Free and Frugal Friday: Clark Howard

I am a big Clark Howard fan and so I thought it was fitting to add a post about Clark's money-saving website. I have several of his books and find a lot of the suggestions really helpful. I will admit to actually having two books personally autographed (big nerd alert).
The Clark's Bargains tab has lots of website suggestions and under Clark's Topics you can find hundreds of money-saving tips for almost every area of life.

www.clarkhoward.com

Traveling Thursday: Travelzoo

Travelzoo is a bargain travel website where I like to peruse the hundreds of deals on hotels, airfare, entertainment and vacation packages. I have found some truly great prices here and receive the updates on the week's Top 20 best deals.
www.travelzoo.com

Wonderful Wednesday: DIY Natural Cleaning Supplies

Informative blog detailing the many natural and inexpensive ways to make your own cleaning supplies at home.
www.younghouselove.com

Teaching Tuesday: Storytime Online

Storytime Online is an online streaming video program featuring members of the Screen Actors Guild reading famous children's books aloud. The text is featured along with the reading to help kids learning to read follow along. Plus there are lesson plans and activities to use with each book.

www.storytimeonline.net

Traveling Thursday: Indianapolis 2-day Trip

Indianapolis is such a great city to visit with kids. There is a lot for the whole family to enjoy and you can make lots of fun 2-day trips out of the many options.
One Indianapolis trip we like taking for an overnight visit is to Conner Prairie and The Indianapolis Children's Museum. Each place will take several hours to a good part of the day to explore so it is ideal for driving up one morning and coming home the next evening.

While there are many hotels located nearby both attractions, the children's museum has some offers for overnight accommodations. A popular place to stay is the Caribbean Cove Hotel and Waterpark.
www.caribbeancovewaterpark.com

Conner Prairie is one of the nation's largest outdoor living history museums. There are five themed areas to explore plus a very nice welcome center with kids' play center. Having younger children, I would have to say their favorite parts were the Indian encampment, animal barn and the indoor kids' play area.
www.connerprairie.org

The Indianapolis Children's Museum is the world's largest museum of its kind and a definite must-see attraction if you have kids. My kids loved everything about it and would like to go back as often as possible.
www.childrensmuseum.org

Wonderful Wednesday: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends is an animal sanctuary in Utah, which takes in abused, neglected and abandoned animals from dogs to cats to horses and rabbits. It is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the nation and is home to more than 2000 animals. We have sponsored dogs through the organization and the kids love to look at the animals on the website.

www.bestfriends.org

Teaching Tuesday: Webrangers

Webrangers is a fun interactive website, which is actually the National Park Service's online Junior Ranger program for kids of all ages. You will find lots of games and activities plus the opportunity to earn rewards. The best part is that it is free to join and play.

www.webranger.us

Yummy Monday: Cinnamon Coffee Cake

This layered cinnamon coffee cake is a great holiday treat. It does take a bit of time to accomplish all of the layers, but it makes a nice serving size and is really moist. I've been making it for so many years now that I actually don't remember where it came from anymore.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
23/4 cups sugar, divided
2 tsps. vanilla extract
4 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups (16 ozs.) sour cream
2 tblsps. ground cinnamon

Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and 2 cups sugar until fluffy.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream, beating just enough after each addition to keep batter smooth.
5. Spoon 1/3 of batter into a greased 13X9 pan.
6. Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle 1/3 over batter.
7. Repeat layers 2 more times; bake at 350 degrees for approximately 50 minutes or until cake tests done.
8. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from the wire rack to cool completely.

Free and Frugal Friday: Pandora Internet Radio

Pandora is the free internet radio service that lets you set your own "stations" according to what type of music you prefer. I have stations for 80s hits, kids songs, nature sounds, country, and classical to name a few. While the free service does not allow you to pre-set individual songs, it is just like listening to a radio station in that there will be commercials scattered in among the music. I enjoy listening while working on the computer and the kids enjoy it as background music while they play. And, of course, you can't beat free.

www.pandora.com

Traveling Thursday: ASTC Passport Program

A great way to gain access to hundreds of museums nationwide is thru the ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers)passport program. Purchase a pass at one of the participating centers for free or reduced admission to other centers throughout the country. This is an excellent resource for traveling families.
We purchase our passes thru the Charlotte Harbor Historical
Society out of Florida, which are very reasonably priced for an annual family pass. The current amount for the year is $35 for a family and we more than get our money's worth.

Find a complete list of participating centers at:
http://www.astc.org/members/passlist_about.htm

Here is a link to the one we subscribe to:
http://www.charlottecountyfl.com

Wonderful Wednesday: 150 Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Great ideas for stocking stuffers!

www.jennasjourney.com

Teaching Tuesday: Parents as Teachers

Parents as Teachers is a national organization for children 0-5 and their families. It's goal is to provide encouragement to parents in order to help foster developmentally appropriate skills for their young children.
This is not a homeschooling organization, although the name might lend itself to assuming that it would be. I've participated with both kids in the playgroup,activities and home visits that are offered in our area. It is a great organization with a lot of resources to offer parents of young children.

www.parentsasteacher.org

Yummy Monday: Festive Frozen Cranberry Salad

Festive Frozen Cranberry Salad is a frozen twist on traditional cranberry salad and is a convenient side dish since it can be frozen for a month or two.

12-16 servings

Ingredients:
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 16 oz. can whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 8 oz. carton whipped topping

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine the milk and lemon juice; mix well.
2. Stir in pineapple, cranberry sauce and marshmallows.
3. Fold in whipped topping.
4. Spoon into a 13X9X2 in. baking dish.
5. Freeze until firm, 4 hours or overnight; cut into squares.

Free and Frugal Friday: Santa Greetings

The look of joy on a child's face when they get a chance to talk to Santa or get a letter from Santa is priceless. Luckily, there are many free options to make this happen for your kids.
I printed free personalized Santa letters for both kids and our Elf on the Shelf "hand-delivered" them.
www.lettersfromsantaclaus.com

Each year I also schedule Santa phone calls. It's fun to see the kids' expressions over the years as their perceptions of Santa change. The phone calls are sponsored by Cincinnati Bell so there is a limited range of area that they will cover.
www.cincinnatibell.com

Free Santa videos can also be uploaded in relatively little time. I liked the ease of using Portable North Pole- it only took me 5 minutes to put together a personalized video and the kids loved it!
www.portablenorthpole.tv


Another fun site for kids with free Christmas games and activities is
www.northpole.com

Traveling Thursday: Christmas Lights

Christmas light displays can be so much fun for the whole family to enjoy. There are several around the southwestern Ohio area that are great for adults and kids alike.

I really enjoy Woodland Lights. The lighted path, rides, reindeer,carriage rides and visits with Santa add to the Christmas spirit, plus it is reasonably priced.
www.woodlandlights.org

Clifton Mills is another beautiful light display and while a little more expensive, it truly is unique with a dancing light show synchronized to music. They also have a miniature village and Santa museum.
http://www.cliftonmill.com/

Whispering Christmas in Eaton, Ohio is yet another option for Christmas lights and the good news is that it is free. Go to the link below and it should be mentioned at the top of the page.
www.eatonoh.org

Of course, there is always the Cincinnati Zoo Festival of Lights. It is a very beautiful display; however, it can also be very crowded, particularly on the weekends. If you can arrive earlier in the afternoon and enjoy the animals while already being in the zoo before it gets dark, your chances of encountering less crowd and stress will be greatly reduced!
www.cincinnatizoo.org

If you have any other outdoor light displays to add to this post, please comment below and share with everyone.

Wonderful Wednesday: 50 Ways to Spend Christmas with the Kids

December is usually a hectic month for most of us, but I found a fun blog post about 50 ways to spend the Christmas season with your kids. Some of the things we probably already do, however, there were quite a few unique ideas. I will definitely try some new things on the list. Just click on the link and look for the 50 Things To Do With Kids in December heading.

www.domesticsimplicity.com

Teaching Tuesday: DSO Kids

DSO Kids is the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's website for kids. There are interactive games, listening functions by instrument and composer, and activities to do at home. It really provides a fun introduction to the world of classical music for elementary aged kids and higher.

http://www.dsokids.com/default

Yummy Monday: Orange Creamsicle Fudge

This is a favorite treat for fall and holiday parties. People always think it is a big hunk of cheese and then are pleasantly surprised to find a piece of candy that tastes just like an orange creamsicle. I believe I found this recipe in an old Taste of Home magazine.

Makes 2 1/2 pounds

Ingredients:
1 1/2 tsps. plus 3/4 cup butter (no substitutes), divided
3 cups sugar
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 pkg. (10-12 ozs.) vanilla or white chips
1 jar (7 ozs.) marshmallow creme
3 tsps. orange extract
12 drops yellow food coloring
5 drops red food coloring

Directions:
1. Grease 13X9X2 inch pan with 1 1/2 tsps. butter
2. In a heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cream and remaining butter.
3. Cook and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved.
4. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 4 minutes.
5. Remove from the heat; stir in chips and marshmallow creme until smooth.
6. Remove 1 cup and set aside; add orange extract and food colorings to remaining mixture, stir until blended.
7. Pour into prepared pan.
8. Drop the reserved marshmallow mixture by tblsp. over top; cut through mixture with a knife to swirl.
9. Cover and refrigerate until set; cut into squares.

Frugal and Free Friday

Start Sampling is a website where you can go and request free samples of products to be sent to your home. I also use the forums where people will post other free sample opportunities. It is a great way to get free travel-size products and try some new things out.
http://startsampling.com/

Traveling Thursday: Indoor Waterparks

One of my favorite things to do is travel. I love it and think traveling and experiencing places firsthand is one of the best ways for kids to learn. It doesn't have to be an exotic port of call or expensive two weeks at Disney for the whole family to have a memorable time. A day at a new park or weekend getaway can be just as fun. I wanted to include some of the places that I've found and enjoy visiting with my kids.

Today's post includes some options for indoor water parks in the Ohio area. Now that the weather is turning cold, why not spend a night or two and enjoy some summertime temps.

My favorite indoor waterpark is actually Great Wolf Lodge. I like the multitude of things for the kids to do and it has always been very clean. Of course, it is going to be more crowded and expensive during the school breaks and weekends, but if you can swing going during an off-week or on a weekday night, it becomes much more affordable. We always try to do a Sunday night-Monday day combination right after the spring break rush and it is fairly deserted. The kids ask to go there all the time and there really is something for all ages. If you sign up for their mailing list you will get savings offers in the regular mail or thru email.
http://www.greatwolf.com/

Another popular destination in our neck of the woods is CoCoKey Resort. While smaller than Great Wolf, it is not quite as expensive and day passes are also offered. The only caveat to the day pass being that it could also be more crowded since people would not have to stay overnight at the hotel. They have plenty to do for younger kids and older kids so it is perfect if you have a large age-range in your family.
www.cocokeycincinnati.com

Of course, the granddaddy of all indoor waterparks in Ohio would be Kalahari in Sandusky. I know it used to be and might still be the largest indoor waterpark in the country. Beautiful place to stay and lots to keep the kids busy, perhaps even a little more for the more adventurous kids.
http://www.kalahariresorts.com/oh/

I know there are others in the area, so feel free to post under comments, but keep it limited to indoor waterparks only.

Wonderful Wednesday: A Million Thanks

A nice way to support the troops, past and present, is to send encouraging cards and letters. The organization, A Million Thanks, sends letters to those serving in the military and partners with other entities to provide financial support to the endeavour. You can send letters, cards, pictures,and then find a drop-off location near you or send them to the main location listed on the website.

http://www.amillionthanks.org/

Teaching Tuesday: Starfall

Since I am a homeschooling mom, I am always on the lookout for engaging learning tools for the kids. There are so many great ideas and websites these days it is hard to know where to start. I wanted to use the blog to share some of the ones I have come across and hopefully whether you homeschool or not, they can be useful to your family as well.

Starfall is a beginning reading website for young children, mainly aged 3-7. Great graphics and fun games make learning letter sounds easy and enjoyable. There is a paid portion, but the free part has more than enough to keep children busy.
Website address: http://www.starfall.com/

Yummy Monday: White Chicken Chili

As a mom who loves to cook, but doesn't always have a lot of time, I am always on the hunt for some yummy, creative recipes that my kids will enjoy. I wanted to share recipes that are not too time-consuming, yet taste great and are kid-approved.

The following recipe always receives great reviews from adults and kids. I have had friends tell me that their children often ask for this soup. Great for fall days and relatively simple. Just add some muffins or garlic toast and you've got a meal.

7 servings
Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsps. garlic powder
1 tblsp. vegetable oil
2 cans (14 1/2 ozs. each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ozs.) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ozs. each) green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup (8 ozs.) sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink.
2. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings; bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes.
4. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream; serve immediately.