Amazing Animals by Design Book Review

I was sent a PDF copy of Amazing Animals by Design to review. This book was written by Debra Haagen. Debra is a military wife who lives wherever the Navy sends her husband. She home-schools their four children. The book was published in 2012 by the children's division of Tate Publishing.

Amazing Animals by Design is a book written about 2 kids' trip to the zoo with their parents. John and Sarah go to the zoo with their parents and have lots of questions about the animals they see. Their parents and the zoo bus tour guide answer all their questions and even tell them some other information about the animals. The book explains that the animals were all perfectly designed, and this is shown in how/what they eat, their color and ability to camouflage, the places they live, and much more. The book talks about several different animals - some everyone is familiar with, like elephants and giraffes, and some you may not be familiar with, like caracals and Barbary sheep. The book does a great job of explaining words kids might not be familiar with, like prey. At the end of the book, there is an explanation about who designed all the animals, God, and how He also designed us.

My 5 year old son and I absolutely loved this book! I read it to him, just to save time, but he could have read a lot of it himself(he reads at about a second grade level). My son was really excited when we scrolled to the next page and saw the pictures of the animals and the family. The pictures are very colorful and nicely illustrated. My son commented on various things as I read the story. He mentioned who his favorite animals are, he answered the question about Who designed us and the animals, and he talked about who/what was in every picture. This book does a wonderful job giving kids an explanation they can understand about intelligent design.

I can't wait until I can get a "real" copy of this book for myself. You can go here to order a paperback or ebook of Amazing Animals by Design for yourself.

My Albertsons and Fresh & EasyShopping Trip

At Albertsons, I spent $20.68 and saved $32.44, which is 61%. Here's what I bought:
4 Albertsons ice cream $2.50 each = $10.00
12 Albertsons beans and vegetables $.50 each = $6.00
12 Albertsons mac. and cheese and broth $.39 each = $4.68


At Fresh and Easy, I spent $6.73 and saved $1.28, which is 16%. I really saved more than that, but their sales prices just ring up as regular prices. Here's what I bought:
Fuji apples $.50/pound
4 Lunchables $.99 each = $3.96
2 Kraft Mac & Cheese $1.28

My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $18.28 and saved $17.39, which is 49%. Here's what I bought:
4 Kraft Mac and cheese $.88 each = $3.52
1 Pantry Essentials sliced cheese $.99
2 Refreshe 12 pack soda $4.00
4 Lean Pockets $1.20 each = $4.80
2 Grands Biscuits $.99 each = $1.98 - $.30 doubled coupon = $1.38
1 Lucerne ice cream $1.99


At Ralphs, I spent $14.35 and saved $18.68, which is 57%. Here's what I bought:
Asparagus $.99/pound
3 Bumblebee tuna $.69 each = $2.07
6 Gatorade $.79 each = $4.74
2 Minute Maid orange juice $1.99 each = $3.98
2 Danimals Crunchers $3.98 - $1.00 coupon - $.75 coupon doubled = $1.98

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $1.37 and saved $15.30, which is 92%. Here's what I bought:
2 Big Roll toilet paper $.88
1 Goody hair bands $2.99 + $2.00 register rewards
3 Softsoap $.99 each = $2.97

I also had $6.00 in register rewards from last time to help pay for this trip.


At CVS, I spent $8.29 and saved $16.59, which is 67%. Here's what I bought:
5 V05 $.77 each = $3.85
3 Kleenex $.88 each = $2.64 - $.50 coupon = $2.14
1 dozen eggs $1.49
2 Colgate toothbrushes & 2 Colgate Kids toothpaste = $4.00

I also had $4.00 in extra bucks to help pay for this trip.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $8.40 and saved $4.98, which is 38%. Here's what I bought:
Mini cookies $.99
2 Farmland Bacon $5.00
Cauliflower $.99/pound


At Albertsons, I spent $11.94 and saved $8.86, which is 43%. Here's what I bought:
2 Hunts Spaghetti Sauce $.80 each = $1.60
6 Shoppers Value Pasta $.80 each = $4.80
2 Hunts Ketchup $.80 each = $1.60
Whipping Cream $2.19, this wasn't on sale but I need it for dinner tonight
Lofthouse Valentines Cookies $1.50

I'm glad I checked the checkout screen, because the items that were supposed to ring up for $.80, rang up for $1.00. I showed them the store circular I carry with me on every shopping trip, so they took $2.00 off the total.

My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $21.57 and saved $16.22, which is 43%. Here's what I bought:
Gala apples $.99/pound
2 Welches juice $1.87 each = $3.74 - $.55 coupon, doubled = $2.74
4 12 ct. Poptarts $1.99 each = $7.96
Mushrooms $1.36(not on sale, but I needed them)
4 Lucerne shredded cheese $1.79 each = $7.16
Zucchini $.99/pound


At Ralphs, I spent $10.08 and saved $20.60, which is 68%. Here's what I bought:
2 Ralphs lunchmeat $1.99 each = $3.98
8 Gatorade $.79 each = $6.32
2 Danimal Crunchers $1.99 each = $3.98

I also had $5.00 in Ralphs rewards to help pay for this trip.

Just right now, I noticed I had a $1.00 off coupon for the Danimals Crunchers, but it was attached to the Vons list, not the Ralphs! Ughh! That's frustrating! Oh well, things like that happen some times. All you can do is keep trying to do better next time. :)

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $7.85 and saved $21.84, which is 74%. Here's what I bought:
1 Lypsyl Cold Sore Relief $5.00 + $5.00 register rewards
4 Progresso soup $5.00 - $1.00 coupon = $4.00 + $1.00 register rewards
2 Cortaid $2.99 each = $5.98 - $5.98 coupons = free

I also had $2.00 in register rewards from last time to help pay for this trip.


At CVS, I spent $10.55 and saved $15.11, which is 59%. Here's what I bought:
2 Neccos $.98
4 York Peppermint Patties $1.75 each = $7.00
1 Gain $.99
2 Colgate Total toothpaste $2.75 each = $5.50 - $1.50 coupons = $4.00 + $2.00 extra bucks
1 Nivea Creme tin $.99 - $.99 coupon = free

I also had $3.00 in extra bucks from last time to help pay for this trip.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $4.96, and saved $2.20, which is 31%. Here's what I bought:
Zucchini $.99 per lb.
4 Michelinas $.88 each = $3.20


At Albertsons, I spent $20.00, and saved $24.39, which is 55%. Here's what I bought:
4 Lunchables $1.00 each = $4.00
4 Albertsons ice cream $2.50 each = $10.00
3 4-pack Yoplait $6.00 + $1.00 coupon to use next time

My Vons Shopping Trip

Today at Vons, I spent $12.08 and saved $14.16, which is 54%. Here's what I bought:
4 Cheezit $1.67 each(although one rang up for $2.50) $10.00
Asparagus $.99/pound
Bananas $.49/pound

The Cheezits were supposed to be $1.67, but one was $2.50. I was going to go ask the cashier why, but my husband was with me, and he said not to bother.

I do love the new Vons Just 4 You program. The first 2 items were part of the regular store sale, but the bananas were part of my Just 4 You.

My Walgreens Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $14.59 and saved $17.14, which is 55%. Here's what I bought:
1 St. Josephs aspirin $2.00 + $2.00 register rewards
2 Lysol toilet cleaner $1.99 each = $3.98 - $1.00 coupon = $2.98
2 Cars Activity pad/pencil $.66
3 Aquafresh $.99 each = $2.97
2 Migraine Be Kool $8.23

I also had $4.00 in register rewards from last time to help pay for this trip. When I was done checking out, I asked why I hadn't received my register rewards for the aspirin. Well, apparently one of the register rewards I used to pay for this trip was from St. Josephs, so you can't use a register rewards and earn one on the same product at the same time. So, I asked the manager to refund the aspirin and then pay for it separately. That worked - I earned my register reward.

St. Patrick's Day

I just started adding some St. Patrick's Day items to my Etsy shop and Ebay yesterday and today. The link to my Etsy shop is on the right sidebar. I have lots more buttons and magnets to add. Today, my daughter and I are going to start looking through my pattern books and magazines to see what else I can make for St. Patrick's Day. Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day? If you do, what kind of decorations do you use?

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $14.10 and saved $14.54, which is 51%. Here's what I bought:
10 Gatorade $.76 each = $7.60
1 Mini Cookies $.99
4 Rice/Pastaroni $.88 each = $3.52
1 Flour tortillas $.99


At Albertsons, I spent $6.18 and saved $30.68, which is 83%. Here's what I bought:
2 Danimals $4.00
2 Kraft BBQ sauce $1.98
5 Ragu pasta sauce $4.95 - 2 $1 coupons = $2.95
3 Ronzoni Garden Pasta $2.25
2 Albertsons can vegetables free with store coupon

I also had $5.00 rewards earned last week to help pay for this trip. Even the cashier commented on how much savings I had this trip!

My Vons Shopping Trip

Today at Vons, I spent $32.54 and saved $49.75, which is 60%. Here's what I bought:
3 Oscar Meyer hot dogs buy one get one free $3.99
4 Keebler Fudge Shop cookies $1.67 each = $6.68
4 Toaster Strudels $1.99 each = $7.96 - 2 $.50 coupons, 1 doubled = $6.46
3 Gogurt $1.79 each = $5.37 - $.75 coupon = $4.62
5 Safeway Select ice cream $1.95 each = $9.75
Mushrooms $1.04 These weren't on sale, but Walmart was out, so I bought them here

Have you signed up for Vons' Just 4 You program yet? I love it! Click here to be taken to the web page. I especially like the personalized deals. That's how I got the ice cream at such a low price. The sales price for Lucerne ice cream was $2.28, but my personalized deal was Safeway Select for $1.95. I can't wait to see what my deals are next week!

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $12.26 and saved $15.34, which is 56%. Here's what I bought:
2 Walgreens cough drops $1.00
4 Pringles $6.00 - $1.00 coupon = $5.00 + $2.00 register rewards
3 Campbells Cream of chicken soup $.79 each = 2.37 - $.25 coupon = $2.12
4 Vancamps beans and Vienna sausage $.50 each = $2.00
3 Ajax/toilet cleaner $.59 each = $1.77
1 St. Joseph aspiring $2.00 = $2.00 register rewards

I also had $2.00 in register rewards from last week to help pay for this trip.


At CVS, I spent $5.94 and saved $8.52, which is 59%. Here's what I bought:
2 York peppermint patties $5.98 + $2.00 extra bucks
4 Pringles $5.96 - $1.00 coupon = $4.96 + $1.00 extra bucks

I also had $5.00 in extra bucks to use from last time.