Kids

  • Gift for the Teacher on the First Day of School

    Over the summer we picked up goodies for the teacher.

    Items we packed in the goodie bag for the girls school teacher.  We did get a list of items that she requested for the classroom and added a few more to fill up the bag.  The girls had a lot of fun picking out the items and packing it up.

    • 2 boxes of Kleenex
    • 1 bag Animal Eraser
    • 1 Notepad
    • 1 pack of 3 reptile Sticky Notes
    • 2 packs 8×10 Filler Paper
    • 18 Glue Sticks
    • 2 bottles Germx
    • 1 box 24 Crayons
    • 1 package Fall “Reward Sheets”
    • 1 package “Certificate of Recognition” Sheets
    • 1 bag Candy Bracelets, Rings, and Lipsticks
    • 2 boxes of pencils
    • 2 pencil containers
    • 2 Spiral Notebooks
    • 2 Capsule Animals
    • 1 Mini Story Book
    • 5 Clip Bracelets “Kids Doing Good”
    • 4 Sandal Notepads
    • 1 package Highlighters
    • 1 box Paperclips
    • 1 package “Great Work” Certificates
    • 1 package “Star Student” Certificates
    • 1 package “No Homework” Certificates
    • 1 package “Free Time” Certificates
    • 1 package “Note From Your Teacher” Rocket Postcards
    • 1 box Bandaids
    Teacher goodie bag ready for the first day of school.
    Rocket Postcards for the teacher!

     You can probably guess which one of the girls picked out this goodie to put in the bag.  They were very excited to put together items for the teacher.

    Teachers goodie bag

    The teachers goodie bag was ready and packed on the first day of school complete with a note from us.

    Thankfully most of the items we found on clearance over the summer, from the Dollar Tree, or had in our stockpile from shopping at a variety of stores. So far the only item(s) that we have seen come back home from the goodie bag has been two band aids from Karlie’s nose dive on the playground the first week of school.  Luckily it was just a surface wound.  The teacher already sent us a note thanking us for the items, which was really nice too.  Did you send your teacher any goodies?  If you did what did you put in the bag or box?

  • Living Social: $20 Gift Card to Whole Foods Market for $10!

    Living Social currently has a great Nationwide Deal!

    $20 Gift Card to Whole Foods for $10

    Details of the Gift Card:

    How to get your Gift Card:

    1. Sign up or login into your Living Social account
    2. Available in Select Cities (if not showing up in your current location Go to Greenville, SC or Boston)
    3. Purchase the Whole Foods $20 gift voucher for $10
    4. Your virtual gift card voucher will be pending in your account until September 14, 2011
    5. The virtual gift card voucher will expire on 12/13/11

  • Raising Multiples: First School Day of First Grade!

    The girls recently started school, their first day of first grade went really well. After a wonderful summer together of traveling and memories we were getting them ready for school  They were excited to go to school to learn and see their friends but also told me that they would miss their time at home, (aw….such sweethearts)!   Here’s a few snapshots from their first day of school.

    First day of School lunches are packed and ready to go!

     This year we are packing lunches every day except Fridays, which is pizza or special lunch day.  They were very excited about picking out and making food to pack in their lunches.  I was impressed at how well they adjusted and how much initiative they took cleaning out their bags every day.  The girls received their lunch bags from some great friends, they came in handy last year and again this year.

    Brina's lunch

    Brina is our loves flowers, pink, orange, and anything girly so this is perfect for her.  One of the concerns Moms with Twins, Triplets or higher multiples is making sure to develop their individuality.   The girls were THRILLED to have different lunch boxes with their names on it.

    Karlie's lunch

    One of Karlie’s favorite colors is black (she has loved space and planets for years)!   These thoughtful gifts came from a good friend with triplets who has been a huge encouragement to me since she found out I was pregnant with the girls.

    Notes we put into their school lunch on the first day of first grade!

    The girls see some of the “notes” that I send in Daddy’s lunch and always enjoy it when they get one as well.  As a special surprise occasionally I will stick in a note to them.  They both thanked us for their first lunch box “love note” of the school year!

    Brina and Karlie ready for their first day of 1st grade!

    You would think that at this age it would be easy to get two kids to smile at the camera, ha!  They were so worried that my taking pictures would make them late the first day of school.  Don’t worry we made it with plenty of time to spare!

    Brina's ready!

    Brina’s comment on the way to school this year was “”We will make some good friends today and have fun talking to our friends from last year!”  Glad she is excited about seeing friends and making new ones.

    Karlie's super excited to go to first grade!

    Karlie’s comment on the way to school this year was “So how many days until Summer break”!  We had been counting down until the first day of school.  She had such a fun summer together I think she was ready to start counting down until next summer.

    Our notes to our sweet girls at breakfast!

    On their breakfast plates we wrote each of them a note to read while we were cooking breakfast.

    Notes to our girls on the first day of school!

    They love getting notes and special days should be celebrated!

    Hello cutie pies, your note from Mom and Dad on your first day of First Grade!

    Our first day of school note was M&M’s.   The comment I got from them was “Silly Mommy” but they smiled reading the letter we wrote to them.

    Love making our girls smile. The first day of first grade is a great day to celebrate!

    Life is short and my babies are growing up quickly.  I want our girls to know how much we love them.  These notes only take a few moments to write but can be a tremendous encouragement to them especially as they walk into a new classroom on the first day of school.

    On the way to school!

    All buckled in and ready for school.  Yes, I took the picture at a stoplight not while driving.

    Beautiful first day of first grade for the girls!

    I was thankful to see the sun shining, a gorgeous blue sky, white puffy clouds and beautiful leafy trees on the way to school.  We truly have much to appreciate in life.

    Walking behind their teacher on their way to first grade, my babies are growing up!

    My big girls walking to their class by themselves, no assistance necessary from their Mommy.

    School day is done, they love riding home on the bus.

    Thankful for their time to learn.  Praying that their first grade year is a positive experience packed full of great educational fun.

  • CVS: Spent $0.32 and Got $1 ECB’s Back

    CVS Clearance Deals

     

    I have taken a few weeks off from shopping at CVS.  Our family stockpile of items from the CVS deals over the last few months was enough for our family so I thought it would be to take a good break.  Plus the break allowed me to spend a little extra time with my family prior to the girls going back to school.  I did drop into CVS over the weekend since I had some ECBs about ready to expire and found some great clearance items at 90% off.   I was able to get the items for $0.32 including tax and received $1.00 ECB’s to use on my next CVS purchase.  Here is what I purchased this week.

    • 2 – Hot Pink Shoes
    • 3 – Women’s Flip Flops
    • 2 – Kid’s Flip Flops
    • 1 – package Rocket Balloons
    • 1 – package FREE Carefree Pads
    • 1 – FREE Dove Candy Bar

    Here are the coupons I used on the items.

    • Used $3.00 CVS Kiosk Coupon
    • Used $4.00 CVS ECB’s

    I received $1.00 ECB’s back today:

    • $1.00 ECB’s for Carefree Products

    Today I was able to save $47.22 at CVS by purchasing these items and using coupons.

    When you shop the CVS sales regularly and have ECB’s that you can roll over toward future purchases the bonus ECB’s start adding up (Green Bag Tags and Beauty Club).  As you can see from my shopping trip today you don’t have to purchase a lot to save money when shopping at CVS.  Plus you can use the additional ECB’s you receive towards your next purchase.  You can pick and chose what is best for your family.

    I would love to hear your CVS shopping story for this week!  For those of you who shop regularly at CVS please share how you were able to save this week!  Although the weekly ad sales are similar every family and situation is different so you may have found items better suited to your household.  In your comment please feel free to share a link to your blog article showing us how you were able to save shopping at CVS.

  • Recipe: Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin

    This past weekend my husband made Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin for the family.  I had some leftover ham and potatoes from when our family was staying with us so he decided to utilize the leftovers by making Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin.  I am thankful for a husband that pitches in around the house and is an amazing cook in the kitchen.  The leftover ham and potatoes made 2 casseroles, one we ate right away and the other one to share or eat later (love having a deep freezer).

    Ham & Potatoes Au Gratin:

    • 4 cups peeled and cubed Potatoes
    • 2 cup diced cooked Ham
    • 2 tablespoon minced Onion
    • 2/3 cup Butter or Margarine
    • 6 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
    • 3 cups Milk
    • 8 ounces shredded Cheddar Cheese
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper

    Mix potatoes, ham and onion in a greased 9 x 13 pyrex casserole dish and set aside.  Melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk and stir constantly until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble.  Add cheese and pepper.  Stir cheese mixture until all the cheese is melted.  Pour the cheese mixture over the potatoes.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees 45 minutes to 1 hour (or until potatoes are tender).

  • Yard Sale Deals: Children’s Books

    I only had the opportunity to go to a few yard sales this summer with all the traveling, however, a couple of the ones I went to were awesome!  Our family LOVES books!  I have always encouraged the girls to read both with us and without us.  They enjoy reading and we do our best to read to them every day as well.

    One Saturday I went to a yard sale that was being given by a retired elementary school teacher.   I didn’t get there until about mid-morning and she still had a couple big boxes of books.  I picked up 49 children’s books for $3.50, making them 7 cents each.  Most of the books were paperback, one was a Veggie Tales Devotional, a few hardbacks, and several beginning readers ones that are perfect for the girls as they continue to improve their reading skills.

    The girls were VERY excited about the book on top, “Apple Trouble” because it was a book we read together a couple years ago from the library that they really enjoyed.  Of course it was the first book I read to them when we got home from the yard sales.  Other than removing the stickers with the teachers name on it and a few disinfectant wipes the books were as good as new.  I purchased a couple crafts and some brown paper bags for activities from that yard sale as well which have come in handy over the summer with the girls. What great deals have you found at yard sales recently?

  • Magazine: “Family Fun” Magazine

    We have been receiving the “Family Fun” Magazine for awhile now and love it!  The girls have enjoyed picking out a variety of crafts and fun activities from the magazines.  Each issue contains information and “how-to” demonstrations on crafts, recipes, activities, parties, family friendly articles and much more.   If you are looking for a great family magazine packed full of ideas for the kids check this one out.

  • Giveaway: $10 Walmart Gift Card

    I am doing another giveaway on Blessings Multiplied!!!  The winner of this giveaway will receive a $10 Walmart Gift Card!  As a Mom of twin daughters I am always looking for ways to save a little extra when buying groceries, school items, household supplies and more for the family.

    1. Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied.
    2. You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing one of your favorite supplies you like to get at Walmart!

    All comments must be made by September 30th at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.  On September 30th,  I will randomly draw a winner from those who have entered the giveaway.

  • Summer Activities – A Hammock Full of Memories

    Swinging and relaxing for a few minutes in the Hammock!

    A few months ago for Mother’s Day Jake gave me a hammock!  It wasn’t until this Summer that I realized how much the gift meant to me.  As a family we have spent some wonderful time together talking, laughing, reading, and just relaxing together in the hammock.  Jake hung the hammock in the shady part of our yard near the jungle gym, swimming pool, and where I can see the majority of the yard, house and driveway.

    Karlie hanging out with us on the hammock!

    Once Karlie was done swimming she ran inside the house to change so she could have some relaxing time on the hammock with Mom and Dad.  I cannot count the number of times she has fallen asleep on the hammock as we enjoy time together.

    Brina loving the extra time talking and relaxing with Mom, Dad and Karlie.

    The girls love getting a chance to swing on the hammock with Mom and Dad.  They have a blast talking about anything and everything.  It is a great location to have some heart to heart as well as reminisce about all the fun memories we have together as a family.

    Skipper, our faithful guard dog while the family enjoys time on the hammock.

    After Skipper has made a complete loop around the entire property she will settle down at a spot right next to the hammock.  She occasionally will look at us but for the most part she is checking out all the activity in the woods and creek area.  Although she has never been on the hammock she seems to enjoy it when the entire family is outside nearby.

    A moment of rest.

    Every once in awhile when we are on the hammock the girls will fall asleep.  It is such a great place to spend a few moments together.  Life has a way of getting so busy that we need some time to stop, focus on each family member, enjoy being outside and relax.

    A peaceful view of nature!

    This is the view looking up from the hammock.  You can enjoy the beautiful trees, baby blue sky, and white puffy clouds floating by.  Just looking up and watching the leaves rustle in the breeze and the clouds drifting by makes the time relaxing even better.

    I have gone out many times over the last few months to relax, read, think, pray, do my devotions, write, brain storm, or hang out with Jake and / or the girls.  I am thankful for a thoughtful husband who gave me a gift that not only helps me relax but to slow down and enjoy a few precious moments with him and the girls.  Our hammock is so much more then just a hammock it is full of relaxing moments sharing memories together as a family.  Sometimes it is the simple things in life that make the most treasured memories for our children.  I am already looking forward to watching the leaves change colors as we move closer to the Fall season.

  • Summer Activities: Cleaning the Pool

    The girls have a blast “helping” Jake clean out the pool.  I am not sure how they can stand the ice cold water but they enjoy splashing around as the pool is cleaned and refilled.  It has been fun having a small pool for the girls to play in at home. Here are some of the pictures from our last pool cleaning process:

    Brina getting ready to spray Daddy as he is cleaning the pool while Karlie is jumping over the hose!

    Karlie thought it was so cool to jump over the hose during the cleaning process while Brina got a kick out of spraying Daddy when he wasn’t looking her way.

    Lounging in the pool as it fills up.

    Aw…..what a great life it is having the opportunity to relax in the pool as it fills.  They were laying there like this chatting back and forth about summer, trips, and life in general.  I enjoy seeing them relax and have fun together.

    You never know what friends you'll find while cleaning out the pool.

    Karlie spotted this eight legged spider in the pool as we were cleaning it out and filling it up.  A black widow spider is not the type of friend I like to swim around with in the pool.  Thankful he was discovered right away when we are cleaning out!

    I am truly thankful for the time I was able to spend at home with my girls.  It is a blessing to have many memories of our summer together.  The summer has been packed full of travel, crafts, parks, picnics, and many other great adventures.  I am treasuring the last few days we have together before school starts again (only a few days left)!