Making Christmas Ornaments today with the kids: Recipes

We are busy making lots of ornaments for the kids to paint, etc.
This is super easy, super cheap and fun! The cinnamon ones are a little more difficult to do as the dough is a bit brittle before it dries, so I recommend that one for the adults or the older kids.

Baked Ornaments to Paint or decorate:

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
3/4 cup water
Preparation:Mix until moistened; knead well. Roll the dough, 1/2 portion at a time, about 1/8-inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters, making small punched holes in each for string or other type of hanger. Bake on foil lined baking sheets at 250° for 2 hours. Cool thoroughly. Paint with water colors then shellac and let dry, or coat with Elmer's Glue and sprinkle with glitter while still wet. These ornaments, decorated are not edible, so take care to keep them out of reach of smaller children.

Cinnamon Ornaments

1 cup ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. applesauce
2 tbsp. white glue

Preparation:In medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue; stir to combine. Work mixture with hands 2 to 3 minutes or until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 portions. Roll out each dough portion to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters. Using straw or toothpick, make small hole in top of ornament. Place cut out ornaments on wire rack to dry. Allow several days to dry, turning ornaments over once each day. Use to decorate gifts, hang on tree, etc. These last for years and the fragrance does too!! Super Christmas smell :)

-->Find more instructions here such as no-bake painted ornaments:

http://www.how-to-arts-and-crafts.com/dough-ornaments.html

The website above also has instructions for lots of ADORABLE globe ornaments to make! I have GOT to try the froggy ones :)

Black friday shopping today

did you get up early and go shopping today?

Got some great deals like $4 pajamas and $8 jeans for kids at Walmart and $2 DVDs

what i got at walgreens today:

1 electric can opener (xmas for me)
1 electric food processor (xmas for me)
3 colgate toothpastes
1 Video game plug n play (Reg. price 49.99- hubby's request)
1 Snoopy lighted yard decor (buy one get one 1/2 off but only wanted one item)
1 colossal remote control (xmas gift)
3 Ktichen towels xmas print (making crochet towels for xmas gifts)
3 xmas platters (for xmas treats to give away)
1 crayons 64 ct (xmas gift)
2 Ty beanie babies (xmas gift)
6 rolls gift wrap (only $3.18/6)
2 boxes Garbage bags (NEEDED these)
2 pkgs capsaicin patches for sore muscles(also hubby's request)

-Used RR's earned from buying toothpaste, etc. earlier this week
Total Paid for items above: $15.75
Also got $17.50 in RR back

couldnt get the electric griddle cuz no stores at all in our area got any on their truck :(
So, i couldnt buy it on sale today and then get the $10 Rebate for this item. Not happy!!

So, How'd you do?

black friday shopping deals have begun 2008

black friday shopping deals have begun

with free deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash and shave gel galore

I got paid $2.03 for each colgate total advanced 4 oz. that I bought this morning, got two bottles of cool agent blue mouthwash for the kids for $1.65 for 2, Gillette series full size shave gel was .29 each. Sure deodorant, was free. I got paid .81 for each one i bought!

I paid $10.80 and got $15 in Register rewards back.

Grand Total:

I got paid $4.20 to take home these things today:

3 full size cans gillette series shave gel(Reg. $6)

3 Colgate total advanced toothpaste(Reg. 3.49)
6 Sure deodorant(Reg $12 on sale)
2 Listerine Cool agent blue mouthwash(reg $9)
2 three packs of gift wrap(reg $2)
2 bags of holiday bows(reg $2)
2 pkgs gift tags(reg $2)
1 Box of Russell stover chocolates(reg.8.99)

My kids even loved it.

My 6 year old who loves to be like her big teen sister, confiscated one of the deodorants LOL!

Here is my son, digging into the box of chocolates, without my permission.

'Uh oh, I am caught..."

(after this last picture was taken, he unwrapped the whole box)

More Black Friday ad links

Here are the links for Walmart, Target, Kmart, Joann and much more:
http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/joann-black-friday-ad.html

http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/oldnavy-black-friday-ad.html

http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/costco-black-friday-ad.html

http://blackfridayhcw.blogspot.com/2008/11/k-mart-bf-2008.html

http://blackfridayhcw.blogspot.com/2008/11/wal-mart-2008_22.html

http://blackfridayhcw.blogspot.com/2008/11/target-2008.html

http://www.blackfriday.info/sales/target-black-friday-ad.html


Just a scrappin blog has these ad scans for Michael's:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DKJZN1pMpmE/SSYF5r7A5DI/AAAAAAAAPOw/BNtkytc-ON8/s1600-h/ad.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DKJZN1pMpmE/SSYFw2Gbj3I/AAAAAAAAPOo/sB5fWWSTGI0/s1600-h/ad2.jpg

cricut cartridges are cheaper than at joannes sale

Find all other retailer's black friday ads here

The Destroyer needs more toys to ruin

(Disclaimer: this posting is strictly fun-no sale is expected)

Someone on your list's got everything?

Bet they dont have these, so make their day and get these now!!

Quantity is limited to items on hand:

Ok, you are getting some really great stuff here, minus a few bite marks etcetera, and in turn you are helping my two older children get some very much needed NEW toys.

(no, I won't mention that the new things will most likely get a little damaged, but we promise that we will be keeping them away from "the destroyer's" clutches for as long as possible!)

My two oldest kids are begging me for something to play with that hasn't been eaten, or broken by their baby brother, "the destroyer". Your purchase today can help them out.

What's included?
Here, you will find some very usable, not to mention, colorful chalk. It is the sidewalk type, fat and round, for kids to easily hold onto, but it can also be used on a regular sized chalkboard( no, a giant sized board is not necessary!). Other uses include coloring on dark paper or furniture for really neat effects! It could possibly work to just amuse anyone that enjoys the chalky taste of things such as tums, etcetera. Those individuals will also, MOST LIKELY really like chewing on these large, mouth sized sticks of chalk. Sorry, they don't come in specific flavors, but that can be a good thing. They will compliment anything else you want to eat them with.

Unfortunately, my son did not like the chalk he started to eat, but don't worry, I am teaching him the lesson of "waste not, want not" by offering this only partly-used, otherwise, perfectly good chalk to YOU!! Help me teach him this valuable lesson at an early age. Especially with the rising cost of such things as gas, his future will be so much the better if he grows up learning to Conserve and reuse.

Tip: Save more money by make wrapping paper with the chalk and some dark paper, just dont rub up next to the gifts, once they are wrapped- you will ruin the effect.

Does the color stain?
One chalk stick is Peach colored, one is (supposedly) black but more of a light black- not jet black.
Since we tested this already, these do not color your teeth at all. If you were looking for something that does, I am sorry.

Can I keep these for display?
You can most definitely keep these for display, or if you are needing to refer back to them, in order to see what the average 15 month old baby's teeth marks look like, or what the measurements are, for research sake. If you happen to have a glass case, for protecting such artifacts, that would be perfect! THe last thing you want, is someone else chewing on them. Then, you wouldn't know which teeth marks for sure, are the original ones :(
I am including in this listing, some closeups of the genuine baby teeth marks, so you can see, that these are indeed made by human, baby-sized teeth.


How much use can I expect out of these?
In case of a chalk emergency, where you need to write a message on the sidewalk in front of your house, you can always just "break glass" and use these 3 chalks. There should be plenty to write several various messages, such as "Dog for sale" "kids for sale" or one of the more popular messages such as "Free husband-must go".

Will my purchase arrive intact?
I will make sure to wrap these in some of the kid's bubble wrap that they play with. They shouldn't cry too much when I use one of their toys as packaging- they are used to disappointments- but we choose to call them "sacrifices". THis was one of the other valuable life lessons I have made sure to instill in them at an early age, Yes I am a proud parent. Proud, proud, proud! :)
There might even be a few unpopped bubbles left for you to enjoy, but this would be PURELY an added bonus and should not be considered as included in the price of auction.
Is it guaranteed to arrive unbroken? There are no guarantees in life, yes, this is anther lesson my kids have learned, and if you are lucky, you might learn it too- or your chalk may arrive completely intact.

If you thought this was a good deal already, you are in for a treat.

THERE is MORE.

Not one, but TWO glittery, sparkle lip gloss containers are also yours! They were full of grape flavored gloss with tons of sparkley stuff in it, just yesterday. So that makes it nearly NEW, wow!
There is actually quite a bit left around the edges, so go crazy with this stuff. Not only does it make anything you put it on super sparkly, but it smells so delicious you will want to eat it. Just ask "the destroyer", he really enjoyed this one!

Nevermind that the container had tinkerbell on it or that his sisters were disappointed again, that he ruined something brand new. He looks GREAT now, with so much sparkle that you need sunglasses to look at him.

I am almost certain the sparkle will last through the holiday season, so it was perfect timing!!
Don't worry about licking the edges of the container, he didn't put that it in his mouth. He just stuck his fingers in and used those, so it's safe!

If you are dying to get your hands on some more of this stuff, I can round up a whole box of extra FREE and nearly new items, but please hurry and bid because my kids will need more toys by then to replace the ones that the destroyer has gotten ahold of while I was typing this up.

He is getting nothing from Santa, according to his sister, so don't worry-

lesson already learned!

albertson's free popcorn this week and more 11/19/08

if you buy 3 jolly time popcorn packages, you get a $ gift card mail in offer.
there are $1 off and $1.50 off coupons on their website. so you can get it super cheap and then also get the $5 gift card for overage= FREE popcorn!!
says 2 offers per household.

Green giant steamers are $1 so free with coupon

Cool whip and jello pudding are both on sale. if you use your $1 off one cool whip and two pudding coupon, you will get one cool whip, and two puddings= 3 items for .92 each.

Mentos gum is .89 on sale. there is a coupon for this

swiss miss cocoa is $1

Dreyers icecream is 2.88, use $1/1 coupon for CHEAP holiday flavored icecream like peppermint, pumpkin, etc

.99 2 liter pepsi products. I dont know if it includes sierra mist, but i have a BOGO for that, so it would be .50 a bottle or 2 for $1

Nabisco crackers are 1.99, if you have any coupons for that...

Pillsbury grand cinnamon rolls are $1.88. Use your $1.25/1 mailer coupon for super cheap cinnamon rolls!

Pillsbury crescent rolls also on sale for the same price. Use the $1/1 printable coupon for .88 a pkg.

my walgreens Nov 16 week

I am going to buy my christmas lights at Walgreens this week, and get $5 RR back, also getting a Christmas tree. Their price is $19.99 and get a $5 RR back, so they are $14.99. A deal just as good as at big lots and hopefully slightly nicer of a tree..
My girls want a pink tree that they carry every year at big lots.. ugh!!

Chex snack mix is .99 this week and with coupon , it is .39 a bag. good snack item for holiday parties.

two bags shredded cheese is 2 for $3

Campbells soup is 5 for $4 again, get a great deal if you have some coupons left for this.

Rice krispy treats, nutri grain bars and special k bars are two for $5, and get a $2 RR, so final price is two for $3
I am excited about this deal, because I have a couple of coupons for Buy Special K bars and get $1 off milk!! So i can get two gallons of milk for $1.99 or less each, depending on lowest store price.

Puffs tissues are .99 a box. I have some .25 coupons and with employee discount that is about .54 a box

if you get the bioinfusion rebate items during the overlapping easy saver days this week, you can use the $5 ivc coupon in the december easy saver book. for $10 off of two.

Just for men touch of gray hair color is free, sale $7 and get $7 RR back

Suave hair care, dove, or other various items from Unilever are a good deal with coupons, and RR's when you buy 1 to 4 of them

Excedrin pm with coupon is good deal, get $3RR when you buy 2

Huggies jumbo pack diapers are 9.99, minus $1 mfg. coupon, minus the $1 walgreens pharmacy coupon found in the coloring book equals a great deal!

shopping plans this week. Hurry to get your free Breyer's Ice Cream and Sara Lee Pie

Well, Albertsons has yet another great grocery deal through tuesday this week (nov 18)
Buy $20 of groceries, and get $10 back to spend on your next purchase. The stores here, let you spend it on a seperate transaction immediately if you wish, or you can go with your friends and create a shopping train, and pass the $10 on to the next person, and so forth.

THere are some great deals with insert coupons and also the new coupons in the December All You magazine, if you have that one already. I was pleased to find a $1 off Reddi wip cream in the All You. I just got a couple at albertsons with the $20 deal, but you can't have too much for the holiday pies!! So i am going to go get a couple more. You get two Reddi wip for $4 , then use two of the $1 all you coupons and get them 2 for $2 :)
Other great deals included in the $20 sale going until tuesday, include Snack Pack pudding 10 for $10, frozen meals 10 for $10, marie callendars meals, orville redenbacher popcorn, Pam cooking spray, wesson cooking oil, etc. If you have insert coupons for Chef boyardee, you can get a great deal on their products, as they are 4 for $5

My FAVORITE deal at albertson's thru tuesday is you can buy one of the LARGE sara lee holiday Pies, and when you use your albertson's card, You receive a second Large pie FREE plus TWO FREE BREYER'S icecreams absolutely FREE!
Talk about something to be thankful for :)

I always make homemade pumpkin and apple pies, but for that price and the icecream thrown in, I am getting some frozen pies this year too.

I am heading to target also to get some glade boxed scented oil candles. (or refills)
When you buy 4 you get a $5 gift card. With my coupons, I should pay under $2 for four of these gifting items and get a bunch of gift cards to spend on the xmas items I need from their sale this week, like the Yo Gabba Gabba toys of course, bratz dolls, maybe some storage containers...
THey have Stove top stuffing for less than $1 a box, grated or block cheese Kraft 3 for $6 NICE!

I have a ton of coupons for buy 3 goldfish cracker bags and get one free. target has them 3 for $5 this week.

If you need enfamil baby formula, they are giving a $5 gift card when you buy two this week at target.

I am also heading to office depot tomorrow. they have a save $40 instantly on a new HP printer when you trade in your old one. Mine makes a horrific grinding noise when it is done printing and i have to jiggle the cartridge casing when i print something because it will say it is jammed. So, it is quite a scary process when i print out my online coupons!! Maybe i can get a good printer this week.. there is an hp printer reg. 129.99 on sale for $109.00 and if i trade in my old one, i could possibly get a decent price!

Not much i see at fred meyers. i was going to get stove top stuffing, since they are 10 for $10 (or $1 each) but .79 cents at Target is much better!

craft warehouse has a Revolution die cutter for $79.99, but still out of my budget this year. I tried one of these at a scrapping group day and it was so awesome, i couldnt figure out how it worked, but it was so simple to use. you stick these foam, embossed cards in there with the die cut shape you want, you put a piece of paper on top and crank the handle. It comes out on the other side with the shape cut out, like magic...
No electricity required! it is super heavy duty and comes in a nifty little trunk case...cute!
Well, I can dream---

Slowing down during the Holidays?

I apologize to those of you tuning in on our theme days such as fun fridays, mommy mondays, shopping saturdays, etc.
With the holidays nearing and icky cold bugs rearing their ugly heads among my 3 kids, I have not been able to post faithfully.

For the remainder of the year, I will be still posting fun info on shopping deals, coupons, freebies, etc. and also some fun stuff for the kids, but they won't be on certain days.
I will just post info any time during the week, as I find the time on any ol' day of the week! So there may be fun kids stuff posted in the middle of the week, or shopping tips posted at the beginning of the week, rather than on our usual blog schedule.

So please stay tuned in and have a great Holiday!

shoppin' saturday

I am heading to albertsons for the buy $30 of groceries and get $15 back to spend on your next order. This is going to be big!! some areas have this sale all month. here in my area, the ad says only through this coming tuesday, the 11th.

Old navy is having good sales this weekend I hear, as well as office depot, walmart, toysr us, costco.

you can also use your mastercard to purchase two fandango tickets to the new madagascar movie and get one free ticket on their website.

well i have 4 stops to make today so have fun! will post more later...

Finally I can double at Kmart nationwide!

I have been jealous of all my friends getting to go to kmart to use coupons and the store doubles the value up to $2.00!
Finally I can participate and so can you :)

According to kmart:

"There are currently two scheduled Double Coupon events planned.One is for Super K-mart locations nationwide from 11/12/08 - 11/16/08.Another event is being planned from 11/30/08 - 12/06/08 and will include all K-mart locations (including Super K stores) nationwide. "

Thanks to my friend for tipping me off on this

Walmart Black Friday 2008 Toys for $10 ?

The whole ad for walmart's black friday will be released on the 24th :)
Here is what we know so far:

The 2008 Holiday Shopping Intentions Survey, conducted on behalf of Walmart, was designed to learn what's on America's Christmas list this year, and what the gift buying priorities are for this coming Christmas season. In addition, the survey measures how the recent economic downturn may affect things ranging from how much consumers will spend on gifts, whom Americans will be shopping for, to how much people plan to give in charitable donations during the holiday season.
The survey finds more than one-third of Americans buy gifts for their children first.

Walmart has identified 10 popular toys, priced each at $10, to help parents get a head start.

The toys are: --
Barbie and her dog, Tanner --
Barbie Mariposa (a beautiful butterfly-winged Barbie) --
Play-Doh Ice Cream Shop --
Assorted Littlest Pet Shop VIPs --
Hot Wheels Trick Tracks --
Hot Wheels Beast Bash --
Fur Real Newborn Animals --
Tonka Light and Sound Vehicles --
Doll Stroller --
Backugan by Spinmaster

In addition to the values, Walmart.com is currently accepting pre-orders for the highly-anticipated release of Elmo Live. The latest Elmo will be available in-stores and online on October 14, but customers can reserve their Elmo Live today by pre-ordering at http://www.walmart.com/elmo.

black friday at toys r us 2008

VIsit this link for a listing of toysrus black friday sales
Items include
Gator Golf Game - $14.99 use the $3 off coupon found in the paper last month and get a great deal on this game

Hannah Montana Light Up Tracing Lap Desk - $14.99

Indiana Jones Electronic Sounds Whip - $16.99

black friday at Walgreens

So am I the only one looking forward to black friday shopping this year?
I hope not!

I will be picking up the remainder of what we need for christmas gifts on this day.
THere are some awesome deals at places like Walmart, kmart, shopko, target, or your favorite store!

To get you started thinking about the possibilities, you can visit this blog to view the ads for Walgreen's black friday and November 27-29 sales. http://blackfridayhcw.blogspot.com/2008/10/wal-greens-2008.html

The 7 hour sale has been reportedly changed to an all day sale, but it couldnt hurt to ask your location for confirmation.

There are some awesome home decorating deals, giftwrapping, last minute items like soda pop, snacks and icecream :) and even FREE toothpaste with RR's. you know your stockings need some of that, ha ha.

I will be listing links for toysrus black friday etc. in a seperate post so get your pen and paper out and start making that list