Garage Sale Treasures July 1st

This week it was H-O-T!!!!! It was also a holiday weekend and there was the storm earlier in the week. This added up to not very many sales. But, we still found a few good treasures-and I used some of Mrs. Taffy's suggestions and managed to sneak a few purchases! Yay!!!



I never know what items to list first on here, so lets start with some books and school stuff (since this is a homeschooling blog lol). Discovery Toys puzzles, 1.00, Melissa and Doug farm peg puzzle (I havent seen this one before!) 50 cents, and a bunch of books for 1.25. You may notice that there are 3 books (including the one with the blank cover) about doctors? I love it when God leads me to inexpensive learning supplies for our very next unit!!




For Miss Explorer-a new to us bouncer seat. We have had a bouncer seat for 3 babies, that came used to begin with and was loaned out at least once. Needless to say it was DONE. So we upgraded to a 'new' one. $5.00.



Sweet baby clothes for Miss Explorer-lots of Carter's, Old Navy, Gap and TCP. I love baby clothes. I'm so glad I let go of Mini Coopers last year so I could buy more this year :). 4 2 piece sets, 5 tops/onesies, a pair of jeans, a sleeper, and a baby bunting $7.75, total. The bunting was a fun find. I had the exact same one for Mini Cooper and it was one of the few things I wished I had kept. Just 50 cents replaced it :).




For Mini Cooper-4 everyday dresses(one Gap)and a brand new top, $2.25 total.



I hit ANOTHER quarter sale with boys clothes (sets were a quarter total!). I'm starting to realize that this would not be a good town to make money having a yard sale! This all came from that sale except one top that was 50 cents at a different sale-$3.00 total.



Just a couple things for Mustang-the sales just didnt have much for her this week. She 'needed' a 4th of July top for tomorrow, so I was happy to find one! $2.00.



Mustang is getting better at finding her own treasures. She found these two items this week. One is a vintage Fisher Price Card Flipper with all 4 card sets. I had to look an old toy site to even know what it was called. And, she found a vintage Little Mermaid hand held game. She doesnt seem to even notice that it isnt the same quality graphics as her Leapster-she calls it her second Leapster lol. 75 cents for both.

And here's when I put Mrs. Taffy's suggestions to work. My STEALTH purchases for the week he he. I didnt have a tote to put them in, well I did, but it was see through so not much help. But I DID have a large black trash bag that did just as well. I'm so glad that I read her tips, I was getting annoyed at bringing home tons of new things each week knowing that I was cluttering up the house quickly and STILL had to buy birthday and Christmas presents-which will cost more money and space. YES I am sure I'll still have to buy some things, but if I can cut down on them it would be really great!



Mini Cooper is really into Little People right now, and I seem to keep coming across them at sales. I hope to buy as many secretly as possible and give her one big box for her birthday, or even split them up for Christmas if I find enough. This is the Sight and Sounds Train set $3.00.



And ferris wheel for 50 cents. It is missing a small gate. The sale had 2-one with a gate for 3.00, one without for 50 cents. I took this one :).



2 sets of little princesses (nothing too major I know). I'm thinking stocking stuffers. 50 cents.




Three Thomas books for a gift for Charger. They are actually 2 books in one, flip them over for another story. 75 cents.



Microscope Lab Max and 12 prepared slides. The microscope had been opened but never used, and the slides were never opened. 10.00 for the set. I thought this might be a little high, but it appears to run about 45.00 or more for both on Amazon, so not too bad. This was at a sale where nothing was priced. When you asked the price she continued to then talk you into buying the item. I was annoyed, but I'm happy to have the microscope. I will likely save this for Mustang's present, she was asking for a microscope just this week.



And last but not least my deal of the day. I wasnt able to buy this one undercover, but the kids like to have at least one new thing to play with so that's okay. The kids found this at a sale and asked if we could buy it. I loved all the little animals in it, but we already have a vintage Fisher Price barn, so I didnt think we needed another. Right before we left the sale I asked what they wanted for it-it wasnt priced. 25 cents. I said, okay 25 cents for each piece? No 25 cents-for ALL OF IT!!!! I couldnt believe my ears. We snatched it up super duper fast!! It has been spread all over my living room for the last 2 days-best buy we've found in a long time!

There was about 1.75 worth of odds and ends that I didnt post, so add that together, and my total this week was 40.25. Not bad at all! More money for my grocery spending-which was great because there was a great sale on meat this week!

Did you brave the heat and go to any sales this week, or maybe stop by the thrift store? I'd love to read about your deals! Link up with me at My Life on a Taffy Pull's weekly linky. Cause sharing a deal is half the fun of getting it!

Have a FANTASTIC 4th of July!!! God Bless!!

Book Review-The Flowering Cross

With Easter coming in just 2 weeks, you may be looking for things to put in your child's basket. This beautiful book, The Flowering Cross, by Beth Ryan, would be perfect!

The Flowering Cross is about a 6 year old girl named Katie who has a grouchy old man named Jack for a neighbor. The neighborhood kids are generally scared of Jack, but sweet Katie doesnt let Jack's additude keep her from eventually making friends with him. She uses her friendship to witness to Jack and invite him to church.

I love how Beth Ryan uses this story to encourage young children to witness to others, even if they dont seem to be lovable. The best part, is that on every few pages, there is a Bible verse and a spiritual truth geared towards children.

This is a beautiful book and is sure to be one of our favorites! It made me both laugh and cry, and I cant wait to give it to my children on Easter.

It is available for purchase from Thomas Nelson. It is only 12.99. A great buy!

God Bless!

Thank you to the Tommy Nelson publishers and the Book Sneeze club for sending this book for review. I was not paid for my review, and the opinions in this review are my own.

A Handmade Christmas Thank You

I have an extreamly talented Sister in Law. With her perfect combination of creativity and skill, she crafted the most adorable Christmas gifts. We were so excited to have received them.

For Charger, Aunt Jillian made a cute little T-shirt with his initial on it.



For Mustang and Mini Cooper she made these adorable headbands. She makes them out of felt and I love them!



She sells her things on Etsy and does special requests. Her store is A Slice of Pye I hope you will check it out sometime.

Thank you again Aunt Jillian! We love you :)

Homemade Lacing Cards

I wanted to get Mustang lacing cards for Christmas, but with a small budget and not knowing for sure if she would like them, I didnt want to spend much on them. I did a google search for ideas on how to make my own, but nothing quite stuck out as a great idea. So, off to the dollar store I went. And this is what I came up with:

I found these great 'wallies.' You can stick them on your wall for non permanent decoration.



I stuck them to bright colored pieces of thin foam:



And then cut them out. I used a hole punch to make the sewing holes.



I added a package of mens shoe laces (last package in the dollar store-score!), and stuck them in Mustang's stocking. They were a hit!!

What I bought the Kids for Christmas

I dont know about you, but I dont much care for the 'hustle and bustle' of going shopping for Christmas gifts. Sure, at one time it was fun. When I had a little extra pocket change and the only person at home was my hubby. I would call a friend or my mom or sister and spend time looking at the various items for sale in the stores until I found the perfect item. Then, I would come home, turn on Christmas music and spend hours wrapping and decorating the packages.

Fast forward 4 years and I now have 3 children... Christmas shopping is NOT that peaceful time of year when the only frustration was trying to find a parking spot. I dont even take all 3 kids grocery shopping if I can avoid it, so I know I wont even begin to tackle store shopping with all three. Plus, Mustang is very observant and Charger has the memory of a hawk. No one would receive a Christmas surprise if I purchased their gift with my kids along.

We also moved to a much smaller area, with limited shopping possibilities. No Target, no Toys R Us, and no gasp, sigh, sob...Gymboree. So, I have done nearly all my shopping online this year :). I just started and nearly finished my shopping today, on just 2 websites.

So, for those of you still trying to finish up your Christmas shopping and need some ideas...here is what I purchased my kids. I will keep what I bought family a secret incase you are on my list ;).

We do gifts from Mommy and Daddy and gifts from Santa at our house, and this year we were blessed from the best Santa ever. A friend of mine from high school who I reconnected with on Facebook was giving away a Little Tikes 8 in 1 Climber. We were beyond blessed to receive this awesome toy, and it will be the Santa gift for all three kids this Christmas.



In their stockings, in addition to some Dollar Tree trinkets yet to be purchased, they will each receive one small toy.

Mustang will receive some Lacing Cards that I am going to be making. I hope they come out well. If they do, I will do a post on those after Christmas.

Charger will be getting a blue wooden car I found on Etsy from this seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/countrysidegiftsllc





Mini Cooper will be getting a wooden rattle from Sassy I found on Amazon. Its called the Sassy Earth Brights Wooden Spring Bouquet. Cute!!



From Mom and Dad, Mustang will be receiving a toy I have been eyeing for a long time. They show it often on the Tot School website. It is the Melissa and Doug See and Spell. It's supposed to promote the recognition of words and the letters used in it. I just went and looked on Amazon and from when I ordered it until now (less then 12 hours) it has gone up in price by 5.00!



Every time I ask her what she wants for Christmas, she asks for a 'dolly changing table' from American Girl for her Bitty Babies. Well, that isnt in the budget this year, so hopefully this fun diaper bag set will be good enough. I thought it was super cute. The Etsy store is here http://www.etsy.com/shop/discoknits



Charger will be receiving some really fun gifts too! We purchased 2 Playhut Tunnel type things from Anna (AKA Ms. Claus) that I know he is going to love. We also purchased a couple of cute puzzles from her and from my neighbor earlier this summer.

One of the puzzles he will be getting is the Melissa and Doug Chunky Wooden Safari Animals.



Mini Cooper was a lot of fun to shop for. There are such beautiful baby things right now! Being baby #3, she has all the things she needs, but it is fun to get a few special things just for her. Etsy certainly came through for us!

She will be receiving this beautiful blanket that I can not wait to receive!! The Etsy store is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MinkyBabyBlanket

and these adorable blocks from a really nice seller: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoreCookiesPlease

and I also found this cool ornament for her first Christmas ornament from another Etsy seller. Her store is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kkhoff11


I placed the orders today, so now all I have to do is hold my breath that it all gets here in time-one thing you DONT have to worry about at the stores. But, there will be less time that I have to keep it hidden :) Now, I am off tomorrow to finish my in person shopping, which is just stocking stuffers and some gifts for family. Wish me luck!!

I wanted to add, that if you click on the picture it should take you to where the item is for sale. Sorry they didnt work. I added different links that should now.