A Helper and Visitors

Alexa helping Opa sweep the porch
Yesterday afternoon, Dave's Oma came over, and they played Scrabble while Caleb played on the computer. Alexa and I were napping for most of the time.
After dinner, Dave's sister Halyna and her boyfriend Rob came over. We ate some yummy peach cobbler made from fresh peaches that Oma had brought over earlier, and we watched one of the new Backyardigans movies that they got for the kids' birthdays.


Today, Miss Carol Ann from our church came over with her grandchildren, who live near here. She is in town watching them while their mom is in the hospital having baby #3. The kids had fun playing in the pool and then came inside to play toys,read books, and color for awhile.

More Pictures

More carousel pictures


Our family
At the pool

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Here are a few pictures from our trip so far. These are from Dave's mom's camera. I'll be back with pictures from our camera later.

Eating lunch on the porch

Playing with toys
Deciding what to play on the piano
Riding the 5 cent carousel
Swinging with Daddy
Playing in the pool

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We're leaving WAY too early in the morning to head to the airport to fly to Canada to visit Dave's parents for the week. Caleb is SO excited and keeps asking if it is time to go now. He's especially excited about swimming in their pool. So, I'll likely not be posting much this week. Hope everyone has a great week!

All You Grocery Challenge: Week 2

I came in much farther under $100 this week despite eating out a few times (2 days of teacher's meetings at 2 doctor's appointments make a great excuse not to cook). I spent $79.36 this week. Here's the breakdown -

Publix - $29.41 (three trips)
Kroger - $8.14
Chilis - $4.00 (we paid for dinner with a gift card and left the tip in cash)
Walmart - $2.00 (I grabbed some blueberries while I was there for my eye appointment)
Chickfila - $21.31
Chinese - $14.50 (this is what we are having tonight, I order one meal and one appetizer to feed all 4 of us)

Introducing...

...Baby #3 otherwise known as Jordanna Ruth.

Playing hide and go seek, which just so happens to be one of Caleb and Alexa's favorite games right now

Full body shot

Home Alone...Kinda

This is where Dave and the kids are sleeping tonight. In a tent.

In the backyard.
This is where I am sleeping tonight. In my bed.

71% Savings at Publix

I had several coupons that expire 7/31, and since we will be out of town next week, I wanted to go ahead and use them. So I made a quick run to Publix tonight. I spent $20.23 (almost half of which was the steak) and saved $48.82.

Here's what I got -
3 boxes Caprisun juice boxes - $.89 (used my last 3 $1.00/1 coupons)
1 carton Starbucks ice cream - FREE (used free coupon I received in the mail)
1 carton Daisy sour cream - $.29 (used $.50/1 coupon)
2 bags Alexia waffle fries snacks - $.07 each (used 2 $1.00/1 coupons and 1 $.75/2 Target coupon)
6 boxes character bandaids - $.46 overage total for all 6 (used 2 $5.00/3 Publix coupons and 6 $1.00/1 coupons)
1 package Oscar Mayer pepperoni - $2.89
1 bottle Motts apple punch juice - $1.48
3 boxes Yoplait gogurt - $.60 each
2 Pillsbury cake mixes - $.15 each
2 T-bone steaks - $9.89

Alexa's New Hangout

For some reason, Alexa has decided that she should hang out at the bottom of the stairs after breakfast each morning. She gets her juice, stroller, babies, and purse(s) and sometimes some books and entertains herself for quite awhile. And really I do love stepping over all her stuff every time I go up and down stairs all day long. Notice also her attire. She loves dresses and has a fit to get to pick one out every morning.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Sleepy cuddles
Cooking with Mommy
Goofy Caleb

91% Savings at Publix

When I first looked at the Publix ad for this week, it didn't look that great. But, I did find some deals and managed to save more than I have in awhile. I spent 17.23, and I saved $65.96. BUT, I will be sending in my receipt for a $10 rebate check for the waffles, thus a savings of 91%.

Here's what I got -
10 boxes assorted Eggo Waffles - $9.95, will get back a $10 rebate check here, FREE
1 bag baby Goldfish crackers - $1.10
9 boxes assorted bandaids - $3.09 overage total (Used 3 $5/3 Publix bandaid coupons from Green Advantage Buy flier and 9 $1.00/1 bandaid coupons. Publix allows both a Publix coupon and a manufacturer's coupon on each item.)
1 box Publix Frosted Flakes - $.01 (Used penny item coupon)
1 box Taco Bell soft taco kit - $.35 (Used $1.00/1 coupon from June All You magazine)
1/2 lb broccoli crowns - $.73
3 boxes Caprisun juice boxes - $.89 each (Used 3 $1.00/1 coupons)
2 cartons Whole Fruit sorbet - $.45 each (Used 2 $.50/1 coupons)
2 packages Yakisoba cheddar flavored noodles (for the donation box) - $.19 each (Used 2 $.35/1 coupons)
2 McCormick grinders - free (Used 2 $1.00/1 any McCormick spice coupons)
3/4 lb peaches - $.68
3/4 lb bananas - $.53
1 can Bush's black beans - $.44
4 bags Texas Toast croutons - $.20 each

Menu Plan Monday

Tonight - Chicken squares, fruit salad, green beans

Tuesday - Beef and veggie stir fry, rice, focaccia bread

Wednesday - Bird's Eye Voila frozen meal, salad, rolls

Thursday - Eggs, bacon, English muffins, fruit smoothies

Friday - Steak, fries, fruit

Saturday - $5 pizza

Sunday - Clean out the fridge day before we leave for Canada on Monday

All You Grocery Challenge: Week 1

The All You grocery challenge is to spend no more than $25 per person in your family per week. It includes groceries and eating out but not paper goods, toiletries, etc. I came in just under the wire this week at $99.86.

Here's the breakdown -
Publix - $8.45
Kroger (2 trips) - $35.34, $5.13
Aldi - $15.17
Snack at the baseball game yesterday - $8.25
Dinner at Chilis last night - $27.52

Artists at Work

Playing with Playdough
Fingerpainting

73% Savings at Kroger

I save 73% at Publix often, but saving 73% at Kroger is a rare day. They had a sale this week that gave $5 off for 10 items purchased out of a certain list of items. This made many items free or very cheap. I spent $47.80 and saved $125.86. I didn't take a picture, and I bought too much too list everything, but I will list the best deals.

Things that were part of the $5 off 10 items deal
8 bottles Sobe Lifewater - FREE (used 4 B1G1 printables here)
2 bags Sargento shredded cheddar - $1.00 each (used $1.00/2 catalina coupon)
1 package Sargento sliced provolone - $.80 (used $.40/1 coupon that expires today)
2 bottles Sunny D smoothies - $.24 each (used 2 $.55/1 coupons from somewhere)
1 bag Chex mix - FREE (used $.50/1 e-coupon and $.50/1 coupon here)
6 tubes Speed Stick deodorant - $.50 overage each (used 6 $1.50/1 coupons here)
6 bottles Softsoap handsoap - FREE (used 6 $1.00/1 coupons here)
3 pairs Playtex hand saver gloves - $.50 overage each (used 3 $1.00/1 coupons from 6/28 SS)
2 4 packs Yoplait Fiber One yogurt - FREE (used 2 $1.00/2 e-coupons and 2 $1.00/1 coupons from 7/12 SS)
2 packages Keebler cookies - $.50 each (used 2 $1.00/1 printable coupons here)

Other deals
6 individual packages Chiquita bites sliced apples - FREE (Used 6 $1.00/1 coupons here)
1 package bottom round steak - $1.01 (used $1.50/1 catalina coupon)
3 packages boneless, skinless chicken breasts - on sale for $1.99/lb (used 3 $1/1 coupons from 7/12 SS)
3 bottles Santa Cruz organic lemonade (to satisfy my lemon cravings) - $.75 each (used $.75/1 printable coupon here)
1 package Huggies Pullups (regularly $9.77) - $3.99 (used $2.00/1 e-coupon and $3.00/1 printable coupon which expires today)

4 Years Old

Birth
1 year old
2 years old
3 years old
4 years old

Happy 4th birthday, Caleb!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Playing in the new car mat from Grammy and Gramps
Picnic lunch with Aunt Molly

Opening birthday presents