**My parents' anniversary was wonderful and non-traditional. Didn't exactly start out planning it that way, but that is how it ended up. Accordingly, I don't even think we spent $100.

My folks took us on a train ride in the mountains. Everyone was tired and exhausted by the end of the day so we just ordered sandwiches in. We treated, but had been expecting to treat for a much more fancy dinner!

They LOVED the video dh made - we all did - a true gift from the heart.

Just another reminder that the good things in life don't cost money.

Everyone is being pretty resistant on the family photo idea. No one wants their picture taken, and "why on earth would you spend money on that?" Meanwhile, we are reminiscing and saying how much we love the one fancy photo we ever had done (30 years ago). So, they are frustrating me! Latest plan is for my dad to take some photos of us tomorrow. Will go to some gardens. My dad can set up the shots (he is an awesome photographer). Dh can push the button. Hopefully we end up with something. This is probably a fair compromise.

-----------------------------------------------------

**I don't think I will be whining about lack of vacation funds this summer (all reserved for Orlando in the fall).

Family Camp is next week (long ago paid for).

Then the kids' birthdays, and school starts back in August anyway.

I promised them time at that play place that I still haven't found time for. We've also been talking about going to the drive-in.

That said, dh and I decided to take the kids to the amusement park where we used to work (& incidentally where we met). Have never taken them and though it's a "vacation budget" kind of thing I just kind of felt like we should just do it while I had some days off, vacation budget or not. We've been talking about it so long, but always have so many other plans. I found tickets for $20/off, so will only cost about $140 for the day. I believe we can make them season passes at no extra cost.

Anyway, I hadn't thought much about it except we spent way less on my parents than we had earmarked. BUT, yesterday I got an e-mail that piano lessons were cancelled the month of July. Wala - $160 saved out of thin air. I actually pondered it briefly and thought, "I don't even know what to do with this money" - mortgage, Florida, donate it to the school (was a front runner for a bit), etc. "Eh, I probably will need it for bills this month." Then I realized that it was practically already spent on our trip to the amusement park. I am excited it works out that way! Might cover tickets and parking - will probably spend a fortune on food.

I am starting to think our summer is very busy and full! {A couple of weeks ago I was grumpy to put our entire vacation budget to ONE trip, in comparison}.

We barely bought any groceries this month, and so I think we can absorb most of the anniversary/sister visiting kind of costs with the grocery budget. Camp is next week and we generally spend $0 on that trip. All food provided, etc.