The Ups and Downs of "Camping"

We have a camper that we keep at an awesome little "campground", about 40 minutes from our house. It's great because when we feel like getting away, all we have to do is pack a small bag and go! Its just far enough to feel like we are actually getting away, but not too far that we have to spend a ton in gas and drive for hours. I know the kids enjoy it, the Hubby loves it, and even I look forward to going!

I guess I can't really call it camping, we stay in an RV that has great A/C, we have our own bedroom, a bathroom with a shower and running water, and we've got our satellite set up along with our wireless modem so I can get online, lol! Roughing it, definetly NOT! It's habit for us to say were going camping for the weekend when we come up, but when our friends/family actually come to check it out, the first thing out of their mouths is "This is definetly NOT real camping!" To which I say, "Hey, if Hubby wants me to do stuff like this, I have my demands", lol!

I love that our kids have friends up here and they play from sun up to sun down, everyday, and my son can walk 20 feet away and throw his fishing line in and catch a fish within 5 minutes. I love that we can go to the beach, swim a little, and then come back to Hubby cooking some good dinner for us. I love how relaxed we are up here, it's like as soon as we drive in, all stress just dissapears, melts away, gone! Most of all, I love the time the 4 of us get together, we're stuck in a little trailer, we can't each be in a separate room all doing different things. I see my 12 year old son helping my 8 year old daughter, teaching her how to fish, playing tag with her friends, because he's the oldest so he "teaches" them all kinds of games to play. Today, she fell off of her bike, totally wiped out, and he helped her back, then went back for her bike, and checked 3 different times to make sure she was ok. Thats what I love about this place, the kids can be kids, our family can be a family, and we just enjoy each others company!
What I DON'T love, is the BUGS! Mosquitoes, spiders, ants, you name it, they're flying around, crawling around, taunting me! It's like they know I"m here, and they ALL come out to play! But, I guess I'm learning to live with it, even if I probably will spend a ton on all types of bug spray and crap to keep them all away from me!

Wham-o Monster Slip and Slide Giveaway at Annette Funnyjello!

I'm always looking for ways to keep the kids entertained, and now that it's summer, we can break out the sprinklers, pool, AND slip and slides!!! There's so many awesome slides to choose from now, not like when I was younger and there was just 1!
Head over to annettefunnyjello to enter to win your own Wham-O Monster Slip and Slide, this thing is awesome!! I know my kids won't want to come inside if we've got this baby at our house!

Australian Gold Sunscreen Giveaway at Experimental Mommy!

Get everyone protected for Summer, head over the Experimental Mommy and enter the Australian Gold Sunscreen giveaway! (3 winners!)

I've used Australian Gold in the past, and love that it doesn't leave a greasy feeling on the skin! And that's definetly a plus with the kids, who complain that they have to wear it as it is! Australian Gold has more than just Sunscreen, there's After Sun products, Self Tanners, and many more! So head over and check out the giveaway, because Summer's here and the Sun's shining!

Camping season has begun for this family!!!

This weekend was our first weekend up at the camp, and although it wasn't a full weekend for us, it was full of fun and surprises to say the least! We started going up to this "campground" last year, well, actually about 8 years ago, but it didn't last too long back then. Now, the kids are a bit older and they can enjoy everything there, and Mom and Dad can enjoy some alone time while they play with their friends nearby!
I'm really surprised at how much I enjoy going up there, I've always liked camping, but I am more of a "Get on a plane and go somewhere near the ocean" vacation type of girl! However, since there is NO way we could afford to take vacations like that, this was the next best thing. So, we have a sweet little travel trailer that we fixed up and it's got a great A/C unit, so I can't complain much. Our spot is in the back, right near one of the lakes and we just met 2 new families with kids that our the same ages as ours. I have a feeling we'll be buying lots of popsicles, juice boxes and goodies to be handing out this summer, but I love that!

Now, I knew that they were calling for storms Saturday afternoon, but at 1pm, it was sunny, hot and gorgeous. So, I told the kids as soon as I got back from the store we'd head up to the beach. Well, hit the 1st store and as I was walking around, I heard the thunder, then the downpour : (  I walked out 10 minutes later and proceeded to get stuck in a hailstorm, aaahhhh! It only lasted about 30 minutes but man was it hard to drive in! We finally got to go the beach for an hour and that made the kids happy! Today was super hot and we had to leave early to get to a Wedding shower, but I didn't want to leave! That is REALLY crazy for me to say, lol!
I don't know, mabye it's just seeing the kids soooo happy being outside and getting to just be kids, mabye it's seeing Hubby having fun fishing with the kids, mabye it's just getting out of the house and being just the 4 of us, but I am definetly looking forward to this Summer camping season!

There's no way I could be an "Extreme" couponer, but.....

I'd still like to try my best to save as much as I can! For years, I've picked up the Sunday paper and scoured the sale ads and coupon inserts, cutting only the coupons I would use. Thanks to my Mom, who got me into training at a young age, and who always told me, "Don't buy anything unless it's on sale! Because eventually, it WILL go on sale! And if you can live without it until it does, why buy it full price?" So, now, years later, I've learned to write up grocery lists, check my coupons, and wait for the sales!
Now, I love watching Extreme Couponers, but what I don't like is that for someone like me, it just isn't possible! I have NO stores around me that do double coupons, unless I count Kmart that does it mabye once every 6 months. I hate hearing these people say that anyone can do it, because NO, I can't! Sure, I can go to a grocery store and save a good $40-$50 a trip, but thats after spending around $175! So really, it's nothing "extreme", it's just normal savings with alot of coupons!
Years ago, I tried following some of the online coupon sites, and yes, I did save some money doing that, but having a 1 year old at my feet, a 5 year old whining for something, and a hubby that was working 12-15 hours a day wasn't really good for my "coupon time". And, I do have a few cashiers at Walgreens and CVS that will do pretty much anything for me, I swear I see them more than I see my Mom and Dad, lol! But, if I get the wrong cashier, I don't feel like putting up a fight to get that extra $.20 off my purchase. I guess I've got aways to go, but mabye one day I'll get there!
So for now, I'll continue cutting my coupons and writing up my lists, to save what I can! Mabye, just mabye, one day a store near me will offer double coupons and I can really say I am an Extreme Couponer! Until then, I'll just be a normal couponer!!!

Eden Fantasys- Give someone a treat!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe it's almost June, schools almost out, and the kids are definetly ready for the break! I'm hoping that this summer, we'll actually DO the things we plan, instead of just talking about them! I'd love to blog about our summer adventures, so hopefully we'll have a good list and I'll be able to share our fun with you!

Announcing winner soon!

I will have the winner up for the Milson Road giveaway shortly, just trying to get some ends tied up over here!

Win a $20 Giftcard to Dominos from The Not So Blog!

If you're like me, pizza and wings are a normal Friday night dinner! Usually our "treat" for the week, we order mostly diferent places every week. However, I love, love, love Dominos pizza and just recently found one that will deliver to our house! So, with that, this Giveaway at The Not So Blog has me wanting to win BAD!
Dominos has some awesome sauces for their wings, along with some yummy dipping sauces, so head over to Dominos and check out their delicous menu items!
And head over to The Not So Blog to enter for your chance to win the $20 Dominos Giftcard!

Win a Propel Zero Prize pack at Blessing Abound Mommy!

Head over to Blessing Abound Mommy for your chance to win 1 of 10 Propel Zero giftpacks! Included is a Tshirt, Propel water, coupons, and other goodies!
Hubby and I love Propel, because sometimes plain old water just gets boring! Propel has tons of flavors to choose from, and with little to no calories!
Blessing Abound Mommy has many ways to enter, so check it out! Giveaway ends April 29th!

Win a Years supply of Miracle Whip!!

Check out this awesome giveaway from Jabbering Jessi! Enter to win a years supply of Miracle Whip ( 12 bottles)!
Thats alot of Deviled eggs, Salami sandwiches, tuna salad, etc.... Now I'm hungry!!!

Head over now because the giveaway ends tomorrow!

Nutella Party!

Last weekend, I invited some friends and family to join me for a Nutella party! I am in love with Nutella, and letting people know about yummy food products is always fun : )

Nutella is a tasty Hazelnut spread that contains quality ingredients such as Skim milk and a hint of Cocoa! Nutella contains no Artificial colors or Preservatives. It's great to find something like Nutella, it tastes good and its good for you! I'm happy to give my kids a Nutella breakfast, snack, or as a dipper, and they are happy to eat it up!

Nutella provided me with tons of goodies for my guests, Tumblers, Nutella spreaders, sample packs of Nutella, and coupons and recipes for everyone! I had set out Nutella along with all types of dippers- Strawberries, Banana slices, Blackberries, Marshmallows, Pound cake slices, even Potato chips and Pretzels! You may think those last 2 sound wierd, but try them, one word- YUM!!!
Nutella is not only for snacking, but for making meals! One recipe I love to make with it is Nutella/Fruit Panini's. I originally saw this on Food Network, my kids gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow!

Chocolate Strawberry Panini

Ingredients

1/4 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread (recommended: Nutella)



12 (1/2-inch) thick slices pound cake (from 1 (10.75-ounce) loaf


6 fresh strawberries, hulled and very thinly sliced


Butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray


Directions


Heat a panini grill to medium according to the manufacturer's instructions. Spread the chocolate-hazelnut spread over 1 side of all of the pound cake slices. Arrange the sliced strawberries over 6 cake slices. Cover with the remaining cake slices, chocolate side down.
Spray panini grill with nonstick spray and grill each panino until the pound cake is crisp and golden and the fillings are warm, about 2 minutes. Cut each panino in half and serve.

The possibilites are almost endless with Nutella! Sandwiches, crepes, waffle/pancake topper, or just a dip for almost any snack, you can't go wrong with a jar of the yummy chocolate goodness! Check out Nutella, and pick up a coupon while your at it!

I recieved these products free of charge from Nutella/Mommy Parties in return for my opinion.

Milson Road Daily Portraits Review AND GIVEAWAY!!

Looking for the perfect gift can be very stressful, whether it be for a Birthday, Anniversary, Babys birth, or even a Wedding gift. I'm always trying to find a present that means something, and will be something the recipient can have for years to come. When I found Milson Road, I was excited to see a gift that not only shows thoughtfulness, but is a gift that can be cherised for years and years!

I made a Daily Portrait of Hubby and I, for our Anniversary. When it arrives, I was truly amazed at how gorgeous it is! When making your portrait, you get to pick everything from the Background color, to the Mat and Frame colors. It was so much fun just designing the portrait, that I went thru every color to see how it would look. Once I finally make my color choices, I then moved on to filling out some info about our Wedding and again, how fun to go back and remember that awesome day! I then picked out a few pics to include in the portrait and I was done! Only a few minutes "work", and I had a very nice gift to give to my Hubby for our Anniversary!
Milson Road can also make Daily Portraits for Weddings, Special Birthdays, Birth of Babies, Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, and Graduations.

Opening up our portrait was like opening a box of candy, my eyes lit up as I saw how unique it was. I just love how it brightens up our wall, and everyone that walks by it can read about our special day!

Heres the best part!!! One lucky reader is going to win a Daily Portrait of their own!! All you have to do is visit Milson Road and let me know what Occasion you think you would make one for! ( Mandatory entry)

Extra Entries-

1. Like Milson Road on Facebook ( 1 entry)

2. Follow Milson Road on Twitter ( 1 entry)

3. Follow my blog ( 2 entries)

4. Become a Subscriber ( 2 entries)

5. Follow me on Twitter ( 2 entries)

6. Tweet this giveaway ( 1 entry, per day)

7. Blog about this giveaway ( 5 entries, leave link)


This giveaway will end on Monday, April 4th. Winner will be chosen using Random.org, and will be notified via Email! Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.
Thanks to Milson Road for a wonderful product and great giveaway!

I was provided with a Daily Portrait of my own, in exchange for a review of their product.

Happy Easter Store Giveaway at Domestic Goddess!

Check out this awesome giveaway going on at Diaries of a Domestic Goddess, where you can win a $50 Gift Certificate to Happy Easter Store!
So many goodies to choose from, Bunny Hoodies, yummy sweets, and adorable baskets!
Head over now and enter!

Too much Fannie May and Girl Scout cookies in my house!

This weekend was GS Cookie pickup, so I now has over 12 cases of cookies sitting with me, I really need to get it together and get them to their owners! Funny that the whole time I was CRAVING the Tag Alongs I ordered, and once they were in my hands, I only ate 2 and didn't want them anymore..... let's see how long they last!
And then there was Valentines Day! My awesome Mom sent us a big box of Fannie May, and each of the kids got their own box! When they arrived, my Mom told me that there was a backorder and that they'd be sending out the rest of the order Monday. Well, guess what? I opened the box yesterday to find the ENTIRE order sent again! My Mom calls them and they said not to worry about it, there was a mix up on their part and to keep the extra candy : ) Now I love me some Fannie May Pixies, Trinidads, hell, I love it all, but I now have a box Hubby bought me, and the 5 boxes they sent in the past few days!!! OMG, so much for keeping off the weight I've lost!!!! I'm actually hoping the dog gets to it, lol!

Oh yea, I've got an awesome giveaway coming up from Milson Road coming up, be on the lookout! It's one you don't want to miss, their Daily Portaits are AMAZING, and you have a chance to win your own!!!

70 Cake Pops? I must be crazy!!!

"No problem, I can make Cake Pops for all 3 classes, it should be fine!" Thats what I wrote to the Classroom party Mom yesterday when the email came out for the Valentines Day party..I had been planning on doing cupcakes, no big deal, we always make cupcakes! But then I had been reading about Cake Pops and just in the past few days had seen so many that I decided I wanted to give it a try.... I hope that wasn't a BIG mistake!
So this weekend is Cake Pop weekend! If any of you have any tips or ideas, please leave me some comments! This is the first time for making them so I'm all ears!!!