Mommy Octopus

Pretty soon the kids will be back and school and they will be HUNGRY! With subscribe and save, you get free shipping and an extra discount on many items. You can cancel your subscribe and save at any point. Here are a few of the best subscribe and save snack deals that I see right now:

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish 2 count 60 oz Box – $9.07, or just $8.62 shipped after subscribe and save! Makes it just $4.31 each box, compare to almost double that at the stores!

Combos Variety Pack $3.54, or just $3.36 shipped after subscribe and save! Just $.28 per snack!

Reese’s Puffs Breakfast Cereal $2.00, or just $1.90 shipped after subscribe and save!

GoGo squeeZ Applesauce Variety Pack – $9.79, or just $9.30 shipped after subscribe and save!

Our family really enjoys playing board games, card games, and learning games. We often take them with us camping or on trips. We have a range of ages in our family – 2 adults, and then 5 children from ages 5-17. Below are some of our favorite games on our shelves. If you have a favorite or any experience with these games, feel free to leave a comment and tell me which ones are your family’s favorites.

Left Center Right – A very quick but fun game! Simple concept, too! You just have to learn the directions of left and right and then you can play! Fun for the whole family!

Labyrinth – this game has a board that changes with every move. It’s a strategy and our youngest has been able to play it with us since about 4 years old.

Gobblet Gobblers – think of Tic-Tac-Toe, however with a twist! Larger “gobblers” can eat smaller ones so the game takes more time and thought. Grandma loved playing it, too!

Clumsy Thief Junior – we have been playing this game almost every night lately! It’s a competitive and quick moving game that brings lots of laughter! My 5 year old picked up the concepts quickly. This is his favorite!

Monopoly Deal – I love the game Monopoly, but this can be played in 15 minutes! Definitely more of a strategy game to play the right cards.

Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza – This game is hilarious! With each move, you may have to do a motion before playing and be careful to do the right one! So much fun and great for groups.

Codenames – We first played this with another family when we had a game night. This one takes a lot of thought and is great for adults and teens while the younger kids play something else.

Throw Throw Burrito – Get this one! If you don’t get any other games, this one is worth it! If you want to throw a burrito at someone, you will love it!

Castle Panic – This is one of my 14 year old son’s favorite games. It takes strategy and thought, but he really likes it.

Exploding Kittens – one of those games that are fun to play but don’t require thought. This one is fun for groups!

Time to start stocking up on your school supplies for the year! Target has started the deals off with prices starting at just $.25! We stock up this time of year with enough art and school supplies to last all year long. Head on over and start shopping!

• Crayons starting at $.25
• Glue starting at $.25
• Rulers starting at $.25
• Erasers starting at $.50
• Markers starting at $.50
• Colored pencils starting at $.50
• and MORE!

You can select to pick up at the store or via curbside for free!

Dick’s Sporting Goods has a ton of shoes on clearance, including many kids’ sport shoes! If your child will be taking fall sports, now is the time to grab up the shoes! Here are a few deals to point out:

Adidas Kids Copa Soccer Cleats – was $39.97, now $19.99!

Asics Kids Grade School Jolt Running Shoes – was $44.97, now as low as $11.99 depending on size/color!

Nike Hyperdiamond Cleats was $29.99, now $14.97!

Under Armor Kids Running Shoes was $59.99, now as low as $21.97 depending on color/size!

There are tons more deals available in the shoe clearance, so be sure to shop around! Shipping is free on orders over $65 or you can select to pick up in store, where available.

My children are avid readers and LOVE reading the fun books we get to review for your guys. The latest we have received are the new Pizazz books from Sophy Henn.

About the Books:

The first book of the series, PIZAZZ, introduces us to our young hero and explores themes of confidence, friendship, and conservation as Pizazz navigates the challenges of starting a new school, and works to save a local park. More than anything, Pizazz wants to be normal. Although most people think superhero work is awesome and fulfilling, Pizazz knows better. Whenever she’s in the middle of a movie or having fun with her friends, she has to dash off the save the world. Plus, being the good guy all the time is so not easy. Superheroes have bad days like everybody else.

In book two, PIZAZZ VS. THE NEW KID, Pizazz butts heads with another superhero kid. At first Pizazz hopes that a new super kid in her class will mean the Populars will have someone else to pick on. But it turns out Jett is super skilled, super cool, and super competitive. Pizazz and Jett end up in a heated competition to prove who is the best at everything, both super and normal. Then, Pizazz’s worst nightmare happens: Pizazz and Jett must work together to save the world.

About the Author

Sophy Henn is an award-winning picture book author and illustrator with a master’s in illustration from the University of Brighton. She is the creator of the much-loved Bad Nana series, the Pom Pom series, the Ted board book series, and the nonfiction titles Lifesize and Lifesize Dinosaurs, among others. Her debut picture book Where Bear? was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. Sophy was the World Book Day Illustrator in 2015 and 2016.

Our Thoughts:

Here’s what my daughter had to say:

Sophy Henn has written some books that tween girls would love to read!  Pizazz is about a young girl who just happens to be a superhero.  She knows that it is not always super being super, especially since her younger sister has the perfect outfit and superpower.  Pizazz however is stuck with a long cape and a very embarrassing superpower.  Throughout the book, she learns how to handle the responsibilities of school and saving the world, as well as spending some time with family. 

The second book, Pizazz VS. The New Kid shows Pizazz learning that superheroes have different powers for a reason and to listen to those who offer good advice.  The new kid, Jett, makes Pizazz a little jealous because she has a cooler outfit and superpower.  Pizazz has to try to save the world and there is nobody else available.  Will she ignore the bullies and be able to work with Jett or would she prefer to win the Super-Off?

These books have many pros.  They have eye-catching covers and are filled with images.  It is written partly in traditional book style but also part in comic book style.  This causes the book to be interesting but kids may find it hard to figure out at first.  The characters are lovable and relatable and the story plots are good.My favorite book is the second one, Pizazz VS. The New Kid because I liked Jett.  I think my favorite part in both books is when Pizazz uses her superpower.

About 2 years ago, our family reviewed Britfield & the Lost Crown. My kids LOVED it and we were so excited to find out that there is new book in the series, Britfield & the Rise of the Lion.

About the Book:

Now in France six months later, Tom and Sarah are trapped on an island fortress, facing an entirely new enemy: a nefarious and clandestine group. Searching for the truth, Tom and Sarah must navigate the streets of Paris, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, and the Eiffel Tower, chased by an assassin determined to remove any potential threat to the British throne. Aided by old friends and new allies, Tom and Sarah’s fast-paced adventure is filled with twists and turns, unexpected betrayals, and life-changing revelations.

An interactive world of mystery and adventure, culture and education, the Britfield series is about friendship, family, loyalty, and courage, with accurate geography and history interwoven throughout each exciting story. This 7-Book series will be followed by 7-extraordinary movies!

Our Thoughts:

Here’s what my 14 year old son had to say:

This new addition to the Britfield series turns the tables on what you would think to be the outcome from the first book. It is clear that Tom and Sarah still have a ways to go before they reach the Britfields. This book is an extremely good sequel and will keep you reading and wanting more. 

After Tom and Sarah escaped from the orphanage and find out that Tom may be the rightful heir to the throne of England, they are sent to France to try to reach Tom’s parents. It isn’t an easy task when they have ruthless assassins after them to keep them from destroying the Committee. With the help of new friends and old friends, Tom and Sarah run all through France, with one goal in mind. Reach the Britfields. 

I definitely found this book appealing and I cannot wait for the next book. I like the plotline and whole idea of these books. These really are great books.

We give this book two thumbs up and hope that the sequels come out quickly!

For more information:

For more information and to order your copy, visit the Britfield website.

Whew – it’s been a LOOONG time since I posted a Meal Plan Monday on the blog. Things have been busy, but I’ve enjoyed taking a break from blogging and am slowly working at it again. Many things have changed for our family in the past few weeks and months. For starters, I have officially graduated my oldest from our homeschool! One down, four to go! My husband has also changed jobs. He still is in law enforcement, but he has moved to a more supportive county instead of where he was prior. I’ve also found a part time job that I’m just thrilled about as well! The kids keep on growing! The year ahead will bring some major changes to our schooling, but we are all eagerly looking forward to those. Next week, we plan to put our house on the market to get closer to where my husband and I are working.

Thank all of you that continue to follow my blog and support our family.

Monday: Buffalo Chicken Casserole, okra

Tuesday: Lentil Soup

Wednesday: Dinner with friends

Thursday: Steak, mashed potatoes, limas

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: Pork, brown rice, broccoli

Sunday: Leftovers

Hurry, hurry if you need lunch boxes and back packs! You can score 50% off Lands End Backpacks and Lunchboxes with code LUNCHBOXES at checkout!! This is the BEST deal for Back to School!

HighSierra.com has a great deal on their backpacks.  My daughter has had one for years and it still holds up well!  Prices are as low as $19.99 and then you can use code BOGO to buy one and get one 50% off.   That means 2 backpacks for just $29.99 or just $14.99 each!  Great deal!

You could also get a  backpack for $19.99 and a lunchbox for $9.99.  After code BOGO, your total will be $24.99 for both!

Shipping is $3.99 per order or free over $79.

Have you run out of things to watch this summer? If so, check out Amazon Prime Video. They are offering a FREE 30 day trial right now to watch movies such as the new Amazon Original Tomorrow War with Chris Pratt. I watched this with my teenagers and it was suspenseful and intriguing. They are already asking to watch it again.

If you’re looking for something more educational, Amazon has lots of options. Here are a few:

• How the States Got Their Shape
• Kratt’s Creatures
• Superbook