Using Time Wisely

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Father’s Day: Personalized Photo Cards

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Photograph Credit: Shutterfly

If June flies by as quickly as May, then Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19 will be here soon. In past years, I have created personalized photo cards for each of my children to give to Paul. Since the cost of most photo cards start at $2.99, one can quickly spend upwards of $10 just on cards. Ouch!

Thankfully, we can get these cards for the price of shipping through Shutterfly.com. Heather over at Freebies4Mom.com shares the details for claiming 5 free cards for $5.99. This deal ends on June 9. I purchased 5 Father’s Day cards with this same deal (different promotional code) last week. For this deal you can either order 5 identical cards or 5 different cards. I could not order 3 different cards and 2 identical cards. When I was charged full price for the second identical card, I removed it from the shopping cart and created an additional card. Then the promotional code worked, and my order is being processed.

You will save money, but you will also spend time creating these cards. For me, the time is well spent since the cards are personalized with pictures of each of my kids with their Daddy. If you are looking for other personalized gifts for Dad, check out this post from centsiblesavings.com.  If you find other inexpensive personalized gifts for Father’s Day, then please share the details in the comments section.

Backyard Fun – A Step Away

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School is underway, the extreme temperatures are dropping a tad, and my house is halfway clean (the upstairs is complete). My reward when I finish cleaning will be to burn my pumpkin spice candle. Oh, what motivation! I love, love, LOVE autumn. The cooler temperatures, football season (Go Gators!), and outdoor fun with my family.

After the evening dinner together, my family enjoys spending time outdoors. If you stopped by, you might find us:

Hitting Baseballs

My son, older daughter, and husband enjoy hitting, missing, and/or slamming the baseballs into our neighbor’s yard. Though the balls are plastic, they sail through the air.

This automatic pitching machine was a great investment. My son has really improved in his performance, and my kids stay active chasing down the baseballs to start again.

Digging in the Sandbox

For dessert, my youngest daughter enjoys a mouthful of blue sand. 🙂 She loves to dig, scoop, pour, and eat. Keeping it out of her mouth is a battle, but the fun had in the sandbox has been worth it.

My son is a little big for the sandbox, but he plays well with the girls. Maybe someday the girls will play well with him. 🙂

Hunting Bugs, Frogs, and Snakes . . . oh, my!

Before mowing the yard, my husband moves the down spout splash blocks out of the way. Since critters are usually hiding, he takes the bug containers to capture frogs, katydids, and grasshoppers. One evening, this little guy surprised him.

At the announcement of a snake, the kids ran to see him. Knowing that he lived under the splash block, we were able to see him one or two more times before he found another home. Then we were off to find other interesting creatures for our next Show and Tell item at school. 🙂

Riding Bikes

Between the tricycle, big wheel, bike with training wheels, big boy bike, and the scooter, my kids can spend more time getting out an item and putting it away than they do riding their vehicle of choice.

Been there?

They drive me nuts!

I get out 3 bikes. They ride up and down the sidewalk once and come back to put that bike away and get another. I have found taking walks, away from the house, deters them (a little) from this strategy. Somehow, I get roped back into it every time. Though it can be frustrating, I am thankful for healthy kids who can run, jump, and ride their bikes.

Exploring the Tent

Before camping, Daddy airs out the tent in our backyard. The kids love to run around inside. This fascination is fun to watch. All of a sudden, they have a new clubhouse with a door and windows.

When the windows are unzipped, my youngest daughter hides in the coverings that hang on the floor. She is small enough to fit. Then comes the peek-a-boo game which gets her giggling, and sister and brother laughing, and then Daddy and I join the fun.

While enjoying the cooler weather this fall, our family will be using time wisely playing outside. These fun family activities burn off energy, offer lots of giggles, and give us time with each other. As you plan family outings, don’t forget about the great activities you can discover a step away in your own backyard.

Question: What fun activities does your family enjoy in the backyard? 

Family Crafts: Halloween Skeleton and Cat

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Susan Dox)

With Halloween around the corner, my kids are mesmerized by the spiders, ghosts, and skeleton decorations in our neighborhood. On a family walk, we had to stop to check out the Halloween decorations at a few houses along the way. My oldest daughter is quite concerned about the skeleton which lost his head. 🙂

To continue the fun of the Halloween season, here are two crafts that might get your family in the spooky Halloween mood:

Black Cat

This craft idea, posted by thekrazycouponlady.com, gives detailed instructions for creating a cat out of a paper plate. If we end up hosting our own Halloween party, I just might use this craft for the children.

Skeleton

From empty milk jugs, thekrazycouponlady.com shares the supplies and directions for creating your own skeleton. This craft would be a fun family activity where everyone helps out.

In using time wisely, I enjoy making crafts with my kids, especially when they help to decorate my home for the next holiday. Whether you create a cat, skeleton, or spider, enjoy spending time with your family as you decorate your home.

Question: Do you make your own seasonal decorations? If so, please share what crafts you are concocting in the comments.

Thanksgiving: Gobble Gobble Turkey Cups

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Photograph Credit: Sips Etc.

Tricia and Kirstin over at Sips Etc. share detailed instructions for making these adorable turkey cups. Besides being quick and easy, this craft can be done with your children while using time wisely.

When my children help create an inviting space for our guests, they enjoy showing and using these items that “they made.” I enjoy watching their enthusiasm while spending time with them.

If you are looking for a project to keep little ones out of the kitchen, then consider making a craft with them while the turkey is baking in the oven. Then they can use their craft at the dinner table.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving Day, remember to enjoy your family and friends.

Redbox: Free Movie Night on February 14, 2012

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On Valentine’s Day treat those near and dear to you to a free movie night provided by Redbox.

Photograph Credit: Redbox

To use the promotional code, you need to:

1. Become a fan of Redbox on Facebook.

2. Visit a Redbox kiosk on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

3. Enter the promotional code: HEART.

4. Select your free DVD rental.

This promotional code is limited to one use per Facebook account and is only valid on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

If you are planning a romantic evening with your sweetheart, hanging out with friends, or spending the evening with your family, then let Redbox provide the one-day movie rental. Enjoy your special celebration while using time wisely!

Looking for more fun? Visit Using Time Wisely’s Facebook event page for more family activities. Happy planning!