Bargain Shopping!!!

Last night Chris and I had the opportunity to go to a few local stores in town before heading to the movies. (That I was disappointed in! lol)
We first stopped at Dirt Cheap. I mean, come on, if you have the time to rummage through all of the junk, you can really find some great deals. I am so excited, because I am pretty sure this is my biggest, bestest buy to date!!! :) :) :) :)

Yes, I do realize that this picture is sort of hard to see-deal with it.

Okay, so, here are my 50 cent each items:

Three target shirts for myself (YES, I was shocked they had my size too), a pair of target shoes that are super cute but hurt my feet, two little pair of target glitter shoes for M, two pair of shorts for the boys (in bigger sizes for later on), a cute brown onesie  and a pair of shorts for next summer for M. That is a whopping $5.00.

My $1.00 buys:

1gb USB drive (Yes, it works.) and a black curtain to try and block out heat and sun in the boys' bedroom. :) (Gotta try everything I can to keep them from getting up at DAWN!!!)

My most expensive buy:

A Leapster 2: Jedi Math game for the boys. It was only $7.50 in its original, undamaged packaging!

My Dirt Cheap total was $14.50 plus tax. I am just so excited. I needed some new shirts!!

So how stinkin' cute are these? They are actually navy blue, make my feet look wide as boats and aren't very comfortable, however, I figured I could wear them to ChoctoberFest 2010 and have LW take pictures of them. :) :)  For 50c, they are worth a little pain.

Chris and I then made our way over to Burke's Outlet. I very rarely go in there, but I am glad I did this time. I did buy four shorts, that were not on sale, but I am still pleased with the price. My biggest buy here was three pair of sunglasses. Anyone that knows me knows that I have been wearing my very old, prescription sunglasses-that have only one leg.  So, when I saw 60% off I figured I would take a chance. Though I can still see (not as clearly, naturally) I think I look a bit more sane with sunglasses that have all of their appendages and aren't crooked on my face. So, for about 7$, I got all three pair.

Favorite Things: Kid's Books

Next week ends the summer reading program at our local library. Last year was the boys' first time attending and they loved it. This year has been no exception.  They really enjoy all the library has to offer. I really should go more often with them-without M.  We have been checking out some really good books lately and I fell compelled to share two that we read tonight (and I am sure will end up reading again and again.)

The Cat in the Hat's:On Beyond Bugs! All About Insects
by Trisha Rabe

If your kids love bugs as much as mine, this is a wonderful read.  They learned about the similarity between skunks and ladybugs, the spittlebug, bee's, moths and so much more. This book is actually educational and super fun for the kids. It may just be on my list of  "books to buy" !!!!

       Shiver Me Letters: A Pirate ABC   
by: June Sobel
Oh how entertaining is this book!  My boys really enjoyed the pirate "talk" and search for letters in this fun tale. The Captain sends his crew out to find all the letters of the alphabet or they will be forced to walk the plank!   Fun illustrations and catchy pirate rhymes keep any little shipmate's attention. :) This is possibly another "Book to Buy" for me!!                                                               

ECCLS: Books-By-Mail Program

Recently, a friend of mine told me about our local library's "Books-by-Mail" program. I was skeptical at first figuring it would be lined with red tape.  After our summer reading program last Friday, I stopped by the front desk to inquire about this program.  The guy at the front has never been overly friendly, so I was glad to hear he was going to get the "girl in the back that knows about this program".

Out came a smiling, sweet young lady (that has ref'd my sons soccer games at the Y) that was very happy to see our interest.  She gave me all of the information (there is even a program for ADULTS, too!!!)  It is totally free and I am pretty excited! Basically, you choose four books from a catalog that they give you. Then, you send in your card (or give it to her in my being a first timer) in and they will send you a big green bag full of your choices. :) It is THAT easy! 

Here is a snapshot of the cards that are included in your "big green bag". You choose the books you want out of the catalog and fill in the requested information!

The "big green bag" our books were mailed to us in. :)

Here are just some of the books that we got. Isn't it cute how she put a post-it note on each stack with each kid's name? :) I thought that was pretty cool. She did the chooing this time because my kids forgot their inside voice and she offered to pick something out for them, but I looking forward helping the kids pick out their next set.

The best thing about this program is that I don't have to try and drag my three kids in the library each week to check out new books. I don't mind taking my children, but with a two year old that doesnt want to play computer games or sit and read-it is a challenge. So, I think this program is fabulous-not to mention it is all year long-not just the summer.

For more info contact Escambia County Cooperative Library System OR just got to the front desk at APL and ask about the "Books-by-Mail" program!