Bubblicious

Who can boast the biggest bubble? Using the recipe below or store-bought bubble solution, see who can build the biggest bubble or make the bubble go the highest. You can also try to connect multiple bubbles or see if you can ‘catch’ them without popping.
Be careful about getting the bubble solution in the eyes as well as the grass/ground becoming slippery around bubble container.

Frugal It:
1. Get out flat container such as a 9x13 pan.
2. Pour 1/2 cup dish soap into the container.
3. Add 1 1/2 cups water to the container.
4. Measure 2 teaspoons of sugar into the water/soap mixture.
5. Gently stir your mixture.
6. Go outside and blow bubbles!

Tips:
1. Don't shake or stir your bubbles too much.
2. Store your bubbles in a tightly sealed container.
3. Experiment with blowing bubbles using different items!

Bubble Square Instructions:
1. Use two whole straws for a larger square or cut two small straws of equal size.
2. String a piece of compact twine or yarn through the two straws, leaving enough string to make a square/rectangle and tie together.
3. Use the straw sides as handles when dipping into the bubble solution.

Frugal Family Outing

Thanks to au bon pain and Freebies 4 Mom we can take the family out for a special treat! Get a free iced coffee on Thursday, June 26 after 2 pm. No purchase is necessary and no coupon is necessary.

Thanks to Jack in the Box and Freebies 4 Mom we can eat dinner for free

as well. Get two free tacos per person when you bring in a gas receipt on

Thursday, June 26. Yum, yum!

A Day at the Beach

The beach may actually be a legitimate option for some of you, but for those of us land-locked folk, we will have to improvise. You can create your own day at the beach either indoors or outdoors.

To ‘go to the beach’ right outside of your own home, all you need is a kiddy pool, sprinkler, or hose. Have your children put on their swimsuits and sunscreen. Get your water source of choice set up. If neither a pool, nor sprinkler, is readily available, use the hose to fill up the largest water retaining items you have, such as a laundry basket or mixing bowl. Lay out the beach towels along with books, games, snacks, and water. Enjoy your day at the beach!

If you prefer to visit the indoor beach, due to rain, shine or convenience, your family can also enjoy the surf and turf- minus the surf. First things first, don the bathing suit! No sunscreen needed. If you have a floor that you don’t mind getting wet, set up a couple bowls of water for some low-key ocean fun. If you have all carpet and trust your children, try putting the water on some folded up towels. Again, lay out the beach towels, books, games, and snacks! Enjoy your day at the beach!

Frugal It: Look for outdoor summer toys to go on clearance mid-late July.

Paper Airplanes

Today you and your children will earn your wings. Time to build paper airplanes! This paper airplane site is amazing! They have 10 designs with animated instructions for a probie airplane builder like me.

If so inclined, spend some time decorating the paper you plan to use. Try crayons, makers, stickers or you can cut out and tape on pictures to add a splash of color to your aircraft. After the design phase is complete, (cue in Top Gun soundtrack) it is time to fly. You can launch indoors (with permission) or take your gliders outside. You can try making many/all of the airplane designs and conduct an experiment to see which style flies better. Or, have every air commander make the same design and see whose goes the furthest.

This activity could be fun for all ages. If your child is too young to build an aircraft on his own, then you choose your favorite design and entertain him with your flight captain abilities.

Frugal It: Use ‘scrap’ paper to build your planes, and then recycle when the planes return to the hanger.

Manic Monday

Welcome to Manic Monday! Aside from being a great song, Manic Monday has another meaning for our family…cleaning day! You’ve had a nice, relaxing (hopefully) weekend doing fun and frugal activities with your family. Now, it is time to get back to ‘the real world’ as I call it. My husband is back at work, and my children are back to wanting my undivided attention. All I want to do is put my house back together.

Manic Monday will be a list of activities to help occupy your children in the house while you, gasp, get something done! Sometimes the activities will take place in a certain room (that you are theoretically cleaning) or sometimes it will be fun that they can have anywhere in the house.

Manic Monday in the Kitchen:

• Organize the junk drawer. The sophisticated organization system in my junk drawer consists of snack-sized plastic storage bags. You can find coupons for Ziploc bags in newspaper coupon inserts and combine with a store sale. Put your children in charge of sorting the paperclips and safety pins into a bag. Rubber bands can go into a separate bag. You get the picture. Depending on the disarray of your junk drawer, this activity can help keep them busy for awhile.
• Stacking pantry items. For younger children, this could be great fun. Place boxes, cans, packages of different sizes, shapes and colors on the floor for your baby or toddler to stack up and knock down. I fully understand that you are required to put all items away after the fun, but I’d rather clean the kitchen in peace for the small price of putting the boxes away. If your cherub is too young to stack items themselves, simply place one in front of them, and while you continue cleaning the stove-top, describe the package, contents, how you cook the item, etc.
  

Summer Solstice

The Summer Solstice, or first day of summer, is here! The summer solstice is that time of year when the earth's axis tilts toward the sun, thus affording us longer and warmer days. Look to Wikipedia for a detailed description of the solstice if your family wants more information.

The first day of summer can be a perfect time to set some goals for the remainder of the season. Ask each family member what they would like to achieve in the next few months. Maybe your son wants to learn to ride his bike sans training wheels. Your daughter might want to score a goal in her summer soccer league. How many of us out there would like to run at least a mile a day? Decide what your family's goals will be and determine the best course of action to get there. This can be a fun discussion to take place over a glass of ice-cold lemonade under a shade tree. After you figure out your goals and plan, go out and take advantage of the longest day to get a head start!

Frugal Family Outing

Time for a Frugal Family Free Outing thanks to Caribou Coffee & Money Saving Mom!

Stop by participating Caribou Coffee locations on Saturday, June 21, 2008 from 3-4 PM for a free 12 oz. Fruit and Tea drink. Not available for drive-thru orders.

Please call before you go to ensure participation!