I will never understand the strong attraction kids have for the bathroom, the toilet in particular. When my littlest got herself stuck in the toilet, I just had to snap a few pictures before rescuing her. Looks like it might be a good time for potty training.

I love peach season! Sure you can eat them, but peaches are also good for soothing inflamed and irritated skin and are a natural source of AHAs. This peach softening mask is great for all skin types. Since the ingredients are things you probably already have on hand, you can whip it up and indulge during nap time.

Ingredients:
Half of 1 Ripe Peach
2 TBS Natural Yogurt
½ tsp Baking Soda

1. Peel, pit and mash the peach.
2. Combine with other ingredients; mix well.
3. Apply to face and let dry.
4. Remove with warm water and a washcloth or shower off.

My two-year-old is fascinated with scissors. She can barely wrap her pudgy little hand around a pair (her older sister’s pre-school scissors), but is undeterred. Earlier today, I had to chuckle softly to myself when after a fair amount of effort trying to cut a paper in half, she ended up just tearing it. That’s my girl, at least she’s resourceful and doesn’t give up.

Yet all this fascination with scissors is bound to make a Mom worry. (I’m thinking poked eyes and self-made hairstyles.) Then I found these new kid-friendly scissors from EK Success, which promise to cut paper but not hair. It’s true. I tried. The scissor’s tips are rounded so the eyes are safe too.

These even meet all TSA guidelines — although you shouldn’t run with scissors, you can fly with them.

It seems like everyone is penny-pinching these days, and companies are offering big deals in hopes of getting their hands on some of those pennies. If you’ve lost track of who is giving away what, visit Deal Seeking Mom. This website is packed with all the information you need to take advantage of the latest steals.

Before you visit the grocery store, log on to Coupons.com to check for available discounts. Ah, the joys of coupon clipping in the digital age. Our mother’s would be so jealous! One word of warning, the coupons really only do you good if they’re for items already on your shopping list; avoid the temptation to buy something you don’t need just because it’s on sale.

Do you have a money-saving secret? Please share!

Funny thing happened today: I had a couple girlfriends over, and while the kids played we made a bunch of tamales (we freeze them for quick meals later on). After we finished up our work, ice cream cones sounded so good, but the three of us immediately turned to the eight kids sitting on the couch watching The Little Mermaid. Dealing with all the kids and a messy treat made the prospect much less appealing.

So we did what any mom would do. We hid behind the kitchen island and quickly scooped out three ice cream cones then ate them, while taking turns checking to make sure no kids were onto us. It was deliciously refreshing, even though we had to sit on the kitchen floor.

Three reasons to go to the movies this summer:

(1) It’s hot outside, but the theater is nice and cool.
(2) Two hours of relative silence.
(3) The kid’s movie may be a snoozer, but who wouldn’t like a nice nap?

If you aren’t planning to keep your eyes open, though, it might be a good idea to come prepared. No, I don’t mean bringing a fluffy pillow, although that isn’t an entirely bad idea, I was referring to checking into the movie’s content ahead of time so you can avoid any rude awakenings.

Most movie reviewers look at a movie from a vastly different perspective than you or your kids will. I’ve used Parent Previews for years because I like their objective take. The reviews are incredibly thorough, although before I had kids I didn’t quite understand the necessity of knowing the exact number of swear words in a film. Now as a parent, I appreciate their seemingly nit-picky insights that provide all the information you need to choose which movies to see and which ones to avoid. Now on with the show.

Along with strollers and cribs, new cars often top the list of what to get while you’re expecting. What’s that? You didn’t get one at your baby shower? Me neither.

In fact, with two kids now, we are bursting out of our Honda Civic in a sad way, but buying a new car is daunting. The obvious cash-flow reason aside, there are so many options and, though it may be small, our Civic has been exceptionally reliable so I hate to trade it for something unknown.

If you are in the same boat (or should I say car?), you may want to check out the 2009 Best Family Cars Survey just released by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com.