Turn Toddler Art into a Masterpiece

"The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children."

-Elaine Heffner

Top of the morning to you, Mom! Monday has rolled around faster than a baby with a mission. Fear not, we've got your back (and you’ve got the coffee)!

Today’s Mommy scoop:

• 🎨 Frame-worthy toddler art hacks

• 🧀 Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

• 🐸 Toilet Paper Frog

Mom Hack

Turn Toddler Art into a Masterpiece

Mom Hack

Transform your little one’s artwork into something extra special with just a roll of masking tape.

Before your child starts painting, place strips of tape in a fun pattern across the canvas or paper.

Once the masterpiece is dry, carefully peel off the tape to reveal crisp, white lines that create a stunning contrast against their colorful creation.

This easy trick adds a professional touch to their art, and the results make for beautiful, frame-worthy pieces to proudly display at home!

Poll Results From 8/9

How do you maintain your personal style after becoming a mom?

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm a fashionista mom (3%)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I opt for comfort over style (40%)

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨 I blend comfort and style (39%)

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ What's personal style? (18%)

Featured Response 💬 

Aww, that’s adorable! Your little guy has great taste—plus, those flowy dresses sound like the perfect way to feel put-together without sacrificing comfort. - Danielle 😊 

Mom’s Menu

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese 🧀

Ever dreamt of feeding your little ones something that's both deliciously cheesy and sneakily nutritious?

I’ve got the perfect recipe: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese!

Ingredients 📝

• 1/2 Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and chopped (approx. 580g after prep)

• 265g (2 cups) Macaroni Pasta

• 28g (2 tbsp) Butter

• 18g (2 tbsp) Flour

• 250ml (1 cup) Milk

• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard

• 145g (1 ¼ cup) Mature cheddar cheese, grated

• 25g (¼ cup) Panko Breadcrumbs

Instructions👩‍🍳

1. Preheat your oven to 200C/400F. Place the prepped butternut squash on a baking sheet and bake for around 20 mins, or until soft.

2. While your squash is getting all soft and squishy, cook the pasta as per package instructions, drain it, and set it aside.

3. Next, in a saucepan, melt your butter and add flour, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes to make a roux.

4. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to ensure a lump-free, glossy sauce.

5. Take your sauce off the heat and stir in the mustard and 1 cup (115g) of cheese. Keep the rest for a crispy topping.

6. Blend your cooked squash and cheese sauce together until smooth, then mix it all through your cooked pasta.

7. Transfer this cheesy goodness into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle it with the remaining cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake for about 15-20 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the top is bubbling and golden.

📌 Note

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses for the sauce, but mature cheddar tends to give the best flavor.

If you're prepping this dish ahead of time, just cover it and store it in the refrigerator, adding the breadcrumbs and cheese topping right before baking.

And hey, this recipe is flexible!

• To reduce sodium for your baby or young toddler, simply use less cheese.

• How about adding some herbs or spices?

• Oregano or rosemary can really make the dish sing.

Final thoughts: Mom, you just snuck half a butternut squash into a creamy, cheesy sauce that your kiddos will adore. Let's call it a win!

Keep reading here.

Daily DIY

Toilet Paper Frog

Turn something as simple as a discarded toilet paper roll into a charming painted frog, complete with its very own paper plate lily pad.

You'll need two toilet paper rolls, green paint, cardstock, and some glue.

1. Paint the rolls green.

2. Make and attach eyes using cardstock.

3. Draw on a mouth and add a red cardstock tongue.

4. Cut and glue legs and feet from the leftover roll.

This cute frog craft is a great way to recycle and keep the kids entertained.

The tutorial is here.

Mom’s Choice

These cookies are like a secret weapon for breastfeeding moms.

They're not just delicious, they're designed to help boost your milk supply.

I love them because they make breastfeeding a little easier, and let's be honest, who doesn't love a good cookie? 😄 

Soft Baked Lactation Cookies

Game

Parenting Quiz

What's the recommended age to transition a child from crib to bed? (Answer below)

A) When they turn 1

B) When they turn 2

C) When they start climbing out of the crib

D) When they turn 3

E) When they start asking for a king-size

Mom’s Meme 🤣

🎁 Share The Mommy

Share The Mommy with friends & family, get free stuff, and feel the joy of growing a community where every mom helps another.

It’s like swapping secrets over playdates, but better. 😊 

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Answer

C) When they start climbing out of the crib