Maiden Voyage

Tonight was the first ride of the season. The darn thing sits in the garage all year and I'm always tempted to sell it. And then we go for a ride and I remember why we keep it. Tonight Brooklyn discovered that her feet touch the pedals....which means Ty's feet touch the pedals.....and it probably means Madelyn's feet touch the pedals.....which means they can all ride with daddy now!!!! AGGGGGGG!!!! They may be ready but I'm not so sure I'm ready.

More S'mores

An unplanned playdate turned into an impromptu dinner for one of my favorite families. And the dessert around here this week has been s'mores. Tonight was no exception.

At first I thought that was drool. Upon further inspection, I beleive it is marshmallow.
Can't you just taste the goodness.
Do you have a special way of making s'mores?

Its finally slip&slide weather. Hours of entertainment.
What's your kids' favorite summertime activity?

Shopping

In an attempt to continue to save money/live without debt, I did the coupon thing last night. It may not have been the first time, but I can't remember the last time, and its never really been my thing. Then I read about my friend who bought $180 groceries for $30 so I had to give it a try. I didn't do as well as I had hoped, but I did get $120 stuff for $60, so that's a good start.

Some of my finds:
Three Coffeemate creamers (a staple in our house).
Normally 2.59.
Store special 3/$5.
Two coupons totalling an additional $.70 off each.
$.96 each.

Two pkgs Kraft singles
Normally 4.49
Store coupons: 1.88 each
Additional coupon for 1.00 off.
$.88 each!

Albertsons Shredded cheese
Normally 3.99
Store coupon for .88 each.

Tombstone pizza
Normally 5.59
Store special 3/$10
Additional coupon for 1.00 off
2.33 each.

Excedrin
Normally 4.49
Store special 1.99
Coupon for 1.00 off.
.99 whoo hooo

Not as good as I hoped, but better than usual. Anyone have any tips for me? There are no stores in town who take competitor coupons so that option is out. I'm taking advice, though.

Ocean Shores

We traveled to Ocean Shores this past week. Here's some of my favorite pictures. It wasn't the greatest of weather, but I suppose any day at the beach beats a day at work.

The cold weather did not dampen the spirits of the kiddos. Looks to me like they had a great time.



We went for a hike in the rainforest and we ran right into Hannah Montana! Imagine the odds.

Us without Doug. He's actually behind the camera this time.

The shelter we found on the beach. I could almost stay the night in this.

My favorite picture of Aspen (she's the neice) while we were walking through the rainforest.
A pretty flower I saw along the way.
And that was our trip in a nutshell. Wish I could say we did something really adventurous and exciting, but we mostly stayed holed up in a (small) room watching it rain. But a great time was had by all.

Happy Mother's Day

I found this special note on Brooklyn's arm last night. I wont let her take a bath. Ever.

Brooklyn turns 8

My little Brooklyn had her 8th birthday yesterday. It totally sucks that she could leave in 10 more years. But we'll just keep her dependent on us so she can never leave...

Brooklyn, I love the way you love and live life. You're the life of the party, and everything's a party! You love to sing your little heart out and put on a show. All day today you've been wearing a Hannah Montana wig, even out to dinner. Daddy thought it was silly, but I was pulling for you because its just part of who you are these days. I love your sense of style, mixing hot pink pants with green alligator boots. I love how you wrestle with your brother and aren't afraid to body slam him. I love that you can play dolls with Madelyn and share all your stuff with her. Yesterday I asked you to teach Maddy all you've learned in swimming this year and you hurried over to her to give her a lesson, lending her your goggles so she could watch you underwater. I love that you are so content being alone but also love to have people around. I love your love for nature and God's great creation, and that you recognize it's His creation we're in awe of. I love your love of scripture and Bible stories and asking me to turn the radio to Christian music. I love that you're planning on living next door when you grow up. ;) I love that you come running into our room in the morning with a huge smile and a good morning to greet us. I love how you love your Daddy and me and the whole family. You're such an important part of our family and I'm so grateful we were trusted to raise you.

Happy Birthday!

Today we're off to the ocean for a week. Its been planned and anticipated for almost a year. I didn't realize when I booked the trip that Brooklyn's birthday was right in the middle of it, so we'll be celebrating her, too. (Did you notice the link to her blog on the right? Kind of "school" project. Good for writing practice.).

I thought I'd leave you with something Madelyn said the other day when it was just the two of us cruising around town.

Maddy: Mommy, sometimes I say bad words really quietly and I can't stop.

Me: Oh, really. What do you say? (hiding chuckle and smile)

Maddy: Um....guess.

Me: You tell me. You can say them this once and you wont get in trouble. (Secretly, I didn't want to "guess" and teach her new ones....)

Maddy: Sometimes I say stupid and dumb over and over.

We can deal with that. Sometimes I say them over and over, too....sometimes not so quietly. ;)