First Official Camping Trip and Groupon

My husband and I used to go camping quite a bit all those years before we had kids.  Workload and monetary reasons we sold our camper when our oldest was about 3.  Since then, we have had two more kids (boys to be more precise) and have only talked about going camping again.  We decided to take the plunge and purchase a pop up camper.  Our reasoning was simple - we could pull the popup with our minivan, store it in our garage, and decide if we would actually use it before investing too much of our hard earned cash into something bigger.  Plus we are hoping to create many family memories!  The first trip was not too bad if you ask me - only downfall was our youngest is still a bit too young to stay put at the campsite and it rained on day we were leaving.  Riley enjoyed some fishing time with daddy and the boys enjoyed some snuggling nap time with mommy.  We ate s'mores and roasted marshmellows, cooked hot dogs on the fire pit, and sat around the fire just chillin' as a family.  Family bonding is important to me and camping was a perfect family activity for us.  The kids went two whole days without an electronic device (aka television) and did not complain about it once!  They played in the dirt and helped daddy collect firewood.  We did take a stomp rocket with us - basically a foam "rocket" that set on a hose and you stomp on the large plastic box at the end which shoots air and makes the rocket soar.  One of the so-called rockets got stuck in a large tree at our campsite.  Daddy wanted to get it down so he decided to fill a water bottle with water and throw it to knock it loose - that did NOT work too well.  He then tried to throw up a set of large caribeners hooks to knock loose, but those decided to get stuck right next to the rocket in the tree.  Finally, he tied a rope to a water bottle, threw it up, snagged the branch, and shook them both loose.  And then boasted about his ingenuity, I just laughed.

Groupon is a wonderful site that posts deals - some are nationwide and others are location specific.  The site helps me find new ideas about family outings and save money while doing them!  I always seem to save at least 50% on them.

Chicken Pox and Hip2Save

My boys have chicken pox - they are 1.5 and 3 years old.  YES - they were vaccinated, but they are only old enough to have received one of the required two (the second comes before kindergarten).  I talked to the doctor today, and they should still probably get their second vaccinations.  But, it won't be for medical reasons - more for school reasons.  Since most states require students to be up to date on vaccinations, the doctor and I agree it would just be easier to give them the vaccination then have to explain over and over again why they did not receive their second immunization.  Is it immunization or vaccination, I wonder?  From wikipedia - Immunization can be achieved in an active or passive fashion: vaccination is an active form of immunization - so they are more or less the same thing. Answered my own question - vaccination makes me think of taking my dog to the vet. Back to chicken pox - I reference wikipedia a bit, it is just easy to find stuff there even if it is not always right.  After reading about chicken pox on wikipedia I was expecting a week from hell!  Since my boys had one immunization, they ended up with a mild case.  No itching or dreadful complaining (screaming and crying from the youngest) at all.  I did have diarreha (which really sucks when you are in the middle of potty training!) and fever to contend with, but otherwise they never really acted like they were even sick.

My little guys arm -at first I was hoping chigger bites!

Ahhh - the next day on his leg.

Now - on to one of my favorite money saving sites - HIP2SAVE!  Collin runs a totally awesome website.  She has deals broken down into how much it is, what coupons, which store, etc.  She breaks her deals down each week for each store before the ads come out.  AND she also posts deals throughout the day.  She shares her money saving ways with EVERYONE - and she has really helped me save some serious money!  According to my CVS receipt - I have already saved well over a thousand dollars this year alone.  Most of you might think CVS, really?  Isn't that just a drugstore?  Nope - I score lots and lots of great deals here.  We are stocked up on soap, shampoo, shaving gel, razors, cleaning supplies, snacks, and so much more then I had ever thought I would buy here.

Joining the bandwagon!

Everyone seems to have a blog these days, so I decided to hop on the bandwagon.  I used to have the full time office gig going on, but was lucky enough that my husband got a GREAT job that allows me to now stay at home with my three kids and work part time from home.  I have always heard that once it is on the web - it is out there FOREVER and I figured this would be a great way to keep track of my many mommy stories and great advice on saving money!

The best way to save money - do not spend it!  Very simple concept, but it surprises me how many people forget this!  Here is a great giveaway hosted by another blogger for kids shoes - they go through them so fast and these are VERY CUTE SHOES!  Visit Sugar Pop Ribbons to enter the giveaway.