How To Build a Busy Bag

The warmer weather has arrived, hopefully to stay, and for many it means ROAD TRIP!  Or maybe it just means a staycation.  As a kid, long car rides and I would fall asleep.  Belinda liked to be kept busy when we traveled in the car.  What about your kids do they sleep or are they a “when are we going to get there” kind of kid?

Another recipe for disaster: Take an important meeting, or doctor’s appointment, add one squirmy toddler and hope (or pray, as the case may be) for a tantrum-free hour.  You know what I mean, those times when a quick trip turns into an hour plus mess.

Fear not because there is a simple way to ward off a boredom-induced meltdown – build a busy bag!  This tote  can be filled with quiet toys, books and crafts and is an easy way to keep your little one entertained and (relatively) silent.

Here’s how to make your own:

Start with the bag

Help your child choose a bag or tote to fill and then decorate it together! The Statement Canvas Shopper – or for littler hands, a Statement Canvas Mini Shopper – can be personalized with their name, a fun Icon-It, graphic or even their own photo or artwork! You can upload your littlest ones’ fingerpaint masterpieces online and create a bag they’ll carry long after the “originals” have been tossed.

Bring along something soft

Smaller children may enjoy having a comfort item or “lovie” they can snuggle while the grown-ups are busy. For older children, choose soft dolls or finger puppets for imaginative play instead of noisy plastic action figures.

Add a little fun

A simple activity keeps little fingers engaged and focused. Old-fashioned toys like lacing cards, paper dolls or a matching card game don’t take up much space and can be enjoyed over and over.

Encourage reading and writing

Babies and toddlers who can’t yet read love books with different textures and flaps to open and close. Older children may enjoy age-appropriate books or a notebook and pencil to practice handwriting. Include some coloring books and crayons (as long as you know they’ll be used only on paper).Add some of your child’s favorite toys and activities to customize your busy bag with whatever will keep them content. Keep your bag ready in the car or diaper bag so it’s always with you on the go, and switch out toys and games frequently to hold your child’s interest. And most importantly, have fun, because they’re only little for so long!

What do you carry to keep your little ones busy when you are out and about?  Do you have a favorite game to play on car trips?  Share it with us…

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Lipsense

WOOHOO! It is Saturday and it is time to highlight another amazing mom-preneur.  Today we are going to meet Lena Harris of Faith Hope Love and Beauty.  I met Lena through the League of Audacious Woman. I am excited to share her mission as well as her products with you…

Here is what Lena shares about herself and her business…

I am a mom if 2 under 2 as a SeneGence and Usborne distributor. My brand I’m developing is Faith Hope Love and Beauty. I aim to graft others into an aesthetic of life. When we as humans can appreciate beauty, our life has much more meaning and fullfillment!

I am also a multimedia self taught artist, graphic and web designer. While my primary focus is with SeneGence and their Premier LipSense product, my long term goal is to be servicing others with my interpersonal relationship skills, and eventually designing a marketing strategy with storytelling and content based media. I’m a networking specialist to strategically place workplace individuals together to achieve business goals and solve problems. With a plan, the people, and the long term financial investment, the goal is to bridge the gap between the entertainment industry and network marketing!

Here group page is all about: Aesthetic for Life! This group is a place for community and friendship while we explore the beauty of our lives. Inside and Out! Get an insiders scoop to the famous Lipsense: All-Day lip color that is baby proof, waterproof, budge proof and will hydrate and replenish your lips in the process of making lips feel gorgeous!

Be sure to join her at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1463807517023520/

I LOVE Lena’s brand and mission where her heart for people shines for all to see.

Need something to carry your Lipsense in?  You’ll love The Mini Zipper Pouch.  A great carryall for those little items in need of a place. Featuring a zipper closure, it was designed to accessorize many of our other larger totes, thermals, backpacks and purses, it’s perfect size to keep smaller items secure, such as cash, change, lip stick, IDs, gift cards, small snacks, gum, mints and receipts. Attach a Wristlet Strap to the D-ring and take it to the grocery, laundromat, gym, street fair or sports event. Approx. 5.5”H x 8”L x 1.5”D

Hope you have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Saturday Spotlight: Usborne Books

It is time for Saturday Spotlight and today we are featuring Usborne Books & More business by Marcy Drexler.   Here is what she has to say about her business:

As a team leader and being part of the company for 3 years, I have been able to books into the hands of children. Not sure there is anything better than helping the future leaders of tomorrow find their love of reading.

Literacy is so important and Usborne Books & More offers so many ways to make quality books available to children and their families. As our Mission Statement reflects, “The future of our world depends on the education of our children. We deliver educational excellence one book at a time. We provide economic opportunity while fostering strong family values. We touch the lives of children for a lifetime.”

Marcy gets to work with school, libraries, daycares, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and of course moms and dads to get great, educational and FUN books into the hands of young readers. One of her favorite things is what I call Book Benefits. Helping out families during financial struggles, when they are touched by death or health issues or need fundraising for adoption – we run a Book Benefit and they get 100% of the commission earned and much of the time all the free books!

To SHOP Usborne Books & More
View the current catalog which features the complete line of Usborne and Kane Miller titles.
To Join Marcy on Facebook

I wish I had of known about this amazing company when Belinda was little or when I was working as a Social Worker with kids who were struggling.  What a great way to get books into the hands of kids!

Looking for something to carry those books in?  Why not check out Thirty One’s Cinch Sac. So cute and sporty! Toss all your items for ballet, soccer, school and sleepovers into this bag, pull the drawstring and you’re good to go! There are so many patterns and colors to choose from to make it uniquely yours. Measures approx: 18.5”H x 14.5”W

What book are YOU reading now?  Share it with us..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!