Summer Activies

Summer is quickly approaching! Along with that…my kids are growing! Im so excited about this time in our lives because my kids are at an age where they are able to get involved in activities and express their interests! In a few quick months ill have BOTH of my babies in school! So ive made up a list of fun ways to celebrate summer before the school year starts up again!

Go to the pool

Dollar Movies

Most craft stores offer “Kids Clubs” that allow them to do free crafts

Bowling

Make a pizza
Get involed in church activites
Visit ww.education.com for TONS of activity sheets for any grade level

Decorate cupcakes or cookies

Picnic
Have a dance party

Sidewalk chalk
Decorate aprons

Beach/Lake

Movie night

Try out new parks

Have your own craft day

Let the kids plan and make a meal

Mini golf
Read books to them, then let them read the same book to you..hear their spin on what they think is going on. Great for letting young kids use their imagination...and for older kids to sound out words.

Play in the sprinklers

Zoo or aquarium
Have a "Just Because" Party. decorate with whatever theme..get some treats and drinks. Pop in a movie or have a few activities.

Visit family

Camping

Paint rocks

Library

Take silly pictures of you kids and let them make their own scarpbook

Lemonade stand

Pen pal

Fly kites

Go for walks

Fishing

Feed ducks

Make jewelry

Tea party
Water Bead table

Wash the car (be sure no one gets wet!......JK!!)

Play place at the mall

Chuck E. Cheese

Have a photo shoot

Have a Chore Day--give them chores to do around the house to earn money for…..

Dollar Store shopping

Balloon characters (draw silly faces on balloons)

Build a fort

Make greeting cards

Nature walks
Help Dad BBQ

Star gazing
Farmers Market
Draw pictures & write letters to send to family.
Decorate their own tote bags

Living room camping

Visit a farm to pet/feed animal or pick season fruits and veggies

Have a themed day to learn about new things: “Under the sea” have fish sticks for lunch and decorate with blue streamers. Learn about ocean life.

Roller skating/ ice skating rink
paint and decorate unfinished picture frames (can be found at Michaels or Walmart for $1)

Check your cities website/newspaper for current events

More Graduation Crafts!

These are a little something I threw together. They are super cheap and easy for a preschool/ kindergarten graduation. I bought a pad of children's writing paper ( for $1.00!!!) and just ran it through my printer! I also plan to use this paper for a quick bunting banner (I'll post it later!) you can put in any frame you have around. I got these pedestal frames from Ikea for 99 cents and i finally found the perfect use for them! Sorry the picture quality isn't so good. i took it on my phone.

Enjoy :)

Cooking On a Budget

Its that time of year! Summer is almost here!! We use summer as a time to cut costs and save money to spend on other activities…but using these basic rules will help put (AND KEEP) more money into your pockets year around!

Know Your Staples: My kitchen staples may not be “Politically Correct” But these are items that are either inexpensive, used to “dress up” a simple meal, or can be used for more than one meal. The 1^st part of knowing your stapels is knowing whats on sale. Shop your store ads…also get to know the items your local stores carry. If an item is $2.00 less at another store that 10 miles away, is it really $2.00 cheaper once you figuer in the gas your spending to get there?
Heres a few staples we always keep stocked in our house:

Bagged Chicken/meat

Pasta

Canned goods

Milk, Butter, Eggs

Veggies

Easy right. Also…when your able too….buy in bulk!! It’ll help save on your next shopping trip!

Make A Menu: This is something I learned in high school! ALWAYS make a menu and never shop on an empty stomach. Making a menu lets you see what you need to buy before you enter the store so your not wondering grabbing anything you see that sounds good. The 1^st step to making your menu is seeing what you already have! And work around that. Have your meals include items you already have. Making a menu also lets you see where you can cut back. Instead of having steak and potatoes 3 times, have it once…make it a special family meal you have on Sundays. And use the other two nights as “fillers” which is making something basic and easy.

Make it Yourself: DON’T EAT OUT! We eat out for 2 reasons…because its convenient and because we like the food. But lets have an “AHA” moment…..we can make the foods ourselves!!!!! Don’t spend $20.00 for rib eye when you can buy it at the store for $2.00 a lb!

Have a “Casual” Night: Usually theres always one main person who prepares the meal. So this step will not only help cut costs…but give you a night off from cooking! Cook something easy! I found that the easiest meals are also the cheapest. Mac and cheese, Tuna Sandwiches, Hot dogs…even Top Roman! With these staples being so cheap feel free to dress them up! Add some mixed frozen veggies to your mac and cheese…toast your bread and use shredded cheese and lettuce on your tuna sandwich…get a can of chili for your hot dogs!

Eat Breakfast For Dinner: Breakfast foods are usually inexpensive and need little ingredients (which also help cut the cost of the meal)..here’s a couple ideas…

Pancakes

French Toast

Omelets

Sausage and bacon

Fresh fruit…….ect.

Another benefit of cooking breakfast for dinner is making extra and having breakfast for the next day!

Go Italian for a night: PASTA PASTA PASTA!!! Is always cheap and on sale at a grocery store! Not only that…ingredients used to dress it up are also inexpensive! Such as canned pasta sauces, Italian sausage and cheese. Don't forget the French Bread!!

Free Money?!?!?: You heard right!! Theres free money floating around in the form of coupons! If your local newspaper doesn't offer them tons of websites do! so USE THEM!! Also take advantage of store Loyalty Cards.

Good luck! and please feel free to comment and share your own money saving tips!

Alphabet Cupcake Topper

Another reason for me to cry!! Preschool Graduation!!! Jayden is graduation preschool next month, so that means im in party planning mode!! while browsing a dollar bin at a local drug store, i got a great idea that will go perfect with Jayden's Rainbow Graduation Party.....

I love these little toppers!! They were so cheap and easy!!

All you need is some toothpicks and a foam alphabet puzzle which you can find at a dollar store

Then simple insert your toothpick into a letter! See how easy!! 



Enjoy :)



New Etsy Shop Open!

Finally!!! I finally opened my Etsy shop! Now i just need some buyers!

Just a couple goodies! Adding more and more everyday! Please take time to check out my shop and maybe add me to your favorites!

Lace & Cupcakes

 Thanks people!!



Party Planning On A Budget

WARNING: PARTY PLANNING ON A BUDGET MAY NEED EXTRA CREATIVITY

The 1^st part of planning the party, is…..

The Party Itself: RESEARCH! Research a party?? YES when planning a party use Google, use Pintrest, go through old magazines…anything to give you ideas and bring our your creative side! You may find a theme you like…recipes…decorations you can make.

Give yourself enough time to plan: But not too much time!!! I have learned that planning a party too far in advanced not only leads to OVER planning…but OVER spending! Picking up a few things here and there in advanced is wise….but when your doing it over a span of 4 months, you have $100.00 of “here and there” items..most of which you find you wont even use!

Have a Themed Party: This will help limit you to a specific food and drink palate. It also gives your guest a chance to get involved! Let them dress up, request that each guest brings a specific item (weather it be a wine, or a certain type of appetizer)

What will you eat? Giving yourself enough time to plan allows you to shop your store ads! Also, take advantage of seasonal items. But, first things first….Check what you already have in your cupboards!

Decorations: Giving yourself a theme will also make it fun and easy to decorate. But for extra convenience …give yourself a “seasonal theme” What month is your celebration in? what upcoming holidays are there? What will the weather be like? My birthday is in May…and so is Cino De Mayo and Mothers Day. May is also around the time stores start setting out their Summer decorations, pool and beach items and back yard decorations. So naturally im choosing to have a Backyard BBQ party. And once again!……what items do you also ready have that can be utilized?

Homemade decorations also help cut down on cost and 99.9% of the time…they are better looking!

*Paper Pom poms

*candle holders+ a dollar plate = a custom cake stand

*scrapbook paper and ribbon to make a banner

*use picture frames to display a menu

Desserts and Drinks: In both cases its always cheaper to make your own! In the store 24 cupcakes will cost your 5x as much as it would to make your own! And you also have the added benefit of customizing them to match your theme! Same goes with drinks. Make your own drink packets and dress it up by adding fresh fruit, freezing fruit in your ice cubes.

Guests: When celebrating we sometimes over do it and tent to invite EVERYONE we know! But when it comes to planning on a budget this can be risky. Try to only invite those you KNOW will come like your closest friends and family. Try to add an RSVP deadline.

Enjoy :)