People are talking. Our friends are wondering how we can have so much fun together and where do we find the time or come up with the money. We both work (although Nicole is off for the summer), Terri is married (Nicole is single) and we have 5 kids at home ranging from 4-19. Neither of us have much money after taking care of our bills, kids and those frequent unexpected occurrences.
For those of you who may not know it, we live in the same house. Terri and her family live upstairs and Nicole and her family live in an apartment downstairs (Yep, Nicole has her own kitchen, bath, living rooms, bedrooms, etc…it’s a real apartment).
So HOW do we do it?
We decided to add up everything we’ve done this summer and it is a lot!
Nicole: “I think it’s all about taking what you have, even if it isn’t a lot, thinking outside the box and making memories. Terri moved a couch into the kitchen (because that’s where everyone usually hangs out), then, not long after, we grabbed a wooden spoon and my laptop (for music) and turned the kitchen into a karaoke night!
Another time, Sarra had just gotten her driving permit and was practicing driving. Even though our parents were over for dinner, six of us piled in the van and drove around the country roads laughing and talking. That was fun. We're not always hanging out, we have our own lives, routines and careers, but when we do, it's great.”
Terri: "We're lucky because we really enjoy hanging out together. We have similar ways of thinking, are random and both LOVE to laugh. We make anything fun. But you don't have to have a fun sibling - you just have to have the right attitude. Life hasn't always been easy for either of us but we try to see the positive in all that happens. "It is what it is" but just try and find the good or lighter side from all experiences."
Nicole: “Just this morning, before we had even decided to compile a list, Terri found an article and emailed it to me. Below is an excerpt that reflects this blog perfectly:
"An analysis shows that the top five life lessons shared by people ages 65 to 104 are:
The simple things matter most.
Humor and time cure most pains.
There's more satisfaction in giving than getting. Service to others is the most satisfying activity.
Choose your spouse carefully. It will be your most important decision.
Work hard and in a field or role that you enjoy."
Want to know what we’ve done lately? Here’s the list
1. Visit the Artesian Well located west of Alexandria at the corner of 900 and 400. Brian found this years ago and has taken his kids there. Bring a book or a picnic, it’s a beautiful spot. (FREE)
2. Lay out on the patio/deck with a CD of beach sounds, baby pool and drinks with umbrellas in them. Don’t have a CD with beach sounds, let us know, we’ll copy ours for you. We also have Jimmy Buffet and The Beach boys (FREE).3. Red box movies-they are $1, including new releases! Rent them from one location and drop them off at another! Reserve a movie online and it’ll be waiting for you!
4. Need to take the family out for a fun adventure? Forget Kings Island, Kentucky Kingdom - $26.99 for 5 visits
5. Weekend of sangrias. Yes, that is exactly what it sounds like. I think we made these the weekend we were out on the patio with our beach sounds…awesome!
6. Take advantage of sunny days and go to your local pool. Can’t afford it, buy a baby pool at the Dollar Store. We have two and use them at home!
7. Check out the 4-H fair and watch the talent show (not great entertainment, but cheap!!) My girls LOVED the animals and that was FREE. (Below is Sarra with her trophy she won at the 4-H Fair Talent night)
8. Grill out a lot, nothing says summer like meat (and veggies) on the grill.
9. Attend the International Cultural Festival in Anderson. It’s held every June and you can find an array of foods and talent.10. Take the blow up mattress out to sleep outside under the stars. This is one of Sarra and Terri’s favorite thing to do (FREE).
11. Look online for FREE concerts. Terri & Brian saw Huey Lewis concert in Mason for FREE. Nicole and her friend, Kelly, attended the Kentucky Symphony and Over the Rhine in concert for FREE this summer (Check out, Over the Rhine http://www.overtherhine.com/)
12. Falls Park in Pendleton- 3 moms, 1 teen and 7 kids packed a lunch, played and fed the ducks http://www.town.pendleton.in.us/parkset.htmeton.in.us/parkset.htm (FREE)
13. Visit, http://visitindy.com/%20packages to purchase an Indy fun package. For sp
ring break Nicole paid $159 for the following: a hotel, free large pizza, 4 passes to the Indy Zoo and 4 passes to the children’s museum (I actually turned it into 3 mini trips! Hotel was over spring break, used the Zoo passes for Mother’s Day and the Museum passes for Fathers Day).
ring break Nicole paid $159 for the following: a hotel, free large pizza, 4 passes to the Indy Zoo and 4 passes to the children’s museum (I actually turned it into 3 mini trips! Hotel was over spring break, used the Zoo passes for Mother’s Day and the Museum passes for Fathers Day).14. Indianapolis Museum of Art (FREE) www.imamuseum.org
15. Design your own T-shirt at Zazzle.com!
17. Our personal favorite! Pack up the kids or grab a few girlfriends and drive up north to the beach at New Buffalo, Michigan. It’s just 3 hours north and the most you’ll spend is on gas (bring a friend and split it). We packed sandwiches for lunch and drove thru McDonald’s on the way home. The beach is white and sandy and the waves are great! If you want to splurge, end your day at Oinks for ice cream! http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/3460/oinksinks
(Stay tuned for our next post, our kids do fun and inexpensive things too.)
