Target Cartwheel

Have you used the Target Cartwheel app???? Oh my goodness, you must check it out. 

I downloaded it about 6 months ago and just didn't get it at first. Then I saw the savings that some people were getting and I had to investigate it more.

It's pretty simple to use. Create an account. Scan or search items you want to buy. You can do this at Target or before you head to the store. Add the coupons you find on the app and then show the clerk your scan code when you check out. Super fun and easy. 

Here are some of the recent coupons I received when I was shopping. Each item I picked up I scanned and looked for extra deals. Anout 1/3 of my purchases received additional savings via a coupon from the app. I saved a total of $5.40 and then got my usual 5% off when I used my Red Card.

This is what the scan code looks like when you're ready to check out.

I was so happy to save some cash and I had to share my new bargain tool with everyone. 

And while I was at Target, I spied the Easter items rolling out!

Oh, and this is just my opinion of Cartwheel...not a sponsored post. Of course, if Target sees this and wants me to be a Target ambassador, feel free to give me a call!!! I think I might just be your girl.

Valentine Cat

Shelly's class celebrated Valentine's Day on Monday (due to the snow days). The students were assigned a Valentine's box project. Shelly and I put our heads together and decided to make a box in the shape of a cat. She was really proud of it and she earned a 100% on her project. 

Shop and Snow

We finally made it out of the house during the multiple snow days. We celebrated Valentine's Day in our traditional way---together at the local cafeteria. It's always a fun way to buck the system and not feed into the overpriced restaurants. 

Lily with Shelly photobombing!

We also got to have some yummy treats at a local bakery, Sweet Meg's, that we love. 

Ready to shop together

We were so eager to get out of the house that we did it all over again on Saturday. This time we shopped, had a late lunch, and hung out with the sweetest little Persian at the pet store. 

Such a cute kitten

Shoveling the Snow

For the most part, we really didn't need to do much shoveling during the big snowstorm. But, we did drive to the other side of our neighborhood to go sledding. On our way back we had trouble making it up the hill. Thankfully, John had thought to bring his shovel with him. It took about 30 minutes to dig a path up the hill and with the help of a couple other fellas, we made it up the icy hill and home.

Snow Pictures Continued

A few more photos from our snow adventures. We spent a couple of days on the "slopes" enjoying some sledding time. We even had a bonfire one evening and the kids made s'mores and sledded down the hill. It was a fun few days.

Parents "supervising" the fun

Ready to go

Getting a little assist 

From atop the "mountain"

Boogie boards work great in the snow, too.

Lily in the snow

Friends

Shelly in her snow gear

Sisters in the snow

A snowy scene

Blizzard of '14!

It's true (The Blizzard of 2014)...starting on Wednesday at noon the snow started coming down. We headed to Costco for a few last minute items and it took us twice as long as usual to get back home. 

By Wednesday night, we had about 4 inches of snow. And on Thursday the snow just kept falling. By nightfall (when the snow stopped) we had about a total of 8-10 inches. Crazy for this area. We've had many winters where we never see the white stuff, so this was really unusual.

Creating a snow sled wall

Hailey and lily

John and Shelly

Lily, Hailey and Evin in the snow storm

Friends in the snow

Moms in the snow

Shelly, Elli, and Natalie

Lily running from John's snowball

Shelly ready to sled

We made the best of it with a couple of fun trips onto the golf course for some sledding.

Love, Mom

A year or two ago I remember reading a blog entry on the Reluctant Entertainer that showed a wonderful keepsake that she made for her sisters. I loved the idea and thought it would be such a neat way to take my mom's handwriting and make it a permanent display.

My mother had such beautiful handwriting and I decided it would be nice to make something similar for my sister for her birthday.

I used a note that I had from my mom, scanned the image, and then enlarged it by a bit. From here, my method is slightly different than the method used on the Reluctant Entertainer. So try the one you like best.

I printed the signature and then created my own graphite paper to transfer the handwriting onto a white tray (white tray from TJ Maxx). 

To create the paper, I just rubbed a pencil on to a piece of tracing paper. I placed the rubbed side down on the tray and traced my mother's handwriting.

Once the handwriting was transferred to the tray, I went over it with my Sharpie black paint pen and with the pink paint pen, I added two small hearts. I wiped off the excess pencil from the tray and baked it at 350* for 30 minutes. Having baked it, the handwriting is permanent on the tray. 

Oops, I spy a typo---it's "rubbing"
Sorry about that one

It was a simple craft that I thought would be a nice way to remember my mom, her handwriting, and how much she loved my sister.

Happy Birthday, Sis!!!!

Today is my sister's birthday!!!! Hope she has a terrific day. She's not only my sister, but my best friend! Love her. 

Me, Lin (the birthday girl), and Kathy

Kathy, Lin, and Me

Linda and Kathy

The family with Lin on the end!!!

Over the Loom Valentine

Shelly and I were in Target recently checking out the various Valentine's Day cards and she decided she didn't want to purchase any of the premade cards. And, she instantly had an idea...make Rainbow Loom bracelets for all of her classmates and she suggested I create "one of those little cards on the computer" to go with it. I loved the idea. So, I went to Pinterest to see if there were any clever ideas out there and, of course, there were. 

I put my own spin on one of the cute cards I found. Shelly went to work putting the bracelets on the cards and then into bags to take to school. 

Love her desire to be original, clever, and creative.