I Shouldn't Have Told Him

We are planning a trip to visit Phillip in Tampa once Dave gets out of school for the summer. Since Caleb is one of Uncle Phillip's biggest fans, I told him about the trip. Bad idea! He got up yesterday morning and told me that he was ready to go to Uncle Phillip's house now (despite the fact he was not dressed and had not had breakfast). Today he has asked me twice if it is time to go to Uncle Phillip's house yet. It is going to be a long month until our trip!

$.27 at CVS

After a disappointing trip to CVS on Monday, the kids and I headed back again today to pick up a deal on kids' toothbrushes. Adult toothbrushes are free regularly, but deals on kids' toothbrushes are a bit harder to come by. I also wanted to grab a pack of wipes as we are running low. I picked up the Pampers wipes because they were marked 50% off, but they actually rang up 75% off, so I ran back to get the last package. After using a coupon on the toothbrushes and paying with ECB, I paid $.27 for my purchases!

Fun at the Park

I took the kids to the park this morning. Taking them to the park by myself (not meeting anyone there) is really not my idea of fun. But at least it tires them out. Caleb is even napping today, which is a very rare occasion. So, to amuse myself I decided to take some pictures. And then they both proceeded to go down the exact same slide three thousand times along with the two other little girls who were there. So, these are the only pictures I got.

Growing, Growing, Growing

This is Alexa arriving home from the hospital the day after she was born. This outfit was the only newborn one that we received as a gift (from someone who did not know that I birth ginormous children), so I decided to stuff her in it to come home from the hospital. She only wore it once.

And here she is today in the same outfit (in a bigger size, obviously). So big and so cute!

Menu Plan Monday

Tonight - Chicken Marsala, angel hair pasta, salad, garlic bread

Tuesday - Parmesan pork tenderloin, corn, rolls

Wednesday - Leftovers (Dave gone)

Thursday - Eggs, bacon, biscuits, fruit

Friday - Hamburgers, hotdogs, macaroni and cheese, apple sauce

Saturday - $5 pizza

Sunday - Lunch at church

85% Savings at Publix

I haven't been to Publix in about 2 weeks, so I had fun getting back into the swing of things today. I used a $5/$30 Publix coupon that I got in the mail last week, and I spent $14.34 and saved $83.03.

Here's what I got with prices listed after coupons and sales -
1/2 dozen glazed donuts - $1.49
6 boxes Starkist Seasations fish - FREE
5 boxes Yoplait Gogurt - $.70 each
6 bottles Publix Spring Water - $.01
1 box Cheezits - $1.65
2 jars Skippy Natural Peanut Butter - $.45 each
1 package Sargento sliced Muenster cheese - $1.70
1 package Oscar Mayer beef hotdogs - $3.00
1 package Publix American cheese - $1.50
5 bags Mahatma Valencia rice - FREE
1 package Lenders bagels - $.90
4 cans Muir Glen tomato sauce - $.11 overage each
3 cartons Juicy Juice - $1.00 each
6 boxes Glad straws - $.19 each

Going to the Chapel

Dave and I went to the wedding of one of his former coworkers tonight. The wedding was in the beautiful new sanctuary at my parents' church, and the reception was at another nearby church. It was fun to catch up with lots of people including one of my classmates from high school, former coworkers of mine from 2 different schools, Dave's former and current coworkers, and both of our former students. There were a lot of people there who we don't get to see very often. And, even better, we left the kids at home with a babysitter! All in all, it was a very fun night.

Early Saturday

For some reason unbeknownst to me, Caleb decided that it would be fun to wake up at 6:40 this morning and turn on the light to wake up Alexa. And Alexa decided it would be fun to take off her pants and diaper and sit in her bad half naked waiting for Mommy to come get her. Neither of these things seem particularly fun to me, but what do I know?

So, since we were already up, my helper and I made chocolate chip pancakes and bacon for breakfast.

The kids ate theirs while watching a little PBS kids. I got the camping chair out yesterday when Alexa and Caleb had a friend over so that they could all sit at the table. Alexa insisted on sitting in it this morning even though she had to reach up to get her food.

Friday Fun

Molly and my mom came over this morning to prepare some meals for the freezer. My friend Annette also came over with her little boy, and she watched the kids while we cooked. It was a huge help to have someone to keep the kids out of the kitchen!

We made three servings each of five different meals: Chicken Marsala, Bangkok Chicken Satay, Monterey Jack Stuffed Chicken, Parmesan Pork Tenderloin, and Balsamic Glazed Pork Medallions. I recently got a new freezer cookbook, and all the chicken recipes came from that. One pork recipe we found online, and the other one my mom tweaked to mimic a recipe she made at the Dinner A'fare (a place where you prepare meals for the freezer using their recipes and ingredients) one time. I am so excited to have my freezer stocked full of yummy and easy meals.

After we finished cooking, we had lunch, and everyone headed home. Then, since Dave got home early, I enjoyed a nice, long afternoon nap. Now, it's time for popcorn and a movie!

Daily Happenings

Wednesday tends to be a busy day around here since I teach on Thursday. I have to finish my copying and lesson planning, and today was no exception. Also on Wednesdays, the kids and I got to story time at the library. Today was the last story time until June, so I didn't want to miss it. To top it off we are having prayer meeting at our house in just a bit, so I needed to do some house cleaning. And I have plans with Molly and my mom on Friday to prepare some meals for the freezer, so I needed to get some extra housework done since I am busy on Friday.

So, here's what my day looked like -
-threw our sheets in the washer
-changed, dressed, and fed both kids
-vacuumed the downstairs before the kids dragged all the toys out
-fed me
-mopped the kitchen
-decided to mop the upstairs bathroom, had to vacuum them first
-went on front porch to dump mop water and decided to mop porch
-jumped in for a quick shower before story time since I was now covered in pollen
-threw sheets in dryer
-got ready, changed diaper, packed bags
-sang and danced at story time and checked out a few books for the kids
-went to the UPS store to make copies
-did some lesson plans while Alexa colored and Caleb watched a movie
-both kids went to play upstairs while I continued my school work and made lunch
-ate
-went upstairs to clean up the disaster zone the kids had made while playing upstairs
-vacuumed upstairs
-put kids down for nap
-put sheets on bed and started another load of laundry
-called Wellstar about my hospital bill
-finished lesson plans
-got Caleb and did school
-finished cutting my coupons from Sunday and cleaned off the dining room table
-made a grocery list
-got Alexa up from her nap
-put clothes in dryer
-got everyone a snack
-played outside for almost an hour
-waited for Dave to get home so I could tell him that I was not making dinner
-went to Chickfila :)

After prayer meeting, it is off to bed for me. I'm tired!

Firefighters

Yesterday while we were out running errands, we went to the dollar store, and I gave each of the kids a dollar. Alexa almost picked out a shovel and rake set for the sandbox, but in the end, they both picked firefighter helmets. Which should be no surprise since they both LOVE hats. I can assure you that we have already gotten our dollar's worth out of them!

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what we are eating this week -

Monday - Homemade macaroni and cheese with ham, broccoli, rolls

Tuesday - Pecan crusted chicken fingers, potatoes, green beans

Wednesday - Pork fried rice, crescent rolls, salad (bumped from last week)

Thursday - Voila pasta meal, cheesy garlic bread

Friday - Out to eat

Saturday - Pizza for the kids, dinner at a wedding for us

Sunday - Chicken divan and some other stuff

Boringness

I have nothing interesting to say today (or yesterday apparently). This pregnancy is sucking out all my energy and brain power.

So, instead of rambling about something, I'll leave you with the words to one of my favorite hymns. We sang this at our wedding. I hope everyone has a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of God's unchanging love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither by Thy help I'm come.
And I hope by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God.
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed his precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Sick Baby Girl Again and Other Stuff

So, Alexa had a 102 fever Tuesday afternoon. I gave her some Advil, the fever went down, and she was playing as normal. Around 9:30 that night, she woke up and was crying. Dave got her and brought her into our room. I could immediately tell that she was VERY hot. Her temperature was 104, so I gave her some more Advil and began undressing her for a bath. Meanwhile she threw up on our comforter and the floor. This is the second time she has managed to get sick on our comforter. I bathed her and got her cooled down and then called the pediatrician to see what to do about redosing the Advil. The lady I spoke with said to try to get down some Gatorade or Pedialyte (not Powerade which is of course all that I had in the house). So off to the store I went. She drank a good amount Gatorade, had some Advil, and then went to sleep on her mattress on our floor (she and Caleb share a room, and I didn't want to disturb him if she continued to throw up). Fortunately, she slept all night long. She had a 101 fever when she woke up Wednesday morning, but no more fever after that. Hopefully it was just a random virus and no one else will get it (crosses fingers).

Meanwhile, Caleb had an appointment to get his stitches out from his fall last week. So Grammy graciously jumped in the shower and got dressed so she could take him to his appointment. They were in and out and home within about an hour of when they left. I don't think I've ever had a pediatrician's appointement that went that fast.

Grammy was here again today watching the kids while I went to work and my first prenatal appointment. Now I am just waiting to put the kids in bed so I can crash! I am exhausted!

Exciting News

We are excited to announce the upcoming arrival of Baby #3 on or around December 11, 2009!

70% Savings at Kroger

Kroger really hasn't had any great coupon deals lately. I still shop there because they generally have the lowest price on several items that I buy regularly such as wheat bread and orange juice. But they do have some great deals going on this week, and I managed to save 70%. I spent $16.40 and saved $37.55.

Here's what I got -
1 head Romaine lettuce - $1.39
1 box Kroger food and bread storage bags - $1.89
6 bags Quaker rice snacks - FREE
3 bottles Softsoap hand soap - $.30 each
1 package Kroger diapers - $3.49
1 package Kroger tortillas - $1.25
2 loaves Kroger wheat bread - $.78 each
2 frozen pizzas - $1.00 each
6 boxes Barilla pasta - $.25 overage each
1 gallon Kroger orange juice - $2.48
1 package Dole strawberries - $2.05
5 Suave deodorants - FREE

Rainy Pajama Day

It was pretty dreary outside yesterday, so I decided to declare it "Pajama Day." Caleb thought it was great to get to wear his pajamas all day long.
For entertainment, we did some puzzles.

We also read books, played with Legos, and did school. And of course, we (well, really just the kids) also did the Chicken dance to the annoying little thing that Aunt Molly stuck in our van on Sunday.

Publix Super Savings

No picture of my Publix trip today since Dave helped me put away the groceries. I'd rather have help than a picture most any day. I spent $44.34 (shocking, I know) and saved $66.90, which is (only) 60%. I used a $5/$25 Rite Aid coupon on my purchase.

Here's what I got -
4 bottles Vitamin Water 10 - $.47 total for all 4
1 box ziploc sandwich bags - $1.19
1 bottle Publix bleach - $.01
2 boxes Quaker chewy granola bars - $1.12 each
4 6-packs Yoplait Kids' yogurt - $.89 each
1 bag Fresh Express salad - $1.50
1 bag Texas Toast croutons - $.94
2 lbs bananas - $1.40
1 bag Hersheys Bliss eggs - $1.20
1 bag Sargento shredded cheddar - $1.60
1 hunk Cabot cheddar cheese - $2.00
1 gallon skim milk - $2.79
2 cans Pam spray - $.45 each
2 bottles Kens Marinade - $.40 each
1 bottle nail polis remover - $1.19
1 12 pack Caffeine free Coke - $4.00 (sigh)
1 package Oscar Mayer bacon - $3.00
3 packages boneless skinless chicken breasts - $1.99/lb
2 bottles Juicy Juice - $1.25 each
1 bottle Mott's apple juice - $1.48
1 bottle Kraft barbeque sauce - $.80
2 bags Dominos sugar - $1.29
1 dozen Egglands best eggs -$1.30

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what we are eating this week -

Tonight - Eggs, bacon, biscuits, oranges

Tuesday - Chicken fried rice, crescent rolls

Wednesday - Steak, baked potatoes, salad

Thursday - Chicken parisienne, noodles, green beans

Friday - Homemade pizza, salad

Saturday - Chicken squares, carrots, fruit

Sunday - Roast with potatoes and carrots, salad, garlic bread

Easter Baskets

Last year, I did an Easter egg hunt for Caleb since CVS offered free Easter eggs that week. This year, CVS had free Easter baskets and Easter grass, so I decided to make Easter baskets for the kids. They both got a little bit of (free) candy. Caleb also got an Easter DVD, and Alexa got an Easter CD. I can assure you that we have already watched/listened to both of them more than once.

The Camping Trip That Wasn't

So, we had a good start to our camping trip.

We bought new sunglasses to wear on the trip.

We ate a snack while Daddy set up the tent.

We enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

We played on the playground.
We stole Daddy's chair.

We had a campfire.

We ate smores.

And then we went to the emergency room for Caleb to get 4 stitches under his lip.

And then we went home. And now Dave has gone back to the campsite to pack up the rest of our stuff.

See You Saturday

We're leaving in the morning to go camping until Saturday. The back of our van is packed FULL! I think the campground might actually have WiFi, but my laptop is on the fritz anyway. So check back on Saturday for an update and some pictures.

Snow on Spring Break and Other Stuff

Perhaps you Canadian readers are used to having snow on Spring break, but us Southerners were very surprised to see flurries this morning. I cannot remember ever having snow on Spring break before except for when we have been in Canada visiting Dave's parents during that time. We planned to go camping tomorrow but we have decided to wait until Thursday to avoid freezing our poor children.

We had a productive but fairly boring day around here. I spent the better part of the morning packing away my winter clothes (despite the snow flurries) and getting out my summer clothes. In the process, I also cleaned and organized the master closet. As most of you know, my home is always fairly clean and clutter free. Just don't look in the closets! Keeping them organized is not my strong point.

Dave spent most of the morning in the garage sorting out the camping stuff and starting to load the van. The kids ran back and forth between "helping" him and "helping" me.

Then we went out to lunch and to Target to get some Rubbermaid containers for the camping gear and for my closet and clothes organization. We also got the kids a few outdoor toys and a new coloring book to take camping with us.

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what we are eating this week. We will be camping Wednesday - Saturday.

Tonight - Chicken florentine, rice, garlic bread, carrots

Tuesday - Bacon cheeseburger roll up, oven roasted potatoes, salad

Wednesday - Sub sandwiches, chips, yogurt

Thursday - Hotdogs, mac and cheese, apples

Friday - Pizza pockets, salad, apple pies

Saturday - Out to lunch on the way home, FFY for dinner

Sunday - Easter lunch at Mom and Dad's

Grocery Totals for March 30 - April 4

Grocery Store Spending - $63.01
Grocery Store Savings - 74%

Drug Store Spending - $1.57
Drug Store Savings - 97%

Total Amount Saved - $230.85

Haircut

I met Molly at the mall today to use a coupon for New York and Company that was only good this week. I didn't find any clothes I liked, but I did get my hair cut while I was there.

Huge Publix Trip

Publix has some great deals going on right now. The current sales ad runs from April 2-11. I went ahead and got all my shopping out of the way before the deals were gone. And now I don't need to go back for a week and a half.

I spent $51.79 and saved $159.92, which is a savings of 76%. We are going camping during Spring Break next week, and I was able to get juice boxes, breakfast items, and snack foods for our trip. I also replenished my baking storehouses after the baking I did this week. And I got lots of cake and brownie mixes, which I use for the snack I make for church each week.

Here's what I got. It wouldn't even all fit on the table.

2 boxes Fiber One granola bars - $.85 each (I had a rain check for these)
4 boxes Wheat Thins artisan - $.57 each
1 2-pack Publix bakery cookies - $.25
3 Duncan Hines brownie mixes - $.60 each
1 pack Mott's apple juice boxes - $1.99
2 packs Caprisun juice boxes - $1.45 each
7 bottles Kraft salad dressing - FREE
4 Duncan Hines cake mixes - $.13 each
1 5 lb bag Domino sugar - $1.30
1 box Velveeta shells and cheese - $1.00
1 package Smithfield bacon - $2.00
2 bags Ghiradelli chocolate chips - $1.50 each
1 package Reynolds muffin cups - $.45
1 package Kraft American singles - $1.67
1 jar Motts applesauce - $1.37
9 containers Mento gum - FREE
3 bags Cheerios snack mix - $.28 each
4 bags Chex Mix - $.28 each
3 boxes Jolly Time popcorn - $.39 each
9 bags Bird's Eye frozen vegetables - $.03 each
1 bag Lays potato chips - $2.00
3 bags Halls cough drops - FREE
1 dozen eggs - $1.39
1 box Frosted Flakes pouches - $1.99
1 canister Emerald almonds - $1.90
1 2L Diet Dr. Pepper - FREE
1 package Lenders bagels - $1.00
1 head Romaine - $1.69
2 lbs bananas - $1.45
2 Sundown vitamins - $.69 each
1 gallon Publix milk - $2.79
3 cartons Breakstone sour cream - $.45 each
1 package Thomas English muffins - $.50
3 cartons Land O Lakes butter - $1.00 each
2 cartons I Can't Believe It's Not Butter sticks - $.24 each
1/2 gallon Breyers Ice Cream -$1.75
1 5lb bag Gold Medal flour

In a Baking Mood Again

I was in the mood to bake again today, as I often am on rainy, dreary days.

First, I made English muffins because we go through a pack or so of these a week, and we were out again. So I made some.
I also made black and white cheesecake squares. I found the recipe in Martha Stewart Living last night, and I just had to make them. I haven't tried them yet since they need to cool, but they sure do smell yummy.