Our Aunties Come to Visit!!

 

We had such a lovely treat having my Aunts come down from the Bay Area. It was a quick trip but for the short amount of time, it was packed with lots of love and fun!!

 

I could watch my Aunts run and play and dance with the kids forever!!

It makes me so grateful for the family I have. I am so blessed to have Aunts that are truly caring and awesome with kids to boot!

 

The girls/Eli performed multiple dance routines, books were read and good food was enjoyed. I can't wait to visit them soon!! Hopefully October.

 

They brought some really fun games that we have been enjoying, one especially called Dance charades!! Also, a book called "Don't Push the Button" that is read hourly, daily! A million thanks!! They are always so generous and thoughtful!! Plus, Eli got to try on Uncle Bob's firemen helmet. He was so excited!!! It was pretty heavy!

 

I often wish that my children could have met my Nana and Papa. (My dad's parents) Unfortunately they passed away before they could enjoy their great-grandchildren. However, I am so glad that my dad's sisters are close. I can see my Nana's kindness and gentleness in all they do and say... plus, it's up to my Aunts to pass on Nana's love of shoes to the girls!!

 

My wedge platform days are done... flip flops forever.

 

When they left, we head over to Hidden Valley!!!
Yaya and Papa were the bank.

 

The big sadness was that Jody didn't find one single thing.

However, the girls scored big time!!!

They found a doll house (with all the furniture) that they bargained down to $7. They played with it for 5 hours straight and continue to do so daily!

 

Ray-no!!!!!!!!!

Overated and Completely Mumbled.....

Oh Sun Valley Garage Sale... why did you turn into this. Reno is full of hoarders.

Even with all the traffic and throngs of people we were still able to find a few steals. The girls got some beautiful jewlery & Eli got a few new toys.

 

Maria loves her new clip ons!

Give Me A Few Bucks... I'll give you....

A fantastic sorting/patterning game.... this is great for early math skills. Very fun jungle manipulatives....

99 cents.

A Spirograph!! Hoo-ray Art!!

$2.

More horses... because 100 isn't enough.

$1

TANGLED DRESS UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$2 (Garage Sale from last Saturday!! Who gets rid of their tangled stuff?!?!?!?!)

And, as if we could possibly beat tangled.... but we did... 3 lightsabers!!!!!!!!

$3

Do you know those average for $30 in stores each!?!

Ben Franklin's.... Goodbye...

When I was a little girl my dad built me a doll house from Ben Franklin's. My mom would take me to get furniture for the doll house and I loved going there. I feel bad it's going out of business. It seems like everywhere you turn there is abandoned buildings and for sale signs. Sheesh. Anyways, they had an 80% off everything sale and I stalked up on ribbon. Because my girls need more hairbows.....

What's Summer without a Slip N Slide

We get these free $10 gift cards in the mail from Kohl's. I think their reasoning behind the promotion is that people will come in and spend more than $10.. however, I am a leach. I go, get my $10 worth of free stuff and hasta luego mang. So this was free along with a fancy nancy game.... fun times and thank you Kohl's.

Notice the crossed fingers.... cheese touch.

Easter Teacher Appreciation

Every holiday we try to do something nice for our teachers. I was lucky to find a couple coupons at Walgreens and got 4 large bags of M 'n' M's for $4. I saved $8 supposedly. Baskets were $2 at World Market and I just added some ribbon and flowers.

Cereal Sale

Scolari's had a good sale this week and I had quite a few coupons for cereal. All the coupon's doubled. I paid $.35 for the toothbrush and $7 for 6 boxes of cereal. (2 Apple Jacks, 1 Cocoa Puff- for Joe, Fruit loops and 2 boxes Honey Nut Cheerios).

Total before Coupons: $18.35
Total Paid: $7.51
Total Savings: 59%

Did I ever mention how much I love thrift store bargain books?

This wonderful book has no words. It has a CD with music that you look at the book with. Such a wonderful introduction to Korean music. We got out umbrellas and danced. It really was just a lovely find for 70 cents!!!

It's a New York Times art award book. Not the best for a class situation, but totally awesome for home.

My First "Couponing" Trip to Target

So, I'm a little wary of couponing. It's new uncharted territory and I don't feel comfortable. Yes, I've used lots of coupons before. Yes, I'm very familiar with finding bargains. But couponing is sort of too good to be true. However, after 40 minutes of preparing and 20 minutes in the store... I am happy.

The break down:
Pain Medicine: Free
Panty Liners (good for emergency survival kits as bandages): $0.19
Cotton Swabs: $.92
Halls Cough Drops: $.69
Finish Dish Detergent: $1.00
Dentyne 3 Pack Gum: $1.04
Mouthwash: $.37
2 Bertolli Sauces: $3.00
Purex Laundry Soap: $1.99
All Purpose Cleaner: $.37
Food Storage Containers: $1.00

12 Items = $10.57, Supposedly saved $13.45 Most were items I needed, so I'm glad I got such discounted prices. We'll see how my endeavors progress.