Teaching Our Children: Is it Really Clean?
The older the girls get the more responsibilities they are taking on around the house. One of the cleaning projects they have tackled this year (and have done really well with it) is their bathroom. To get them started I purchased a small bucket at Dollar Tree, put sponges, rags,scrub brush, and other cleaning supplies into it. Since they are still pretty young I didn’t want them using any harsh chemicals for cleaning so I put in a box of baking soda. Whenever they clean their bathroom they put a little bit of baking soda into a bowl, add some white vinegar, and a little bit of water which gives them a cleaning solution that works well but isn’t harsh on their skin.
The other day as I was finishing up some projects and cooking dinner I noticed this sign posted on the outside of the girls bathroom door “cleaning do not enter”. It made me laugh that they would think to hang a sign! I was curious about what they were doing in there with the door was shut but I could hear the conversation going on inside the bathroom which made me just let them be.
“Do you think I scrubbed the sink good enough?”
“Where’s the blue sponge?”
“This is so nasty!”
After listening for a couple minutes I decided to let them clean in peace and recheck in a few minutes. They seemed to have it under control. When I went back later to check on the bathroom I was pretty impressed at how well they were cleaned it. I went over the basic rules and system with them once several months ago but for the most part they do the bathroom all on their own.
I think it’s great that they have practice cleaning their bathroom as well as realize the amount of time and energy it takes to keep the house clean. Sure they don’t always do everything perfect but every time they do it they get better. Lately there are very few things I have to correct after they have finished cleaning the bathroom. I am thankful for the girls willingness to help. Many times they will volunteer to clean the bathroom before I ask them to do it which is even better.
Creative Kids: The Best Part About a Cardboard Box
The best part about a cardboard box……is playing with it after its been emptied!
Karlie quite proud of her box!
Who ever said you needed to give kids a bunch of toys? Half the time if they have a box they are content to play for hours. Or is it just my kids?! When the girls spot a particularly big box come through our front door they are almost more concerned with whether or not they will get to play with the box after it’s been emptied. If it was up to them they would confiscate every box that came into the house for their box creations, however, I have informed them that only large boxes are available for creative redesign! This is a great rainy day craft if you have a big box already hanging around!
How many monkeys can fit into this box?
This is just after we told them that they could play with the boxes for a few days before they get thrown away. They are almost giddy with excitement as they come up with creative ideas on how to play with this box. They have built houses, tunnels, forts, barns, castles, cars, rockets, and more out of recycled boxes. I am positive that we would have house full of box creations if I didn’t get rid of them myself because the girls have so much fun playing.
I see someone peeking!
It is neat seeing them have fun and get creative over something as simple as a box. They usually color, sometimes tape, reshape and make the box into a “treasured” item. This is the planning phase of the box give it a few more days or a couple of weeks (if I can handle tripping over it for that long) and it will be all decked out! Do you let your kids play with the big boxes and what fun creations have they made with the boxes?
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of June 20 -26, 2012
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!
Meats and Seafood
Country Style Spare Ribs – $2.49 lb
Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.79 lb
Beef Sirloin Steak – $3.99 lb
Sugardale Smoked or Cheddar Brats (16 oz) – $2.49
Coby’s BBQ Pork or Beef (11 oz) – $3.99
Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops (10 pack) – $10.00
Eckrich Franks or Bologna (12 or 16 oz) – $1.00
Butterball Turkey Bacon (6 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/2 coupon from June 2012 All You Magazine (Expires 8/5/12)
$0.50 each after couponButterball Turkey Bologna (12 oz) – $1.00
John Morrell Smoked Sausage or Links (9 oz) – $1.00
Carolina Ground Turkey (12 oz) – $1.00
Schooner Imitation Crab or Salad Shrimp (4 or 8 oz) – $1.00
Fairgrounds Hot Dogs (12 oz) – $0.69
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Fridge and Freezer
Oscar Mayer Lunchables (4 oz) – $1.00
Deli Cuts Sliced Lunchmeats (3 – 4 oz) – $1.00
Reser’s Potato or Elbow Macaroni Salad (16 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon from Coupons
$0.00 FREE after couponHormel Sandwich Sliced Pepperoni or Hard Salami (3.5 oz) – $1.00
Fisher Boy Fish Sticks or Shrimp Poppers (4 – 6 oz) – $1.00
Easy Eatin Chicken Nuggets, Strips or Bites (7 oz) – $1.00
Totino’s Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $1.00
Minute Maid Lemonade or Fruit Punch (59 oz) – $1.00
Popsicle Novelties, Orange / Cherry / Grape / Fudgsicle (8 count) – $1.00
Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza (9 – 10 oz) – $1.00
Hot Pockets Singles (1 oz) – $1.00
Buyer’s Best Crinkle Cut Fries (32 oz) – $1.00
Blue Bonnet Spread (15 oz) – $1.00
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Pizza – $1.99
Borden Shredded Cheese (8 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.55/1 coupon from insert 6/17 Smart Source (Expires 8/5/12)
$1.44 each after couponSmucker’s Uncrustables (8 count) – $2.49
Produce
Dole Garden Salad (12 oz) – $1.00
Mini Carrots (1 lb) – $1.00
Red or Yellow Peppers – $1.00 each
Klondike Express Microwavable Potatoes (16 oz) – $1.00
Seedless Watermelon – $3.99 each
Peaches – $0.89 lb
Green or Red Seedless Grapes – $1.29 lb
Vidalia Onions (4 lb)- $2.49
Romaine Hearts (2 count) – $1.50
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.49
Scott Paper Towels (1 roll) – $0.97
Scott Bath Tissue (4 roll) – $3.49
Grocery
Sunflower Seeds (8 oz) – $1.00
Sundia Fruit Cups (8 oz) – $1.00
Pringles Potato Crisps (4 oz) – $1.00
Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta (14 – 15 oz) – $1.00
Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper (4 – 7 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.75/3 coupon from insert 6/3 Smart Source (Expires 7/28/12)
$0.75 each after couponKurtz Ketchup (32 oz) – $1.00
Woeber’s Yellow
Mustard (24 oz) – $1.00Hunt’s Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce (15 oz) – $1.00
Pasta on the Side Pasta Salad (6 – 7 oz) – $1.00
Arizona Tea (42 oz) – $1.00
Deer Park Spring Water (3 liter) – $1.00
Hawaiian Punch (32 oz) – $1.00
Freeze & Eat Freezer Bars (10 count) – $1.00
Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding Cups (4 pack) – $1.00
TGI Friday’s Snacks (3 – 4 oz) – $1.00
Shelby’s Grove Sliced Peaches (23 oz) – $1.00
Kellogg’s Cereal Cups (1 – 2 oz) – $1.00
Read German Potato or Three Bean Salad (15 oz) – $1.00
Lady Liberty Fruit Preserves (12 oz) – $1.00
Crystal Drinking Water (24 pack) – $2.48
Save A Lot Soft Drinks (12 pack) – $2.48
O’ Day’s Mac & Cheese (7 oz) – $0.39
Kool Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix – $0.14 each
Use Buy 10 get 5 Free coupon from insert 5/6 Smart Source (Expires6/30/12)
$0.09 each after couponFrank’s Original RedHot Sauce (12 oz) – $1.79
Use $0.75/1 coupon from insert 5/12 Smart Source (Expires 7/31/12)
Use $0.50/1 printable coupon from Coupons
As low as $1.24 after each couponA1 Steak Sauce (10 oz) – $2.99
Nature’s Grain Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns (8 count)- $0.88
Jolly Time Microwave Popcorn – $1.29
Tootsie Bunch Pops, Giant Roll Twin Pack, or Junior Caramels (3 – 5 oz) – $1.00
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.
Fresh & Healthy: Simple Creative Summer Snacks
Our girls love to eat a snack outside on the front porch, at the picnic table, jungle gym or really anywhere outside especially during the summer months. They always love it when I bring out something special and creative for them to eat. It is so sweet hearing their comments as they are munching on their goodies. I don’t do anything too elaborate or time consuming so it doesn’t take any extra time but the kids get so excited about their “super cool” snacks you would think I spent hours putting it together. The key is to use food items you already have in the cupboard or refrigerator and lay them out on a plate so they look appealing. Here’s the items included in this snack:
- 1 Decorated Star Shaped Ginger Snap Cookie
- 5 Strawberry Malt Balls
- Black Olives
- Puffed Cheese Balls
Song: “I See You” by Michael W. Smith
When I look around at the amazing creation it is not hard to see God’s handiwork. I am thankful for so much beauty around me in nature, people, and animals. My favorite line in this song is a great reminder – “And everywhere I go I see you”
And everywhere I go I see you
Everywhere I go I see youAnd You take my hand
And You wash it clean
I know the promised land
Is light years ahead of meFirst Day of Summer Vacation Strawberry – Banana Breakfast
Brina and Karlie’s First Day of Summer Breakfast
In celebration of the girls first day of Summer Vacation I made them a special breakfast with two of their favorite fruits – Stawberries and Bananas! They loved it! It was nice to have a slower paced breakfast because we didn’t have to rush off to school.
- Strawberry-Banana French Toast (smile)
- Strawberry (nose)
- Banana (eyes)
- Strawberry Yogurt
- Strawberry – Banana Smoothie
I don’t get to do this every morning for the kids but every once in awhile it’s nice to have a more relaxing day as well as an extra “smile” to start the day off on a good note!
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The girls are officially out of school and on summer break now we have two 2nd graders in our household! I am super excited to spend some extra time with the kiddos and have a lot of fun activities planned. This week didn’t go quite as planned….Jake got in an accident so I am a little behind on some of the goals and had to rearrange other ones but thankfully he is okay and healing well.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
Final Prep for Summer BreakRead at least one book to the girls every dayListen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every daySpend some extra time catching up with family and friendsConfirm the Schedule / Flights for upcoming Family Reunion
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – didn’t get this one done
Update my goals- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst – time was spent in other areas this past week
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the weekSpend 30 minutes every day picking up & cleaning the house
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attention1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch- Email the updated schedule to our Community Group – didn’t get the email out this week
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4 – went over budget again
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – still saving up
- Save money for upcoming trips – put on hold with the accident this past week
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily put on hold with the accident
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Enjoy time doing one fun activity with the girls every day
- Read at least one book to the girls every day
- Listen to the girls read at least one book to me or Jake every day
- Spend some extra time catching up with family and friends
- Finish 1/3 of the Summer Reading Program
- Spend time at the pool playing with the kids
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Spend quality time with my kids & Jake
- Finish reading Am I Messing Up My Kids by Lysa TerKeurst
- Finish reading More Than Enough by Dave Ramsey
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Plan Summer Organizational Schedule
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- 1o minutes a day Cleaning / Organizing my desk
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Email the updated schedule to our Community Group
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
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
You Are Confined Only By…..
Book: “Patch” by Kristin Earhart
Last Christmas Karlie got Patch by Kristin Earhart from Grandpa and Grandma. She was super excited to get a horse book. Both Brina and Karlie have read this book many times. The story is about a girl named Lauran and her horse named Patch. If you have a child that loves horses or animals and is starting to read books more independently this is a good one to check out.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
Groceries from Ingles
Last week didn’t go as I planned. My husband was in an accident and the van was totaled so my priorities were altered. Thankfully he is ok but my week didn’t go quite as smoothly as planned. I didn’t shop any sales this week, but I did get some groceries, took the time to take pictures, however, I know I picked up other groceries but forgot to take pictures and cannot seem to locate the receipt either. Unfortunately, I went over again with the busy week, Father’s Day Holiday, and planning for the upcoming week of no grocery shopping. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4 (with the items I tracked).
Ingles Groceries:
- $22.09 at Ingles for 1 container of Mixed Fresh Peppers (clearance), 1 loaf Bread, 6 packs Strawberry Yogurt (clearance), 2 (32 oz) bags Carrots (clearance), 1 bag Strawberry Lettuce Mix (clearance), 1 container fresh Strawberries (clearance), 1 bag fresh Broccoli, 1 bag fresh Bananas, 1 bag fresh bakery Bread, 1 container fresh Pineapple (clearance), and 1 bag Corn Tortillas (clearance) Everything was marked down, on sale, or on clearance at Ingles.
Groceries from BiLo
BiLo Groceries:
- $26.77 at BiLo for 1 gallon Milk, 1 Red Baron Pizza, 1 Southern Home Mini Bagels, 1 box Smores Poptarts, 1 box Cherry Poptarts, 1 two liter Mountain Dew, 1 container Ice Cream, 1 Red Barron Pan Pasta, 1 bag Spanakopita Rolls, 1 box Southern Home Frosted Flakes, 1 box Southern Home Fruit Loops, 1 box Southern Home Crisp Rice (these items were bought in a hurry with the girls on our way home to check on Jake. The Red Barron pizza, Red Barron Pasta, Mini Bagels, Mountain Dew, Spanakopita Rolls, and ice cream were part of a BiLo Meal Deal.)
It was a tough week when it came to groceries this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we needed in the house but I didn’t do a good job of shopping the sales or keeping track of what I bought. With Jake’s accident this week my mind has been a little preoccupied with him and all the other details. Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!
This week I spent $48.86 on groceries (on the items I tracked, not sure yet how much total was spent with the other quick trip I made). I was bummed that I didn’t keep up with everything this week but sometimes life has a way of changing my plans. I was happy to find the meal deal for our busy week to help us from eating out and some fresh produce on clearance. Next week I am taking off from grocery shopping in celebrate of the girls first week out of school, spending time with the family, going on a couple fun adventures, and trying to help recover from going over budget the past couple of weeks. I hope the following week we can come under budget!
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
