Shopping Update: Toys R Us/Babies R Us Ads Released!

Toys R Us and Babies R Us

just released their Black Friday ads. To see them, click here.

They also have some "Cyber Deals" on Thursday. To see those, go here.

Depending where you live, you may need to change the location.

Hmm maybe I will have to go that way afterall :-)

New Topic! Christmas Shopping (And Where To Find The Best Deals!)

It's one day to T-Day....

which also means 2 days til Black Friday!!

I'm assuming you will all at least be checking out the newspaper for all the great deals (even if you don't want to fight the early morning crowds!) but if you don't want to wait, you can view many retailers' ads online.

Here's a few Black Friday sites:

http://bfads.net/

http://www.blackfriday.info/

http://www.blackfridayads.com/

Many retailers such as Target, and Walmart, have already posted their ads on their site so check those out first!

Another great resource is http://www.slickdeals.net/ - not only does this site list the "hot deals of the day" (yesterday they posted a link to get the Hardbound Twilight Series for $35!) but have additional resources (including message boards) for shopping on Black Friday. There's even a spreadsheet that is sorted by store, price, product etc. To download it, click here.

Some experts saying this is THE year to go shopping on Friday since so many stores are desperate to get people in the doors. I haven't really seen anything that's jumping out at me yet, but that's probably because most of the great deals seem to be on electronics... which is no where on my list. Well, Josh keeps begging for a GPS for his snowmobile... so if you see a good deal on one of those... let me know! :-)

A Few Last Tips:

*Don't forget that many stores also have Black Friday deals online, so if you can't (or don't want) to get out and fight the crowds - wake up early and check out the sites to see what deals are available. For more info click here.

*If you're brave enough to fight the crowds in Walmart, there is one nice plus - most are open 24 hours which means you don't have to wait outside in the cold! (Expect there to be large lines around the popular crates!)

*Stores like Linens N Things are closing and it looks like the have some extra good deals going on! (Just remember - no returns!)

*Divide and conquer! Take a friend and split up your lists so you get to the good deals before they're all gone!

Leave a comment and let me know:

Are you going shopping on Black Friday? And if so, what's your game plan?

What deal(s) are you most excited about?

What item are you most hoping to find a good deal on?

Any suggestions/tips to share with the Mom Ditties readers?

Thanksgiving Traditions and Good Eats!

Thanksgiving has always been a favorite holiday in my family... and I'm pretty sure it's my mom's favorite day of all year! In my life, I've spent two Thanksgivings away from my mom (once when we lived in Las Vegas and the other when my mom was down in UT with my Dad's family... Josh, Kaylee and I had Thanksgiving dinner at the Cracker Barrel... I didn't know people actually did that!) My whole family is going to be able to be together again this year... how lucky am I to live in the same town as my parents and siblings?

Over the last few years, my extended family has grown into quite the crowd. Including spouses and children, there are 16 of us all together... quite the houseful! And for us, Thanksgiving is a FULL day's event! The girls used to wake up early and cook together, but now that we have our own families, we typically just each plan a few dishes to make at home then bring it to my mom's house. And in Mom's house, appetizers are as important as the real meal! We typically don't eat until 5:00 or so (I'm learning that's somewhat unusual??) And Mom has been very opposed to do it any earlier! As for dishes, we tend to switch up a few things each year, but there are definitely some constants. Thanksgiving just isn't the same without lots and lots of chips/crackers/dips... especially clam dip (a family tradition!), ham pinwheels, bacon wrapped chestnuts, salami coronets, glazed baby carrots, macaroni salad, potato salad, crescent rolls, around 6 different kinds of pies that everyone is too full to eat anyway, a glass of tomato juice to drink before dinner (per Dad's request), well and of course, a ridiculously large turkey that gets turned into turkey tacos the next day! This year I'll be bringing an appetizer (not sure what yet... any good ideas??), funeral potatoes (thanks Jensa for your amazing recipe) and my sweet husband will be making pumpkin and chocolate pies from scratch... yumm!!

Of course, one of my favorite things to do is spread out all the Black Friday ads and carefully search through them. Josh always works the day after Thanksgiving so I don't usually go... but I still think it's fun to look (come back tomorrow for some info on where to find those ads early!) The guys usually spend most of the day watching football but we tear them away long enough for a few games or karaoke. The kids are just excited to hang out with their cousins all day and play, play, play. Mostly, the day is spent eating (a lot), being together, and realizing all the wonderful things we are grateful for. Nothing too out of the ordinary or creative... but fun all the same!

So, I want to know...

What are you family Thanksgiving traditions?

and

What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

(Feel free to share the recipe!)

Need YOUR Ideas For Topics!

I was just getting ready to post a new poll for our next weekly topic, but couldn't decide what to do. So, I'm hoping you will leave me a comment and give me some ideas! What would you like to see as some topic options??

Also:

How often would you like to see a new topic?

How often do you check the Mom Ditties site?

Should I put a new post daily? Every other day?

Any suggestions to make this site better?

As always, you can leave your comments anonymously or under your blog ID.

Thanks everyone! :-)

Stupid Spam Folder...

So, just curious... why is it that my spam folder seems to catch more LEGIT emails than real spam? Urgh. I just happened to look in there today and found an email from a very sweet reader (Amanda B from Nampa) that was sent to me on Thursday with some ideas on our last topic about budget meals. Sorry Amanda, I loved your email and I'm so sorry it took so long to respond!

Anyway, I know the topic is over, but this is such a great idea and I had to share it. Oh, and BTW I love getting emails and new ideas so keep them coming. I promise to check the spam box more often!

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Hi. I've been following your new blog and I love it! I'm a SAHM of an almost 1 year old little girl. I'm always looking for cheap/quick dinner ideas. Last year I was invited to cooking party. Everyone at the party chose and prepared a meal for each person. I left the party with 7 meals to stick in my freezer and use for a later date! Since then I've been addicted to "once a month cooking." I'll take 1 day out of the month - usually a Saturday or Sunday so my husband can take my daughter - and cook like crazy!! A few weeks ago I stored 30 some meals in my freezer. Last night I didn't feel like cooking so I took out a Shepards Pie out of the freezer and it was ready for us to eat at 6:30! :0) This saves me so much money and time! I've purchased 4 cookbooks from Amazon.com for cook and freeze meals, as not all food items will freeze very well. Thanks for taking the time to read my email!
Amanda

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Keeping my Promise (Yes you can still read this blog... even if you haven't seen the movie yet!)

Okay, so since I know there are still lots of people who weren't able (or perhaps dedicated enough?? haha jk) to make it to the Twilight opening, I didn't want to spoil it for them by posting my reaction on here. Instead I posted my thoughts under the comment section. Do you agree, disagree?? Let me know! I'm definitely curious to see what the rest of the world thought.

AND ONCE YOU SEE THE MOVIE, MAKE SURE TO COME BACK AND ADD YOUR THOUGHTS!

Twilight Lovers Unite!

So, if you've read my personal blog, you know that I am unashamedly addicted to Twilight. And of course, wouldn't miss the premiere midnight showing... thankfully I have lots of friends who are also addicted so I won't be braving the teenage-infested theatres on my own. :-)

So I want to know...

Have you given in to the Twilight Saga?

Do you love it as much as me?

Will I see your smiling faces tonight?

Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Just a few more hours ladies!!