Frozen Strawberry pops for about 2 bucks.

So in this 100 degree weather you need to keep cool so I thought I would make ice pops now I do have the store bought ones here to but they are full of sugar and I am trying to limit the amount of it.  I fail a lot of the time but I know my kids if I make something they will eat that over the premade stuff.

So I thought I would give those puree fruit pops a try I love these things but they are pricey to buy.  They are so easy to make. Now I have an ice pop maker (target 1 dollar) but you could make ice pops in so many things from paper cups to ice cube trays.  Even small glass jars with sticks in them.

Your next tool you will need is a blender or something else to puree the fruit I have a blender.  Next just puree your fruit I used frozen strawberries, and a little juice.  I added no sugar as I thought what was in the berries and the juice should be enough.  I used juice I had on hand as well which was apple juice.  Our pops were still a little tart but a huge hit.  My husband who doesn't really like the other kind loved these one.

I have plans for other kinds some using the stock of baby food I have on hand and others making some grown up flavors.  I will let you know.

Watermelon Day 7

It's day 7 of the great watermelon watch and we have a 7th plant pop up over night.  See?

And these others are just looking great and doing crazy things with the leaves.

And I want to share this pic of my pup Coco she hoped up right when I was heading a door as she always heads out with me when it's time to water the plants.

Tonights dinner was nice and cheap 5.18

Tonight dinner was a simple one of mac salad and corn and brats for the adults and hot dogs for the kids.  Thanks to coupons I was paid to take the pasta out of the store, and got the hot dogs for .25 a pack.  thus making a cheap mean an the left over mac salad makes great sides for lunch too.

Just a simple night at home

Our night tonight was simple. Dinner was simple left overs and just spending time together.  My daughter feel asleep right afterwords while drawing.

My little girl didn't feel well so she watched tv in our bed with her baby, that baby goes everywhere with her.

Here she is peeking at me through the window as I water my plants.

And our other plants except the water melon excuse the photos I was playing with the camera

These are our sun flowers these things grow fast.

And last but not least comes my Coco she is my other little girl here she is playing while I water the plants.

I am sure with summer here I will get pics of all the kids doing goofy things. And I hope to share them all.

We have buds

We have buds on our tomater plants aren't they pretty

We also have sunflowers growing I am late getting things this year but hope to hit up some great deals and get more plants.

Old fashion summer fun ideas

My son and I were talking and he was saying how he hoped he wouldn't be bored this summer.  That there never seemed to be anything to do.  I found this sad and thought wow, I haven't been showing him the fun he can have.  So I am making a list of fun and free or nearly free summer things to do and well things that I know he will love.

1. Go hiking, we have a few places to go in the area and it's just fun and good for you.  Don't forget water and sun block.
2. We are already gardening together and I think I will teach him more about that and what to do once the food is grown.
3. Fly kites, I posted this before but this is something my children just love and it's pretty cheap if you go to a big box store.
4. Catch fire flies I think all the kids will enjoy this.  
5. Play
6. mudpies
7. Go to the park
8. good old fashion water fights. who doesn't love these
9. I have signed them up for free bowling.
10. I have also got them going on reading programs I am waiting to see what another store does for them.  I think reading is super important for children.
11. build forts and play dress up...a trip to the thrift store for items.
12. bird watching, he seems to want to do this.
13. Make paper air planes
14. Give him a box
15. puppets
16. and much more as I think of it.

Coming up with things to do during the summer it's hard and many of these are fun and things I have done there are other things we might do like fishing and I will teach him took and just great fun.  I hope to get an old fashion ice cream maker this summer as well.

Only thing is not look forward to is summer school at home.

Summer reading programs 2011 and how your kids can get FREE books

My oldest will be out of public school in one months time and it's scary to think about but I need to get some things ready for the summer. And since we need to work on reading I started with summer reading programs.



And Barnes & Nobel have one. You child can earn a FREE book after they read 8 books (free book comes off a list)

To join this program is easy all you need to do is go here and find the pdf to download or download it here

To find a store near you go here

They have a parents kit and an educators kit and in the end they are very much the same but I like the educators kit which can be found here



Now Boards also has a summer reading program. They double dog dare you to read ten books to get one free (starts June 1). Here is the link to download and print the form needed.

And the Free books are also limited but there seems to be some on there that my children will love you can find them Here

You can go here to find the store nearest you.



Now Hastings also has a program.

Theirs is call the Summer Book Club and from what I understand on there website is first you can download their reading journal. Which has many books listed in it. Not sure they are the ones you have to read, but pretty sure they are after you read them you do the book report and then take your journal in and get a sticker for it. I do know they offer coupons to help you get the books.

They also have where you can write an essay and you child has a chance to win a computer for themselves and a school of there choice (I don't know if homeschools count I will have to look into it but it might take time) and you can find that info here.

You can go here to find the store nearest you.

Now there are lists and lists out there for summer reading but I am of the mind that you should have your child read what they love first, light that passion for reading under them before you move on to the required reading if you can. I know as you go through school be it public or homeschool there are times you have to read something you hate. But I don't think fun summer reading should be that.

Most of these programs allow you and your child the fun in choosing what to read. Remember to check your local library for other great programs in your local area and it's a great place to get your books to read. Enjoy this time this summer and happy reading. I recently read that reading for fun is on the down slid I find that sad.