Bathtub Paint Craft Activity and More Target Deals

You know how eveything looks so pretty and easy on pinterest? You know how in real life it never turns out the same way? Well, at least mine never do.

Example #1 - Bathtub Paint

I did a google search trying to find ideas for this frosting creation flavor starter that I have obtained many of over the last few weeks.

They have been free for a while, so I went a little overboard. I have more frosting flavors than I will ever need for cupcakes for the next few years.

I found that you could mix it with shaving cream to make colored "paint" for the bathtub. So this sounds like a quick fun weeknight activity!! I was excited about taking a cute artistic looking picture of the perfectly mixed colors ready to make pretty pictures on the bathroom walls.

Instead.........this is the picture you get...



Pinterest worthy? I think not.

Here is how it all went down. I filled a muffin tin with shaving cream.



My intention was to use multiple frosting creations for different colors, but RL decided she wanted them all pink. RL sprinkled the packet unevenly over the shaving cream and roughly "stirred" each one.









It was kind of hard to really mix up in the tiny area.

Stop for a teachable moment. Can you find something that the pink color matches? "My shirt!"



Great...we've accomplished something!!

Then it was time to head to the bathtub. I intended on having multiple large paint brushes, but my lack of preparation resulted in only finding a small sized brush. Another fail.



So now we paint.









Not quite the colorful art I was imagining.



Smells good though



Making the baby drool with envy.

Then we decide to fingerpaint and scream because it's messy (I have a girly girl on my hands).









So then I really freak her out by dumping this whole hot mess in the tub.






She couldn't get out fast enough!!!



So we were done. At least there were a few learning moments, right? A beautiful mess?

Dinner for the night - Roast and Veggies.

I love the roasts with the seasoning and veggies all packaged together, but I am not always willing to pay the price. I'm sure it's not much more than everything individually, but I honestly have trouble paying full price for things. I just do. So I was excited to see this roast marked down at Wal-Mart.



Put everything in the crockpot before work and walk into a prepared meal. You don't realize what a difference it makes when you have to do absolutely nothing when walking in the door. Not even a dish to get out or clean. It was amazing.




Finally, some target deals. Target has toys marked down up to 70 % off. There are some great deals on princess and fairy toys, as well as, leap frog items. Think Christmas, birthdays, friend's birthdays!! These sales give you the opportunity to stock up and avoid sticker shock when susie q from daycare invites everyone to her birthday. (No judgement......I do it too).

Roasted Zucchini

This zucchini was a TEN!!!

Preheat oven to 425.

Slice zuchinni lengthwise and place in a bowl. Twirl a couple of drizzles of evoo and season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.



Cover cookie sheet with baking paper and drizzle evoo



Roast for 20 min turning 1/2 way through.






Oh mi this was sooooo good!!!

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The Deals This Week

Before I get to the deals I snatched up this week, we need to talk.  If you read my blog consistently (all 4 of you), you know that I try to eat a somewhat of a low-carb diet.  I am not a strict Atkins girl, but I try to choose dinner options that don't include pasta or bread.  I most certainly splurge and will eat 11 freshly made homemade cookies if you sit them in front of me, but I don't stock them in my house.  Well, now I have found a new diet plan that I am unfortunately committing to in the very very near future.

Let me first clarify my weight loss goals.  I know that I am not overweight.  I also know that I am not in shape.  I will address that in the Fall with exercise.....maybe.  My initial goal is basically to fit back into the clothes I was wearing before my pregnancy with R.  Every once in a while I still wear maternity pants to work.  Very often, I still wear the belly band to secure my dress pants I can't seem to button.  The morning closet scan has become a dreaded moment for me due to the struggle of just finding something to fit.  I feel for the neglected cute shorts that will have to go into storage for another year before they see the sunlight.  I am stuck with a mere 7 lbs left to loose.

Okay...so the diet plan.  Are you ready for this?  Wait for it........ADULT BRACES!!!
Did you gasp? Are you frightened? Will you call me braceface??  How is this a diet plan you ask? I will have lots of rubber bands parading around my mouth in order to straighten up my jaw (the reason for the braces).  I cannot imagine that a snack here and there will be worth taking and putting back in all those pesky little things.  Plus the basic thought of a mouth full of metal just makes me nauseous.  Ugh!

The date is August 15th.  Please keep me in your thoughts.

On to the Deals of the Week.

My husband has challenged me to spend little out of pocket this month and just ride on the rewards I receive as well as my stockpile.  So, that is what I will focus on for this week.  Of course I am still taking advantage of alot of school supply offers to help my friend Misti who is a full-time missionary and in need.

WALGREENS:

Transaction #1 -

Crest Mouthwash - Use $1.50 coupon from 7/28 paper.
                Paid $1.76 -  Receive $2.00 Register Rewards (moneymaker)

Transaction #2 -

Colgate toothpaste - Use $1 coupon from 7/28 paper - Receive $2.50 Register Reward
3 Compasses - $.87
1 10 pack of pens - $.29
6 5 packs of mechanical pencils - $1.74
Bic colored pencils - on sale .99 use $1 off Bic from 8/4 paper (free!)
Use $2.00 from first transaction and pay $4.76  out of pocket and receive $2 Register Reward

So $6.52 out of pocket with $2.50 RR back so basically $4.02 for all of these products!




RITE AID


Rite Aid did not have any AMAZING deals this week, but I had a ton of Ups Rewards that I had to use before expiration.  When this happens, it is time to search the sales for products you use, on sale for the week, and is cheaper than Walmart.  Alot of times I am just looking for the freebies or under a $1, but they are not always available.  You don't want to pay full price for an item (or worse over the cost of Wal-Mart) just because you have Ups rewards.  That defeats the purpose of getting the original good deal that gave you the Ups!

Here is what I found....

Wet and Wild Nail Polish on sale for $.67.  Use 2.00/3 from 7/28 paper.  Final price .01 cent for all 3!!!
    ***I never buy nail polish, but it was fun to splurge on fun colors since it was free***

Now this next deal is a little embarrasing. Since honesty is good for the soul, I will share.  My hubs is really into foot care.  He is.  It's weird.  Since, I don't want him to go and spend crazy money on powders and creams, I have to be on the look out for good prices.  I can't believe I am even sharing this!!!

Gold Bond Powder BOGO 50% off
Gold Bond Foot Cream BOGO 50% off
Use 4 $1 off coupons from smartsource online.

Used up rewards from last week and paid $2.67 out of pocket and received $6 up rewards.




Okay, so this week I've spent about $9 out of of pocket. I didn't need any groceries so I am on track so far.

What have you learned from today's blog? My hubs takes care of his feet and I am about to be Brace Face.  Do you feel educated? :)

Brookshires and Pennies - Week of 8/5

Yep!  It's that time again Brookshires Buy One Get One for a Penny Sale!!



 This is great timing as I was just beginning to plan meals for company coming in Labor Day weekend.  It is a couple and their two kids so I will have plenty of mouths to feed.  This is a perfect example of how to save money by living with a couponing frame of mind.  To make the savings work, I cannot just decide on meals and recipes and run out to the grocery store.  I have to take what I have, what is on sale, and the best deals and plan from there.  It is really not that hard once you create the habit.  It's fun to be creative and work with what you have.  It's really a great lesson in life.

Here is a list of what I plan to purchase:

Pork Chops - BOGO - I have made some really good Pork Chop recipes lately - posts soon

Chicken - BOGO

Natures Own Bread - BOGO - Freeze a loaf for company coming at the end of the month

Lettuce - BOGO - This will replace our spinach for the week

Carrots - BOGO - This is great since I have been putting carrots in with my meat and I can make some baby food for R

Mission Tortillas - BOGO - Check the price to be under $1.80 each after sale.  These can be frozen

3 lb Bag White Onions - BOGO - Take the time and weigh.  The one that weighs the most gives you the most bang for your buck.  Go ahead and dice some up and freeze them.

Jennie - O Turkey Products -
BOGO - This is my favorite - STOCK UP

Jimmy Dean Sausage - BOGO - combine with tortillas to make breakfast burritos for company
 **There is a coupon in RP from 7/14**

Natures Valley Hot Dog Buns - BOGO - Freeze for company

Natures Valley Hamburger Buns - BOGO - Freeze for company

Lunchables - BOGO - Check price to be under $1 each

Skinner Pasta - BOGO

Community Coffee Creamer - BOGO - check price to be under Great Value

Kraft Handi-Snacks Pudding - BOGO - check expiration date for company?

Food Club Cream Cheese - BOGO - make pesto spread for company

Brookshires Pizza - BOGO

Food Club Biscuits - BOGO - For...You guessed it..company!!

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Meats - BOGO

Boneless Pork Loin Roast - BOGO - I'm thinking shredded tacos for company!

I also like this neat deal


This is significantly cheaper than walmart and you can get a $2 coupon from www.buildabetterlunch.com

There are most certainly other deals to shop for based on what you need for your family.  I am excited to see my total spent.  I challenge myself to stick to this list!! Since I was able to skip the grocery store last week, I'm glad to see this penny rotation just when I need it!!
Let me know the deals that you like!!

Pesto Cheese Spread

I borrowed this unique and yummy recipe from one of my best friends mom, Honey. She had the recipe written out on a notecard with a note saying "it was a big hit.". Yep, a big hit is what I was looking for!!

Honey has lots of talents. Check out my door decor by Honey-Made Creations. Check her out on facebook!!!



Pesto Cheese Spread

What you will need:

Provolone cheese (round)
Pesto
Sundried tomato (drained) **these need to sit out for a few hours in the colander**
1 block of Cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons Minced garlic
A lengthy serving tray
Clear wrap

Line a serving dish with clear wrap then layer 6 slices of cheese (over the wrap)


Mix cream cheese and minced garlic and layer over cheese


Then layer pesto



**drying out the sundried tomatoes**


Layer over the pesto


Next, layer 4 slices of cheese


Repeat layers the exact same and end with 4 slices of cheese

Wrap in the clear wrap and refrigerate for at least a couple hours.


Add a box of crackers and tie a bow to bring to a new homeowner (to include a cutting board or tray they can keep) or a new mom!




Kids Crafts: Canvas Letter

I also want to share a little project I did with RL a while back for her room. I pinned this idea from homemadeginger.com.

I lost all my prep work pics when I left my previous phone on top of my car, but at least you can see the final results!

Use painters tape to make your letter of choice on canvas. Allow child to use a paint brush or finger paint to spread colors over the canvas. For younger kids, you may need to turn the canvas to each side so that it doesn't become a hot mess of mixed colors. It's also helpful if you can paint in time increments to allow some of the paint colors to dry.

Allow all paint to dry and then remove painters tape


So easy and so cute!!

Favorite Things Friday

Here are a few of my favorite things

Princess parties



Big boxes






Baby belly



Coupon resets



Dinner tonight.....

Found this maranara meat sauce over pasta packaged meal marked down at wal-mart.



Added some carrots, celery, onions, garlic, pepper, italian seasoning



Topped with cheese



It was a good little quick one dish dinner. It wasnt the healthiest or anything spectacular, but it was pretty good. D and RL enjoyed it. Of course, it doesnt fit into my low carb plan so spinach for me :)