2 Weeks for $20!

Yesterday was my kids' first day off track. I've got 'em 24/7 for the next two weeks. I have a son in 4th grade, a daughter in 2nd, a son in Kindergarten and a 4 year old little girl in preschool. I've been thinking about my life and how fast time is going by. I look at pictures of my kids as babies and it makes me want to cry. Before I know it they will be all grown up. I was watching Good Things Utah on TV one day and they had a mom sharing her ideas for indoor fun when you can't play outside. I thought, "Wow this mom is so fun! I need to do more things like that with my kids." I want to make sure that I spend more quality time with them. I really don't play with them enough. So... I've come up with activities for the next two weeks and my goal is to spend only $20! That's right only 20 bucks! Some activities will be totally creative and others just simple. I will be using a lot of supplies that I already have to keep costs low and I will be reminding my kids that we are keeping on a strict budget. Yesterday: our outing was to the dollar movies to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Monday movies are only $0.50 a person! So I only spent $2.50. No I did not buy any treats for them. I am so cheap!


Today was a baking/tea party day. We had so much fun together. The kids all helped mixing the cake and putting the cupcake liners in. We made mini cupcakes and then they frosted and decorated them. I set out a white tablecloth and places were set with a china tea set. I made sandwich wraps with a tortilla, ham, lettuce and mayo then rolled the tortilla and cut small sections which were held together with toothpicks. We cut up carrots and celery really tiny and had goldfish crackers which were referred to as "caviar". We practiced good manners and used language like, "Would you care for a spot of tea, Madame? Are you enjoying your caviar, good Sir?" The kids really enjoyed themselves and so did I. I only spent $1.70 for the cake mix and frosting.