What I Found At The .99 Store: #Halloween Edition

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year.  It kicks off the whole Holiday season.  Dia de los Muertos, Turkey Day, Christmas and New Years.  We've checked out the Halloween sections at Party City, Target and Walmart a few times already.  But if you really want to save money, the .99 Only Store is where it's at.

Obviously I didn't buy all of this, just sharing what I found at my local store!
  

48 piece Barbie party favor pack .99!  (I was tempted to buy this for one of those times I might need it)

Another 48 piece party favor pack!  There was a "boy" one too.

1 lb. of Fingerling potatoes and huge packs of Organic salad mix!

That right there is a TWO pound box of strawberries.  One of the employees pointed it out to me, we bought 2!  Never heard of Revolution Foods but those are organic snack bars.

Vintage looking owls!  And that's our cart - only set us back $22!


Disclosure:  This is not a compensated post.  All thoughts are my own.

Homeschooling Gets Real. Really Real.

Homeschool was supposed to start last Monday but that didn't happen.  I was in New Orleans from the 23rd-26th and honestly, needed a week to get back into the groove.  This is our first year of homeschooling, Duke attended Kindergarten and we just didn't feel comfortable sending him back for 1st grade when I would be home bonding with Omar (among other things that happened during the school year.)

Homeschooling is overwhelming.  It is not easy.  It is nothing like I thought it would be.  We're slowly getting into our routine, experimenting everyday to see what works for us.  Thank goodness for the flexbility of the program!  If you like your free time and sanity, homeschooling isn't for you.  You need an abundance of patience.  Which I'm finding out I'm short on this week.  Too bad I can't just walk into a store and buy me some patience!

The problem is that my overbearing, possessive 6 year old wants to be a helicopter parent to our 4 month old.  The line in Omar's Huggies diaper barely turns blue and he's yelling at me to change his diaper.  Omar loves just hanging out in his crib but Duke will yell at me, "Mom! Omar is up!"  My child is on my ass about his baby brother!   Majority of today's lessons were spent in mine and C's bed because Duke wanted to be with Omar.  I didn't mind one bit.  It was actually a good idea because Duke read to Omar and Omar enjoyed time spent with his brother and I.  I loved it.  Today's vocabulary word is: cozy.  Duke said cozy is warm and comfy.    

I need to stop feeling overwhelmed with Homeschooling.  And stop feeling scared I might be doing something wrong.  Yes it's a lot of work but we parents are our children's first teachers.  I just need to keep telling myself that.  

July 2012 Foodie Pen Pals Reveal

This is my second month participating in Foodie Pen Pals.  I love shopping for my partner but it's more exciting getting mail!  I received the most adorable package from Liz of Library Hush - I almost didn't want to take off the bow, it was so pretty!

I always would rather have quality products over quantity and I prefer local goods.  Liz sent me all organic products and purchased from local, small businesses.  Love!  

Liz sent me the recipe for My Special Zucchini Bread Recipe and included two of the ingredients: huge bags of walnuts and candied ginger!  Also in my package was a box of Stroopwafels, bag of Farm Boy Johnnycakes mix and jar of Blueberry Lavender Preserves.  The box of Stroopwafels didn't stand a chance - my 6 year old loves waffles and wanted to try 'em out.  He ate half and I had the other half, it was delicious.  I immediately had visions of adding it to french vanilla ice cream and the blueberry lavender preserves - which I actually made a few days later.  It is magical.  I've had it twice since then.  I love everything Liz sent but haven't had a chance to make Johnnycakes or the Zucchini Bread yet.  I can't wait!  Thanks for being an awesome foodie pal Liz!

Sadly I won't be participating for the next few months - I've been getting busier by the weeks and need to focus on future projects.  I'm planning on returning in December or January.  It is that fun!

This month I sent to Debbie of Accidently Delish.
I convinced my friend Chanelle of The Frugal Asians to get in on the action.
Check out what I received last month from Diana of Veggie Next Door.
Check out all the July 2012 Foodie Pen Pal Reveals!