Angry Birds will be here soon...

I realized yesterday that I forgot to pick up one of the most important ingredients that I needed for our special treat, so we did not get to make it  as we had hoped.  This morning,  I had to go to the high school for registration, pictures, finding classroom etc... Now off to run a few errands and then hopefully this afternoon some more angy birds will find thier way into my kitchen. 

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Save Money on Kids Items with thredUP

I just heard of a site where you can trade your gently used clothes and toys that no longer fit your child for a box of new to you items that do.  The website is called thredUP.  If you decide to use their service your first box is FREE, just pay shipping cost.  If you continue to use thredUP, each box of clothes is then only $5 plus the cost of shipping.    The boxes are not just for younger kids.  They have sizes for my 12 yr old son and 10 yr old daughter.  I know now where I am going to check first the next time they have a huge growth spurt. 

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Angry Birds in Our Lunch

 My kids often take packed lunches to school.   We wanted  to come up with some new and fun ideas, instead of taking the same old boring sandwich.  I asked my kids if they could come up with ideas on making Angry Bird treats before I went to the grocery store. We brainstormed for a bit, and came up with several.  My 12 yr old son even offered to go to the store with me to see if he could come up with more.. (he never wants to go to the store, so he was really into this!)    We had so many ideas we could not get them all done tonight, and this post will have to be broken up into 2, maybe even 3 parts.  

Disclosure: The links to the items used in making our Angry Birds are affiliate links.

Kyle likes to take hard boiled eggs in his lunch, and thought a hard boiled bird would be a fun idea.  I just used edible markers to draw the face and hair  on the egg.

Next up was the yellow triangle bird.  I only had American cheese on hand, so he is kind of yellow-orange. Spread your miracle whip/mayo on a slice of bread and then place your slice of cheese.  Cut the bread into a triangle shape.   We used string cheese for the eyes,  yellow pepper for the beak and black olives for the brows and hair.   The black of the eyes were drawn on with edible marker. 

The round red bird was next.   I bought the tomatoes that are bigger than cherry/grape size but smaller than vine size.  They also happened to be on sale today.

 I made a small slice in the tomato and inserted a yellow pepper triangle.  This is kind of tricky because the tomato can easily tear causing the hole to become to big.   I used toothpick halves to place the string cheese eyes and olive pieces.  I also used them to add the red feathers on top.  This is probably okay for older kids because they will hopefully not eat the toothpicks, but younger kids might need help removing them. 

It was kind of hard finding something round and green for the pigs.  It was Kara's idea to use the cucumber.   We used yellow pepper for the crown, string cheese for the eyes and a piece of celery for the nose.  It was too hard to make the teeth, and the kids thought it looked better without them anyway.  

The white bread bird is one of Kara's creations.  She was just experimenting with bread tonight, but it could easily be made on a sandwich.  Use a round cookie cutter to cut a circle in the bread/sandwich. She used carrot pieces for the beak, string cheese for the eyes and olives for the brows and hair. 

The boomerang bird was also one of Kara's creations.  I have Angry Bird Rio on my phone, so I do not know this particular bird. She knew of him from her dad's Angry bird  game. She made him from cucumber, yellow pepper,  string cheese and black olives.  

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New Coupons Available

Coupons.com  has some new coupons available to print. This is perfect timing for me since I am going to the grocery store today.   I know Meijer has Ziploc, Clorox and Land O Lakes on sale this week.

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Addicted to Angry Birds

One of my top ten posts has been Angry Bird Inspiration  that I posted way back in March.   I am always amazed at  how many views I get on that post almost every single day.   Well today, two of the blogs that I follow posted some NEW inspirations, and due to the popularity of that post,  it think it is time to share some new Angry Bird fun.  

Quick and Easy Angry Bird cupcakes from Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo.



Through Sun Scholars,  I found some more great Angry Bird Ideas...  These are some of my favorites. 

Make an Angry Bird pinata with AllThingsThrifty

Put some Angry Birds in your kids lunchbox from Babble

Angry Bird Cake Balls also from Babble

Angry Bird Ornaments from ObsessivelyStitching.  I am going to make some of these! I got a ton of ornaments for 90% off at Target that I planned to paint. 

An entire Angry Bird themed party from Simply Styled Home, with this awesome play at home game.  Her party has FIVE great tutorials on how to make so many awesome things Angry Bird,  you will need to make sure to see them all!

With Halloween coming up how much fun it could be to have Angry Bird pumpkins and costumes.   There are several  on the site WalYou.com

I am going to the grocery store in a bit.  This post inspired me to think of another Angry Bird Idea that I am going to try and share.  

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School Deals Still Available

Our first stop was to Great Clips where I had a coupon for a $7.99 hair cut.  Kyle's hair was getting very long, so the hair cut was definitely needed.   Kara decided to get a slight trim while we were there.   My Great Clips coupon saved me $5.01.  

We then went next door to Staples to pick up a few of their special deals, and to check out the backpacks.  Since I have the 15% of coupon card and also a $6 Staples reward certificate,  we got some really good deals.   
Special deal notebooks are only 1 penny each (limit 6)     (after coupon and reward, 1 was free)
2 sided accordion files, normally $9.99, were on sale for $5.    (after coupon and reward, final price $3.65)
4GB flash drive on sale for $6.99  (after coupon and reward, final price $6.46)
Special deal sharpies, normally $1.99, on sale .25 each. (after coupon and reward, final price .19)
Backpack priced at $39.99, 50% off Yak Pak $19.99. (after coupon and reward, final price $15.69
Lanyard normally $2.99    (after coupon and reward, final price $2.35)
Highlighters normally $2.99,  on sale $1  (after coupon and reward, final price .78)
Special Deal 4 poly binders normally $1.99 each on sale .25 each (after coupon and reward, final price .19)

Kara and I have beeen looking for a desk or vanity for her room throughout the summer.  Everything I have found was way more than we wanted to spend. I would go check out garage sales, but I dont always have the time.   Today I saw this special deal computer cart, and I had a great idea.   They are regularly priced $69.99,  but currently on sale for $39.99.  After the reward discount (the 15% is not valid on furniture)  final price was $36.94.   It is available in maple and expresso as seen here.   At the check out the cashier recommended we upgrade to their warrenty in case we scratched it.  I just laughed and said we didnt need it because  plan on PAINTING it to match her room.  Yes, technically it is a computer cart now, but when we are done with it,  it is going to be a vanity and homework desk,  where she can someday use a computer when she has one.    We will have to find a cute and colorful chair now.  Hopefully I can find one an clearance at Target.

I saved well over $50 in sales prices and $11.60 in coupons and Staples rewards.   I still need to get Kyle a backpack, but since he wanted just a plain black one, I am going to get his at Target where they are at least $10 cheaper.. =)

We have a new fun store called Five Below.   Everything in the store is $5 and cheaper and it is aimed to the teen/tween market.  I was excited at this store to find Five Star Binders, regularly $10 at Target and other stores for only $5.  I bought my oldest two different ones because she was not with us and I had no idea which  one she would like.  I really liked the zip up binder because inside it had a pencial pouch, small cosmetic type bag and a agenda book.  When I saw the green notebinder, I knew I had to have it because she had this kind a few years ago and it worked really well.  It even fits inside the zip up binder if she wanted to use both if she wants.  The yellow flower binder was only $2,  the pencil pouches (normally $3 at other stores) only $1.50 each and the Buzy Bee Tee Shirt was only $5. 

Our last store of the day was Payless.   Both Kyle and Kara need new tennis shoes.   I was suprised (though not too surprised) to find out that my growing like a weed son was wearing shoes that were a size and half too small!! He went from a size 10 to size 16 in clothes in less than a year, why not grow 3 shoe sizes in a year.   He really like the black and green Champion shoes.  I really wanted to get him a pair of blue and black ones that were a half size bigger, but he insisted that those were the ones he really  wanted.   Kara immediately found the rainbow and pink shoes, and BONUS they were on sale for $15.   Another added bonus, and the reason why we went to Payless is  it is now BOGO and I had a $5 coupon.  I could not help myself when I saw the blue slip-ons, and then since it was BOGO we also picked up and cute pair of sandals for Kara for next smmer (or me this summer.. LOL!) for only $3    After coupon and BOGO, all 4 pairs of shoes were only $34.44.

Just one more backpack to buy and then we are READY for school!   

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And the Countdown Begins...

We are in the final countdown for our school year to begin..  Starting Thursday we have 3 registration days, freshman orientation, class test out day, dance open house, and probably a few more things on the schedule that I am forgetting.. 

While I have a few free days early this week,  the kids and I have a few  errands to run..  On todays agenda..
 
stop by the middle school and talk to the counselor
a haircut for my son whose hair grew so long over the summer he can no longer see
pick out and buy backpacks for 2 of my chldren
pick out and buy tennis shoes for 2 of my children
go to dance open house  to sign up for fall dance class

Lucikly I have a Staples rewards certificate and 15% coupon for Staples, a coupon for Payless and a coupon for Great Clips.    Let's hope today is smooth sailing and full of bargains. 

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The Versatile Blogger Award

I would like to thank Melissa from Mel Dreams Often, and also Christina from Adventures With Bubbles  for both nominating my blog with the The Versatile Blogger Award in the last couple of days.  It makes me feel good to know that people enjoy my blog. 

There are a few rules with accepting The Versatile Blogger award..
1.  Thank the person (or people) who nominate you and link back to them in your post. 
2. Share 7 facts about yourself
3. Pass this award on to 15 newly discovered blogs. 

I am currently able to do 2 out of the 3 right now, but will need a little bit of time for rule #3. 

Now the 7 facts about me (which will explain why I need a little more time for rule #3)

1.  I am not always the best at time management.  I have always been a procrastinator, and think that things will be quicker to finish  than they actually are.  
2. I am not a very organized person.  While I try, I am more an organzied mess type of person.  I know where to find things (most of the time) but to have someone else find it, it would be difficult.
3. I often get distracted in the middle of doing things, and then suddenly I realize I have several things going on at once.
4. Because of facts, 1, 2 and 3, I am now  finding out that I might have A.D.D. in my 40s.  While it could still be mommy brain from having too much on my plate, I am not so sure.
5. Because of all the facts posted above, and  in addition to my crazy kids school schedule, it made it hard for me to post about this award the last two times I have won it during the school year.  It helps that this time it is still summer, and I have a more relaxed schedule for at least a few more days. 
6  I am addicted to Bejeweled on Facebook.  This past Friday during the Phoenix Prism day,  I earned 694,900 in one game.  My highest score to date.
 7. Because of our love  of animals,  my daughter and I  recently tried to save a baby mouse.  He lived for a couple of days in our care. We were sad when Mousey died, but we knew when we tried it, it was going to be extremely hard. On the plus side, Kara was an amazing mouse mommy.  When she becomes a real mommy someday, I know she will be great. 


Now I just need to figure out which blogs, I would  like to nominate.  I am frequently finding new ones and already follow many, that now I just  need to get my self organized, stop procrastinating, and keep from  playing Bejeweled long enough to get a list together. 

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Doggone Fun!

Today was the day we helped at the Humane Society booth at a local festival.   Kara was having  a great time loving on some really sweet dogs.    This little guy was her favorite.  His name is Foot.. I have NO IDEA why someone would name him Foot.   He was recently transferred from another  shelter.  He is only 9 months old, and was wonderful with all the kids and adults who wanted to pet him.   At the end of the day she was begging for us to adopt him, but that is not going to happen at this time.  With 3 kids, 3 cats, 3 lizards, 3 fish and a turtle, there is just too much chaos going on to spend a lot of time with a puppy.   Hopefully the right family will find him soon.

She was also in love with this gentle giant named Johnny.  He was the sweetest dog, and was so great with kids.  He was so calm and mellow.  He adored Kara when she was loving on him, he kept getting closer and closer until he basically would  be sitting on her.  LOL!  She didnt mind though, she loved it.  He had a couple of families who were really interested in him, so hopefully he will have his forever family soon too. 

This cutie was Buster.  She did not spend as much time with him, but she loved him too.  He was also really nice and  friendly. 

This beautiful girl is named Dottie.  She was also super mellow and loved all the attention she got from people loving on her. She was so well behaved, she will hopefully find her family soon too.  

We did take a quick break in the middle of the afternoon, so Kara could going on the bungee jump.  The sky had started to look ominous, but luckily it blew over and we got nothing more than a couple of sprinkles. 

I took this picture once I got home.  Almost as soon as she got to the car, she was out. She was exhausted!  I am so proud of her. She worked for 6 hours with just a short break, but loved every minute of it because of how much she loves the animals.   At our shelter,  volunteers can start at age 8.  Giving back and helping animals in need has been a great experience for her. She now wants to someday work with animals as a career.  If you have kids in the 8 and up range, it might be worth checking out how you can help your local shelter.  I am so glad that we did! 

Peekaboo!!  I see you!! 

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Fun Finds at Target..

I found a couple of grear finds for 75% off  this week at Target  that would be perfect for parties. Both items were  on an endcap in the kitchen section. 

One of my finds was this solar lantern.  It was $12.99 marked down to only $3.24. My store had this one in white,  and a green pattern version.  I really like the fact that all you have to do is sit it out in the sun, and then you have 8 hours of run time with a LED light.  No worrries on using batteries or lighting candles.  There was also a larger size  that was a few dollars more. 

Another great find was this striped serving set also 75% off.  It was orginally $4.99, now marked down to $1.24.  This would be cute at a rainbow party, flower party, or anything with bright colors. 

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Flower Power

This afternoon Kara attended a birthday party held at a local flower shop.   We arrived in the middle of a thunderstorm which was quite an adventure, but once inside we had  very nice time.  Each of the children  were given a flower pot, foam, and several flowers to make thier own flower arrangements.  

Kara decided to  try and use one of every flower.  Once the flowers were added, they were also given accessories such as butterflies, birds, glitter picks and more.    

Kara spent at least an hour trying to decide which bird she wanted for her arrangement.  She really could not decide what she wanted to do.  Finally at the end of the party, she asked if she could buy the other 2 since they were only supposed to have 1 bird each.  The sweet woman who owned the flower shop told her that she could have all 3 since she knew how hard it been for her to decide.   I hope she is not always this indecisive. LOL!  I love how her arrangement turned out.  Several people told her she did a great job with her arrangement, so who knows she might now have another creative passion.  

Most of children who attended the party were in the 10 yr old range, who thought the flower arranging was a lot of fun.   Their craft and take home gift was their flower arrangements.   Flower Power could be a great theme for an older child, teen or even a mom get together. 

You can find directions to this cake and man other flower themed cakes on Coolest-Birthday-Cakes.com

You can find a more simple version of a flower garden cake can be found on Familyfun.go.com   

If you prefer cupcakes to cake, these individual flower cupcakes are from the site Mccormick.com

I also found some really good flower cake pop tutorials.  Make sure to check out this rose cake pop from Strawberry-chic.blogspot.com

Mommyknows.com   has step by step pictures on how to make these fancier versions as well. 

If you would prefer to make your own flowers,  ou can find this version at artsandcraftskids.net

Make these gorgeous coffee filter roses with the instructions from MarthaStewart.com

Find 50+ free flower templates and tutorials at Tipnut.com

Serve a veggie flower plate  found here at familyfun.com

or these veggies cups from LivingLocurto.com


Whatever you would decide to do, it would be sure to be colorful and beautiful. 

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Its a Puppy Party

There are two reasons why I chose puppies as the theme for today.  The first is because this time of year is considered the "dog days" of summer.  I didnt really know why this time of year is called that, so I did a little research.  Some believe that it is for the hottest days of the summer (which this year were in July), but it is actually for the Sirius, "the dog star".   Back in Roman times they noticed that starting in late July and lasting about a month, Sirius woud rise and set with the sun.   The days that this happened was from around July 24 to Aug 24.    The second reason I chose the dog theme is because this weekend my girls and I will be helping  at the Humane Society booth  at a local festival.  We will be getting the word out about all that our Humane Society does, and hopefully adopting out some dogs to their forever homes. 


Cute "Dog Treats"

Family Fun has directions on how to make  this dalmation cake 

Check out this  adorable cake and real life puppy   from AllThingsMomma.com

Parents,com  has directions on how to make cute dog cupcakes, from the book  Hello Cupcake

If  you would prefer cake pops, how about the  little pups from Bakerella  
 

Some "puppy chow"  food ideas

* Buy plastic dog bowls from the dollar store.  Serve cocoa puffs  or homemade puppy chow  made from chex mix
*Use a bone shaped cookie cutter and make bone sandwiches
*Wrap hot dogs with crescent rolls and add dough on the ends, to make dog bones.  We made these for a couple of my son's parties that we held before we owned a digital camera.
*A scoop of vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips
* Scooby Snacks graham crackers
*Pillsbury bread dough sticks make to look like rawhide



PUPPY PARTY FLASHBACK!!

These are pictures of pictures so they might not be the best quality.  We had a Blues Clues Party for my son's 2nd birthday.  I covered the chair in red fabric to look like Steve's chair. (Joe did not come on the scene for a couple more years)   I alsomade blue felt ears that he pulled off is head as I took this picture.

This picture just cracks me up! The look on his face is priceless.  He is staring at the cake, like he is a bit unsure what he is supposed to do.   You can also see the blue clues ears in this picture. 

I made the blues clues cake from a round circle cake and several cupcakes.  Hershy kisses were the eyes, and I used blue gel for the nose and spots. 

When he turned 3, he still loved dogs, but that year was really into Scooby Doo.   We made Scooby years out of craft foam.   The dog collar was made from ribbon loosely tied around their necks and the ID also from craft foam.  It was attached to the ribbon with a brad.    I wish I had taken a lot more pictures of the parties but at the time I did not know I would have a party blog 10 years later.  This was also before I had the wonderful invention called the "digital camera".   LOL!

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