Christmas Presents

In my family we've started a tradition of present limits. The limit is 3. It makes it simple and less expensive. I don't go crazy, and the kids are still happy with it. I tell them Jesus got three presents, so do you. The gifts in stockings don't count. I like to get the kids gifts, just within reason, and not so much I go crazy. Last year we did bundle the Paper Jamz things into one present for a child. I highly suggest this, it makes present buying less stressful.

Team Sports / Lessons

Team sports and lessons can be pricey, and especially if you have a lot of kids. I'll be listing some ideas so it isn't so much. My mother and father paid for my nieces dance lessons. I think for 10 years at least. She made a arrangement for a trade. The trade was to make a certain amount of costumes in exchange for the lessons. If you have a skill you can use for trades, this will make it less, or free. Also a relative that has a great love or interest in a sport and your child is growing a interest is a good way for lessons and mentoring. My favorite way is gifts. For a Birthday or Christmas, you can mention a Zoo pass for a year, or some sort of sport or even musical lesson. This to me is great. Kids don't play with toys that much. It's the lessons that they enjoy and learn from.

Free Admission

The Tracy Aviary is doing a Free Admission every Wednesday November-February. Take advantage of this if you can.

School Shopping

School shopping can be expensive. Have a goals in mind when doing this. Budget in other words. First clean kids clothes and sort. Hand me downs are good if in good condition. Some kids like clothes that their sibling never wore. After words find out what clothes the child needs. Take notes, this helps for those of us who forget. Then look at sales, give kids a budget if their teenagers. And if you have wonderful parents like mine, they take your kids shopping for you. Thank you Dad (Von) and Mom (Carolyn).

Camping

This post is for my sister. We camped a lot while I was younger. There are many memories camping many places. I've been to over 25-30 States by the time I was 18 years old. You don't have to have a lot of money to camp. Make it simple, easy, and do it your way. Roy and I get to stay every year at 5 star hotels. The kids love it, and they love camping as well. We try and make it fun for the kids. It's the things I do with kids is what I want them to remember, not the price of everything. Memories are made by things you do with them. You don't have to have a expensive R.V., Hotel room or go far away from home. Make it your own, and even start traditions. This will utimatly bring you closer to your kids, and have a healthy relationship with them.

Free Parade Float Show

For all those who love to go to parades to see floats, but don't like the heat. This is perfect. Every year the Day's of '47 floats are on display before the actually parade. I've been going for 7 years now. Usually it's held at the South Town Expo Center for two days all day (11:00-9:00 p.m) and there is no admission. There's about 28-35 floats I would say. Free admission all ages, free entertainment, balloon artists (clowns), face painters, both who love tips, but it is free. My kids enjoy this. This was held the 20th and 21st this year of 2011.

Candy Tour

Sweets Candy does a factory tour for free. You just go online to sweetcandy.com and tell them the date and time, and size of party. It's that easy, and they give you samples along the tour. There's also a little store to buy candy if you so chose to after.