Weather Windows

Our November "theme" (though I am likely to get distracted by Thanksgiving-related activities much like Halloween) is weather.  My goal is to reinforce basic weather vocabulary: rain, sun, cloud, snow, snowflake...I thought it would be a good idea to hang images of these weather words on our playroom windows.  However, I think I have confused S because he already knew real rain and sun and now when we name them on the windows he looks outside with a confused look as if to say, "Mom, it's not raining."  Oh well.  At least he now knows "snowflake" and a paper cut-out of one is as close as he's going to get to the real thing where we live. 

I also plan to do some acitivites that reinforce "hot" and "cold".  I printed these pictures, backed them with construction paper and laminated them several months ago when S was fascinated with the idea that the oven was "hot" and I think it was a good visual to help him understand a semi-abstract concept.  I plan to do a similar one for "dangerous". 

Please leave me a comment if you have any good weather activity ideas for an 18 month old.

Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table

No longer available...

Walmart.com has the Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table for $19.  Shipping is free if you have a Walmart near you and choose site-to-store pick up.  The table is normally almost $40.  We do not own this toy, but it's such a popular one that I thought I would let you know about the deal because it may make a great Christmas gift!

Thanks, Baby Cheapskate!

Couponing at the Mall

There are so many great offers to take advantage of at the mall (obviously each mall varies, so below is a sampling).  The key is to combine these offers with sales.  Also, it's important to get on mailing and emailing lists to receive offers.  Not all of the below have current offers and though some of the current offers below expire soon, there is usually another to follow.  I try to make a mall trip once a month (at least to get my free Godiva):

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  Gymboree:  Gymbucks (earn $25 for every $50 spent within timeframe) and mailed coupons
  
  
  
• Children's Place:  Place Perks Rewards (earn $10 for every $75 spent), printable (15% off exp. 11/16) and mailed coupons
• Old Navy:  Old Navy Weekly printables and cardholder deals (exp. 11/8)
• JCPenny:  If you are on the JCP mailing list you may receive a coupon for $10 off $10 or more in the mail a few times a year.  I always use these to get S an article of clothing for free or almost free!
• Stride Rite:  emailed (20% off exp. 11/15) and mailed coupons.  I always buy Stride Rite shoes when they are on sale with a coupon. 
• Pottery Barn Kids Book Club:  For each Pottery Barn Kids storytime your child attends, he/she gets a stamp.  When you have collected 5 stamps, you get $10 towards anything in the store (which is like earning $2 per storytime). 
• Build-a-Bear:  $5 off $10 printable coupons
• Bath and Body Works:  emailed printables and in-store coupons
• Aveda:  printables for free samples
• Sephora:  printables for free samples
• Godiva:  free piece of chocolate each month with a rewards card
• Yankee Candle Factory:  printables and in-store coupons (ex. $1 votives)
• American Cookie Company:  free cookie printables

Target Toy Coupons

Target has released printable toy coupons that expire November 25th.  There should also be a copy of a coupon book at the customer service desk with the same coupons.  Some of these coupons have manufacturer's coupons that you can stack.  Thrifty Jenny has a complete list.  A few that catch my eye are...

• Tonka Scoot n Scoop $37-$20 printable = $17
• Leapfrog Alphabet Pal $20-$10 printable = $10
• Leapfrog My Puppy Pal $15-$5 printable = $10
• Leapfrog Tag Reading System $40-$10 printable-$10 manufacturers = $20

Note: prices are from Target.com and may not reflect exact store prices

Memory Matching

Today I borrowed my childhood Memory game from my mom's house.  Like Twister, Memory (aka Concentration) is another great game for toddlers.  While S is not ready to play Memory, it's fun to use for matching and vocabulary development.  Of course you could get the original Memory, but I think these are very cute: 

• eeBoo
• Plan Toys 
• Land of Nod

CVS $0 + earned $5 rebate

Today at CVS I got some MORE Glade candles for free and I plan to submit another SC Johnson rebate form to earn $5. 

Glade Scented Oil Candle Holder (x2)
$5.00 ($2.50 each)
- 2.00 (9/20 SS)
= $3.00

Glade Scented Oil Candle Refill (x2)
$5.00 ($2.50 each)
-$5.00 (free refill wyb holder 11/1 SS)
= $0

Earned $3 ECBs with $10 Glade purchase

Used 3 ECBs

Total OOP = $0 and earned 3 ECBs and $5 SJ Johnson rebate

Spelling by Letter Matching

S has really taken to matching so I decided to give this activity a try.  I actually did S's name, but made a "dog" one for the purposes of the blog.  I used Pringles lids, posterboard and a Sharpie.  S has far from mastered this, but he is able to match some of the easier letters in his own name.  If nothing else, I think it will help him to start recognizing his name.  Note:  I obviously completed the above photo. 

Thanks, Activity Mom for a similar idea!