So this was my trial run for Madison’s birthday cake. I think it turned out pretty okay, and I’ll be making this cake for her birthday. So what do you think?

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A new rug for his room!

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You may remember my recent experience with the Chiquita crushed fruit snack product!  We did a ton of landscaping in the yard, and as a reward, we had some Chiquita crushed fruit snack product.  To quote my 4 year old, “it’s so yummy in my tummy”.  Since I enjoyed the Chiquita crushed fruit snack product so much, I took on the mission to replace my normal snacks (you know, Doritos and Cheetos) with Chiquita crushed fruit snack product.  I’m in love with the Strawberry Chiquita crushed fruit snack product, so that is the flavor I used.  The first thing I noticed is that they are filling.  You aren’t hungry after drinking a bottle of Chiquita crushed fruit snack product.  You can’t always say that about a bag of chips.  I’m all about making small changes in my life to be more healthy (since I am not a huge fruit fan).  I love how easy it is to get a great drinkable snack!  It’s just as easy to grab a Chiquita crushed fruit snack product than it is anything else that isn’t as healthy!

Chiquita crushed fruit snack products are made when Chiquita bananas are crushed together with another fruit like – Mango, Strawberry, Blueberry, Pineapple or Acai – to create a delicious drinkable snack. Here’s my #CrushedIt experience (shopping trip and sharing it at a barbeque).  The Chiquita crushed fruit snack products were a huge hit!  The overwhelming favorite flavor was strawberry with mango a very close second.  My father-in-law loved the pineapple Chiquita crushed fruit snack product.  He even came up with a couple of ways to mix it up (like adding chopped ice to it).

The Chiquita crushed fruit snack products are a great hit at my house and with others.  I recommend trying Chiquita crushed fruit snack products!

This project has been compensated as part of a #CrushedIt mission for Chiquita. #CollectiveBias

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Summer can be super expensive. However, it doesn’t have. Here is a small list of places you can go this summer and not spend a lot of money!

1. Your Backyard! Your backyard is fun of fun. You can camp back there, create a garden, explore, etc. Best of all, most things you can do in your backyard are free!

2.  Go camping. Now, this will cost you a little money.  However, it is great to get away sometimes.  We recently booked a camping trip for July that is running us $30 a night.  It is fairly inexpensive to camp, and I know, my kids love it.  (We personally camp in a tent.  However, I draw the line and do bring a blow mattress to sleep on.  We could get our site even cheaper if we didn’t pay for the electric, so I could blow up my bed.)

3.  Library.  The library is great.  It is free to check out books, games, activities, movies, etc.  The other great thing about the library (well, at least my library) is that they offer free (or low cost) classes!  My library also has scheduled activities going on each month too! The key is to return your book on time, so you don’t get any fines!

4.  Your Local Park District.  I know not every state has these.  However, you have something that offers classes.  Our local park district offers nature classes all summer for very cheap. It definitely something to check out.

5.  Your Local Craft Store.  I know my local craft stores are constantly offering classes to teach you awesome crafts, cake decorating, etc.

6.  Your Local Hardware Store.  I know the closest hardware store to me has adult classes all the time that will show you how to do things around your home.  They also offer kids workshops too that are free!

7.  The Mall.  My local mall has a play area that is free to play in.  It is also a great place to walk in.  Now, you have to manage to not go shopping while you are there to keep it inexpensive. 

8.  Forest Preserves.  Here in Illinois, we have forest preserves though I know other states have places like these and they are just called something different.  They are free to enter and you are able to hike in them.  They are a great way to get the kids outdoors and a great place to have a picnic too.

9.  Local park.  Your local park is also free and most kids can spend hours in them!

10. Head to a lake, river, pond, etc.  You can usually swim, skip rocks, fish, etc at your local watering hole for no cost.

Hopefully, you have a few free and inexpensive ideas to keep you and your kids busy this summer!

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This has definitely been a busy month — both personally and well, for everybody. The kids schools and activities are wrapping up, and as I’ve written before, life has definitely gotten a lot crazier. As I type this, we are planning on a trip to Green Bay for my nephew’s birthday. (Yes, I’d rather be sitting in a leather recliner than in a car for 4 hours or more since we are driving up in rush hour traffic!).  It is hard to believe that he is going to be 2!  I’ve got a picture of Madison holding Gabe on my wall.  It was taken when he was just a couple of days old I think. 

Since the party is Saturday afternoon, my mom and I will most likely getting our shopping (everything is cheaper there including sales tax!) done in the morning.  I’m still debating if I’m letting the kids bring their bikes.  My sister has a huge driveway (whereas my kids don’t have a driveaway at all).  But after chasing them around all days and shopping, I may need one of those catnapper recliners.  I’m over 30 now, I definitely need a nap some days!  LOL

Well, off to finish packing and then getting the van loaded.  (Think I can get a black recliner in there?  It would make the ride so much more comfortable.)  Have a great weekend!

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