Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tot School Week 2

Baby Bug is18 Months old

We had our second week of Tot School this week.  I am still doing it very loosely at random times.  I would like to work toward a more solid time of day and place in the house for our tot school time. 

This week we worked with our purple sensory box again. 


I set up a activity I have seen several places online.  I bought a Parmesan container from the dollar tree and  gave this to baby bug along with some uncooked spaghetti noodles
.
I showed her how to put the noodles in the container through the holes and then let her go to town.  At first she did them one by one but then wanted to pick up several at a time and try to shove them in I stayed back and let her explore and eventually she figured out that they were not going in this way and scaled back to trying to put in just a few at a time.  

I was amazed how these naturly lead to that little pinch what  great prewriting practice!

I also set up a little sort activity with green and pink pom poms the idea was to put the green in one cup and the pick in the other.  This was the first time I have ever introduced sorting to her and she did not really get the sorting, but we were about to practice colors and did sort together.  I also added in a spoon after a while to work on scooping skills.  She really enjoyed making a mess with the pom poms by throwing them everywhere instead of scooping or sorting them. 

It was a another fun start into our school time.  The week also included many book and alot of play times with her toys where I purposed to make it educational.  Adding vocabulary and concepts into our play. 

You can see other tot's getting their school work done at:
1+1+1=1
No time for flash cards

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Wandering through Wednesday!!

 -It's time for another Wandering through Wednesday!!

This is a blog hop with only one rule please follow either my blog or Katie's Blog - Life with the Dietrich's! Or if you want to you can follow both :)




If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

We have two buttons you can add:

A larger one perfect for a blog post-

Life with the Dietrichs

And a smaller one for your Sidebars -

Life with the Dietrichs

Also are you Using Swagbucks yet?  Read this post  to find out more about it, it is a great easy way to earn prizes!


Monday, July 25, 2011

Gorton's SeaFood Giveaway winners!!

And the seafood winners according to random.org are: 

Number 54 -
Yona Williams said...
Im a Facebook friend (Priceless Writers)of yours. Email: yona(at)pricelesswriters.com
humanecats said...
I like/follow Gorton's on Facebook as Ricky Todd. humanecats at gmail dot com

Couponing Trip

I am home from my couponing trip.  It was a fast trip, I just went to Walgreens and CVS.  I did get some great deals at these two stores!! 

From Walgreens: 
2 Irish springs deodorants
2 packs of pony tail holders ( this was perfect timing I needed some more of these.)
2 candy bars 
and a box of crayola crayons
total spent: $3.04
$5 RR for my next trip :) 
Total Saved: 17.05
I am thinking about making another trip if I am out shopping this week to pick up more crayons and ponytail holders

From CVS:
1 bottle of VO5 Shampoo and 1bottle of conditioner ( the kiosk gave me a $2 of two hair products coupon making these free)
2 packs of 8 razors
2 bottles of shaving cream
2 packs of ivory soap
1 pack of pens 
Total spent: $6. 60 
$10 ECB for next week
Total saved: $26.97

Whole Trip total spent: 9.64
Total Saved: $44.02
What a fun trip!!

Tot School Week 1

Baby Bug is 18 months old.

Baby bug is at a great age for learning.  She is picking up new things left and right.  I want to expose her to as much as possible.  So this week we started some some Tot school activities.  I must admit I am just beginning.  This week we just got our toes wet, but the baby bug and I both enjoyed the experiences we had.

I made her a purple sensory bin.

These are the items that went in the sensory bin for our color purple.  Pom pom's, ball, spoon, baby links, purple index cards with the word purple written on them, and a purple bucket. 
I dyed some rice purple for the base and added the things to a shoebox size box.  Baby bug played with the bin on the kitchen floor on top of an old sheet.  After we played it was easy to gather the rice to the center of the sheet then scoop back into the bin. 

She really enjoyed the bin.  She spent most of the time when she had free play scooping the rice with her hand or spoon and putting it in the little bucket.  During of play time together we talked about the color purple, picked the pom-poms out and put them in the bucket, and poured them back into the bin.  

We played with play-doh for the first time this week.  She loved it!! 
I found some old cookie cutters and made shapes for her.  Her favorite activity was to tear little pieces off and put them in the cup.  She also tried to scoop the pieces with the spoon.  I was worried when I bought the play dough that she was want to eat it, she put it towards her mouth we said no no and that was it she did not even attempt to eat it again!!

We also did a bit of coloring with some highlighters. 
It was a fun start to our tot school time. 

You can take a peak of some other tot's school at:


Sunday, July 24, 2011

couponing for cheapies nad freebies for the week

I just wanted to share some of my favorite cheap and free deals for the week when using coupons! 

Walgreens: 7/24 - 7/30
(For Walgreens free is sometimes after the register reward)

$1.50 RR WYB Perfection Tampons 8 pk., at $1.50 ea
(makes it FREE)

$3 RR WYB (2) Scunci No Damage Hair Elastics 18 ct., at $1.50 ea
(makes it FREE)

 $4 RR WYB (2) Irish Spring Deodorant 2.7 or 3 oz, or Body Wash 15 or 18 oz, at $3 ea
-$1 off Irish Spring deodorant, SS 7/24
(buy 2 deodorants, use (2) $1 off, makes both FREE) 

Mars or Dove Candy 1.1-2.17 oz, 49¢ ea
 -.50/2 Mars 3 Musketeers candy, RP 6/26
(makes it 24¢ ea.)

Barbasol 11 oz, or Pure Silk 9.5 oz, 99¢ w/in-ad coupon
-.80/1 Pure Silk shave cream, RP 7/10
(makes it 19¢ w/coupon)  

CVS:
(free in some of these means after ECB)

$1.99 ECB PaperMate Grip Pens $1.99 Limit 1
(makes it FREE)

$6 ECB WYB Bausch & Lomb ReNu Sensitive Contact Solution, 12 oz, $7.89 Limit 1
  -$2 off Renu products, 12 oz, SS 6/12
(use $2 off, makes it FREE +profit)

$2 ECB WYB Bengay Cream or Gel or Tylenol Precise Patch, 3-4 ct., starting at $5.49 Limit 1
-$5 off Bengay Cold Therapy product printable
(use $5 off, makes it FREE +profit) 

Dove, Yardley, Lever 2000 Single Bar Soap or Ivory Soap, 3 pk., 99¢ Limit 5

  -.50/1 Ivory bar or bodywash or Safeguard bar or liquid handsoap, PG 7/03

(use .50 off, makes it .50) 


These are some of my favorites that can be snagged.
If you are new to couponing let me point you toward my two favorite sites to find the best deals: 
this week I found my deals mainly through SouthernSavers!! 

Happy Shopping!!

Friday, July 22, 2011

Thursday, July 21, 2011

ebeanstalk toy website

     Have you checked out the toys at ebeanstalk?  They have some of the best selling learning toys for a very wide variety of ages and interest.  I really like how their website is set up with search options for each age, and gender within the ages.  This would come in so handy when shopping for birthday gifts.  For example three yr. old gifts that are developmentally appropriate for three year old children can all be found together in one spot.  I love the color and washable pony in this age range.  What three year old wouldn't love coloring their own little pony?


You can also search by category.  I know baby bug's favorite category right now would be Dolls and Doll Houses, she is in love with her babies and all their accessories
For your budding scientists you really need to check out the Educational science kits.  They have an amazing selections of hands on science adventures.  I love their nature walk kits.


I will certainly be doing some Christmas and Birthady shopping here for my sweet baby bug.  I would love for her to have the My first High Chair for her baby dolls!
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored review of the ebeanstalk website.  All opinions in this article are my own and not influenced by the company.


Friday, July 15, 2011

Curtains from Very


I am ashamed to admit it but we have been living in our house for two years and I still don't have curtains on the windows.  Earlier this summer I did get curtains up in our living room thanks to having help and encouragement from my mother in law.  I am quite pleased with how they came out.  But that still leaves a lot of rooms with only blinds in our house. For some reason decorating the house intimidates me, I know that is not a good reason to not get curtains up!
Very's stylish Curtains range in both styles and colors to make decorating a bit easier.
I would love to have something fun and whimsical like the Alium Sequin Lined Voile Curtains for baby bug's room. I really want to find something that will work for a young child but grow with her as she gets bigger. 
Very has page after page of curtains.  It is a great place to see so many different styles in one place.  I am not sure what type of curtains I want for our bedroom.  I do know I want something simple and stylish.  I also want to use colors and materials that will keep the room bright and cheery, no dark drab colors.  
Maybe something like the plain-dyed Tab-top Voile Panel in a nice cream color. What ever I choose I guess the important thing is not to wait two years before getting more curtains up in our house.

Disclosure: This post is in association with Very. All opinions are 100% mine.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Wandering Through Wednesday!!

 -It's time for another Wandering through Wednesday!!

This is a blog hop with only one rule please follow either my blog or Katie's Blog - Life with the Dietrich's! Or if you want to you can follow both :)




If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

We have two buttons you can add:

A larger one perfect for a blog post-

Life with the Dietrichs

And a smaller one for your Sidebars -

Life with the Dietrichs

While you are here don't forget to enter the new giveaway to try some yummy Gorton's Seafood

Also are you Using Swagbucks yet?  Read my post from earlier today to find out more about it, it is a great easy way to earn prizes!

Gorton's Seafood - Review and Giveaway


Seafood is always so yummy, but eating out to get quality seafood can really hurt the budget.  That is where Gorton's Seafood come in to save the day.  They offer great seafood choice right in the grocery store freezer isle. 

Gorton's grilled line comes includes- Tilapia, lemon pepper fillets, salmon and shrimp.  All these varieties naturally contain Omega-3s and aer authentically flame-grilled. 
We hear alot these days about getting your Omega-3s.  Why - because they are good for your heart!!  There are some many things you can do with these wonderful sections - Eat them straight out of the oven, on a salad, in a sandwhich, or over rice.  

I was recently given a chance to try Gorton's Seafood for myself.  I was excited to see what I would find at the grocery store.  I did not find many grilled selections.  I do beleive I arrived right before it was time for the store to restock.  So I ended up with Shrimp scampi, and breaded Tilapia.  This week we ate the tilapia.  Let me just say yum!! It was very easy to throw them in the oven.  They came out so very crips.  I had mine straight out of the oven with a side of carrots and french fries.   My Husband turned his fillet into a sandwich.  Both of us were very please with our fish!! 


Want to hear some good news.  Gorton's Seafood is providing three Learning to be Thrifty viewers with 2 free product coupons to try out any two of Gorton's Seafood items.  



  Mandatory Entry:
Check out Gorton's Seafood website.  Tell me one product you would love to try.

Mandatory Entry must be completed before other entries!!


Extra Entries:

1. Follow this blog using google friend connect.

2. Blog about this giveaway leave a link to the post in your comment- 3 entries (leave three separate comments) 

3. Tweet about this giveaway (may be done once a day) 

4. Follow me on twitter

5. Tell me how you found this giveaway?
6. Enter this giveaway into a giveaway linky - one entry per linky it is entered into please leave the link to the linky in your comment 
7. Like me on facebook  
8. Post my button on your blog and leave me a link where I can find it. - 3 entries 
(code can be found on side of blog) 
9. Like Gorton's on Facebook

 This giveaway is limited to US Residents only, 18 years of age and older.  Contest ends July 23, 2011 at Midnight Central Time, 3 winners will be chosen by random.org
Disclaimer: This giveaway is sponsored by Forton's Seafood, I was given coupons to try products  to review as well.  The opinions in my review are my own and not influenced by the company.    

Swagbucks

I know my long time readers have heard me talk about swagbucks right?  I love swagbucks! You create a free acount then use their search engine for your normal everyday searches.  You earn random swagbucks that add up in your account.  You can then turn those bucks into great prizes.  My favorite is the $5 amazon card for 450 points.  I have some points saved up and am about to use them I just cannot make up my mind on what to buy!!!
If you have not signed up for an account what are you waiting for?  Sign up now and get 30 swagbucks to start off with.  If you are already a swagbucker then get busy searching!! 


Happy Swagbuck searching!! 

Quiznos 30 Anniversary = Savings!!

Print out these great coupons for some nice deals on your next meal at Quiznos


Click here to get your four coupons now!

Quick Tip Tuesday

Newspapers - 
Use old newspapers to clean your windows and mirrors.  They work great the cost of paper towels can really add up when it comes to cleaning windows.  I love the fact I am reusing something I already buy.
Here are some other websites I found for uses of newspapers:

Monday, July 11, 2011

My Couponing Trip

Went coupon shopping today!! 
I got my best deals at Walgreens and Target


Here is what I got at Walgreens:
 Total out of Pocket: 10.23
Total Savings: 42.32
I was planning four transactions but they did not have any of the Walgreens razors left - that was suppose to be part of the third transaction.  I combined the rest of that one and the fourth one this did raise my out of pocket a bit bummer, but it all worked out.  It also made my math a little off when I got ready to pay the fourth bill so I had to grab the M&M' 's to make up the difference.   The bubbles were at filelr at $1, the gloves were a filler on sale for .59 cents.

Here was my plan:
Trans. 1
Teething gel $5
-1Q +5 rr
Gum toothbrush or floss $2 +$2 rr
Total: $6.00
OOP - $6
RR = $7

Trans. 2
Dove Deal
2 mens, washes, 2 mens' deo
4/ $15 - b1g1 (-3.75) -$2 -$2
Total: $7.25
(need a filler)
Use 7RR
OOP = .25 + 1 filelr cost
RR= $5

Trans. 3
Noxzema Shavers B1G1 starting at $2.99 - moved this over to tranc. !!
Use 2 -2 Q = free up to (cost of $4.00 each originally)
Walgreen's Women's razor $3.99 +3.99 rr - they did not have this
Charmin 6 pack $2.99 - without the razor I changed my mind and did not buy this either.
(told there is a -1 q on product= $1.99)
Total:$5 or 6
Use $5 RR
Total 0 or $1 if no tp coupon
RR = 3.99

Trans. 4
$7.99 Air wick
-4 Q +3 RR
(need Filler)
=3.99
Use RR. 3.99
OOP just for filler


I told you in this post this morning about some good deals at target, I did stop by to get those. Ended up paying .21 in taxes :)  for all four of the things.


I also got some great deals at Krogers doing the mega buy ten get $5.oo coupled with coupons!! I did not take a picture of these items they are already unloaded into the fridge and pantry :) 

Happy couponing all!!

Target Freebies


I am headed out to Target to get a few freebies I have read about I wanted to share them with you!!
There are target printable at their website for $1 off Sharpie and $1 a paper mate product  Both of these can mean freebies!! Who couldn't use fresh sharpies? Target Coupons



Also they have Scotch Magic Tape for $1 and this link leads to a $1 coupon

I hope you enjoy these great freebies I will be back to update on my finds later today!!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sunday Fun

Check out Delicious Mom's Fast Freebies - The free visine from target sounds like a winner to me!

Check it out Momma of 3 Munchkins shares some great tips on the changes in coupon policies at many of the bigger stores.

Check out this cute Etsy store giveaway over at Love you alway and forever's blog

Friday, July 8, 2011

Friday Fun!!

Everyone needs to start Friday with a little Chonda P.

I love the materials that was shared on the 1+1+1=1 blog!! Check out the Raising Rock Stars Q




Airplanes and Dragonflies has a great list of low entry giveaways that end tonight!

Freesample of Tub o' Towels

Fill out the form here to get your free sample of Tub O' Towels
Thanks Makobi Scribe for sharing this deal!!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Book Review: How to be God's Little Princess

Book Review
How to Be God's Little Princess 
By: Sheila Walsh



It is hard to raise girls in today's world. with so many less than role - role models out there.  This book is a great book for the younger tweens to help them see how God's little princesses should conduct themselves.  It is a princess go to book for all the best princess secrets. 
It covers the following topics:
*how to wear a tiara
*royal table manners
*the importance of dressing for the occasion
*internet do's and don'ts 
*hosting the perfect party
*regal posture and poise 
*how to pen the perfect thank-you note

I was very impressed with this book.  I think it is a great resource for girls.  It is full of fun hands on items such as - pictures, quizzes, new ways to fix hair etc.  I could see this book making a great gift for any little girl's birthday.  I give this book 5 out 5 stars.  

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this book for review purposes.  The opinions in this review are my own and are not influenced by the company.

Book Review- The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck

Book Review
The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck
By: Kathleen Y'BArbo


"Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away"


Summary: Charlotte Beck is a headstrong stubborn independent girl who just wants to go to college and work in her family's business.  Alex Hambly is an a man with serious family finance problems. 
Charlotte's father offers a deal for the two - Marriage and Charlotte can go to school and work and Alex's family will be saved from ruin.  
But can the two really learn to love each other? 

My Thoughts:   I thought the story was well written.  I enjoyed the plot and the thought of convenient marriages being very common in the past.  I did not relate well to the main characters.  Charlotte and I just did not have alot in common I had trouble understanding all her motives and reasons behind things.  This may be in part due to the fact that this book was the third in a series of books and I have not read the first two books.  I have a feeling my view on this book may differ had I read the other two books.  I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer:  I was given a review copy of this book from WaterBrookPress the opinions in this review however are my own. 


Wandering Through Wednesday- and Wednesday hops

 -It's time for another Wandering through Wednesday!!

This is a blog hop with only one rule please follow either my blog or Katie's Blog - Life with the Dietrich's! Or if you want to you can follow both :)




If you do start following me, leave me a comment letting me know and I will follow you back!

Don't forget to visit the Co-Host! - Life with the Dietrich's

We have two buttons you can add:

A larger one perfect for a blog post-

Life with the Dietrichs

And a smaller one for your Sidebars -

Life with the Dietrichs



Welcome Wednesday

Book Review- The Girl in the Gatehouse

Book Review:
The Girl in the Gatehouse by: Julie Klassen


The Girl in the gate house is about Mariah, she lives a secluded life in a distant relative's gatehouse.  After being banished from the home she grew up in, Mariah is now living in the gatehouse with a loyal servant, here she writes books in secret to support the two of them.  Things become interesting when the estate is leased by Captain Matthew Bryant.  

This book was a good read.  I was intrigued by the characters and the story.  I thought the book was really well written. I really enjoyed the smaller characters that are brought into this story.  The way they are connected together really helped bring the story together.  
I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimer:  Bethany House did provide me with a review copy of this book.  The opinions in this review are my own and are not influenced by the company. 

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Parent's Choice College Saving Sweepstakes

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of PBM Products for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you tried Parent's choice baby products yet?  I have used many of their products with Baby Bug.   I have been very impressed with the quality of their products.  Why spend more when you can get the same prodcuts for a fraction of the cost?

Raising a baby can grow very expensive with diapers, wipes, formula, bottles- the list could go on and on .  One of those big expenses for many parents is the formula.  Parent's Choice has been helping parents give their children quality formula without the high prices for the last 13 years.  The parent's choice brand can be found exclusively at Walmart. 

Now Parent's choice would like a chance to be involved with the next chapter of one lucky child's life.  They are doing this through the Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Savings Sweepstakes  One lucky winner of this sweepstake will win a $10,000 college scholarship in the form of a college savings 529 plan.  The sweepstakes started June 15th and will run through 11:59 PM on August 1, 2011.  You can find more information and rules for the sweepstakes at Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Savings Sweepstakes

I will defiantly be entering this sweepstakes for a chance to get a jump start on Baby Bug's education! Parent’s Choice Infant Formula Savings Sweepstakes

Visit Sponsor's Site

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