Clear Lake Park

Hi boys,

Last Saturday afternoon we went to Clear Lake Park for the very first time.  There were some other kids around but mostly just y'all on the smaller playground.  It was a beautiful day, windy with lots of sunshine. You enjoyed watching the boats out on the water, listening to the sirens of emergency vehicles that drove past, and running around.

Captain Jack

Peek-a-boo Tedder

Everyone loved the tunnel...especially Tedder

 

The steps were Tedder's favorite part.

 

Jack was singing but looks mad.

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We made a second trip Wednesday morning for a breakfast picnic and some fun on the playground. Aside from the construction workers, we were the only people there. We enjoyed a breakfast of donut holes and milk. It was a bright, sunny day and y'all really enjoyed playing and watching the cement mixer.

Ready to play!

Counting

Beautiful day at the park.

Watching the cement mixer and construction crew.

We had the whole playground to ourselves!

June 1, 2013

Jack and Tedder,

Here's what we did today.

• Played in the back yard for little bit.
• Read Grannie's book twice.
• Wore pirate hats while playing inside.
• Tedder learned how to put his play cell phone in the pocket of his shorts.
• Watched the ice cream truck drive by.
• Skyped with Grannie Carr
• Played in the hallway of the storage building where Mommy was moving boxes in.
• Ate french fries from Wendy's.
• Played with magnets and matching bottles with lids.
• Played at Clear Creek Park and watched boats and sea gulls go by.
• Ate mixed up peanut butter and jelly for supper.
• Took a bath, brushed teeth and got ready for bed.
• Watched "shu-shus" play outside (shu-shu's are what Tedder calls squirrels and lizards).
• Talked to Grannie Davis on the phone.

Tedder @the park.

Jack @ the park.

Ohhh, let me touch your phone.

Captain Jack

Peekaboo

"Help. Phone. Pocket."

Sweet Deals at Night

For Mother's Day, I decided to get my self some much needed retail therapy with a night out stockpiling.  I had my list and coupon organizer in hand and headed off to CVS. I was a little distraught to discover their coupon machine was down - not cool, but one of the workers fixed it and out popped my wonderful coupons.  One was all jumbled up and we couldn't read what it was for but I still tried it at check out and both the cashier and I were happy to see that it was for $3 off a $10 purchase.  While most of the items on my list were never purchased for one reason or another, I still managed to score over $27 worth of items for $10.

2 - Gillette Series Shave Gel (3.99 each)
2 - Schick Extreme 4 pack disposable razors (9.49 each)
1 - Klennex, 100 ct. (on sale for .99)
Total = $27.95

I used the following coupons:
Store Coup $3 off a $10 purchase
Store Coup .25/1 Klennex
Mfg Coup 1/.55 Gillette Shave Gel
Mfg Coup BOGO Gillette Series Shave Gel
Mfg 1/$1 Schick Disposable Razors
Mfg Coup BOGO Schick Disposable Razors
Total OOP = 9.67 before tax

Plus I scored the following coupons that printed on my receipt: $1.50/1 cough drops, $2.50 off $12 deodorant purchase, $2 off $10 shampoo/conditioner purchase, $2 off $10 CVS hair or body care, and $3/2 Maybelline nail products.

Next I traveled down to Target to see what shopping without screaming toddlers was like. It was nice not pushing around the giant land yacht shopping cart or trying to dodge items because you never know when a little hand will pop out to try and grab something.  So I was able to spend a lot of time checking prices, making sure I picked up the correct item, and just enjoying the over-all calm.

Transaction #1:
1 - box Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers ($24.99)
1 - box Pampers Baby Dry Diapers ($24.99)
Total = $49.98

I used a $3/1 Huggies Coup and $1/1 Pampers Coup

Total OOP = $46.98 + $10 gift card


Transaction #2:
1 - diaper rash cream (2.49)
1 - booger wipes (2.49)
4 - Orbit Pocket Packs (.26 each = 1.04)
1 - Market Pantry Parmesan Cheese (2.69)
1 - Aluminum Foil (3.14)
1 - Lysol Spray (3.50)
1 - Clorox Wipes (2.24)
1 - Schick 5 Razor Refill (15.99)
1 - Schick Shave Gel (2.99)
1 - Venus Teen Razor (5.99)
1 - Satin Care Shave Gel (1.99)
1 - Venus Olay Razor (8.99)
2 - Bounce dryer sheets (1.97 each = 3.94)
2 - Schick Quatro Disposable Razors (9.49 each = 18.98)
1 - Pepperidge Farms Whole Grain Bread (2.79)
1 - Market Pantry Whole Wheat Bread (1.52)
1 - Schick 5 Razor (8.99)
1 - Venus Olay Razor Refill (14.79)
 Total =104.55

I used the following coupons:
Mfg Coup - Buy 1 Lysol Spray, get 1 Clorox Wipes Free
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$1 shave gel
Target Coup Schick 1/.75 shave gel
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$2 refill
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$3 razor
Target Coup Schick $5/1 refill & 1 razor
Mfg Coup Venus Buy 1 Refill get Satin Care Free
Mfg Coup Venus Buy 1 Olay Refill get Venus Olay Razor Free
Mfg Coup Venus $5/1 refill & 1 razor
Target Coup Bounce 2/$1.50
Mfg Coup Bounce 2/$1.50
Mfg Coup Schick $4/1 disposable razors
Mfg Coup Schick $3/1 disposable razors
Target Coup Schick $5/2 disposable razors
Target Coup $1/2 sandwich bread
Mfg Coup Pepperidge Farms .55/1
$10 gift card from Transaction #1
.05 off for bringing grocery bag
Total OOP = $47.86

"I don't take coupons..."

These were the words repeated time after time by the guy checking me out at CVS.  Needless to say, I continued with my 4 separate transactions.  I saved some massive dough this time - I think it's one of my best money saving trips ever.  So without further adieu, here's a break-down of everything purchased.

Transaction #1
2 - Dawn Dish Soap - 9 oz. (.99)
1 - Allegra D - 24 hour - 15 count ($17.99)
1 - gallon milk - ($3.49)

Total = $23.46
Used one $3 off Allegra D manufacture coupon, two .25/1 Dawn manufacture coupon.

OOP = $19.96 +$6 store cash earned

Transaction #2
1 - Clear Scalp Therapy Shampoo ($4.99)
1 - Hydro Silk Razor ($12.99)

Total = $17.98
Used one $4.99 off Clear Therapy Shampoo store coupon, and one $4/1 Hydro Silk manufacture coupon.

OOP = $9.73 +$5 store cash earned

Transaction #3
2 - Suave Men's Shampoo (2/$4)
2 - Suave Men's Bodywash (2/$4)
2 - Suave Natuals Bodywash (2/$6)
3 - Always Liners ($2.99 each)
2 - Gas X ($6.49 each)

Total = $35.95 (original price $37.77)
Used two .50/1 Suave Men's Shampoo manufactures coupon, one $1.50/2 Suave Men's Bodywash manufactures coupon, three $1/1 Always Liners manufactures coupon, one $2.50/2 Gas X manufacture coupon, and $6 store cash from transaction #1.

OOP = $16.56 + $3 store cash

Transaction #4
2 - Pantene 2-in-1 Shampoo (2/$6)
2 - Head & Shoulders Shampoo (2/$10)
3 - Herbal Essences Shampoo (3/$10)
2 - Olay Bodywash - 26 oz. ($5.50 each)
1 - Covergirl loose powder ($9.99)
1 - Covergirl lipstick ($6.99)

Total = $53.98 ($63.40 without store sales)
Used two $1/1 Olay manufactures coupon, one $3/2 Pantene manufactures coupon, one $3/3 Herbal Essences coupon, two $1/1 Head & Shoulders coupon, one $3/2 Covergirl coupon, and $16.50 in store cash (from the coupon machine).

OOP = $22.25 + $15 mail in rebate for spending $50 on P&G products!  So my total would really be $7.25!!!

If I had been hardcore about only buying what would get me store cash or rewards I would not have purchased the Always products or Gas-X, but both were needed and I did have coupons.

All in all, between store sales, store coupons and manufacture coupons I saved a total of $80.08 on $126.98 worth of products. I saved over 75%!

I forgot the milk in the fridge, and the Always and Gas-X products in the car.

While the hubby slept on the couch...

Since the hubby was going to be gone for 4 days I took full advantage of his cat napping to hit up CVS for a late night coupoing spree. It would have been an epic fail had the boys been with me.  Some how I only  ended up with only one receipt so I'll have to tell you about the first transaction. I purchased 4 packs of Scott toilet paper (12 rolls) and 1 pack of Scott paper towels (6 rolls).  For spending $30 I received $10 in store bucks which I used in the second transaction.

2 - Aveeno make up remover wipes - regular $8.49 each- on sale 2/$10
2 - Aveeno facial scrub - regular $7.99 each - on sale 2/$10
2 - Finish dishwasher gel pacs - regular $6.99 each - on sale 2/$8
Total Value: $46.94
Total w/ Sale Prices: $28.00

Used two $3/2 Aveeno coupons
Used two $1.25/1 Aveeno Coupons
Used $10 store bucks from earlier

Out of Pocket = $9.50!!!

Between the store sales, store rewards and coupons I was able to save: $37.44!!!

A beautiful day to coupon

CVS

Transaction #1:
1 Edge Shave Gel for $3.49

I used $1/1 manufacture coupon

Paid $2.70 + $2 rewards cash

 
Transaction #2:
1 box Kellogg's frosted mini wheats - $4.29
1 box Crunchy O's - $4.29
1 box Crispix - $4.29

Store sale 3/$9 select Kelloggs Cereal, and I used $1/3 manufacture coupon and $2 rewards cash from Transaction #1

Paid $6.00 +$2 rewards cash


Transaction #3:
2 bags Goldfish $2.49 each

Store sale 2/$4

I used the $2 rewards from Transaction #3

Paid $2.16
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Walgreens

Huggies Snug/Dry Box Diapers - $23.99
1 box Nature Valley Oat & Honey Granola Bars - $4.29
1 box Nature Valley Granola Thin Deligts - $4.29
2 boxes Fiber One Oat & Chocolate Granola Bars - $4.29 each

Store sale 2/$4

I used 1/$1.50 Huggies Manufacture coupon, 1/$2.50 Walgreens coupon and 4/$2.00 Nature Valley Manufacture coupon

Paid $25.47

A Verse a Week

I'm challenging myself to memorize Bible verses to help me in times of need (stress, loneliness, anger, etc.).  Between Pinterest and the internet I've come up with 50 verses. During nap time, I'm going to write down each verse on an index card, stick it in my family organizer, and post it in my bathroom at the beginning of each week.  My plan is to keep all the old cards to post around the house...sort of like what Deuteronomy 6:9 instructs the Israelites to do.  

1. Isaiah 9:6
2. Isaiah 40:28
3. Genesis 1:1
4. John 3:16-17
5. Romans 3:23
6. Romans 6:23
7. Revelation 3:20
8. John 14:6
9. Ephesians 2:8,9
10. 2 Corinthians 5:17
11. Romans 8:28
12. Isaiah 40:30-31
13. Romans 8:38-39
14. Matthew 11:28-30
15. Psalm 27:1
16. Jeremiah 29:11
17. Hebrews 13:8
18. 2 Peter 3:9
19. Lamentations 3:22-23
20. 2 Corinthians 12:9
21. 2 Corinthians 4:18
22. Psalm 37:4,5
23. Proverbs 3:5,7
24. Philippians 4:13
25. Galatians 2:20
26. James 1:22
27. Colossians 3:23
28. 1 Corinthians 15:58
29. James 4:7
30. Luke 16:13
31. 1 John 4:7,8
32. Galatians 5:22-23
33. Hebrews 12:1-2
34. Acts 1:8
35. Romans 12:1-2
36. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
37. Psalm 19:14
38. Philippians 4:6,7
39. 2 Timothy 3:16
40. Psalm 119:105
41. Psalm 119:11
42. Hebrews 4:16
43. 1 John 1:9
44. James 5:16
45. 1 Corinthians 10:13
46. Micah 6:8
47. Matthew 25:40
48. Matthew 28:19-20
49. Matthew 5:16
50. Ephesians 6:12