the best baby products under $20?

Looking for more posts like this one? Check out what you really need for a new baby and 5 things you don’t need for a new baby.

(this post contains affiliate links; to learn more, see my disclosure policy)

Homemade Salt Dough Ornaments

by

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn’t be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they’re the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

When B and I made homemade cinnamon ornaments a couple weeks ago, she was pretty disappointed she didn’t get to paint or decorate them. I knew right away she would love making and decorating these homemade salt dough ornaments and, since they’re almost as easy as the cinnamon ones, we whipped up a batch the next day.

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

I broke out a bunch of acrylic paints and we had a blast decorating Christmas trees, snowmen, and angels. Because I want these ornaments to be around for a long time, I let the paint dry and them sealed them with clear acrylic. You could use a spray; I used a jar left over from sealing the furniture in the nursery.

We put the first batch on our tree at home and, since the activity was such a hit, I made a double patch for the kids to paint and give to teachers and staff members at school. Homemade salt dough ornaments will definitely be a new Christmas tradition for the Winstead family.

 

When your homemade salt dough ornaments are dry, string them with ribbon, embroidery floss, or festive baker’s twine. They’re ready to display (or give away)!

Homemade salt dough ornaments couldn't be simpler to make. With only three ingredients, they're the perfect easy craft for kids of all ages.

[Read more…]

Homemade Freezer Garlic Bread

by

Don’t waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

I don’t love to admit it, but I have a weakness for store-bought frozen Texas toast. You know, the oval-shaped stuff you bake from frozen? It just pairs so perfectly with any sort of pasta dish. Of course, I much prefer homemade garlic bread, but we rarely buy any type of bread that isn’t regular whole wheat sandwich bread. You can bet if I make a loaf of French bread from scratch, I’ll be using at least a few slices to make homemade garlic bread.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

It occurred to me a while back that it wouldn’t be difficult at all to make homemade freezer garlic bread. It only took me a few minutes to put together the spread, butter the toast, and stick everything in the freezer. Now we have access to garlic bread any time we want it and we didn’t pay for the over-priced, over-processed version from the freezer section of the grocery store.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

One of the best things about this homemade freezer garlic bread- other than how awesome it tastes- is that it can totally be adapted to your own preferences. You can use any sort of homemade or store-bought bread. You can adjust the amounts of the seasonings I use, or you could add in your own favorites. You can even toss in some Parmesan cheese to kick it up a notch.

Don't waste your money on the processed store-bought stuff. It only takes ten minutes and five ingredients to make your own homemade freezer garlic bread.

[Read more…]

Quick and Easy Grilled Pizza

by

Don’t bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

I long ago perfected- in my opinion, anyway- homemade pizza. And then I made the perfect bagel pizza, because why not? Those two recipes are pretty much all we need most of the time.

Don't bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

Pizza is awesome, but sometimes you just want to mix things up, especially when it’s hot and you don’t want to turn the oven on  it turns out a grill isn’t just a convenient way to avoid heating up your kitchen; the high heat it produces is actually reminiscent of a pizza oven, meaning it can cook a mean pizza.

This pizza dough recipe is based on my world’s best homemade pizza dough, but I made a couple changes to make it ready to go much faster. After you mix the dough up you only have to allow it to rest for five minutes before you begin assembling your pizzas.

I chose to top these pizzas with pepperoni. We’re kind of traditionalists. Like every other kind of pizza, though, they’re awesome covered in whatever you choose. My favorite version includes roasted jalapeños and red onions

Don't bother turning on the oven. In the time it takes for the delivery man to arrive, you can whip up this quick and easy grilled pizza.

[Read more…]

Homemade Tropical Summer Stovetop Potpourri

by

Bring fresh summer scents inside with this homemade tropical summer potpourri made of lemons, strawberries, and coconut extract.

Bring fresh summer scents inside with this homemade tropical summer potpourri made of lemons, strawberries, and coconut extract.

My easy fall stovetop potpourri got a very good reception. I guess I’m not the only one looking to create a homey-scented house without the use of artificial sprays or waxes. I made that potpourri many times through fall and winter and enjoyed how comforting it made our home smell.

I had a thought, though. If cooling temperatures merit a homemade potpourri, what about hot summer days full of smelly shoes and sweaty little people? Yeah, we need a stovetop potpourri for that, too. So I set out to create a summery version of the smell-good stuff.

I knew I wanted to use coconut extract because it’s such a distinctly summer scent. I didn’t want the whole concoction to smell like sunscreen, though, so I added lemon juice. To me, there’s not much more fresh- or clean-smelling than citrus. And then, because I had a few sad-looking strawberries in the refrigerator, I sliced those and tossed them in, too.

All the ingredients in this summer potpourri come together to make a sweet, fresh concoction that’ll perfume your whole house in the most light, refreshing way. It’s as close as you’ll get to a tropical vacation without the sunburn and the sand in your swimsuit.

Bring fresh summer scents inside with this homemade tropical summer potpourri made of lemons, strawberries, and coconut extract.

[Read more…]