Christmas in July

I am on a mission this year. I am going to pay for all the Elf on a Shelf stuff and stocking stuffers with change and gift cards I earn through Swagbucks. Personally I love Swagbucks. It is a couple of moments every day and I earn points and they give me gift cards. This makes me a very happy mommy. I am also a little crazy and I am keeping track of what I spend (in change) just because I want to know how much I ended up saving.

Perks to shopping early

• less budget shock. (you know what I am talking about... the Christmas OMGAH! THIS COSTS SO MUCH!!!)
• The ability to shop many many many sales and clearance aisles 
• Less stress. I already have a shoe box full of Christmas stuff... and you know what? I feel awesome!
• Christmas stuff is OFF SEASON in the summer and VERY cheap usually

This method is not for all people, but you might want to consider starting a general "gift box". Good things to put in one of those are throw blankets, movies, and candles. So if you need a quick gift you have it. :)

Bribes

To Bribe or Not to Bribe? That is the question.

Most of the time parents do not think twice about offering their kid a piece of candy or maybe even a new toy in order to get them to behave when they are out in public. The truth is MOST of the time its okay. Everything in moderation right? I am a big belief of everything in moderation.

My daughter is rarely bad in public, she just has some off days. I refuse to feel bad for the $1 toy or piece of candy that I give her. The fact is everyone is entitled to a bad day. The difference is when you have a bad day you can choose to sit at home and not go out, but your child doesn't get to decide when you drag them to the store or anywhere else.

Bribing becomes bad when its an all the time thing. When you have to provide you child with some type of treat for good behavior. That is not good. Your child has now taken your brides as a reward for bad behavior, which they were never supposed to be.

and as a parting piece of advice...

REMEMBER TO REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOR!!!

The Borgias

Showtimes hit show The Borgias just had its series finale. I absolutely loved this show. It had drama and intrigue, and granted it muddle history some - not unlike its counterpart and predecessor The Tudors, it was still a great show that kept you hanging on for next weeks episode.

The show is set around the Pope's family, The Borgia's. You get to watch all the children become adults and attempt to carve out there place in the world with an ambitious family that wants to hold onto the reins and keep there family together. The Pope in the late 1400s, early 1500s was a huge seat of power, he could crown kings and start wars. That amount of power can make any man go crazy. Watching the family gain power and try to hold onto it was a battle that was waged through all 3 seasons, but the storyline that stole the show was the Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia. 

  

                              

From the first episode you start to get the idea that the relationship between these two is not just something between a brother and sister. Cesare's love for Lucrezia borders on obsession. As the show continues, they go back and forth between giving into there needs and fighting them. Their devotion to each other is never in question. Even as the wars were fault, babies born, changes in seats of power. Their love remained a constant and was even the way they chose to end the show, by showcasing Cesare and Lucrezia. As Cesare wipes blood from his sister face his growls "Mine". In her ear, finally she was his. 

Birthday Cheap!

My Daughter loves parties. Not having a party is really not an option with her. Granted I am sure she would get over it, but she loves them. I am the type that I would prefer to spend money on presents more than a party. So here is a short list of ways to keep the cost down

1. Make the banner - that way you can change it with the theme OR purchase a generic "happy birthday" banner and re- use it.

2. Make "Character Circles" or use coloring pages.
 

3. Buy white napkins and clear cups and silverware. (That way if you have extras you dont have to worry about them going with next years colors!)

4. Host the party at home or at the park

5. START EARLY!!! I cannot stress this enough. I start 2-3 months ahead of time, that way I have time to hit sales and make things.

Crocheted Garland!

I made crocheted hearrt garland at valentines day and I loved it. It was easy to make, was cute, and it will keep FOREVER. I ran across this snowflake pattern I decided to do the same thing with it. I can wrap it around the tree or just hang it on the computer desk. 

Snowflake pattern:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-snowflake.html

Garland instructions:

Chain 50, sl st in top of snowflake, *Chain 30, sl st in top of next snowflake* repeat * until out of snowflakes, Chain 50

***You can make this a scrap project by using leftover bits of yarn for each snowflake. The different colors would give it a more whimsical feel :)

Fleece Blankets

Fleece blankets are a great gift idea. I am in the middle of putting together a baby present and decided to add one to all the other stuff I am making. I was able to find fleece for $3 a yard. For a baby blanket you only need one yard. I just fringed the end of mine. You can also knot or braid the ends. Some people do a printed fleece and a plain and knot them together to make a thicker blanket. I found a wonderful tutorial for anyone who would like to watch one being made before they tackle their own.

FIRE!

We love camping! However... there is one thing you have to do when you camp that I really get NO practice on the rest of the year. LIGHTING A FIRE. Luckily, I went to enough summer camps as a child that I was able to fumble through it last year. Then I found these neat little things that help to start your fire...and cost... *Drum Roll* NOTHING!

Everything used to make these are recycled from stuff you have in your house... toilet paper rolls, dryer lint, and newspaper :)

Stuff lint in tubes... as loose or tight as you want.

Wrap in Newspaper. 

Makes fire a lot easier to start :)