The Enterprising Moms

One can only do arts and crafts, cooking and baking for so long before even the kids are looking for something fresh to do. What’s an Enterprising Mom to do?

Here are a few ideas to keep the kids engaged and you sane while you’re snowed in.

1. Host Cooking Show
   Grab containers and baking pans of various sizes, rubber spatulas and/or wooden spoons, a splat mat. Spread the mat on the floor, add dry goods like curly pasta, cereal, rice, and maybe even some old spices and let the kids go to town! Messy, but long lasting fun — especially listening to them act as hosts of their own show.
2. Story Time with a Twist
   Snuggle up under a blanket or sheet tent and listen to a good audio book (Mary Poppins is great for the imagination; Dr. Suess is terrific for the younger set). Can’t get to the library? Download from the library, iTunes or Audible. Add flashlight, picture books and snacks for extra fun.
3. Record Your Own Audio Books
   If you don’t have a voice recorder, check your phone or computer. Most have voice recording software or you can download some inexpensively. Record your kids reading their favorite stories or talking about what they see in the pictures. Create a treasure for a lifetime! (Recordings also make great gifts for grandparents! Burn to a CD and create a decorative label. Or email the file for instant gratification.)
4. Time Machine
   Dig out the old photo albums and videos. Kids especially love seeing images of themselves and hearing stories about what was happening in the picture. Double the fun by letting them make up the stories.
5. Call in the Reserves: Forgotten Gifts
   At birthdays and holidays, I usually tuck away a couple of the gifts that didn’t get lots of attention on the big day. At times like these, I’ll put one out and it’s like getting the gift all over again! (You can also get lots of mileage out of these on a long road trip. I put them in the car and pull them out when true boredom sets in.
6. Two-for-One: Purge and Play
   Purge a dresser or closet and freshen up the dress-up bin with the outgoing items

Have a fun and creative idea? Please share it below!

Carolyn ~ Chief Enterprising Mom

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time:
6 – 7pm – Private TEM Networking Hour
7 – 9pm – Public Shopping Event
Location: Spill the Beans Organic Coffee and Chat House

The Enterprising Moms is thrilled to team up with the following participating vendors at our upcoming Holiday Biz-aar on Wednesday, December 2nd. This festive evening of shopping, connection and fun, will also offer light hors d’oeuvers / appetizers and a cash bar at a favorite Mt. Vernon hot spot, Spill the Beans Organic Coffee and Chat House. Get details on The Enterprising Moms web site.

• Arbonne International
  Pure Swiss skin care. Formulated in Switzerland. Made in the US.
  Special offer for TEM members: 35% discount
• Buggy Bonnets™
  “We’ve Got You Covered” — all weather storage stroller cover for the heavy jogger.
  Special offer for TEM members: 20% discount
• Cattiwampus
  Unique and gifts for kids newborn to eight.
  Special offer for TEM members: 20% discount on non-sale items
• Creative Memories
  Your life. Your story. Your way.
  Special offer for TEM members: 15% discount at event; 10% discount through 12/31/09.
• Cutie Pies Clay Print Keepsakes
  Hand-painted ceramic impressions of little hands and feet.
  Special offer for TEM members: $5 discount on orders of $50 or more
  
• Gold Canyon Candles
  The World’s Finest® candles, body and home fragrances.
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount on purchases of $50 or more
• Handmade by Amanda
  Children’s boutique styling with modern southern roots.
  Special offer for TEM members:
• Melon&Sandia
  Indigenous Mexican design integrated into modern kid’s clothing.
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount
• Pampered Chef
  Specializing in kitchen utensils, cookbooks, and seasonings.
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount on entire order. Excludes host and guest specials.
• Packtoozi
  Life on the go. Made simple. Green organizational solutions for the busy family.
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount
• Preschool Palettes
  Preserving your child’s artwork ‘for keeps’.
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount on future purchase of any single Preschool Palettes book (any size or style. Must register for offer at event and make purchase by August 31, 2010.)
• Rebecca S. Weiner Photography
  Turn moments into memories. Document the details of life.
  Special offer for TEM members: 20% discount for portrait session booked at the Biz-aar
• Southern Living at HOME
  Making southern hospitality an everyday reality
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount, specials included
• The Traveling Vineyard
  Free, fun and Informative in-home wine tastings!
  Special offer for TEM members: A six-bottle wine tasting for shows scheduled/held in December. (Bonus bottle – $20 value)
• Trish Thackston Designs
  Beautiful handcrafted jewelry for all of the special women in your life (including you!).
  Special offer for TEM members: 10% discount
• Yellin’ Moon Designs
  Fun and functional children’s clothing for the eco-conscious consumer.
  Special offer for TEM members: 15% discount

Enterprising Moms: If you’ve been stalling on writing or updating your business plan, here’s a pretty good incentive to do so… With opportunities to win between $2,500 and $10,000 for first, second and third place winners, along with a host of other business services, the StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition may be just the motivation you need. The competition, through Rockville Economic Development, Inc., is open to participants who’ve been in business in MD, DC and VA for two years or less and are at least 51% women owned.

Executive Summaries are due by March 25th and full plans are due on April 1st. There is a modest $25 application fee. For details and guidelines, please visit: Rockville Economic Development, Inc and click on the StartRight logo.

Of course, one of the greatest benefits of participating in a business plan contest whether or not you win, is the opportunity to gain feedback from a panel judges who come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse perspectives to share.

So, entrepreneurial moms, if you do enter, please let us know. We’d love to hear about your experiences.

::  The Enterprising Moms ::