4-30-12: Coupon Trip

I've been doing a little bit of the extreme couponing thing. I don't go super crazy, I don't clear shelves and I don't buy many things that we won't use eventually or be able to donate to a good cause. I love finding super deals on things we need or will use. I thought it would be fun to share my success stories here...in case anyone cares! I use some couponing web sites to help me find the best deals, I couldn't do it all on my own!

Today's total was $40.22, before coupons - I saved 90% and only paid $4.12 ($1.12 of it was tax).


3-Pack of Huggies Baby Wipes was $5.89 - I had a Man. coupon* for $6.45 off and a target coupon for $1 off - Total: -$1.56
Pampers Wipes were $2.39 - I had a target coupon for $1 off and a Man. coupon for .75 off - Total: .64
Little Einstein's Disney DVD was $5 - I had a Man coupon* for $3 off any Disney DVD - Total: $2
Barilla Whole Grain Pasta was $1.16 - I had a Man. Coupon from Facebook for $1 off - Total: .16
Reach Dental Floss was .97 - I had a Man. coupon for $1 off - Total: -.03
Herbal Essence Travel Shampoo was .97 - I had Target coupon for $1 off - Total: -.03
Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Dye (with free Pantene Shampoo) was on clearance for $4.88 - I had a Man. coupon for $2 off and a target mobile coupon for $1 off - Total: $1.88
One Touch Ultra Mini Glucose Monitor was on sale for $9.99 - I had a Man. coupon for $10 off - Total -.01
I used my own re-usable bag - Target gives you .05 off for each one you use - Total: -.05

Pre coupon total: $40.22
Out of Pocket: $3 + $1.12 tax = $4.12
Savings: 90% (plus bonus Shampoo that came with the hair dye)

Gearing Up for Summer

We're half way through April already and that means there are only about 6 weeks until Summer Vacation begins. I am a little stressed out about summer break with two kids to entertain, so I've been making some plans in my head to help keep us busy. It's tricky finding activities that will be fun for a 6 year old and safe and easy to bring a 1 year old too as well.

Days get long when you feel trapped with two kids, and heading out alone with both of them is not my idea of a good time! But, I want to make summer fun, and keep us from getting bored or cabin fever!

Some of the things on my list include:

* Daily reading time (hopefully, while Alex is resting) I want to encourage Adam to do more reading on his own, and am hoping to find a series for 6 year old boys that he might enjoy. I also want to do more reading myself (and hopefully, with my new kindle, I'll be able to). I'm thinking 30 minutes a day would be a great goal

* Picnic Lunches

* Water Play Including trips to the Splash Pad and Nicollet Commons water play zone! Maybe even a special day at the water park for big brother!

* Experiments & Projects: (Thanks to Pinterest, I have some fun ideas of things to do inside, which will be great for rainy days)

* Summer Trips: Adam will go to Wisconsin and spend some time with Great Granny and Gramps, hopefully a trip to Madison to spend time with Uncle Jeff, plans are in the works for a family trip up north around the 4th of July, maybe a camping trip for Daddy and Adam and of course over-nights with Grandma Wendy and Grandma Carol too!

* Farmer's Market: I'm thinking I'll take the kids down town one day for a trip to the Farmer's Market. There is so much to see there, and I think Adam especially would like it.

I'm sure I'll come up with other ideas, and I always keep my eyes open for fun, free events for us to go to!

A new bed!

I love hand me downs, seriously. They save so much money and allow us to do things for our kids that we otherwise couldn't afford....like provide Adam with an awesome and super fun loft bed!

My aunt had a friend whose 15 year old son is almost 7' tall and a little too tall for a standard twin loft bed....the friend wanted it out of their garage, so it came to us! After a few fights with the pieces, Mike and I got the thing assembled and Adam is thrilled!

Check it out:

I can touch the ceiling! 

Lego Land....

New Desk too! 

The other side (if only it would stay this clean....)

Climbing...

My personal favorite part, a home for his big lego kits to stay assembled! 

Alex at 10 Months

Alex is 10 months old already!?!? Where has the time gone! My baby is almost a toddler and that is scary stuff!

He's crawling, pulling himself up and causing trouble left and right! He loves playing with his big brother, cuddling with mommy and he's even starting to enjoy spending time with his daddy on a regular basis! He is NOT a good sleeper, but plans to remedy this are in the works. He loves to eat and try new foods. He enjoys being outside (and we've been loving the beautiful spring weather we've been having as much as we can). He's determined! We're learning every day how much he's picking up on. One of his favorite things to do is play with the remote for the TV. He points it at the TV and pushes buttons. He's gotten the TV stuck on funny menus and even bought a $10 movie through the OnDemand service the other day....

I absolutely love this age though. The exploration and excitement over new things. The new things he learns to do every day and the smiles, giggles and fun we have!


I got this video of him last night. We found Adam's old key board and turned it on Demo mode to the rock setting. Alex just loved it and showed us that he's got the moves!

Easter 2012

Yep. I've been bad at this. But I want to be better (ha, she's said that before). Alex celebrated his first Easter this year! The Easter bunny brought him some fun toys and treats! Adam also got some new toys (and an umbrella of his own, which was broken 5 minutes into the day....) and treats! We spent the day at home, very low key which was wonderful! We went for a walk and tried to take some fun photos of the boys and ended our holiday with a dinner out. It was wonderful!