Bargain Shopping Mania

All this for $11.48.



It's a good thing I had some money left in the March grocery budget (although I'm not going to update totals since it is the last day of the month) because Kroger is having a GREAT sale for the next two weeks. I had a few coupons that were expiring today, so I wanted to make sure to use them. I even ordered some more coupons on www.thecouponclippers.com, so that I could go back and do it again. I also went to CVS twice today and did 3 transactions.

Let's start with Kroger -
2 Tombstone frozen pizzas - $1/2 coupon
1 Welch's white grape peach juice - $1/1 coupon
1 bag goldfish crackers
8 pillsbury 5 count cinnamon rolls - $.30/1 coupons
1 Dole 4 pack fruit parfait - $.75/1 coupon
1 Welch's grape jam - $.55/1 coupon
4 Pillsbury 5 count grand biscuits - $.30/2 coupons
6 Pillsbury 4 count crescent rolls - $.25/1 coupons
5 boxes Betty Crocker muffin mix - $.50/1 coupons
2 Hot Pocket calzones - $.50/1 coupons
2 4 roll Cottonelle toilet paper - $.25/1 coupons
1 6 pack Yoplait kids yogurt - free coupon
I also used a $1.50 off a $7 dairy purchase coupon.

My total was $9.46, and my savings was $61.85, which was a savings of 87%.

CVS -

Transaction 1 - $.19 OOP (out of pocket)
3 Clean and Clear face washes
Used $3/$15 Beauty coupon
3 $2/1 Clean and Clear coupons
$6 in ECB (Extra Care Bucks - can be spent like $ at CVS)
$1.10 on gift card
Got back $5 in ECB (not great, but I needed face wash)

Transaction 2 - $1.24 OOP
4 Softsoap Spa Radiance body wash
2 Nivea shave gels
2 Lady Speed Stick deodorants
Used $5/$15 purchase coupon
4 Softsoap coupons (3 $1 and 1 $.75)
2 $1/1 speed stick coupons
2 $2/1 Nivea coupons
Used $15.98 in ECB
Got back $22.96 in ECB

Transaction 3 - $.59 OOP
1 Soft Soap Spa Radiance body wash
2 Nivea lotions
1 Tic Tac Wintergreen (for Caleb)
1 Playskool sample diaper bag (I took out the coupons and will use this for a baby shower gift. It had $6 of Playskool coupons in it.)
Used $5/$15 coupon
Used $3/$15 Beauty purchase coupon
$.50 CVS candy coupon
2 $2/1 Nivea coupons
Used $8 in ECB
Got back $9.99 in ECB.

When all was said and done, I finished the day with all this stuff and about $7 more in ECB than I started with while only spending about $2. CVS is my new favorite store!

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Caleb wearing Mommy's boots.


Alexa along for the ride.

Alexa's Check-up

I took Alexa to the doctor this morning for her nine month check up. She did not cry a bit, not even when they pricked her finger. No shots today. Her hemoglobin level is good (Caleb's was low at nine months, and the doctor recommended iron supplements). She is 17 lbs 12 oz and 27.25 inches long. That puts her in the 50th percentile for height and just below that for weight. For comparison, Caleb was 19 lbs 4 oz and 30 inches at 9 months, so she is a little peanut compared to him. She is healthy and growing well, though, so that's what matters. I also weighed Caleb while I was there, and he weighed just a tad over 32 lbs.

More Caleb Words

Here's some more words that Caleb knows that I thought of last night and this morning.

77. No (How in the world did I forget that one?)
78. Cow
79. Fish
80. Bear
81. Peekaboo
82. Here
83. There i is
84. Bandaid
85. Funny
86. Chicken
87. Apple
88. Stay

Caleb's words

While I do realize that Caleb's vocabulary is way behind the average child his age, he is really starting to talk a lot more lately. Here are the words he knows and says with some regularity (when he wants to).

1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Baby
4. Sister
5. Alexa
6. Brett
7. Grammy
8. Gramps
9. Molly
10. Nick
11. You
12. Cup
13. Teeth
14. Water
15. Milk
16. Juice
17. Snack
18. Bowl
19. Fork
20. Spoon
21. Uh Oh
22. Night, Night
23. Love you
24. Ball
25. Book
26. Various letters of the alphabet
27. Numbers from 1-10
28. A few colors
29. A few shapes
30. Tons of animal noises
31. Dog
32. Cat
33. Monkey
34. Amen
35. Car
36. Truck
37. Choo choo
38. CD
39. Eat
40. Movie
41. Paci
42. Chocolate
43. Candy
44. Dark
45. Hot
46. Chair
47. Hi
48. Hey
49. Bye
50. See you
51. Napkin
52. Cheese
53. Eye
54. Nose
55. Ear
56. Hair
57. Bread
58. Blocks
59. Outside
60. Shoes
61. Socks
62. Ew
63. Poopy
64. Diaper
65. Wet
66. Jacket
67. Hat
68. Work
69. More
70. Egg
71. Cheerios
72. Bath
73. Yumm
74. Pants
75. Shirt
76. Cookie

That's all I can think of right now. I'm sure I'll post tomorrow with all the ones that come to me later, but for now I'm off to bed.

Grocery Budget Check In

I realized when I got home from Kroger Thursday that I forgot to buy bananas. So off to Publix we went last night to get bananas, strawberries, frozen pizza for dinner, free coke, and some ziploc bags. Total was $7.85.


March Grocery Budget
Total spent - $376.20
Total left - $23.80

Still under budget!

Yummo

Caleb's New Playroom

Well, our garage door opener officially needs to be replaced. I had to call my dad to come over tonight (Dave is out of town) because I could not manually close the garage door. In the meantime until we get it fixed, Caleb is enjoying having a place to ride his tricycle.

More Loot - spent $0.44

Walgreens -
Alavert
Excedrin (not pictured. I gave it to Molly)
2 4 packs Scott Extra Soft toilet paper
Nature Made multi vitamins
Pledge Multi Surface wipes
Listerine Mouth wash

My total was $25.40, which I put on a Walgreens gift card. I will get $20.28 back in rebates.

CVS-
3 bottles apple juice (I buy this for the church as well as for us)
Big bag of pretzels
Almonds
Mixed nuts
toothbrush
3 bars soap

Total was $0.44. No extra bucks from any of this stuff, but still a good deal, I think.

Freebies I got in the mail today -
Sample of Tide with Dawn Scrubbers
Free 12 pack of coke from My Coke Rewards

9 months old (3/27/08)

A Caleb Funny

Caleb was helping me work on scrapbooks today. He loves looking at pictures. I was talking to him about the pictures, pointing out people. Here is you with Mommy. There's you with Daddy, etc. He was getting in on it, labeling people and things, too - baby, sissy (Alexa), Mommy, Daddy, Brett, Molly, ball, car. Only problem, every time he pointed to himself, he said, "You." I guess he was repeating me. Then at the dinner table tonight, he went around the table pointing at each person, Brett, Daddy, Mommy, baby, you. He was SO proud of himself.

Menu Plan Friday (a day early)

I normally just come up with something to eat for lunch when it is lunch time each day, but I find myself dreading having to decide. So, I made a lunch menu for this week, too. I also bake a snack for church each week, so I think I'll start including that, too.

Lunches (in no order, will pick each day)
-chicken nuggets
- PB and J sandwiches
-grilled cheese sandwiches
-pizza
-mac and cheese

Lunches are served with fruit, yogurt, string cheese, carrots and dip, etc.

Snack for church : cinnamon rolls

Dinners
Friday - leftovers (Dave and Brett gone on Rangers trip)
Saturday - pork tenderloin, wild rice, rolls, veggies, ice cream (my parents are coming over)
Sunday - hot dogs, coleslaw, fries
Monday - Chicken parisienne, noodles, carrots
Tuesday - Pork chops, corn, salad, rolls
Wednesday - Bacon wrapped chicken, noodles, salad
Thursday - Beef and Broccoli, fried rice
Friday - $5 pizza from Little Caesars

CVS and Kroger deals

Like I mentioned earlier, I ran my errands once I put the kids in bed tonight. No pictures, but here are the details.

CVS - $0
2 240 packs of baby wipes (We actually use cloth wipes along with our cloth diapers at home, but I keep these in the diaper bag. This amount will last us a LONG time. I'm guessing 7-8 months.)
Colgate toothpaste (time to find somewhere to donate toothpaste!)
Cashews
Travel size Pantene conditioner

Kroger - $42.22
3 loaves of bread
12 pack rolls
Donuts (Oops! I'm eating some right now)
Mayfield Moose Tracks ice cream ($0.99 with sale and coupon)
Pepperoni pizza
2 pork tenderloins
1 pack Perdue chicken breasts
2 bottles apple juice
Gallon of OJ
2 dozen eggs
Coleslaw (free)
Red grapes
1 pear
2 apples
1 mango
Baby carrots
Bacon
Canned peaches
Croutons
3 boxes mac and cheese
2 boxes lean pockets
Cat treats (free, will give away to someone)
Cat food (free, also to give away)
2L Big Red soda (free, will take to church lunch)
Almond accents for salad (free)
1 head Romaine lettuce

If you notice a lack of vegetables, we have TONS in the freezer, so we'll be eating those this week.

March Grocery Budget
Total spent - $368.35
Total left - $31.65

We shouldn't need anything else before we leave, so I am under budget for the month!

Stay at Home Day

Caleb has like his thousandth cold this winter (well, I guess it is spring now), so we stayed home today rather than sharing germs with anyone. In addition to the normal laundry, dishes, diapers, feeding routines, I also worked on some scrapbooks, cleaned off the computer desk, clipped coupons and made a grocery list and organized my night stand. I'm going to run some errands tonight after the kids are in bed. Besides the potatoes and salad we are having for dinner tonight, we have no fresh fruit or veggies in the house. That is actually a good thing because it means we actually ate all the produce I bought instead of letting it rot and go to waste like sometimes happens. Caleb loves canned peaches and pears, but we are completely out of those, too. So I'm going to run to CVS for a few more free things and then to Kroger for produce and a few other things. I don't want to get too much since we are leaving for Canada on the 5th.

Quick CVS trip

There weren't many great sales at CVS this week, but I couldn't pass up the deal on contact solution. It was $7.99, I got back $3 in ECB, and I get to send in for a $7.99 rebate. So, I made $3 by purchasing contact solution that I need and will use. I also grabbed some banana puffs for Alexa because I realized I didn't have any snacks for her in the diaper bag. I also got pads, toothpaste, and more razors. Total was $0. I got back $11 total in ECB, and I will get the rebate I mentioned, too. Not bad for a week with no good sales, I guess. :)

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Alexa in her adorable hat.


Whenever Brett works on his homework on the laptop, Caleb wants to "work" on his laptop, too.


Sitting on Mommy's lap watching a book from the library.


My new toy - a double jogging stroller that I bought at a consignment sale. The kids like riding in it, and a I walk/jog 3-4 times a week.


Caleb playing playdough with Daddy.

Grocery Budget Check In

The kids and I ran to Kroger today to get 3 gallons of milk. I just bought 3 gallons on Wednesday, I think, but we sure go through it fast. Total was $10.21.

Total spent in March - $326.13.
Total left in March - $73.87.

I think I am going to set my grocery/household budget goal for April at $350. We have a ton of food in the freezer, and we will be gone for 6 days for spring break, so I think it should be doable. I am also going to make it a grocery/household budget, so I will include money spent at CVS or Walgreens. Since I barely spend any money at CVS with coupons and ECBs, this should work.

Easter Pictures - The Outtakes

Unfortunately, they were all outtakes. And we forgot to take a family picture before we got the kids changed for naps. Oh well.

A Visit from Uncle Phillip

First Easter Egg Hunt

Since CVS had free Easter eggs this week, and I had already gotten free stickers and cheap candy, I decided to have an Easter egg hunt for Caleb this morning. He had lots of fun and kept saying, "More egg."

I Love CVS

I went to CVS this morning and spent $0.66 on everything in the picture. I could have used my CVS gift card and not spent any money, but I needed to use cash to break my $20. But, I get to send in for a $2.99 rebate for the mouthwash. And of course I got more extra bucks to use next time. And the best part of the whole trip was that I left both kids home with Daddy!

Menu Plan Friday and Grocery Budget Check In

Here's what is on the menu this week.

Tomorrow - out to eat with my family for Dave's birthday
Sunday - Ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans, deviled eggs, jello salad, pumpkin rolls, eclair cake
Monday - Orange Teriyaki Chicken, brown rice, mixed veggies
Tuesday - Leftover ham, mac and cheese, broccoli,
Wednesday - Chicken chimichangas, corn, spanish rice
Thursday - Bacon cheeseburger roll up, fries, applesauce
Friday - Breakfast

My total today at Kroger was $61.50.
Total spent in March - $315.92.
Total left in March - $84.08.

I think I may actually come in under budget!

Alexa's Easter pictures

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Here is Alexa on my back in the Mei Tai carrier that my mom made me. She rode there happily yesterday while I swept and mopped and today while I vacuumed, and it sure beats having her underfoot. Excuse the lovely hair and lack of make up. I usually look a little better than that.




I heard Alexa laughing hysterically in the playroom, so I peeked my head in to find Caleb laying on her. Apparently she didn't get the message that she should scream not laugh when he does that.

"Robbing" CVS

I so felt like a criminal today when I walked out of CVS for the 2nd time in a week with 2 bags full of free stuff. Don't worry, though. I did not actually rob the store. I just used CVS coupons, manufacturers coupons, CVS extra bucks, and a CVS gift card to get everything in the picture above without spending any money. Thanks CVS!

Random Factoids

1) Alexa put herself to sleep for both naps today. Hallelujah!

2) Caleb and I did some baking this afternoon while Alexa was asleep since he did not nap. He LOVES to bake. We made pumpkin rolls and chocolate chip banana muffins. (Thanks to Dave for teaching me how to do the cool links.)

3) We have decided to give up on feeding Alexa baby food. She has not liked anything we tried, which made me realize that she just does not like having a spoonful of mushy food shoved in her face. I think it is a texture issue, not a taste issue. So, I just give her whatever we are having within reason. Last night for dinner, she had homemade mac and cheese and green beans. Breakfast was cheerios and bananas. Dinner tonight was bites of a pumpkin roll, pasta, carrots, and broccoli. She is still not eating a whole lot, but she does get some in (as evidenced by her diapers) and meal times are a lot more peaceful.

4) Caleb is talking a lot more these days. Some new words lately are napkin, blanket, fork, bread, and cookie. He still resists being asked to repeat a word after you. It has to be his own idea to say something. He was the same way with walking. He absolutely refused to walk while holding on to your fingers. He would buckle his knees and fall to the floor. He is an independent little guy.

Grocery Budget Check In

The kids and I stayed home all day yesterday because I was sick, and we stayed home again today because it was pouring. It is no fun taking both kids out by myself in the rain. Anyway, we were completely out of milk, and I had some library books that were due yesterday. So I took Caleb with me and ran out to the library, Aldi, and Publix. Aldi has milk this week for $2.69, which is why we made a special trip there. I spent $9.96 at Aldi and $8.38 at Publix.

Total spent for March - $254.42
Total left for March - $145.58

It's going to be close to keep the budget under $400 this month since I am hosting Easter at my house on Sunday, but I am determined to do it. And, I plan to lower the budget to $375 or maybe even $350 for next month. Wish me luck.

Sugar High

So, in the 5 minutes that it took me to get Alexa down for nap this morning, Caleb climbed up on the computer desk and ate some jelly beans. I came downstairs when I heard the candy dish clinking to find him saying, "Yummmm." I put them away, went back upstairs, got Alexa to sleep, and came back downstairs to find him eating peppermints out of my purse (now I remember why I usually keep it in the van in the garage) and saying, "Yummmm," again. Just what I needed while I am sick (Dave actually just got home to help me), a 2 year old on a sugar high.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

CVS deals

The kids and I stopped by a new CVS today after we took Dave lunch for his birthday. The total for everything above was $44.45. After CVS coupons, manufacturers coupons, extra bucks from my last trip, and my CVS gift card, my total was $0. The cashiers were amazed and asked me how I did it. I also got back $33.94 in extra bucks to spend next time. Fun, fun.

Happy Birthday, My Love

Today is Dave's 29th birthday. I just finished making his annual pistachio pie. How convenient that his birthday is on St. Patrick's Day and his favorite dessert is green. How convenient for him that he is the only one who likes pistachio pie and therefore gets to eat the whole thing. Anyway, happy birthday, Dear (if you actually read this).

I love you

Caleb said, "I love you," for the first time today. TO DAVE! When I was in the other room! Uh yeah, who birthed all 9lbs 9oz of you and nursed you day and night for 15 months? Mommy, not Daddy. But, he did say it to me before bed. So sweet.

In other Caleb news, he has learned to say, "CD," over and over and over again in the van until you put in one of his annoying, I mean wonderful, kids CDs. I think I have officially lost control of the radio now for who knows how long. It is cute, though, when a song with hand motions comes on, and he sits in his car seat clapping and tapping away.

Publix deals and grocery budget

Alexa and I ran to the bank and Publix this morning. I had the sweetest cashier, a teenage girl, who was so excited about my savings. And some people I knew were in line behind me and were very patient with all my coupons. No picture, although Caleb helped unload the groceries and tried to put them on top of the freezer for a picture. It's pretty sad that my 2 year old thinks we need to take a picture of our groceries before we put them away.

We got:
6 bags of Chex Mix (Caleb's favorite snack)
2 bags frozen corn
3 boxes wild rice
Sunday paper (more coupons!)
Crystal Light Raspberry lemonade
Gogurt yogurt
12 pack of Sprite
12 pack Coke
Pillsbury pizza crust

Total - $8.32
Savings $38.48 (82 %)

March Grocery Budget
Total spent - $236.08
Total left - $163.92

For Your Viewing Pleasure

I thought I'd post a video this time for your viewing pleasure since I haven't taken many pictures lately. I meant to take my camera to the park yesterday, but I forgot. Anyway, the video is of Caleb playing an ABC game on the computer. If you listen carefully, you can hear him repeating letters and animal sounds. You can also hear Alexa in the background.

Grocery Budget

I went to Kroger today for a regular big grocery shopping trip. I did use a few coupons, but not too many. My best deal was a 8.5 lb ham for Easter for $9. I spent $87.63.

Total spent in March - $227.76
Total left in March - $172.24

Menu Plan Friday

I so did not follow my menu plan last week. I think we ate 3 of the meals on there. I already had the ingredients for everything, though, so when we don't eat a planned meal it just gets bumped down to reappear again later. So you may see some repeats on my menu plan, which usually means we never ate it in the first place not that we are eating the exact same thing again.

Anyway, here's this week -

Tonight - Pizza, salad, popcorn, and a movie for Family Movie Night
Tomorrow - Out to eat for Dave's birthday while my parents keep the kids
Sunday - FFY
Monday - Monterey chicken (Dave's request for his birthday), potatoes, salad, pistachio pie (Dave's request again)
Tuesday - BBQ sandwiches, mac and cheese, carrots and dip
Wednesday - Cheesy Chicken bundles, veggies of some sort, rolls
Thursday - Parmesan crusted cube steak (trying a new recipe), potatoes, green beans
Friday - Bison burgers, hotdogs, mac and cheese, applesauce

Random Factoids

1) Alexa is running a low fever. I think/hope she is just teething.

2) This is the 3rd week in a row that it has been raining on grocery shopping day. Shopping with 2 kids in the rain is not fun.

3) Russell Stover chocolates apparently contain just as much caffeine as Harry and David chocolates and do just as good of a job at keeping a certain baby girl up half the night.

4) I took a shower all by myself this morning. No little boy stripped and climbed in with me.

5) Today is Pi Day (pi is 3.14 and today is 3/14 for all you mathematically challenged people out there). I baked a pie in Dave's pi plate (my mom bought him a pie plate that has the pi symbol in the middle and the numbers running around the rim) last night for him to take to school today.

My afternoon project

The microwave cart in our kitchen that was a hand me down from my parents finally died its final death last week, so we ordered a new shelf from Walmart. I put it together during naptime this afternoon and got everything organized and put away.

CVS and Kroger deals

Yes, I know I wasn't planning to go to the grocery store until Friday, but the kids and I stayed home all day, so Alexa and I went to run some errands tonight after dinner to get out of the house.

Here's a picture of what we got. You can try to guess the total before you scroll down and then post in the comments about how close you were.



At CVS we got:
1 Venus Embrace Razor
2 Oral B cross action toothbrushes
2 bags of Russell Stover chocolates (If you guess the right amount within $0.50, I might share. No fair cheating and looking, though)

At Kroger we got:
2 boxes of Curves granola bars
2 Johnsons Buddy soaps
2 boxes of Cheerios (Alexa's favorite food)
1 package tortillas
1 Colgate toothbrush
1 bag shredded cheese
baby carrots
blackberries
2 apples

At CVS, I paid in extra care bucks and a gift card (that I got when my ECB didn't print), so my total there was $0. According to my receipt, I saved $27.27, for a savings (obviously) of 100%. I also got back $18.98 in ECB to spend next time I go to CVS, and I have $3.49 in ECB still from before, and $5.41 on my gift cards still.

And at Kroger my total was $3.10. How close were you? According to my receipt, I saved $26.18 for a savings of 90%. Not bad, huh?

So here are my updated March grocery budget totals.
Total spent - $ 140.13
Total left - $ 259.87

Uh Oh

If you are a mom, I'm sure you know that hearing Uh Oh from the next room is never good. And if you are not a mom, I'm sure you can guess. Anyway, last night, Dave was gone to a meeting at school, I was answering e-mail, and the kids were playing in the sunroom. And guess what I heard? Caleb repeatedly saying Uh Oh in a concerned enough voice that I decided I better get up and see what was going on. I should have taken my camera with me because I found Alexa sitting in the floor with Caleb's upturned bowl of dry Rice Chex all around her, happily munching away. She had apparently pulled it off of his table when he wasn't guarding it. I thought I got it all cleaned up; I even pulled out the dust buster. Well, first thing this morning, I go to change Alexia's nasty horrible poopy diaper, and guess what falls out from her shirt all over the changing table. Yep, little bits of Rice Chex everywhere. I guess I should have run the dust buster up and down her, too.

Fun Day at Walgreens

I had quite a day at Walgreens today. I got everything in the picture below for -$13.55. Yes, you saw that negative sign correctly. Walgreens paid me (or will pay me) $13.55 to take all this home. Keep reading to find out how.

1) Gilette Venus Embrace Razor - Rang up for $12.49, but the cashier gave me the February price of $9.99. I got $5 back to spend on my next purchase, used a $4 coupon, and can also send it in for a rebate for $9.99. (Many stores were out in February when this razor was supposed to be free after rebate, so you can get the February deal this month combined with the March deal of $5 in register rewards). So, they paid me $9 to take this home.
2) Jane lip gloss and blush - On clearance, buy one get one free so cost $2.59 total for both. I used 2 $2 coupons, so they paid me to take this home. I might have to go back later this week for more.
3) 2 Sunsilk Mousse - 2 for $4.29, used 2 $2 coupons, so $0.29 total for both.
4) Garnier face moisturizer - Cost $12.99, used a $1 coupon, get $12.99 back in rebate, so I made $1.
5) Honey Nut Cheerios, on sale for $1.99, used $1 coupon
6) Walgreens Chapstick - $0.99 I had to throw this in because I had more coupons than items, and the cash register was beeping. The cashier was going to call a manager to void my whole purchase and ring it another way to make it work (She thought that she had to ring the Walgreens coupons first; I knew it was beeping because I had more coupons than items). We waited and waited. Finally, I asked her to ring the chapstick (the cheapest thing I could find within easy reach), and then try my coupon and it worked. The manager finally arrived as she was handing me my receipt.

Anyway, my total was $16.73. I got back $5 in Register Rewards to spend on my next purchase. I get back $22.98 in rebates, and I get back an extra 10%, $2.30, for putting my rebate on a Walgreens gift card instead of getting a check.

Sleep Success

With both children, we have tried to teach them to go to sleep alone in their own beds, but we have chosen to do this without leaving them to cry. With Caleb, it did not take very long (3 months maybe, I can't remember) before we could give him his paci, turn on his mobile, leave, and he'd go to sleep. Occasionally, he'd require a visit from us to turn his mobile back on, but not too often. So, we tried the same thing with Alexa. And it worked for a bit until she learned to crawl, sit up, stand up, etc. Now, when I put her in her crib, she she sits up, crawls to the side, stands up, and screams like her heart is breaking. I have continued in my attempts to get her to put herself to sleep by using the mobile, music, white noise, patting her until she was drowsy and then leaving, but to no avail. I have had to stay in the room until she was completely asleep because as soon as she heard the squeaking floorboards as I walked out of the room, she jumped to her feet and began to scream again. But, today, she finally went to sleep without me!!!!!!!!!!! I put her to bed, turned on her mobile and left. About 5 minutes later she began screaming, so I went in, patted her for a bit, and left. She screamed for like 5 seconds when I left, and I haven't heard from her since. I peeked in, and she is sleeping with her feet where her head should go and no blanket on. But at least she is asleep! Now if only she would start sleeping through the night, but that is a post for another day.

Big B Little B, What Begins with B?

Little did I know when I checked out a copy of Dr. Seuss's ABC from the library (see previous post about this) that Caleb would insist on reading both copies before pretty much every nap and bed time. I'm not exactly sure why he needs to read both copies. Maybe he needs to make sure that the book hasn't changed in the few hours since he last read it. Or that both copies are actually the same book. Whatever the reason, I'm sure he will not be happy when we have to return one to the library in 2.5 weeks. And the answer to the question, just in case you were wondering, is barber, baby, bubbles, and a bumblebee.

Happy Sunday

We had some good friends over for lunch today (even though we already spent the last two Sunday afternoons with them). We had Chicken Diablo, whole wheat pasta, asparagus, corn, and carrot medley, Caesar salad, and rolls. For dessert, we had brownies a la mode. Caleb did not nap this afternoon (he has been skipping his nap 3-4 afternoons a week; I am SO not ready for him to give up naps), so Dave stayed home with him tonight while Alexa and I went to church. I stayed in the nursery during the sermon with 4 babies. Our church had quite the baby boom last year, and it is fun to see them interact with each other.

Reason #987 to Stockpile

As if I needed another reason/excuse for stocking my pantry and freezer with great deals, I found another one today when we had unexpected guests.

This morning for breakfast I made bacon (stocked up 2 weeks ago when it was 99 cents), pancakes (bought with a great coupon that Publix had back in November I think), fruit salad, milk (got for free at Walgreens earlier this week), and OJ (no worries if we run out, I have some in the freezer from Target last week).

Then, when our guests were still around at lunch time, out come the hamburgers (from the 5 lbs for $2 ground beef that I got), hotdogs (Buy one get one free), buns (manager's special at Kroger for $0.59), carrots ($1 in Kroger's 10 for $10 sale), ranch dip (made with $0.35 sour cream from Publix last week), mac and cheese (stocked up at $0.29 per box), and condiments (all $0.50 or less with coupons).

We didn't run out of anything despite feeding 2 extra people for breakfast and 3 extra people for lunch. And little did they know how cheaply I purchased all the food that I fed them with.

Super Savings Saturday and Grocery Budget Check-in

Crystal at www.moneysavingmom.com hosts Super Savings Saturday each week.

Here are my Publix deals from last night. My total was $20.16, and my savings were $39.36 for a savings of 66%. And the best part was that I left both kids at home!

Here's what I got -
1 lemon
2 apples
Breyers Fat Free Cappuccino chip ice cream (Buy one get one free and had a coupon)
4 jars Ragu pasta sauce (Buy one get one free and had a coupon)
4 Lipton side dishes, 2 rice and 2 pasta (Buy one get one free and had a coupon)
2 Old El Paso soft taco dinner kits (Buy one get one free and had a coupon)
2 4 packs Dannon yogurt (On sale and had a coupon)
2 Cover girl mascaras (free)
1 Old El Paso Taco seasoning (free)
6 chicken breasts ($1.99/lb)

Total spending for March $137.03
Total left in March $262.97

I plan to NOT go to the grocery store this week until Friday or Saturday if at all possible (like we don't run out of anything.)

Overnight Guests

If you read my blog with any regularity, you'll notice that I often post at naptime and never post later than midnight (or 10:00 p.m. really). Two children who don't appreciate the value of sleeping through the night usually send me to bed fairly early since I like my sleep. However I am awake tonight quickly prepping the house for guests (a friend from college and his friend) who called earlier this evening because they were going to be stranded at the Atlanta airport due to flight cancellations because of the weather. Fortunately, I cleaned house today, but I thought that the least I could offer was a pillow and blanket for sleeping on our old lumpy sofa and futon. Oh and my cute little basket of travel size toiletries in case they don't have their luggage. Only problem is now I'm wide awake and have little hope of getting back to sleep before the garage door, which incidentally is right under our bedroom, opens again.

Stockpile: Part II

And here are pictures of the bathroom cabinet.

Stockpile

I have accumulated quite a lot of "stuff" for free or nearly free with my coupons lately. So much stuff that my one shelf in the garage was not enough to store everything on anymore. Just this week, I have added free shampoo, conditioner, mousse, hairspray, razors, toothpaste, soap, and bodywash to my piles of stuff. So anyway, I got everything cleaned up and organized today. Hopefully this will help me be aware of what we have way too much of and what we are running low on. For instance, I have over a years worth of body wash and soap, but only 3 deodorants left. I guess I need to find a store to give me some free deodorant soon. Here are some pictures of the garage.