Catching Up...

Happy 6th Birthday, CJ!:

 Spending Birthday Money and Crafting:

 Allie's Halloween Party:

That Time When...

...Macie's soccer team won FIRST PLACE!

Macie was blessed with a great team and coach this year for soccer.   She had a few struggles, but had a great season.  Her team ended up winning first place in the league.  There were many exciting games and all of the parents were so proud.  I think we were more excited than they were!  Go Blue Blizzards!

 Macie had a lot of fans come for her final game!

Homeschool Highlights

O Week ~ Making Orange:

 Writing ~ Fact and Opinion

 Religion Mobile

 Clifford Posters: We decided to have our own election!  Cat in the Hat and Clifford ran for president.  We learned about past presidents, studied the candidates, made posters and commercials, and asked our friends and family to vote.  The results are being tallied and will be announced tomorrow!

 O Week ~ Oats:

Craft Time ~ Tie Purse: Macie got a really neat set from Aunt Annie for her birthday.  She is going to be able to make a pillow, purse, and blanket by tying the pieces together.  She's working on the purse first!

O Week ~ Oatmeal Writing:

Spelling Tests: Now that Gavin has mastered reading the 110 First Grade sight words, we started spelling tests.  I've done things a little differently with him than I did with Macie last year and that is OK.  I'm catering to each child and making sure they get what they need!  Gavin only has 6 words to learn to spell each week and so far he is doing great!

 Cat In The Hat Posters:

$125 Monthly Grocery Budget for a Family of 5...Say What!?!? ~ What the Heck Did I Buy?

Now that's I've told you what all I do to prepare before I shop, I'm now going to answer the question "WHAT THE HECK DID I BUY?"  

I can answer that with one word: INGREDIENTS.  Prepackaged food costs more and you aren't quite sure what you are getting.  While I know it is more convenient, the cost savings is well worth it if you are sticking to a tight budget.  I do always buy a few prepackaged snacks as extra treats, but when they are gone, I put the ingredients to work and see what I can make.

I've found that the more ingredients I have, the more meals I'm able to throw together.  Here are some examples of INGREDIENTS commonly found in my home:

• Baking: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, milk, butter, oil, cornstarch, etc.
• Fruits and Veggies: fresh, frozen, and canned
• Meat: ground turkey, ground turkey sausage, chicken, tuna, canned chicken, fish, and shrimp
• Dairy: different cheeses, yogurt
• Grains: crackers and tortilla shells
• Spices: salt, pepper, garlic, cinnamon are staples and every now and then I'll add another one when the budget allows.

Here are some of the ways I make the INGREDIENTS work on a daily basis:

• Instead of buying cookies and bread, make them.  With a bread machine, bread is super simple to make and makes your house smell so yummy!  Cookie dough can be made in bulk and frozen for future use.
• Make a homemade pizza crust for a lot less than buying one in the store.  Add your favorite toppings and you've got a yummy dinner for your family.  
• Keep pasta, sauce, and meat on hand and you've always got a great dinner.  We add cheese and call it a pasta bake.
• Make refried beans in the crockpot.  Not only are they absolutely delicious, but one batch makes a large amount that you can use for months.  
• Keep sides simple.  Put a piece of fresh fruit on the plate or heat up some frozen veggies.
• Use up a bunch of random veggies by making veggie pot pie.  Put all veggies in the bottom of the dish and just top with one crust.  It saves money and calories.
• Tortilla Shells are a life saver.  Make homemade burritos (which can be made in bulk and frozen) or individual pizzas in a snap.  Make wraps or cheese roll ups for an easy lunch.

Next Up...Tools of the Trade

What ingredients do you buy?

Check out the other posts in this series: Say What!?!?!, Exceptions, Plan Before You Go, Where To Shop, How Often I Shop. The Two Cs, The Other C