Tot School- Week 6

Baby Bug is 19 months.

This week school was a bit lite.  We did jump into so letter activities and started with the letter A.  

One fun thing we did was play with play-doh using our Letter A Play-Doh mat ( from Homeschool Creations)

 She did not get how to make the play doh A's but it was all about exposure.  I made the a's for her and the whole time we played with the play doh we talked about letter A. 

We took a little field trip to the zoo.  We have had passes this year and have thoroughly enjoyed our trips out to see the animals.  

That is all I have to share this week.  I know it is a short week and a day late to be posted at that!  

To see more tot fun check out 

1+1+1=1

Top 5 tips to shopping at a consignment sale

I love going to consignment sales.  I am able to find all kinds of clothes for the upcoming season for baby bug at really good prices.  I went to a great consignment sale today and found a lot of great outfits for this fall and winter.  I was also able to score a winter coat for $2.50!!  Below you will find my top 5 tips to consignment sale shopping, these tips will help you get the most out of your consignment sale shopping!!

Top 5 tips to shopping at a consignment sale

1.  Most consignment sales have half off sales the last day the sale runs unless you really need something specific save your clothes shopping for this day.  

2. Buy strollers, car seats and bigger furniture early. These items go fast so these are the items you want to focus on the first day of sales. 

3. Put items in the sale.  Many sales have pre-sales for people who have put things in the sale this is a great way to have a chance at the best things at the sale.  

4. Leave the kids at home.  If you have someone to watch the kids you will do better to leave the little ones behind.  To get the best deals you need time to search the tables and racks of clothes this is hard to do with little ones begging to go home or to buy every toy they see.  

5.  Check the clothes you pick out for stains, tears, or missing buttons.  These things are usually checked when items are bought in but can be missed there is nothing worse then getting home with the cutest outfit ever just to realize it is missing a button. 

My Coke Rewards

Just a quick reminder My Coke Rewards Summer of Fun program only lasts until labor day so be sure to hurry to get in on the fun!!

Also make sure you enter the Coca Cola Park Kit giveaway it ends Tomorrow!  

Tot School- Week 5

Tot School 

Baby Bug is 19 months old

This week we made finger paint.  I found a great non toxic easy recipe at Logan and Kalia's blog.

The only ingredients are water, flour and food coloring.  

 I started by adding some water to a little bit of flour.  I did not go by the measurements just mixed till I got it the consistence I wanted.  I put the mixture in three applesauce cups and added food coloring.

Baby bug had a ball! 

I was surprised at how well she did with this, she never once tried to eat the paint and for the most part stayed on the paper!!

We also painted with shaving cream this was a lot of fun she loved spreading this across the tub walls! 

I just added food coloring to the shaving cream.

We took another trip to the library little loves the big box of board books!! She would take one out give to me listen to a page or two then go for the next book.  I think we went through a good 15 books this way. 

To see more adventure in toddler learning check out:

1+1+1=1

Preschool Corner
Link and Learn
Weekly Wrap Up

Ben Rudnick CD Review/Giveaway

Live in Lexington 

Under The Copper Beech

Ben Rudnick & Friends

This CD is a great collection of music, from a live show in Lexington.  At this concert on July 11, 2008 they played songs from all six of their previous albums as well as some of their favorite cover songs. 

"Ben Rudnick &Friends take great pleasure in introducing kids and families to music that is an important part of America's Cultural fabric.  Rather than playing down to kids, Rudnick assumes that children enjoy listening to a variety of music, much of which would not necessarily be labeled as "Kids" music."

When received a copy of the CD I was excited to listen to it and see for my self what I thought of Ben Rudnick.   I put it in the CD player and went about my chores.  I must admit at first I was kind of so so about it.  It was not my favorite but easy to listen to.  Baby Bug and I listen several more times and the CD started to really grow on me.  I started to realize that I was singing along and enjoying the music as we listened.  I think one thing I have come to appreciate about this CD is that it is not excessively kidded out.  I can listen without that annoying feeling some kids CDs leave you with.  I also like the fact that the music is so diverse.  Their are several styles of music present on the CD and that helps to keep it fresh!!  I am glad to add this CD to our collection of CDs I am sure it is one we will be listening to for years to come.

 The CD is set to release August 30, 2011 you can reserve your copy at the Ben Rudnick website.

Want to hear some exciting news? 

One Learning to be Thrifty Viewer will have the opportunity to win a copy of this CD.

Give away will in August 30, 2011

Open to US and Canada Residents.  Must be 18 years or older to enter.

Disclaimer:  I did receive a copy of the CD for review purposes.  The opinions in this post are my own and are not influenced by the company. 

New Coupon System

Coupon Organization back on track!!

Ok since I posted before about revamping my system I have put together my new simple plan.

I took a file folder box and put in some hanging files and some regular file folders.

Each Hanging file folder is a week.  Then within that file I have a folder that has the insert name and date on it.  This way when I start planning coupon trips I know exactly which folder to look in for my inserts!!

I think this system will work much better for me.  I will keep the notebook and baseball card categories for coupons that did not come in inserts. 

I am very excited to have a plan that will work for me!!  I was a little afraid I was going to have to give up the couponing fun just because I did not have the time to cut coupons each week!

Allimagz Etsy Shop

My Sister opened an Etsy Shop!!

Check it out my sister just opened an Etsy shop.  Allimagz

Right now she has some adorable burp clothes 

I love th hello Kitty one!! 

She is also willing to work with you if you want some thing specific!! 

She is also carrying hair bows.  These ponytails are great to add some fun to a plain ole' ponytail. 

I am really excited for her she is so crafty!!  Her prices are really reasonable and her craftsmanship is of good quality.  She will be adding more as time goes on!!  Check out her shop and see for you self all her cute products!

Free 8 x 10 Collage Print at Walgreens

Walgreens is doing another free collage!! Man I love these!! If you choose the pick up at store option it is completely free!! 

Just go to their website to get started.  The code is: PRINTONE 

Deal is good thru Saturday!!

Giveaway Winners!

The complete idiots guide winner - Chelsea 

The Hard Lotion: Laura 

Congrats!!  I will be emailing both of you soon!! 

Furniture from K&Co Store

 Do you ever just browse through websites dreaming about different furniture you would like to own in the future? 

K & Co store is a great place to see, dream about, and buy many different pieces of furniture. 

Tonight I have been browsing and dreaming about Kitchen Items.  

I would love to have this Kitchen Trolley in our kitchen. 

I think this piece would be so practical in our house, we seem to be at a loss for counter space a lot of evenings when it comes time to prepare our dinner.  I have always thought an island would be a nice thing to have in a kitchen, but their really is not enough room in our kitchen for an island.  A smaller mobile unit like this would fit very nice. 

Another piece I am drooling over tonight is this display Cabinet. 

I would love to have  a piece of furniture like this to display special things in.  To be honest I do not have a lot to put in one of these, but it would still be nice to have one to start filling up.  I like how large this one is.  It has three glass doors on top and three wooden doors for storage below.  It would be nice to not only be able to display the pretties up top but also have some hidden storage below for things like linens and decorations.  

Disclosure: This post is in association with K&Co Store. All opinions are 100% mine.

Couponing adventures- Revamping my system

I have been doing more coupons for about 2 months now.  I started with a notebook where I have been cutting the coupons and storing them in baseball card holders by categories.  I must admit that I have gotten overwhelmed lately, having trouble staying on top of my coupon cutting each week.  The week that really got me behind was the last week in July where where were four different inserts in the paper- which I loved but I still have not gotten these coupons caught but and organized!!  I have decided I am going to have to go to a hanging file system.  With this system I will keep the inserts intact and just date them and file them away.  Then when planning a trip I will just cut the coupons I need.  I will keep the notebook for loose coupons or coupons that come in the mail but it will be way scaled back.  The main draw back to this plan is I will not have my coupons on hand when at the store, but to be honest I had so many in there I did not ever go digging for extras unless they were ones I had already planned and pulled out.  I still have some details to work out but I think this will be a more reasonable system for me.

  

How do you organize your coupons? 

Coca-Cola 125th anniversary summer fun and Park Kit Giveaway

Did you know Coca-Cola has been around for 125 years? 

 To celebrate their anniversary they have made a summer long program available through My Coke Rewards.

 It is created to provide summer fun for families through a big variety of rewards through an interactive summer treasure map.  When you enter codes found on 15 different Coca-Cola brands on My Coke Rewards, you gain points that can be spent later on prizes including sweepstakes, instant win prizes, supporting a good cause- Like donating to your child's school and bunches more. 

 If you are not a My coke Rewards Member it is easy to long on to www.mycokerewards.com

- just follow the prompts for new member registration. 

Want to hear some more good news?  Coca-Cola is also offering "Park Kit" to one lucky Learning to be Thrifty Follower.  The kit is valued at $50 dollars and includes: 

                  Coca-Cola tote, Sunglasses, Sports Bottle, Sunblock Kit, LED lamp (for nights when you’re just not ready to go inside), Football, Frisbee, Reversible ball

One winner will be choosen via Random.org after the contest is complete.  Please use the rafflecopter box to enter the giveaway. 
Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US or Canada only. Winner to be chosen at random. 

Disclaimer: The prize was provided by The Coca-Cola Company but The Coca-Cola Company is not a sponsor, administrator, or involved in any other way with this giveaway. All opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of The Coca-Cola Company.