Welcome to the FINAL WEEK of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Can you believe it?   

Don’t forget to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

As I’m working on this post, my two oldest boys are currently gathering every toy and object in our house that is not nailed down and creating a monster barricade in the corner of the room in an attempt to hold my youngest son captive.

I think it’s time.

Time for us to fondly say good bye to our summer of frugal fun and return to a state of sanity err…I mean normalcy.

I guess the fact that I decided to celebrate our last week of summer by coming down with my first ever case of Strep Throat may have added to the crazy around here.  (Praise God for penicillin!  That stuff works wonders.)

But before we close this chapter and move on to more academic endeavors (school starts Monday!), here are a few final pics of frugal fun my family enjoyed in these last weeks of summer:

We were given tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo, so we decided to use them to celebrate our two oldest birthdays (which are both in August) and invited family to join us.

I just love this picture of my little guy looking at a Red Panda.

Earlier this week (pre-Strep), I printed out this Nature Scavenger Hunt and headed outside with my boys to do some exploring.  Have an extra half hour?  I totally recommend this activity.

Boxes are awesome.

Looking for a few other simple ideas for to end summer well?  I love this list put together by Ann Voskamp.

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

It’s been a blast using my Summer Fun Planner with you all!  This is the last week to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card as part of the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

• Even though summer is over, let’s still be friends!  Subscribe to the site by email or RSS and leave a comment letting me know that you did. If you are already a subscriber, simply let me know in a comment.

Psst: You can also enter the August challenge here if you haven’t yet.

This giveaway ends at on Saturday, August 31st, 2013. I will randomly select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on this site.

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 9 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

Sorry about being a No-Show for Week 8 of our Frugal Fun Challenge.

I have a good excuse, however.  We were busy doing this:

Annual Family Olympics

And this:

Murder Mystery Theater (written by my nephews)

I’ve shared before that my family has an annual vacation that has turned into quite the epic event over the years.  This year we calculated that this was our 13th vacation and we’ve added 9 new family members through the years.

I guess we may not be normal, but we sure do have a whole lot of fun!

This week has been pretty quiet around here.  My oldest was at a full day sports camp all week and the rest of us have been trying to get our after-vacation groove back.

We did have a pretty big day yesterday, however.  We celebrated this kid’s birthday:

He wasn’t excited at all.

I shared on Facebook that I’m going to squeeze him until next year so that he doesn’t get any bigger.

So that’s what we’ve been up to lately.  How about you?

$25 Amazon Gift Card August Giveaway: 

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

I’m holding a giveaway this summer as an added incentive to encourage you to join our Frugal Fun Challenge and use my Summer Fun Planner as a resource

During the months of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• Summer is quickly coming to an end.  What is one activity that you’ve done this summer that you would encourage others to enjoy as well?  Leave a comment on this post sharing about the activity.  (If you reading this in an email, click here to do so.)

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 7 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

I just checked my calendar.

July has suddenly vanished.  How does this happen?  Didn’t summer just begin 2 minutes ago?

Anyway.  How’s it going?  How was your week?

My husband just returned today from being gone all week on a youth missions trip in Washington, D.C.

As a means of survival, we kept ourselves quite busy this week.

We went to a free concert in the Park and barbecued with friends, we had playdates and picnics and enjoyed a spur-of-the-moment dinner out with family.

We also traveled up to NY for a couple of days to see family who is here from Austin (yay!).  It was a great trip other than a screaming one year old all the way home.  (Turns out he’s a fan of the song  “Bye Bye Bye” and calmed down immediately when it came on.  We listened to it on repeat the rest of the way home.  Thanks, N Sync!)

Also – I had a sudden moment of inspiration before leaving.  I’ve been saving up all of my free samples (for what – I wasn’t sure).  Turns out they make great road trip snacks!  Everything in that box was FREE. 🙂

We went with friends to an amazing local park on Thursday.  Some day this one will be old enough to go on the big slides.  I have a feeling he’ll love it.

$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway:

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide.  I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource.   This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews).  And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do.  During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• What’s your best road trip tip?  Leave a comment on this post sharing what helps road trips go smoothly for you – ways to keep the kids occupied, how to save on gas, packing tips, etc.   (Click here if you are reading this in an email.)

Click here to find even more ways to enter to win!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 6 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

How’s everybody doing?

Although I still haven’t crossed off “Take a Nap” from my Summer Fun list, it’s been a good week. 🙂

We had a blast with some friends at a local shopping center with a water play area.  And it was smoking HOT around here this week, so it was a welcome relief from the heat.

We also enjoyed Vacation Bible School at our church this week.  Have you ever taken your kids to VBS?  Our kids loved it.

Speaking of loving places, have I mentioned how much I love the library?  We enjoyed lunch there on Wednesday while listening to stories.  Love. that. place.

A visit to the library last summer

And today we are having a Yard Sale!  Give it up for getting paid to get rid of stuff and cute kids with lemonade stands!

How about you?  How was your week?

 $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway: 

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide.  I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource.   This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews).  And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do.  During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• What is one fun frugal activity that you hope to do before the summer is over?  Leave a comment on this post sharing what it is. (Click here if you need some inspiration.)

Click here to find even more ways to enter to win!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 5 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

I realized this week that I forgot to add something to our Summer Fun To Do List.

• Take a nap.

‘Cuz boy does that sound like FUN right now.

We are almost to the halfway point of summer break (how is that possible?!) and does anyone else feel the need for a nap right now or is it just me?  (Going to add it to the list right now!)

In spite of that, it was a good week.

My oldest son and I ran in our town’s 5K/1K on Wednesday.

It was his first race and he did great.

Running is always better with friends. 

I was able to finish in my goal time and I beat last year’s time by several minutes so it was a good day.

And then, of course, we had Cow Appreciation Day today.  We went with a big group of friends.  It was crazy and chaotic and totally worth it.  (Love me some FREE Chick-fil-A!)

 My little herd of calves

And to top it all off, we are heading to the Red Robin Sneak Peek nearby tonight for a FREE dinner.

Does it get any better than that?!

How is your Summer Fun Challenge going?  Did you go to Cow Appreciation Day?  I’d love to see some pictures on our Facebook wall!

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide.  I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource.   This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews).  And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do.  During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• Leave a comment below sharing at least one frugal fun activity your family took part in this past week.  (Click here if you are reading this is an email.)

Click here to find another way to enter to win this month!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 4 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

This week we went camping.  (Thanks to the fabulous Meg who covered for me while I was gone.!)

There was fishing, rain, boating, swimming, a little more rain, bike riding, and oh…did I mention there was rain?

In spite of the somewhat less than stellar weather, we had a great time.

We also went to the campground’s Bingo night and look who won one of the games?

We returned home yesterday just in time to discover that our Project Summer news story aired.  You can watch the video below or here.  (I kind of think my boys stole the show, what do you think?)

 

It’s time for Month TWO of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge:

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide.  I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource.   This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews).  And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do.  During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• Click here to share the Frugal Fun Guide and giveaway on Facebook.  (Just click ‘Share’ to post it to your wall.)  Then leave a comment at the bottom of this post letting me know that you did!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 3 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

***

We had family visiting this past week, so it was a full week around here.

But we still had time for some exciting adventures.

My 7 year old took part in a Science in the Summer week at our local library. He learned all about genetics and came home with all sorts of DNA-looking activities. Isn’t the library the BEST?!

We also went swimming at a friend’s pool several times, which was great. They have an above ground salt water pool and my son just loves it! It’s amazing. The kids can mess about and splash around freely, unlike any public pool. Eventually, we would also love to have a pool in our backyard but I don’t think this little water baby would ever come out of it. Anyway, that leads to our next exciting development:

Our four year old learned how to swim!

This is the kid that wouldn’t leave the pool stairs last summer. In the winter we signed him up for swimming lessons and it has been a joy to watch him fight his fears and DIVE into swimming (literally – he jumped off the diving board with no fear this week!).

And by the end of the week, those little orange floaties were history.

We also enjoyed an amazing fireworks display at our local park. Honestly, I think it was the best I have ever seen.

I also loved watching my 1 year old’s reaction as he sat on my lap. He was completely mesmerized.

And then he fell asleep. 🙂

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge:

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide. I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource. This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews). And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do. During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter:

Entering to win is easy. At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry. If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card. So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

This giveaway is closed.

• Leave a comment below sharing at least one frugal fun activity your family took part in during the month of June. (Click here if you are reading this is an email.)

Click here to find even more ways to enter to win!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon. The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!

Welcome to Week 2 of our Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge. Be sure to complete today’s easy task at the bottom to enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!  

***

We just finished our first official week off from school.

I have to say that so far, our Frugal Fun Notebooks have been a BIG hit.  Every morning at breakfast we have a morning meeting where the boys pull out their notebooks and one person gets to choose an activity from their Summer Fun To Do list.

(Have I mentioned that I used to be a teacher?  I think I get more excited than the average person about ‘Morning Meetings’.)

Has every day been perfect?  No.  Have there been moments of boredom and sibling ‘tension’?  Yes.

But so far, the flexible schedule that we’ve been working on has been a great fit for us and provided some much needed routine.

Today’s activity was riding bikes down to Cumberland Farms to get FREE Slurpees.

 

Probably could have gotten away with only half a slurpee for my four year old.

One day last week, we visited a new park and made some new friends.

I even get a turn selecting an activity.

(Which could explain why our van is cleaner than it has been in a long time!  When do kids realize that this is not supposed to be ‘fun’?  Wait…I don’t want to know!  Let me enjoy it while it lasts.)

Looking for a frugal fun activity this week?  Consider watching the Supermoon sunset on Saturday night?

The Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge: 

I want YOU to get involved with our Frugal Fun Guide.  I LOVE picturing you using my Summer Fun Planner as a resource.   This is a tool that I hope will help you have a fun and rewarding summer if you have kids (or grandkids or neighbors or nieces and nephews).  And even if you don’t have kids, there’s a little something for everyone!

So here’s what we’re going to do.  During the month of June, July and August, I am going to give away a $25 Amazon gift card to someone who joins the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge.

Here’s how to enter: 

Entering to win is easy.  At the end of each Project Summer post this month (there will be many!), there will be one method of entry.  If you choose to complete that task, you will be entered!

At the end of each month (June, July and August) I’ll randomly select one winner from the comments left on each of the posts to win a $25 Amazon gift card.  So that means the more you get involved with the Project Summer Frugal Fun Challenge, the more chances you will have to win!

Here is today’s task:

• Click here to subscribe to my FREE email newsletter.*   Leave a comment letting me know you did.  (If you already are a subscriber, just let me know in a comment. )

*By doing so, you’ll receive my Summer Fun Planner in your inbox so you can join in the fun!

Click here to find even more ways to enter to win!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Amazon.  The Amazon gift card is from me as a thank you to my readers!