Magic It Is

I have used a lot of cleaning products.  Some are your everyday stuff, but some really come in handy when you have a "issue".  Lets be honest with three kids and a dog we have issues.  Our dog likes to hang out and look out the window and bark if there is someone or something she sees.  Not only does this get the window all gooked up, but also the white window sill.  We also have the occasional mark and such on the wall.  These Magic Erasers really are magic when it comes to not having to repaint every 6 months!  I get it the eraser wet, wring it out, wipe the spot (sometimes it needs a bit more rub than others) and usually follow it up with a clean paper towel in case it drips.

One word of caution, I have never had dark walls so I would be extra cautious using this on dark paint.  It can mess up your paint so be sure not to rub hard and you might try it in an unseen spot before going to town with it.

Don't be afraid to use a generic, I have tried the Target Brand and they work great.
 

Max and Ermas- Sometimes it's Survival not Managing

Do you have a Max and Ermas restaurant near you?  Did you know their kids meals are free everyday with the purchase of an adult entree?  Did you know on Thursdays they have half price Sangria pitchers and $5 burgers?  You do now and your kids can make their own Sundae for 99 cents!  Ok, so the food isn't gourmet but on this Survival Thursday night, I didn't care.  My kids were happy, occupied and I had 5 min to breathe before ending my insane week.  (Who am I kidding, I will breath when I am on a airplane Tuesday morning and not until then)

Gone to the Birds

Our Flicker

So this will probably sound odd, but if you have a child's birthday or even an adults get them a bird feeder!  On a stressful day I can look out my "office" window at my window feeder or out my kitchen window and watch the wonderful birds I have at my feeders and I think my blood pressure goes down so fast.  Nature works in amazing ways and it is a wonderful stress reliever and educational tool for my kiddos.  Just a few of the birds I see; Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, Pileated woodpeckers, Red bellies woodpeckers, Downy woodpeckers, Flickers, Junkos, Bluebirds and the list goes on.  I have 2 suet cake feeders, 2 normal bird feeders, a window feeder and a bird bath.  I also have 2 humming bird feeders in the Spring/Summer. 

My kids get to learn so much from having these feeders.  They have small bird guides that they can look up what they are seeing.  We are a bit crazy and name our birds.  Our Pileated Woodpeckers are Sparkles and Woody!

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on food, you can always do a birdbath.  My bluebirds who are beautiful love the water source.  I just have a plant saucer with a rock in placed in the middle on the railing of my deck.  Doesn't have to be fancy!  Also the hummingbird feeders are a good low cost option since you just need sugar and water. 

So I know some people would say it isn't good to feed them because they will become dependent.  First, they wouldn't need fed if we didn't destroy so much of their natural habitat and second they aren't stupid.  They will find food in other places if it isn't available at your house.  Feeding in the winter months just helps them get through the tough period of the year.  More info coming on plants you can put in your yard to help these birds and our monarch butterfly population!  

I use black oil sunflower seed in my feeders and then a high protein suet cake.  See below for some feeder ideas.

Suet Cake Feeder

Black Oil Sunflower Feeder

Hummingbird Feeder

One last note, read up on feeder placement.  It is important so birds don't hit your windows, etc.  I also find you have to be super careful if you have hummingbird feeders or plants that attract humming birds that you keep your garage closed.  They often get trapped in garages.  

Bargain Kids Shopping

My husband and dad always make fun of my mom and I because when we come home from shopping.  We never just show them what we got, it is always "This was only...." or "We saved......".  They could careless, the only reason they care less is because they have never seen a real full price clothing bill!  Kids clothes can be ridiculous, not to mention you usually get one year of wear from kids clothes.  Gymboree clothes can be $20 for one item!  (I won't hardly spend that on my self, ha) My kids also play hard outside and I have always been more practical then fashionable.    My kids are the same way, they don't want to be in uncomfortable clothes.  So leggings, cotton, Dryfit, etc rule my house.       

My rule is everything under $5, but my guideline is $2 and under for my younger two and $4 and under for my older son.  (This is brand new clothes) You would be shocked how well I stick to this.  What this requires though is buying ahead.  I just pulled out my bins for Spring and they were totally full.  Lots of Gymboree too, for under $3.  The kids have their entire wardrobe for summer ready to go!  

There will always be exceptions, winter coats, jeans, tennis shoes, etc. do cost a little more but that doesn't mean you can't get them cheap too!  I have found great bargains on tennis shoes at Kohls online and these are name brand like Fila, Nike, etc.  Children's Place and Old Navy usually have great deals on jeans a couple of times a year.  Old Navy always has a $1 flipflop sale once a year and I stock up on those. 

Tip #1 Never engage your children in shopping. :)  I know this won't last forever, but none of my kids have any expectation that they get to go pick out clothing which makes this 100 times easier!  Don't get me wrong my daughters would rather not wear jeans and they like pink etc. but they don't get to go and pick out clothes unless it is a special occasion or I am asking them if they like the $1 shirt. 

Tip #2 Team up with your friends.  One of my good friends has one daughter and then boys, so I get lots of nice clothes that I buy from her.  It is win win because she doesn't have to hastle selling or donating them and I get great clothes at a fraction of a price.  This is especially good for winter boots, jackets, snow pants, etc. that hardly get any wear anyway and are high price items.  Another friend has a great Facebook group that she posts clothes on to all her friends!

My biggest tip is don't be scared to take stuff up to the register and have them run them to see the true cost.  Old Navy, Gymboree and Children's Place are notorious for not remarking clearance items.  I went to Old Navy recently and was getting things for 40 cents, 99 cents, etc.  I never have a problem saying "Oh, never mind I don't want that" if it rings up and is still $4.   

P.S.  Everything in my pic was $1.99 or less per item, and just a small sample!!!!!!!

Top Shops

• Gymboree
• Old Navy
• Target
• Children's Place