TYLER'S HOME

Go here for 2 free tacos tomorrow from Jack in the Box. Just print out a coupon for each person. This is going to be our free dinner tomorrow night.

Get your FREE Chocolate from Mars here today and every Friday through September 25th. You can request your coupon for a free single size Mars candy bar starting at 9 am. They have 250,000 to give away each day this promotion runs and you can claim a total of 4 per household.
Wait for a buy one get one free sale and get two free candy bars! The coupon came in the mail on a large size postcard type flyer.

Trip to Fry's today

Fry's has a great ad this week! I spent $48.79 and saved $148.30. I had coupons for EVERY single item that I bought. I even got a WOW from the cashier. :) On one of my trips through the store a while ago there was a tearpad of coupons for $1.00 off produce when you buy 2 Kraft salad dressings. Kraft always has coupons for the salad dressing which I can usually then get for free, so I grabbed a few of the produce coupons to use with them. Today I got to use those. I got 5 bottles of dressing for free and then got free lettuce and free bananas.

When I mention my deals my sisters always ask "How do you do that?" So, here you go guys. :) I looked at the Fry's ad today and when you buy 10 of certain items, you get $5.00 off. I matched the coupon with the sale. That way I get TWICE the savings. A sale and a coupon. Looking at this, I can't make a dinner with 10 boxes of yogurt and salad dressing, but I add the items to my stock pile and they always get used. Salad dressing make great marinade. I have found that I spend ALOT more money when I am out of something and run to the store. I always end up buying more than the item I went for. So, now I have a nice stock pile and rarely have to run to the store. I used to plan a dinner menu around what the family wanted and now I plan the dinner menu around the sales and they rarely complain, and when they do TOO BAD!! :)

It has taken me awhile to get the stash of coupons that I have, but I just kept collecting them and now have a huge stash and am able to buy everything (almost) with a coupon. Cellfire.com and shortcuts.com are 2 sites that you can enter your store card information and then load coupons right onto your shopper card and when you check out it automatically takes the savings off. Coupons.com is a wonderful printable coupon site. They put up new coupons all the time. There are alot of manufactures who offer coupons on their sites. You have to sign up for their newsletter alot of times, but I have a special e-mail account for all of those so my regular e-mail does not get overloaded. It takes time and patience though. Saige actually said the other day "You love your precious coupons more than you love me." No Saige. . . I love you way more, but it's because of the money I save with my coupons that you are able to have the things you have. Kids just don't understand. :)

Here is the newest picture that Tyler sent to me. He said they take their guns everywhere. The only time the gun leaves his sight is when they are in the bathroom and then they have a buddy who stands outside and holds it for them. While talking to Tyler he always called it a "weapon", if they call it a gun they get "smoked" which means they get in trouble and have to do pushups. He sounds like he is doing great! I can't wait to talk to him again this Sunday.

Our trip to Williams

Daniel at the top of Williams mountain.

Saige
I have never seen so many ladybugs ever.
I could have stayed up there all day!

Daniel usually hates his picture taken, but while we were up there he kept asking "mom, get a picture of me over there, and here, and how bout there." I love that I got so many pictures of him.

A caterpillar sack that we found.

We found out when we were driving up to Williams that a few of our friends had planned a day trip up there to find a camping spot for next week. So, we were able to meet up with them and spend a few hours fishing. The only thing caught on this trip was a crawdad.

Every time we go to Williams we have to go see the gunfight. The kids have seen it probably 20 times, but they still ask everytime we are there to go.

Daniel got a haircut as soon as we got home.

We had a great time. I didn't want to come back to the heat.

I talked to Tyler for a few minutes tonight and he said that basic isn't as bad as he thought it was going to be. He even said that he loves the food. I still worry every day about him, but it's nice to know that it isn't all that bad...I pictured them yelling at him 24 hours a day. He sounded really happy. :)

Kool-Aid is not just a drink?

I ran across this today and loved some of the ideas!! I have added Kool-Aid to playdoh and the kids love the smell, but haven't heard of alot of these. Thought you might find them interesting also. Let me know if you try them and how they work.

1. Make Easy, Flavorful Kool-Aid Frosting - I discovered this unusual use for Kool-Aid powder when I had a can of vanilla frosting one day and a cherry chip cake to frost. I stirred in a package of cherry flavored Kool-Aid and the result was a delicious, creamy topping that everyone loved! If you need to make a tasty frosting for a gelatin cake, all you need to do is fold in a pack of Kool-Aid into a container of thawed Cool Whip®. If the frosting tastes a little tart, add in sugar, a little at a time until it tastes good to you.
2. Make Kool-Aid Brand Lip Gloss - This is an unusual use the girls will love! All they need to do, to make a fruity lip gloss, is to place a small amount of petroleum jelly into a microwave-safe bowl. Stir some Kool-Aid soft drink powder into the jelly- enough to make it the color they desire. Stir in a little sugar, then, place the bowl in a microwave oven for about five or six seconds- just enough to soften the mixture up a bit.
3. Make Sand Art With Kool-Aid Brand Soft Drink MixKool-Aid is perfect for the kids to make safe Sand Art with! All you need to do is provide them with plenty of paper and pencils. After they draw pictures on the paper, give them several different colors of dry Kool-Aid and Elmer's® Glue. Then, instruct them to spread a thin layer of glue over one item in their picture. It's better to start at the top of the pictures so they don't get their arms in the wet mixture. They can then sprinkle Kool-Aid on that area and press it down gently. After the kids shake the excess soft drink powder off, they can continue onto the next section. Once their pictures are done, let them set until the Elmer's Glue dries completely.
4. Temporarily Dye Your Hair With Kool-Aid - If you're going to a party, or, you just want a new look for a short period of time, use Kool-Aid!Choose the color you want to use and pour it into a glass container. Add a teaspoon of corn starch and just enough water to turn the ingredients into a paste. Apply the paste to your clean, dry hair and let it set for five minutes. Then, rinse the paste out. Your "new do" will last until you shampoo your hair once or twice.
5. Make Eerie Party Decorations - Another unusual use for Kool-Aid Brand Soft Drink Powder is to make an eerie Halloween decoration with it. Just place some dry ice- don't touch it with your hands!- into a glass, and pour a packet of any flavor Kool-Aid into it. Kids will watch with fascination as the dry ice and Kool-Aid bubbles and mists. Make up several of these glasses and set them around for an eerie effect at your next party!
6. Make Kool-Aid Clay for the Kids - You may already know how to make homemade clay for your kids to play with. But, did you know you can make clay using Kool-Aid brand soft drink powder as well? Mix together a cup of white flour, a fourth cup of salt, 2 tablespoons cream of tartar and a package of Kool-Aid in a pan. Stir in a cup of water and a tablespoon of vegetable oil and heat the pan over medium heat on your stovetop. After several minutes, the mixture should clump together in the pan. When it does, remove the pan from the stove and let it cool slightly until you can touch it. Knead the Kool-Aid clay with your hands until it's not lumpy anymore. Place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator until use.
7. Remove Chlorine From Your Hair - If you swim alot in a chlorinated pool, you may notice that, after awhile, your hair color will change. It's especially noticeable on people who have blonde or light brown hair. To remedy this problem, there are two things you can do. First, anytime you swim in a chlorinated pool, wet your hair with non-chlorinated water first before you get into the pool. This will help keep your hair from absorbing the chlorinated water. Second, to help change your hair back to its original color, use a pack of lemonade-flavored Kool-Aid. Pour a little Kool-Aid in your hand if you have short hair; use more if your hair is long, or if it's really changed color. Then, add a dab of shampoo and lather your hair up. Let the Kool-Aid set on your hair for fifteen minutes before you rinse it and the shampoo out well. Note: Try not to get the Kool-Aid brand soft drink powder in your eyes or it will sting.
8. Kool-Aid Brand Water Colors - Are the kids bored? Why not mix them up some Kool-Aid brand water colors? It's fun for them and safe to use as well. Even if the little ones stick their paint brushes in their mouths, this homemade paint won't hurt them! Pour several packets of different colored soft drink powders into individual glass bowls. (Don't use plastic or the Kool-Aid can stain them.) Stir a tablespoon of water into each bowl; stir until the powders are completely dissolved. Then, provide the kids with plenty of paper and some thick artist's paintbrushes, and they're ready to have some fun! Seal up any leftover Kool-Aid tightly and keep the containers in the refrigerator to use again.
9. Tie Dye an Old Tee Shirt - Because Kool-Aid brand soft drink powder contains artificial colors, it makes a great tie dye for an old tee shirt, or even a pair of cotton socks. Actually, your kids can dye most anything by using Kool-Aid. Curtains, bed sheets, towels, doll clothes and more can quickly change colors if you have some Kool-Aid and these instructions:First, make sure the tee shirt you want to tie dye is clean and dry. Next, open up several packages of Kool-Aid. Pour each package into an individual glass bowl. Stir an ounce of white vinegar into each bowl; make sure the powders dissolve completely. Take the tee shirt and twist the fabric up however you want. Hold it into place with several rubber bands. Before you begin to tie dye your item, you'd better put a pair of rubber gloves on so your hands don't get tie dyed too! Now, grab the shirt at one side and dip into a bowl of Kool-Aid. Then, grab it at another place and choose another color to dip it into. Keep doing this until your creation is finished. Leave the rubber bands in place and set the tee shirt outside in the sun. Once your tie dye tee shirt seems to be dry, remove the rubber bands. Then, spread it outside in the sun so it can completely dry. Then, pop it in the clothes dryer by itself and dry it on "high heat" for fifteen to twenty minutes. This will help set the colors in. Now, your new tie dye tee shirt is ready to wear!Note: The colors can still run, so it's best if you hand wash your creation and hang it up to dry.
10. Use Kool-Aid to Check for Toilet Tank Leaks - Do you hear water running inside your toilet tank in between flushes? There's probably a leak in there that needs to be repaired. An easy way to detect a leak is to use Kool-Aid. The darker colored soft drink powder works the best because you can see it better. Carefully lift the lid off the toilet tank and set it aside. Open up a pack of Kool-Aid and pour it into the tank. The test can take as little as ten minutes or as long as thirty minutes, depending on the size of the leak. Don't flush the toilet! Just watch the toilet bowl. If you see the colored powder float through from the tank, then there's a leak present. It's quite possibly the flapper piece. But, you'll have to investigate further to determine the exact cause.
11. Clean the dishwasher - Cleaning lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher. Pour a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and run the (empty) dishwasher. Reward: Citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.

Note: For all of these ideas, use unsweetened Kool-Aid only.

Tyler got to Fort Sill, Oklahoma

He looks so handsome! And grown up. It still isn't real that he is actually there. :(

Sign up for Papa Johns newsletter and if you are one of the first 2500 a day you get a Large 1 topping pizza for $1.00 - I just signed up and am having dinner for a buck tonight. :) Be sure and enter your correct e-mail because the code gets sent to you by e-mail.

You do have to use the code on the same day you sign up. I signed up and then went into my e-mail and could order from Papa Johns right then by internet. There is an option to have it ready in a few hours and that's what I did. GREAT DEAL

http://www.papajohns.com/phoenix/index.shtm#

I believe it was the end of April and I saw an opportunity on one of the great blogs that I read to host a House Party. I entered to host a Oscar Mayer hot dog party, and yesterday I received an e-mail saying that I was selected to host a party at my house. I am so excited! I will receive coupons for free hot dogs for the party and coupons for a few different toppings for the hot dogs. They also send me tasting party plates, napkins, an apron, serving tray and a condiment server. Looks like all I have to supply is the buns and the fun!

I had seen the opportunity to host a Juicy Juice House Party and wasn't sure what it was all about, so I didn't sign up. Then I saw Jodie's post about her juice party and I decided I would sign up for the next one they had. I'm SO glad I did. I have also entered to host a Domino's pizza House Party, so I am hoping I get selected for that one also.

If you go to http://www.houseparty.com/ and sign up, you might get selected to host a House Party with lots of free goodies also.

SUMMER IS HERE!! Today is the last day of school for all my kids.

Why is it the kids are doing this...
When I'm doing this!!

I totally understand the purpose of the back to school parties my mom always had at the end of the summer!! :)

I have a feeling this is what I am going to look like most of the summer!
I do enjoy the time with my kids! I just wish they got along, picked up after themselves, did their chores, and listened to me a little bit better.

FREE hot dogs

Oscar Mayer is giving away hot dogs. Just go to the link and fill out the info and you will get a coupon for a FREE pack of beef hot dogs in the mail.

Offer available May 20, 2009, 9 a.m. − 11:59 p.m. EDT, while supplies last. Limit one coupon per household, address or email address. P.O. Box addresses will not be accepted. Open to U.S. Residents, 18 or older. Allow 4 − 6 weeks for delivery.

http://kraft.promotions.com/ombeeffranks/front.do

OUR LITTLE GRADUATE!!

OOPS - Not the right one...

That's not him either...Can you tell Colin was so thrilled to be there? :) Here is our graduate! He worked so hard, but it payed off. We are all proud of you!

Only 20 days left...

before Tyler leaves for the summer to go to Fort Sill in Oklahoma for Basic Training! I can't believe he will actually be gone in less than 3 weeks.