iHomeschool Network brings together Homeschoolers and Operation Christmas Child with the $10 Challenge!

Last year iHomeschool had a link up for OCC and this year they are doing it AGAIN... as a homeschooling mom myself I find this partnership of sorts VERY neat!

You can learn more at http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/2013/08/back-to-school-10-challenge-for-operation-christmas-child/ or around iHomeschool's network! I can't wait to see the linkup!

I am going to try to participate in the $10 challenge too! Sounds like fun! Great deals to be had right now! 

Walmart Clearance

Lots of clearance at Walmart right now... today I picked up $3 sundresses for girls and some fashion tank tops for women for $2. Jump ropes and recorders and other dollar aisle items are marked down too! Check out YOUR Walmart and share what you find.

Deals for the week of 8/4/13

RITE AID : Did you take advantage of the free toothbrushes last week? If so you have Up Rewards to use..... here are some possibilities:

Carmex Lip Balm, 0.15-0.35 oz $1.50 each, when you buy 3
Buy 3, Receive $3.00 +Up Reward, Limit 2
Final price 50 cents each

Conair Colorvibes Brush $2.99
Scunci Elastics $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward, Limit 4
Use $2.00/1 – Conair or Scunci Tool or Fashion Accessory, regularly $3.99 or higher – (adperk.com) if included 
Pay $0.99, Receive $2.00 +Up Reward
Final Price: $1.01 Moneymaker   or 99 cents each if no matching coupon

Crayola Chalks, 12 ct $0.49

WALMART 
17 cent notebooks
25 cent crayons or 50 cent for crayolas
Bic Cristal Pens, 10 ct $0.97, regular price
Use $1.00/1 Bic Stationery Product, Limit 4 like coupons per household per day from SS 8/4 (exp 9/15)
Final Price: $0.03 Moneymaker 

STAPLES
Staples Filler Paper 120 sheets $0.01 (with minimum $5 purchase, limit 5)
Bic Mechanical Pencils 5 pk. $0.25 ( with minimum $5 purchase, limit 2)

Westcott 5 inch scissors, 2/pack $1 Limit 2

Michael's Sales Event

Wooo hoooooo!!! I was at Michael's today and their huge clearance event is all SALES not clearance for the purpose of the coupons... so you can use the 20% off entire purchase to get additional discounts on the flip flops which are already 70% off! And MORE.. so check out your Michaels and see what they have!

http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/

Crafting With Kids For Kids

I love to include handmade items in our shoeboxes..... I feel as though the child who receives it can feel the love and prayers that go with the shoebox. And I love to pack shoeboxes with children so that they can minister to another in a meaningful way. 

SO crafting with kids for the shoeboxes is a natural extension... but sometimes it can be challenging to find easy crafts that are worth including in the boxes. So I thought I would pull together a variety of ideas... this will be the first in a series of Kids Crafts.

http://athriftymom.com/diy-flower-pencil-money-saving-craft-for-kids/

 Or these pencil toppers which could be cute even if without arms...
http://www.craftberrybush.com/2010/08/pencil-pals.html

http://www.jeffgossministries.org/salvationbracelets.asp

The possibilities are endless for decorating notebooks.. with children have plenty of cut out shapes and stickers and simple embellishments ready to go... and you might want to start with the notebooks already covered in a paper.

http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/2012/11/personalized-notebooks.html

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2012/05/tutorial-kid-art-necklace-for-mothers-day/

Shrinky dink, with kids artwork, made into a pendant or even cut into two and made into a pair of friendship bracelets. 

http://mamasmiles.com/fancy-shaker-eggs-version-two/

Egg shakers ... could be made with electrical tape as shown or perhaps strips of duct tape.. and could be filled with beads. Although beautiful clear, this could also be done with any color eggs and could even have 2 different colors of top and bottom mixed. And these could be decorated with stickers for extra fun.

Keep watching for MORE craft ideas for kids. 

Greatest Journey at Uganda Distribution

This video was recently posted on YouTube of a group of volunteers going on a shoebox distribution in Uganda, where they also had the opportunity to see The Greatest Journey. It also points out that not all children were able to receive supplies and attend because of funding... learn more about The Greatest Journey and consider giving so that MORE can be discipled.

FREE TOOTHBRUSHES AND FLOSS

RITE AID 2 FREE TOOTHBRUSHES (or moneymaker with coupon)
Oral-B Complete Manual Toothbrush, 1 ct $2.99
Buy 1, Receive $2.99 +Up Reward, Limit 2
Use $0.75/1 Oral-B Pulsar, 3D White, Pro-Health or Complete OR (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Toothbrushes, Limit of 4 like coupons per household per day from PG 7/7 (exp 7/31)
Pay $2.24, Receive $2.99 +Up Reward
Final Price: $0.75 Moneymaker

WALMART FREE FLOSS
Reach Floss, 55 yds, $0.97, regular price
Use $1.00/1 – Reach Floss Product, Any – (coupons.com)

SCHOOL SUPPLY DEALS for 7/28

Rite Aid:
Get 3 FREE school supplies: You pay 3/$0.99 get back $0.99 +UP REWARD when you buy 3 of the following (on sale for 39 cents each or 3/.99): Eraser Caps, Poly or Paper Portfolios, Sliding Pencil Case, 70 ct. Notebooks, Pencil Sharpeners, Rulers, 10 Pack Sheet Protectors, Acme Kid Scissors, Playskool 24 ct. Crayons or School Glue or Home Index Cards. S *Limit 1 +UP offer per household. (Deal found at clip with purpose)

ToysRUs:
Crayola Crayons 4 for $1 (max 8 boxes) from 7/28-8/3

Staples:
Paper Mate Sharpwriter 0.7 mm Mechanical Pencils, 5 pk., 50¢, limit 2
Slider Pencil Case, 1¢, limit 4(with $5 minimum purchase)
 2 Pocket Paper Folder, 1¢, limit 10(with $5 minimum purchase)
Bic Velocity Gel Pen Black, 2 pk., 50¢, limit 2 Manufacturer Coupon -$1.50/2 Bic stationary items, enter sweepstakes (Facebook) printable (makes it FREE)
Zebra Z-Grip Retractable Ballpoint Pens, 7 pk., $1    -.75/1 Zebra pen writing instruments printable
(makes it 25¢)
Free after Easy Rebate and with InAd Coupon Staples Photo Supreme Paper
Free after Easy Rebate and with InAd Coupon Staples 8.5″ x 11″ Mutipurpose Paper Ream

Walmart:
1 Subject 70 Sheet Notebook $0.17
12" Wood Ruler $0.25
Cra Z Art Color Pencils 12ct $0.50
Pencil Sharpener $0.25
Crayola Crayons 24ct $0.50 

Ralph's Story and the Blessings of School Supplies

It's school supply season so I just had to share one of my favorite OCC videos, and one that shows the value of including school supplies in your shoeboxes. (And it is from the Philippines where so many of our NW shoeboxes go.) I hope you enjoy.


Don't forget NOW is the time to buy those school supplies... at serious discount!

Focus on the Family and Operation Christmas Child join forces

Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey have partnered up with Operation Christmas Child
in a neat way!

Give a “Jesus Loves Me” Lamb to a Child!

Through your gift of any amount, Focus on the Family will donate a musical plush lamb to put inside Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes that will be sent to children around the world. These lambs, along with many practical items in the box, create a wonderful opportunity for a precious little boy or girl to learn about the love of Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life!

Learn more at https://focusonthefamily.webconnex.com/jlmlamb2013