Knitting Zeal

My soccer champ

My little guy is playing real soccer this season on a real team with actual uniforms.  They play real games too in their teeny tiny cleats.  It cracks me up to see a bunch of five year olds chasing the soccer ball across the mini field.  Up until now he has played instructional soccer at the Y and for our township which was basically not soccer and just learning how to kick a ball and run.  This season he's playing for our local soccer club and so far he is enjoying it.  He has a game every Saturday.  This weekend was his third game against another kindergarten team.  The kids had fun and scored lots of goals, but they don't keep score because they are supposed to be playing for fun and sportsmanship, not competition at this age.  (Thankfully!) 

My kiddo is not very aggressive, which is a characteristic I like in him in most situations.  The exception, he is almost too polite on the soccer field. We've been trying to encourage him that it's ok to kick the ball away from other players and to jump into the action.  This weekend's game he figured out how to get in there and managed to score a goal with assistance from a teammate.  We were more excited than him.  He said to me, "I just gave the ball a little kick and it went in."  

Besides learning how to play on a team and improve his soccer skills, playing for the local soccer club means he also plays with all kids that are in kindergarten at his school.  While no one on his team is in his class this year, I hope that establishing these contacts will help as he grows in the school.  

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Lunch Line Revolution

The day before my son's first day of school we headed over to our local Whole Foods Market to check out the "Lunch Line Revolution" going on there.  This was a free event open to the public where kids could pack their own lunch for the next day from an awesome salad bar of fresh food choices.  I was invited to attend as a blogger. 

My son and I love the googgly eyed fruits and veggies that decorate the store!  This cute broccoli guy caught our attention!  

The kids in attendance received a cardboard box to fill with their choice of salad ingredients.  My son is not a huge salad fan, but he likes components of a salad, so he did enjoy picking and choosing his ingredients.  His favorites are carrots and cucumbers, but he will eat some spinach leaves.  He LOVES broccoli, but isn't sure about eating it raw yet (quite frankly, I prefer it steamed too!) In addtion to his veggie choices, he got to pick out a salad dressing cup, some crackers, a juice box or water and a cup of fresh fruit.  This was a fun way to show him how to pack healthy choices in lunch. 

Packing school lunches has been one of the more stressful parts of back to school for me.  Besides my son being a picky eater, I am picky about what he eats.  I was surprised when on tour of the cafe at his school the very nice cafe employee excitedly explained all the choices kids have each day including "Breakfast for Lunch" which includes Trix cereal and yogurt, both with reduced sugar.  The less sugar part is great, but both of those items are colored with articficial food dyes, something I try to limit.  There was nothing organic on the menu.  There are four choices of milk each day: low fat, no fat, chocolate and strawberry.  I am stumped as to why flavored, sugared milk is offered daily.  Couldn't it be a once a week treat? His school lunch menu is packed with lots of choices of fruits and veggies each day and the kids are required to pick several choices of those with each school lunch.  They also offer whole grains for all their bread products, including soft pretzels.  While I was very hesitant in having my son buy lunch at school, I have found that it is a great choice on occasion.  He likes to buy on days that a chicken option is available and he has even remarked that there are things he might like to try that are beyond his normal choices.  I also like that it is encouraging him to be independent and responsible. So it turns out having a healthy lunch each day is easier than I anticipated! I still prefer to pack his lunch, but knowing he has some healthy choices when eating at school is a relief.

A big Thank You to our local Whole Foods for hosting the Lunch Line Revolution which was such a great event that encouraged healthy eating for kids!  It was a fun way to help pack the first lunch of the school year!

Disclosure: I was invited to the event as a blogger and received a store gift card and bag of groceries.  All opinions shared are honest and my own!

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Menu plan Monday, September 16, 2013

September is half over and I feel like it's flying too fast.  We've been too busy lately.  It's that darn school schedule!  The new recipe that I tried last week was cold peanut-sesame noodles.  I served it with shrimp.  It was delish!

Here's the dinner plan for this week:

Monday: breakfast for dinner.  Kid has requested bacon.  

Tuesday: grilled steak and peaches salad.  Defrosted a pork tenderloin on Sunday instead of the steak, so this dish got bumped!  We did hit a farm on Sunday afternoon to buy peaches.  Yum!

Wednesday: Sticky chicken in the crock pot for BBQ quesidillas.  

Thursday: Chicken Tortilla Soup, homemade salsa and chips.

Friday: Taco night! 

Saturday: TBD

Sunday: Roasting a big-a$$ turkey.  (I have had this 20 pound turkey in my freezer since LAST November.  It's time for it to be cooked.  It's going to be a lot of turkey, but thankfully I love turkey!  So, dinner will be a mini-Thanksgiving dinner.  Plus lots of leftovers for other meals.  That's if the sucker defrosts in time!

Linking up to Organizing Junkie with all the other menu planners!

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Back to school shopping at the JBFPhilly Sale!

Yesterday I had the chance to check out the Just Between Friends Sale in Oaks, a HUGE consignment sale held twice a year.  This was the third time I've shopped at this location and it was the biggest I've ever seen it.  It is the perfect place for families with little kids and babies to purchase gently used supplies and a real bargain.  Just look at this section of the floor filled with girls toys:

There really was an amazing quantity of items for sale, including what looked like a stroller factory.  Every possible baby item a new parent could need could probably be found at this consignment sale.  Thankfully, I do not need any of those things anymore and could focus upon school clothes and books!

I had fun exploring all of the halloween costumes, while searching for the NASA astronaut suit my son has decided he needs for Halloween.  I only found one in size 12 months, so I'll have to keep searching.  I did find a really cute Jr. Chef costume that was only $5 and made by Gymboree.  I thought my imaginative son could use it for dress up, as he likes to pretend he has a restaurant.  I was in search of sweaters for the winter that could be used for school and one for the holidays.  I found several that I thought were in great condition in styles that I liked. I even found a great cable knit red sweater, my son's favorite color, that I thought he would love.  I also bought a cute "mummy" tee for Halloween and found a favorite here, a John Deere tractor thermal shirt.

I found brand new with tags black dress shoes for only $7.  My son declared them ugly, but when the holidays come around and he needs nice shoes for singing in the choir, he'll wear them.  I also found five pairs of new with tags Gymboree underwear for $9.50.  I scored a four pack of Arthur books and two Nate the Great chapter books for $2 per set.  I even mangaged to find a Minnie Mouse oven mit and Mickey coloring book....my son's class is collecting Disney items for a raffle basket.  Both were new with tags! The big score of the day, though, was a fire fighter's backpack that sprays water through a hose.  My son loved it and spent the afternoon pretending to fight fires and pretending to be an exterminator! 

The Just Between Friends of Western Mainline (Oaks) Sale starts today,Thursday September 12 and ends on Saturday, which is half off day!  On Friday the 13, there will be free face painting for kids from 11am to 2pm, so it's a great time to bring your kids.  (Friday is also traditionally less crowded!) Have fun shopping!

Disclosure: I was invited to shop at the preview sale and given a $25 gift certificate.  All experiences and opinions shared are my own.

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Consignment Shopping Tips for the Just Between Friends Sale

Consignment Sales tips and tricks

Consignment Shopping Tips for the Just Between Friends Sale

 

How to shop for deals at the JBF Sale.

This is consignment sale season and I’m looking forward to shopping tomorrow at the Just Between Friends sale in the Western Mainline/Oaks!  This will be my third time shopping there and it is hands down my favorite sale.  Besides being HUGE, it is incredibly well organized and check out is a breeze.  In the past I’ve posted tips on how to shop at a consignment sale.  Here is my updated list of tips!

 

• Know your kid’s sizes, including shoe size and bring them written down, especially if you are shopping for more than one child. Sometimes bringing your child’s exact measurements is easier, especially since sizing from different manufacturers varies. Bring a tape measure with you to compare your child’s measurements to the items you are interested in purchasing.  Good measurements to have include length from back of neck to hem for dresses, pants length, inseam, waist, hip, and chest.  Land’s End has a great sizing chart that may be helpful for obtaining and understanding your child’s measurements.  If you are unsure of current shoe size, stop by a shoe store to have your child measured before the sale or trace your child’s foot onto cardboard and bring it with you to “try on” shoes without the child present.

• Consider bringing a laundry basket with a rope tied to it or large tote bag(s) to hold your items while you shop.  Those blue Ikea bags or reusable grocery bags are great too.  I’ve even seen people shopping with a clean large plastic trash can on wheels!

• If there are particular items you are looking for, it helps to make a wish list.  Sales floors are often crowded and it can be easy to be overwhelmed.  A list adds a bit of order to the trip and may help you stay on budget.

• Is there a special occasion coming up (Holiday, photos, wedding) that you will need dress clothes for your child? Those types of clothes are often only worn once and sell at a deep discount second hand.

• Shop early, shop often!  Going on the opening day will give you a better chance of finding items that are on your wish list.  Many times the last day of the sale is the discount day when most items are half off the listed price.

• Consider volunteering to work at your favorite consignment sale.  Typically, volunteers get to shop first on a special night before the sale opens to the public.  It’s a great way to get the first pass at the goods for sale.  If you cannot volunteer, but are considering consigning some of your things for the sale, there is usually a sales time set aside for consignors to shop after the volunteers, but before the sale opens to the public.

• Make sure you have money!  Check the rules of the sale you are attending ahead of time to learn what forms of payment they take so that you do not have problems making your purchases.   Many sales are cash only, so if you are like me and use a debit card for everything, be sure to hit the ATM on your way to the sale.  Using cash also makes it easier to stick to a budget!

• Be smart about pricing of items. Typically, if an item is in like-new to good condition, expect to pay about 25 to 33% of the original price, slightly higher if the item is a high-end name brand or new with tags. 

• Once you have picked out the items you are interested in buying, really check them out in good light or even with a flashlight. Check seams and underarms for holes; look for stains that are unacceptable, zippers and snaps that work, or worn out knees/elbows.  Consignment sale's rules normally restrict torn or stained clothing from being sold, but sometimes they slip in, so it helps to carefully inspect before you buy, since there is usually a no return policy.  For purchasing toys, be sure all parts are included and in working order.  I’ve had the experience of not carefully inspecting toys only to get home and find parts broken that were not obvious.  If an item is taped shut, ask a salesperson/volunteer to open the item to let you inspect it.  Be courteous and do not take apart taped up boxes or packages!

Have fun shopping at the fall consignment sales!  If you are in the area, check out the Just Between Friends Sale in the Western Mainline (Oaks) on September 12 to 14, 2013 and the sale in Reading on September 26 to 28!  

Menu plan Monday for September 9, 2013

School is in session all week this week, as are two after school activities.  This means I need to get dinner plans in motion so that we are not eating at 8pm every night! Fall is in the air too, so I'm breaking out some more cooler weather recipes, such as chili.  Our CSA share is still weekly, so I may make some adjustments in our meals depending upon what we pick up Monday afternoon at the farm.

Here are this week's dinner plans: 

Monday: salmon burgers with zucchini fries and orzo.

Tuesday: shrimp with cold peanut-sesame noodles

Wednesday: Chili and cornbread

Thursday: Crock Pot Hawaiian BBQ chicken with brown rice

Friday: Chicago style pizza pot pie, salad

Saturday: TBD

Sunday: grilled steak and peach salad

What's on your  menu this week?  Check out Organizing Junkie for lots of ideas! 

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Kindergarten!!

So we officially have an elementary school student residing here.  No more preschool!  It was an exciting week leading up to the start of school, a day off and then one more day of school.  It went well for him.  I'm hoping next week's full week schedule goes just as well.  

He had agreed to do photos before his first bus ride.  While we were taking them, some of our neighbors walked past, and he quickly became embarrassed and disinterested in posing! Next year I'll have to take a few photos in the back yard!

He loved taking the school bus.  He met a neighbor who is on his bus and they have been sitting together.  His description of school was "it was awesome, I think."  So far they've spent time coloring and playing on the playground.  I'm sure they've done more, but that is what he remembers.  

The big change is eating lunch at school everyday. I packed his lunch the first day and he said he did not have enough time to eat it.  He wanted to buy lunch on Friday. He said he still didn't have enough time to eat everything but he did eat most of the main entree.  I am hoping that as the routine of lunch settles he'll figure out how to manage his time better.  We agreed that he could buy lunch some days after consulting the school menu.  I'm not convinced that it's healthy, like the school thinks, as they offer chocolate and strawberry flavored milk, dyed yogurts, and french fries are a veg.  But, it is teaching him some independence by having to be responsible for selecting his lunch choices and buying it.  

I was excited to pack his first lunch.  The top photo is what I packed, although I swapped out the applesauce squeezie for an apple in the moring upon request.  The bottom picture is what came home.  He said he didn't have time to eat his yogurt and that the pretzel container made the food taste yucky. I did notice he had no problem eating the hershey kisses! He ate most of his apple.  It's going to be an interesting year.

 

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