Lotsa Pasta

We're not much for leftovers around here, but when I saw the four kinds of pasta that had piled up in my fridge (2 from my birthday dinner), I knew that lunch that day would have to be leftovers. Much to my surprise, Caleb and Alexa were THRILLED with their selections for lunch, and each happily ate some of all four pasta dishes. Personally, I skipped the Scooby Doo macaroni, but everything else was yummy!

February Grocery Budget

As I mentioned at the end of January , I have given myself a goal of spending no more than $250 at the grocery store each month. Anything not spend rolls over to the next month, which means that I had $255 to spend this month. I hosted a Valentine's party last week, and we will be hosting a birthday party Friday night, but I still managed to squeak in just under budget at $253.76. I saved $461.25 this month, which is an average savings of 66%. And I get to start out in March with $10 OYNO (on your next order, can be used on almost anything) coupons at Kroger.

Grandma's Girlies

My grandma was in town on my birthday earlier this week, so she joined us for dinner out with my parents and dessert back at our house. I enjoyed getting to see her, and I think my girlies did, too.

Wii Play Some More

We are all still loving playing our new Wii. Even Alexa can manage to play bowling, and in fact, I think she might be better at it than Caleb.

Home School

I'm sure I've mentioned before that we do preschool at home. But did I mention that Alexa is actually the teacher, and Jordanna is the student?

So Long Mr. Snowman

The kids went out to play in the beautiful 60 degree weather this past weekend. They didn't even need their jackets. But for some crazy reason, the snowman they built the previous weekend was still standing. At least until they finished it off by beating it with sticks.

Happy 30th Birthday...

...to me!

Menu Plan Monday

Tonight - Chicken and asparagus penne pasta, garlic bread, salad

Tuesday - Out to eat for my 30th birthday

Wednesday - Eggs, bacon, biscuits, smoothies

Thursday - Baked macaroni and cheese with ham, broccoli and cauliflower, rolls

Friday - Pizza

Saturday - Steak, oven roasted potatoes, green beans

Sunday - Molly's turn to cook

Terrific Twos

Two months, that is. I took Jordanna to the doctor for her 2 month check on Thursday. She is more like 2 1/2 months old now, though. Here are her stats and some updates about how she is growing and developing.

-weighs 11lbs, 5 oz, which is the 75th percentile (by comparison, Alexa weighed 11lbs, 2oz at 1 month)
-is 24 inches long, which is the 95th percentile
-sleeps a 5-6 hour stretch most nights and then goes right back to sleep after eating (I was hoping for a sleeper this time)
-still has blue eyes for now at least (my mom was hoping for a blue-eyed grandbaby)
-rolls from front to back
-smiles and coos
-can be put down in her bed with her paci and will generally fall asleep on her own with no crying (I've been working on this this week while I've been home a lot potty training Alexa)

Haircut for Hi-ya Caleb

I gave Caleb a haircut this week. He whined through the whole thing as usual. And I didn't manage to get any great pictures of it since his hat his always on. I'm kinda tempted to leave his hat on for his next haircut so that he has the shapes of the hat in his hair. I'm not sure Dave would go for that, though.

Little Diva

Here's another outfit that I got Alexa at the outlet mall on Saturday. It has a matching sweater, too, but she didn't keep it on for very long. Don't you think the pink high heels match perfectly, especially for grocery shopping? I'm not sure why she wouldn't smile for me or what she is doing with her tongue or to her baby. She is 2 after all.

80% Savings at Publix

I am locked inside the house potty training Alexa this week, so I ran out Monday evening by myself to Publix to get a few good deals. They were out of one thing that I wanted to get, though. I still saved 80%, spending $6.21 and saving $24.37. I'm still on track so far with my $250 grocery budget for February.

Here's what I got -
3 packs Dan-o-nino yogurt - $.66 each
5 bags Bird's Eye vegetables - $.11 overage each
1 bag Bird's Eye vegetables - $.19
3 tubes Chapstick - $.16 each
1 package ceiling fan bulbs - $2.69 (no sale, no coupon)
2 bottles Lysol All Purpose cleaner - $.35 each

Starting Early

Who needs preschool? Around here, we just go straight to reading To Kill a Mockingbird with Mommy's high school English class.

Cuteness

This is what happens when Mommy and Aunt Molly go to the Gymboree outlet. We even had a coupon!

Snow Fun

We got a few inches of snow this weekend, which is a rarity here in the South. I told Dave that I married a Canadian so that I don't have to take the kids out to play in the snow. He took them out Friday and Saturday a few times, and they built snowmen in the front and back yards. The pictures are a bit blurry because the cold was causing condensation on the camera lens.

Menu Plan Monday

Tonight - Chicken and cheese soup, cheese breadsticks, salad

Tuesday - Pork tenderloin, rolls, broccoli

Wednesday - Sour cream chicken enchiladas, rice, corn

Thursday - Steak, oven roasted potatoes, green beans

Friday - (Dave gone) Fish sticks, mac and cheese, grapes

Saturday - Out to eat

Sunday - Chicken quesadillas, salad, chips and salsa

Happy Valentine's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day as a family Friday night with a yummy heart shaped pizza (and a chicken bacon ranch one as well). Yesterday, once the snow melted a bit, Molly and I headed to the outlet malls to do some shopping. I'll share some pictures of some of the things we bought later in the week. I actually bought more clothes for Alexa than I did for myself because she has shot up in the last few weeks and has outgrown all her clothes. Molly also took me out for an early birthday dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Yummy! This morning, I surprised the kiddos with Valentine's presents and cards. Alexa got princess and Minnie Mouse underwear as I plan to start potty training her in earnest this week. Caleb got Buzz and Woody stuffed animals, which were buy one get one free at The Disney Store yesterday.

Updating

Obviously with a new baby (who hates to nap) in the house, something has to give. And apparently it is blogging. I keep meaning to blog, but it just hasn't happened. I couldn't even do just a picture post because I hadn't even taken any pictures all week until just now. Anyway, here's a bit of what we have been up to lately.

Well, first, it is snowing here again today. Dave already had the day off, and Molly and I were planning to go to some outlet malls to shop today. But we're stuck at home instead. Hopefully we'll be able to go tomorrow. This picture was right after the snow started; we already have more now.
The kids and I made Valentine's cookies today for church on Sunday. I might have already eaten one.
Dave and Caleb have been playing Mario on the Wii A LOT! Last night, Dave and I played tennis and bowling with Jordanna strapped to my chest asleep in her carrier. She probably wondered why Mommy was bouncing around like crazy.
Here's where I seem to spend an awful lot of my time lately. Laundry - the job that never ends.
And here's Jordanna chilling in her bouncy seat while I work on the laundry.

Menu Plan Monday

Tonight - Pan seared chicken with garlic sauce, angel hair pasta, salad

Tuesday - Beef tips, rice, carrots (bumped from last week)

Wednesday - Ribs, oven roasted potatoes, green beans

Thursday - Chicken squares, broccoli, grapes

Friday - Hot dogs, mac and cheese, applesauce

Saturday - ?

Sunday - Molly's turn to cook

Wii Play

Dave and I decided to get a Wii for a joint birthday gift (Mine is in 2 weeks; his is next month) using a bit of our tax return money (Yay for a new baby and the child tax credit!). We have already had lots of fun with it, and so have the kids.

Two Months Old

77% Savings at Publix

Today I spent $15.01 at Publix and saved $50.57, and that included 3 packs of Cokes, which can often be a budget buster!

Here's what I got -
2 12 packs Coke - FREE (used coupons from www.mycokerewards.com)
1 12 pack Barq's - FREE (Buy 2 Get 1 special this week)
1.88 lb grapes - $3.74
1 package Oscar Mayer beef hotdogs - $2.00
1 Maruchan Yakisoba - $.21 OVERAGE
3 packages Yo Plus yogurt - $.25 each
2 bottles G2 Gatorade - FREE
1 bottle Scooby Doo vitamins - $.23 OVERAGE
1 package Smart Balance butter - $2.00
1/2 lb Boars Head provolone - $3.54
1 package Tyson beef tips - $.50
1 package Bob Evans mac and cheese - $.50
2 bottles Hidden Valley ranch - $.73 each

Tonight - Chicken alfredo (bumped from last week), broccoli

Tomorrow - Beef tips, rice, green beans

Wednesday - Sour cream chicken enchiladas, corn, salad

Thursday - Pork chops, oven roasted potatoes, carrots

Friday - Sandwiches, fruit (Dave gone)

Saturday - Pizza, salad

Sunday - Lunch at church