Birthday Extravaganza Pts. 2, 3 & 4

So the boys ended their birthday week celebrations with a visit to Grandma & Grandpa VanDerMolen's, celebrations with Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan, Medieval Times with Aunt T, Aunt Bobbi, Uncle Aaron, Brooke, Grandma, and Poppa and a final stop at Jump Zone....plus a plethora of presents.  I am EXHAUSTED...and thankful that the boys' birthdays are over with. I need a whole other year to rest up for the next ones.  I am so thankful for all of the people in our lives who love and care for us like family.  We really are blessed to have such wonderful neighbors, friends and family.

Here is a recap of the past week...you may need a nap after reading this...LOL.

On Wednesday we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa VanDerMolen's for a yummy dinner and, of course, lots of presents.  Grandpa is notorious for buying the gifts that you would never, ever buy for your own kids because you would never, ever want them in your house....and this year was no different.  Grandpa got Jax a remote control dog...he loves it.  The rest of us, including the dog and two cats, not so much....

Jax was really having a good time...he just wanted to get to opening the presents.  Not even the lure of cupcakes could distract from the want of diving into the presents.  We had a great night.

We did get a break from the birthday celebrations on Thursday and Friday...only to be sucked into the revamping of the master bath.  It all culminated with the purchase of a new, dual-flush toilet at 10 on friday night...Gary was rocking the Jetta home with two car seats, talk radio and a giant toilet hanging out of the trunk...we are the definition of "hip to be square"....LOL

On Saturday, it was off to Medieval Times (after the installation of the new toilet that is...)...don't worry, I used B1G1 coupons for all of our admissions, the place is a fortune!  The boys also got a joint gift in the morning.  Jax had been wanting the Imaginext Toy Story 3 Garbage Dump forever!!  He even threw a coin in the fountain at the mall on Thursday and wished for it...he was stoked!

After lunch, we headed off to Medieval Times.  I wanted to be early so we could get good seats...and it paid off.  We got to sit in the first row.  But our early arrival left us with plenty of time to wait in the lobby of the castle...where, of course, there were a ton of souvenir stands that Aunt T just couldn't pass up.  She bought the boys light-up swords...that were both broken before we went got into the arena, and had to exchange them both....it was pretty funny:)

Here are some snapshots of the night....

This is my neice, Brooklyn.  Isn't she a doll??  She is also a pro at dealing with these rambunctious boys...she can hold her ground and keep them in line too:)

Uncle Aaron was more excited to be there than the boys...LOL

We ended the night with opening some presents on lawn outside.  We had opened a few during the show, but there were just too many to get through and not enough room to open them all.

As usual...Logan was off on his own adventure and Jax was deep in conversation with Aunt T.

Sunday was Logan's actual birthday.  We got up and I made a pancake breakfast...complete with numeral pancakes.  What can I say??  I get geeked about stuff like this.

We had planned to head out to the park and playground...but it rained all day.  So we went with our alternate plan and headed over to Jump Zone for some indoor fun.  I also had a B1G1 coupon for admission:)  They were on the move so much, I barely got any pics of them.  Here are a few:)

Logan was digging the air hockey game

We stopped for hot dogs for dinner, and then came home for some more cupcakes and presents from the neighbors.  Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan came over to hang out for a little while and check out all the little goodies.

It took forever for the little stinker to look at the camera for this pic...he was mesmerized by all the presents

So...there it is...a week of constant celebration, toys and utter exhaustion.  I am off to bed.  Nighty-night kiddos...keep an eye out for more blogs in the next few days.

Birthday Extravaganza On a Coupon Budget: Part.1

Today my little man turned 5!  I cannot believe how quickly five years has gone by...and in just a few more short days my other little man will turn 3...time moves too quick.  Here are my little guys at the start of Preschool just two weeks ago...can you believe?!?!?!  Sometimes I wish I could just stop time...when the going gets rough I just remember to take it all in and enjoy the ride because it is over before you know it.

I love to make a huge deal of my boys' birthdays.  They are the biggest and best things in my life and I want them to look back with fond memories of their birthdays and to always know and feel how special they are.  Every year I have to reel myself in from going crazy with goodies...this year, I have made some improvements.  I have been doing a lot of baking lately and experimenting with some yummy cupcake recipes.  Instead of ordering a cake, I made the boys S'Mores cupcakes.  Jax was intent on having a Cars 2 cake...so we compromised with Cars 2 cupcake cups and decor picks....he took it pretty well:)

I am also going to have my first go at making cake pops.  I am pretty stoked about it, we will see how it goes. 

The hubs and I planned a fun filled day today on a tight budget.  In the end, we only spent $40 for a huge day of fun and made some unforgettable memories.  Logan had school this morning, but after we picked him up around lunch time the festivities began.  Our first stop was Brookfield Zoo.  It was a gorgeous day and with most of the kiddos back in school the zoo was nice and quiet and we could get up close to check out all of the animals.  I packed a nice picnic lunch to save money at the zoo...the place can be a fortune if you don't plan ahead.  We also had our free passes from my Meijer Coke deals at the beginning of summer still hanging around, so we only had to pay $9.00 to enjoy a day at the zoo...stinking parking fee:(  

Here are a couple of snapshots of the boys enjoying the day.

The highlight of the zoo had to be the bear habitat and the the polar bear named "Hobson".  He was so cool and loved to swim for all of the kiddos.  He got up close to the glass and side-stroked by for all of the little ones to see...the hubs and I were just as excited as the little ones.  We stood and watched this awesome bear for a good 15-20 minutes.

After the zoo, we made our way to Giordano's for some yummy pizza.  The hubs had done a survey and scored a $25 gift certificate to Restaurant.com, so we used it to purchase a $25 gift certificate to Giordano's. We were able to get an awesome meal complete with a pizza just for the boys, our own deep dish, drinks and an app for $24 with tip.  Jax was super excited he got to pick his own toppings and didn't have to settle for our choices.

After stuffing ourselves with pizza, it was onto the next fun-filled adventure...the place all parents loathe and all kids adore...Toys R' Us.  I dislike Toys R' Us for a multitude of reasons, but I signed my kiddos up for their birthday club so every year they each get a coupon for $3/$3 purchase and they get to go and pick out a small toy for themselves.  We also chip in a buck or two to help them out.  Jax knows the power of a coupon in this house and was super excited to have and use his very own.  We gave the boys a spending limit of $5 each.  Logan had no trouble picking out a pack of Matchbox cars...but the decision was a little harder for Jax.  he finally settled on a pack of Matchbox cars as well.  Our total OOP was $4.96.  The boys also each got a birthday crown and balloon too.  I think they thought they had hit the jackpot.

Could he be any cuter??

I love the expression on Logan's face

We finally made it home at around 8 and still had a little more celebrating to do.  We got out the cupcakes, the big "5" candle and sang and off-key version of Happy Birthday.  Good times:)

Our neighbors, Grandpa Dick and Grandma Joan and Lauren, came over to enjoy some cupcakes with us and bring the kids some goodies for their birthdays.  The boys had a blast and capped of the night with their newly acquired cars.

It was such an awesome day.  In the end, we spent a total of about only $40 for a fun filled day packed with all sorts of goodies.  Our q's saved us over $65....we cut the cost of our day by over half!  The boys had so much fun, I swear they probably thought we spent a million bucks...lol.

I will leave you all with this...the perfect sentiment for today.  It really is a Good Life.  Stay tuned as our birthday extravaganza continues...

A Typical Friday at the Meijer

My Friday mornings are starting to get very routine with a trip to Meijer complete with two consistently crabby kiddos.  I even stopped at Portillo's and filled them up with hot dogs prior to the shopping trip hoping to avoid a deja vu moment, but they quickly forgot all the yummy goodness and fun we had there and transformed into two bickering brothers the minute I pushed the land-yacht cart through Meijer's front doors.  Here is a quick pic of happier times...lol.

Nothing thrilling this Friday.  Here is what I took home for a total of $59.76 OOP:

I had to do two transactions (as seems to be the usual lately) to use all my mPerks q's.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Johnson & Johnson's Natural Baby Wash $4.79.  Used printable $1.50/1 and mPerks $1.50/1 = $1.79
• Bunch of bananas $1.18
• 2 lbs Krakus Ham Lunchmeat (on sale for only $2.99/lb) $6.40
• 1 lb Hard Salami $3.99.  Used tearpad q $1/1 = $2.99
• 2 Aunt Jemima Frozen French Toast $5.00.  USed 2 printables $1/1 = $3.00
• 3.5 lbs peaches $3.43
• 1 dozen eggs $0.99
• 2.5 lbs red grapes $3.00
• 2 pints blueberries $3.00
• 1 Danimals Yogurt $1.89.  Used $1/1 = $0.89
• 3-1 lb tubs Smart Balance spread $7.50.  Used 3 printables .75/1 = $5.25
• 3 Tombstone frozen pizzas $10.50.  Used printable $1.50/3 = $9.00
• 3 small Kraft Mozzarella Shredded Cheese and 3 small Kraft Natural Chunk Cheese $6.00.  Used 3 peelies $1/2 when you buy one of each = $3.00
• 1 Meijer split-top wheat sandwich bread $1.00.  Got the loaf free with the "buy 10 get the 11th free" promo = FREE
• 4 Old Orchard frozen apple juice concentrate $4.00.  Used mPerks q $1/4 and printable $1/4 = $2.00

Transaction #2

• 1 Johnson & Johnson's Natural Baby Wash $4.79.  Used printable $1.50/1 and mPerks $1.50/1 = $1.79
• 2 Breakstone's Ranch Dip $5.58.  Used 2 mailer q's for free dip = FREE
• 4 Kraft Veggie Pasta Mac N' Cheese $4.00.  Used 4 printables .75/1 = $1.00
• 1 Breakstone's Roasted Garlic Sour Cream $1.00.  Used mailer q for free sour cream = FREE
• 2 bags Earthbound Organic baby carrots = $2.00
• 2 Meijer split-top wheat sandwich bread $1.00.  Got one loaf free with the "buy 10 get the 11th free" promo = $1.00
• 2 bags Meijer Butter Braid Pretzels $2.00
• 1 bag Meijer Cheese Balls $1.00
• 4 Old Orchard frozen apple juice concentrate $4.00.  Used printable $1/4 = $3.00

I saved a total of $65.82 in clipped q's, mPerks and store promos...another day and another dollar gone...here's hoping for some better stock-up sales soon.

Prelude to a Holiday

First a little word of advice to my other couponers out there...you can take it or leave it, I am just sharing what I have found works for me.  I always, always, always print an internet coupon for a product I like or use when it is available.  Put them in your organizer and hang onto them until a sale presents itself.  Most are good for at least 30 days from the day they're printed.  Almost all internet coupons have a predetermined print limit and/or availability time frame and once they're reached you are S.O.L.  Some couponers will tell you not to waste your ink and only print what you need when you need it.  I have tried that method, but repeatedly kicked myself for not printing q's I thought I could use when a killer sale rolled around and I was left holding an empty organizer and craving a fix.  Like I said, take it or leave it...but I never like to leave a friend behind:)

Things have picked up a little this week with the impending holiday.  On Monday, I gathered up my coupons, my kiddos and some bribes to help the day go smoothly and set off for a 5 hour tour.  I spent a grand total OOP of $60.86.  I saved a total of 69.04 in coupons and I also got back $5.00 in Movie Cash for Cars 2 for a grand total of $74.04 in savings.  Here is what I took home:

Our first stop was Wags with an OOP of $7.91.

• 2 cans Chicken of the Sea tuna $1.10.  Used 2 .50/1 printables = $0.10
• 4 Scotch Tape Packaging Tape $6.00.  Used 4 $1/1 printables = $2.00
• 1 box Honey Maid grahams, 1 6-pack Hershey Chocolate bars and 1 package Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallows $6.00.  The marshmallows were free with the purchase of the grahams and chocolate and I also had a $1/purchase of all three = $5.00

Next stop was Meijer.  I had to do 4 separate transactions to use all of my q's.  I spent a total of $43.56 OOP and picked up my $5.00 in movie cash.

Transaction #1:

• 1 can Cutter bug repellent $4.19.  Used mPerks q $1.50/1 and 1 printable $2/1 = $0.69
• 4 Glad Saran Wrap $ 11.16.  Used 2 store q's $1/2 and 2 $1/2 = $7.16.  I got back a $3.00 OYNO cat for a total OOP of $4.16 or $1.04/roll.
• 1 24ct Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese slices $5.39.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and a printable $1/1 = $3.39.  This is not a stellar price, but we needed cheese so I had to make the best of what I had.
• 4 Juicy Juice 8-pack juice boxes $10.00.  Used store q $2/4 and 4 printables .55/1 = $5.80.  I got back $5.00 in movie cash for Cars 2.

Transaction #2:

• 1 can Cutter bug repellent $4.19.  Used mPerks q $1.50/1 and 1 printable $2/1 = $0.69
• 1 24ct Kraft Deli Deluxe Cheese slices $5.39.  Used mPerks q $1/1 and a printable $1/1 = $3.39
• 4 KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce $6.00.  Used 2 store q's $1/2 and 4 $1/1 q's = FREE
• 2 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing $5.00.  Used store q $1/2 and 2 $1/1 q's = $2.00.  Got back a $3.00 OYNO cat for buying the ranch and bbq sauce for a $1.00 MONEYMAKER

Transaction #3 (Used 1 of the $3.00 OYNO cats I got in a previous transaction):

• Bunch of bananas $1.69
• 1 kid's hooded beach towel $4.99 on clearance
• Bag of apricots $1.39
• 2 Heluva Good Sour Cream dips $1.98.  Used 2 .75/1 q's = $0.48
• 1 Kraft Homestyle Mac N' Cheese $1.67.  Used $1/1 q = $0.67
• 6 8-pk Lance Peant Butter Sandwich Crackers $8.64.  Used 3 $1/2 q's = $5.64
• 8 Yoplait Yogurt $4.00.  Used .60/8 printable = $3.40

Transaction #4 (Used 1 of the $3.00 OYNO cats I got in a previous transaction):

• 1 kid's hooded beach towel $4.99 on clearance

Next stop was Doms (after a brief pit stop at the free pony ride in Meijer and a quick lunch at Wendy's).  They had a decent deal going on the coke this week at B2G3...but since they jack up the price on the two you buy to $5.99 each it's only worth it if you have any of the free 12-pack q's from coke that you can get when you redeem your coke rewards points.  If you are a coke drinker and are still throwing away those Coke rewards points....STOP!  You are throwing away $$$.  Open an account and start banking the points for free 12 packs.

• 5 12-packs Coca-Cola $11.98.  Used 1 free 12-pack q ($4.99 max value) = $6.99
• 1 8-pack Coca-Cola slim cans $3.50.  Used B3G1 free q = FREE
• 1 bag Goldfish crackers $2.39.  Used J4U q for a free bag = FREE

Our final stop for the day was Woodman's to pick up some free coffee drinks and some sponges.

• 13 Seattle's Best Mocha Lattes $12.87.  Used 13 G1 free q's = FREE
• 1 package sponges $1.69

I didn't have time to hit the Jewel that day because I squeezed in a couple of other stops at the Target and Homegoods to pick up some random things for the bedroom remodel and a back pack for our little jaunt downtown the next day.  

On Tuesday, I headed down to the city with the boys, my nieces and my cousin for a trip to Ed Debevic's and Millennium Park.  It was a great day...almost perfect!  I am so grateful we took the time to make a fun day before they move away:(   Here are a few pics from our little jaunt.

Things weren't looking so good at first.

But after some lunch, we packed up and headed down Randolph to Millennium Park and the Bean.

Last stop was the Crown Fountain to cool off...they had a blast!

I had to hit the Jewel today for my last little deals (one of which was out of stock...can't win em' all I guess)  I did manage to pick up these:

Jewel was running one of their "Buy 10, Save $5.00 instantly" sales.  So I took home 20 bottles of Lipton tea for only $5.75.  They were $0.50/bottle after the $5.00 savings and I used 10 B1G1 q's I had printed off Facebook the week before making these only $0.25/bottle.  Always, always, always print the q's if it is something you would buy if the deal was right...or you may end up kicking yourself later.