A Coupon Addict?

So I have a new hobby. I collect, organize and use coupons! Maybe it's nerdy but I'm starting to save us a lot of money!

This weekend I bought a binder and some other supplies to organize all my coupons since the envelope I was using just wasn't working anymore because I had too many!

A bunch of the coupons grouped together.

Putting them in the binder!

So organized now!

Now when I go shopping, I can just grab the binder and have all the coupons with me. If I see a good sale on something I can combine it with a coupon for even more savings.

Some notes about couponing...

I DO NOT buy things that we don't use.

I DO buy lots of something if it's a really great deal.

Some stores (Walmart) will GIVE YOU money if your coupon is worth more than the product
you are buying.

We currently have enough laundry soap to last for...well a pretty long while. :)

If you have coupons you don't want or won't use, send them to me! I'll use them!

Soccer Snacks

I think that the highlight of soccer every week is snack time. I'm pretty sure it's the highlight for all the kids on the team and their assorted siblings who join in on the snacks each week. Jacob included.

5 kids in soccer uniform...3 not...all enjoying watermelon.

The Strawberries are Ready!

Last year I bought a flat of strawberries from a Mennonite in a parking lot to make jam out of. It was my plan this year to pick our own berries though. It certainly wasn't something that I was willing to brave on my own with the kids and without Scott though! It worked out well that Scott was off Friday and the weather was ok, so we headed out.

Logan was SO excited...Jacob was looking ahead to a puddle that he noticed.

And then proceeded to splash through.

I guess Scott thinks this look is in?

Picking berries!

Logan did a good job picking the ripe ones. I'm pretty sure he didn't even eat one!

Jacob on the other hand...

Was a bit harder to control!

Master picker.

All the boys. There were so many berries! It didn't take us long at all to fill our baskets.

A view of the field.

Our haul.

I made 4 batches of freezer jam. A strawberry rhubarb crisp. Plus we've eaten a lot of berries and I'm going to freeze what's left before they get too mushy!

Father's Day 2011

Scott has always wanted to go to the Butterfly Conservatory. I have had absolutely no interest in going since I'm terrified of birds, butterflies and generally things that flap their wings and fly. He's been planning to take the boys but it never seems to work out. So for Father's Day this year, I took one for the team and we all went together. My heart raced for most of the time we were there but I did survive and I'm pretty sure the male folk in my family loved it.

Jacob checks out the bees before we head in.

A butterfly snacking on an orange.

Looking up...there was so much to see.

There were birds everywhere.

I must admit that butterflies are pretty. It was a great place to take pictures. I got a few good ones...I probably would have gotten more if I wasn't so scared of them landing on me.

The 3 guys

A nice looking yellow and black one.

I have no idea what's up with the kids expressions. They just wouldn't smile.

One landed on Scott's back!


Checking out what butterfly wings feel like.

Logan was DESPERATE for one to land on him.

It looks like one is on him in this shot but it was just flying around him. One did land on him eventually but he didn't notice and moved his arm before I could tell him.

Standing so still in hopes for a landing.

A nice waterfall.

They were quite intrigued.

Examining a butterfly close up.

Feeling pretty annoyed that the butterflies won't land on him.

Scott took this one.

Once we survived the butterflies, we headed to Waterloo Park to check out the animals and for a picnic lunch. We came home for naps and then had a yummy steak dinner outside.

Scott sporting his new haircut at his Father's Day dinner.

Jacob enjoying a freezie.

Logan's "cheese" face.

Uptown Country

We try to make it out to most of the free events in our area. The city has so much to offer at little to no cost to us, especially in the summer.

Last weekend we headed to the Country Music Festival in Uptown Waterloo. The kids got a balloon, they did some dancing, had a slushee and we ran into some friends. Makes for a pretty great (and frugal!) evening.

I have no pictures of the entertainment...just of the kids, haha.

Jacob and his beloved balloon. (Which he later layed on and popped...)

Logan and HIS balloon. Logan chose pink for both of them.

Extreme close up!

The music lover paying close attention.

Scott's new hair cut.

This is apparently a dance move...

Yay!

Practicing jumping.

Jacob dancing.

Sleeping Babes

I snuck in and took pictures of the boys sleeping a couple nights ago. There's nothing sweeter (or quieter) than sleeping kids.