Memories and healthy recipes for your dinner table.
New moms have plenty to think about these days. There is the birth plan, what color to paint the nursery, breast feeding vs. bottle feeding and cloth diapers vs. disposable. I passed on the cloth mostly because I had memories of my mom swirling the …
Source: Submitted to the Meridian Magazine by Diane Thomas Don’t take down that Christmas tree yet. Turn it into a fun New Year’s Decoration! Leftover Christmas tree, undecorated Balloons, 6″ to 8″ Chinese fortunes or wishes, typed on small pieces of paper One-dollar bills Ribbon …
When I think of an Advent calendar the first thing that comes to mind is the familiar story “The 12 Days of Christmas.” I have had my fun leaving presents on doorsteps with friends and family as we created our own version of The 12 Days of Christmas or in many an office, Secret Santa. Advent calendars are a fun and can be a magical way to hasten in a holiday such as Christmas.
I am always one ready for a party so when I heard about all the year long traditions Stephen’s sister Natalie tries to carry on with her children I was inspired to start organizing my own family traditions. This is the slowest December we have had in ages. It has been nice taking it easy and really having the opportunity to share some magical experiences with my children.
So I think I am going to start a Featured Link of the Month. I just have to gush about my absolutely favorite site right now, The Crafty Crow. Fun crafts and fabulous book reviews, and I can’t forget the enormous long list of links …
This past weekend I was so excited to see my brother that I threw out all reasoning. (Which by the way is completely unlike me.) I went forward and made plans to stay in San Francisco the night before his arrival to break up the six hour drive. Saturday came and we loaded up the car. I decided to pack a cooler with snacks and meals for lunch and breakfast. I figured my mom packed a cooler with the stuff to make sandwiches and cereal and milk for breakfast when we traveled, we will too. We love picnics.
Once we were in San Francisco we had forgotten what it was like to find a parking place. The hotel was nice. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown. (Note: you get much better prices going directly through the website rather than discount travel sites.) We had a spectacular view of the city which I wish I could have captured with the camera. But, that would have involved opening the window and with three little kids I was not going to chance one of them slipping past.
The next morning we headed out for a nice walk in Golden Gate park. Then we took a side trip to the Headlands Beach as the Museum was not yet open. The kids were excited to see the water. They have been asking us to take a trip to the beach for months. Needless to say, Mason went splashing into the water and was knocked over by a wave. Since he was wet and would have to change clothes he felt he might as well finish his beach visit off by making sand angels. So much for keeping them clean and dry.
This was our first visit to the Discovery Museum. We do not get to the city as often since we moved to the Valley. There was so much to do for ages eight months to six years. I liked it mostly because it was quaint and not as wild as the Exploratorium in San Francisco can get.
Inside the Tot Spot house are several frog ponds and logs to teach the children about animal habitats.
Water play in the tot spot river. Equipped with aprons, fish and frogs.
Inside the Discovery Hall the kids hung from bars, climbed rock walls, danced, learned Karate and pretended to balance on a surf board/snow board. (Kids can put on a Hawaiian shirt for surfing or a puffy ski jacket for skiing.) Outside in the play area they set to sea on a small vessel. Donned hard hats and shovels in the rock pit and scalled the broken pieces of a pirate ship.
This is only half of what was available to explore. We ended our fun with a nice picnic on the grass with the Golden Gate Bridge over looking us.
This Thanksgiving we started a Advent Gratitude Turkey. Every night after dinner we each take a paper feather and draw or write something we are grateful for. The kids enjoy looking at the pictures and talking about what they mean. I heard someone say once …
Everything costs more these days. Only a short while ago I could purchase 10 ears of corn for a dollar. Now they sell for .50 cents an ear. With the cost of just about everything on the rise the hum in the air is how …
My goal going into the year has been to simplify and organize. Top priority on my list…lower what I spend on groceries each month. I have learned a few things over the past year. With a great deal of planning I was able to make small changes weekly and monthly to reach my goal.
Shop Around for the Best Deals:
The beginning of every month I typically shop for the whole month at a Warehouse store. I buy all my dairy, fish and meats, canned goods, breads, and baby stuff. Cereals and condiments I purchase at the discount stores. Once a week I have been hitting the local flea market or 99-cent store for produce. I occasionally stop by an ethnic foods market for the best deals on grains and spices and catering warehouses for a few specialty items.
Keep A Price Journal:
I refer to my price journal often to ascertain if I am getting a good deal. A price journal is basically notes on the items we use most and prices from various stores. I cannot recall how many times I ask myself, when I see an item I buy regularly, “Now, how much did I pay at the other store?”
Sales and Coupons:
I learned from the experts to take advantage of sales and stock up. Sales typically run in a 12-week cycle dropping to the lowest point by the 12th week. Coupons genuinely coincide with those sales for double the savings. If it is not on sale I wait.
Stick To Your List:
Really think about what goes into the cart. If I do have to stop by a grocery store I write a list and stick to it. The only exception would be if I saw something I forgot to write on my list that is a on sale and, according to my price journal, is a good buy. I also skip the grocery cart and grab a hand basket. It puts impulse buys at bay.
Shop The Store Brands:
For even bigger savings, I shop the store brands. Years ago I would never suggest using the store brand. However things have a way of improving over time. Somethings I will not skimp on.
Shop On A Full Stomach:
Shopping for groceries when you are hungry is an invitation to the impulse buy items to jump in your cart.
Eat Better/Avoid The Packaged Stuff:
I was spending hundreds of dollars a month on prepackaged foods and snacks. While they may be convenient most prepacked items can be made at home where I know what goes into it. We revamped how we eat. Mostly trying to incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurt, cheese and nuts. I quit buying all the carbs and fake fruit. We do have some crackers, trail mix and fruit leather around for on the go. Once a week I whip up a few baked goods and freeze them. The kids learn to make their favorite snacks and I am saving money. Packed school lunches can get quite pricey. Substitute the boxed juices and snack packs with water (or flavored water), homemade energy bars, nuts, banana bread, muffins, fresh fruit and veggies.
Go Solo.
When I have my kids in tow I am guaranteed many surprises at the check out stand. My son thinks we need every type of gadget and food item in the store. They have come to expect the “No, you cannot have that.” Now they bypass me and hope I do not notice their treasure sitting in the cart. Industry studies say you’ll spend 10 to 40 percent more if you have kids in tow.
Adelin is passionate about princesses right now. I am thrilled to see her actually playing and interested in something other than Caillou. She saw a Princess playhouse in a toy magazine and wanted me to take her to the store right away. I smiled, then …