Target: 8GB SD Memory Card $9 (in stores 8/14-8/20)

This might seem random, because it has nothing directly to do with babies or children, but Target has their Lexar 8GB SD Memory Cards* on sale this week for $9. That's a HUGE savings on this type of memory card. They usually run $18-$35 depending on where you go. Our digital camcorder uses this kind of card, and it can hold 2 hours of HD video on it, and more if we're not recording in HD.

Just wanted to give other technological junkies like me the heads up, just in case you've been wanting to get an extra card! They offered this sale last month, and we bought two, just in time for family vacation! Captured some priceless moments! When I went to Target last time, they did not have a sale tag, but I had it price-checked and it rang up $9.

* If you wanted even more specifics, it's an 8GB SDHC (high-capacity) Speed/Class 4 memory card... some digital cameras and camcorders require a class 4 or higher to work well. Just check your manual.

Busy Bag #3: Colors & Shapes Magnets

Here is another simple Busy Bag you can put together to have on hand for busy little fingers and eyes. I just called it "Colors & Shapes Magnets". This is a spin-off of the family photo magnets I found here (and I plan on making next time I get around to having pictures developed, because both my family and my husband's live long distance).

Supplies:

- Several colors of Crafting Foam Paper (Around $2 for 15 sheets or so I think? I also recently saw foam shapes/colors in the Target $1 that look like they would work great!)

- One-sided magnet tape* ($2.50 or so at Hobby Lobby. Remember Hobby Lobby has weekly printable coupons, often 40% off one item)

- Scissors 

- Permanent Marker

Total Cost: Minimal, considering how many you can make from just $5 in supplies!

Directions:

- Using scissors, cut out various shapes (I cut out two of every shape/color so we could possibly play matching down the road)

- Cut 1 inch pieces of magnet tape and stick to the back of the shape*

- Write "(Color)" or "(Shape)" on the front (or both)

- Put all the pieces in a quart size ziplock bag!

Have fun! This can be a travel activity if you bring a small metal cookie sheet to use as the board. Fridges & dishwashers work great in the house!

Other Busy Bag Ideas:

#1: Chalkboard & Chalk

#2: Pipe Cleaners in a Bottle

*My 18m son already figured out how to pull the magnets off and tried eating them... so keep an eye on your child when playing with these (as with anything else). I'm going to try hot glue or super glue to see if either of those work better than just the standard adhesive on the back of the magnet. As a child gets older, this shouldn't be as much of an issue.

Busy Bag #2: Pipe Cleaners in a Bottle

Here is Busy Bag #2: Pipe Cleaners in a Bottle. This idea I got from the blogger at "Engaging Toddler Activities". To see the complete tutorial, head over here. 

Supplies:

- Pipe Cleaners

- Plastic container with lid

Total Cost: Depends on what supplies you already have* (Mid-range pipe cleaners were $.79 a pack at Hobby Lobby, but were 50% off, so only $.40. I used a food storage container I already had)

Modifications I made for my son...

- Used a shorter container. I originally made it with a "Puffs" snack container (like the one in the tutorial). Levi wasn't getting the hang of stuffing the pipe cleaners all the way down, so they were bending and he was getting frustrated... definitely not my intention! The shorter container also doesn't flip over as much.

- Bent & twisted pipe cleaners to make them thicker. To help with not bending as easily, I folded the pipe cleaners in half and twisted them. You could do this for the tall container by twisting two pipe cleaners together. Whichever you choose, don't forget to bend the little ends up to help with not having sharp tips.

Levi loves playing with this. He loves sticking straws in and out of cups, and this is the same concept. Very easy to keep in a bag, and you can store the pipe cleaners in the tub when not being used!

Other Busy Bags:

#1: Chalkboard & Chalk

* When making any of these busy bags, look around your house, kitchen, and craft room to see what you can re-use or re-purpose! Saves a ton of money and helps move things on to a new home! Your activity might look a little different than the original, but your 18m toddler won't know the difference, right? As always, feel free to share ideas in the comments below!

Snapfish: 8x8 Photo Books $15 SHIPPED!

Snapfish is offering their custom cover 8x8 photo books* for $15 with promo code "EIGHTBY8", or their custom cover 12x12 photo books* for $25 with promo code "TWELVEBY12". Both of these offers include FREE standard shipping! Hurry on over to Snapfish and start creating, this offer ends Tuesday, August 16th!

* This includes the standard 20 pages. Additional pages would be an extra fee.

Busy Bag #1: Chalkboard & Chalk

Last week over on my facebook page, I mentioned that I would start experimenting with making age appropriate "busy bags" for my little boy, age 18m. I successfully made 8 or 10 little activities for our recent family vacation (an 8hr. drive into the mountains to go camping), and I can say they are successful because my little man loved all of them! So I'm going to share them with all of you other moms & caretakers, because most of them use basic household supplies or inexpensive craft supplies! 

The first one I will share was the easiest... a mini chalkboard & chalk. Simple, I know. If the child "accidentally" colors on the couch, carseat, floor, etc... chalk wipes right off! 

Here are the supplies you need:

-  Small chalkboard (this double-sided one was $1.75 on sale at Hobby Lobby)... It counted as an "unfinished wood" piece, so it was 30% off the normal price of $2.49. 

- Chalk (4 boxes of chalk, 12ct was another $1.49)

- Total Cost: $4 (I actually bought a second one for a friend's daughter, and split all that chalk between the two bags)

The concept of activity bags are to provide simple, inexpensive activities to keep little hands busy for 10-15 minutes, while also introducing various learning concepts (like colors, counting, matching, etc...). Put each activity in a bag (I used quart size ziplock bags with the slider top), then put all the activities into a tote or large bag. Only pull one out at a time, then put it back into it's bag and switch it out for another activity!

Stay tuned for more of the activities I put together! I will share links of various sites where I got ideas. Isn't the internet such a wonderful resource for moms?

O'Charley's: FREE Appetizer with Purchase of Entree!

Guess what? This coupon is still available, and appears to let you print it more than once... the fine print says "Limit one per party per visit". So just go "like" O'Charleys on Facebook and print off yours! My hubby & I went out last night for dinner since we're still unpacking from vacation and I haven't been grocery shopping yet. The food was super yummy as always! (And yes, you can use this coupon on the "Top Shelf" appetizer that is chicken tenders, twice-baked potatoes, and fried cheese triangles) Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY: Baby Leggings or Peony Headband

Baby Spout Boutique is hosting a giveaway... so head over here, click on "Giveaway" in the left column, and enter to win a pair of baby leggings or a peony headband! Baby Sprout Boutique is run by a SAHM (Stay-At-Home-Mom) who loves to create adorable baby accessories! Check out her adorable items on Facebook or Etsy...

Share this Giveaway with friends to earn more entries! This giveaway ends August 18th, 2011!

Book Review: Mercy Come Morning

My most recent read was the book "Mercy Come Morning" by Lisa Tawn Berger. I had just read another fictional book by her called "Breathe", and liked the way she wove solid Biblical truths throughout her stories without over-Christianizing the main characters. "Mercy Come Morning" was definitely another great book by her! It was simple and easy to read, and encouraged me, while making me laugh and cry... This story takes place in a modern day setting, while also spanning several generations as it goes back into family memories. The theme of the book is a woman who goes back to her hometown to say goodbye to her mother with Alzheimer's who is dying. She had a rough life growing up in a home with just a single mom, craving the acceptance and love of her mom, but never felt like she got it. Now she faces saying goodbye to a woman she doesn't really know, nor does her mother know her, so what can be expected? The author weaves in the stories of both women throughout the book, and how God is at work in a bigger picture. I definitely recommend this book to friends!

Rank my review here (it only takes seconds--make sure to verify your email if it's the first time you've ranked a book with this program!) and you'll be entered into a drawing to win a copy of this book!


Dislaimer: I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review as part of their "Blogging for Books" program.

3 FREE Suave Samples...

Hurry on over to sign-up for a box of THREE Suave samples: Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo, Sweet Pea & Violet lotion, and men's body wash. This sample is from Walmart, and I always get their samples quickly! Great to stash away for traveling or donating to a church/homeless shelter!

Samples don't last forever, so don't delay! :-)

Nursing Covers $9.95 Shipped & Baby Slings $11.95 Shipped!!!

If you are looking for a nursing cover or baby sling for yourself or as a gift for someone, here's a great deal this week:

At Udder Covers you can purchase any nursing cover or 10 sets of washable breast pads for $9.95 shipped using promo code "BREASTFED" at checkout. This will deduct $32 from your total, leaving you to only pay the $9.95 shipping. I have made my own and for friends, and materials alone cost $5-$6 fabric on sale, so this is a great deal because it takes no time at all! You don't even have to leave your house!

At SevenSlings you can purchase a baby sling for $11.95 shipped using the same promo code, "BREASTFED" at checkout, which will deduct $39 from your total (so you can choose to get the gift set with baby leg warmers if you want, which would only be $5 more). They also offer a $3.50 "Size Exchange Insurance" that would cover you shipping it back to get a different size if you needed within two weeks.

Both of these sites will let you use the promo code more than once, you just have to close your browser and re-open the page! Have fun!