Sprinkle

Keep summer simple.

Hot weather and bored kiddos tempting you to purchase new Super Soaker plastic water guns?  Yes, kids find these toys entertaining but you probably have enough on hand - scattered in the back of the garage!

First things first, take stock of your munitions!  Rally the troops to test and wipe down your current stockpile.  Label the keepers with a sharpie and store them in laundry baskets in the "KID ZONE" of the garage. 

If you are still prepared to introduce a new item into your water play arsenal, I stumbled upon a simple option I want to share...

Looking for a replacement garden hose at Target, I discovered a line of PURPLE garden hoses and sprinklers.  Fifty feet of lightweight hose was inexpensive and has more creative uses (read: chores - washing car, rinsing garbage cans, watering hanging baskets) than water blasters that require a reload every few minutes and encourage attack play.

Right away, my 9 year-old was inspired to set it up to oscillate on the driveway while he and a friend played basketball in the "rain" in 90+ degree heat!  It has also been a water "volleyball net" for a beach ball and a "car wash" for bikes!

Maybe you already have a hose on hand your kids could use?  Make it accessible and bring on the fun :)  What would your kids do with a sprinkler and a hose?

Kohl's cash

The problem?  I pay cash.

Specifically, I tried to pay with cash at Kohl's.

Kohl's is close to my house.  I avoid shopping there whenever possible.  Last week I needed a particular jacket, in a particular color, for a particular project.  In a particular hurry.  I found EXACTLY what I needed at Kohl's.  What I did not find out - EXACTLY - was the price. 

black quilted jacket

Sure the coat had a price tag but, because I was at Kohl's, this was NOT EXACTLY the price.  There were signs everywhere with lists of prices and discounts.  Sometimes, the price on an item was listed on one of these signs.  Sometimes not.  There were numerous options: 30% off, buy 2 get 1 free, buy 1 get 1 50% off...But, even if I found the right sign, this was still NOT EXACTLY the price. 

At the REGISTER there were more options dependent upon the day of the week, my age, the method of payment, coupons, etc...

But wait, there was more...

The price on the register screen in BOLD TYPE circled in red - was still NOT ACTUALLY the price.

I, however, read the price on the screen in BOLD TYPE circled in red as the ACTUAL price and handed my cash to the cashier.  It turned out the price on the screen  in BOLD TYPE CIRCLED IN RED was the AMOUNT OF MONEY I SAVED.  

At that point, I still did not even know the ACTUAL price.   

But I could tell you how much I didn't pay.

 

(Which was a different amount than the price the person in front of me would not have paid because she was a senior, used her Kohl's charge card, and she had some sort of coupon.)  

At that point, I felt like a guest on the Kohl's Riverboat Casino.  I put out money, but didn't lose too big.  The guest in front of me won more, so I was a little jealous.  Now, I wanted to stay.  See how the next player's cherries lined up.  I felt the desire to play again.  Try my luck.  That's when it happened...

 

The dealer handed me $10 dollars worth of Kohl's Cash for next time.

  Putting it all on black.

UPDATE 5/2/11:  Spent the $10 Kohl's cash on a pair of cargo pants from a 70% off clearance rack.  I did NOT pay $40.  The pants were marked, $8.00, so I exchanged the Kohl's cash and still have $2.00 left.  So...how much did I pay for the coat if I got a "$40" pair of pants for nothing?

Jackpot. 

Spring in the Big Box Store

Spring!  
'Tis the season of reNEWal - and the kids they are a-chirping...
 Mom!  We need new soccer balls!  Ours are...
Too small!
Dirty!
Going flat!

Why would they even bring up soccer balls?  Didn't we come here for new shorts?

And then you see them.  The objects of their desire...

Tie-dye soccer balls!  How to resist?

Not unlike the mating call of birds, Big Box stores entice (even tweet @) us to spend, spend, spend!  Acknowledge the appeal of the wall of colorful soccer balls on display at the Big Box store, but recognize the intent of the display.

Before you bring another soccer ball into the fold, take a few pages from the Big Box store of marketing and apply them in your own space.  Address the condition of all of the balls you already own.  Work with your kids to organize the KIDZONE of the garage.

For now, keep the spring transitional clutter at bay.  Appreciate the brilliant design of the tie-dye soccer balls

...and leave them in their Big Box nest.

Seeing Red - A Love Story

Last minute Valentine's Day errands have you frustrated?  Rushing to "put on a show" for your family?

Think you don't have the energy or creativity to do it on your own?

Yes, you DO!  The only Big Box store you need is your own home!  You don't even have to get dressed.

DECLARE ORDER WITH RED.

Take 5 minutes to make a pile of RED household items.  Go ahead.  I'll wait...
I raided my Kitchen, Birthday Box (see archives - Pencil Giving Needs), Gift Wrap drawer and found -

RED STUFF!

FOCUS ON YOUR SCHEDULE. 
What would make the most sense?
For your life.
For today.
A CENTERPIECE?
PLACE SETTINGS?
ENTRY?
LUNCH BOXES?

After looking at the RED STUFF and thinking about OUR schedule,
I chose to RED UP the kitchen table.
I started with the white breakfast bowls...

Hey!  

These look pretty sweet against the RED STUFF! 

Then I remembered the white tablecloth from Thanksgiving...

And...voila!

PRETTYFUL

My mom is an expert at making do.
She taught us that little loving touches can have as much impact as an "in your face" display.  My tween wandered past and asked to help blow up the balloons.  Then lamented she, "hadn't gotten me anything."  But the day is young and she is resourceful...Can't wait!
Thanks, mom. xox

LOVE STORIES

Oooh!  Inspiration!  I think I will take the paper placecards and write thoughtful little one sentence messages on the inside to my husband and kids...

"I love it when you___________.  

It is fun when we ___________.  

I am proud of you when___________."

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Good Will Hunting

     Shopping for clothing at Goodwill - when it is not an economic necessity - is not universally appealing.  I get that.  I also get a Liz Claiborne shawl collar cardigan for $4.99!  I recommend inspecting every inch of the garment, shopping on half-off certain colored tag days, and always, always trying pieces on.

     If you are not inclined to poke around Goodwill, here is a colorful tip about Lands End Inlet.  I was in search of a robe to replace my ratty maroon old-timer with the broken zipper.  I learned I could get an additional 20% off the already discounted price if I selected an item that had been monogrammed.  Monogrammed?  Always intrigued by unique ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, I kept an open mind and found my new best friend, "Patricia."  

     "Patricia," as she proclaims from below my left shoulder, is my red fleece hoodie robe.  She falls about mid-calf and zips up the front.  My family teased me at first, but have come to accept Patricia as an honorary member of the family.

my good will ambassador :)