My Poor Garden!!

Yep, those squash are goners!! But, that's not all. It looks like we had the exact same problem with the cantaloupe. The leaves on the vines have gradually been getting darker with spots in the last couple of weeks. Well, a couple of days ago, all the leaves were brown and shriveling up. It wasn't much later that we noticed the 6 different fruits that were growing started to also shrivel up and die.

We didn't even get 1 cantaloupe from that bed!! I was so prepared the over-abundance but was left with nothing. I think we had the same issue with the cantaloupe because we started out with those growing on the ground in the bed. They didn't want to stay in the bed so we kept re-directing back in. When we did that, they started growing on top of each and around eachother. I think this allowed the plants to hold way too much of the ridiculous amount of rain we've been getting.

What a bummer! Now, we are down to all the tomatoes and green beans. The tomatoes are finally starting to turn red and we have picked several good ones. We have also picked several handfuls of green beans that cook up nicely. I was surprised at the amount of green beans though. We planted 18 plants and have not had anywhere close to enough to feed the 4 families who went to together. Next time, we will probably fill an entire bed with those.

Super-Star!!

T-Rex Cafe

On our Way

Here are the results of my new camera. Woohoo!! No more borrowing other cameras and having my pictures all over the place.

Well, I got it just in time to test it out for Jordan's last birthday celebration this year. My parents were not in town this last weekend, so they hadn't had the chance to celebrate with Jordan. So, on Tuesday, they decided to take him to the T-Rex cafe at downtown Disney. None of us have ever been there before, but we had heard that it was very cool. We were not disappointed.

Jordan loved every minute. From the outside decorations... all the way to where we were seated, he was in awe. This woolly mammoth was right next to our table.He was not scared at all. In fact, he wanted to touch them all and was a little disappointed that there were not REAL dinosaurs to pet. I love his little embarrassed expression here.A quick review:
The food was actually pretty good. A typical meal ranges from $15 - $30 for an adult. So, don't plan on getting out of there too cheap. But, the bright side is that the portion sizes are HUGE! I split an appetizer with my mom and we couldn't finish it. The burgers are mammoth as well. So, you don't have to break the budget for the experience if you plan to split a meal. I split the nachos and my dad got one of the burgers. Both meals got a thumbs up.
The atmosphere is definitely a sensory overload. It is LOUD at all times and there are constantly things moving and changing colors. Like always, Disney did a great job of bringing your imagination to life.

Publix Weekly Deals and Coupons for 7/2-7/8

Publix will allow you to use 1 manufacturer AND 1 store coupon (this includes competitor store coupons) on every item you buy.

When an item is 3/$5 or such, you don't have to buy 3 to get the sale price.

Remember, you can use 2 coupons on BOGO items!!
Sunday Paper Insert Code:
SS - Smart Source
RP - Red Plum
GM - General Mills
P&G - Proctor & Gamble
KL - Kellogg's
V - Vlassis
UN - Unilever

If you want multiple coupons of bogo items for this week, be sure to order your coupons today from


Kraft Mayo (bogo @ $4.81/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable or 2 $.75/1 from SS 6/21 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.65 each

Coca-Cola 12 packs (B3G2 @ $18.67/5)
Use $1/2 or $1/1 from ebay
Makes them $2.74 - $3.24 each

Ball Park Franks (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use $1/2 from RP 6/7 and 6/28 or buy from ebay AND
$3 off watermelon wyb Ball Park franks and Sara Lee buns from ebay
Makes them $1.50 each and FREE watermelon!!

Oscar Mayer Lunchables (bogo @ $2/2)
Use $1/2 printable
Makes them $.50 each

Ground Chuck ($2.29/lb.)

Florida's Natural OJ (2/$5)

Hershey's Syrup (bogo @ $2.25/2)
Use $1/2 or $1/3 from ebay
Makes them $.62 - $.81 each

Kraft Salad Dressing (bogo @ $3.07/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable or buy from ebay
Makes them $.53 each

A.1. Steak Sauce (bogo @ $4.29/2)
Use 2 $2/1 from SS 6/14 or buy from ebay AND
$1 off beef wyb 1 A.1. from ebay
Makes them almost FREE and FREE BEEF!!

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner (bogo @ $1.33/2)
Use B3G1 printable
Makes them $.33 a box

Kellogg's Special K Cereal (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use $1/1 from RP 6/7 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.04 each

McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning (bogo @ $1.99/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from RP 4/19 or 5/3 or $1/1 from ebay or recent Publix mag.
Makes them FREE - $.50 each

Orville Gourmet Popcorn (bogo @ $4.89/2)
Use $1/1 printable or 2 $.50/1 from ebay AND
FREE soda wyb 2 Orville popcorn from ebay
Makes them $1.45 - 1.95 a box

Lay's Potato Chips (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use B2G1 from recent peelies AND
$2 off Dip wyb 2 bags of Lay's from ebay
Makes them $.67 each (wyb 6 w/B2G1 coupon) AND almost free dip

Famous Amos cookies (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use 2 $.55/1 printable AND
$1 off milk wyb 2 Famous Amos cookies from ebay
Makes them $1.25 each and cheap milk

M&M's Big Party Bag (bogo @ $4.69/2)
Use $1/2 RP 6/7 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.85 a bag

Cheez-It Crackers (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use $1/2 from recent peelies or ebay
Makes them $1.50 each

Thomas English Muffins (bogo @ $2.99/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from ebay
Makes them $1 each

Kraft Philedelphia Cream Cheese (4/$5)
Use $1/2 printable AND
$1/2 Publix coupon from Smart Summertime Savings mag.
Makes them $.25 each

Breakstone Sour Cream (4/$5)
Use $1/2 printable
Makes them $.75 each

Luigi's Italian Ice (bogo @ $2.99/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from RP 6/28 or buy $.50/1 or $.75/1 from ebay
Makes them $.75 - $1 each

Cool Whip Whipped Topping (bogo @ $2.07/2)
Use $1/2 printable
Makes them $.53 each

More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:

Deli Iced Tea ($2.39/2)
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ ($2.29/2)
Chatham Village Croutons (bogo)

Hi-C Fruit Drinks ($2.43/2)
Bush's Best Bakes Beans ($2.37/2)
Hunt's Tomatoes ($1.39/2)

Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash Potatoes ($3.99/2)
SheerBliss Ice Cream ($4.99/2 - sign up here to receive coupons)
Diana's Banana Babies ($4.49/2)

Winn-Dixie Deals and Coupons for 7/1-7/7

The Holiday is bringing good deals at Winn-Dixie. There are several items that turn out to be FREE or nearly free!! Gotta love July 4th!

Fresh Ground Chuck ($1.99/lb.)

Breyers Ice Cream (bogo @ $5.99/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from RP 5/17 or 2 $1.50/1 from Family Is It's Own Reward Booklet (found at Publix stores - man. coupon) or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.50 - $2.25 a carton

Ball Park Franks (bogo @ $2.99/2)
Use $1/2 from RP 6/7 and 6/28 or buy from ebay AND
$3 off watermelon wyb Ball Park franks and Sara Lee buns from ebay
Makes them $1 each and FREE watermelon!!

Lay's Potato Chips (bogo @ $4.79/2)
Use B2G1 from recent peelies AND
$2 off Dip wyb 2 bags of Lay's from ebay
Makes them $.80 each (wyb 6 w/B2G1 coupon) AND almost free dip

Kraft Mayo (bogo @ $4.99/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from SS 6/21 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.75 each

Mt. Olive Sweet Relish or Salad Cubes (bogo @ $2.29/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from SS 6/28 or buy $.75/1 from ebay
Makes them $.40 - $.65 each

A.1. Steak Sauce (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use 2 $2/1 from SS 6/14 or buy from ebay AND
$1 off beef wyb 1 A.1. from ebay
Makes them more than FREE and FREE BEEF!!

Kool-Aid, Country Time or Crystal Light (bogo @ up to $4.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 Kool-Aid from ebay AND
$2 off sugar wyb Kool-Aid from ebay
or $2/2 or $1/1 from recent Crystal Light printables

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags (bogo @ $5.29/2)
Use 2 $.75/2 from RP 5/17 or 6/28 or 2 $.60/1 from RP 5/17 or $1/1 from ebay
Makes them $1.64 - $2.27 each

Kellogg's Cereal ($1.77 - includes Special K, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Rice Krispies, Corn Pops)
Use $1/1 from RP 6/7 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.77 a box

GM Products (Save $4 at register wyb 4 participating GM products - 4/$10 items include Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers, Fruit Shapes, Cheerios, Whole Grain Total, Total Blueberry Pomegranate, Cookie Crisp Sprinkles, Cocoa Puffs, Golden Grahams, Cinnamon toast Crunch)
Use $1/2 or $1/3 GM cereal coupons from SS 5/31, 6/14 or 6/28 or $1/3 or $1/1 or $3/3 from ebay
or $.50/2 Betty Crocker printable or from SS 6/14 or buy $.50/2 or $1/3 from ebay
Makes them $.50 - $1.17 each

Simply Smart Milk (2/$6)
Use $1/1 from recent spitters or buy from ebay
Makes them $4 a gallon

Kellogg's Cereal (bogo @ $4.79/2 - includes Marshmallow Froot Loops, Frosted Flakes, Frosted Flakes Gold, Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran Crunch, Raisin Bran)
Use 2 $1/1 from RP 6/7 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.40 each

Mueller's Pasta (bogo @ $1.69/2)
Use $1/2 from SS 6/21 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.35 a box

Pompeian Olive Oil (bogo @ $8.29/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable
Makes them $3.15 a bottle

McCormick Grill Mates (bogo @ $1.39/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from RP 4/19 or 5/3 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.20 each

McCormick Grill Mates Seasonings (bogo @ $2.69/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from RP 4/19 or 5/3 or $1/1 from ebay or recent Publix mag.
Makes them $.35 - $.85 each

Nabisco Snack Crackers (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use $3/4 from ebay AND
$2 off wyb 2 Nabisco crackers and 1 6,8,or 12 pk. coke from ebay
Makes them $1.05 a box and $2 off coke


More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:

Nature's Own Whitewheat Buns ($2.89/2)
Bull's Eye BBQ ($2/2)
Cole's Garlic Bread ($1.99/2)

Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup ($3.99/2)
Arizona Tea ($.99/2)
Entenmann's Loaf Cake ($4.29/2)

Winn-Dixie Mac n Cheese ($1/2)
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix ($2.79/2)
McCormick Grinders ($2.59/2)

Jordan's Birthday Party

I'm sure I've said this before, but we only throw birthday parties in our family (other than a family dinner) for those milestone years. Well, Jordan just turned 5 and that is definitely a milestone in our book. So, he got to choose what he wanted to do and he immediately asked for a sleepover. I wasn't sure if I could convince many 5 year old boys to sleep away from home, but I decided to give it a try. Well, we had 5 friends at the party (plus all the family) for the evening and then 2 actually stayed the night.
For his birthday dinner, we made homemade pizzas. Being the non-messy person that I am, I just had to stand back and watch. I let all those kids dig in and make their pizzas however they wanted.

Then, they were able to swim for a little bit while we cleaned up inside and got the cake ready. We ended up doing cake and presents on the pool deck to avoid all those wet bodies coming inside. One of Jordan's favorite things to do is swim, so the night was just right for him.

After we were done with all of that, the boys packed up and headed to our house for a sleepover. Cory said the bedroom floor looked like a crime scene without the blood. There were just bodies sprawled all over floor and they all like to take up as much space as possible.

Jordan had a great time hanging out with the boys. It was good to have all the girls gone and watch Batman cartoons and just act like boys. No silly girls trying to put make-up on you, no one telling you what to do. Life was good.

On Saturday, Papa and Cory took Jordan putt-putt golfing. Again, just the guys. Can you tell my little guy needs an escape from here every once in a while?

Birthday Week

Well, my birthday was on Wednesday and I turned 31. The up side to having a husband out of work is that he was willing to watch our kids and some friends kids so that a couple girl friends could take me out to lunch and a movie. We had a great time! I don't think I've ever been to chick-fil-a without my kids since I've had them. It was a nice, relaxing time and quiet :) After lunch, we headed to the movie theater and we watched "The Proposal". By the way, I totally recommend this movie to everyone!! It was hilarious and not raunchy. In fact, it is just funny enough to entertain those male viewers as well. It's not quite appropriate enough for those young viewers, but for us adults, a very funny movie.

After the afternoon out, we headed home and had a quick dinner before small group. Amanda even brought me a yummy chocolate cream pie (shout out just for you :). Then, we had one more birthday celebration for me on Thursday night. We had dinner at my parents with my whole family. I got to pick my birthday meal and we had some fabulous grilled salmon and mashed potatoes!! Mmmmm... my mouth is still watering.

My husband also spent a good bit of the afternoon making a home-made ice cream cake. That's right, home-made. He took ice cream from the freezer and formed into a square pan. Then, he baked a cake and cut it to fit on top. Then, he frosted the thing all over. It was very creative and thoughtful. He knows I really don't care for cake. I always ask for an ice cream cake for my birthday and he made it happen :)

Then came Friday....
Jordan turned 5 on Saturday, so he had his birthday party on Friday night and had a boys only sleepover. He kicked his sisters out of the house and didn't even want mommy there. He ended up with 5 boys for the party and 2 that agreed to stay the night. He probably wouldn't stay some where else for a sleepover, but he sure loves to have friends stay at his house. He's gotta find a way to balance out the estrogen over here :)

Friday evening, we made home made pizzas (his choice) and went swimming all evening at my parents house. Then, the boys headed back to our house for movies and sleeping bags. They actually went to sleep earlier than I expected. They were all out by 11.

The next morning, Jordan wanted to have BIG breakfast. We basically do this every Saturday at my parents, but he looks forward to it all week long. Usually, we either have pancakes, waffles or french toast. Well, since this is Jordan's favorite meal, he asked for all 3. So, we did. We had pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon, cinnamon rolls and parfait. It was quite the spread.

The rest of the day was mostly spent in the pool and he was exhausted by the end.

I don't have the pictures yet, because someone else was taking pictures. I am very excited though, because one of my birthday presents is a new camera!! I am going to pick one out this week. Woohoo!!