This landed in my inbox last night, and I thought I’d share it. With Summer Break coming up, I’ll be leaning on Dream Dinners a few times a week to get us through the summer for those days we are busy.
I don’t get paid when school is out (surprise- teachers and school staff don’t draw a paycheck over the summer months unless they work summer school or opt to spread their paychecks out over 12 months- and some districts don’t offer this), so I really need to be cost-conscious over the summer. Dream Dinners is a great way to have restaurant-quality meals in the comfort of our home for 50% (or more) savings compared to restaurant prices.
And the June Dream Dinners Menu has a bunch of my family’s favorites- Mongolian Beef & Broccoli with White Rice (my fav), and Spinach and Artichoke Ravioli Bake (The kids’ fav) were the top two on my list.
FREE* Dream Dinners Cooking Class
Thursday, June 8th at 5:30
Learn how easy it can be to make Dream Dinners at home. During the class learn how to prepare quick, easy healthy, and delicious meals. In this class, you will learn basic cooking skills you can use to make all types of different meals at home. Save time, save money, and have fun!!
This Month’s Featured Entrée will be the Nashville Chicken served with Summer Grilled Veggies.
Call/Text 619-460-6800 for more information. La Mesa Dream Dinners will begin offering a series of cooking classes each month. To stay up to date on our classes, go to lamesadreamdinners.com.
* No Fee for class, Minimum Purchase required – 3 meals.
Over Spring Break we had guests. While our house is clean, it was definitely disorganized. I had reorganized the pantry and kitchen drawers not long ago, so it was my mission to organize some of the other areas of our home including the kids’ rooms, the front bathroom, and the living room.
The wallpaper I chose.
I headed over to Dollar Tree to grab some organizational items. If you haven’t checked out Dollar Tree lately, they have a great selection of baskets, totes, and boxes with lids to help with organizing your space.
I picked up a few square frames, removed the artwork, covered it with the peel and stick, and placed it back into the frames. It took less than ten minutes and it was super easy. The best part: they look really cute.
I also bought a small two-drawer container to corral all of my hair ties and for Qtips. I decorated the top with decals meant for a glass jar. I think it turned out great.
I placed a basket on top of the toilet tank and filled it with an extra roll of toilet paper, wipes, and new washcloths. I scrubbed out the shower, placed down a shower mat (from Ross), and restocked the front bathroom shower with shampoo, conditioner, 2 body washes, a new pouf, a new back scrub brush, exfoliating gloves, and my absolute favorite body scrub from Tree Hut: Moroccan Rose (which does not smell like roses). I also spent time organizing the HBA stockpile under the front bathroom sink, condensing boxes, and half-filled bottles, and removing unnecessary packaging to make storage easier. I also went through the first aid kit and discarded all of the old, expired meds, ointments, and bandages that are no longer adhesive.
The kids love to draw and there are pencils and pens all over the house. I picked up a three-pack of small baskets and placed 2 of them on the kitchen tables, filling one with pencils, and the second one with ballpoint pens. Hopefully that will solve the “MOOOOOOM, where are the pencils???” Quandary.
Heading into the kids’ rooms, I reorganized Margaret’s room with a few baskets and plastic boxes with lids. The headband/hairbow situation had gotten out of hand, but it was easily wrangled with a plastic box with a lid. Now everything is all in one place. Same with underwear and socks. Separated into two baskets and stored on top of her dresser, which has been upgraded and moved into her larger closet. Yes, her room has two closets- one is very small, and basically is only used to hold clothes that need to be hung up.
Back in the living room, I needed better storage options for our fidget/stim basket and masks. I upgraded to black woven baskets. We still have masks at home (for use when we go to crowded places or when we are feeling under the weather and need to leave home- Target Drive up, anyone?). These weren’t from Dollar Tree, but Dollar Tree Plus and Family Dollar both sell them. And yes, that’s a plastic shoe box with a lid from Dollar Tree next to them- Full of crayons.
So that’s how I spent the 1st three days of my Spring Break. Getting my home organized- It has made finding things a lot easier.
** This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
When my littles were wee, they both had delicate tummies. It’s hard to know what kinds of formula to trust, so after lots of research, trying samples, and talking to other moms (really our pediatrician was ZERO help- she’s a nice lady, but formula wasn’t her wheelhouse), I stumbled upon Kabrita.
Our pediatrician is really big on making sure babies get prebiotics and probiotics, especially if they are formula fed. Kabrita has prebiotics, which is a natural digestive aid.
I like Kabrita because it doesn’t have any added white or processed sugar- just lactose, the sweetener from milk! Also, Kabrita formula smells like goat’s milk and tastes like goat’s milk. I will confess: after smelling some formulas I wouldn’t want to taste them, but I tried an ounce of Kabrita once just to see. It tastes like goat’s milk.
I’ve been telling moms about it for a few years now, and one thing I love is that they have a really great sample program.
All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own. I’ve used Kabrita for both of my kids. This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
Mother’s Day is around the corner and if your mom is like mine, the gift of fresh fruit and veggies (and a bouquet of flowers) is the perfect way to say I love you!
Yasukochi Family Farms has two great options this Mother’s Day:
a 1-month (4 weeks) subscription of regular boxes of farm fresh fruits and veggies with 1 small bouquet of flowers (1st week only) for $108
OR
A 1-month (4 weeks) subscription of jumbo boxes of farm fresh fruits and veggies with 1 small bouquet of flowers (1st week only) for $130.
The first delivery will occur between 5/8-5/12 (depending on which day your mom’s area receives deliveries). To order or learn more, click here.
Check out this awesome party opportunity from Chatterbox! Be one of the first to try vitaminwater®‘s two new delicious zero-sugar flavors: with love raspberry dark chocolate and forever you coconut lime. Whether you’re craving an indulgent pick-me-up or a refreshing tropical beverage break, vitaminwater® has you covered. Now made with monk fruit and stevia, plant-based sweetener.
Selected participants of this Chatterbox will receive a Walmart gift card to try both new flavors! In return, you’ll be asked to write reviews of each flavor and share photos of your experience.
**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.
I love Mabel’s Labels. Each kid has a set, I have a set (unicorns if you had to know), and we have a family set for our bigger pool toys and camping equipment.
PreK students (age 4 by Sept. 1st, 2023) are now eligible for BOOK IT! Be sure to include those students in your enrollment!
Another awesome feature of the 2023-2024 school year is that your entire school doesn’t have to participate, teachers can sign up for their individual classes!
Please share this post with the parents and teachers in your life! More info about Book It and FAQ can be found here.
We finished up our first week of spring break! Next week we’re hitting up the zoo or Safari Park, maybe a few museums at Balboa Park, and if it stays warm, we may go swimming at our community pool.
I love clothing swaps- If you have read my blog, you know it’s one of my favorite ways to refresh the kid’s wardrobes (and my own).
There are a few upcoming swaps that I recommend. Both are for adult clothes and accessories.
April 8, 2023 Porchlight Community Services, Inc. 8888 Clairemont Mesa Blvd From their site “We invite you to be part of our SWAP PARTY! Bring clothing, accessories, personal hygiene, or toiletries.
There is a $5 fee, however, it goes to offset the cost of their programs, which are incredible.
I always find cute clothes at this swap, and I love it because it’s all plus-size clothes. I always fill my Ikea Bag with clothes, accessories (and usually shoes too).
And if you are looking for more information about clothing swaps, check out my post (with other San Diego, CA area resources) here.