Ideas for Kids Easter Baskets

Are you looking for ideas of what to put in your kid's Easter baskets besides sugary candy? I like to add things that support playing outside and creativity. Here are some ideas:

1. Sidewalk Chalk

2. Coloring Books

3. Books

4. New Crayons (to replace the broken ones)

5. Bubbles (we spill half of ours so every holiday is a time for bubbles)

6. Pinwheels

7. Shovels and pails for digging in the dirt/sand

8. Playdoh

9. Water paint books

10. Jump rope

What are some of your ideas? Most of these ideas you can find at a dollar store. Easter doesn't have to be expensive gifts or toys. Sometimes the least expensive things are the best! If you want to buy some candy or treats, check out grocery stores with bulk bins where you can select a limited amount of candy or treats. We were able to find a great selection at Winco.

Please note that this post contains an affiliate link.

Where to Find Easter Clothes

Traditionally, some families get new spring wear to wear to church. My family is no exception. The boys get matching ties, the girl's new dresses and any other new "spring" accessories that might be needed like stockings, tights, shoes, etc. For the past two years, I've found matching men and boy ties at The Matching Tie Guy. The Matching Tie Guy has ties at reasonable prices and I can match the ties. Girl/Women clothes are always hard to find. I try to find reasonably priced, cute and modest dresses. This year I looked at the little girls dresses at several stores and online shops. I gave my daughter a couple of options and she picked one out at Carter's. Here are a couple of other stores that I recommend for Girl's Dresses:

Gymboree

Hanna Andersson

Walmart (in store, not online)

Target (in store, not online)

Consignment Stores (must shop early in the season)

Boden 

Women's Dresses are also often hard to find reasonably priced, cute and modest. Here are some stores I would recommend trying for women:

• Boden
• Sweet Salt Clothing (in Seagull Books)
• Mikarose Clothing 
• Downeast Basics 
• Cleo Madison
• Roolee  

My kids and I both have several items from Boden. They have a great quality and great style. They are a bit on the pricey side. I haven't been brave enough to try Roolee, but they sure have cute things on their website. I have had clothing from Sweet Salt, Downeast Basic, Mikarose and Cleo Madison. The first two I would recommend trying on in the store if you can.

Some of the places I recommended are located on ebates like Carters, Hanna Andersson, Boden. You can earn a rebate back on your purchases. To learn more about ebates, click here. I recommend adding it to your browser's tool bar so you don't forget to use it. We have earned back over $240 on our purchases online (over a few years) from using ebates.

What stores do you recommend for Easter Clothing?

This post contains a few affiliate links.

Kroger Friday Freebie

Today only you can download a coupon for ONE FREE bag of Kroger Tortilla Chips, 10oz any variety (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates (Smith's, Fred Meyer, City Market, Dillon, Fry's, Kinger Sooper, etc) and must be redeemed by March 25, 2018. Click here for more details.

In Spite of Lions Blog Tour and Giveaway

How does a young lady run away from high society and the pressures of her family? Anna abruptly determines to set her own course in life by becoming a missionary. She gains passage on a ship to become a missionary without any skills, protection, friends or family. As she becomes aware of where the ship is heading she must brace for a life filled with hard work, danger and unexpected surprises.

In Spite of Lions, contains Anna's adventure and her escape from her past with just a hint of romance. The point of view is written in first person and you get a glimpse into the life of the main characters, Anna and the ship captain. First person narratives are not typically my favorite, but you adjust easily as you continue on in the story. As the reader gains more knowledge's into Anna's past several unexpected twists develop. The adventure is easy to follow, suspenseful and the characters realistic.  The author concluded it with more questions that needed to be answered about Anna's past and present. This is the type of book that you might need to reread right before you read the next sequel so that you don't miss any of the details. The author was great at foreshadowing, but some of the foreshadowing could easily be forgotten by the time the sequel comes out. By the time, I finished the story I wanted to know what happened to the characters and was ready for the next book. I almost wished I had waited until all of the books came out so I could read them one after another. This book was very fast paced for me. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop and read the whole thing in one evening. If you love adventure, a hint of romance, heroines that work hard to overcome the odds, be sure to read this book. To learn more about, In Spite of Lions, click here.

The publisher, Cedar Fort, has generously allowed me to giveaway with winner's choice of either an electronic or physical copy of In Spite of Lions. Only one winner will be chosen. The giveaway on this blog post will run through rafflecopter until March 15, 2018 at 12 am. The giveaway is open to US residents only and 18+. The winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Cedar Fort Publishing for providing the prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Please note this post contains affiliate links. Please note that I received a free electronic version of this book to facilitate this review, however, my opinion is still my own and unbiased.

Perfect Freebie for Easter

Today only you can download a Kroger or Kroger affiliated store coupon for 1 FREE Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Egg (0.99 oz.) (you must have an online account and store card registered). The coupon is good at Kroger and Kroger Affiliates (Smith's, Fred Meyer, City Market, Dillon, Fry's, Kinger Sooper, etc) and must be redeemed by March 18, 2018. Click here for more details. It's the perfect freebie for Easter.

What's you favorite Lindt chocolate?

March Giveaways to Enter (low to moderate entry)

I like entering low to moderate entry giveaways and I share each month some of the blog giveaways I've entered and found online. Check back often to see if I have posted more giveaways. I try and post them as I find them. If you are hosting a family-friendly giveaway on your blog and would like to see it listed here, please contact me (via email). If you have a won a giveaway that I posted, please leave a comment and share that you won.

$50 CVS Gift Card (ends March 2, 2018)
Lady and the Tramp (ends March 4, 2018) 
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 5, 2018) 
Coco Blueray (ends March 5, 2018)
Big Mac Vouchers (ends March 6, 2018) 
Coco (ends March 6, 2018)
Lady and the Tramp (ends March 7, 2018)
Krusteaz Mixes (ends March 7, 2018)
$25 Nordstrom Gift Card (ends March 8, 2018) 
$50 Picket Fence Gift Card (ends March 9, 2018)
Ulta Beauty Calendar (ends March 9, 2018)
Krusteaz Mixes (ends March 10, 2018)
Everlasting Garden Seeds Bucket (ends March 11, 2018) 
Vessey Seeds $25 Gift Certificate (ends March 11, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 12, 2018)
Lady and the Tramp (ends March 13, 2018)
It's Skin Set (ends March 14, 2018)
Thor Ragnarok BluRay (ends March 15, 2018)
Berenstain Bears Easter Bundle (ends March 18, 2018)
Daniel Tiger: Neighborhood Friends (ends March 18, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 20, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 23, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 23, 2018) 
On-Cor Entree's Prize Pack (ends March 23, 2018)
Febreze One (ends March 23, 2018)
Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventure Series Season 2 (ends March 24, 2018)
Freshly Picked Moccasins (ends March 24, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 25, 2018)
$100 Sears Gift Card (ends March 25, 2018)
$175 Greenleaf Gift Card (ends March 27, 2018)
Foster Farm Coupons (ends March 29, 2018) 
$15 Sonic Gift Card (ends March 29, 2018)
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (ends March 30, 2018) 
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 30, 2018)
$50 Oshkosh Gift Card (ends March 31, 2018)
NeoCell Natural Supplements (ends March 31, 2018)