FitSugar

Organize Your Life: 10 Tips For Making School Mornings Run Smoothly

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:02:00 PST

From the moment the alarm goes off each morning (if you're lucky enough to wake up to an alarm rather than an early riser!), the rush is on! Getting everyone washed, dressed, fed, and packed can seem like a sprint as you race against the clock to make it to school on time. Add to that some school permission forms that must be signed, a note for the teacher, and that sinking suspicion that there's nothing in the fridge for dinner that night, and the morning can be lost in a black hole.

Never fear, organized moms are here! We've scoured the web to find mamas who've got it under control, and they're sharing their tips (and products) to make your mornings run more smoothly. Keep reading for the best of what they've got to offer!

5 Valentine's Day Ideas Perfect For Boys to Hand Out at School

Nicole Abbott — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:45:36 PST

Valentine's Day is an exciting day for all kids. They get hyped up on the sweets and exchanging notes - but the traditional red and pink Valentine's Day colors may not be very appealing to mama's little "big" boy.

This V Day, get inspired to make your little man something "sweet," from superhero lollipop wrappers to candy alternatives. Click through to check out these five Valentine's Day gift ideas for boys.

Pencil It In: 12 Printable Calendars For 2012

Nicole Abbott — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:16:42 PST

The first week of the year is officially behind us, but there are still 51 more weeks to go and mama needs a calendar to keep track of all of her - and baby's - activities. Forget store-bought calendars and take a look at these 12 printable 2012 calendars from Etsy. These sweet calendars look adorable hanging on a cork board, in frames, or on a desktop easel. Best of all, mama only has to print and cut. It's that simple!

Click through to check out our 12 printable calendar finds for 2012!

A Feast of Fun and Free Thanksgiving Printables

Natasha Dantzig — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 09:10:26 PST

Refill the ink cartridge and power up the printer! From place cards to gift tags to fun and games, we've found a selection of free Thanksgiving printables that will make it look as if Martha herself planned your party.

Ready, Set, Print! 10 Last-Minute (and Free!) Halloween Printables

LilSugar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:33:16 PDT

Need a few more tricks up your sleeve to make this Halloween memorable? No need to start from scratch. From last-minute decor ideas and party goodies to coloring pages and other fun Halloween activities to keep the kiddies occupied, we've rounded up 10 free Halloween printables mama's sure to love. So get your printer fired up for these fun freebies.

Download Our Free Hair-Raising Printable For Your Upcoming Halloween Party!

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:35:57 PDT

Fire up the printer because we have a Halloween treat (not a trick) for you! With the advent of party printables, busy moms (and those who lack a knack for creativity) can easily create a colorfully coordinated party with little more than a printer, scissors, and some tape.

Abigail Barnes, of Paper & Cake, creates a collection of beautifully designed printable party decor for birthdays, holidays, and everyday fun. Next month the company turns two, and to celebrate, she's designed a lil Halloween box just for LilSugar readers. This fun treat box can be used for All Hallows' Eve snacks, toys, or craft supplies, and the matching two-inch circle tag can be attached to it or used to top off cupcakes and other party food.

Keep reading for a link to download the design and learn how to get the entire collection.

10 Halloween Party Printables For an All Hallows' Eve Bash

LilSugar — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:03:00 PDT

Party time! October is finally here, and now it's really time to get into the All Hallows' Eve spirit. Planning a party for Halloween can be a real treat - and you can host a spooky bash to be remembered without spending too much money on party decor. Forget about store-bought party banners and garlands - party printables have ushered in a new era of party decor. They're affordable, customizable, and fabulous. Get ready to do the monster mash, and check out these 10 boo-tiful Halloween party accessories you can print at home!

Take It to the Gym: Printable Booty Workout

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:45:00 PDT

Working the booty is always a great thing to do, plus it is great prep for the upcoming swimsuit season. Watch the video first then you can print out this printer friendly version to take with you to the gym.

Kicks
(10 reps each leg)
Do's and Don'ts

Keep elbows directly under your knees
Start with your toes on the ground and your foot flexed
Do not allow your back to arch, just use the glute to lift your leg
Keep abs engaged - this exercise works your core too.

Donkey Kicks
(10 small pulses each leg)
Do's and Don'ts

Keep your knee pointed down towards the floor
Keep the motion small and concentrated
Use your abdominals to stabilize - pull them away from the floor

There's more, so

Charlie Chaplin (20 pointed feet, 20 flexed) Do's and Don'ts Do 20 small clicks of the heels with toes pointed Then do 20 small clicks of the heels with feet flexed Keep knees straight and move from the upper inner thigh Keep your abs up and lifted - your hand under your belly is there to remind you to pull the abs up and away from the floor
Bridge with Pulses (10 small pulses) Do's and Don'ts Keep your legs parallel (try this with a small ball or pillow between your knees Place your heels close to your pelvis to work the glutes more
Bridge with kicks (5 reps each leg) Do's and Don'ts Work the glute of the foot that is in on the ground - this will help steady the pelvis Don't lower just until it is even with the other knee - use control Flex the foot as you lower the leg, reach through that heel
Raise the leg with a pointed foot
Squats on 3 Levels (10 pulses on each level) Do's and Don'ts Really stick your booty out - DO NOT tuck your pelvis under Feel like you are sitting back in a chair You should be able to see your toes, because you are keeping your weight in your heels to fire up the glutes Do ten squats, then lower your bum for 10 more, then go even lower for the last 10 For more details on squats - check out You Don't Know Squat
Plié Squats (10 slow pulses) Do's and Don'ts Open your legs super wide, so when you bend your knees they are right over your toes Spiral your thigh bones away from each other to open your knees - they should be in line with your big toe Pulse up from your sits bones squeezing together
Pulsing Lunges (10 pulses each leg) Do's and Don'ts: Ideally, both knees should be at 90 degrees Do not push with the back leg, initiate the pulse from the glute of the front leg Use weights to increase the difficulty of the exercise

11 DIY Valentine's Day Cards Perfect For the Classroom Party

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:03:16 PST

Planning to do your lil one's Valentine's Day cards this weekend? Before heading to the store, consider simply firing up your printer! With a few clicks of the mouse and a little crafting glue, you and your tot can create beautifully handmade cards that will stand out from the crowd come Tuesday. Best of all, most of our fabulous finds don't require candy additions - moving mom and tot straight to the head of the class for following the teachers' directions.

Print It, Baby! 5 Free Valentine's Day Printables For Kiddos

Nicole Abbott — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:54:43 PST

Power up the printer - and make sure you have plenty of paper and ink - because we've found some cute (and free!) Valentine's Day printables that your kiddos are sure to love. Click through to check out these five free love-themed patterns for kids.