Yes, I've been MIA!!!

I realize it's been like forever and a day since I've posted. Just quickly wanted to let you all know I'm alive and well and will be updating here shortly. Life has been very busy this last month. We went on vacation to West Yellowstone for a week (pictures to come) and then came back and got kids ready to start school. School is in full swing, and I don't care if the 'Rotten Mom Police' get called on me, this is just what I've needed.

Many of you may or may not know that I have bi-polar and unfortunately I'd been having a real bad cycle with that. The good news is, I'm feeling much much better! Probably better than I've felt in at least a year if not longer. But it really took a toll on me. So now I'm playing catch up with life. :)

Just had a FABULOUS weekend with Lindsay, Mom, and Aunt Brenda. We went to the Scrapbook Expo Friday and stayed until midnight...then we (except for Aunt Brenda) stayed in a hotel and turned around the next morning and went back to the expo. Tons of fun was had by all, and then I spent yesterday playing catch up trying to revive my energy. Haha. I LOVE spending time with my mom and Lindsay. I'm so grateful to them for all they do for me in so many regards. I'm very lucky to have them both as 2 of of my best friends.

Anyhow! That's the shortened version of what's been going on and here real shortly (I promise) there will be pictures and better updates.

Double Coupon Savings

I was a little late jumping on the 'Double Coupon Promo' at Smith's, but I still ended up with some fairly decent deals. (Or at least I thought so!) You should have seen my trip though, I basically went up and down every aisle seeing what coupons matched up for a good deal.

My poor Hollie was bored to tears by the time it was all said and done, but in fairness, I forewarned her and she still chose to go. I kept teasing her that I was nervous to see how much it all cost, because I just might have to leave her in trading. LOL! She is such a funny girl, she put on her pretend worried look and started acting quite goofy.

When we got home Shaun started trying to help put away groceries and I had to get after him that I needed to take pictures first. So I got all the non-food items lined up and then he started throwing food items in, so I had to inform him that that wasn't how the pictures were going. :) Taylor kept making fun of me and asking if we were going to start photographing all of our groceries from here on out. Little stinkers...

Item - Listed Price - Double Coupon Value - Paid Price

2 Downy Laundry Softener - 4.88- .50 off= 4.38 each 8.76
2 Pampers Diapers- 8.77 - 2.00 off = 6.77 each 13.54
3 Dial Hand Soap -1.00 - .70 off = .30 each .90
5 Suave Deodorant - 1.39 - 1.50 off = FREE
6 Old Spice Deodorant - 2.33 - 1.00 off = 1.33 each 7.98
2 Spic & Span General Cleaner- 2.29 - 1.10 off = 1.19 each 2.38
2 Cover Girl Nail Polish- 2.77 - 2.00 off = .77 each 1.54 (Hollie purchase)
4 Crest Toothpaste- 1.00 -1.00 off = FREE
2 Comet Cleaner- 1.39 - .70 off = .69 each 1.38
4 Boxed Electrasol Tabs- 3.00 - 2.50 off = .50 each 2.80 (Dollar General)

Total Spent on Non-Food: $37.59
(If you go back and double check my math it doesn't add up. The total spent is accurate, so somewhere I messed up on the coupon amounts. I was trying to do it by memory.)

1 Capri Sun Sunrise- 2.11 - 2.00 off = .11
2 Nesquik Syrup- 2.00 each - 2.00 off = 1.00 each 2.00

8 Mars Candy Bars -.79 each - 1.00 off = FREE
2 Pringles - 1.65 each - 1.00 off = .65 each 1.30
(1) 2-lb cheese block - 5.99 - 2.00 off = 3.99
3 Boxed Texas Toast - 2.99 - 1.50 off = 1.49 each 4.47
4 Ronzoni Bistro Ind. Serving - 2.23 - 2.00 off = .23 each .92
1 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs- 2.00 - 2.00 off = FREE
2 Oscar Meyer Beef Dogs- 2.50 - 2.00 off = .50 each 1.00
1 Pkg Land O' Frost 1 lb sliced lunch meat- 3.49 - 2.00 off = 1.49
2 Kraft Cheese Singles- 1.50 - 1.00 off = .50 each 1.00
2 Tyson Chicken Tenderloin 2.5 lb bags- 5.99 - 2.00 off = 3.99 each 7.98

Total Spent on Food: $24.26

I felt pretty good about my little shopping spree. Some of the things weren't considered a 5-star deal, but they're some of the things that we buy that specific brand anyways. Of course, nothing says I love you, quite like FREE!!

Sorry that this post is a little jumbled. I would go back and try laying it out a little nicer, but I've already spent WAY too much time on this specific post. For any of you who aren't familiar with Pinching Your Pennies (PYP) we must chat, and soon!!

Here's to hoping that Smith's offers us more double coupon days in the very near future...

Swimming Success

Swimming lessons are over for the summer, thank heavens!! The kids all did really well, but by the end of this second session I am most definitely DONE!

Taylor did great in Level 4 and passed this go around. His teacher said he just needs to become more confident in himself and quit telling himself that he sucks all the time. Unfortunately, that comment is not news to us. He really struggles with self-confidence and I don't know how to better help him with that, because I think he's a pretty amazing kid!

He learned lots of different strokes and diving techniques this time and he was able to swim farther this session than the last. Success!

Hollie did very well, although she didn't pass Level 3. But we jumped her ahead a level and kind of half-expected they wouldn't pass her but wanted her in that class none-the-less. She came leaps and bounds this summer with swimming. She now goes under water with ease and also learned some diving things as well. Success!!

We originally signed Kambri up for Level 1, but she was much too shy and nervous to get in there with people she didn't know. So after day 2 we moved her to the Mom & Tot's class and she did much better. Our good friend Stephanie and her daughter Harli were in our class too, so we enjoyed the time with them as well.

But we worked on various things with her and got her comfortable again with the water (the first 2 days set her back a bit) and had some good quality time with her. She particularly likes kicking in the water and floating around like a fish. Grandma Brenda got in with her on the days I had to work and then I got in on the others. She would grab that little boat each day she got in, it was her security boat! :)
Success!!

So, although it was an added commitment I am glad we put the kids in 2 sessions this summer (with the exception of Kambri). They all did great and it's very important to me that my kids can swim and be safe in the water.

Session 2- SUCCESS!!

Family Night at Willow Park

We decided to take a venture over the mountain to Willow Park with the kids a few weeks ago. The highlight of the outing was definitely feeding the ducks. They all thought that was pretty great!

The highlights of the zoo were the peacocks, ducks, flamingos, and monkeys.

Kambri was pretty confident in feeding the ducks until one got a little to close to her hand, but then her Daddy showed her how to do it just right.

Our Own Little Monkeys

Of course no trip to Willow Park would be complete without a trip to the playground.

After looking through these pictures, I realize I have my own set of cute little monkeys.