A Little Bug In the Lunchbag
What is in their lunches today?
The other day after the girls had made their lunches and after they were in bed I put in a little “bug” note for them to read at lunch. I cannot remember where I picked up this bug note pack (maybe Hallmark?), but the bundle of notes has lasted me a long time. The girls always enjoy getting the bug notes in their lunch box.
Whenever I go through their lunch bags (usually to make sure they packed everything & sometimes to double clean the bags) it is pretty common for me to find a stack of these and other lunch bag notes in their lunch bag. The notes don’t take much time to add to the lunches, but they sure mean a lot to the kids getting them at school the next day. The bug notes are cute, unique, and have neat sayings on them.
Each “bug” note is different
Bug notes for the girls lunches
Kids in the Kitchen
Karlie’s so proud of her “heart” shape plum
The girls love hanging out with us in the kitchen. They pack their own lunches for school (almost everyday) plus they like to pitch in with making dinner many nights too. Learning to use a knife to cut fruit, vegetables, and other items was an interesting process, but they have done really well and are getting better. While they are cutting produce and we are making dinner we enjoy a few minutes of chit-chat and catching up from that days events.
Brina cutting up her peach
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of May 15 – 21, 2013
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Bone-in Pork Sirloin Chops – $1.39 lb
Beef T Bone Steak– $4.99 lb
Rib Eye Steak – $5.99 lb
Baby Back Ribs – $2.99 lb
Country Style Ribs – $1.59 lb
Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon found on Winetag Hangtags
$0.99 each after coupon*Pick 5 for $19.99 promotion on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Borden Cheese Singles (12 oz) – $2.49
Borden Shredded Cheese (8 oz) – $1.99
Minute Maid Lemonade or Fruit Punch (59 oz) – $0.99
Fairgrounds Bologna (16 oz) – $0.99
Fairgrounds Hot Dogs (1 pound) – $0.99
Reese’s Potato or Macaroni Salad (2 pounds) – $2.99
Produce
Seedless Whole Watermelon – $3.99 each
Vidalia Onions (4 pounds) – $1.99
Mini Carrots (1 pound) – $0.99
Potatoes (10 pounds) – $2.99
Sweet Corn – $0.33 each
Grocery
J Higgs Potato Chips (10 oz) – $1.49
Kraft BBQ Sauce (17.5 oz) – $0.88
Cowboy Billy’s Pork & Beans (16 oz) – $0.59
Kraft Ketchup (24 oz) -$0.89
Kiggins Corn Flakes (18 0z) – $1.69
Portmann’s Salad Dressing (16 oz) – $1.49
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $3.49
Mt Olive Pickles (80 oz – Value Size) – $3.99
Tipton Grove Apple Juice 64 oz) – $1.59
Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce (28 oz) – $2.39
Save A Lot Today Soda (12 pack) – $2.49
Crystal 2.0 Purified Drinking Water (24 pack, 16.9 oz each) – $2.29
Household
Kindle Charcoal (16.6 pounds) – $5.99
Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.99
Wrightware Paper Napkins (250 count) – $1.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list. Please make sure to check with your local Save A Lot store, the ads do vary per region.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was great to have Jake back home again last week! Although, I didn’t get everything done I hoped (do we ever get caught up) I was able to make progress in the right direction. Hoping to make some more progress this week.
Last week’s goals
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
Plan one special Activity with the FamilyPlay a board gameLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesSchedule dentist appointments for (Jake & Bridgette)– Jake’s already gone to his and mine’s next week- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette – didn’t get to this one
Personal Goals
Exercise at least 5 days this weekDrink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read) – getting closer to being done!
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming billsWork on Spring Cleaning- Get paperwork signed for new Home & Auto Insurance Policies – almost completed
- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn – didn’t get to it
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down – other items took priority this weekend
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing – it rained
- Give Skipper a bath – decided to wait since it rained
- Treat the lawn – didn’t want to treat it since it was going to rain
Work on the deck– still have more to do but made progress this past week
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clients
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4 – went over budget
- Payoff the Van – hoping to make an extra payment
- Pay medical bills in full – making payments
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Play a board game
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Bridgette’s dentist appointment
- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
- Get paperwork signed for new Home & Auto Insurance Policies
- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing
- Give Skipper a bath
- Work on the deck
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Vehicles
- Pay medical bills in full
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
A Mother’s Job Description…
A Sandwich Container & Dry Erase Marker
The best part about packing a lunch for my husband and kids is I get to sneak in a note occasionally. These sandwich containers are great because I can write on them with dry erase markers, put them in the lunch box, and erase them before washing them once they are back home at the end of the day. If you are looking for a super simple way to “send some love” and remind your family members how much you love them try writing in a dry erase marker on their sandwich container and see what they say about it.
Roper Mountain Science Center
Holding a snake
The girls always love going to Roper Mountain Science Center. They have second Saturday themed events that are fun for the whole family with a lot of educational information. The animals are always a great hit with our kids. For more information about Roper Mountain Science Center, the upcoming second Saturday events, or activities please check out Roper Mountain Science Center’s website.
What do you think she is holding? If you guessed baby mouse you are correct!
So soft! Chinchilla!
Karlie trying to play one of the games
Brina and Karlie having fun!
Adding A Little Something Extra
Smile sandwich maker
I picked up this sandwich imprinter at the Dollar Tree at the beginning of this school year. The girls love getting surprises in their lunch boxes. Usually they make their lunches, but occasionally I will make them for them if it has been a busy day or to give them a break.
When I make their school lunches I always try to add in something special. Sometimes after their in bed I will double check their lunches to make sure they packed everything they need and add a little something extra to it. It could be a note, an special snack, a imprinted sandwich, or something else. They always enjoy discovering the something “extra” in their lunches.
I have used these sandwich imprints many times over the past few months. It is simple and easy, yet the kids love it. All you have to do is make the sandwich, imprint the bread, and pack it into their lunch. It only takes a few seconds, but it is worth it because the kids enjoy it so much.
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is always better with a smile!
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of May 8 – 14, 2013
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Fresh Split Chicken Breast – $0.99 lb
Ribeye Steaks– $5.99 lb
Boston Butt Pork Roast – $1.59
Aberdeen Farms or Jamestown Bacon (16 oz) – $2.50
Holten Seasoned Beef Patties (8 pounds) – $19.99
Schooner Tilapia or Swai Fillets (32 oz) – $4.99
Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon found on Winetag Hangtags
$0.99 each after coupon*Pick 5 for $19.99 promotion on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Coburn Farm Large Eggs (1 dozen) – $0.99
Home Churned Spread (45 oz) – $1.99
Fairgrounds Bologna (16 oz) – $0.99
World’s Fair Ice Cream (54 oz) – $1.99
Senora Verde Burrito (4 oz) – $0.45
Banquet Frozen Dinners, Assorted Varieties – $0.99
Use $0.75/8 coupon found on select Banquet packages (Expires 5/31/14)
$0.90 each after couponHinsdale Farms Pancake & Sausage Corn Dogs (25 oz) – $4.99
Fairgrounds Sliced Lunch Meat(14 oz) – $2.99
Produce
Fresh Strawberries (1 pound) – $1.99
Fresh Roma Tomatoes – $0.99 lb
Fresh Idaho Potatoes (10 pounds) – $2.99
Sweet Corn – $0.33 each
Grocery
Port Side Chunk Light Tuna in Water (5 oz) – $0.69
Mantia’s Elbow Macaroni (16 oz) – $0.89
Tipton Grove Apple Juice 64 oz) – $1.59
General Mills Cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Trix, Golden Grahams, or Cocoa Puffs (10 – 12 oz) – $1.99
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 3/24 Smart Source (Expires 5/14/13)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from peelie found on select cereal boxes
$1.49 each after couponSweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce (28 oz) – $2.39
Wylwood Canned Vegetables, Corn or Green Beans (14 – 15 oz) – $0.49
Save A Lot Today Soda (2 liters) – $0.89
Crystal 2.0 Purified Drinking Water (24 pack, 16.9 oz each) – $2.29
Splash Out! Fruit Punch Juice (10 pack) – $1.99
Senora Verde Dipping Chips (10 oz) – $1.99
Senora Verde Salsa, Mild or Medium(16 oz) – $1.69
Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kit (8 – 11 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.60/3 printable coupon from CouponWeb
$1.79 each after couponSunny Delight (45 oz) – $0.99
Little Hug Berry Blends Fruit Juice Barrels (20 count) – $2.99
General Mills Chex Mix or Gardetto’s (4 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 3/24 Smart Source (Expires 5/18/13)
$0.50 each after couponLuck’s Pinto Beans (15 oz) – $0.69
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list. Please make sure to check with your local Save A Lot store, the ads do vary per region.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was busier than normal while Jake was out of town the whole week at a conference. I am so glad to have him back home again! It was a rainy weekend, but thankful to have some time together with the family. I was able to get caught up on a few projects last week too.
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read Imagination Station: Revenge of a Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 4)
Plan one special Activity with the Family- Play a board game – we didn’t play a board game but we did a contest and game outside together including an obstacle course designed and laid out by the girls
Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforeDaily School Activities & Homework CompletedAttend After School ActivitiesSchedule May Volunteer Dates- Schedule dentist appointments for (Jake & Bridgette)
- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – I almost did it (it was 4 days this week)!
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)– caught up and current once again!- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read) – reading through it!
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned out for the weekPay all upcoming billsWork on Spring CleaningGet insurance quotes & make a decision on Home & Auto Insurance Policies– got the quotes and made the decision just need to sign the paperwork this week- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn – it rained this weekend so we’ll have to wait to do the leaves next week
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down – since it rained we are waiting on this project
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing – the rain delayed this weekend project
- Give Skipper a bath – didn’t give Skipper a bath because of the rainy week and mud
- Treat the lawn – waiting until a non-rainy weekend
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork completed for clientsSchedule May work dates
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Send Out Community Group EmailSend out the Alms & Legs Meeting Time and Place
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4 – went a little over on the grocery budget this week
- Payoff the Van – made a payment and included a little extra the first part of the week
- Pay medical bills in full – continuing to make payments
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read Imagination Station: Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker (Book 5)
- Plan one special Activity with the Family
- Play a board game
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Daily School Activities & Homework Completed
- Attend After School Activities
- Schedule dentist appointments for (Jake & Bridgette)
- Schedule eye appointment for Bridgette
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Finish reading Overcoming Dyslexia by M.D. Sally Shaywitz (someone gave me this to read)
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week
- Pay all upcoming bills
- Work on Spring Cleaning
- Get paperwork signed for new Home & Auto Insurance Policies
- Remove remaining leaves from the lawn
- Clean up the sticks and trees that have fallen & had been cut down
- Reseal Jungle Gym & Swing
- Give Skipper a bath
- Treat the lawn
- Work on the deck
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work completed for clients
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Send Out Community Group Email
Financial Goals
- Groceries $40 for 4
- Payoff the Van
- Pay medical bills in full
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
