Groupon Deal : Half Off Build-A-Bear

Sign in or sign up for Groupon and you can snag today's deal -- get a $20 voucher for Build -A-Bear for $10.  This deal is listed under Chicago, but it's a national deal that can be used at any location or redeemed online.

Thanks, Fiddledeedee

Half Price Books Coupons

Half Price Books has coupons for next week ranging in value from 20% - 50% off a single item.

Monday and Tuesday - 40% off an item
Wednesday and Thursday - 30% off an item
Friday and Saturday - 20% off an item
Sunday - 50% off an item

Since most of their merchandise is already discounted, you might be able to get a great deal on a gift or a book or CD you've been wanting.

Don't forget Half Price Books buys magazines (and books of course). If you read you magazines soon after they arrive and bring them to Half Price Books while they are still in the current month they will pay you for them.  No much, granted, but if you bring in 3 or 4 magazines and get $1.00, you can use it on something else you want!

Thanks, Shellie

Craft - Felt Food

I'm made felt food for and with my kids for years, and it's one of our favorite cheap crafts.    Felt sheets cost around $.20 each, and you can do almost anything with them.  Our favorite "foods" to make are hamburgers with all the toppings, pizza, and various sandwiches.  Just cut some shapes and add some Sharpie marker detailing if you want and--voila!

The pieces store perfectly (and flat!) in zip top baggies, so they can be easily stuffed into a purse or diaper bag.  They're great for pulling out at Mass or in a doctor's waiting room.  And the best parts--they are quiet (no big THUD! on the pew in front of you at Mass if the little ones drop it), and if they are lost or left behind you're only out a dollar or less.

So next time the kids are bored (or YOU are bored!), break open the craft box and make some felt "food".

Here's our ham sandwich toppings (tomatoes, bread, onion, lettuce, mayo, cheese, ham, pickles, ketchup) and the beginning of our pizza.  Now for the pepperoni, mushrooms, and black olives.  :)

Giveaway - Subscription to St. Mary's Messenger

If your kids are anything like mine, they love to get mail.  Any kind of mail--cards, thank-you notes, magazines...

 

St. Mary's Messenger is a magazine both parents and kids can look forward to.  Kids love the stories, articles, games and puzzles, and parents love that it is all presented in a solidly Catholic point-of-view.  Each 32 page full color issue is designed to entertain, educate and bring children aged  7-12 closer to Jesus, the Blessed Mother and the Holy Saints.


The idea  for St. Mary's Messenger came about after a novena to St. Therese--the idea was to create a Catholic magazine for Catholic kids in the vein of Highlights for Children.  It was first published in 2005 in select markets, then two mini issues were published and sold alongside Catholic Digest.  With an enthusiastic response from parents, children and educators, it is now being offered as a stand alone quarterly magazine.  Check out some sample pages from the Fall 2009 issue.


The editors and staff at St. Mary's Messenger ask for your prayers and support as they take on the huge (and much-needed) undertaking of creating quality Catholic publications for our children.  So say a prayer for the success of their efforts, and help out by purchasing a subscription for your own family, your Godchildren, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or as birthday presents for your children's friends.  One year subscriptions cost $19.95 for four quarterly issues.  What a fun surprise in the mailbox it will be!

Hurry!  If you order now through November 6th, you'll get a bonus fifth issue for free (the new Christmas 2010 issue).

Win It:
One reader will win a one year subscription to St. Mary's Messenger!  To enter, please fill in the form below.  One winner will be randomly chosen on November 18th.

Get up to 5 extra entries!  For an extra entry you can do any (or all) of these:

• list an idea for future issues
• email a friend about St. Mary's Messenger (cc: to frugalcatholicmommy@gmail.com)
• post about St. Mary's Messenger or the giveaway on Facebook
• Twitter about St. Mary's Messenger or the giveaway 
• Post about St. Mary's Messenger or this giveaway on your blog

Old El Paso Giveaway Winner

Random.org generated number 138 as the winning entry, so congratulations Julie L.--you're the winner of the Old El Paso prize pack!   Like a lot of us, Julie's favorite taco topping is cheese.

I gotta say, I'm surprised at how many people listed Avocado as a favorite topping.  I've never tried that--I'll have to try it and see what I've been missing :)

Don't forget to enter the Clinton St. Baking Co. Cookbook giveaway which ends on November 10.

Check back soon, because several more giveaways will be up this weekend and next week (I just have to find time to write them up!!).

Free Sample-- Purina One Pet Food

Get a free sample of Purina One Smart Blend pet food for either cats or dogs.

If you don't see where it says "Get a Free Sample", then just move your mouse and wait a few seconds--the page alternates between the snowman image and the sample offer image.

Educational Links

I've spent a lot of time searching for free educational resources and games to supplement our homeschooling curriculum, and I've found so many great ones--it's overwhelming how many great sites are out there! Here are just a few that I like. If you know of a helpful site, please email me or leave a comment and I'll add it. Click on the "Homeschooling" tab to find this list at any time.

*Note - the majority of these sites are for kids up through about middle school, since those are the ages of my kids. I haven't listed much for the high school level.  I'll be adding to the list as we progress through the school year.

ALL SUBJECTS:

www.gamequarium.com

usborne-quicklinks.com (links by subject)


freek12edu.com

superteacherworksheets.com (printable worksheets up to grade 5 --all subjects)

tvschoolhouse.com (educational films from the 40's, 50's,60's)

 theheadoftheclass.com (multiple subjects thru 4th grade, grades 6-8 to be added)

ART:

The Louvre Museum Virtual Tour (learn about and play with art masterpieces)

Chicago Art Institute- Kids

String Art

artsology.com

dltk-kids.com

thecoloringspot.com  (coloring pages by topic)

MATH:

Printable Math Helper Sheet (multiplication, measures, division rules, perimeter, angles, fractions)

numbernut.com (preschool to middle school math)

My Savings Quest (Earn a virtual salary, make a budget, save, and pay bills)

Math Racing Games (race your car or boat by getting the right answers)

Basic Math games (flashcards...)

mathnook.com (rounding, money, sequence and much more)

kidsolr.com/math (tutorials of basic math processes)

Math Supplements (grades 3-5) - (cross curriculum supplements--games, word puzzles,writing, patterns)

ixl.com (list of skills by grade-click each skill for online quiz. Limited time per day for free.)

Clickable Times Table

helpingwithmath.com (K- 8th grade)

GRAMMAR and PHONICS:

Reading worksheets

Daily grammar lessons

The Grammar Gorillas (game)

Tips O Matic (writing tips for essays, sentences, paragraphs...)

SPELLING:

www.spellingcity.com (enter spelling lists-- play games with the words, take tests)

Spin and Spell (click on pictures, use letter spinner to spell the word)

superteacherworksheets.com (entire year's spelling lists for grades 1-4)

zaner-bloser.com/spellingconnections (word lists and practice pages for grades 1-8)

online spelling bee (grades 1 thru 12)

Spelling Bee (timed; click on letters to spell the spoken words)

MUSIC:

Classics for Kids (Music Appreciation lessons w/ podcasts, music, printable worksheets, quizzes, games)

melodystreet.com(for younger kids)


Learn the Notes--on a Piano

HISTORY:

USHistory.org (everything American History!)

George Washington's World for Kids

General US History (links to dozens of games by topic)

This Country of Ours: The Story Of the United States  (99 chapters of text)

Hyperhistory.com

Presidents printables 

Columbus' Sailing Ships


Easy Fun School History Activities Index (World and US)

American Revolution Unit Study

Animated Atlas American Timeline

havefunwithhistory.com (videos, activities)

countryreports.org (maps, activities, recipes, customs of countries of the world)

GEOGRAPHY:

50 States (state by state unit studies)

Geo Spy (National Geographic)

States quiz (drag the state names onto the states on the map)

Postcards From Buster (PBS Kids)

Flags of the 50 States

US States Unit Study

Interactive and printable US and World maps, atlas, puzzles


National Geographic geography games


States and Capitals Quiz  (Printable)

Printable Geography worksheets

States Games and Activities (dozens)

Cram web (learn the location of countries on all the continents)

SCIENCE:

NASA Kids Club

COSI Online activites

Planet Science

RELIGION/CATECHISM

EWTN Faith Factory

OSV Kids

catholicmom.com/catholic_kids

Rosary Coloring Pages

Target - Free 8x10 Portrait

Target  has a coupon for a FREE 8x10 traditional portrait (look in the "Photo" category).  No sitting fees.  Coupon expires 12/4/10.

Target Weekly Deals - October 31-November 6

Toy Story 3 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, 4 disc set - $24.99

Use the $8.00 coupon
TOTAL = $16.99


Gillette Venus Breeze Razor - $7.99
Buy 2 and get a FREE $5.00 Target Gift Card



Huggies value pack boxes - $29.99
Get a $10 Target gift card when you buy 2
Use the $2.50 Huggies coupon
And use the $3.50 off both 48+ ct diapers and 148+ ct. wipes
TOTAL -  $51.48 + cost of wipes (for 2 boxes diapers, 1 lg pk wipes, plus a free $10 Target GC)

Crest - $2.99
Use the $.75 printable coupon
TOTAL = $2.24

Seventh Generation Cleaners, Dish Soap - $2.69 - $2.99
Use the $1.00 Target Coupon (found under "Baby")
Also use the $1.00 coupon from the 10/31 RedPlum insert
TOTAL = $.69 - $.99

General Mills Cereal - 2 for $5.00
Get a FREE movie ticket with 2 General Mills codes (inside box)
Use the $1.00 off 2 General Mills cereals coupon
TOTAL = $2.00 for 2 boxes, PLUS a free movie ticket


Campbell's Chunky Soups - $1.24
Use the $.50/1, $1.00/2 or $1.50 off 3 printable coupon
TOTAL = $.74

Rice Krispies - (price unknown--will update)
Use the Target coupon and get a free 10 oz bag of Market Pantry marshmallows wyb 2 Kellogg's
Also use the Save $1.00 on peanut butter wyb 2 Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereals
TOTAL = $? for 2 boxes of Rice Krispies, 1 bag marshmallows, $1.00 off peanut butter (small jars = free)

Have boys?  Use the $5.00 off a Shawn White apparel purchase of $9.99 or more (= up to half off!)

Target Printable Toy Coupons:

50% off Fur Real LuLu Walking Kitty
$10.00 off Fur Real Walking Pup
50% off Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Beginner's Set
50% off The Ladybug Game
50% off Fin Fin Playset
$10 off 2 Wii remotes
$10 off select bikes
$5 off Hasbro Games (Guess Who Extra, Twister Hoopla, Sorry Spin, Scrabble Flash)
plus a bunch more

Zhu Shu Pets - $6.29 (the little hedgehog one looks adorable!)
Free 64 oz Market Pantry Juice w/ purchase of 2 Market Pantry cereals

Cute Pic - Dog Finds Jesus

I got this in an email today, and thought it was so cute I wanted to share it.

Apparently, a church had this Nativity Scene set up in their yard, and a stray dog found it and decided it was a warm and cozy place to sleep.  No one had the heart to make him move, so there he slept--a Shepherd dog near THE Shepherd!

Veggie Tales - Free Christmas MP3 Download

Amazon is offering the entire Veggie Tales album "The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree" for free (16 songs!).  Just click on the image above to go to the Amazon page, and then click the "Get MP3 Album" button.

5 Disney Rewards Bonus Points

Enter the code A9BN76EC9M at Disney Movie Rewards and you'll get 5 bonus points added to your account.

$10 off $30 at World Market, Bath and Body Works

If you're starting Christmas shopping early (or just want to splurge a bit), don't forget to print these coupons to save up to a third off your purchase:

World Market - $10 off a purchase of $30 or more (for Explorer members, free to sign up)

Bath and Body Works - $10 off a purchase of $30 or more

Free Sesame Street Math Kit

Stop by any PNC branch or call 1-800-PNC-GROW and request a free Sesame Street "Happy, Healthy, Ready for School" Math Kit that includes a DVD and children's story.

TODAY ONLY - $3 Free MP3 Credits to Amazon.com

Click on any MP3s you like from Amazon.com MP3. 

On the description page, you'll see "Buy MP3 Now With 1 Click"  Just UNDER that, you'll see a link that says "Redeem promotion code..."  Enter the code STUDENT3 there, and you'll get $3 credit toward your purchase.  This will give you 3 free songs, or apply it to an album to get it for cheap.  Many albums are $5 or under.

All Saints Day

This is my daughter dressed as St. Rose of Lima.  Note the missing teeth--I love those toothless grins!  At her school, the first graders dress up as Saints for All Saints Day each year and do a short presentation on their saints.  They are to memorize 2 to 3 sentences, and it can be pretty tricky to narrow down these holy men and women to a couple of sentences! Here is what she came up with:

"Hi.  My Name is _____.  I am St. Rose of Lima.  Rose was born in Peru in 1586.  She offered up her sufferings to God.  Rose is the first saint from the New World."

It gets a few facts  in there at least!  :)

Incorporate a few All Saints Day crafts and activities today to remind the kids that the path to heaven may not be easy, but by following the example of the Saints and martyrs who came before them, they, too might earn an eternal place in heaven.

~Make an acrostic poem about a favorite saint. For example, St. FRANCIS might be something like this: 

Friar

Repair my house is what God commanded St. Francis to do

Assisi

Nursed the lepers

Cannonized in 1228

Is the patron saint of animals

San Damiano cross

~All Saints Day coloring pages, crossword puzzle and word search (CatholicMom.com)

~Play All Saints memory.  Print 2 copies each of several Saint images, glue them to index cards, and then play memory!

~Make All Saints Day Soup (Italian Wedding Soup).  Explain that each ingredient symbolizes something.  Make up your own meanings, or build upon these:
To several cups of chicken stock, add 1 cut up carrot to symbolize St. Lucy, patroness of eyes.
Add 2 cups cooked chicken or ground beef to symbolize the martyrs who sacrificed their flesh for their faith.
Add 1 package of chopped spinach to symbolize St. Patrick (green for Ireland).
Add 1 chopped white onion to symbolize the purity of the saints (white for purity).
Add 1 cup pastina, orzo, or broken spaghetti bits to symbolize St. Catherine of Sienna (Italy).

Add 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese to symbolize St. Francis of Assis (Italy).
Add 2 teaspoons basil to symbolize St. Basil.
Add salt and pepper to taste (OK--I can't think of a symbol for these.  Any ideas?)

Happy All Saint's Day!