Sleepovers and Camping out

The boys came running into our bedroom early this morning so excited because according to Luke, "Today is our first sleep over." (Of course, we are coming with them to visit some friends.) It is even more exciting because we are bringing their sleeping bags and planning to "camp out" on the floor.
I got to thinking that being a Mom of boys that one day I might have to camp with them which I am not to excited about, but maybe we can start with "camping" inside on a hot summer day with sleeping bags and snacks and movies and such.
There is a good article in the August 2009 issue of Parenting about Camping in your own backyard,
http://www.parenting.com/activity-parties-article/Activities-Parties/Games/14-Ideas-for-Camping-Out-In-Your-Backyard .

"Target toys and spys"

Yesterday I started a chore chart for all 3 of my boys. Alex has been asking for a new Thomas the train incessantly lately and we don't buy our boys many toys throughout the year in between birthdays and Christmas so I thought I would try to let them earn money by doing age appropriate chores. Today we decided to go to Target to walk through the toy aisles to see how much they needed to earn to get the new toy they wanted. It is nice that we can walk the toy aisles and check out the new latest and greatest toys without having tantrums and fits to take things home.
I did notice that Target is starting their summer toy clearance so I may go back without the boys to start to stock up for Christmas.
It is awesome that our children can use their imaginations and have fun even while shopping with Mom at Target. Jack told me that his "rivals" were watching his every move and we needed to hurry so I convinced him you don't always need to run away but you have to be sneaky. After saying that, the rest of the time in Target all the boys and myself pretended to sneak around corners and watch out for the spys and bad guys!

Paper Bags and Robots

One day last week, Luke was very quiet for a long time in his room and this was what he was doing. He stuffed Publix paper bags with newspapers to make them stand up and then taped them together and drew on a face. He also used Publix produce bags for hair. He called me into his room and announced he had built a Robot!! He was very proud.

My boys love to take bags from Publix for crafts. We have made many puppets with the smaller paper bags and cut out neck and arm holes in the big paper bags and created costumes.

Another idea for the large paper bags is to open them up and have your child lay down on them and trace their body and then have them decorate "themself."

Family Day with a little "Mommy Time" in the morning

Yesterday the day got started with a little alone time for me as I got to go have my hair done while the boys had some "Daddy Time" at the "Lowes Build and Grow Clinic" http://www.lowesbuildandgrow.com/. Yesterday they built helicopters that turned out great. I included a picture of some of their past projects and one of their Lowe's aprons. They looked forward to this everytime we go and always want to know what we will get to build next time.

After lunch and a some browsing in the bookstore for my husband and I and some playing with the train table at the bookstore for the boys we headed home for a movie. (It was too hot to stay outside any longer.) We piled pillows and blankets up and got ready for our movie with one of our favorite movie snacks, Popcorn with M&Ms added, that get nice and melty. We were lucky to find "Kung Fu Panda" at the library last week so after the movie, the house turned into a "Fight Club" (the joys of boys!!!)

Magic Tree House

For those of you who have "Magic Tree House" fans in your house, they have a website with activities and information about the books. Right now they are having a contest to win a trip for a Family of four to the Grand Canyon. Your child has to read certain books and answer questions about each book to get an Official Magic Tree House Passport Stamp and when they have all the stamps they can mail in the entry form. The contest runs until August 28, 2009.
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magictreehouse/books.html

Feeding the Local Wildlife and Drive In Movies

I am sure no matter where you live you have a local lake, river or park that has some wildlife that would love some "lunch". Today my boys and I met some friends at a local lake,

Lake Morton and shared some bread with the local bird population. It is a fun way to get outdoors with your children.

Today I saw an ad in the paper for the Drive In Movies and it caught my attention because they were playing the new kids' movie coming out, G-Force. I haven't thought about doing a drive in movie with my kids before so I checked out the website, http://www.silvermoondrivein.com, and the prices were $1 for kids ages 4-10 and $4 for over 10. Here is the link to find a Drive in Theatre in your area http://www.driveinmovie.com/mainmenu.htm.

Fun at the Fruit Stand

Today my boys and I make a stop at a local fruit stand to stock up on fruits and vegtables. We had a great time looking at all the different kinds of fruits and veggies and talking about which ones we liked and which ones we would like to try in the future. One of the many great things about buying at a local fruit stand instead of the grocery store is you can just pick one of something and take it home and try with your children. (Also, since you are buying locally in tends to be cheaper and fresher.)
It also reminded me of when I took the boys blueberry picking and a local farm and how much they enjoyed it. Of course, they ate quite a few more than ever landed in their bucket.
Here is a link to a website to find "you pick" farms in your area http://www.pickyourown.org/.

Summer Boredom Busters

Summer Boredom Busters
My local newspaper has been printing a "boredom buster" everyday to keep your kids busy. For a complete listing check out http://www.theledger.com/boredombusters.

My favorite so far has been to set up an ice cream sundae bar for your kids. My friend Michelle and I did this last week with our kids. We had 2 flavors of ice cream and chocolate chips, M&Ms, sprinkles, nuts and chocolate syrup. I don't know who enjoyed it more the Moms or the kids!

Local Happenings

Ice Skating at the Lakeland Center is almost over for the summer. Prices are not too bad; prices range from $5-$7 depending if you bring your own skates.

http://www.thelakelandcenter.com/x_evt_dtl/18653.aspx

I am not brave enough to do this yet with 3 boys, but maybe in the future when they are older.

Here are some things going on this week in my local area (check your local libraries and/or theatres for their schedules).

Cobb Free Summer Kids Shows
July 21,22,23 at 10 am
Hotel for Dogs and Nim's Island

Bartow Library
July 22 at 10:30 am Suzuki Strings Children's Violin Ensemble

Lakeland Library
July 24 at 10 am at the Polk Museum of Art
"The Really Big Show" by Miss Angel and Miss Connie


Also, don't forget if you haven't participated in the Summer Reading program at the Bartow Library there is still time. It runs until July 31st. Children who read for 10 hours this summer and record it in the provided reading logs will receive a free book.
All my boys have already turned in their logs to get their free books and were so excited to pick out a new book.

"Museums on Us"

I wanted to let you all know about a program by Bank of America. It is called, "Museums on Us".
The first full weekend of every month all for free for Bank of America cardholders. See the link for museums participating in your area.

http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

Hope some of you can take advantage of this program.

I saw this in the paper today and want to share; sounds like fun:
Christmas in July at Toys R Us
Saturday, July 25th 12-2 pm at your local Toys R Us

1. Make your own Christmas Card
2. Games and Activities
3. Coloring Fun
4. Special One-Day Deals
   

My First Post

It recently occurred to me that even though I still enjoy being a stay at home Mom, my Brain is getting bored. I thought starting a blog would be a great way to stimulate my brain and share some of my ideas that I have about keeping my family busy and saving money at the same time. I am a Mom to 3 boys; Jack is 7 years old and going into the 2nd grade and Alex and Luke are fraternal twin boys who are 4 years old. I am always trying to find things to keep us busy especially now that it is summer and school is not in session. I find if we stay at home too long, the fighting begins so I try to keep us out and about doing activities which can get expensive so I am always searching for inexpensive; if not, FREE things to do.