A Big Boy Bed...

Mr. Z has been sleeping in his big boy bunk bed for the past 3 nights now... What a big accomplishment for us! I know that compare to typical kids his age, he is probably too big to be sleeping in our bedroom. But quite frankly I don't really mind them sleeping with us. They will be young only for so long.

A few weeks ago we bought a Twin over Full bunk bed from our friends who moved to other state. I have been looking to get a new bed for Mr. Z so that he can move to his bedroom for a while.. (like maybe 1 year?.. ) But I have never been able to pull the trigger to spend money on mattress and bed. And this was just like a really great deal. We got the bunk bed including mattress for $150.. Thanks the W family!!! :)

Mr. Rojo set it up last weekend and now Mr. Z has been sleeping in his own room since. Being a kind and loving big sister, Miss J volunteered to sleep with him so he won't be scared.. How nice!! I knew that she would want to sleep with him. It was such a nice big bed. Heck! I want to sleep in his bunk bed too...

The Outrigger Island

No.. It's not our new vacation destination nor the next one. It's the VBS (Vacation Bible School) that Miss J had been attending this past week. What a blessing!! Today was the closing ceremony at Bridgeway Church in Alpharetta where I signed Miss J up for a week of VBS. I am so thankful and grateful of all the teachers and volunteers who spent their summer with her.

The Outrigger Island is a theme base VBS program by Lifeway Christian Resource. They provide the curriculum and all the necessary material for a great, attractive, talk-to-kids type program. Heck.. I even wanted to join her myself.

This year motto is 'Know the Truth! Speak the Truth! Live the Truth!' Each day was organized into several activities - Bible Story, Memory Verse, Wave Action (music), Snack, Craft and Outdoor activities.

The ceremony was a simple ceremony with the director of the VBS program at Bridgeway talked about what they have learned this past week. Then they sang the songs they learned each day. The music is amazing!! I bought a CD and now Mr. Z learned a few word from the songs already. :) After the music performance by all the kids, they served us pizza!! I mean not only they don't charge us anything for help taking care of my kid for a whole week but they also fed me!! It can only be the grace of God!

With the Aloha inspired theme, it's easy enough to make me feel like we are on a great summer vacation!

Thank you all the staffs and volunteers at Bridgeway Church.

WW - Amsterdam Canal at Night

The Amsterdam canal at night in front of Ann Frank house.. During my little brother worldwind tour in Europe with my mom.. Oh.. I'm so green with envy!!

Around the Blogosphere

This Monday I want to do a quick round up on my participation in the Carnival around the blogosphere.

Georgia On My Mind presents Georgia Carnival Edition #38.

Perceptive Travel presents Carnival of Cities. Check out cities from Seattle to Beijing.

Credit Card Lowdown presents Carnival of Money, Growth and Happiness #49. With 22 posts participated in this carnival, you will learn great saving tips perfect for this economy.

Mrs. Nespy's World present Money Hacks Carnival #17. A geat post with the Music of the '80s theme. Very great round up from Money Hackers around the blogosphere.

Mrs. Micha present Carnival of Personal Finance #158. The Vampire Slaying edition is a great carnival for Buffy fan and non-fan. Lots of great posts here about saving, frugality and money in general.

Here we are people. My round up for this past week. Thanks for including my post to these carnival. How about you? Have you been on any carnival this past week?

WW - Pancake by Mr. Rojo

Mr. Rojo does know how to make food more fun for kids and adults of all age. Can you tell that we are a Mickey fan? :)



Check out other WW participants here.

Catch a Reading Bug this Summer

Summer reading is one of the best and most frugal way summer activity we can do with our kids. All we have to do just go to the library and check out books for them to read. Now, the summer reading is not only good for their brain but will also be good for their pocket. There are several programs out there that created to motivate more reading for young children by providing incentive like free book or free pizza. Now how can they not read!

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading

B&N has launched this year Summer Reading. Kids can earn a free book when they read 8 books this summer. The program is as easy as 1-2-3. One read any 8 books. Two use the Summer Reading Journal to write down their favorite part of each book and have parent signs. Three bring back the completed journal to B&N store between May 29th to Sep 2nd. They will get a coupon for a free book!!! Check out more detail here.

Half Price Books

I found this on Money Saving Mom blog. Another great summer reading program for kids. Half Price Books has Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program for all their participating stores. Kids ages 10 and under can earn $3 Half Price Books shopping card or a Free Kid's Buffet at CiCi's Pizza! We don't have Half Price Books in our state but we sure have CiCi's Pizza. The nice thing about this program is you can do it every week! This can help our Pizza Friday night in our family.

Forsyth County Library

This is a local program in my neck of the wood. Forsyth County Library has 'Catching A Reading Bug' program this Summer. When you sign up your kids to the program, they will give you a log book. Just setup your own goal on how many books you want to read this summer and return the log book by the end of the summer to receive $5 certificate toward your book purchase at your school. Check out your local library for similar program.

What a great way to have a great Summer!!