Just Keep Saving, Saving, Saving...

Yes I know I haven't posted on here in a long time! Better late than never, busy times here. Anyway had to share my wonderful savings today!! Are you ready? I had to go to Publix for a few things, mostly the BOGO and did extremely well, you gotta love those BOGO deals topped with coupons and then those that also have competitor coupons as well...A STEAL!

For everything you see in the picture, minus Bella and Brinlee my total was:
Without in store savings/BOGO/coupons total would have been: $99.62
Special Price Savings: $41.09
Vendor Coupons: $16.65
Store Coupons (Competitors coupon from Winn Dixie for $5 off $50 or more): $5
Total Savings: $62.74
I had a giftcard as a gift: $20
So my total OOP was: $16.87!! Still without the giftcard my OOP would have been only $36.87

My items in my cart were:

(* = Coupon, BOGO= BOGO offer, ^= Sale)

Hot Dog buns

2 Bic Lighters BOGO **

2 6pk Orville Popcorns BOGO **

2 Ritz Munchables BOGO **

1 Danimals yogurts *^

2 Ragu pasta sauces ^

2 Jimmy Deans Sausages BOGO *

19 Yoplait yogurts ^ ***

2 Chex Mix Cereals BOGO *

2 Lays Potato Chips BOGO

2 Crisco Oils BOGO **

2 Mulluers Pastas BOGO ***

4 2ltr Publix Sodas ^

2 Musclemanns Applesauces BOGO

2 Publix Sweet teas BOGO

1 head lettuce

2 Sunmaid Raisins ^ *

2 Fantastik Cleaners BOGO **

I want to thank my most amazing, talented, thoughtful boss, Jamie for the Publix giftcard, it was put to really good use!! If you want to know how to save like I did here, saving more than you spend, sign up for one of my Cre8tive Couponing classes or ask about holding a Cre8tive Couponing Party! Believe me it's worth it, don't believe me ask those that have taken my class, you can save more than you spend. My pantry and stockpile is STOCKED, I think I need another pantry to hold even more!

Getting Tubes and speech Therapy

I wanted to update our family and friends on what has been going on with Quinn. Since he started talking I thought there was something different. He could never completely sound out words correctly. Some he could and some he couldn't. I know boys develop slower than girls so we waited. After talking to the pediatrician she suggested he see an ENT and get a Speech Evaluation done. After waiting forever to get an appointment we have some answers.

The outcome is after seeing an ENT specialist he was given medicine to try to clear out the fluid in his ears, which he didn't want to take at all. We went back for a re-check and his tympanogram (sp?) in his right here was flat line, and the left was just a hump. They are supposed to show a huge spike. Basically the way they explained it is that he hears things muffled as if he is under water but much thicker fluid, or when you are in an airplane. The ENT Dr. said that after 2mo the fluid in his ear should have gone away if it was just an ear infection, but with it being there still, and this test showing this it's not going away with any help. So he will have surgery on Nov. 11th to get tubes put in. We hope this will help as well as help his speech.

Quinn had to go twice for the speech evaluation. The first time showed that he was right where he needs to be, but the specialist in the articulation wasn't there so they wanted to bring him back to be screened again and more thorough since she couldn't understand him when trying to get him to talk in sentences. So we went back and the articulation test showed that is his below average for his age. She had to ask me, or look at me to see what he said. She was very good with him! His speech evaluation through the school board (ESE)shows that he is slurring his words and leaving off the endings. As well as the middle of the words not being correct. This could be due to his ears as well, she said that the tubes will help with therapy too! So we are waiting to hear about our meeting with the zoned school, and he will have speech therapy in addition to VPK. So another appt. to work into the week. At least we caught it early enough and with the tubes being put in we hope to see a HUGE improvement. (I'm hoping this will help the meltdowns we have too!) Other than that Quinn loves school! He goes there very shy but comes out with a smile ear to ear!!

I will keep you all posted on how the surgery goes and the speech therapy. We hope it all goes well!

Sarah's 30th B-Day Minute to Win It Games

OK so here are the games we are going to attempt to play...If you are lucky enough to be reading this before the party, you can see what game you'd like to play. Alright got all the videos embedded. I can't wait to see if we can actually do these. Ready for a good time and laughs? You bet!!

*All of these games are from the NBC Minute To Win It Site*

Don't Blow the Joker


Keep It Up


Spoon Frog


Face the Cookie


Extreme Hanky Panky


Scary Cherry


Stack Attack


Johnny Applestack


Keep the Change


Tweeze Me


Bulb Balance


How's it Hangin'


Penny Hose


Suck it Up


Noodling Around


Separation Anxiety


Chocolate Unicorn


Dizzy Mummy


Movin' on Up


Elephant March


Nose Dive


What a Racquet


Office Dominoes*We will do this one with CD cases, 15-20 of them and a garbage can*


Caddy Stack


Hangnails


High Strung


Magic Carpet Ride


Matchmaker


Stick the Landing


Rapid Fire

Please help me win! I entered the Glade design a candle contest. Please help me WIN!! Follow the link and vote vote vote for my design. I called it 'Presence of Peace' definitely what I need around here some days. If I win they will make it for purchase in all stores. Woo Hoo!!
Please vote everyday, I need all I can get!

VOTE HERE 

2 Days 2 Rooms

Yes in 2 days we painted 2 rooms and swapped the kids over. The girls got Quinn's room and Quinn got the girls rooms. Took 1 can of primer to cover everything in each room. I really didn't think we would accomplish this in 2 days, with most of the work today on Labor Day. Thanks to the help of our good friend Derby we got it almost all done. Our house is a complete mess again, but just because I have to put all the toys back into their rooms. At least the girls will have more room, and more closet space, it looks really cute.

We aren't done with the girls room yet we want to add crown molding above the stripes that we painted, but no money for that. In time that will come next. Quinn's room still needs specialty paintings on the walls by me and both rooms need the curtains yet. My mom should be finished with those this week.

Yes I do have pics, I will post them later this week when I'm not so exhausted! The twins came by today, they were staying at my parents house so we could get things done, but they stopped by to take a 'peek' at their rooms and seemed to really like them in the 'in progress' stage. It will be nice to see their faces tomorrow when they see them done, well 90% done.

OK better go finish organizing toys, and picking up so I don't trip over things in the morning and kill myself!

Kids Update

A quick note, check out the kids school blog to follow their first time through VPK. I have scanned and posted the papers that they have brought home so far. They think it's neat to see them up on the blog. I am going to update what they do weekly, adding what they tell me that is new each day to a weekly post, but check it as often as you like. And when they bring home papers and projects I will add those too their 'Papers' pages.

Gotta think of something for Brinlee so she doesn't feel left out. Ok enough for tonight, I'm not feeling well and need to go get some rest. Enjoy their blog!

You can find it here: http://www.coneschooldays.blogspot.com

Follow the Twins at School

Ok yes going to track their progress! The kids have their own blog for School! I have posted everything they have done each day for their first week. I will update either everyday, weekly or very important stuff. It's currently in the works as far as layout so you will see change on it. However the posts are already up!

They can't wait to see your comments!!

http://www.coneschooldays.blogspot.com

School: First Day!

The morning was rough I think for all but all-in-all the twins first day of school went very well. Some small tears were shed but hey that's normal. After getting home with the twins they seemed to relax and tell me what they did at school. I know throughout the year we will have many stories to hear from them! Not too much time to do a lot for 3hrs at school. I think the day was new, exciting, and overwhelming for them.

Here is the video....

First Day of School

The twins embark on a new adventure tomorrow morning...their First Day of School. They are very excited, but I'm starting to get nervous, yes it's only 3hrs but I know those 3hrs will feel like days! Hello! We have 2 starting at the same time not just one!! I know they will do fine, not sure how I will do. I will take some pictures and post sometime tomorrow as well as what they said they did for the day. So be on the look out for more posts from me (I know I have been slacking). Anyway here is a poem for Quinn and Bella tomorrow for their First Day of School!!

First Day of School: Parent to Child
I gave you a kiss and smile
As you left my arms today,
For I know how hard it is to leave
And know that at school you must stay.
You've been with me for 4 yrs now
And I have been your only guide,
But now, alas, the time has come
To leave you at your teachers' side.
I know that as I drive away
And tears down my cheeks will flow
Your teacher will love you too
And help you to learn and grow.
How quickly the years do pass
And one day I will see
 You will be taking your child to class.
I will put my mind at ease for awhile
And cry those tears no more
As I know your teacher will love and teach you the world
When I leave you at her classroom door.

Happy Birthday!

I wanted to say Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man in my life, my husband, Jay! Now that we are getting older we don't celebrate our birthday's like we used to but the thought of it and letting the kids make you things is more important. We love you and hope you have/had a wonderful day (depending on when you read this). So....
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Daddy, Happy Birthday to you!"
Love,
Quinn, Bella, Brinlee and Sarah