Life here has taken on that busy, chaotic, frenzied flurry of activities. Not only is the school year winding down, but planning for VBS has started up and I'm the co-ordinator and in charge of registration. I made some small changes from last year's protocol, and things are running with greater ease than last year.

We've had the Spring Concert for my 4th grade trumpet players, which was very fun to see how much progress he's made. He's the youngest in the grade and on the small side and has opted not to play football next year which is a big thing for the new 5th graders. I am glad that he has enough insight not to do something he doesn't want to. He did ask about a summer camp for band which will be a "yes" since I don't need to pay $125 for him to play football.

We have two field trips for the boys, my oldest daughter in 8th grade has an outing to a White Sox Game and the trip to Great America. She's successfully transfered from glasses to contacts and is looking like such a mature young lady, rather than a gawky adolescent. We found out that the second scholarship were waiting on daughter was #28 out of 170, and the $5K scholarships annually went to the 1-27. A bit disappointing, but she received an additional $1K grant from our Diocese and the school hasn't put together their financial aid offer which should be substantial based on how close she was to being a scholarship recipient (they use the same criteria for determining both: academic success and financial need). We should be fine after all. I've decided to postpone the prepaid college tuition payments (taking about a $180 late fee if it takes me the longest amount of time projected to pay), and I'll use those funds to pay her tuition bill all at once.

Daughter went to State for the Science Fair this past Friday-Saturday. She and her best friend/partner got a Gold (meaning their paper and presentation earned them somewhere between 95-115). We were incredibly proud of them. I was fortunate enough to be a judge and my partner was best friend's father and it was a lot of fun. Interesting to see the caliber of talent out there. There were 1100 exhibits from junior and senior high school students in the state. Cost: $196 for room and $75 dinner out at Chili's. I used the debit card. No more credit card usage even in the name of rewards.

Our credit card debt stands at $6,500. The only way it will go away is by not adding to it, thus the old card in either of our wallets is the American Express which if we needed to use, we'd still have to pay off in the same month. I'm able to make a payment and a half on my dental bill ($300 rather than $200), and I'll be able to pay our present tuition bill by 5/25 (earlier than anticipate). I've given up couponing for a short time, opting for Walmart and Aldi's. Definitely saves time and money overall.

I have had to spend some money lately. Oldest daughter needed a dress for May crowning and 8th Grade Dinner Dance with parents. She's a size 1 and it is difficult to find things for her to wear. I hit the jackpot and found a size 1 at Kohl's - a cute sun dress with floral print that she liked, and the sweater/shrugs were on sale. I had a 20% off coupon and a $20 gift card so my OOP was $19. Youngest son needs a new pair of jeans (he is a 7 Slim) and I have $10 Kohl's cash and also 20% off, so that should be an affordable expenditure too.

My grandmother is coming from CA on the 18th. I have to plan daughter's menu for her graduation party and get the invitations sent. So life continues be good, but busy.

Hope all is well with everyone!