Home Depot for Kids

  The weekend is my downtime.  There's less running around with errands and more time to lounge.  The kids have their time and I have my time.  I do enjoy taking the kids to different events on the weekend.  The weekend with its slow pace is a time for us to enjoy each other.

  This past Saturday and every first Saturday of the month is a kids workshop at Home Depot.  The event starts at 9 runs until noon or when the kits are all given out.  There is registration online required at some locations.

  Each child that attends the workshop is given
                  an apron

 a sealed kit

                  a certificate of

completion and a pin!

  The tables are prepared with the necessary items for that particular kit.  Just a hammer and wood glue was the necessary items for today's kit.

         Some events have paint available!

  Open you kit and line up all your pieces. This months project was a Valentines Bean Bag Toss.

 Every kit has instructions! Most of the time they are easy to follow along too!

Then guide you child into the building process.

 

I started the first nail on each side and the kids finished the rest of them.  Yes, they have hit their fingers in the past but, have gotten much better at paying attention and keeping their hands out of the way!

There were stickers to apply to this item as there usually is. Definitely an easy step for all ages.

My son even tried the game when he was done.  He was very satisfied with his new craft.

Each month I try to make it.  My kids enjoy the building part of it.  That independence and finished project that they make is huge to them.  I like that it is a free event, the kids walk away with something they made and it's fun family time.

Registration starts about a week or two out from that first Saturday so don't forget to sign your child up.  I'm sure they will have just as much fun as my kids.

Are you Hooked on Tuesday?

  Today on the 30th of January I decided to take advantage of 3 deals.  Now for you I can at least maybe promise 2.  I went out for dinner and dining out is an expense but, if you do it right it doesn't have to break the bank (nor should it).  Welcome to my experience at Bonefish grill.

  I received several birthday treat's via local places and although you don't necessarily get to use all of them; some you definitely take advantage of right out the gate.

  I have enjoyed using a reward here and there throughout the month.  Some treats expire on your birthday, start on your birthday or others are available till the end of the month. Bonefish Grill gives you the month to use your freebie.

  Bonefish Grill offers you their delicious specialty Bang Bang Shrimp or a dessert for your birthday.  If you have ever been to this restaurant you know if your going to eat the birthday reward your going to also enjoy dinner.  There's no way I'm showing up for just that and not a delicious dinner too!

So deal number one!  I hope for your sake today was not the last day because if it is..... I am sorry!

  Hooked on Tuesday was today. I strategically planned to save money and dine out.  The deal gets you a 3 course meal starting at 15.9.  This includes a salad, entree and dessert!

Behold your options:

a house salad
a Caesar salad

Second course for us:


Cod Piccata


Chicken Teriyaki bowl

Final and most important course:
Keylime pie


Jamaican Coconut pie

  Second deal is to sign up for their loyalty program.  On the 4th visit you receive 50% off! Today I did not strike that deal but next trip I will.  Dinners on me! Who wants to come?  Their dining program also includes Carrabba's, Outback and Flamingos. So if you visit any of these places it counts every visit.

 Lastly, your third deal is sign up for that email!  You will get nothing but money saving offers. You will get the special menu notices, as well as a heads up on daily or weekly specials, and a birthday freebie!

  Now what are you waiting for?  Even if you don't have a Bonefish Grill near you, perhaps you have one of the other places instead.  I would start taking advantage of the deals they have to offer.  Even if you only go out a few times a year I'm sure it's at least right around 4 times. That's 50% off!

  I hope I have peeked your appetite.  I had a great dinner and even though it's not quite the last day of the month.  It's close enough to say goodbye birthday month it's been real.

 Disclosure...... I received nothing from Bonefish Grill for this post.  I had a great time and I am just sharing my honest opinion.

Under the Weather Advisory

  I knew the snow was coming.  The whole country knew so it was not a surprise.  I patiently waited and the kids impatiently waited.

  The area started to slow down. People gathered their supplies or took them all.

  Then we waited it out.  By the time we went to bed we saw snow falling and slowly starting to stick to the car.

    Then we woke up to this.

The kids wait and wait for this so they can play, build and roll in it!  VA snow lacks in the building department so they played and rolled.

I don't know if it was declared yet but we are in a state of emergency.

We can't get our cars out.

  Inches of snow have made it hard for us to get out of the house.

  Thankfully the plows and dump trucks are working hard to clear the snow so that we can resume some normalcy.

Of course the kids are holding their breath to see about school in 2 days but we already know how that goes. 1 day of snow equals 2 days off.  Virginia does have plows but is environmentally friendly and relies heavily on direct natural solar power.

Did you receive snow?  How much did you get?  Did you do anything fun with or in the snow?

Meal Plan 10/3-10/7

  Another week means another plan.  Last week went really well with an exception that I had leftovers for two days versus one.  So on Thursday and Friday we had leftovers.  Nothing wrong with that.  Tonight we used the chicken that I had pulled out for the Chicken Lazone meal on Friday to cook that meal.

  It was good nonetheless and because I didn't have to think about what to make or thaw the meat out the dinner was easy to pull together in less then an hour and everyone was satisfied with the meal.

  I did manage to pick up groceries last week to the tune of just under $200 and will make the rest of the meals for the month of October.  We will need to go back to the store for milk as I don't have room to keep gallons of it in my fridge for weeks at a time.  Other than that though we will survive and I will use up all the produce I bought instead of throw it away due to letting it get rotten. (that's more for of a goal for me)

10/3 Kielbasa
http://damndelicious.net/2014/07/12/parmesan-zucchini-corn/

10/4 BBQ Porkchops in the crockpot w/ mac & cheese
http://www.bakedbyrachel.com/brown-sugar-barbecue-sauce/

10/5  Breakfast for dinner!

10/6 Chicken
http://chelseadamon.com/easy-delicious-weeknight-baked-chicken-dinner/

10/7 Leftovers


  Wish me luck.  Using up some fresh zucchini this week, making my own bbq sauce for the porkchops and will make something special for that breakfast for dinner.  Monday and Thursday recipes are new to me so we will see how they taste!

Summer Bucketlist

  Summer is in full swing.  We are trying to take advantage of it and enjoy it around the extreme heat and rain.  I don't usually make a list; but instead just go explore and have fun however this year I decided to make one.  I made a list of places and activities I would like to do this summer for both myself and my kids.

  I made a list for both because their are somethings on mine that are not for children and just things I would like to do.  Now I may not get to all the items on either list but I sure hope so and will try.

  I initially made the list but asked for other choices when I was done but the kids will tend to say things they have already done throughout the year.  I think Chuck E. Cheese and us can take a break for a bit.  So on my lit are places and activities that I know they would like but are not fully aware of to even suggest.  I know that after they experience some of them they will be happy to have done it.

  Planned activities for my kids are: water balloon fight, badminton game, boat ride, fishing, nighttime fun like cooking s'mores and collecting lightening bugs.  Some planned places include camping, museums,  water park and even McDonald's so they can play in the play area.

  We have a pony swim that I would like the kids to see and maybe get them to a cavern!  My list includes a trip to Biltmore Estates  and  train ride.  I personally am considering a white water raft trip, indoor skydiving and a trip to a flower field!

  Of course this is a portion of my summer bucket list.  It's nice to have it organized and to cross an item off when we have done it.  We will still do the summer fun things like going to the beach, swimming at the pool, visiting a park or playground and take advantage of the kids free and budget deals like attending the movies, bowling and summer library programs.

  Follow us as we visit new places and experience new things this summer.  Hopefully it will inspire you with your family to try something new as well.

Wordless Wednesday

   We finally got to check out the Garden of Lights +NorfolkBotGarden.  I think we made this an annual tradition officially.  Everyone enjoys them and we point put different things we may see and sing together.

  This is a great way to see plenty of lights in various ways, frogs jumping, a spider and many more things.  You stay inside your car and drive through the gardens and are able to enjoy various displays made of lights out of all sides of your car!

  No complaints from all the occupants in my car young and old.  It's just a nice way to get out and spend time together.  Bonus is catching neighborhood displays on the way there and back.
 
  Check times and rates for available discounts.  If you arrive early you may get to skip the privilege of waiting an hour to enter the gardens!

  Have fun and go check out some lights!

Meal plan 11/16 - 11/20

  Here we are another week another starving tummy or 6?  Each week my goal is to share recipes with you of what we are eating for the week.  My recipes are NOT original rather just ones I have dug up and am going to cook for my family for the week.  Most of them will not be repeats but if the meal was a real success or super easy it may show up again.

  By sharing these meals with you it offers you a new idea of what you could make, shows you its easy (and hopefully quick) to make.  My meals also help you from surfing the net for your next meal.  I have done all the work for you except bought your groceries and cooked.

  Though out the week I post random teasers on instagram and twitter about the meal of the night.  I invite you to join me to catch a sneak peek even though you already know what the meal is.

  Each week will vary in ingredients, from cooking with the crock pot to meatless nights as well.  This week will be 2 crock pot meals and 1 meatless dinner.

11/16 Monday
Tacos!  Pretty self explanatory.  We will have hard shells and burritos, refried beans and all the fixings
Rice: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/33385/best-spanish-rice/

Beans: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/222177/rush-hour-refried-beans/

11/17 Tuesday ***crockpot***
Corn and Potato Chowder with Ham
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/02/26/slow-cooker-corn-potato-chowder-with-ham/

11/18 Wednesday **meatless**
Salmon, couscous and spinach
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/21176/baked-dijon-salmon/

11/19 Thursday chicken with pasta
http://www.plainchicken.com/2013/05/chicken-lazone.html?m=1

11/20 Friday Pulled pork and coleslaw
***crockpot***
http://www.recipechart.com/recipes/main-dish-recipes/carolina-style-slow-cooker-pulled-pork

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/creamy-cole-slaw-recipe.html


There you have it folks.  Another week down.  Happy eating!

Date 4

  Let's keep this calm and slowly approach the real dating.  We have time for that later.  Right now we are focusing on where we can go, who we can go with and what we can do.

  So each day this month we are taking time to make a little time for you (me), us!  Making time for not just us but our spouse, friend and kids.  Dating can be with anyone, anywhere.

  Today take it easy and take a trip to the library.  I suggest this because I haven't gone to the library for myself.  I always get distracted and get books for my kids.  So this trip is for us!  I personally am getting a book but, you can pick up videos (cheaper than redbox) audio book or a magazine!

  Maybe you can even squeeze in a bath with bubbles, candles and a couple chapters of a your book.  Sound nice?!  I am not sure I can push my luck with all that.  I can get close to half hour of me time when my kids take their bath.  It's hard to focus with all the screams and squeals but that's some valuable time.

  So get to reading.  Kindle is fine too, I'll let that slide but pick up something for you!  Post your pictures and let me see what you got!