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!!

Publix Weekly Deals and Coupons for 6/25-7/1

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


Pork Spare Ribs ($1.69/lb.)

Pepsi Products 8-pack (B3G2 @ $8.97/5)
Makes them $1.79 each

Tostitos Tortilla Chips (bogo @ $4.99/2)
Use FREE Tostitos Salsa wyb 2 bags Tostitos chips from in-store peelie or buy from ebay
Makes them $2.50 a bag and FREE dip!!

Curly's Chicken or Pork BBQ (bogo @ $5.69/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.84 each

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use $1/2 SS 5/10 or 6/21 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.50 a pack

Tropicana Pure Premium OJ (2/$6)
Use $1/2 from RP 5/3 or buy from ebay or use $1/1 Trop 50 printable (if included)
Makes them $2 - $2.50 a carton

Mt. Olive Pickles (bogo @ $2.79/2)
Use $.50/1 - $.75/1 from recent spitters or ebay
Makes them $.30 - .54 each

Kraft Barbecue Sauce (bogo @ $1.39/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable or $.75/1 from SS 6/14
Makes BOTH FREE plus overage!!

Lawry's 30 minute marinade (bogo @ $2.81/2) ***UPDATE*** - Use this printable coupon for $2 off beef or chicken wyb 2 Lawry's marinade and get some FREE Meat!!
Use $1/2 from RP 4/5 or $.50/1 from RP 5/17 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.90 each

French's Mustard (bogo @ $1.89/2)
Use 2 $.30/1 from SS 3/29 or 5/29 or 2 $.50/1 from SS 5/10 or 6/21 or register here for $.50/1 printable or buy $.75/1 from ebay
Makes them $.20 - $.65 each

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags (bogo @ $2.53/2)
Use $1/1 from ebay or from Family Is It's Own Reward booklet or $.60/1 or $.75/2 from RP 5/17
Makes them $.26 - .86 a box

Post Cereal (bogo @ $4.29/2 - includes Selects, Grape-Nuts, Grape-Nuts Flakes, Trail Mix Crunch)
Use $1/2 from SS 6/21 or $2/1 printable
Makes them $.15 - $1.65 each

Kellogg's Cereal (bogo @ $4.51/2 - includes Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops)
Use 2 $1/1 from RP 6/7 or buy $1/1 from ebay AND
$2 off milk wyb 2 Kellogg's Cereal from ebay
Makes them $1.25 a box and Cheap Milk!!

McCormick Ground Black Pepper (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from RP 5/10 or $1/1 from Save Money, Save the Planet Booklet or from ebay
Makes them $.80 - $1.05 each

Crystal Light Drink Mix (bogo @ $4.11/2)
Use $2/2 printable AND
$2 off wyb Crystal Light and Wheat Thins from recent peelies or ebay AND
$1 off water wyb 2 Crystal Light from recent peelies or ebay
Makes them $1.05 each and cheap Wheat Thins and Water!!

Ragu Pasta Sauce (bogo @ $2.63/2)
Use $1/2 printable or $.60/1 from RP 5/17 or $.75/1 from Family Is It's Own Reward or ebay
Makes them $.56 - $.81 each

Emerald Nuts (bogo @ $5.79/2)
Use $1.50/2 from SS 5/17 or ebay
Makes them $2.15 each

Nabisco Ritz Crackers (bogo @ $3.89/2)
Use $1/1 printable AND
buy Ritz and get Wheat Thins FREE from SS 5/17 or ebay
Makes them $.95 a box and FREE Wheat Thins!!

Trident or Stride Gum (bogo @ $4.29/2)
Use 2 $1/1 from Smart Summertime Savings (NEW!) publix mag. (if bottles are included in sale) or $1/1 or $.75/1 from SS 5/10 or $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.15 - $1.40 each

Land O Lakes Spread (bogo @ $2.19/2)
Use $.55/1 printable or buy from ebay
Makes them $.55 each

Sara Lee Desserts (50% OFF)
Use $1/1 from RP 4/19, 5/17 or 6/7
Makes a great deal!

Bird's Eye Steamfresh Frozen Veggies (50% OFF)
Use $1/2 printable or buy from ebay

Breyer's Ice Cream (bogo @ $5.13/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from RP 5/17 or buy $1.50/1 from ebay
Makes them $1.07 - $1.82 each

Contessa Frozen Cooked Shrimp (50% OFF)
Use $1.50/2 printable

Claussen Pickles (bogo @ $3.09/2)
Use $1/2 printable or buy $.75/1 from ebay
Makes them $.80 - $1.05 each

Bertolli Complete Skillet ($4.99)
Use $2.50/1 from Family Is It's Own Reward booklet or $1/1 from RP 6/7 or $1.50/1 printable or buy any from ebay
Makes them $1.49 - $3.99 each

Kraft Velveeta Cheese Product (bogo @ $6.13/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable
Makes them $2.06 each

More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:
Mangos ($1/2)
Betty Crocker Potatoes ($1.79/2)
Gatorade (B2G1)
Green Giant Canned Veggies 4-pk (4.99/2)

Winn-Dixie Deals and Coupons for 6/24-6/30

Fresh Ground Chuck ($1.49/lb.)

Blueberries ($1.99/pint)

Kraft Cheese 5-8 oz. (2/$3) ***UPDATE*** Thanks Thrifty Florida Mama - When you buy 5 things of Kraft cheese, you receive a $4 Catelina!! That means, you spend $5 and get $4 back! Great deal on cheese!!
Use 2 $.50/1 from ebay
Makes them $1 each

Oscar Mayer Wieners (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use $1/2 from SS 5/10 or 6/21 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.50 each

FREE Milk wyb 4 participating Kellogg's products (sale items are 4/$10 - includes Keebler Chips Deluxe, Vienna Fingers, Townhouse Creackers, Special K Bars, Rice Krispies Treats, Rice Krispies, Corn Pops, Frosted Flakes, Mini-Wheats Little Bites, Frosted Mini-Wheats varieties)
Use $1/1 for any of the cereals from RP 6/7 or ebay AND
$2 OFF milk wyb 2 Kellogg's products from ebay
Makes them $1.50 a box (of cereal) or $2.50 each of anything else and FREE Milk plus $2 overage!!

Smart Balance (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use $1/2 printable or from RP 4/5 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.30 each

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags ($2.59/2)
Use $.60/1 or $.75/2 RP 5/17 or $1/1 from ebay
Makes them $.30 - $.92 a box

Post Cereal ($1.99 - includes Fruity or Cocoa Pebbles, Alpha-Bits, Honeycomb)
Use $1/2 from ebay or from SS 6/21
Makes them $1.49 a box

Wishbone Salad Dressing (bogo @ $2.99/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from Family Is It's Own Reward Booklet (found in Publix stores or ebay) or $1.25/2 or $1/1 from RP 5/17 or from ebay or $.75/1 printable
Makes them $.49 - $.87 each

Pop-Secret Popcorn (bogo @ $3.09/2)
Use $.50/2 from SS 6/14 or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.30 each

Post Cereal (bogo @ $4.19/2 - includes Shredded Wheat, Bran Flakes, Raisin Bran, Grape Nuts)
Use $1/2 from ebay or from SS 6/21
Makes them $1.60 a box

More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:

Blue Bell Ice Cream ($6.79/2)
Simply Potatoes ($2.59/2)
Lender's Bagels ($3.89/2)

What Jordan Wants for His Birthday

Today Jordan started talking about what he would like for his birthday and this is how it went...

"I want a machine for my birthday"
"What?"
"A machine."
"What does that mean? What kind of machine?"
(surprised I didn't know what he was talking about) "A softball machine that makes cookies. It can throw softballs and make cookies. That would be awesome!"
"That would be awesome. If only there was a machine like that"
"And I want a telescope and a cow! A real cow. That would be awesome!"

Oh my! That kid is something else. He also wants to have a boys sleepover. No girls allowed (not even his sisters or mommy)!

Well, he's having a sleep-over, but I don't think I'm gonna be able to get that machine or a cow :)

What Happened to My Squash?!!

I have no idea what happened, but I think I have somehow lost all the squash plants. They started to have a white mildew like look on the leaves last week and we sprayed diluted milk on them. Well, that didn't work.
Now, they are not only white on the leaves. Many of the leaves are turning brown and wilting up, the few squash that are on the plants have mold (white and black) growing all over them.

AHHHHHHH! I don't know what happened. We only got about 2 weeks of harvest and 20-30 squash. That sure isn't what I was counting on. I think we are going to have to pull them all out and that makes me want to cry :(

The green beans are finally producing a lot and we have eaten them a couple of times this week. The tomatoes are still growing and looking good, but the grape tomatoes are still the only ones that have turned red. The cantaloupe are growing big and there are several more coming along. But, the cantaloupe has a good chunk of leaves that have brown spots all over them. I don't know what that means. Too much rain? Not enough water? Obviously, we don't really know what we are doing.

Spring... Summer Cleaning

I can't even imagine trying to do "Spring Cleaning". That is always near the end of our school year and me trying to get everything done and catch up on the stuff I am behind with. Nope, for me, it's good ole "Summer Cleaning".
So, that is what we have been up to all week. It's been perfect timing because the kids have been at VBS all week at our church from 9-12 every day. So, each day, I decided to tackle a different room (and throw away the stuff I want to get rid of without my kids whining and complaining and asking to keep it). So far, I have completely cleaned and organized the Office/School Room (this was a huge task that lasted much longer than 9-12), Jordan's Room, the guest room and the girl's room/bathroom/closet.
Today, the room to tackle was the garage. So, Cory has been out there all day working on that. Of course, he found another way to add shelf space. I have been amazed at how many shelves he has put up in the last couple of weeks. He sure is finding ways to keep himself busy with this lack of job. He has added a couple shelves in the pantry, laundry room and School Room. In the garage, he is hanging what I believe used to be a door, from the ceiling/attic. Is he creative or what?