I'm Bored/Rainy Day Bag of Thrifty Things for Payton

It finally happened......I heard I'm bored from Payton for the 1st time yesterday.  I can remember saying this to my mom when I was growing up.  She would always try to help me find something to do.

While Payton was eating breakfast this morning, I put together a I'm Bored/Rainy Day bag.  I always pulled items from birthday party goody bags, Easter baskets, and stocking stuffers to put back as little prizes.  I always pick up items at the Dollar Tree or clearance racks to save for surprises.  This morning I went through my box of goodies and pulled items together and placed them in a bag.  The bag consists of items that can be done inside and some for outside.

 - play dough
- bubble gun
- activity book (she loves to do these)
- craft items
- sidewalk chalk
- kids veggie pots
- a sprinkler

The next rainy day or the next time I hear I'm bored, I will be prepared.  She will have to close her eyes and pull out a prize.

Hopefully, she will enjoy it and I know it will in handy!

Our Thrifty Day Trip to the Lake

Yesterday was Payton's 1st trip to the lake.  If you were to know her father, you would be shocked that she had never been before.  He currently has 2 boats but he has had as many as 4.  He is an avid fisherman and use to go every weekend at least once if not twice.  Since having kids, he does not go that often. We had planned to take her last summer but with a newborn, it never worked out.  Thanks to my dear mom for keeping Bryson, Payton had a day with all the attention on her. 

It was a beautiful sunny day!  It was very hot but we had the water to keep us cool.  We spent the day fishing, swimming, and boat riding. 

Payton caught the 1st fish of the day!

Of course, I planned ahead and tried to think of every possible way to save money. Here is a list of how I saved money and any money that I did have to spend.

- Breakfast was at home.
- I took a cooler full of water, juice, and drinks for the day.
- I had a bag full of snacks and chips.
- I took toys for backup in case Payton got bored with fishing.  Happy to say I never had to pull them out.
- Took her spray bottle with fan to help keep us cool and that was a lot of entertainment for her to be able to spray us.
- We had all the fishing supplies needed but we did buy 3 dozen minnows for $3
- The only other thing we spent was gas money.  We had gas in the boat but we did have to fill up the Tahoe.

So overall we had a wonderful fun-filled thrifty day of fun.  We hope to go many more times this summer.

My Thrifty Flowers

With summer comes flowers.  Every summer I always buy hanging baskets for the front porch.  I also fix several flower pots for the back patio.  I almost bought some a couple of weeks ago but I am so glad that I waited.  I took advantage of the great deal Lowes Foods had last weekend on their hanging baskets.  I bought 10 hanging baskets at $5 each = $50.  This is what I ended up with.

4 hanging baskets for my front porch

2 hanging baskets for flower hook at bench

1 flower pot at back door

3 small flower pots on steps and 2 medium flower pots on back patio

1 hanging basket for my new hanging basket holder

I usually spend at least $100 if not more each summer on flowers.  With the great sale Lowes Foods had, I saved $50+.  I was very pleased with my savings and I love the flowers that I purchased.

5 Summer Getaways Every Kid Should Experience

Summer is my favorite time of the year.  I love the sun and the warm weather.  Everything is so beautiful and green.  The flowers make everything look so welcoming.  I enjoy spending time outside cooking out, playing with my kids, or just swinging on the porch. 

Summer is also the time for vacations and getaways.  It's not officially summer yet but half of our summer is already planned with trips and fun filled days.  I have lots of great memories from summers growing up.  I have always wanted to share the greatest things I did with my kids.  I think every kid should experience the following 5 summer getaways.

1) The Beach - Every child should be able to take a vacation to the beach.  Spend the days playing in the ocean and making sandcastles in the sand and spend the evenings eating seafood.  Walking on the beach and looking for shells has become a tradition for me and my daughter.  We love to find shells that are uncommon and ones that she hasn't seen before.

2) A Day at the Lake - Going to the lake for the day can be so fun.  The experience of riding in a boat is one you will always remember.  I can remember my first boat ride.  My mom was more scared than me, she just knew I was going to fall overboard.  There are so many things to do at the lake for kids of all ages - swim, fish, boat rides, skiing, or tubing.

3) Fishing - Fishing is so relaxing to me.  I love to go and think every child should experience it.  The excitement of wondering when a fish is going to bite your hook is like no other.   My daughter is 4 and she asks to go often.  She really does enjoy reeling in her own fish.

4) A Day at the Pool - I believe everyone needs to know how to swim.  It can be so refreshing to jump in a pool on a hot summer day.  It is also great exercise.  All kids love to play in the water.

5)  A Day at the Park - Every child loves to go to the park and play.  It is a great way to spend time outside and just enjoy the fresh air.  I too enjoy the swings and slides.  Take a picnic lunch and spread a blanket out in the grass.  Take notice to your surroundings. Point out the trees, flowers and even those pesky little ants that try to get to the food. 

I can not wait to start enjoying our summer.  Our fun-filled days will officially begin this weekend since it is Memorial Day.  We are already planning a cookout.  Our local pools open this weekend and the first trip is always exciting.  Maybe everyone should plan something fun and get excited for summer.  Its nice to have something to look forward to.


Disclosure:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”


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