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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Helicopter Mom


I don't generally think of myself as a "helicopter mom" (one who hovers over her children 24/7), but I am protective of my girls, so others might think of me as one. Yes, I make them sit in the back seat and buckle up. Yes, I make them wear helmets when riding their bikes or scooters. No, I won't yet let them cross the street without supervision. Hey, just the fact that I have chosen to homeschool my kids might make some people think I am overprotective.

When we go to the park, I don't hover over them, but I do try to keep a watchful eye. I can't yet imagine allowing them to go to the park by themselves. I walked about 7 blocks to school everyday when I was H's age, but I can't imagine letting her walk to school alone right now. We live in a different world than when I was growing up. Though there surely were "scary" people back then, it seems like there are more now, or maybe we are just more aware (or I'm just paranoid!).

There is a little girl who lives down the block and across the street from us. She is G's age, 5 years old. We had noticed her riding her bike up and down the sidewalk on her side of the street, and she would occasionally stop right across the street from our house and watch our girls play in our front yard. "Mommy, there's a little girl over there! Can she come and play with us?" We walked across the street to talk to her (she was shy and didn't say much), and then walked down the street to her house to ask her parents if she could come over and play. They said that she had been talking about "the bunch of girls across the street" and wanting to play with them, but that when you are 5 years old, across the street might as well be across the world because you aren't allowed to go there! So true these days! My girls have the same rules, they can ride their bikes up and down the sidewalk on our side of the street, so I understood. But now that I have introduced myself, the little girl's parents let her come across the street whenever they see our girls outside, and all the girls happily ride their bikes and scooters up and down the sidewalk (I had to apologize to some older neighbors who almost got run over by little girls while trying to get their mail!).

Are you a helicopter mom? How have you loosened the reins and given your kids more independence? What age do you think is appropriate for crossing the street alone or going to the park alone? Please leave a comment, I really want to know!

Evenflo and JuiceBoxJungle sponsored me to write this post and talk about what child safety means to me and my family. Evenflo has just released the Momentum 65 DLX Convertible Car Seat, with features that help make safety, installation and use as easy as possible for parents.


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Roundy's Matchups (Copps, PNS, Rainbow)

Roundy's stores (Copps, Pick 'n Save, and Rainbow) double 5 coupons up to $1 per $25 order every Wednesday and now they are doubling on Saturdays, too! There are several deals this week, so here are some printable coupon matches to help you make your list. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find more matches. For printing tips, click here.

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$0.50/ea: Yoplait Original or Whips! Yogurt 4-6 oz
$0.50/6 Yoplait Yogurt cups
$0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt cups
As low as $0.33 each ADC
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8/$20: Kellogg's Cereal, Bars, Fruit Snacks, Pop-Tarts, Eggo Syrup, Cheez-It Crackers
Buy 8 Boxes of Keebler Cookies or Crackers and Get a Coupon on Your Register Receipt for 2 Gallons of Milk FREE (up to $3.00 per gallon)
$1.00/2 Kellogg's Cereals
**Hopefully stores have pulled the recalled boxes, but make sure you don't buy ones with use by dates between March 2011 and June 2011 with a KN.
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$1.28/ea: Oscar Mayer Meat Franks (with in-ad coupon, limit 2)
$1/2 here
$0.28 each ADC
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$6.88/ea: Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage (with in-ad coupon, limit 1)
$0.55/1 here
$5.78 ADC
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$3.50/ea: Johnsonville Cooked Sausage Links
$0.55/1 here
$2.40 ADC
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$6.99/ea: Johnsonville Summer Sausage
$0.55/1 here
$5.89 ADC
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$2.00/ea: Oscar Mayer Deli Creations
$1/1 here and here
FREE ADC!
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$1.19/ea: Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad
$0.50/2 Suddenly Salad
$0.69 each ADC
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$2.50/ea: Blue Bunny Ice Cream
$1/1 here
$0.50 ADC
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$3.00/ea: Litehouse Dressing, Vegetable Dip, or Cole Slaw Dressing
$1.00/2 Litehouse Products
$2 each ADC
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$2.00/ea: Country Crock
$0.40/1 here
$1.20 ADC
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$2.00/ea: Dannon 4-6 pk. Activia
$0.50/1 pack of Activia
$1 ADC
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$2.50/ea: Vlasic Pickles
$0.55/1 Vlasic Pickles
$1.40 ADC
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$1.00/ea: Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides
$1/3 here
$1 for 3 or $0.33 each ADC
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$14.98/ea: Huggies Mega Diapers
$3/1 Huggies Snug & Dry 60 ct or more
$11.98
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$3.33/ea: Playtex Sport Tampons
$1/1 here
$1.33 ADC
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$1.88/ea: Nexcare Bandages or Tapes
$1/1 Nexcare product
Better than FREE ADC!
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$3.50/ea: Tums Antacids
$1/1 here
$1.50 ADC
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$3.00/ea: Garnier Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling Products
$1/1 here
$1 ADC
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$3.50/ea: Dove Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling Products
$5.49 Dove Body Wash
$3.50 Dove Body Mist or Dove Deodorant
Buy $15 worth of Dove or Degree products, get $5 OYNO catalina
$2/1 Deodorant or Body Mist
$1/1 Dove Men+Care

$1/1 Degree Women Deodorant
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Kroger Coupon Matches

Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day. Kroger deals may differ slightly by region, so be sure to check your ad. Find your nearest Kroger (or affiliate) here. Here are some current printable coupons available to match up with this week's sales. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find any more matches! Happy shopping!


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$19.99/ea: Huggies Diapers Box
$3.00/1 Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers (60 count or larger)
$4.00/2 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers Diapers
As low as $16.99 each

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$2.20/ea: Tropicana Trop50 Juice

$1.00/1 Trop50 product
$1.20 ADC
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$1.69/ea: Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix
$0.75/2 Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mix
$0.94
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$1.69/ea: Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
$0.50/2 Fruit Snacks
$1.19 each ADC
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$2.19/ea: General Mills Cereal
Various coupons here
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$1.49/ea: Oscar Mayer Wieners or Turkey Franks

$1/2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs
$0.99 wyb 2
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$2.99/ea: Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunchmeat
$1/1 Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunch Meat
$1.99
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$1.69/ea: Country Crock Margarine Spread (45 oz.)
$0.40/1 Country Crock Product
$0.89 ADC
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$1.19/ea: Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
$0.30/2 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits
$0.59 ADC
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$0.95/ea: Totinos Pizza or Pizza Rolls
$0.50/2 Totino’s Product
$0.45 wyb 2 ADC
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$2.19/ea: Purex Laundry Detergent
$1/1 Purex Natural Elements
$1.19
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$2.19/ea: Shout Stain Remover
$1 OYNO catalina wyb 1
$0.75/1 Shout Stain Remover
$0.44 after coupon and catalina
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Monday, June 28, 2010

Mailbox Monday--New Freebies!

New week, new freebies to request!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Infantino Fold & Go Bouncer

When I was chosen to be an Infantino Test Drive Mom by MomCentral, I was the most excited about receiving the Fold & Go Bouncer. I knew this would be something I would use with baby J, and I was excited to try it out!

There are several things I really love about this bouncy seat. First, the cover is machine washable (remember, this is important to me since my kids spit up a lot!). It also folds up very easily and stores nicely with the toy bar attached. It even has a little strap to keep it closed when folded. Another feature is that it vibrates and plays songs, and I love the toy bar. The toy bar is very flexible and easy to fold up or down or remove completely. I like being able to fold it down to easily put baby J into the seat without worrying about getting her under the toy bar or having to remove the toy bar.

I read on another review that they thought this bouncer wouldn't support newborns well until they can hold up their heads, but I disagree. Here is a picture of baby J when she was just a few days old. The adjustable pillow goes down far enough to support her head, and it did so very well, I felt. The other bouncy seats I have owned haven't had any head support for baby, so her head always fell to the side. This hasn't been an issue at all with the Fold & Go Bouncer. And because the pillow connects with velcro, it is easy to move up as baby grows taller, or even remove completely if need be (just fold the velcro strap to the back).

The best part was that the Fold & Go Bouncer was able to replace two bouncy seats I had! I felt I had to keep them both because one vibrated, had music, and had a toy bar but didn't fold up, and the other one had no features but folded flat for travel and storage. So for the past almost 7 years, I've been storing two bouncy seats and now the Fold & Go Bouncer is the only one I need! Thanks Infantino!

The only thing I wish was different about this bouncy seat is the vibrate and sound function is more limited than I would like. There isn't a way to keep the vibration or sounds on continually, or have them voice activated (my old bouncy seat had this, so if baby started fussing the sounds or vibration or both would turn back on). Another thing that I'm not crazy about is that it automatically cycles through the three melodies, instead of being able to choose the more upbeat song or the more mellow song, and the same is true of the nature sounds.

I also found out that the Twist & Fold Activity Gym and Jumbo Wheel Play Space are also machine washable, so I'm very glad about that! I wanted to make sure to pass along that very important information to you since I had wondered about it in my last review. And because my older girls also like to play with these toys (remember, they played "musical chairs" with the Jumbo Play Space), I had to show you what they do with the Activity Gym. Everything must have more than one purpose, so when baby J isn't using it, it's a fort/reading area for big girls!

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to review as part of my participation. All opinions are my own.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Roundy's Coupon Matches (Pick 'n Save, Rainbow, Copps)

Roundy's stores (Copps, Pick 'n Save, and Rainbow) double 5 coupons up to $1 per $25 order every Wednesday. This Saturday, June 26th, is Double Double Daze, which means you can double 10 coupons up to $1 per $25 order! There are several deals this week, so here are some printable coupon matches to help you make your list. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find more matches. For printing tips, click here.

$2.00/ea: Lean Cuisine Meals
$1.00/2 Casual Cuisine Panini, Flatbread Melts and Pizza varieties
$1 each ADC
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$3.00/ea: Tropicana Trop50 juice
$1/1 Trop50 juice
$1 ADC
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$0.50/ea: Yoplait yogurt cups
$0.50/6 Yoplait Yogurt cups
$0.33 each ADC
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$3.33/ea: Red Baron Pizza
$1.00/1 Red Baron Pan Pizza
$1.33 ADC
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$4.99/ea: Truvia Natural Sweetener
$1.00/1 Truvia natural sweetener
$2.99 ADC
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$1.19/ea: Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad
$0.50/2 Suddenly Salad
$0.69 each ADC
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$2.69/ea: Act II Microwave Popcorn
$1.00/2 ACT II Popcorn
$0.40/1 ACT II Popcorn
$1.69 each wyb 2 ADC
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$2.00/ea: Yoplait Fiber One or Yo Plus Yogurt
$1.00/1 YoPlus Yogurt
$1.00/1 Fiber One Yogurt
$0.50/1 Fiber One Yogurt
More coupons here and here
FREE ADC!
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$2.00/ea: Dannon Danimals or Dan-o-nino Yogurt
$0.75/1 Dannon Dan-o-nino
$1/1 Dan-o-nino
FREE ADC!
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$1.50/ea: Daisy
Brand Sour Cream
$0.50/1 Daisy Sour Cream
$0.50 after doubled coupon
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$3.99/ea: Johnsonville Summer Sausage
$0.55/1 Johnsonville Summer Sausage
$2.89 ADC
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$3.00/ea: Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage Roll
$1/2 Jimmy Dean Sausage
$2.00 each ADC

Kroger Coupon Matches

Kroger doubles coupons up to $0.50 every day. Kroger deals may differ slightly by region, so be sure to check your ad. Find your nearest Kroger (or affiliate) here. Here are some current printable coupons available to match up with this week's sales. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find any more matches! Happy shopping!


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Fage Yogurt, $1.25

$1/1 Fage Total Yogurt
$0.50/1 Fage Greek Yogurt
$0.25 each ADC
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$1.69/ea: Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks
$0.50/2 Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups
$0.50/2 Fruit Shapes, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers or Fruit Roll-Ups
$1.19 each ADC
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$1.69/ea: Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix
$0.75/2 Supreme Brownie Mix
$0.94 each
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$8.69/ea: Huggies Diapers
$4.00/2 Little Movers or Little Snugglers Diapers
$6.69 each
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$2.19/ea: General Mills Cereal
Various coupons here and here
More coupons here and here
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$1.49/ea: Oscar Mayer Wieners or Turkey Franks
$1.00/2 any OSCAR MAYER Hot Dogs
$0.99 each ADC
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$2.20/ea: Tropicana Trop50 juice
$1/1 Trop50 juice
$1.20
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Printable Coupons

Here are some great high-value printable coupons you might be interested in! Remember that you can print each coupon twice.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Mommy Me Time

Being a stay-at-home parent is not an easy job. It is very rewarding, but it can be draining both emotionally and physically as well. It's important to make "me time" sometime during the day to recharge. For me, this is afternoon naptime.

Not all of my girls still nap every day, but they all go upstairs for "quiet reading time". I turn on a CD with soothing music and they all choose a pile of books (or for H and G, a chapter book), and they are expected to stay in their beds until the music is finished (about an hour). When the music stops, they are allowed to come down. This usually allows me an hour of quiet time to myself. I can read the Bible or a book, catch up on email or blog, make a phone call, get a chore done, or any other of a number of things. As long as I can do it by myself, without interruptions, I'll be a happier mommy when the hour is over!

With the addition of a new baby to the family, we're still trying to get into our new groove, but I know we'll be on-track soon. Everyone is more likely to be crabby if we miss afternoon nap. It is important, both for the kids and for me!

Sprint and JuiceBoxJungle have sponsored me to write about what "ten minutes" a day means to me.
Sprint has just launched Gaming on the Now Network™, bringing you the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier.

Free Redbox Rental Today for Facebook Fans

If you “Like” Redbox on Facebook, they will email you a code for a free rental good today only, 6/21. At the kiosk, select "rent with promo code", choose your movie, swipe your card, and you won't be charged if you return the movie by 9pm on Tuesday. Find your nearest Redbox here.

Mailbox Monday

Freebies! Get your freebies here!

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Barnes & Noble Reading Program

Do you have a reader on your hands? Keep them busy this summer and have them earn free books in the process! Kids in grades 1-6 can read 8 books this summer and earn a free book from Barnes & Noble's summer reading program.

And don't forget that kids can earn free gift cards to Half Price Books every week, too! We've gone every week so far and the kids just love adding to their book collections. Even preschoolers can be read to and earn books in this program. :-)

Don't forget to check with your local libraries. They often have free reading programs, too.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Swagbucks Surveys

While you are on Swagbucks, don't forget that you can earn swagbucks each day for completing the daily poll, clicking through the special offers (just keep clicking "skip"), and now through taking surveys! There is no limit to how many swagbucks you can earn each day, so log in to see how many are available to you. I had 4 surveys available to me this morning, and I was also able to complete "profiles" and earn up to 175 SB's! They pay out with PayPal once you meet your threshold.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Free Noodles for Dad!

Take Dad in to your local Noodles & Company restaurant for a FREE bowl of noodles, soup or salad! One offer per person, good Friday, 6/18 through Sunday, 6/20. I know Ted will enjoy this Father's Day gift! (okay, I won't mind going along, either!) :-)

You need to print off the coupon and bring it in with Dad to get this offer.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Free 8x10 at Walgreens through 6/19

Through Saturday, you can order a FREE 8x10 collage print at Walgreens. Just create your collage, put it in your cart, and enter coupon code GOBIG8X10 at checkout. Select in-store pickup and your total will be $0! Maybe this can be a surprise for Dad for Father's Day?

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Weekly Groceries--FREE Cereal!

I've been taking a break from posting my groceries (for good reason!), but I wanted to post about my cereal deal today! These General Mills promotions at Roundy's are the reason I don't pay for cereal, because I can always get it for free or better than free after promotions, catalinas, and doubled coupons. I did 2 transactions today:First transaction was 6 boxes of cereal, 2 red peppers, and whipping cream. I used one free Cheerios coupon and doubled 5 more coupons and my total was $3.57 with a savings of $24.33. I also got a catalina for $3.50 off milk and $1.75 off eggs to use next week.

Second transaction was 6 boxes of cereal, bananas, and 3 Reddi-Wip. I doubled 5 coupons for the cereal and my total was $9.21, a savings of $17.88. I also got a catalina for $3.50 off milk and $1.75 off eggs to use next week.

My total OOP was $12.78, of which $9.69 was for the items other than cereal. That means I spent $3.09 for 12 boxes of cereal, PLUS I have $10.50 in catalinas for milk and eggs! My experience with the General Mills catalinas is that they take off the full amount, even if milk and eggs don't cost that much, which means I will likely have overage on the eggs and milk. If eggs are $1.09 and milk is $2.60, I will have $3.12 in overage to cover the $3.09 I spent on the cereal, making all 12 boxes of cereal, 2 gallons of milk, and 2 dozen eggs FREE!!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Roundy's Matchups (Copps, PNS, Rainbow)

Roundy's stores (Copps, Pick 'n Save, and Rainbow) double 5 coupons up to $1 per $25 order every Wednesday and now they are doubling on Saturdays, too! Through Saturday, June 26th, they will also double coupons according to the same rules as Wednesdays (5 coupons up to $1 per $25 order). There are several deals this week, so here are some printable coupon matches to help you make your list. Check your coupon stash to see if you can find more matches. For printing tips, click here.

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Buy 6 boxes of General Mills Cereal, get $10 off and coupons for free milk and free eggs (up to $5 value)
Various coupons here and here
More coupons here and here
Prices range from about $3.09 to $3.99 (Thanks Becky!)
This is a VERY good deal on cereal after doubling coupons!
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$0.50/ea: Yoplait Original or Whips! Yogurt 4-6 oz
$0.50/6 Yoplait Yogurt cups
$0.40/6 Yoplait Yogurt cups
As low as $0.33 each ADC
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BOGO free Yoplait Fiber One or Yo Plus Yogurt
$1.00/1 Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt
$1.00/1 YoPlus Yogurt 4-pack
$0.50/1 Fiber One Yogurt

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$8.99/ea: Eight O'Clock Coffee
$1.00/1 Eight O'Clock Coffee
$6.99 ADC
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$7.49/ea: Scott 8-12 Roll Bath Tissues

$1.00/4 or more rolls of Scott Naturals Bath Tissue

$5.49 ADC
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$3.50/ea: Fisher Whole Cashews, Pecans or Mixed Nuts
$1.00/1 Fisher product greater than 4oz.
$1.50 ADC
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$2.00/ea: Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks or Shapes
$0.50/2 Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers OR Fruit Roll-Ups
$0.50/2 Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers OR Fruit Roll-Ups
$1.50 each ADC
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BOGO free Chex Mix, Bugles, Gardetto's or Cheerios Snack Mix
$0.50/1 Chex Mix
$0.50/1 Chex Mix
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$1.00/ea: Betty Crocker Cake Mix (frosting $1.75)
$0.50 off BOTH Betty Crocker Cake Mix AND Betty Crocker Frosting
$1.75 for BOTH cake mix and frosting ADC (or buy frosting, get cake mix free ADC)
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$1.75/ea: Betty Crocker Frosting, Pouch Cookies, Warm Delights or Bisquick
$0.75/1 Warm Delights Bowls
$0.60/1 Bisquick Heart Smart Baking Mix
$0.50/1 Warm Delights Bowls

$0.50 off BOTH Betty Crocker Cake Mix AND Betty Crocker Frosting
As low as $0.25 each ADC
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$2.69/ea: Old El Paso Dinner Kits
$0.60/2 Old El Paso products
$2.09 each ADC
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$1.50/ea: Old El Paso Taco Shells
$0.60/2 Old El Paso products
$0.90 each ADC
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$2.25/ea: Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix or Warm Delights Minis
$0.75/1 Warm Delights Minis Bowls

$0.50/1 Warm Delights Minis Bowls

$0.75/2 Supreme Brownie Mix
$0.75/2 Supreme Brownie Mixes

As low as $0.75 ADC
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$1.00/ea: Betty Crocker Scalloped, Au Gratin or Mashed Potatoes
$0.50/2 Betty Crocker boxed Potatoes
$0.50 each ADC
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$1.00/ea: Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad
$0.50/2 Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad Mix
$0.50 each ADC
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$1.00/ea: Betty Crocker Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper
$0.75 on/3 Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper or Chicken Helper
$0.50 each ADC
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$2.00/ea: Yoplait Trix, For Kids or Drinkables Yogurt
$0.80/2 Yoplait Go-GURT Yogurt or Yoplait Trix Multipack Yogurt
$1.20 each ADC
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$1.25/ea: Totino's Pizza Rolls
$0.60/3 Totino's Products
$2.55/3 or $0.85 each ADC
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$2.00/ea: Pillsbury Crescents, Cinnamon or Sweet Rolls, Buy 3 and Get Roundy's 1 lb. Butter FREE Instantly
$1.00/3 Pillsbury Refrigerated Baked Goods Products
$0.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
$0.40/2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls OR Grands! Sweet Rolls

$4.00/3 and free butter ADC
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$2.50/ea: Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal or Granola Bars
$1.00/1 any Cascadian Farm product
$0.50 ADC
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$3.50/ea: Romano's Macaroni Grill Premium Dinner Kits or Wanchai Ferry Chinese Dinner Kits
$0.75/1 Romano's Macaroni Grill Dinner Kit
$0.75/1 Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit
$1.50/1 Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entree
(if included)
$2.00 ADC
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Monday, June 14, 2010

Mailbox Monday

Happy Flag Day!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Deals at Walgreens!

RUN out to Walgreens and score a deal on Nivea Men's Body Wash/Shampoo this week! It is on sale for $5.99 and get $5.99 Register Rewards (RRs), which makes it free after RRs. BUT I went today and the cashier told me that the BLUE bottles (pictured here--not the orange Sport version) were on sale BOGO free, plus get the $5.99 RRs, which means you get 2 FREE bottles after RRs! And if you happen to have any of the $3/1 or $1/1 coupons from the 4/25 or 5/2 Red Plum inserts, you can even make some money on the deal!

Remember the free toothbrush deal I shared with you last week? The Reach toothbrushes are on sale for $0.99 each through June 26th, so if you printed the $2/2 coupon, you can still get 2 for free!

Friday, June 11, 2010

I Won 59 Swagbucks!

Be sure to do a few searches today! I just did two searches and on my second one I won 59 swagbucks!! That's definitely the highest I've ever won. How about you? Have you won some big bucks this week?

Swagbucks for your Birthday!

Boy, Swagbucks is really rolling out the changes this week! Now you can get 50 Swagbucks every year on your birthday! All you have to do is enter your birthday either on your home page or in your account details, and The Swag Guy will give you 50 swagbucks to celebrate.

If you aren't signed up with swagbucks yet, today is the last day to take advantage of the bonus swagcode for new signups! Click here and enter the swagcode SUMMEROFSWAG (case sensitive) to start you off with 50 swagbucks instead of the normal 30. What are you waiting for? Get started toward earning free gift cards just for searching!! :-)

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Infantino Activity Gym and Jumbo Play Space

I was SO excited to be chosen as an Infantino Test Drive Mom by MomCentral! The timing was perfect, as baby J arrived just days before my first shipment of goodies. :-)

A big box arrived and we dove in like it was our birthdays! The first surprise? BUBBLE WRAP! (Does anyone else's kids have this fascination with bubble wrap? My parents specifically save it for them for when they visit. They've even been known to mail them bubble wrap--but I digress.) The big kids started stomping around the kitchen popping bubbles with glee, which gave me time to snap some quick pictures before unpacking the rest of the goodies.

I received the Fold & Go Bouncer, the Twist & Fold Activity Gym, and the Jumbo Wheel Play Space. We are using the bouncer the most right now, so I will do a separate post on that later. But we've also tried out the other two products and have enjoyed them.

The Twist & Fold Activity Gym didn't need any setting up other than attaching the hanging toys and mirror. F (age 2) really enjoyed checking out this toy and even now every time I get it out she likes to crawl in it. J has used it some, and seems to like looking in the mirror and at the bright colors. The big girls like to squeeze the little birdie toy to make it chirp for her. It is really easy to fold up, velcro together, and throw in the closet for when we aren't using it--even H (age 6) can do it! It's very light and I can set it up with one hand while holding the baby. I have a burpcloth under baby J because she does spit-up. The instructions didn't seem to indicate whether the mat is washable or not, though it does come apart from the "legs" and toys, so I'm hoping it can be washed. Right now Infantino has two patterns available, Vintage Boy and Vintage Girl, and they are both square. This circular, bright, neutral jungle pattern will be available in mid-July.

Baby J hasn't used the Jumbo Wheel Play Space much yet, but I think it will be great for when she is on her tummy more, as there are a lot of colors and textures to explore and encourage her to scoot around. Again, I'm really hoping this is machine washable. The mirror comes out and the musical flower velcros to the mat so it is removable. Baby wipes do an awesome job of cleaning up newborn baby spit-up, but I'm worried about the older baby spit-up once she is eating baby food and crawling around spitting up colors wherever she goes (which is what my other 4 girls did until about 9 months of age). This rolls up for storage, but it would be nice if there was a velcro closure on it like there is on the Activity Gym to hold it closed. Here is a movie of the big kids using the Jumbo Wheel Play Space. I thought it was very creative for them to think of another use for a baby toy mat! The Jumbo Wheel Play Space will also be available in mid-July.

Click through to my blog to see the video.
I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to review as part of my participation.

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