Meijer Shopping Trip

After I posted about Meijer deals I just had to go and get some myself! I spent $87.41 OOP but only had to pay $44.95!! Savings of $42.46!!

Here is what I got(sorry no pics, the kids put it away too fast! LOL)

2 gallons of milk $5.54 ($2.77/gallon)
2 loaves Aunt Millies Bread BOGO $2.99
3 dozen eggs $3.57 ($1.19/dozen)
3 bags of Hershey's fun size candy $6.00 ($2.50/bag minus $1.50 coupon on 3 bags)
Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup 3.30 (5/$3.00 minus 30 cents coupon on 4 cans)
2 jars Miracle Whip $4.00
2-64oz Juicy Juice $4.00 ($2.50/bottle minus $1.00 coupon on one bottle)
2 bags Oreo Cookies $5.00
1 Family size box Crunch N Munch $1.32 (3/$5.00 minus 35 cents coupon on one box)
3lbs bananas $1.80
Hair brush $3.74
4 bags of Dove candy $10.00 ($2/$5.00 minus BOGO coupon equals 4 bags for FREE!) you can read about the deal here!

So there is what I got for $44.95 OOP from Meijer!

I also shopped at Kohls and Walgreens this week and got some pretty good deals!! :)

To see what others snagged as good deals this week head over here!

Dental Health/Teeth Unit Study

Dental Health Month is in February. However, I am just getting around to doing a Dental Health/Teeth Unit Study with my kids as we go thru the five senses. The following links are just a sampling of the sites that I found in my search here and here and here!!!


Teeth Theme Activities

Dr. Suess' Tooth Book Activities

Make your Toothpaste

Dental Unit Study

Tooth Facts for Kids

The Truth about Teeth

Healthy Teeth From baby teeth to braces, Healthy Teeth is all about what goes on inside your mouth. Produced by dentists for elementary aged kids curious about the "why?" of oral health.

Dental Care Unit Study

Pearly Whites Lots of links about dental health

Dental Health Activities

American Dental Association Dental Health Teacher Ideas

Apples 4 Teachers Dental Health Activities –coloring pages and more

Teeth Crafts

Teeth Lesson Plan

Brush and Floss Hands On Activities

Dental Coloring Pages, Crafts, Games and More

Dental Health/Teeth Unit Study

Preschool Dental Health Activities

Dental Health Care Links

Frugal Friday

Well it is Frugal Friday, over at Biblical Womanhood! So I was racking my brain for something to talk about that might help someone out! I really couldn't come up with anything really awesome! Or that was so mind boggling that people would comment as to what a great idea it was and why in the world had they not thought about doing that before! So I decided to just post about something that made my day this week! That something is shopping for clothes for my girl! Hubby and I don't really have a "clothing budget" for the kids or for ourselves so shopping for clothes can be challenging at times. Not just challenging in the money aspect but also just finding decent clothes at a reasonable price.

I feel blessed that my boys are far apart enough in age that it is easy to keep my four boys' closets full of clothes! I just hand the clothes down to the next one! To acquire their clothes, I have talked with several friends at church who have boys and they are willing to give me(someone they know) the "hand me downs" rather than just donating them to an organization where they don't even know if they will be used or not. I also hit the many different thrift stores that I have found with living in the big city.

However, keeping my only girl clothed with "girly" clothes can be challenging!! Most of my friends with girls are in the same size as my girl!! So I have to hit up the thrift stores which can be a lot of hit or miss! However this past week, I went into Goodwill and found her TWO Land's End brand dresses for $2.29/each! They both look brand new. One won't fit her for awhile as she is only in a size 6 and it was a size 12!! But it is a jumper that won't go out of style before she wears it. The other dress is a summer dress that she will be able to wear this summer.

Also I have found a couple of families at my church with older girls that now know my need for my girl and are giving me clothes that they would otherwise be donating. One of the families has three girls and she has given me several bags of clothes for my girl. She has even stated that some of the clothes will make good "play clothes" for my girl because of stains on the clothes. Most of the stains though I have been able to get out of the clothes and have been able to use the clothes for "good clothes" as well. I have also found that people if they know your need are more willing to donate the items to you because they know it will be used rather than just in a box or a store unused.

Also this past week, I went into Kohls' while they are having great sales and clearance racks! I found her two dresses and a white sweater shawl for the regular price of one of the dresses!! One of the dresses will be her Easter dress. The other one will be one for her to wear thru the summer. I love being able to get my kids new things at discounted prices!

So my tips for you are this:

1. Don't be afraid to ask others in regards to your need!
2. If you want new items, check the sales or clearance racks, esp. around the season change!!
3. If you have clothes that you are going to be donating, look for or ask someone you know first if they would like to have them for their children.

For other tips, ideas, and resources, head over to Biblical Womanhood!

Economic Stimulus Rebate Package

These days there is alot of talk about this stimulus package on the web, news, and even in our homes!

I just wanted to touch on a couple of things in regards to it that keep coming up, basically spreading the word around!

First, is the stimulus package a loan?

I am one of those who thought at first that it was going to be a loan and that my refund for my 2008 taxes would be smaller. However, it is not a loan it is a rebate and it will not effect my refund next year! On top of it being a rebate it is also not taxable, and will not effect your income any should you be applying for food stamps or welfare. Gather Little by Little posted about this very topic the other day and did a very good at explaining things along with referencing the IRS FAQ about the stimulus package.

Secondly, when can we expect to receive our rebate?

While I was reading Thrifty Florida Mama, I found that on Monday, the IRS sent out an "news bulletin" with the schedule!! You can read about here or here! The IRS also has a link in the article where you can use an online calculator to find out how much of a rebate that you will be receiving.

If you have any other questions about this package, hopefully you will be able to find them over on IRS FAQ-stimulus package page.

Other articles to check out are: MarketWatch, and CCH Group--Tax Briefing

I hope that this helps you to understand things about the stimulus rebate package a little more!

As a side note, hubby and I haven't totally decided how we are going to spend our rebate. We have talked about several different options from putting it all in savings to using all of it on debt to doing a combination of savings, debt, and spending it on house repairs.

Dove Family Film Festival

The Dove Foundation is hosting another Family Film Festival this spring!!! The films start this weekend, check your local theaters! Admission is $2.50 per adult at all times and kids under 12 are FREE!!!

The movies are:

• Bee Movie
• Bratz
• Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium
• Spiderman 3(recommended for 12 and over)
• The Pirates Who Won’t Do Anything
• Alvin and the Chipmunks
• Mr. Bean’s Holiday
• Fred Claus (recommended for 12 and over)

You can go here for more information on the festivals!

Also a special thanks to Big Binder for posting/reminding me of this event!

Works for Me Wednesday

Having five kids brings on challenges(and of course blessings)!! One of those challenges is keeping up with all of them when we go out as a family and end up in a crowd setting(think the zoo, mall shopping, vacationing, etc). What works for me in keeping track of all of them is dressing them in the same colors or matching clothes.

Why it works for me is that if they get too far ahead I can scan the crowd and find them! Also, should one get lost (heaven forbid!), I can remember in the panic what the lost child was wearing by just looking at the other kids that are with me. It really takes the stress off me in trying to remember exactly what the kids are wearing. Also hubby and I wear the same colors to what the kids are wearing so the kids can describe us, if necessary.

Also having everyone in the same colors or matching clothes helps me if we are vacationing! If I have to do laundry, I can do all of the clothes in one shot rather than having to do several loads because of all the different colors.

This is what works for me with having a big family!

To find out what works for others, head over to Rocks in My Dryer

Weblink Wednesday

This week for Weblink Wednesday, I am going to share two sites that I find helpful!

Blue Web'n --library of over 2,000 Internet learning sites!!! The sites are categorized by subject, grade level and format. They are updating the site monthly!

Kid Info --another site with a wealth of information. I mostly use the section for students! They can find "homework help" for all the different subjects. My kids have used it to find information for their lapbooks or research reports that they are doing. This is a very kid friendly site!!

For other interesting links that are shared each week, head over to Homeschooling with Encouragement!

Walgreens Shopping Trip!

After reading the deals over at Money Saving Mom and Centsible Shopper, I composed my list and headed out the door yesterday! Here is what I came back with....

Colgate Total twinpack--$3.99 sale minus $1.00 coupon

Crest Expressions Toothpaste with a free sample of Crest Pro Health Mouthwash--$2.00 sale minus $1.00 coupon

Bic Soleil Razor--$5.99 minus $2.00 coupon
Bic Soleil Razor cartridges $6.99 minus $6.99 for being free with buying razor plus I also used $2.00 coupon so I got the razor and cartridges for $1.99!!! Read over here about that deal!

Revlon Nail polish--Buy one at $4.79 get one free! Of course after I came back I read that there was $1 off coupon in the 1/13 insert and I had already given away that stack of inserts! UGH! IMO, it is still it is a good deal without the coupon.

3 Dove shampoo--$4.00/each bonus bottles so I paid 12 oz price for a 16 oz bottle minus $3.00 off coupon on two bottles and $1.00 off on one.

2 Dove creme oil body wash--$4.00/each minus $2.00 off one coupon and $1.00 off one coupon.

Dial Foaming Handsoap--$1.67 minus 30 cent coupon.

Oral B Advantage Toothbrush--$2.00 minus $1.00 off coupon(got this one from my dentist office!!--remember to check your dentist or doctor's office for brochures that just might have VERY good coupons in them!)

Total OOP with 6% sales tax = $25.57

Total Savings after coupons, sales, and free items = $40.73

I had a $1 off Register Rewards that I used as well with this transaction. I have to go back to Walgreens today to get my $5 cash rewards that didn't print after buying the Dove products! Sooo my total savings is $45.73!!! :) With my transaction, I got Walgreens coupons for Oil of Olay body wash($2 & $1) that expire in June 9th so maybe before then they will have a good deal on it! ****updated, I went in to Walgreens today(3/18) and talked with a manager who gave me my $5 off next shopping order via the register rewards but I had to give up my $2 off Oil of Olay coupon that I got when I was there yesterday! He told me that Walgreens is cracking down on people using coupons and getting the register rewards. I guess there is a new policy in place it just hasn't gotten to the customers yet!

A couple of other side notes: I wasn't too impressed with CVS deals this week, mostly because there wasn't anything that I really needed, so I decided to save $$ and not purchase anything there. And after today's Walgreen run, I have enough shampoo to last me for about 6 months!!! LOL So I am going to hold off buy anymore! :)

Kitchen Tip Tuesdays

This week at Tammy's Recipes it is a backwards edition where I can ask a question for help with something in the kitchen. I really can't think of a question this week! With Easter just around the corner, I thought I would share how to decorate eggs the natural way instead! I am sorry to say that I can't take credit for figuring out how to dye the eggs naturally. However, it is still fun to do with the munchkins!

Dying Easter Eggs--the Natural way!

by Jenny Wanderscheid

This Easter, why not color your eggs using nature's very own dyes? It's possible to come up with a great number of colors using natural ingredients that can easily be found in almost any kitchen.

Pale Red: Fresh beets or cranberries, frozen raspberries

Orange: Yellow onion skins

Light yellow: Orange or lemon peels, carrot tops, celery seed or ground cumin

Yellow: Ground turmeric

Pale green: Spinach leaves

Green-gold: Yellow Delicious apple peels

Blue: Canned blueberries or red cabbage leaves

Beige to brown: Strong brewed coffee

To dye the perfect Easter eggs the natural way, here's what to do:

Put eggs in a single layer in a pan. Pour water in pan until the eggs are covered.

Add about a teaspoon of vinegar.

Add the natural dye appropriate to the color you want your eggs to be. (The more eggs you are dying at a time, the more dye you will need to use.)

Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the substance you used to color the eggs. Put eggs in a bowl.

If you want your eggs to be a darker shade, cover them with the dye and let them stand overnight in the refrigerator.

Onion Skin Eggs

One of my favorite egg dyes is with onion skins! Gather lots of onion skins; the dry outer layers. (try to get a good variety of colors--I like plain brown best; red onion also makes a good color) Gently wrap them around*raw* eggs and hold them in place with rubber bands. Hard boil the eggs like usual. Unwrap them and WOW! Beautiful colors and designs! You may polish with vegetable oil for a nice gloss. This is a natural dye and the eggs are still quite edible. Happy eggs-ploration!

Wax Eggs

It's fun to write something on the egg with a light colored crayon - white is the most fun. The dye doesn't stick to the wax crayoned letters and they appear white (or brown if it's a brown egg) after the egg is dyed.

Rubber Band Wraps

Materials:

Egg dye: For and extra bright color use food coloring paste, available at party supply shops. Dissolve a dab of paste or 6 drops of regular liquid food coloring in a cup of hot water. Stir in 1/4 cup of vinegar

Rubber bands, cut in various length widths long enough go around the egg several times

Wrap rubber bands around the egg, covering it completely. When you dip the covered egg, the dye will seep under the bands in some areas and be blocked out in other areas. Remove from the dye when the color is bright enough. Blot dry with paper towels and remove the rubber bands. If you wish, repeat with a new color. If the rubber bands pop off the egg, try using thicker ones.

Marbelized Eggs

Materials:

Egg dye

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Lightly stir the oil into a bowl of egg dye. Immediately dip the egg into the liquid. Or stand the egg in a small cup and slowly spoon the oil-water mixture over it. When the egg dries, repeat the steps with another color for an interesting color combining effect. TIP: For cleanup, wash all dipping containers in hot soapy water and rinse with vinegar to get rid of oil.

Fingerpaint Eggs

Materials:

Paper plates

Tempera paint

Put a few colors of paint on the paper plate. Hold the egg n the ends with your thumb and finger so you can rotate it while you're stamping. Dip your finger in the paint, dab off the excess on a paper towel, then gently press your finger onto the egg.

Crepe Paper Eggs

Materials:

Boiled Eggs

Tissue Paper or Crepe Paper

Wet the egg and place pieces of colored tissue paper on it. Set it aside to dry. When the egg dries the tissue paper falls off and the colors stay behind.

Polka Dot Eggs

Dip a boiled egg in yellow dye. When dry glue on hole punched dots. Great for improving fine motor skills!

Head over Tammy's Recipes to see if you can give some tips to help the ladies with their questions! :)

Menu Plan Monday 3/16-3/22

**This is just a plan and plans have the ability to change at the cook's discretion! I actually stuck to the whole plan last week!! The kids loved last week's kid friendly menus!

This week’s plans are clean out the freezer meals! My freezer is full!! Also this week, my church is having a fundraiser at one of the local Wendy’s for an orphanage in Mexico that was started by a couple in my church. Hubby and I decided to participate! :)

Lunches listed are for the kids and I as hubby usually takes dinner leftovers each day. It looks like the kids and I are going to be cleaning out the fridge every day for lunch!! With getting the free pizza last night, I have a bunch of leftovers!!

A special thanks to Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus, go check others out at her site! **

Sunday(3-16)
Breakfast: eggs, hashbrowns, sausage links/bacon,and donuts
Lunch: turkey sandwiches and chips
Dinner: Tacos(after evening church)
Snack: Little Caesar’s pizza @ a pizza party(before evening church)

Monday(3-17) Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Breakfast: cereal and orange juice muffins
Lunch: leftover pizza (brought home from the party a whole pizza! Free food!)
Dinner: creamy chicken over noodles, carrot sticks and/or salad and rolls
Snack: snack basket

Tuesday(3-18)
Breakfast: waffles and sausage links
Lunch: sandwich and chips
Dinner: bacon cheeseburgers, homemade French fries, and green beans
Snack: “mystery snack”= going to do some baking and kids can have samples for snack

Wednesday(3-19)
Breakfast: bagels and yogurt
Lunch: leftover pizza treats(made last week)
Dinner: spaghetti and breadsticks or french bread
Snack: snack basket

Thursday(3-20)
Breakfast: pancakes from the freezer
Lunch: leftovers tacos
Dinner: Wendy’s (fundraiser night)
Snack: snack basket

Friday(3-21)
Breakfast: cereal and toast
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: baked chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn
Snack: ice cream

Saturday(3-22)
Breakfast: “Cook’s Choice”
Lunch: hosting a potluck lunch making bbq little sausages, taco soup and maybe some kind of dessert.
Dinner: Saucy pork chops, rice, peas, and bread
Snack: popcorn

"I'm it!!" I have been tagged!

I have been tagged by Kim!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


7 facts about me:

1. I am the oldest of eight children.

2. I love Moose Tracks Ice Cream!

3. I love baking.

4. I have been told that my family roots can be traced back to the Ottawa band of American Indians.

5. I don't like mushrooms, or brussel sprouts.

6. I love praise and worship music, hence some of the reasoning behind Singing Sunday on my blog.

7. I love Precious Moments figurines and Scripture themed wall hangings/art.


I have tagged:

Mom in Mental Motion

My Life and Homeschooling

Dangerously Delicious

Between the Worlds

Random Thoughts of a Single Mom

Clarksville

What a Crock

Singing Sunday

When I Think About The Lord
by Hillsongs Australia


When I think about the Lord,
How He saved me, how He raised me,
how He filled me, with the Holy Ghost.
How He healed me, to the uttermost.

When I think about the Lord,
how He picked me up and turned me around,
how He placed my feet on solid ground

Chrous*

It makes me wanna shout,
Hallelujah,
Thank you JESUS,
LORD, your worthy, of all the glory, and all the honor,
and all the praise... (Repeat*)