Macaroni Fun

My son loves to play with a container filled with macaroni! Isn't if funny how such simple things can make a kid so happy? If I get out the container and shake it he comes crawling over to get it in a hurry!

This is a great toy because it makes sound and helps him to learn all at once. It helps him practice his coordination (shaking) and helps him learn to associate that when he shakes the container, it makes a sound! One note about trying this activity - make sure your child can't get the lid off! You will need a secure container! Thankfully we haven't had any accidents so far!

Swimming in Paper

I just wanted to share a quick link with an idea for winter indoor swimming (in paper!) The kids should enjoy this one!

Basically the idea here is when you shred your next batch of paper documents, save the shredded paper, then fill your empty kids swimming pool or sandbox! Surprise the kids and let them go "swimming" in paper! Clever isn't it?!
- Idea from Family Fun Magazine, February 2008 Issue.

Visionary Parenting

Currently my husband and I have been listening to a series called Visionary Parenting through our church! I highly recommend this resource. You can even listen to FREE audio downloads from the website! It is really a great series.

If you desire to learn more about parenting and raising children as the Bible directs then check out Visionary Parenting. It really works for me! You can't beat free, high quality parenting advice!

Cheap Birthday Invitations

Don't you love these adorable 1st birthday invitations? If you are looking for party invitations I suggest you browse around your local thrift store before heading to Target or wherever! I found these invitations in a baggie with a bunch of other cards and a calendar at the thrift store down the street. So for under a dollar, I got my invitations, a calendar for my purse, and many other cards I can use throughout the year! Yay for thrift stores! I just love a good deal!

Bible Games

About a week ago I mentioned that I would share some more Bible themed games with you! I have not forgotten, I just got sidetracked with other things! Here is one more game that originally came from Family Time Training. This game was shared in the highly recommended book, God's Grand Vision for the Home.

- Quicksand

Dad stands at the top of the stairs while kids stand at the bottom of the stairs. Dad will ask kids if they know what quicksand is. Once the concept of quicksand is explained the fun begins! Dad then tells kids that they are standing on quicksand and only have 5 minutes to figure out how to get out! The only safe place is the top of the stairs where Dad is standing. It is their goal to get to the top of the stairs but they have to follow the rules! The rules are that they can not touch the stairs and they can not touch the railing on the stairs.

The idea here is that a child will figure out to ask his Dad to come get him at the bottom of the stairs! Then Dad can explain to the children that there was only one way out of that quicksand, to ask Dad to come down the stairs to take them to safety. Next Dad can take the time to relate this to how there is only one way for any of us to be saved and go to heaven, to trust in Jesus and ask him to rescue us!

Cheap Entertainment Series Continued

So far we have discussed planning for entertainment and arranging for free babysitting! To continue my Friday discussion on cheap entertainment, I am going to give you my sources for free gift cards! My husband Mark and I have built up quite a stash of gift cards. Two of our sources for free gift cards are My Points and Discover Cash Back.

My Points is a free online shopping program that credits you points for purchases you make online by clicking through their website. The fabulous part of the program is that you also get points for simply opening emails they send you or for taking surveys. Personally I do not do a lot of online shopping, but around Christmas I did buy a couple of things online. If the retailer you are planning on purchasing from happens to be affiliated with My Points, then by simply taking a couple of seconds, and going to the My Points website you will earn points for your purchase. When you accumulate enough points you can redeem them for gift cards. Since I don't do much online purchasing most of my points come through just clicking on their emails. This does not take me more than about one minute each day. My Points will clutter up your inbox though, with several offers being sent to you each day. If you are concerned with that you could always open up a free email account just for My Points. I also do not take the time to complete the surveys they send because I have more valuable things to be doing with my time! You can also earn points by referring people to My Points! So as a little plug here, if you are interested in joining just email me or leave a comment with your email and I will refer you to the program!

For those of you who are already My Points members, here is a little tip for you! SIGN YOUR HUSBAND UP! Maybe he will make some purchases once in awhile, but at the very least you will receive twice the amount of emails and twice the amount of those points! He will need to have a separate email address than you though in order to sign up. But as I mentioned before you can easily set up a free separate email address for him through gmail, hotmail, etc.

Secondly, we use the Discover Cash Back program to redeem several gift cards each year. Please note that we pay off our bill for this credit card in FULL each and every month. If you are not confident in your ability to pay off your bill each month than please do not use this method. Also please remember that sometimes using credit cards instead of cash results in overspending. If you are confident in your ability to pay off your bill and not overspend then consider using a credit card that rewards you for your purchases! In our opinion, if you are going to spend the money (for gas, necessary purchases, etc.) you might as well get a small reward back for it!

Enjoy using those free gift cards to lower your entertainment budget this year! Check out this site for more money saving ideas!

New Uses for Bridesmaid Dresses

Recently there was an article in the Chicago Tribune that I loved! I have to share a quick summary with you because it is so clever!

Here are 27 things to do with the fabric from your old bridesmaid dresses, and yes, this article was inspired by the new movie 27 Dresses.

1. Table runner
2. Throw pillow/pillow cases
3. Place mats
4. Curtains
5. Patchwork quilt (use several dresses!)
6. Eye pillow
7. Shower curtain
8. Shadow box liner/backdrop
9. Memo/photo board
10. Coasters
11. Handkerchiefs
12. Chair slipcovers
13. Beaded picture frame
14. Fabric-bound portfolio/photo album/journal (look for patterns here)
    
15. Curtain tiebacks
16. Decorative throw
17. Ottoman slipcover
18. Duvet cover
19. Wall art
20. Room divider
21. Bed canopy
22. Fabric wallpaper boarder
23. Kitchen apron
24. Bar stool covers
25. Lamp shade accents
26. Upholstered headboard
27. Tablecloth

I happen to have at least one bridesmaid dress hanging in my closet right now....hmmm...certainly has me thinking!