Homemade pizza

So I have been working from my monthly calendar meal planning and last night was homemade pizza.  I decided after looking at some blogs and pintrest that I would make homemade dough and sauce.  I usually just buy a can of sauce and some of the dough mixes.  These items arent expensive so we are saving a lot but it was nice to try and make it myself and see how the family liked it.  I got a kitcheaid mixer off of craigslist a few weeks ago and LOVE it! 
I was a little nervous to work with yeast since I havent used it since I was in high school but it worked just like it is supposed to and turned out great.  That sauce was a really easy recipe that I thought was a little sweet so next time I will use less sugar in it.  Overall the pizzas  turned out great and we have just enough left for lunch today!  Gotta love that!! 
Anyways - back to the monthly meal planning.  I have been failing on the going to the store less side of the plan but having the meals already picked out and ingredients in the house has been amazing!!  It is so nice to just look at the calendar and know what we are having for dinner.  We have had a few times where we went out or something came up so I have just skipped a few dinners and moved a few around.  If we dont make if I just highlight it on the calendar to know it is still an option for another night.  Tonight we are having scalloped potatoes and ham.  I already have the ham diced and pulled it from the freezer last night so now I just have to peel and slice potatoes and make the white sauce and throw it all in the crockpot!  With the adjustment of the big boys going back to school and me babysitting Mondays and Tuesdays it is so nice to know what we are having in advance. 

First days of school

Hayden started 2nd grade (YIKES) on Monday and Nile started Kindergarten (double Yikes) Tuesday.  Cant wait for them to get home this afternoon to hear all about it!

Hayden on his first day of 2nd grade

Nile on his first day of Kindergarten, Aubrey, and Hayden ready for day 2!

Meet the teacher 2012-13

Nile

Nile by his cubby in his classroon

Nile by his seat

Hayden

Hayden at his desk in his classroom

State Fair and Journey concert

Jeremy & I waiting for the concert to start!

Loverboy

Pat Benatar

Journey

Last day at the pool

 Hayden and Aubrey going down the family slide - this is progress because for most of the summer she would only go down with mom or dad.

 The kids splashing around in the three fountains.  Aubrey loved playing in these and sitting on them!

 Messy oreo cookie face after enjoying some snacks at the 3 PM pool check.

Apparently it was a little cool in the water today and also sunny when I was trying to take this picture!

Today was the last day we will be going to the pool for this summer.  It is sad because we had a lot of fun there during this hot summer and I got a decent tan!  We typically would walk over to the pool shortly after it opened at lunch and then swim till the 3 PM pool check, have snack, and then walk back home for Aubrey to take a nap.  We had a really nice routine and I am looking forward to doing it again next summer!  We did go in the evening some nights too and Jeremy would come along too.  The boys will be back to school next week and Aubrey and I will be babysitting on Mondays and Tuesdays and I am sure we will find something to fill our time the rest of the week.  I am taking two classes this fall at Iowa.  I already have my books for both and the syllabus for my Parent - Child Relationships class so I have actually started working on the class - I know I'm a glutton for punishment!  My other class is Counseling for Related Professions.  I am looking forward to both these classes and hope I am able to balance my school load with home and family well.  I can hardly believe this will be my 5th semester taking classes at Iowa!  I am really enjoying it though. 

Groupon / Living Social

I have used Groupon and Living Social a little here and there with very good results.  Typically it is for something we would spend money on anyways or something fun we can do for a good price.  We just recently went to the Ramada in DSM with the indoor water park and used a Groupon for our room and breakfast the next morning. 
After talking to a friend last night about a new Groupon that was out I went online this morning to look around.  I ended up getting a $30 certificate for a consignment shop in DSM called Me 'n Mommy To Be.  I also noticed a certificate for $30 for Champps sports bar at Jordan Creek mall.  We have eaten here in the past but it hasn't been for quite a while.  So I thought it would be another good choice to pick that one up also.  Both of these Groupons cost me $15 and they are valued at $30.  Not too shabby!
The I went over to Living Social to see what they had.  I noticed the Disney magazine subscriptions for half price and thought all three kids would love to get some fun mail once every two months.  I grabbed three of these offers and ordered Hayden the Phineas and Ferb magazine, Nile the Cars magazine, and Aubrey the Disney Junior magazine.  She has gotten the Princess one in the past and liked it but she is really into Minne right now so I thought she might like the Disney junior one better. 
Maybe I have too much time on my hands, or maybe I was just in a shopping mood today!  It is too easy to buy them as well.  My account is already linked to my credit card and if I go through shopdiscover.com I get 15% cash back on my Groupons!
Hopefully everyone is happy with my purchases and the kids enjoy their magazines for the next year or so!