JULY 4th
We managed to stretch $37 over seven hours at an Independence Day carnival. That includes parking, admittance, rides, games, food, etc.
Activities: playground, exhibits, vendor booths (window shopping), sack race (both kids got a prize - Puck won the race and got two prizes), concerts, carnival rides, carnival game, fireworks
How did we stretch it? Mostly by packing a large picnic that would last us 7 hours so we could avoid the outrageously priced carnival food. We packed:
*sandwiches
*peanuts
*raisins
*apricots
*graham crackers
*grapes
*cucumber slices
*water
*juice boxes
*vitamin water
We also allowed the boys to buy something from the vendor booths with their own pocket money (Puck had a dollar in coins, Pip had a dollar bill) so they had to take some time to consider their purchases carefully, which I think was a good lesson. Pip bought a wand and turned everyone and everything into rabbits. Puck bought a finger flashlight.
Lastly, when we were in the carnival, we explained to the boys how much we were willing to spend and let them choose how they'd like to allocate the money (prompted with a suggestion) and they agreed to pick 3 rides and one game. It took some time walking and browsing the rides (the browsing in and of itself is free fun) and they were careful to pick only their absolute favorites, which I think was another good lesson and they also savored each one more, I think. The game they played had a guaranteed prize every time (giant inflatable Spiderman mallets.) That worked out well because then they spent time chasing each other and whacking each other (they're still whacking each other and other imaginary things throughout the house, a full day later.)
I did have to purchase a day pack and some ponchos (because the weather report said rain) but I only spent $19.00 on all of that and those are things we can use again and again.
JULY 5th
I played with the boys in the yard while Pete did yard work. The weather was overcast and perfect for our much neglected yard. The boys and I made a SUPER YUMMY dessert and Pete and the boys played video games.
Dinner: Goulash
Mix together cooked elbow macaroni, browned ground hamburger, diced tomatoes, and any kind of cheese (cubed mozzarella works well) and corn. Amount of each ingredient depends on your own preferences. Serve warm or cold.
Dessert: Chocolate Cake with Fudge Sauce
1 package (3.4 ounces) chocolate pudding/pie filling mix
2 cups milk
1 pakcage (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
SAUCE:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
2 cups confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fresh mint, optional
*In a heavy saucepan or microwave, prepare pudding with milk according to package directions for pudding. Pour into mixing bowl; add dry cake mix and beat until well blended.
*Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched and edges pull away from sides of pan. Cool on a wire rack.
* For sauce, in a heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir in evaporated milk and sugar until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 8 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce over cake. Serve with mint if desired. (We served it with ice cream, of course!)
Holy cow, that is a good dessert. The sauce is amazing and the texture of the cake is sinful.
Total spent on groceries these last couple days was $40.52. Total spent overall is: $413.26. Crap. Time for a new game plan on the groceries. We've been making pretty cheap meals, but we're going to have to find a way to bring the grocery budget down even more. There's a WinCo on Pete's way home from work, so I'm going to brainstorm the meals and relay the grocery list to him, and he'll pick up cheaper stuff on the way home.
Definately no more movies (unless maybe we go to the drive-in). Wall-e was a great movie that the whole family enjoyed, but at $28 for a matinée, vs $37 for nearly a whole day of entertainment on the Fourth of July, I just don't think going out to the movies is a good value. I feel like I was taken to the cleaners. Next time we'll wait for it to come out on video and enjoy it at home. Heck, for $28 we could have bought the movie (and then some) and the boys could watch it over, and over, and over again. Oh well.
Posts
