Family

13 Ways to Make Summer Reading Fun For Your Child

Summer is the perfect time to work on reading skills, whether your children are 2 or 12. Older, more independent readers can use the extra time away from school to prepare for the next grade level, while younger children can always benefit from reading more books. As part of our Super Summer Fun series, here are some ways to make summer reading fun at home.

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13 ways to make summer reading fun

Bring the stories to life
What to do: After reading a story, do some of the activities you read about.
What you can emphasize: New vocabulary, verbs
Suggested stories and activities:

Story: If You Give a Pig a Pancake/ Activity: Make pancakes
Story: Curious George Flies a Kite/ Activity: Fly a Kite
Story: The Bug Book/ Activity: Hunt for bugs outside

Take the 1000 books before Kindergarten Challenge
What to do: Visit 1000 Books Before Kindergarten to download program instructions and reading log sheets.
What your child is learning: There are tons of early literacy opportunities here!
Suggested reading: Check the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten website for Books Your Child Should Hear Before Kindergarten

Stock a Summer Book Basket
What to do: Fill a basket or plastic bin with summer-related fiction and nonfiction books
What your child is learning: Seasonal vocabulary, comprehension
Suggested reading: Check out the fun titles on my list of 40+ books to read with kids this summer.

Listening to reading
What to do: Read stories out loud to your child. Children of all ages will also enjoy listening to their favorite book on their Kindle Fire for Kids, on Audible, or using your local library’s audio book program. We recently got all 3 kids their own Kindle Fire for Kids Tablets. Kids can choose the story they want to hear and I can set limits on how long the screen is on. Plus they come with a case, 1 year of Amazon Free Time, access to over 10,000 books AND a 2-year “we’ll replace it, no questions asked” warranty! Ok, I’ll stop raving now but seriously I can’t wait til their birthday in September.
What your child is learning: Children who listen to reading are learning what it sounds like when an “expert reader” reads text. Listening to reading helps to become better independent readers.
Suggested reading: Any of your child’s favorite books.

Join a reading incentive program or use a reading chart to track progress
What to do: Visit the public library and ask about their summer reading program, or use the Pizza Hut Book It Summer Reading program (or both!).
What your child is learning: Reading for a purpose, comprehension
Suggested reading: Any age-appropriate books

Bake a recipe together
What to do: Choose a recipe and make it together
What your child is learning: Reading instructions, as well as math and science and healthy eating habits!
Suggested reading: Try this complete cookbook for young chefs. For a great FREE recipe collection, check out Kids in the Kitchen online.

Read the book AND watch the movie
What to do: Read a book and watch the movie version of the story
What your child is learning: Comparing/contrasting, character traits
Suggested reading/watching: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Book and Movie, How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book and Movie, Curious George Books and Movie

Plan a trip that took place in a story
What to do: Plan a trip based off of one that takes place in a story
What your child is learning: Noting details, new vocabulary, making a list
Suggested reading: Let’s Have a Picnic!, The Lost Lake

Make a book about your summer
What to do: Compile a collection of pictures with captions or stories of what you did during the summer.
What your child is learning: Summarizing, putting events in order
Suggested reading: How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Make a reading nook
What to do: Set up a special place for reading with fun pillows or a beanbag chair that are just for story time.
What your child is learning: The importance of reading for fun
Suggested reading: Any age-appropriate books

Do some research
What to do: Help your child learn more about a favorite topic by reading books or online articles about it.
What your child is learning: Research skills (and yes, even kindergartners can do research with help!)
Suggested websites: Fact Monster and this list of kid-safe search sites

Make puppets
What to do: Make puppets of the characters in your child’s favorite story. Use felt, socks, or paper bags and any materials you have at home!
What your child is learning: Comprehension, summarizing
Suggested reading: Any of your child’s favorite books

Read through the alphabet
What to do: Using the printable below, read one book that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet.
What your child is learning: Comprehension
Suggested reading: 26 of your child’s favorite books (try Z is for Moose and maybe let X be in the middle of the word so you can enjoy The Adventures of Taxi Dog).

To download the reading log, click here. For best printing, use 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper and select “fit to page” in the printing preferences. Can also be printed in black and white.

I hope your summer is full of reading and fun. This post is part of our summer series. Click this link for more Super Summer Fun ideas!

making reading fun for kids during the summer. 13 ideas that will encourage your child to read.

How to Shop for Healthy Food on a Budget

Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the family budget. It takes a bit more planning, but you can save money when you’re shopping for your family. These tips will teach you how to save money as you shop for healthy food on a budget.

Many families would like to practice healthy eating but are concerned about the cost. When we started setting our family budget, groceries were one of our biggest expenses. So it makes sense that people would get the idea that buying healthy food is too expensive. This is not true. It can be done once a family knows where and how to go about it.

Where to Find Healthy Food

There are several places where families can buy healthy food within a budget. You might want to try:

Grocery stores

Farmer’s markets

Gardens (family’s garden, neighbor’s garden, community garden)

Produce stands along the road-I found one in town with 25¢ avocados!

Health market stores (follow weekly ads to get in-season produce cheaper)

Family and friends (sometimes extended family members have more than needed when it comes to fresh produce)

Bread outlets

CSA subscription boxes

Dollar Stores

Discount grocery stores – around here we have Winco, Aldi’s and Food 4 Less.

How to Find the Good Deals

It’s good to know where to go to find healthy food. But it is just as important to find out how to find good deals. Here are some ways to save money when buying healthy food:

Purchase fresh produce when on sale or discounted, like at a bag sale.

Use coupons (both store and manufactured coupons) when possible.

Find out when fresh produce is discounted (do this with produce that can be placed in the freezer or canned).

Purchase frozen vegetables and fruit when on sale.

Purchase whole grain bread at bread outlets and possibly dollar stores.

Compare prices of different vendors at a local farmer’s market (make sure it’s not only a good deal but also good quality).

Grow a garden (eat right away and/or freeze or can for later use).

Exchange garden produce and fruit (from fruit trees or bushes) with neighbors, friends, and extended family.

Purchase less processed meals and make own version from scratch.

Ask friends and neighbors about good produce stands (hint: some will discount produce and healthy food items at the end of the day).

Join a co-op.

Search the internet for free printable coupons.

Practicing healthy eating does not have to break a family’s grocery budget. It can be done by knowing where to purchase or obtain healthy grocery items. Sometimes, you don’t even have to shop for healthy food; it can be grown in a backyard or community garden.

Once a family understands all the possibilities of where to purchase healthy food, it is important to know how to save money. Great money-saving tips include using coupons to knowing when a store or produce stand will discount fresh produce and other healthy products.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the family budget. These tips will teach you how to save money as you shop for healthy food on a budget.

DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

Who else loves an occasion to dress up? The girls have been counting down until the 4th of July, or “Fireworks Day” as they call it, since Easter. We’re not doing much to celebrate this year, but I did set aside some time to work with the kids on a red white and blue accessory. This DIY red white and blue flower headband, also called a flower crown, is so easy to make, you’ll want to make one for all your friends and family!

Materials for a DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

For this project you will need:

A hot glue gun – I got my mini glue gun at Michaels for like $5.

Scissors

Suede cord – Again, Michaels. This fat roll was on clearance!

Artificial flowers with leaves. I used carnations from Michaels, and they were pretty big. Let that be your guide when choosing flowers for your flower crown.

Ribbon

Felt or cloth (optional)

You guys, this DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband craft was so simple! I’ll walk you through it step by step. Please let me know in the comments how the craft worked out for you!

How to Make a DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband

These red white and blue floral headbands are made from materials you can easily find at craft stores!

Materials

Suede cord
Artificial flowers with leaves
Ribbon
Felt or cloth (optional)

Tools

Hot glue gun

Instructions

Cut 3 equal lengths of suede cord for each DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband. I cut mine all 30 inches long. There was about 6 inches extra on my daughters’ headbands that I had to trim off.
Hot glue the end of the 3 suede cords together, then braid them into a rope of sorts. You’ll want the braid to be smaller than the circumference of your head, because you’ll be tying the headband on with ribbon. Hot glue the finished end of the braid. (Tip: Use a clipboard to hold the braid steady)
Remove a flower from the stem and push it through the very middle of the suede cord braid. Hot glue the end to hold it in place. Optional: The plastic backs of the flowers can be scratchy, so you may want to hot glue a little bit of felt or cloth to the back of the DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband.
Leave a good deal of space in between the middle flower and add 2 flowers on either side of it. The carnations I used for this DIY Red White and Blue Flower Headband are pretty large. If you glue them too close together, the whole thing can get a bunchy look.
Hot glue some leaves in between the flowers to fill in some of the space. I ended up using 3 little leaf-bunches in between each flower on this crown.
Finish off by glueing ribbon to the ends of each suede cord braid. Since this flower crown has a red white and blue theme, I used a starry ribbon to match the blue and red ribbon.
That’s it! Tie the red white and blue flower headband on and you’ll be perfectly accessorized for all the July 4th festivities.

Recommended Products

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Also be sure and check out our other Summer Fun posts!

Sneaky Ways to Hydrate Kids this Summer

Summertime is a wonderful time of year when school is on break and we can take vacations. It is also the time when temperatures soar and it can be easy to become dehydrated. This is where water steps in and comes to the rescue. Most people know it is very important to drink plenty of water all the time and especially in the summer. But when you have kids, sometimes it’s a challenge to get them to drink enough water.

What some people may not be aware of is that there are also certain foods that can help keep kids hydrated. There is one food in particular that may not really shock anyone, but the rest might be a pleasant surprise.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a fabulous food to enjoy throughout the summer. What cookout or picnic would be complete without a big red juicy watermelon? Watermelon is surprisingly healthy because it’s high in fiber and vitamins and of course, water (91%). This fruit is aptly named since it contains so much water.

The greatest thing about watermelon is that most kids and adults enjoy eating it. Just put out a tray of watermelon slices the next time you’re concerned about keeping kids hydrated on a hot day! There is a good chance you will not have to fight to find a good watermelon because most grocery stores and farmers’ markets carry them all summer long. No matter where you and your family go during the summer, you will probably be able to find a watermelon or two.

Milk and Yogurt

For kids who don’t like drinking water, milk can be an alternative. Milk supplies calcium and vitamin D and is good for healthy bones and teeth. Milk is also great for hydration because it is over 80% water. And the best part? Most kids like it. Milk can be enjoyed plain or with flavor additives like chocolate, banana and strawberry. If additives are used, be aware that the carbohydrate (and sugar!) count increases.

Yogurt is another surprising member of the hydrating foods family. Yogurt contains almost as much water as some fruits. A real upside to eating yogurt is that it’s available in many of your favorite flavors. You can get it at any grocery store and even some convenience stores. Instead of packing sweet unhealthy sodas and juices to keep kids hydrated, pack yogurt (just remember to pack it in a cooler with ice).

Grapefruit

Another wonderfully juicy fruit joins the hydration camp. Grapefruit is over 90% water and contains vitamins. Just like watermelon, grapefruit is easy to find and easy to pack for a trip or an event.

Some people may not care for the “zing” that grapefruit has, but that tartness can be tamed with a tiny sprinkling of sugar or low calorie sweetener, or for best results-salt!

Lettuce

This is good news for people who enjoy a good salad. Lettuce is made up of over 90% water and packed with goodness. It is versatile because lettuce can be used as a garnish and as part of the main course in all types of salads. The leafy vegetable is naturally low in calories and helps you feel full longer.

The variety that offers the most water content is iceberg lettuce. There are so many ways to enjoy iceberg lettuce other than salad: on burgers, as the foundation for chicken and taco salads and that is just the tip of the…iceberg.

creative ways to keep kids hydrated this summer

When the temperatures start to climb, it is nice to know that there are options besides plain water when it comes to staying hydrated. It’s always a good idea to drink plenty of water, but sometimes water seems kind of plain. Some people just do not like the taste of water at all. If water is not your family’s “go to” for hydration, then consider some of the wonderful and healthy food alternatives.

Fruits like watermelon and grapefruit are excellent sources of water and taste really good. Milk and yogurt lend a hand to healthy teeth and bones as well as helping keep you hydrated. Water is important, but it is nice that there are other choices when it comes to hydration.

When you have kids, sometimes it's a challenge to get them to drink enough water. Thankfully, there are also certain foods that can help keep kids hydrated.

How to find a Homeschool Near Me

School is out, and as we look towards the next school year we’re turning our attention towards homeschooling. I’ll be honest, homeschooling is not the type of education that I feel called to. I was homeschooled as a child and I loved it, but it’s just not for me. The decision to homeschool is 100% a response to the current worldwide health crisis. That being said, we’re looking into finding a good fit homeschool near where we already live.

Why would I want to choose a homeschool near me?

The awesome thing about homeschooling your kids is that they can learn from anywhere. So you don’t necessarily have to be a part of a local homeschool program in order to get an education. But there are some benefits to enrolling in a homeschool program that’s close by. When it’s safe to do so, these programs will likely have more opportunities to participate in-person 1-on-1 meetings with your educational facilitator (teacher), and may even have extracurricular activities at a school site near you, such as group PE or a hands-on science class. Your kids would be able to join in activities and playdates with other kids from the same area.

Local homeschools may also give you the option to visit their resource library and choose your own textbooks to teach from. If you’re hoping for a more involved role in your child’s learning, a local homeschool would be a good fit for you.

Let’s dive in and find a homeschool near you

Like a ripple, start small and branch out.

Did you know that some school districts have a homeschool program already? I did a Google search for our hometown and looked for websites that have the school district’s acronym. For example, ie. Riverdale Unified School District might have a link that looks like www.rusd.org/homeschool-academy. It turns out, if we wanted to, we could enroll in a homeschool that is serviced by the school right in our own town!

If there’s nothing in your school district, search for homeschools or charter schools in your county

This would be a much broader search, such as “Charter schools in Springfield county”. Another search term that brought me good results was when I searched for the state + department of education + charter school. For me that search term was “California Department of Education Charter Schools”. Be warned: you will get a LOT of results. There were over 120 charter schools just in San Diego county alone. Many of these results will filter themselves out though. Other times, you can tell just by the school’s name that it’s not a good fit for your child. For example, I can see from the San Diego County charter school list that “High Tech Middle Chula Vista” doesn’t fit our needs because 1) it’s a middle school and we’re looking for elementary schools 2) it’s site-based and I’m looking for a full independent study program. I would look into Ingenuity Charter, because I can see from this table that they are an independent study program, which is charter school-speak for homeschool!

Just to see if this search was useful, I tried the same terms for a few nearby states, Nevada and Oregon, and got some good results there as well.

Can you recommend a homeschool near me… please?

Another thing you can do is call a local school office or district office and ask what homeschools are in the area. Even better, ask your friends on Facebook or post in a neighborhood Facebook group.

Finding a homeschool near you is only part of the process. Make sure you read reviews with a grain of salt. People are so quick to share negative experiences but slow to give praise! Ask plenty of questions. And be confident that you do not have to commit to anything you’re not fully comfortable with.

What is your experience with homeschooling? I would love to hear what the process of finding a homeschool was like for you. Leave a comment below or connect with me on Instagram!

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What are you doing for exercise during shelter in place? Definitely my biggest challenge of sheltering in place as a solo parent is getting enough exercise. The kids are plenty active. But me? I tend to find myself sitting on my tush ? … a lot! Our rooms are small, so I usually prefer exercising outdoors-jogging, hiking, walking by the beach. Stuff like that. But I can’t really get an adult-sized workout outdoors with kids. Oh sunshine how I need you ?? Now that trails and county parks are opening back up, I’m making a list of places we can hike as a family. Also, I asked other moms for what workouts they recommend that can be done in a small living room. Some of their ideas were: On YouTube •PopSugar Fitness (free) •Orangetheory Fitness (free) •Trainer Kaitlin •Chloe Ting On Amazon Prime •Maggie Binkley (she’s adorable and fun) •Lumowell workouts, such as the 500-calorie Total Body HIIT workout. These are kinda weird because the trainer is a computer-generated avatar, but it has VERY clear and helpful tips on correct body position while you’re doing the moves.
A post shared by Nikki | Simply Sweet Days (@simply_sweet_days) on May 15, 2020 at 1:41pm PDT

Scoob! Movie Printable Activity Pages

May 15th was the official premiere and watch party for the new Scooby Doo and Shaggy movie, SCOOB! Your family is going to love this movie. To make the home entertainment even more fun, I’ve rounded up a bunch of Scooby Doo printables and coloring pages! I hope you enjoy this mega bundle of Scooby Doo printables, games and activities. Perfect for your next Scooby Doo themed party or SCOOB! movie night watch party.

Here’s a little bit of the storyline from the website: The first full-length animated Scooby-Doo adventure for the big screen is the never-before told stories of Scooby-Doo’s origins and the greatest mystery in the career of Mystery Inc.

“SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

SCOOB! Printable Coloring Pages & Activities

Looking for some easy activities for your Scooby Doo party or SCOOB! movie night? This mega bundle of coloring pages, games, and activities are printer-ready!

Scooby Doo Printable Cutouts

These full-color cutouts are an easy Scooby Doo craft!

Scooby Doo Mystery Machine

Print out this colorful Mystery Machine cutout, add some glue, and you're all set!

Evil Bot Mask

Print out this Evil Bot mask and pretend you're part of the movie!

SCOOB! Bracelet Cutouts

These Scooby Doo Bracelet Cutouts are another easy Print-and-Go craft!

Scooby Doo Themed Party Food

Try these tasty treats at your next Scooby Doo movie watch party!

Scooby Doo Monster Burgers

These are sure to make you SCREAM for more!

Scooby Doo Cupcakes

Take your cupcake skills up a notch with this easy-to-follow Scooby Doo cupcake tutorial!

SCOOB! Coloring Pages

Use your creativity to bring your favorite SCOOB! characters to life.

Shaggy and Scooby Coloring Page

This Scooby Doo coloring page is from when the pals were little.

Young Scooby Doo Coloring Page

He's such a cute little pup!

Shaggy and Scooby Picnic

Here are the BFFs, doing what they do best... Eating!

Scooby and the Gang Coloring Page

All the friends are here in this Scooby and the Gang coloring page!

Best Pals Coloring Page

Shaggy and Scooby are the best of friends!

The Mystery Inc. Coloring Page

Another great printable of the whole crew!

Ruh-Roh Coloring Page

One of Scooby's classic lines!

Shaggy Coloring Page

Lots of snacks in the background are the perfect wallpaper for this hungry fella!

The Gang in the Snow

This chilly scene brings all the friends together for some coloring fun!

Shaggy and Scooby at the Movies

No sharing popcorn for these guys!

The Mystery Machine Coloring Page

The unsung hero of all the spooky adventures.

More Scooby Doo Printable Activities

Looking for more Scoby Doo printable activities? Check these out!

Mystery Quiz

Test your SCOOB knowledge with this fun quiz!

Scooby Doo Maze Activity

Help Scooby Doo get through the maze to find his collar. Also, test your memory skills with this fun online SCOOB! memory game!

The Mystery Inc. Gang Maze Activity

Help the pals find the haunted house!

SCOOB! Connect the Dots

Reveal the Blue Falcon in this connect the dots activity page.

Shaggy and Fred Connect the Dots Activity

Complete this activity to reveal Fred!

Movie Scavenger Hunt

Be on the lookout for these characters, and check them off as you watch the movie! Bonus game: Go to whackabot.scoob.movie to whack some evil bots in a fun online game!

Scooby Doo Crossword Puzzle

Use the clues to solve the puzzle!

Scooby Doo Mad Libs

You can enjoy this silly story over and over again!

SCOOB! Drawing Challenge

Pick a character to draw and have your family and friends guess who it is!

How to Draw Scoob

Use this quick tutorial or watch this video on how to draw the mystery-solving pooch.

SCOOB! Word Search (1)

Can you find all the hidden words?

SCOOB! Word Search (2)

Even more word-seeking fun!

Want the whole, 40+ page activity mega bundle? Click here to grab the entire SCOOB! Movie Night Party Pack.

Mega Bundle of Scooby Doo printables, games and activities for your next Scooby Doo themed party or SCOOB! movie night watch party.

Affordable Workouts for a Tiny Living Room

Well it’s almost here. You know what I’m talking about-the most stressful time of the year? Bathing suit season. We live in a pretty cramped place. When you’re limited to working out at home in a small living space, that tiny living room can be a challenge. I’ve been on the hunt for workouts you can do in a small space, and was pleasantly surprised to find many AFFORDABLE small space workouts to choose from!

13 Affordable Small Space Workouts

Short on space? Working on the Baby Steps? These 13 affordable workouts are perfect for tiny living rooms (or wherever you get your sweat on!). I promise you they will get your rear in gear AND fit in your budget!

FREE YouTube Workouts

I filtered through oodles of YouTube workouts and found top mom-recommended workouts for small space living.

POPSUGAR Fitness

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

SO.MANY.WORKOUTS. All very well-produced.

Orangetheory Fitness

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

Again, many full workouts to choose from.

Trainer Kaitlin

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

You have to find one that fits your equipment needs but she’s pretty good about suggesting alternative equipment options (ie., a bundle of books instead of dumbbells).

Chloe Ting

Photo Credit: www.youtube.com

I love that Chloe offers low-impact and beginner modifications when possible.

Free~ish streaming workouts

If you have Amazon Prime there are some really great workouts you can do in your living room that will get your heart rate up and burn that pesky quarantine 15 right off your buns! If you don't have Amazon Prime, you can get a free 30-Day trial here!

15-Minute HIIT 1.0 Workout or 15-Minute Full Body Burn by Maggie Binkley

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Free with Amazon Prime!

Zumba Fitness Concert LIVE

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

16 high-energy routines in a booty-shakin' 70-minute workout! Free with Amazon Prime.

10-Minute Cardio Fat Burning Workout

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Free with Amazon Prime. Also by the same trainer: Hourglass Figure Workout for Beginners, Burn 500 Calories in 40 Minutes, How to Lose Weight Fast: Weight Loss Workout (35 Minutes)

Peloton Workout App

Photo Credit: www.peloton.com

No bike? No problem! The Peloton app offers more than cycling classes, such as yoga, running, bootcamp, meditation, and running.

Single DVD Workouts

Some DVD workouts are really a workout plan or system, like BeachBody, and they’re expensive! I prefer workout DVDs that I can pop in whenever, and not have to commit to long-term.

The Firm: 500-Calorie Workout

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Reminiscent of the step aerobics classes from back in the day but with more sweat! (60 minutes)

Cathe Friedrich's XTrain Series: Hard Strikes

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Fun boxing-style workout (40 minutes)

Jillian Michaels 10-Minute Body Transformation

Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

Any of Jillian Michaels' workouts will kick your butt!

Online Workouts

These online workouts came highly recommended by moms.

Fitness Blender

Photo Credit: www.fitnessblender.com

Fitness Blender has tons of free (and paid) workouts you can sort through and filter by duration, difficulty level, and equipment.

Honorable Mention

There are a lot of workout apps out there, but this one is worth a second look.

7M Fitness - 7 Minutes Is All It Takes

Photo Credit: www.workoutinc.net

7M is a free app that you subscribe to monthly, but at only $2.99/month (on the Apple app store), the 7-minute workouts are a pretty good deal.

Moving Forward when Life Feels Disrupted

When your life feels disrupted, how do you keep moving forward?

What we’re going through right now is so uncomfortable, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s also very temporary. It’s like the shock of cold water when you first jump into the pool.

Growing up, my grandma had a pool. Even though she lived in temperate San Diego, it still baffled me that she would swim nearly every day of the year. Her late morning swim was as much a part of her routine as reading the Bible and watering her many potted ferns and flowers. But Grandma Dee hated getting her hair wet. Refused to, actually. And if we’re being honest I’m not too sure she really liked the water either.

Yet every morning she would don a black and white swimsuit for her water exercise. At the edge of the pool Grandma would tuck a round pool float under her chin to help keep her head out of the water, and with a huge yell she’d race down the steps and into the water (up to her neck, of course, so as not to wet her hair).

People would joke about her loud hollering every time she got into the water. But apparently that was the best way she knew to adapt to the uncomfortableness of warm skin against cold water: Let out a big yell. AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! But once she was all the way in and had given a few graceful butterfly strokes, her beautiful smile would wrinkle up her cheeks. Away she would go, swimming laps and announcing each one as if we were all waiting to applaud her achievement. “31!… 32!…33!…”

As I sit here in my house for day kajillion of Safer at Home, I have to remind myself daily that this is temporary. This is uncomfortable and unpleasant, but it is something we have to do so that we can stay healthy.

Do I yell sometimes? Yes, inwardly. I yell because I’m grieving the good things we used to have and took for granted, like playgrounds and beaches and classrooms and churches filled with people. I yell because I’m not working and I don’t know when I’ll be able to go back to a job that I love. I yell because I feel trapped and I wish I could be out with people. I yell because I’m tired of the fear that is so heavy you can feel its weight when you pass by people.

But each day I get into my groove. With grace I find my rhythm. The beautiful blue sky outside my window is not afraid, not trapped, and gives me hope that I will be out adventuring in the world again. I just have to go through the motions a few more times. Keep moving forward. A few more days. They go by so quickly, if you don’t celebrate them quick it will be too late. 31, thank you essential workers! 32, I appreciate you first responders! 33, we love you, teachers and school employees! Persisting. Day by day, breath by breath. Thankful and grateful for another day, and knowing that the discomfort is only temporary.

Be well my friends, and find me on Instagram.

18 Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Wouldn’t it be great if you could slash your grocery bill? We’ve been living on a pretty tight budget for almost 2 years now and I can assure you I am excellent at getting the most nutrition for my money. The stores in our area don’t offer a double coupons and rarely have sales, so we really have to work at it to find ways to save money on groceries. These 18 tips are the key to stretching your dollar and maximizing your food budget.

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate.

Get the Most Nutrition for your Dollar | 18 Ways to Save Money on Groceries

Plan ahead. Make a meal plan and stick to it, otherwise you’ll find yourself throwing out food throwing out uneaten food. Throwing out food is like throwing out your money!
Make a list before heading to the grocery store. And again, the key is to stick to it! A list keeps you from making impulse buys and extra trips to the store for forgotten items. Not sure what to put on the list? They actually make pre-printed lists so you can just check the items you’ll need!
Check unit prices. This helps you compare brands and find the one that gives you the most product for your dollar.
Consider buying the product in bulk. Some stores sell spices, grains and pastas in bulk bins at a much lower price than they are in the brand packaging.
Buy Generic! People pay much more for the brands they trust, when there’s hardly any difference in quality or taste. You’re just paying for the name on the label!
Save yourself some time and stretch out those groceries by making a double-sized meal once a week and freezing the leftovers or using them another night.
Don’t go to the store hungry. You’re more likely to fall prey to impulse buys when your tummy is growling. The same goes for any children you bring along. We actually bring snacks and drinks on long store trips to keep the littles from getting grouchy.
Check supplies before going to the store. Use a pantry or freezer inventory to keep track of what you have on hand.
Avoid the cost of convenience. Single-serving packages for things like baby carrots, yogurt and cracker packs. Buy a large container instead and make your own snack sizes.
When produce is in season in season, buy fresh. When not in season consider canned, dried or frozen.
Buy day-old bread. Use this storefinder, and also check your local Big Lots and Dollar Tree as they are official day-old stores for Bob’s Red Mill and Bimbo.
Choose whole-grain cereals instead of the sugar-coated ones. The whole-grain are better for your and usually cost less!
Serve popcorn as a snack in place of processed crackers. Popcorn is cheaper per unit ounce than a box of snack crackers, and it’s healthier than the salty processed snacks.
Make your meat dishes go farther by adding in beans, lentils, rice, or pasta.
One night a week serve a vegetarian bean or egg dish for dinner.
Chop up overly-ripe fruits to use in smoothies or add them to yogurt or oatmeal.
Check the bottoms of packages of fruits and vegetables to make sure they’re not damaged or moldy. Also, check the expiration date on bagged salads to make sure you’ll use them before they go bad.
Make small compromises as a family, like buying one less bag of chips, crackers or cookies a week.

I’m a busy working mom of four and I’ve tried every penny-pinching trick in the book. These are real things that I really do because I don’t have time to read every grocery store mailer and visit five different stores to get the best deal. If you’re really wanting to save money on groceries, you can do it! It just takes dedication. If you’re not budgeting, get my free budget plan here and start being accountable for your spending!

Got any great tips for feeding your family on a budget? Tell me what works for you!

Troop Zero’s Message of Empowerment on Prime Video

We frequently hold family movie night around here. I love when a family movie can both move me to tears and make me proud to be a girl. Troop Zero does both of those things. The movie comes to Amazon Prime Video starting January 17th, and you won’t want to miss it!

Troop Zero celebrates the quirky, a personality trait that, if we’re honest, we all have demonstrated at one time or another. The characters are far from “average”. The heroine, Christmas Flint, hopes to win the Birdies Scouts jamboree and have her recorded voice projected into space as part of the prize. Viola Davis, who plays Christmas’s father’s secretary/right-hand-woman Rayleen, is challenged with wrangle the ragtag pals into a formal troop. Thankfully, each troop member’s quirkiness makes them specially equipped for earning their own unique patch.

The Troop Zero Crew

It was Christmas’s idea to form a troop in the first place, in order to send her welcome message to space for the aliens to hear. She needed at least 4 members, so she enlisted a few other kids from school who, like her, didn’t really fit in. Her BFF Charlie was the obvious first choice, although his addition was highly controversial for the formerly girls-only scouts organization. Next to join were the aggressive Hell-No, her sidekick Smash, and a one-eyed evangelist named Anne-Claire. Together they sell cookies, earn badges, and camp out in the wilderness. They didn’t start out as friends, but through their hardship they learn to cling to each other for strength.

Why Your Family Should See Troop Zero

If you want a good laugh, you will get a kick out of this movie. It’s filled with one-line zingers and funny situations that will absolutely warm your heart. But even more than that, Troop Zero is an empowering movie. The message of resilience is an inspiration for kids, or even adults, to persevere until their big dreams become reality. Christmas wants to send a message into outer space so her mom, who passed away and lives among the stars, can hear her. Charlie would rather choreograph dances than catch a football. Everyone is afraid of Hell-No (and her fists), but in Troop Zero she lets down her guard, shows her empathetic side, and finds real friendship. Troop Zero is a place where kids can be who they are, without fear of judgement. I think we could use a little more of that in the world.

Special note for families with young children: Troop Zero is set in 1970’s Georgia. The culture and dialogue of the movie is true to the time period. That being said, there is some mild language. If your family has conservative values, I am sure you already preview anything that your kids watch.

Click here to download the entire Troop Zero activity packet and discussion guide, including the activities below and the crossword answers.

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