First Coupon…2015

Although I did not have any plans for leaving the house today, I ended up taking Haley to the doctor, confirmed that she has the flu.   I decided to use my first coupon of the year.

10906233_10203493011954885_4338929245926770533_n[2]These can be found on a calendar that is purchased for $5. I think we purchased this back in November. This calendar has 3 coupons per month that usually include a “deal’ on a dozen donuts. This month it has 3 total freebies so I was really excited. Hot Krispy Kreme donuts are my absolute favorite food and even Lily knows the only thing better than donuts are free donuts. A normal dozen cost $8.00 with tax so even after purchasing the entire calendar a few of our donuts were totally free.

I also ended up shopping at Walmart in the Christmas clearance section while waiting for Haley’s prescription.  I found some awesome deals on wrapping paper and several different “gift set” I am already planning to use some of these sets as Easter gifts and will be using the other during the year for Birthday parties and such.

What is your “first” for the year?

 

OLD FASHION BIRTHDAY PARTY

Warning this is very picture heavy!

Yesterday we celebrated Zach’s 5th birthday with a party at Uncle Steven’s and Aunt Tara’s house.

Matt made this sign as a "thank you!"  The top says Zach

Matt made this sign as a “thank you!” The top says Zach’s 5th Birthday party.

Zach got a special birthday shirt but I didn’t get a picture of the front!

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I have heard several comments about how much fun was had by all and I really enjoyed it as did all the kids.

We were honored to be joined by family and friends.

 

 

First were pictures with the tractors…

Then came something even better…tractor rides….

Of course we had lots of food. (pictures of the cake will be up Wednesday)…

Opening Presents…Zach loves them all!

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And the rest of the party activities consist of adult talking and the kids playing in the dirt!

The most amazing part of the party was how much fun the kids had just playing and how quickly time pasted!  We did not leave until around 8pm, the party started at 4pm.

All Good Things Must Come to an End.

12219_10202680952493906_414027619574386171_n[1]bu Today, Saturday, is the last full day of vacation for us. We will wake up, eat and pack the van in the morning to head back to real life. Monday both Lily and Kendall will start school and Zach will begin his final year at home.  I have enjoyed the break and since I am much better at sharing in points, I hope you don’t mind.

Kendall was stung by a jellyfish today as we were out jumping waves.  At first, I was not sure what happened because she was crying and saying her legs hurt.  But the fish wrapped itself around both of her legs and she has marks from both ankles to the top of her legs.  I also was stung on the wrist not sure when but thankful no one else has to suffer. Both Lily and Zach were with us jumping waves at the time it happened.

Each day except for Friday, we have had a severe afternoon thunderstorm, I have been most surprised at the fact that the roads are flooding after each one.

I have been spending a lot of time on the balcony, this week because it allows me to enjoy the sounds, smells and view of the ocean without sand.  A summer cold has made it through the family this week so we have been taking afternoon naps and with medicine the kids have been going to bed fairly early so I have sitting outside, reading on the kindle or playing on the computer.  While the kids enjoy eating in front of the television, I prefer the ocean!

One of the things that I started to notice each day was the number of photographers and others taking pictures both in the mornings and evening.  I decided that we should do  one as well.  We hit a couple of beach stores on Friday morning and I found the little girls matching dressing. I had brought Zach an outfit with a yellow shirt which matched perfectly!  I am so pleased with the way they turned out. I will share more next Wednesday. I hope to use these to redo my coffee table along with some of the huge seashell that we found the first part of the week.

We enjoyed the Pirates Voyage dinner show on Monday and decided due to the weather on Thursday to eat at a seafood buffet. All the little kids love sushi and request to eat it but what we didn’t know was that they also love crab legs! Between the three of them they ate two full plates of crab legs. I love all types of seafood but crab legs are a lot of work especially when you are feeding three other people.

At lunch today, we asked the kids what has been their favorite part of vacation and both the little girls said it was our trip to Build A Bear. At least they can agree on that! So I guess that this have to become part of our vacation tradition. 10610502_10202680952253900_5150193151480007674_n[1]

Sunday Shopping and Saving 8/17/2014

Today is  the first official day of my vacation, but even so I did manage to enjoy both hopping and saving. Because my children, especially Kendall, are early risers we had planned to eat two meals out  today.  My mother gave me a coupon for Golden Corral, and we made this our first stop this morning. The coupon was for adult breakfast buffets which include your choice of milk, juice or coffee. The hostess also gave us the coupon price for the kid’s buffet as well, which means that all six of us ate for $35.  We found a really quick route to the beach and arrive in plenty of time for lunch. Actually, we shopped first because we had so much time. I had printed just in case the coupon for Outback Steakhouse, so we decided to splurge and enjoy this as well. We did end up spending $70 including tip but not bad considering the adults all had steak and the kids ended up finishing their meals for dinner.

We stopped at the Tanger Outlets but  only hit a couple of stores. Old Navy advertised an awesome sale and we were excited to find lots of items on the $5 tables however over half of these items did not ring up for $5 so we left disappointed.  I picked up several polo shirts for Zach and a pair of jeans as well. The Disney Store  was the kids choice, each of the three little kids has been saving money and doing extra chores for the past  two months and were excited to purchase some toys today. I was able to take advantage of the $10 pajama sale for all three little kids and myself. Matt found a cool shirt for under $10 so in the end, everyone was happy!

I had planned on saying this was going to be our most expensive day, however we are going to a dinner theater  tomorrow evening. I have already purchased the ticket so it is budgeted and covered but still really expensive!