More savings……

Yes, I indeed have found and purchased some more items, that I actually used coupons for.  And in Toys R ‘Us no less.

Before coupons My total was $37.38 with Tax.  After coupons $12.38!

I purchased 5 pictureka games and a pink locker organizer for Aimee’s locker.

We are keeping one card game for ourselves and using the others for kids birthday gifts and such.  You know when you get a birthday invite and the birthday is only a few days away and you don’t really have anything to give or any money to go out and purchase something.  This is what they will get.

Or we might donate them to our church or give them as a gift to my kids teacher’s for Christmas.

Onto another deal, (Beware of purchasing this on eBay or Amazon!  I found only one on Amazon and they wanted $39.99 for it.  We got this one at Wal-Mart for $12.00!  SAME ONE!

This one is Aimee’s.  And for just $12.00.  It pays to shop around.  Granted our Walmart only had 3 of them.  So I am sure once they are noticed they will go FAST!

She is one HAPPY girl!  We last just 2 things to have all her school supplies bought.  Daniel lacks a lot and so does Zachary and we still have to get them all new backpacks!

Sending kids to school is EXPENSIVE!

Since March 16th, I have saved $1,278.48!!!!  I still have some receipts to add to that as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful day.

Take care!

One Month…..

My kids have Exactly one month then it is…….

I think for once my oldest is actually looking forward to getting back to school.  Now, that could be just to see his friends.  Which is probably more the case.

Aimee has been super excited ever since her 5th grade graduation.

Zachary, well, he really doesn’t want to go.  I am sure he will get better as the weeks go by.

It just amazes me that I have 2 middle school kids.  I feel so old!

We should be receiving the new school calendar soon.  They mail that out about the middle of every July.  It has the dates and such on it for the school year.

This year there is a time change on when school starts for the elementary.  I don’t know if it will change for the middles school students or not.  I hope to find the time out soon so I can get my kids morning routines down for the year.

One more thing before I close out.

I don’t know why I feel like I have to say this again for the umpteenth time. I am a mom blogger.  I blog about my life as a parent of 4.  My blog is full of Randomness.

I do not Claim to be a english teach.  Yes, you will probably find some spelling and grammar mistakes.  I do spell check before posting.  However, being a busy mom of 4 sometimes Grammar and spelling do not get checked.

This blog is not perfect, nor do I claim it to be.  I am simply put….a Mom that enjoy blogging to share with her family that happen to live in different states.  And to share with my friends, and online blogging friends that I have met along the way.

My kids, husband, family, house, friends, all come before my blog.  They are my priority.  My blog will always take a backseat to that. So No, my spelling and grammar may or may not be perfect.

If you can’t deal with a few grammatical errors or spelling errors than you shouldn’t be reading my blog.

I love the blog friends I have made, and I will continue to seek out new blogs to read.  All negative comments about my grammar or spelling will not be published.

Negativity is NOT allowed in my house, so it sure will not be allowed on my blog.

With that said,

I hope you all have a excellent, wonderful Day.

Take Care!

Day 1 of Jump Start….

For those of you that don’t know what “Jump Start” is.  It is three days set aside for entering 6th grade students to get familiar with their new school, teacher’s and surrounding.

They go for three days for about an hour at a time.  She loved it….I could just see the ‘wantingness’ of wanting to go ahead and get the year started in her eyes.  Even though they just finished up the school year.

They even received a free T-shirt.  Her’s is Hot Pink and adorable.  With the school name on it.

The school she is attending is expecting there to be close to 300-6th graders! WOW!

She got to see a few friends that she new in 4th and even in 3rd grade.  Gosh, these kids have great memories.

She got to meet ‘almost’ all the 6th grade teachers.  She had a tour of the school and what hall way she would be in.

Tomorrow, she will find out what ‘team’ she is on.  And get her locker and her class schedule for the fall.  Her class schedule will change every semester from here on out.

She has decided she is going to try out for Drama.  Drama is a after school type of deal.  We told her as long as she maintains her grades we are more than happy to let her take Drama.  She is kind of shy but boy, can that girl act…. 

The Drama teacher is also the music teacher.  She seems beyond thrilled.

Let’s see, I think that is it.  WE had a LOOOONG day.

I did save $102 on groceries today!  I even impressed myself with that.

Oh, I did post a pudding pop recipe on my recipe blog full of photo’s.  Go and check it out.  Let’s Get Cookin’

Take Care!

Aimee’s 5th Grade Graduation…

WARNING PICTURE HEAVY!!!

And yes, I have pictures.  Although, my little camera DID act up while there.

There were 7-5th grade classes with a total of 160 students.  Aimee is in the top 10% of all classes combine!  I am SO proud of her!

After it was over.  Each class had there own little get together in there respective classrooms.

Aimee’s teacher pulled me aside and told me that Aimee was The BEST kid in the class….and the smartest.    So proud!

Here are the pictures…

Before she left for school

And of Course…I had to get a shot of the back of her hair….Do all mom’s do this????Or Am I just a weird mom??—Okay, don’t answer that!

Walking in….

And this is where my camera starting acting up….right when she was called up to get her Eagle pin, her certificate and a hug from her teacher….

Aimee and a few friends…

Aimee and Her Teacher Mrs. Allensworth….She loves her.  She is known as the hardest teacher at the school.  Aimee will miss her but is excited to move onto middle school.

Aimee and her friends Dameisha, and Sabrina (her Best friend).

And of course you have to get a silly faces shot in there too…..

And then some of the girls in her class…Look at how ‘filled’ out some of these girls are….and they are only in 5th grade!

Aimee at home in her End of the year Signature Eagle shirt. And her mini-graduation cake.–Kind of blurry!  The cake is in her school colors as well.

Congratulations Aimee Renee!!!!  YOU DID IT!  You are now in Middle school.  We are so proud of you!

I hope you all had a fantastic day!

Take care!

End of School/Summer Fun

The end of the 08/09 school year is almost over!  This school year just FLEW by!

Yesterday, was my daughters day for the end of the school year activities known as field day.  Today, is Zachary’s turn.

The middle school students do something totally different for the end of school.  In middle school at the beginning of the year you are placed on ‘teams’.  You are on that team the entire year.  Daniels team is having a hot dog cookout and movie day early next week.

And of course Aimee’s 5th grade graduation is next week as well.  She is so excited to be wearing her dress.  She really does look adorably cute!  Was that redundant?

And then of course Summer starts…..We start of summer with a BANG!  Two birthday’s.  One of which is not as celebrated as the other.  **giggle** That is okay though.

My birthday is first and the least celebrated….**which is totally fine with me….I am not complaining in the least**

David’s 5th birthday is just two days after mine. (yes, I tried my hardest to get induced with David on my birthday and could have if baby sitters for my other kids would have worked out.)

And I can’t forget at the end of May Aimee has Middle School Jump Start where she gets to go and get her locker and her class schedule for next year.

Daniel has basketball camp the first week of June.  He is thrilled to be going.

There are several churches in our area that hold VBS.  I am going to get the younger two in at least 2 of them.  Daniel is now to old for VBS.  And Aimee is on the verge of it.  Some Vacation Bible schools allow 5th graders going into 6th while other’s don’t.

Eric is working and going to school this summer.  He graduates in a year!  So excited for him.  I think he is going to go straight into his Master degree program as well. While working/teaching of course.

I don’t think we will be doing anything on memorial day this year.  The 4th of July, I will probably make hot dogs and hamburgers, and watch fireworks being set off.

The first Saturday in June is our sub-divisions yard sale.  I think I might put a few things out….not much probably.  Aimee want’s to get rid of her little people dollhouse…and all the accessories that go along with it.

School starts back at the beginning of August.  And Aimee’s birthday is at the end of August. She really doesn’t like when her birthday is…but LOVES the day it falls on….Her grandpa’s birthday.

So far, that is our summer.  I am sure we will add little day activities along the way.  Do you have anything exciting planned for the summer?

UPDATE:I wanted to let you all know that as of today, I have saved $507.91 using coupons.  I have noticed that I save around 35% of my grocery bill each time I go grocery shopping.  I am shooting to get it to 50% of my grocery bill.

Take care,

Lots of Stuff…

It has been a VERY busy week. I can’t believe it is already MAY!  I did post a Bargain Bin Friday Yesterday.  For the simple fact that ‘real’ life got in the way.  I had things that NEEDED to get done.  And It took me ALL day!

The first thing that NEEDED to get accomplished was finding Aimee a Graduation dress.  All of the pink dresses in her size had been bought.  As well as the green in that same design.

So at Target she picked out the next best dress.  Which is cute….just not really what she wanted.  We purchased it (because it was the last on in her size), I told her to leave the tags on and if we find something better we will return it.

Soo…here is the red dress we bought…

It is REALLY long…has the tight gathering. And although it is REALLY cute…it makes her look like a stick! She is really tall and really skinny! Still cute on though.

She liked it, just wasn’t over the moon happy with it.  And I want her to have something she likes, feels good in and looks nice.  She deserves it.  This girl has NEVER received a ‘c’ on a report card.  She always maintain A’s and B’s and for the last few semesters has made straight A’s.  So she deserves to look beautiful on a day meant just for her and her achievements during elementary school.

Yesterday, as part of our errands.  Eric and I had to run to the Base to put gas in both of our cars (it is cheaper there than off post).  And to stop by the PX and see what they had, I also had to pick up printer ink.  I picked up David a couple of birthday gifts since his birthday is fast approaching.  We picked him up a Scooby-Doo Puzzle, and a Lego’s Car.  We also picked up Daniel some Basketball shorts.  Of Course we had to bring Zachary home a toy..so we picked up a Action figure for him.

As we were shopping for Daniel.  I spotted “THE” dress for Aimee.  They had a retro flower one and a pink polka dot.  Of course, Eric said, “Get the polka dot, I was thinking the retro looking one.”  Then I turned to David and asked him which one his sister would want (he isn’t even 5)

This is the one HE picked for his sister.

He picked the Retro Groovy Flower dress.  And Aimee was THRILLED with it.  We told her of the choice we had.  And she said, “I am glad you didn’t get the polka dots.  I don’t really care for polka dots on clothing.”

Here is the back.

The back is really pretty.  Plus, it will be cool for where the graduation will be held.  There are approx. 150 kids graduation from 5th grade.  Held in a small gym.

Plus, all the parents that come….etc.  So it will be packed and HOT!

And of course she had to have a new pair of shoes…

She didn’t want to have to fiddle with stockings.  Because she thought she would get hot.  So she picked out these cute little flip flops.  And they are dressy.  I tried to talk her into a silver pair…but she liked this one better.  It looks really cute together.

After that I went to the commissary to pick up a few things.  Then Last night, in the POURING rain I ran to Food Lion to pick up 11 box of Kelloggs cereal.  I only paid $0.50 a box for!!!!

I also went to Walmart twice yesterday.  David needed some new sneakers.  He was thrilled to get some batman sneakers that glow in the dark.  They were on sale for $11.00.

I guess, I should tell you how much I saved.  With Today (because I ran to walmart again to pick up some sale items that I had coupons for that wouldn’t be on sale tomorrow).  In Two days I have saved……drum roll please….

Within the last two days….

I have saved…

$110.00!!!!!

Bringing my total saved since March 16th to $401.56!!!!

Tomorrow, My house work is calling me so after I go and get my newspapers, I need to catch up on my house work.  And Laundry as usual.  Which is going right now and needs to be changed over.

I hope you all have had a fab Saturday!

Take Care!

Busy, Busy Week….

It always seems that every year around this time…it is SUPER busy for our little family of 6.  And this year is NO different.

May is just a busy month.

There Are birthdays:

• Shawna (my sister)
• Grandma Coats (my sister and my grandma’s birthday are on the SAME day–How cool is that!!!)
• My mother in Law Betty
• My step-Dad Joe
• My best friend Deanna’s birthday
• And My Birthday

Then we have 3 June Birthdays:

• David’s birthday falls on June 1st!  He will be 5 this year!
• Brock (Eric’s Nephew.  Brock and David Share the SAME birthday which is REALLY COOL!  No we didn’t plan it that way…..it just happened.)
• Jason-My brother in law

And of course there is:

• Mother’s Day
• Aimee’s Graduation
• And Aimee’s 6th grade 3 day orientation at the end of May
• And David’s dental appointment

This week we are going shopping-AGAIN for Aimee a Graduation Dress…UUGGGHHH!  Some of the boys in the 5th grade classes are wearing TUXES!!!!!  This is only a 5th grade graduation and where they hold it—it get’s HOT!!!!  So Aimee decided she wanted to ‘dress’ up just a little more.  I don’t blame her one little bit.

She likes to shop at Target and Kohls.  Which is good because I have a $5.00 gift card to Target and a $10.00 gift card to Kohls.

First we will hit Target….and if they still have this….Then we will not go to kohls…

And This…

Then all we have to do is find her some white or black Strappy sandals or ballerina flats.  She also wants me to make her a coordinating headband.  So we will have to make a run to the fabric store.

Keep your fingers crossed that we are able to find that dress and shrug.  Aimee has her heart set on them.  If not, it is to Kohls we go.

Speaking of there ‘graduation’, they are no longer allowed to call it a graduation.  They are to call it a “Promotion Celebration”…which I think is STUPID, I mean silly!  Aimee’s teacher even thinks it’s silly.

Yesterday, I ventured out to Walgreens.  Now, I don’t normally shop there but felt I had to as I was looking at all the good deals a lot of people get at walgreens.

Anywho, Everyone who knows me just a little bit knows I love my house smelling awesome.  I love candles.  I collect them….and I love all sorts of fragrances.

I also love spray scents and such, as Glad, Febreze and Air Wicks.  Yes, I am a tade OCD when it comes to my house smelling good.

I just couldn’t pass up these deals…and I still have a few coupons left so I can go and pick up a few more later this week.  Crossing fingers that they still have some left.

I went to two different Walgreens.  I purchased  The two candles at one and the I scents kit at another one.

I bought Two Lumin Air Candles for $4.99 each (they were on sale…regularly, I believe they are $9.99.  I had 2-$3.00 off coupons making them $3.98 for both of them.  In total I paid $4.93! For both of them.  My total savings that trip were $17.50.  I also bought two more items with coupons!

My second trip I purchased the Air Wick I-Scents…

It was on sale for $4.99 cents.  I had a coupons for $4.00.  Making it $0.99! with Taxes I only paid $1.46!!!!

I have one more coupon left for each item.  I am hoping to get these in the next couple of days.  i would love to be able to pick up 3 more of the candles to keep in the bathrooms…I just don’t know if I will be able to.

I hope you all have had a wonderful start to the week.

Take Care!

A touch of Bittersweetness…

Hey Guys,

I knew it was getting to that time of year.  A month left of school….And my daughter brings home her Middle school Jump start orientation!  It is so odd, even though I have Daniel that has already gone to middle school…it still gets to me.

I break down like this…

Of course I am going to be bittersweet about Daniel.  After loosing my first pregnancy to miscarriage and getting pregnant with him 3 months later.  I knew he was my miracle baby.

And since he is the oldest he paves the way for the other three.  Seeing him accomplish things is just amazing.  I get to experience EVERY first with him.

Aimee, she is the only girl.  She is a lot different than me.  She is VERY outgoing.  Very strong willed, She has a flare to her, she is eccentric, a person you just WANT to be around.   She is very smart and has a great wit about her.

Zachary…..with him.  He is just a sweetie.  He had a difficult start to life.  He was born healthy…weighed in at 10 pounds at birth.  However,  the day we left the hospital he started breaking out ALL over.  It took us almost 8 months to get the correct diagnoses…..He has severe Eczema.  We have to watch what detergent I launder his clothes in.  So I wash all of our clothing and bedding in something that will not break him out.  We have to watch what he eats.  Sometimes certain foods will not break him out and then other times it will.

He is such a sweet boy….that wants to be a Army ‘man’ (how he says it) when he grows up.  I know he can accomplish it.  Everything he does….he is good at. He is a daredevil and seeing things through is eyes is exciting.

And David…well he IS my baby.  He is always so full of laughter, joy and excitement!  It is so easy to continually have a smile on your face and a tickle in your heart when you are around him.

They all are so different but so much a like.  They are amazing!  And I know to there grandparents they are top notch!

So when Aimee brought home her orientation sign up….I got a weird feeling in my stomach.  I am SO happy for her.  She is so excited about her new adventure in learning.   But as my only daughter, I don’t want her to grow up so quickly….

Her graduation is going to get the better of me…and it is only a 5th grade graduation.  Pictures and video will be taken that day….

I will leave you with a picture of all my babies, taken when David was about 3 or 4 months old.    My how they have grown up…It was SO hard to get a good picture of all 4 of them together.  Shoot, it still is!

Take Care!

T-CAP Week

Today, starts T-Cap week for my oldest children!  They were surprisingly calm.  While the week leading up to it they were very nervous.

The teacher’s really seem to put a lot of undo stress on the kids.  I told my kids just to do there best.  And not to stress about.  Aimee wants to do well, because they look at these test when placing them in there 6th grade classes for middle school.  And of course, my daughter-being the overachiever she is…wants to get in the BEST classes.  She has been prepping for these test for 2 weeks.

I have promised them that I would have a snack ready for them for each day after school.  These test REALLY seem to drain them. My daughter will more than likely zone out in front of the television (they do not give homework on T-Cap week), take a bath, watch TV some more, eat dinner and go to bed early.  That is how she rolls when she has testing like this.

Daniel will go outside and mingle with his friends.  That is if it is not raining.

My kids only have 5 weeks of school left.  This year has gone by so fast.  I can’t believe I will have a 7th grader and a 6th grader next year!  Two middle schooler’s!!!

Thursday, David has a Dentist appointment for a cleaning at 8 AM in the morning.  It shouldn’t take to long to get in and out.  It is there first appointment of the day.  So I am hoping we are not there over an hour.  Should be MUCH less time.

We also have an appointment next week with Zachary’s teachers.  We are wanting to keep him in the second grade next year for his benefit.  He is moving to a new school next year…so hopefully, he will not notice the difference.

I can already sense some strain on what the teachers might tell us.  We are sure they are going to want him to move onto 3rd grade.  I am sticking to my guns about him having another go at 2nd grade.  I feel Zachary drew the short end of the stick with teachers this year and I am feed up with them.  Thankfully, he will have a new teacher at the new school.

My older two kids are relieved that they do not have to change schools.  The elementary school my kids go to is now rezone for a brand new elementary school.  That is why Zachary is moving to a new school.

Aimee and Daniel will stay in the school district they are in now.  Weird, I know.

Tonight, I am making Pork Chops, Fried Potatoes and corn for dinner.  My kids will be starving I am sure.  I just made the Fried potatoes for my kids 2 nights ago.  I haven’t made them in over 10 years.  Aimee, Zachary and David loved them and asked for more.  So I decided to make them again.  Although, I really don’t like serving fried foods to my kids.  I guess every once in a while it is okay.

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

Take Care!

Bullies….

GAH!!!!!! I have had it with about 4 or 5 little kids on our street.  The sad thing is…..One little boy that I have had it with….used to be a GREAT kid.

All of a sudden he has turned all Bully!  And I don’t know how to talk to his step-mom (which I really like) without getting hurt feeling on both sides involved.

The other sets of parents.  I don’t really know.  Eric does know them.  However, this bullying has GOT to be stopped now.

Daniel has a new friend that lives on a cross street right by our house.  A good kid.  To get to his house you have to go up a hill.  These 4 or 5 kids.  Will stop Daniel and his new friend, and tease them, make them fall off there bikes, call them names, try to take there bikes, try to start fights with them….etc…

Tonight, I had HAD it.  They can’t control the street or where my kids and his friends bike.  I went to talk to the parents but none are home and the one who is home…I just don’t know how to handle it.

I did talk to the kids and told them to stay away from my children.  They were picking on Zachary a couple of days ago…so I included him as well.  I told them not to call them name, don’t touch them, don’t touch there things and just leave them alone all together.  I informed all of them that Eric and I would be talking to there parents.

I also told them if it happens again, I would get the cops involved.

The other sad thing is….is that they all used to be friends.  I just can’t figure out what happened.

I would want to know if my kids were bullying other children.  I know my kids aren’t perfect…..FAR from it.  And I know the truth to what happens (in these situations) is probably somewhere in the middle.

However, Daniel actually asked me to go and talk to them this time….he has never done that.  He has had it with them.

Any ideas on how to tell a friend about her step-child (whom she loves as her own and is VERY protective of him) without losing a friend that means a lot to me.

GAHH!!!!  I just hate days like today.  But I MUST protect my children!  And come to a happy medium with the ‘bullies’ and there parents!

Okay, rant over!

I hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday!  This week is just FLYING by!

Take Care!