Weekend Wrap-Up

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by! The kids go back to school on August 6th and August 8th! 





Dressed up for Cow Appreciation Day last Tuesday. We ran into friends as we were getting there and they shared their masks with us.

We ran into more friends inside. One of them told the kids they could trade in unopened kids' meal toys for a free icecream. Well my kids had already opened their kid meal toys but that didn't stop L and S for asking for free icecream anyway ha! S turned over her opened, already played with toy and got two free icecreams in return. I always tell them it never hurts to ask! Who could resist such sweet, tiny little girls going up to the counter and asking nicely for icecream anyway? After that I bought cones for the older two. 

Last week was busy with more camps for the older three. JG was in Girls In The Run camp every morning from 8 to 12. And C and S went to a Music & Art camp every morning from 9-12. The camps were across town from each other and I tried to rotate who I picked up late. The teachers knew my dilemma and were awesome about keeping the kids a little later when I was running late. 

JG had so much fun! These are a few pics her teacher took. You can tell by her face she was having a great time!! 

Friday morning L and I went to pick up several little horses, stable and farm toys... all for just $5! And all the kids have been playing with them for days. L loves horses and I had been looking for a deal like this for her for awhile. After we picked up the toys we stopped at Starbucks. She was so excited to get chocolate milk! You would think having just 1 kid for a few hours every morning would be easier than having 4 but that wasn't the case. She wanted to be entertained constantly and would not give me a minutes rest ha! She's used playing with her siblings and doesn't like being on her own. Kind of a prelude to what next school year is going to be like when she's the only one at home with me every day.

C and S had a lot of fun at their camp too! Friday night they had a little performance with instruments and songs they learned followed by an icecream social! (Videos on Instagram)

Saturday morning we went to the big Back 2 School Bash! So much fun! The older three each got a free pair of tennis shoes, backpacks and some school supplies! They also got to pick out some clothes. They served free lunches (hotdog or pizza), had bouncy houses, snowcones, popcorn and cotton candy. There was a little petting zoo, face painting, animal balloons and few other booths we didn't get to. JG and I definitely want to volunteer (indoors!) next year! 



S was super excited to get her first bit of school supplies! She's getting more and more excited about starting kindergarten! 

L finally got to pet a real little pony! She was so excited! 

 And twin baby goats! So cute! 

S got to pet a turtle! Turtles are her favorites! 



They also got to pet a sheep, donkey, cow, baby goats, a llama, rabbits. There were the cutest baby piglets, birds and guinea pigs too. 

The older three kids loved this obstacle course bouncy house! It looked like a lot of fun! (Video on Instagram.) 



We wrapped up the busy weekend with life group at our house yesterday afternoon. 



J is off work this week and the kids have zero activities on the schedule (thank goodness!) We're planning to stay home, sleep in and spent lots of time at the neighborhood pool this week! Next week will be crazy again so we'll be using this week to relax and decompress before we hit the ground running again next week. 

I'm linking up with Hello Monday today. 

busy week

We have had such a busy, busy week and I haven't really taken that many pictures. 

I got a free Graze box in the mail a few days ago. The mixes were delicious!! 

My birthday was a few days ago and I spent the morning at the DMV renewing my license. Then we met friends at Chik-Fil-A for lunch and met Indie's new occupational therapist when she came by that afternoon. She's super sweet and Indie really liked her! 

My oldest made the birthday banner for me and made a variety of sandwiches for herself and the other kids for dinnner. Alex made me scrambled eggs with cheese. They did all this while I was laying down with a migraine and called me to come downstairs when it was ready. They also had Toby Mac (their favorite!) music playing on YouTube. It was so cute and sweet! 

J works a late shift and didn't get home until 9:30. He surprised me 

with this delicious Oreo ice cream cake after work!

Thursday morning poor Sol had to go to the dentist to have 2 cavities filled. It wasn't fun and she 

cried through half the procedure. I had to hold her hands down part of the time. :( Thankfully she

bounced back quickly. Unfortunately she has two more upcoming visits within the next month or so.

I asked about putting her under next time but that seems a little over the top. They said she could take Valium but that could make her sleepy and out of it for the whole day which I know she would hate. I guess we'll just try the laughing gas again next time and hope it goes a little smoother. She's looking forward to getting a "fancy" toothbrush that she can decorate with stickers after her next appointment. :) We stopped by McDonalds for a strawberry shake after her appointment on Thursday. 

I don't remember McDonald's shakes being this fancy when I was a kid. 

This looks like a pink frappucino!

 We went to the pool a couple afternoons this week. The kids are still

having so much fun with the watermelon float.. if they're not fighting over it ha!

Indie will sit on this thing, all by herself, and float around the pool! This child has made a complete turn around since the beginning of summer! I'm sure I've said it before but the pool is like therapy for her. We are so amazed at all the progress she's made since early June. 

We have a busy weekend coming up and an even busier week, next week, 

with fall activities starting up again! 

I'm linking up with Friday Favorites, 
High 5 For Friday and Friday At The Fire Station

Freebies!

I love signing up for freebies for my family and I! I found most of these deals from Money Saving Mom! 

 This past week I received this cute little keychain fob from Redline Steel for free. We're pet owners now and I love our sweet puppy so much! This is a cute little reminder of him every day when I'm out and about. I should have taken a pic as soon as I got it. Several days later and there's a lot of smudge prints and it's showing some wear. So cute though and very sturdy and well made! 

I also signed up for some make-up samples. I received this lip crayon from Because Cosmetics yesterday. Hot pink really isn't my color but I was excited to get it and try it out! My girls have enjoyed putting it on for fun too! Again, I should have taken a pic first thing. My 2 yr old got a hold of this and ruined the tip ha! 

Lego stores have a free, mini Lego Build every month for first register/first serve Lego VIP members. It's free to sign up to become a VIP member! We haven't gone to a mini Lego Build yet but my son is super excited about attending the August event! He'll be building a little snail to bring home. Lego stores offer a different mini-build every month! 

Home Depot offers a free kids work shop the first Saturday of every month! My husband and son have gone in the past to build a little wooden pencil box. This coming Saturday, Aug 4th the craft is bookworm bookends! You can find your local store and register here. The kids will bring home their project as well as a mini Home Depot apron and a little pin as long as supplies last. 

Michael's has a free dino slime event for kids this Saturday, August 4th between 1 and 3! I know my kids will love this! They talk about making slime constantly but we haven't made any yet. 

I was able to request free hip dysplasia awareness bracelets from International Hip Dysplasia Institute at hipdysplasia.org. We received three bracelets that we'll proudly wear for our little Indie! If you or a loved one have dealt/are dealing with hip dysplasia you can email and ask for bracelets of your own. 

I love my freebies, free events and great deals and love to share! Be sure to stop by Money Saving Mom for more great deals and free offers!