~Save Money Momma~

If there is one thing that bothers me the most, is when I see kids being mean towards other kids.  There are so many factors which make us all individuals and it is for those same reasons that kids get picked on, bullied, teased…I can’t stand it.  Being bullied can ruin a childs want to go to school and damage self esteem.  I have seen kids pick on a little girl because she was the only red head in the class, and the next day get compliments on the color and style.  But for that one day, she probably felt terrible about herself! 

I have taught my kids NEVER to bully anyone, to not allow themselves to be bullied and to stop someone else from bullying others.  My oldest daughter was even awarded a citation for Good Citizenship because a teacher witnessed her helping other kids on more than one occassion.  So PROUD!  

So when I found the contest from American Girl I was elated to pass it along.  The American Girl Doll Company is holding a wonderful contest named “Stop the Bullying” poster contest. Click here for the official entry form.  The contest is inspired by the American Girl of the year 2009: Chrissa!   Find out what happens when Chrissa moves to a new school and the “mean bees” set out to make her life miserable.  Watch how she finds the courage to stand up for herself on January 25, 2009 on HBO, (check your local listings). 

After you watch the movie with your kids, have them logon to American Girl and take the pledge to be involved and never bully anyone!

My girls have the historic dolls, Elizabeth and Felicity. 

Entrants are in two age groups, 8 to 10 and 11 to 13, a total of 32 winners ! WOW!  The prizes are wonderful and not only do the children win, but so does the school the winners attend! 

Click here to go to the American Girl website for the official rules…Hurry, because all entries must be in by February 28, 2009!   Good Luck!

I am so excited! We made it to National Pie Day…did you get it? 3.14 = PI!  Okay, that PI day is not until March 14th, 2009, so put your brains to rest and save the mathematics for March…I’m going to give you something to sink your teeth into!

I hope that everyone was prepared for this decadent day when I posted about it earlier this month.  Use today to indulge and explore your inner baker!  I can suggest many ways to celebrate today and I don’t know about the rest of you, but my kids have off from school today. Baking can be a great way do something together!  It might even be fun to invite a few friends over and have a pie eating contest!

1. Bake a pie with your kids! Teach them to measure the ingreedients, allow them to mix, set the timer, then turn on the light in the oven and let them watch thier creation bake!  I do a little research before I dive into a family project. I try to keep the conversations going during these projects by giving the kids some education in a fun way without them knowing they’re learning!  Here on the National Pie Council site, they’re giving a few awesome facts on the history of pies…did you know that pies have been around since ancient Egyptians??? WOW!

2. Bake a pie and feed it to your hubby…or put the ids to bed early and make yourself the pie and feed it to your hubby! OOps! Did I say that? Sorry, Momma gets a little naughty sometimes! *Tee-Hee!*  Whipped cream comes in chocolate now, in case you didn’t know. 

3. Remember that Pie comes in all shapes and sizes! Back of the Box has provided a very tasty and Impossibly Easy Pizza Pie recipe.

4. This is great even for teens! EdHelpher.com has listed a Poetry Activity Print with the poem Raisin Pie by Edgar Guest.

5. Marth Stewart. Doesn’t she think of everything?  Click here for a free Clip Art Pie Chart,which is super cute! Found that listed on HappyBird’s Crafting Haven.

6. Have a recipe but ran out of cards??? No Problem, just click here to download, print and use FREE 3×5 and 4×6 lined, write on recipe cards!

7. Download and print a free poster from the American Pie Council . Oh my goodness, even if you don’t print it out you have to look at it…that little girls eyes! She is the sweetest thing!

8. Go eat some pie!  The National Pie Council has also compiled a list of Pie day events nationwide. Click here to find an event in your area! SUH~weet! 

9. Heather Roselli Designs has created a Sweetie Pie Kit of embellishments, plus I saw some freebie downloads floating around there.

10. Found on About.com, a free P for pie coloring page.  You can printout the entire alphabet and assemble a book!

11. Eat a pie and don’t gain an ounce! Have a pie eating contest game online and see if you can eat the entire pie in 15 bites or less!

what’s your favorite pie flavor?