Archive for the ‘Kids’ Category

108 Days Until Christmas

If you are looking for easy ideas that your children can prepare to gift for teachers or grandparents, I might have an idea for you.  What about a reindeer towel?

NEEDS: plain white hand-towel and brown, white, black and red fabric paint. 

1. Wash the towel and dry without fabric softener or according to the paint directions.
2. Dip or brush the bottom of your child’s foot with brown paint.  Place their foot in the middle of the towel with toes pointing to the top.
3. Dip or brush the palm of your child’s hand with brown paint. Place the right hand to the top-right of the footprint and the left hand to the top-left of the footprint.
4. When the brown dries, use your child’s thumbprint dipped in white paint for the white’s of each eye.
5. Use their thumbprint in red paint for Rudolph’s nose at the base of the footprint.
6. When the white has dried, use the print of their pinkie finger, dipped in black, for the pupil of each eye.
7. Use the color of your choice to write or stencil “Merry Christmas 2010! Love, __________”

Illusions on grandeur… that is what I had for this project. Originally posted HERE on the Frugal Family Fun Blog, I saw it and begin to build a dream castle in my mind, complete with jewel-encrusted tower, a selection of designer cardboard furniture and flower-filled window boxes.

Fast forward to the construction day…

I took two large boxes and cut them down into castle shapes, cut out a few windows and outlined the drawbridge. All was well until I handed markers to the kids. Evan proceeded to decorate himself. Micah thought the castle looked best with scribbles. Annalise went and grabbed her toys to begin playing immediately. “Whoa,” Evan thought. “Invaders!” So he moves to the inside where he sits himself down, declaring himself King.

Commence the royal tug-of-war… and the castle crumbled.

So much for my masterpiece. But, I wish you better luck because the kids do have a ton of fun.

Bill said, “I have said a lot of negative things about Walmart but I love those people!”  It was a little before 3 AM and I think he was delusional.  Sleep deprivation due to a sick child will do that to you.   But, I had to admit that I was also relieved there was a store available at such an hour to help us and it was hard to believe that some people were actually working at that hour… an hour where I would have normally been sleeping.

I treasure my sleep.  Truly.  I would rather have sleep than just about anything and when I am awakened before I want to be, I am not always a nice person.  I have been known to kick Bill from the bed to answer a child’s call, although my guilt often keeps me from drifting back to sleep.  That was the case several times this week as we battled a stomach flu and a sinus infection, not in the same child and not on the same nights.

Halfway through the week when I was feeling especially cranky, Bill and I curled up together for our evening prayer and the realization hit me that this is not a burden but a privilege.  Maybe I do not function as well on less sleep but I cannot look at it as a inconvenience.  These moments are available for me to show my child that I can be there when they need me.  I can meet their needs. They are loved unconditionally, regardless of the hour.  And, my habitual prayer for a peaceful night of rest was changed.

“Father, if you give me the opportunity to be a mother in the middle of the night, I will thank you.”

I think God nodded and said, “Glad you are ready because tonight will be a doosie!” A huge chunk of my blissful rest was surrender to cuddling with a very sick toddler in the recliner.  I kind of enjoy it, minus the yucky smell. 

Consider the moments you face today and check to see if there is a different way to look at the situation.  Just be prepared for a trip to Walmart in the wee small hours of the morning.

Did you know that you qualify for BOGO sales items even if you are using your WIC check as payment?

The first time I did this, I felt like I had done something wrong. Grits were on sale Buy One Get One Free and so I was about to get 72 ounces instead of the normal 36 ounces. The cashier rang the transaction without any concern but I just felt strange.

I am always super sensitive to not get more than what we should with our WIC. Guess I am still grappling with the fact that we qualify since some people I know consider that shameful. But tell me which is more shameful: feeding my children by using WIC or depriving them of juice, cereal, milk, fruits, and vegetables? I will put my soapbox away now.

The next time, I had slightly more confidence that it was okay as I used the BOGO sale to get double boxes of cereal and the cashier did not say anything.

My confidence continued to grow but I was still a little anxious… until last night…

Bill went to Winn Dixie to pick up our WIC and only grabbed one bottle of Juicy Juice. At the register, the cashier INSISTED that he go back and get another as they are Buy One Get One Free this week.

Now, it should be noted that this has not been tested in any store but Winn Dixie. Please ask before you assume that it is okay, but it is accepted at Winn Dixie.

I would love to know if this works at other stores so please leave me a comment or drop me an email if you have been able to purchase BOGOs at other locations.

I have been rolling this around in my mind for some time and after receiving such positive feedback from last weekend’s post, I have decided to change “The Weekend Penny Wrap~Up” to this post, a place where I can share anything that has been on my mind during the week. My goal is to champion parenthood and encourage, but I know that I am not gifted with tact. So, in advance, I want to apologize for any offense I might cause today, next week or at anytime in the future.

Today, my mind, heart and prayers are resting with a family whom I have never met.

The Byrd family of Gulf Shores is struggling with what seems to be the inevitable but approaching passing of their 5 year old son from the world to God’s arms. I pray for a miracle. I know that my God can do all that we ask or beyond what we can even dream. I also know that sometimes His plans are far beyond what I can understand.

But, as I read over Melissa’s blogs, I realized that no matter how trying my day might seem, no matter how many toys I feel crunch beneath my feet, no matter how many times I have to pop a hand, no matter what… Someone is having a day far worse than I am.

Even more than that, those toys and hands and trying moments are a blessing in the form of little growing healthy bodies.

Please, please join me in praying for the Byrd family this weekend.  They need it more than we probably know.

I pray that the LORD will listen when you are in trouble,
and that the God of Jacob will keep you safe.
May the LORD send help from his temple and come to your rescue from Mount Zion.
May he remember your gifts and be pleased with what you bring.
May God do what you want most and let all go well for you.
Then you will win victories, and we will celebrate,
while raising our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD answer all of your prayers!
I am certain, LORD, that you will help [Jensen].
You will answer my prayers from your holy place
in heaven, and you will save [him] with your mighty arm.
Some people trust the power of chariots or horses,
but we trust you, LORD God.
Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong and stand firm.
Give [Jensen] victory, LORD, and answer our prayers.

Father God, may I be more appreciative of your gifts and more sensitive in my grumbling to the fact that these days are great and my struggles are so small in comparison to so many who are suffering in ways I cannot understand or fathom. We lift up Jensen and his family to you and pray for healing… and if for some reason your plan is beyond what we ask and hope, we pray for peace and comfort. May you be glorified in the days that come for the Byrd family and may many come to know you through this situation.

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You guys are tremendously creative and I want to know whether on Facebook or in the comments what your ideas are for frugal fun whether it be a craft or activity, adventure or experience. You can also submit your videos or pictures by posting them to our Facebook wall. They might just appear here!

So, let your creative juices flow and show us all how to have some frugal fun!
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Today, I will be one among the many out shopping during this tax~free holiday.  For school supplies? No.  We are done with that like most families are.  I need maternity clothes!  And as we begin to prepare for our fourth child, I cannot help but think of the type of mother I am and wonder if I could do better. 

I think it is only natural for mothers to assume they are terrible at child-rearing.  I often feel guilt for anything and everything. Do I spend enough time with my children?  Am I balancing life well? Will they need therapy later in life?

Then, the other day, a God-given thought popped into my brain.

I am trustworthy with the well-being of my children.  Attempting creative methods, I bring in added income to our budget and try to be a good steward with the money which God entrusts to us.  I am not addicted to drugs nor am I an alcoholic. 

I try to raise my children to know and love God.  I attempt to teach them moral behavior by example and through deliberate instruction.  I show them how to love every person regardless of race, religion or financial status.

I feed my children three meals and two snacks per day, including fresh fruits and vegetables.  I give them a warm bed to sleep in and they are sheltered in our (albeit cluttered but safe) home.  They have clean clothes to wear and books to read.  Their shoes fit and are without holes.  Although they do not get the newest digital what-nots, they have plenty of toys with which to play.

I dress modestly and teach them to do the same.  Although I may not wear makeup each time I leave the house, I make sure that I am not an embarrassment to my family.

My children laugh daily and are hugged often.  They know I love them, not just because of what I do but because I tell them several times a day, especially after discipline. Yes, I discipline my children, but appropriately and with reason.

I make mistakes.  I admit to the children that I make mistakes.  I apologize genuinely.  But, if I can honestly say all of this, I must be a pretty good mother.  I need to give myself more credit.

What about you?  Have you focused on the negative?  Do you fret over what you could have done like I often do?  I encourage you to sit down and make a list of the positive things about yourself and your mothering techniques.  Keep them in your Bible or somewhere that you can review them when you are feeling guilty or down.  I think you will find that you are a pretty good mother too.
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140 Days Until Christmas

I love personalized gifts and my kids got the biggest kick out of the personalized books they received from my inlaws a few years ago. These books are very cherished possessions and I highly recommend them. The illustrations are incredible. The price might seem a bit high but I think it is worth it considering the love of reading that these books can help develop. Go take a peak and see what you think.

PLUS, you can score FREE shipping on all books with Coupon Code FSW715!

Just FYI: My children have My Very Own Name and My Very Own Fairy Tale.  Priceless!

Summer break is coming to a close and students are preparing to get back to the books.  But, summer doesn’t have to be a distant memory!  Keep the memories fresh by looking back over the calendar and family photos and work together with your child(ren) to create a keepsake book, My Summer Book.

Use photographs, stickers, card stock, glitter… whatever you have around the house to be as creative as possible.  Ask your child to think about their favorites activities and write (or draw) about them.

For more ideas, check out THIS article.

I adore Erin Wainwright.  We met at a coupon workshop and became Facebook friends.  Along the way, she became a pro at Penny Pinching and I became an addict of her photography.  Being a retired photographer, I can really appreciate the joy I see in her work and look forward to having her come visit us when the children celebrate their birthdays so we can capture some memories!

1. What’s that behind you ?

You know when you are scrolling through Facebook and in a thumbnail you see someone has posted some super sassyfied picture of themselves?  So you pull it up for a closer look only too see Miss/Mr. Attitude has an open toilet behind them.  Nice.  Think about that when you are looking through your viewfinder. You only have eyes for that beautiful little person in front of you, but I guarantee when you go back later and look again all you will see this that open garage/bedroom/bathroom door that shows a room in desperate need of repair and you wont want to show anyone! Or it’s the birthday party picture of your child opening their gifts and when you go to post them on your social site your sister-in-law/mom/aunt sees her rearend is to the left of EVERY shot, bent over picking up the next gift.  She will NOT be happy about this!  So, take just a second and look around your sweet angel and see what you will want gone later!

2. Focus.

We have all done it. Taken a fantastic shot of crazy kids grinning their fool heads off! Then, you pull the picture up later and see the camera decided to focus on the blue bucket three feet in front of them and the kids look like blurry, smiley, afterthoughts! Not good, that dollar tree bucket is not that important!  Almost every camera has an auto focus.  Look at the screen or through the view finder and hold your camera button half way down.  You should see a small red square that will tell you exactly what the camera is focusing on. If it is on the bucket and not on the kids then tilt your camera until the red square is focused on the most important part of your pictures.  This may take some practice to do really quick (I know how fast that toddler gets distracted!) but you will get there and if you think you missed it …..try it again! This leads me to my final point….

3. Take lots and lots and lots and lots of shots!

If you remember nothing else PLEASE remember this!  You can delete extra pictures, or crappy pictures, or blurry pictures but you cant retake moments!  Your child’s first day of kindergarten or their first run on the soccer fields will not happen again.  The excited shiny look on their faces and the excitement in their movements.  It cannot be recreated.  In last Sunday’s ads, I saw 4GB SD cards (the memory cards used in a lot of cameras) for as low as $12.99.  That size memory card holds over 1100 pictures in my camera at its best settings.  So there is no need to stop pushing that button and taking those pictures!  Just make sure to back them up on discs, those cards can be damaged, and print them out!  There are many freebie print deals when you join new photo sites and great sales on prints weekly at your local stores.  This lets you take them around for everyone to see!

I hope these tips and tricks help.  In the end nothing matters so much as getting those moments captured!  That chubby 6 month old that you look at every day and you swear you will NEVER forget a moment will one day be a stinky 13 year old that makes you wonder that they ever let you hold them close and rock them to sleep. It happens in a heartbeat so take the pictures to hold the moments!

More about Erin…
Erin offers on site photography of babies, families, seniors, and parties through her business, Erin’s Pictures.  Holidays and every day! View more about her (including her gorgeous gallery) HERE or on Facebook HERE.