Just a quick note to let you know that we are here in gorgeous Park City, Utah. The fresh mountain air, nightly cool breezes, and amazing greenery has been such a change of pace from the Vegas heat that the girls and I are in heaven. I will post all about our trip when we return, sometime next week (the exact date is open-ended to allow for maximum fun).
I will give a quick brag here about my girls, who were the best, bestest, BEST travelers up to Utah. For the first 2 1/2 hours (Las Vegas to Cedar City, UT) Ava and I just talked (seriously!) and she told me all about her activities in the back seat, while Lily slept. Just outside of Cedar City Lily woke up, just in time to go to my friend Marlo's and hang out for a couple of hours. There I fed Lily and Ava ran around, played in the splash pool and swingset. We got back in the car for our second half of the trip, where Lily fell promptly back asleep and Ava protested for only a little bit before she fell asleep too. When Ava woke up an hour later I put on an Elmo DVD on the portable player I had rigged in the back seat for her. We got to Provo just in time for Lily to wake up and and the Elmo DVD ran out just as we pulled in Grammy and Papa's driveway (!). YEAH! Easy peasy!
Trip to the Dentist
I am no stranger to dentists. When I was young I had almost all of my baby teeth pulled to make room for the permanent teeth, getting a jump on braces. I have tried to maintain my oral health even as an adult, when parents are no longer around to make you do it. So last month Elliott and I finally got around to setting up our check-up and cleaning appointments for the first time since moving to Las Vegas (two years since the last visit in Boston). Boy, has technology changed!
At our new dentist they took digital x-rays, so we saw immediately what everything looked like. Then they took digital pictures both before and after our cleaning, to show us the difference. Each room was equipped with a computer screen next to the chair, so the patient could just follow along with the photos. Very neat.
Today I went back for the second half - two fillings and the polishing. White fillings are now the norm (not when I was a kid) and the first polishing was all done by water. I have to admit a sense of comfort when they pulled the old scrubby polishing paste out for the second round of polishing. I remember that stuff.
While at the dentist I experienced something funny which was in no way associated with the dental care. While they are messing around in your mouth somebody is always talking to you or asking questions or talking around you, but you can't respond since your mouth is a little bit busy. This trip I wanted communicate about things they were talking about (Lily, the doctor's baby boy, napping, etc.) but I couldn't speak. So I kept wanting to use sign language! But nobody there spoke sign language. It was a frustrating feeling. And an interesting one to have. Gives me a lot to think about.
So now my teeth are nice and clean and smooth. Makes me not want to drink coffee tomorrow (but I will anyway).
At our new dentist they took digital x-rays, so we saw immediately what everything looked like. Then they took digital pictures both before and after our cleaning, to show us the difference. Each room was equipped with a computer screen next to the chair, so the patient could just follow along with the photos. Very neat.
Today I went back for the second half - two fillings and the polishing. White fillings are now the norm (not when I was a kid) and the first polishing was all done by water. I have to admit a sense of comfort when they pulled the old scrubby polishing paste out for the second round of polishing. I remember that stuff.
While at the dentist I experienced something funny which was in no way associated with the dental care. While they are messing around in your mouth somebody is always talking to you or asking questions or talking around you, but you can't respond since your mouth is a little bit busy. This trip I wanted communicate about things they were talking about (Lily, the doctor's baby boy, napping, etc.) but I couldn't speak. So I kept wanting to use sign language! But nobody there spoke sign language. It was a frustrating feeling. And an interesting one to have. Gives me a lot to think about.
So now my teeth are nice and clean and smooth. Makes me not want to drink coffee tomorrow (but I will anyway).
I Knew I Was in Trouble When...
...after getting Lily up from her nap I headed towards the living room to hear Ava saying "bubbles all gone." That just can't be good! She had gotten ahold of my Diet Pepsi can (sometimes I just don't cover all my bases) and poured it all over her and the couch. Sigh! I am NOT going to give in to the urge to clean the couch cushions, not today. Too much other stuff on my brain before vacation. So I wiped them down and flipped them over. As Scarlett O'Hara says "tomorrow is another day." Thank God for that!
Week in Review
Honestly, I don't think alot happened this week, but I feel like such a slacker by not posting anything, even if it is only to tell you how boring we are.
Monday I spent most of the free moments of my day trying to get caught up on a more thorough house cleaning. You know what I mean - something beyond the occasional kitchen-counter-wipe-down. I had spent too much time staring at the dusty baseboards and soap scum build up in the bathrooms and put my mind to it. So by Monday night I had vacuumed, swept, mopped, dusted and scrubbed pretty much every surface and had also caught up on laundry (even putting it away!) and dishes. What I discovered about myself after this was how much freer I felt to hang out and play with the girls, not thinking "I have to do this and this". That feeling that I "must do something" is a constant nag when Ava wants me come color or to sit with her on the couch. So I was very glad to be able to tick off the things in my head that day and then say "Yep, Sarah, nothing left to do - go ahead and play with Ava." I think during the rest of the week I stayed on top of things pretty well and it has given me such a peace of mind. And that being said - now on to packing for everyone for a couple of weeks vacation. That will surely throw off my peaceful feeling.
Wednesday cousins Xander and Julia came over to play for our mommy exchange day. The kids had such a good time taking the cushions off the couch and then divebombing them (I remember when I used to do that!). And I was also able to experience the joys of "why?" Almost 4 year old Xander wanted to know "why?" to EVERYTHING I was doing or saying. Yes, I cracked under pressure and pulled out the big guns - "God says" (why?) "Because" (why?) "Because I said so" (why?) "JUST BECAUSE". Oh boy! Yep, I am really looking forward to that stage. Right now I live in the life stage of constant narration - "Mommy cook dinner. Cheese. Hot dog. Oh boy! Jump and jump Lily. Jack no-no. Run Jack run. Blue Bunny swinging. Ava upside down!" and it goes on and on. I tell you what though, I get the biggest kick out of it each and every day.
Friday we went swimming in the morning at the Bowen's house. Ava is not scared of the water at all, but I am trying to figure out the best swimming method for her (as I can't watch two babies on my own). I went beforehand to Wal-Mart and picked up a swim vest and arm floaties. The swim vest just rose up and tried to strangle her. So we tried a life vest and that just kept her on her back like a dead bug. Then we tried just arm floaties and she doesn't yet know how to keep her head up. So in the end we made a trip to Sports Authority in the hunt for floatie inserts for her (garage sale find) Speedo swimming suit. Apparently you can't buy just the inserts, so after talking with the nice sales guy I decided to try my hand at making my own via a pool noodle. I will tell you how successful it goes on our vacation.
Lily has been a little wishy-washy this week about whether or not she wants to take good naps, but after re-reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child I realized she needed to be going to bed much earlier. So she has been going to bed around 6:30 now and so far so good. She does sometimes wake up after an hour and need her pacifier put back in, but that's not too bad. Still working on getting some good naps in throughout the day, but we keep on keepin' on. She LOVES her Jumperoo though, almost as much as she loves talking:
Elliott has been working late the past couple of weeks as budget season approaches AND there has been some upper management movement, causing a ripple effect down to him. So lots of work anyway, with extra work on top of that. Lovely! He tries to get home in time to see Lily before she heads off to bed and get a little playtime in with Ava. So far, so good. We had tried to get a "date night" in before the coming trip, but all the young women in our area were at church camp or busy. So we ended up spending Saturday "date night" with the kiddos at Red Robin. I have to tell you, I think Elliott and I both were a little taken aback at the number of kids in that restaurant at 5:30pm. WOW! Ava was kept quite entertained by the kids surrounding our table and I was entertained by another patron whose shirt read "Birth Control is for Sissies."
Sunday morning I took advantage of Lily naptime and Sesame Street for Ava to (finally)complete the scrapbook for Ava, which my sister Tracy made for her first birthday. She loves it, especially telling you who all the people in the pictures are ( both Grammy's, PaPa, Aunt Tracy, mommy, daddy, Jack).
We are heading to Utah next week to spend some time in Park City with the Kay clan, minus Elliott due his aforementioned work. I can't wait to get to that cool mountain air, spending time with friends along the way (stopping in Cedar City and various other locations) and our family for almost two weeks. So stay tuned!
Monday I spent most of the free moments of my day trying to get caught up on a more thorough house cleaning. You know what I mean - something beyond the occasional kitchen-counter-wipe-down. I had spent too much time staring at the dusty baseboards and soap scum build up in the bathrooms and put my mind to it. So by Monday night I had vacuumed, swept, mopped, dusted and scrubbed pretty much every surface and had also caught up on laundry (even putting it away!) and dishes. What I discovered about myself after this was how much freer I felt to hang out and play with the girls, not thinking "I have to do this and this". That feeling that I "must do something" is a constant nag when Ava wants me come color or to sit with her on the couch. So I was very glad to be able to tick off the things in my head that day and then say "Yep, Sarah, nothing left to do - go ahead and play with Ava." I think during the rest of the week I stayed on top of things pretty well and it has given me such a peace of mind. And that being said - now on to packing for everyone for a couple of weeks vacation. That will surely throw off my peaceful feeling.Wednesday cousins Xander and Julia came over to play for our mommy exchange day. The kids had such a good time taking the cushions off the couch and then divebombing them (I remember when I used to do that!). And I was also able to experience the joys of "why?" Almost 4 year old Xander wanted to know "why?" to EVERYTHING I was doing or saying. Yes, I cracked under pressure and pulled out the big guns - "God says" (why?) "Because" (why?) "Because I said so" (why?) "JUST BECAUSE". Oh boy! Yep, I am really looking forward to that stage. Right now I live in the life stage of constant narration - "Mommy cook dinner. Cheese. Hot dog. Oh boy! Jump and jump Lily. Jack no-no. Run Jack run. Blue Bunny swinging. Ava upside down!" and it goes on and on. I tell you what though, I get the biggest kick out of it each and every day.
Friday we went swimming in the morning at the Bowen's house. Ava is not scared of the water at all, but I am trying to figure out the best swimming method for her (as I can't watch two babies on my own). I went beforehand to Wal-Mart and picked up a swim vest and arm floaties. The swim vest just rose up and tried to strangle her. So we tried a life vest and that just kept her on her back like a dead bug. Then we tried just arm floaties and she doesn't yet know how to keep her head up. So in the end we made a trip to Sports Authority in the hunt for floatie inserts for her (garage sale find) Speedo swimming suit. Apparently you can't buy just the inserts, so after talking with the nice sales guy I decided to try my hand at making my own via a pool noodle. I will tell you how successful it goes on our vacation.
Lily has been a little wishy-washy this week about whether or not she wants to take good naps, but after re-reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child I realized she needed to be going to bed much earlier. So she has been going to bed around 6:30 now and so far so good. She does sometimes wake up after an hour and need her pacifier put back in, but that's not too bad. Still working on getting some good naps in throughout the day, but we keep on keepin' on. She LOVES her Jumperoo though, almost as much as she loves talking:
Elliott has been working late the past couple of weeks as budget season approaches AND there has been some upper management movement, causing a ripple effect down to him. So lots of work anyway, with extra work on top of that. Lovely! He tries to get home in time to see Lily before she heads off to bed and get a little playtime in with Ava. So far, so good. We had tried to get a "date night" in before the coming trip, but all the young women in our area were at church camp or busy. So we ended up spending Saturday "date night" with the kiddos at Red Robin. I have to tell you, I think Elliott and I both were a little taken aback at the number of kids in that restaurant at 5:30pm. WOW! Ava was kept quite entertained by the kids surrounding our table and I was entertained by another patron whose shirt read "Birth Control is for Sissies."
Sunday morning I took advantage of Lily naptime and Sesame Street for Ava to (finally)complete the scrapbook for Ava, which my sister Tracy made for her first birthday. She loves it, especially telling you who all the people in the pictures are ( both Grammy's, PaPa, Aunt Tracy, mommy, daddy, Jack).We are heading to Utah next week to spend some time in Park City with the Kay clan, minus Elliott due his aforementioned work. I can't wait to get to that cool mountain air, spending time with friends along the way (stopping in Cedar City and various other locations) and our family for almost two weeks. So stay tuned!
Target Deals & Complaints (and Updates)
As you can see from the picture I stocked up on diapers and wipes this past week at Target. They had diapers on sale, then they had two different coupons you could use on their website, THEN you could use manufacturer coupons on top of that. So I got:
* 5 packs of Pampers diapers
* 5 packs of Pampers wipes
* bottle of Johnsons Baby Shampoo
* 3 cans of Pringles
Grand total after coupons and gift cards: $12.38
(Ignore the pair of shorts in the picture. They do not fit Lily and are going back.)
ALSO on a Target note, I had to send a letter to the company yesterday after an unsatifactory outcome on their 1-800 customer service line. In short I signed up for a Baby Registry for Lily and after the baby is born they send you a coupon for 10% off your remaining registry items. I never received the coupon. I checked at my Target store when she was 6 weeks, they said to "wait, it was in the mail". When I checked Sunday they told me to call the 800 number. The telephone customer service people, including the associate and supervisor, informed me the registry is void after 90 days, so since I no longer had a registry they couldn't send me my coupon. They also told me that I never received it because I didn't opt in to receive communication, which is bogus. Anyway, I am not too pleased as you can imagine. So I thought in order to try to take it to a higher power I should write a letter. Last time I wrote a letter to Target (yes, this is not the first time) their response was personalized but ineffective. Well, we will see what happens; I'll let you know.
Update 8/10/08: While I was on vacation a nice letter from Target arrived with two $3 coupons in it. They apologized for the inconvenience and sent the coupons as an apology. Thank you Target! I did indeed take them right out and put them to good use by buying sippy cups (on sale for $4, minus $1 Gerber coupon, minus $3 Target coupon = free sippy cups).
The Weekend-er
I kept jotting notes to myself this weekend of things I wanted to share and just couldn't wait until next Friday. By that time I am sure I would look at my scribblings and wonder "what is that?" and "what happened again?".
I forgot to tell you this past week I cleaned the fridge and "discovered" that I could completely take one of the crisper drawers out and use it as a shelf instead. Maybe there are some of you out there saying "Duh!" but it was news to me. Boy, did that ever open up ALOT of space in the fridge. Ahhh! (Yep, that's me breathing a sigh of relief).
I had a craving Friday night for something sugary, preferably baked (no surprise, right?) so I settled on a compromise - sugar cookie dough. I remember when my mom would have us take turns stirring the bowl during the holidays, usually as we were on our way out the door to school, because it was just so thick and quite hard work for just one person. Wow, we've come a long way baby! My little hand mixer put it together in no time. Then I cut out a step - I proceeded to stand at the counter and eat the dough. Yum! And win-win: Ava and I actually made some sugar cookies Sunday afternoon. I thought she would enjoy cutting out the shapes with cookie cutters and it would break up the day a bit. Extra bonuses: she LOVES to help and watch me, LOVES to turn the light on in the oven to see what's happening, and most of all LOVES cookies. I thought it turned out well.
I spent some money this week trying to think ahead to birthdays and holidays, and taking advantage of clearance racks. I scored some nice stuff at Children's Place, Disney Store, Macy's and Target. I would post a picture, but it would ruin the surprise. I also bought Easter dresses for next year (which are too, too pretty). Yes, I think REALLY far ahead.
Last night television advertising did its job and worked its magic on Elliott, who decided he felt like pizza. I had put him off the night before ("I already made dinner") but while watching a half hour TV show we spotted three pizza commercials, followed by Sesame Street, who's letter of the day was P and so they went to a pizza parlor. Yep, that was it. My dinner plans were rearranged and we ordered pizza. So good job corporate America. You got us!
And on a final note, I have to share with you Ava's running commentary on life in our house around 8pm every night. As I was putting her to bed last night, sitting in the armchair cuddling the following conversation took place:
Daddy eating dinner. Food. Couch. (Yes that's right.)
Ninny sleeping, pillow. (Lily's sleeping, but no pillow for her.)
Mommy sitting chair. (Yes I am. What's Ava doing?)
Ada sleeping.
Out of the mouths of babes. And for the record, Elliott was eating dinner on the couch, which she was not able to see; she just knew.
I forgot to tell you this past week I cleaned the fridge and "discovered" that I could completely take one of the crisper drawers out and use it as a shelf instead. Maybe there are some of you out there saying "Duh!" but it was news to me. Boy, did that ever open up ALOT of space in the fridge. Ahhh! (Yep, that's me breathing a sigh of relief).
I had a craving Friday night for something sugary, preferably baked (no surprise, right?) so I settled on a compromise - sugar cookie dough. I remember when my mom would have us take turns stirring the bowl during the holidays, usually as we were on our way out the door to school, because it was just so thick and quite hard work for just one person. Wow, we've come a long way baby! My little hand mixer put it together in no time. Then I cut out a step - I proceeded to stand at the counter and eat the dough. Yum! And win-win: Ava and I actually made some sugar cookies Sunday afternoon. I thought she would enjoy cutting out the shapes with cookie cutters and it would break up the day a bit. Extra bonuses: she LOVES to help and watch me, LOVES to turn the light on in the oven to see what's happening, and most of all LOVES cookies. I thought it turned out well.
I spent some money this week trying to think ahead to birthdays and holidays, and taking advantage of clearance racks. I scored some nice stuff at Children's Place, Disney Store, Macy's and Target. I would post a picture, but it would ruin the surprise. I also bought Easter dresses for next year (which are too, too pretty). Yes, I think REALLY far ahead.
Last night television advertising did its job and worked its magic on Elliott, who decided he felt like pizza. I had put him off the night before ("I already made dinner") but while watching a half hour TV show we spotted three pizza commercials, followed by Sesame Street, who's letter of the day was P and so they went to a pizza parlor. Yep, that was it. My dinner plans were rearranged and we ordered pizza. So good job corporate America. You got us!
And on a final note, I have to share with you Ava's running commentary on life in our house around 8pm every night. As I was putting her to bed last night, sitting in the armchair cuddling the following conversation took place:
Daddy eating dinner. Food. Couch. (Yes that's right.)
Ninny sleeping, pillow. (Lily's sleeping, but no pillow for her.)
Mommy sitting chair. (Yes I am. What's Ava doing?)
Ada sleeping.
Out of the mouths of babes. And for the record, Elliott was eating dinner on the couch, which she was not able to see; she just knew.
Week in Review
I already told you about the start to our week, Lily's pediatrician check-up. Her round of vaccines left the little one a little "off" this week, throwing off her normally upbeat mood and sleeping habits. She has been a little more on edge and can't quite decide if she wants to smile or cry at any given moment. She has also had problems sleeping, which in turn makes her even more irritable. Poor little girl! I hope she feels better soon.
Wednesday Ava went over to her cousin Xander's house to play for a couple of hours so I could get some yard work done without her "help". Lizzie and I think trading-off is a great system for getting stuff done on our to-do list which never quite makes it to the top based on importance but which we would love to accomplish nonetheless (like cleaning the fridge or organizing a closet). So we are going to try switching off once a week with childcare, allowing cousins to play together and mommies to get some chores done. Win-win! (Believe me, I have a million and one things on that list which I can't do with Ava around so I am very excited.)
As far as the yardwork goes, Elliott thought I was CRAZY to be out in the heat but a mild form of obsession had kicked in and the pile-up of leaves and dead branches had simply been an annoyance to me for too long. Two hours and three bags of gunk later, ta-da! Yeah, yeah, I know - what the heck are you looking at? I raked out all the build-up under the bushes and trimmed the dead branches (and even a dead bush) and NOW I can enjoy my backyard. Again, Elliott too thinks I am crazy.
Wednesday Ava went over to her cousin Xander's house to play for a couple of hours so I could get some yard work done without her "help". Lizzie and I think trading-off is a great system for getting stuff done on our to-do list which never quite makes it to the top based on importance but which we would love to accomplish nonetheless (like cleaning the fridge or organizing a closet). So we are going to try switching off once a week with childcare, allowing cousins to play together and mommies to get some chores done. Win-win! (Believe me, I have a million and one things on that list which I can't do with Ava around so I am very excited.) 
As far as the yardwork goes, Elliott thought I was CRAZY to be out in the heat but a mild form of obsession had kicked in and the pile-up of leaves and dead branches had simply been an annoyance to me for too long. Two hours and three bags of gunk later, ta-da! Yeah, yeah, I know - what the heck are you looking at? I raked out all the build-up under the bushes and trimmed the dead branches (and even a dead bush) and NOW I can enjoy my backyard. Again, Elliott too thinks I am crazy.
This morning the girls and I went to my friend Babette's house for coffee and donuts, and to spend time with some of my other girlfriends and to meet Babette's parents, who are visiting from the Netherlands. We had a fun time and it was so nice to have some "girl time". Lily showed off her arm strength and Ava enjoyed all of the attention. (Here is a picture of her with Babette's mom.)
Also, as a special treat this afternoon we headed over to the 7-11 for a free Slurpee (why? because today is 7/11!) and I promised Ava an ice cream cone (I had a free coupon for Dairy Queen) but the DQ wasn't open yet, so we came home and I fixed her one here. She loves ice cream cones! Oh the joys of summer.
Talking Back
Alot of you send me emails telling me you enjoy the site but don't comment on the posts, mostly because you had to set up an account in order to do so. Well, I have now figured out how you can leave a comment WITHOUT having to set up an account (sorry to all those that set up an account because I harassed you too). Now just click through to leave a comment and type in your name. Simple as that. Hope that helps! Can't wait to hear from you!
Works for Me Wednesday
Whenever I have a tube of lotion that I can't get the last remnants out, I cut the tube in half then use my fingers to scoop out the remainder. To keep the lotion fresh, simply slide the top half over the bottom half and it will keep just fine until you can use it all up.Check out more Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer.
Lily Weighs In... Literally
We had our 4 month baby well-check this morning for Lily (or "Ninny Nose" according to Ava). Drum roll please......
...weighing in at 17 pounds 2 ounces and almost 26 inches tall, LILY ROSE KAY!
(That sounded just like a ring announcer in my head. Maybe Elliott has had too much Ultimate Fighting Championship on in the house lately.)
Anyway, Lily is doing great. In the 90+ percentile (which means she is bigger than 90%+ of other babies her age), she is holding her own in comparison to Ava, who was also big for her age too, then slowed down to average around her first birthday. So no big surprise for Lily. I have to confess to you though that the other day I was apparently staring at her legs for too long because I started to convince myself that something was wrong and they were swollen. Nope, they are just that chunky.
I got the doorway jumper out for her the other day and she really likes it. She doesn't do a whole lot it in right now but she enjoys hanging out, kinda swinging around. Soon enough she will figure out that she is the driving force of the up-down movement and then she will be unstoppable. Since one of the downfalls of Las Vegas architecture is lack of doorjams and framing, we are limited to where we can put that jumper. So we also have a floor-based jumper, which I switched out the swing for today, so that is ready for her too, when she gets a bit bigger. Boy oh boy, she is one lucky girl, isn't she?
...weighing in at 17 pounds 2 ounces and almost 26 inches tall, LILY ROSE KAY!
(That sounded just like a ring announcer in my head. Maybe Elliott has had too much Ultimate Fighting Championship on in the house lately.)
Anyway, Lily is doing great. In the 90+ percentile (which means she is bigger than 90%+ of other babies her age), she is holding her own in comparison to Ava, who was also big for her age too, then slowed down to average around her first birthday. So no big surprise for Lily. I have to confess to you though that the other day I was apparently staring at her legs for too long because I started to convince myself that something was wrong and they were swollen. Nope, they are just that chunky.
I got the doorway jumper out for her the other day and she really likes it. She doesn't do a whole lot it in right now but she enjoys hanging out, kinda swinging around. Soon enough she will figure out that she is the driving force of the up-down movement and then she will be unstoppable. Since one of the downfalls of Las Vegas architecture is lack of doorjams and framing, we are limited to where we can put that jumper. So we also have a floor-based jumper, which I switched out the swing for today, so that is ready for her too, when she gets a bit bigger. Boy oh boy, she is one lucky girl, isn't she?
Shopping Deals - 7/4/08
Oh, I bet you thought nothing was open on the Fourth of July. Well, you are wrong my friends and I scored some GREAT deals today. Take a look at my haul and now I will break it down for you (oh, I get excited just thinking about it again!):
First stop: Target
* Twin pack of freezer quart bags (65 total)
* 3 individual bags of Archer Farms potato chips
* Travel size Clean & Clear face wash
Total before coupons: $6.36
Total after coupons: $1.36
First stop: Target* Twin pack of freezer quart bags (65 total)
* 3 individual bags of Archer Farms potato chips
* Travel size Clean & Clear face wash
Total before coupons: $6.36
Total after coupons: $1.36
Second stop: Walgreens
Transaction #1
* 3 packs of Walgreens diapers
Total before coupons: $19.39
Total after coupons & rebate card: $0.00 THEN received $5 Register Reward
Transaction #2
* 3 packs of Walgreens diapers
Total before coupons: $19.36
Total after coupons & rebate card: $2.00 THEN received $5 Register Reward
Transaction #3
* 2 packs of Huggies Swim diapers
* 2 bottles of Dawn dishsoap
* Cascade dishwasher detergent
* Coloring book (which held over $20 in Walgreens coupons)
Total before coupons: $22.79
Total after coupons & Register Rewards: $5.12
Third stop: CVS
* CVS travel makeup wipes
* 2 Coppertone baby sunblock sticks
* Eyebrow wax kit
* Nestle' Good Start formula
Total before coupons: $35.61
Total after coupons & formula checks: $0.00 THEN received $16.00 in Extra Care Bucks
GRAND TOTAL SPENT FOR THE DAY: $8.48
BUT MADE $16.00 in EXTRA CARE BUCKS
So in short, I got paid $7.52 today to take all this stuff home. I love days like this!
What's in your kitchen?
In an effort to consolidate trips into the house after playing in the pool in the backyard, this ended up on the counter in the kitchen. After walking by a few times, it finally struck me as funny. I will call this "Preschool Trailer Park Trash." Can you come up with a better caption?
Works For Me Wednesday: The Five-Ingredients-Or-Less Edition
I have been inspired, thanks to Rocks in My Dryer, to start posting Works For Me Wednesday, as I love reading all of the other really great ideas shared each week (she has to cut it off at 300!). Even if I don't get to post on Rocks in My Dryer, I thought I would pass along my WFMW tips to my own readers.This week we have been encouraged to share our simplest recipes so we can get the heck out of the kitchen. Immediately I thought of my go-to for biscuits/shortbread/shortcake, Easy Biscuit Squares. It only takes 3 ingredients:
1 c. yellow cake mix
3 c. Bisquick
3/4 c. water
Mix ingredients together in bowl. Turn onto floured surface and knead a few times until dough comes together. Shape and put into 8x8 pan. Score the top to make 9 squares. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 min. or until golden brown. Break biscuits apart at score marks.
For Me, This Says It All
After neverending battles of "what can we do to break up the day?" when the temperature in Las Vegas is topping out at over 104 every day; it is already 90 degrees by 8:30am; your 20 month old can only focus on one activity for so long; and you constantly battle with guilt issues over how much Sesame Street and Signing Time she is watching (but it is the only thing getting you through the day), I stumbled upon the most glorious blog post on Breed 'Em and Weep (don't you just LOVE the title? I do) entitled "Aw, come on, Jesus! She just bit me!". I could just send you over to the site, but I think I need to re-post in its entirety because I need it to be said here on my behalf:
Yeah, yeah, I know. Jesus and mysterious ways go together like peanut butter and jelly. Got it.
But I could use some unmysterious ways right about now. Why is it when I say, “OH DEAR GOD HELP ME, JESUS” for the fifth time (after my wicked, possessed-by-Satan-and-summer-vacation spawn have shouted in my face, “I HATE YOUR BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!”) Jesus does not swoop down to offer free camp or daycare?
Suffer the children unto me? Dude, you got that right. ‘Summer’ and ’suffer’ are suspiciously close together, linguistically. Don’t think I didn’t notice that, Mr. Jesus. Swap out the m’s for f’s, and you’ve got a very apt description of the season.
But enough about me, Jesus. Don’t think I didn’t pay attention in my twelve years of Catholic school. I read all the stuff they say you said, man. Suffer them unto YOU. Not me. I didn’t ask to suffer any junkyard-dog-mean, underslept post-toddlers. It’s summer, Jesus, a season when Pottery Barn catalogs show empty, airy beach houses. No way I’m getting close to an empty, airy beach house this year, but you’re harshing my attempted mellow with your absence. Child care is your GROOVE THANG. Lend a hand, buddy. Or point me in the direction of a bored saint.
Listen, you did it once. So go for broke. Show up again, not just on a burnt slice of toast. Start at my house, and you can have all the Scooby-Doo fruit snacks and beer you want, Jesus. Bring Lazarus, or Mary Magdalene. You can have my bed. Fresh sheets daily. Lazarus would probably really appreciate that, come to think of it, if we don’t tuck him in too tightly at night.
Holy heck, Jesus. I’d even whip up something in the crock pot. Think about it.
Thank you Breed 'Em and Weep!
Yeah, yeah, I know. Jesus and mysterious ways go together like peanut butter and jelly. Got it.
But I could use some unmysterious ways right about now. Why is it when I say, “OH DEAR GOD HELP ME, JESUS” for the fifth time (after my wicked, possessed-by-Satan-and-summer-vacation spawn have shouted in my face, “I HATE YOUR BIRTHDAY, MOMMY!”) Jesus does not swoop down to offer free camp or daycare?
Suffer the children unto me? Dude, you got that right. ‘Summer’ and ’suffer’ are suspiciously close together, linguistically. Don’t think I didn’t notice that, Mr. Jesus. Swap out the m’s for f’s, and you’ve got a very apt description of the season.
But enough about me, Jesus. Don’t think I didn’t pay attention in my twelve years of Catholic school. I read all the stuff they say you said, man. Suffer them unto YOU. Not me. I didn’t ask to suffer any junkyard-dog-mean, underslept post-toddlers. It’s summer, Jesus, a season when Pottery Barn catalogs show empty, airy beach houses. No way I’m getting close to an empty, airy beach house this year, but you’re harshing my attempted mellow with your absence. Child care is your GROOVE THANG. Lend a hand, buddy. Or point me in the direction of a bored saint.
Listen, you did it once. So go for broke. Show up again, not just on a burnt slice of toast. Start at my house, and you can have all the Scooby-Doo fruit snacks and beer you want, Jesus. Bring Lazarus, or Mary Magdalene. You can have my bed. Fresh sheets daily. Lazarus would probably really appreciate that, come to think of it, if we don’t tuck him in too tightly at night.
Holy heck, Jesus. I’d even whip up something in the crock pot. Think about it.
Thank you Breed 'Em and Weep!
Growing Up
Most of the time I think my anecdotes are related to Ava's antics. I can't help it, she is a little more active than Lily at this stage of life. However, Lily is holding her own this week in the "family news" department.
After sleeping very well via naps and bedtime, Lily has taken a turn for the worse. I think there are two main culprits: socializing and hunger. Lately she seems to be eating SO much more (and more frequently) than before which seems natural since she is growing, but I get the feeling that my nursing her is just not doing the trick. Those that have known me throughout both my pregnancies know that this was not the case with Ava. I could've been a wet nurse, that's how much I was able to feed her. Lily started out that way, but my milk production seems to have slowed down alot faster than with Ava (just an over-sharing sidenote for you all). Hence our try last night to introduce Lily to cereal. Yes, a little early (just ever so slightly) but I was a little desperate. I wondered if this might help her sleep better, more evenly, through the night again. Well I am unhappy to report that it didn't seem to help as supposed, but we got some good photos for you.
Lily has also discovered the joys of being social, which have been hindering the progress on naptimes. As soon as she figures out that you are still holding her after a feeding or rocking, she is "miraculously" awake again, spitting out her pacifier and cooing and gurgling and grinning at you. It is SO hard not to respond. I have figured out that the best thing for me to do is just lean back in the chair and shut my eyes and wait it out. She usually drifts off if I don't pay attention to her. Usually, not always. She just doesn't want to miss a minute of the action.
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