I have a few online deal websites I use, but wanted to see what other ones you guys use. I use...
woot.com & kids.woot.com
mamabargains.com
babysteals.com
kidsteals.com
scrapbooksteals.com
I have found really good deals with woot, not so much the other ones. There was another page I used to go to, but I never added it to my favorites, just left it in my history and then we wiped my computer clean. Oops!
Just trying to do a little Christmas shopping early.
10 November 2010
08 November 2010
Giving Thanks
A few of my friends on Facebook are saying what they are thankful for each day of November. I decided to tell you the 30 things I am thankful for this month all at once.
1. I am thankful for Eric and that he stands by me when I get cranky, irritable, and "in one of my moods". I am thankful that even when I get mad at him, he still kisses me good night.
2. I am thankful for Kathryn. We waited so long for a child and she is just perfect! even in her two-year-old moments. She is precious & beautiful.
3. I am thankful for Andrew. We knew we wanted at least one more, and even though he came a little earlier than planned, he is a wonderful little boy!
4. I am thankful for my parents. Looking back at how much they gave up for us, put up with my stubbornness, and provided a loving & stable home.
5. I am thankful for wonderful in-laws who raised a strong Christian man that I can now call mine.
6. I am thankful for a brother who loved me enough that his first email address was ferdiebro@... He will always be my bro.
7. I am thankful that Eric has had a stable job for the past 7-1/2 years that has provided enough that I can stay home with those wonderful kiddos.
8. I am thankful that I decided not to be an architect major and chose construction which allowed me to find jobs every time we moved.
9. I am thankful for Skype that allows me to see my parents more often. I just wish I thought of it when Mamma was still alive. She would have loved to see us more.
10. I am thankful that I have had wonderful grandparents and great-grandparents growing up. I treasure the influence they had on my life.
11. I am thankful for all the friends I have had in the various places we have lived. Most of them knowing that we wouldn't be staying long, but being great friends while we were together.
12. I am thankful for "old" friends that I can call up and talk to like I just saw them last week.
13. I am thankful for Disney Channel & PBS that keep my children entertained long enough for me to take a potty break.
14. I am thankful for coffee. It got me to work most mornings and now provides that little bit of grown up time in the morning. Plus it allows me to enjoy yummy creamers like Peppermint Mocha :)
15. I am thankful that Eric does not share my impulse buying gene and has taught me a little financial sense.
16. I am thankful for Amazon.com. For the money it has saved me, for the ideas it gives me, and for the wishlists that helps me to not just buy it the first time I see it.
17. I am thankful for a technological minded husband who makes copies of the real cds & dvds that he knows the kids & I will destroy.
18. I am thankful for Sonic receipts that have a survey for a free 44 oz drink on them. It satisfies my drive-thru impulse... most of the time anyway.
19. I am thankful that my father was a mechanic and taught me to take care of my car. The inside isn't always as clean as it should be, but I do change my oil when I should.
20. I am thankful for crayons. Sometimes I just like to color. I can only think about one thing while I color... stay in the lines. It can be relaxing. And now I can color with Kathryn.
21. I am thankful for Smokey Bones coupons. Eric, Kathryn & I can eat and have leftovers for about $20. It makes me feel not as guilty for eating out.
22. I am thankful for having parks around us. Kathryn just loves to play on parks. Especially with her friends.
23. I am thankful that Kathryn is outgoing. Sometimes I think I wouldn't have as many friends if it was not for her.
24. I am thankful that my children are healthy.
25. I am thankful that friends suggested that I find a MOPS group. It gives me the interaction with other adults without the kids. This year I get to help with creative activities and feel that I am contributing to others.
26. I am thankful for nap times. The kids don't always nap at the same time. When they do, I get a little quiet time. Other times give me one on one time with them. Kathryn seems to get jealous when I have to take care of Andrew so I know she enjoys our time together.
27. I am thankful for my double stroller. I can have both kids contained and yet enjoy being out & about. I enjoy that it converts to a sit & stand for trips to the zoo and other places that Kathryn enjoys being able to walk & ride.
28. I am thankful that Kathryn likes to read. And she has already memorized a few books. Or at least enough that she remembers the story.
29. I am thankful that the kids' doctor has same day or next day appointments. I've heard of pediatricians not having openings for days. I've gotten the kids into the office within a couple of hours.
30. I am thankful for those of you reading this. You have given me advice, listened to me ramble, helped me along the way, and shared our ups & downs.
I hope you have a wonderful November and are able to enjoy Thanksgiving with your friends & family.
1. I am thankful for Eric and that he stands by me when I get cranky, irritable, and "in one of my moods". I am thankful that even when I get mad at him, he still kisses me good night.
2. I am thankful for Kathryn. We waited so long for a child and she is just perfect! even in her two-year-old moments. She is precious & beautiful.
3. I am thankful for Andrew. We knew we wanted at least one more, and even though he came a little earlier than planned, he is a wonderful little boy!
4. I am thankful for my parents. Looking back at how much they gave up for us, put up with my stubbornness, and provided a loving & stable home.
5. I am thankful for wonderful in-laws who raised a strong Christian man that I can now call mine.
6. I am thankful for a brother who loved me enough that his first email address was ferdiebro@... He will always be my bro.
7. I am thankful that Eric has had a stable job for the past 7-1/2 years that has provided enough that I can stay home with those wonderful kiddos.
8. I am thankful that I decided not to be an architect major and chose construction which allowed me to find jobs every time we moved.
9. I am thankful for Skype that allows me to see my parents more often. I just wish I thought of it when Mamma was still alive. She would have loved to see us more.
10. I am thankful that I have had wonderful grandparents and great-grandparents growing up. I treasure the influence they had on my life.
11. I am thankful for all the friends I have had in the various places we have lived. Most of them knowing that we wouldn't be staying long, but being great friends while we were together.
12. I am thankful for "old" friends that I can call up and talk to like I just saw them last week.
13. I am thankful for Disney Channel & PBS that keep my children entertained long enough for me to take a potty break.
14. I am thankful for coffee. It got me to work most mornings and now provides that little bit of grown up time in the morning. Plus it allows me to enjoy yummy creamers like Peppermint Mocha :)
15. I am thankful that Eric does not share my impulse buying gene and has taught me a little financial sense.
16. I am thankful for Amazon.com. For the money it has saved me, for the ideas it gives me, and for the wishlists that helps me to not just buy it the first time I see it.
17. I am thankful for a technological minded husband who makes copies of the real cds & dvds that he knows the kids & I will destroy.
18. I am thankful for Sonic receipts that have a survey for a free 44 oz drink on them. It satisfies my drive-thru impulse... most of the time anyway.
19. I am thankful that my father was a mechanic and taught me to take care of my car. The inside isn't always as clean as it should be, but I do change my oil when I should.
20. I am thankful for crayons. Sometimes I just like to color. I can only think about one thing while I color... stay in the lines. It can be relaxing. And now I can color with Kathryn.
21. I am thankful for Smokey Bones coupons. Eric, Kathryn & I can eat and have leftovers for about $20. It makes me feel not as guilty for eating out.
22. I am thankful for having parks around us. Kathryn just loves to play on parks. Especially with her friends.
23. I am thankful that Kathryn is outgoing. Sometimes I think I wouldn't have as many friends if it was not for her.
24. I am thankful that my children are healthy.
25. I am thankful that friends suggested that I find a MOPS group. It gives me the interaction with other adults without the kids. This year I get to help with creative activities and feel that I am contributing to others.
26. I am thankful for nap times. The kids don't always nap at the same time. When they do, I get a little quiet time. Other times give me one on one time with them. Kathryn seems to get jealous when I have to take care of Andrew so I know she enjoys our time together.
27. I am thankful for my double stroller. I can have both kids contained and yet enjoy being out & about. I enjoy that it converts to a sit & stand for trips to the zoo and other places that Kathryn enjoys being able to walk & ride.
28. I am thankful that Kathryn likes to read. And she has already memorized a few books. Or at least enough that she remembers the story.
29. I am thankful that the kids' doctor has same day or next day appointments. I've heard of pediatricians not having openings for days. I've gotten the kids into the office within a couple of hours.
30. I am thankful for those of you reading this. You have given me advice, listened to me ramble, helped me along the way, and shared our ups & downs.
I hope you have a wonderful November and are able to enjoy Thanksgiving with your friends & family.
01 November 2010
one step closer...
to being a soccer mom!
I had my eye on this beauty for a couple of weeks. Then I mentioned it to Eric. The dealer had written the price on the window in those silly curly letters. I thought it said several thousand less than it did. I was wrong. Got my hopes up and everything. So I gave up, kinda.
We checked the dealer's website to see all the specs and such and noticed it was a couple thousand less online, but there was a disclaimer that the dealer had the right to change such price, blah, blah.
This past Friday night, we were on our way to Burger King with a buy one get one free coupon. (I love coupons.) As we drove by the dealer, Eric pulled it up on the mobile website and it was even less than before. hmmmm.... we thought. Let's go look and ask. Doesn't hurt, right?
I stay in the car, Eric gets out to look at it. It is loaded. Listed for a few thousand less than Blue Book. Nice, clean, clean car fax report... A lady comes out and we say, look it was cheaper on line, what's the deal. She says if the price on line is cheaper then that is what it is selling for. Hmmmm... that could be doable. Okay let's talk numbers. If you give us $X, then we just may do this. First them came back with $X - y. Nope, still a little out of reach. Okay, we'll give you $X. Sweet. So we fill out all the paperwork we can. Since we were going out for hamburgers, I didn't have the title or the checkbook.
We went back Saturday morning. Signed everything. Wrote a large check. And ta-da! I have a new-to-me van :) and Kathryn got a really large orange balloon.
So it is an 2008 Honda Odyssey. Leather. Sun roof. Navigation System. Rear entertainment package. Back up camera. and a third row!!! yay!!! no more taking two cars when we have company in town or we are with family! whooo hoo! And with the back row down, my double stroller slides in the entire way long ways! I'm loving it so far!
Go ahead. You can be jealous :)
20 October 2010
Crib Rail Cover
As promised to those of you on facebook, here is more detail on the crib rail cover I made yesterday.
I used this tutorial I found by doing a google search a few months ago. I got the idea after seeing this one on Amazon, but didn't think it was worth $20. It looked simple enough to make.
I had found the monkey fabric at JoAnn's a few months ago. I thought it matched the green of the other bedding well. The tutorial used three different patterns. I went with one. No need to make things more complicated, right?
I did change a few things. First, thanks to the advice of Mom, I did not cut my entire 53" length out of one piece, but pieced together two strips of 12" wide fabric and then trimmed the ends to make the 53". The left over ends were about 14" long (I can't cut straight to save my life). This length worked great for the end ties.
This was the second change I made. The tutorial used ties in the middle and the ends. I didn't want the ties in the middle. I had a package of snaps I used on a purse left over. So I used those. I made the nice looking side of the snap face out. The back side of the snap is between the quilted layer and the monkey fabric, so you don't see it. This plain side faces into the crib.
The original one I found on Amazon had loops to attach teething toys. I have not done this step yet, but may go back and do that later. I am planning on doing on for the back rail also. I may just do it on that cover.
 |
| From Drop Box |
I used this tutorial I found by doing a google search a few months ago. I got the idea after seeing this one on Amazon, but didn't think it was worth $20. It looked simple enough to make.
I had found the monkey fabric at JoAnn's a few months ago. I thought it matched the green of the other bedding well. The tutorial used three different patterns. I went with one. No need to make things more complicated, right?
I did change a few things. First, thanks to the advice of Mom, I did not cut my entire 53" length out of one piece, but pieced together two strips of 12" wide fabric and then trimmed the ends to make the 53". The left over ends were about 14" long (I can't cut straight to save my life). This length worked great for the end ties.
 |
| From Drop Box |
This was the second change I made. The tutorial used ties in the middle and the ends. I didn't want the ties in the middle. I had a package of snaps I used on a purse left over. So I used those. I made the nice looking side of the snap face out. The back side of the snap is between the quilted layer and the monkey fabric, so you don't see it. This plain side faces into the crib.
 |
| From Drop Box |
The original one I found on Amazon had loops to attach teething toys. I have not done this step yet, but may go back and do that later. I am planning on doing on for the back rail also. I may just do it on that cover.
 |
| From Drop Box |
15 October 2010
time to...
lower the crib!
Oh and Eric pointed out that I forgot to mention that he is sitting himself up after being in a crawling position. And now, as you can see, he is pulling himself up. Too fast! Too fast this boy is!!!
Last night he finally got the hand-mouth coordination down to start eating the little puffs himself too!
Oh and Eric pointed out that I forgot to mention that he is sitting himself up after being in a crawling position. And now, as you can see, he is pulling himself up. Too fast! Too fast this boy is!!!
Last night he finally got the hand-mouth coordination down to start eating the little puffs himself too!
I did get this on video but blogger isn't liking the MP4 format. I'll figure something out.
12 October 2010
kiddo update
I guess I could wait until next week when Andrew is 8 months, but he's doing too much. And in my old age, I would probably forget what is really new that I haven't told you by then anyway.
Let's see. He's crawling. Mostly army crawling, but he can do laps around the kitchen. His poor little knees though. Good thing he's tough. He has in the past couple of days started to get up on all fours and do one or two "steps" in the "normal" fashion.
Speaking of fashion, I've had to move him up to the 12 month pj's. Mostly for the length, but a little because he is solid. He still has baby fat rolls on his legs, but his torso is just solid. I'm guessing once he really gets mobile the baby rolls will thin out. Kathryn thinned out a lot once she started walking.
Update from my "venti" post. He has gone back to eating normally, but still getting up at least two or three times a night. It has to stop. But I think it is teething related. You can feel bumps along the bottom. Last night before bed I used the Orajel and he slept until after 1 AM.
He is a talker. Doesn't really say much that is understandable. But his favorite noise right now sounds like "da da da". Eric says this is important. I think he is just jabbering, but Eric says, "Nope. He's saying dada." He really likes to talk while we are eating out... or anywhere public really.
In the past week he is beginning to pull him self up on things. He started on chair legs. You know the bracing bar between the bottom of legs. At home he likes the sit-n-spin. I think he figured out if he presses the top, it plays music. He has no problem climbing over you.
I think that it is for Andrew.
Kathryn is getting bigger every day. She is starting to be able to tell Daddy at dinner what we did during the day. She was able to tell him a little about the fire station outing this morning after MOPS. She did remember that she bonked into another little girl and fell on the floor (ground) and got an owie (is that how you spell that?? like boo-boo... ow that hurt... something doesn't look right).
Her toes were sticking out of her jammies. Literally. She wore holes in the toes and her big toe was sticking out of two pairs. So I bought her footless jammies at Target the other day. I wasn't sure which size to get, but was leaning toward the 3T. The jammies were on an end cap of the aisle with the car seats. It had a height chart. She was 36" so we did go with the 3T.
The sassyness is starting. She knows how to talk back. Sometimes when Andrew is really talking, I'll say "You don't say!". Well, Kathryn has picked up on this saying, but with the tone more like "You don't say that to me!". Sometimes with the serious look. Makes me want to slap it out of her mouth. But I don't. I try to say, "I do say because I am the Mommy!".
And I can't remember if I have told you guys or not, but her favorite song is Old McDonald. And on his farm he has a pig, a cow, a doggie, a Kathryn (who giggles), a Jessie (from Toy Story... she Yee-haw's), a Mr. Giraffe (her little stuffed one that gives kisses), sometimes a truck (it goes drive, drive), and a house that goes ding dong. The truck and the house she came up with on her own. Or heard them from someone besides us. Old McDonald is part of her bedtime routine. We also sing Twinkle Twinkle and Jesus Loves Me. It is hard after you have sang about 5 cows and a few others to not sing Jesus Loves Me a few times.
She can just about climb in and buckle her carseat by herself. She can do the top buckle no problem. Most of the time she can get one of the bottom buckles in but needs you to get the other one.
Oh and my favorite thing lately is that she is starting to color. And for like 20 minutes or longer. She sits at her table and just colors. Sometimes it is the same picture that she has already colored. But she plays quitely. Just her and crayons. That's my girl!
I'm sure there are other things I could tell you, but it is late and I need to try to get some sleep tonight.
But I'll leave you with a picture of the two most adorable kiddos!!
Let's see. He's crawling. Mostly army crawling, but he can do laps around the kitchen. His poor little knees though. Good thing he's tough. He has in the past couple of days started to get up on all fours and do one or two "steps" in the "normal" fashion.
Speaking of fashion, I've had to move him up to the 12 month pj's. Mostly for the length, but a little because he is solid. He still has baby fat rolls on his legs, but his torso is just solid. I'm guessing once he really gets mobile the baby rolls will thin out. Kathryn thinned out a lot once she started walking.
Update from my "venti" post. He has gone back to eating normally, but still getting up at least two or three times a night. It has to stop. But I think it is teething related. You can feel bumps along the bottom. Last night before bed I used the Orajel and he slept until after 1 AM.
He is a talker. Doesn't really say much that is understandable. But his favorite noise right now sounds like "da da da". Eric says this is important. I think he is just jabbering, but Eric says, "Nope. He's saying dada." He really likes to talk while we are eating out... or anywhere public really.
In the past week he is beginning to pull him self up on things. He started on chair legs. You know the bracing bar between the bottom of legs. At home he likes the sit-n-spin. I think he figured out if he presses the top, it plays music. He has no problem climbing over you.
I think that it is for Andrew.
Kathryn is getting bigger every day. She is starting to be able to tell Daddy at dinner what we did during the day. She was able to tell him a little about the fire station outing this morning after MOPS. She did remember that she bonked into another little girl and fell on the floor (ground) and got an owie (is that how you spell that?? like boo-boo... ow that hurt... something doesn't look right).
Her toes were sticking out of her jammies. Literally. She wore holes in the toes and her big toe was sticking out of two pairs. So I bought her footless jammies at Target the other day. I wasn't sure which size to get, but was leaning toward the 3T. The jammies were on an end cap of the aisle with the car seats. It had a height chart. She was 36" so we did go with the 3T.
The sassyness is starting. She knows how to talk back. Sometimes when Andrew is really talking, I'll say "You don't say!". Well, Kathryn has picked up on this saying, but with the tone more like "You don't say that to me!". Sometimes with the serious look. Makes me want to slap it out of her mouth. But I don't. I try to say, "I do say because I am the Mommy!".
And I can't remember if I have told you guys or not, but her favorite song is Old McDonald. And on his farm he has a pig, a cow, a doggie, a Kathryn (who giggles), a Jessie (from Toy Story... she Yee-haw's), a Mr. Giraffe (her little stuffed one that gives kisses), sometimes a truck (it goes drive, drive), and a house that goes ding dong. The truck and the house she came up with on her own. Or heard them from someone besides us. Old McDonald is part of her bedtime routine. We also sing Twinkle Twinkle and Jesus Loves Me. It is hard after you have sang about 5 cows and a few others to not sing Jesus Loves Me a few times.
She can just about climb in and buckle her carseat by herself. She can do the top buckle no problem. Most of the time she can get one of the bottom buckles in but needs you to get the other one.
Oh and my favorite thing lately is that she is starting to color. And for like 20 minutes or longer. She sits at her table and just colors. Sometimes it is the same picture that she has already colored. But she plays quitely. Just her and crayons. That's my girl!
I'm sure there are other things I could tell you, but it is late and I need to try to get some sleep tonight.
But I'll leave you with a picture of the two most adorable kiddos!!
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| From October 2010 |
slacker mom
I've been a slacker at updates. So tonight after the kids go to bed, I'll try to do an update. Be looking for things about a week in Georgia, Andrew's new tricks, etc.
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