Cheap Art

This post has nothing to do with cheap art.

But it does have to do with art and coupons. And when you put those two subjects together you get cheap art. Right? Maybe? O.K., not funny, but I tried.

I took Sophia to the ACMA Open House last night. For those of you who don't know what ACMA is, It's short for Arts & Communication Magnet Academy. And if you live in Beaverton, Oregon there are lots of interesting and groovy schools that you can choose to send your kids to. All publicly funded. The trick is that you have to apply and be accepted. Which isn't necessarily easy. Mostly because there are way more applications that come in vs. spots open. At ACMA next year they will take in 70 new 6th graders, but will receive over 250 applications.

The thing is, this school fits Sophia in every way. She is passionate. She always thinks outside the box. She is obsessed with such activities as photography and dance. She'll make up songs and stories with vivid detail and isn't afraid to do an impromptu performance. Sophia was born an "artist".

And impressively, according to the principal of ACMA, the school he runs has been voted in the top 500 schools in the entire USA for the last three years. They require a rigorous academic performance as well as a strong performance in the arts. The arts are at the center of everything they do. Which means that the way they teach even the core classes such as math and social studies have a very strong artistic influence.

I'll be sad for her if she doesn't get in. If anyone should be going to ACMA it should be Sophi.

I mailed off her application today and we will know before Spring break if she gets in.

In other news,

I have been trying to get back into couponing. It struck me how much money I could be saving after I went on a shopping trip with my friend Hailey and I watched her get a bung load of items and pay less than 8.00.
While I don't have the passion that many do for spending hours and hours clipping coupons, I do like to get a good deal. So a couple of weeks ago I subscribed to the Oregonian and have been clipping coupons. I made a solemn vow that I would not clip coupons for things I don't normally use...such as Hamburger Helper. And there are a lot of coupons for the stuff. I'm not judging anybody who does buy it. I just don't like to.

Today I went to Rite Aid. I am happy to report that I was able to buy 35.00 worth of stuff, and because of my coupon clipping abilities, I walked away paying 17.00. Plus I earned a 4.00 off my next purchase coupon that I must use by February 5th~ because I signed up for one of those free Rite Aid rewards club cards while I was checking out. Nice. Now when I shop there I should earn more Rite Aid bucks. Oh, here's what I bought. I'll include the original prices. Loreal Liquid Foundation ( 15.95), Loreal Cover-Up Stick ( 8.95), 3 packs Trident gum ( 1.29 each), 1 pack Dentyn gum (1.00), Clearasil Zit Face Wash ( 5.49). I know that some peoples probably could have done much better than I did, but I am happy with my savings. And I'm happy that it is all stuff that will get used.

And lastly, today is Friday. Yeehaw!!!

Our original plan was to take the kids ice skating. Now, I'm thinking maybe a movie night. Who knows what we'll end up doing. But as long as we're doing it together that's all that matters.

And tomorrow night is Matt's annual Argentine Dinner. So, we'll have a house full. We'll eat lots of awesome Argentinish food and we'll strengthen our friendships. I'm excited!!!