Frugality at its Best

This post should prove to you how poor and frugal we are. My 2 yr old wanted this pink microphone SOO bad from the store. She even cried when we left and continued to ask for it for 3 days. That has never happened EVER. So I had the genius idea to make her one. A toliet paper roll, tissue paper, some buttons and gems, and good ole modge podge and voila!! A microphone! She totally loves it and makes me and her dad sing into it all the time. She even slept with the the first night I made it. I'm so talented :D

Then I have really been wanting some dress ups for her and once again too cheap to buy them sooo... I had some clothes that had been ruined from this that and the other and made decided to combine them and patch over stains. It was a fun little afternoon project and I didn't spend 1 cent which I always feel good about!

Amy

Netbook

So I am going to attempt to regularly blog because I got a new netbook! Yahoo!! My old computer is soo slow and old and getting on the internet is so frustrating so the hubs surprised me and brought home a netbook. I sent him to Toys R Us to get diapers (they're on sale) and he came with a netbook, awesome! Haha silly boys, they love their electronics. They were on a great sale as well. I don't have the exact number on the diaper deal because I threw away the receipts but right now Toys R Us has an additional 25% off there clearance and tubs of 140 diapers, 32 wipes, $20 worth of Toys R Us coupons, and a sturdy plastic tub are on clearance for around $38.00. I had a $2.00 off huggies coupon so we got a tub for about $24.00. We then got the coupon booklet out of the tub and there was a $7.00 off box of huggies diapers coupon so we bought another tub using that coupon. It's a pretty good deal in my opinion. Also netbooks were on clearance with the additional 25% off so my husband figured it was too good to pass up. We got it for $130 less than Walmart is selling it for :D. I consider that another good deal. The Toys R Us additional clearance goes til sometime in July so check out your local store and get some good dealios!!

Amy

Kitchen Tip

 So a while back my friend taught me about a genius kitchen tip that I love and now use. It is easy and saves time and money, now that is what I'm talking about! I know, I am killing you with anticipation so... here we go. We all hate chopping onions, at least I do and so this is a great trick. Buy your onion, chop up the whole dang thing, and freeze it. Yup, that's it. You now have chopped onion at all times and you don't have to cry every time you only need 1 Tbls per recipe. You also don't let a single piece of onion go to waste, which it's all about frugality in my book. So go buy yourself an onion, chop the entire thing up, shed a tear or two, freeze it in a ziplock, and have chopped onion whenever you need. Hope it works for you because I know it is a kitchen tip that I totally love!

 Amy

Don't worry my kids survived the day.. and so did I

Today was a pretty adventurous day, as most days are in my household. My 2 yr old walks into my bedroom super excited and exclaims "Go to the waterslide now!" (I told her yesterday that it would finally be warm enough, 70's if we were lucky, to go to the waterslide which she has been begging to go to for weeks.) I tried to explain that it was 8 in the morning and we had to wait until after naps when it was warmer to go. She was sad but agreed. Don't worry, she continued to ask frequently throughout our day when we would be going. She also told me that she was wet. I went in to her room and her sheets were soaking wet. Nothing like the 1st load of laundry at 8am. Then I was feeding my baby rice cereal when my 2 yr old summoned me to the bathroom to help her. (she is kinda potty trained but wears diapers, I know complicated. For another post later.) I left the baby for only a moment and upon my return found the oatmeal EVERYWHERE. "Ugh," I thought, "Another mess." It's only 8:20 by now, I know absurd! Don't you worry though I did take a picture before cleaning it up, in fact it still isn't totally cleaned up. Ya, it's 10:30 pm and I haven't cleaned up morning breakfast messes, some days are like that don'tcha know? So anyways I strip her down and get her cleaned up and proceed with my day. For some reason my 2 yr old is soo whiney lately. I know, can you imagine a 2 yr old whining? Crazy! Anyways she was driving me nuts all day but we eventually made it to the waterpark We get there and they search our stuff better than the freakin airport searches. They seriously chucked the water out of my babies bottle and made me refill it inside. They also made me shake out every towel to see if I was hiding an extra granola bar. Wow, really? Anyways, I stayed with the baby and my husband took the other one around to play. He comes back about 20 minutes later and tells me, "So I looked down, and there she was just floating face down in the water." Uhh, what? "Ya, she was standing and all of the sudden she was floating." Not good people, NOT GOOD! So don't worry she is totally fine and we learned a very important lesson. Watch your kids at all times. She had been standing and my husband looked away for 2 seconds and she feel over. Scary to say the least and we are most certainly getting a lifejacket! Oh and then this evening we were throwing away some branches from a crazy tree in our backyard and apparently my baby ate one because about 10 minutes later she starts gagging and throws up a leaf. It was scary because she struggled for just a minute and I had no idea she had eaten anything weird, let alone a leaf. So don't worry my kids are healthy and safely tucked into bed. This post definitely makes me look like a retarded and unaware mom but hey some days are crazier than others. Hopefully this post will remind you that you are not the only crazy one out there. I am definitely at the top of the list. Lessons we learned today: 1. don't give your child lots of liquids before bed 2. don't leave your baby within reach of ANY edible substance (cereal or leaves) 3. use a lifejacket 4. know that parents make mistakes and all we can do is learn from them!
- Sorry I can't post the picture of the mess, use your imagination, I'm sure you have seen a similar mess in your days.

Amy

 

Freebies without the Sunday Paper

No Sunday paper required for these deals, yahoooo!!

Walmart

Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta $1.08

$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta
Final cost $0.08 (use your overage from other items to get this FREE)

Nexcare Comfort Bandages $1.00

$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Nexcare Bandages
FREE!

Wilkinson Twin or Triple Blade Razors $0.97

$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Wilkinson Twin or Triple Blade Razors (zip 90201 pg. 2)
FREE + $0.03 Money Maker!

Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste, $0.97
$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Aquafresh
FREE!


Target

Kashi Cereal cups $1.00
$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Kashi
$FREE!

Carefree Liners $0.99
$1.00/1 PRINTABLE for Carefree
$FREE!

Photo Prints 4X6 $0.10 each
$2.00/20 PRINTABLE for 4X6 Prints TARGET Coupon
$FREE (for 20 prints)

Zantac 150 24ct $7.26
$5.00/1 PRINTABLE for Zantac
$2.00/1 PRINTABLE for Zantac TARGET Coupon
Final cost $0.26 (not FREE, but Super Close)


Thanks www.supercouponlady.com for these great deals!


Amy

My friends Giveaway!

Check out this cute blog and the fun giveaway she has going right now! These are cute and I want them for summer. My toes but mostly my girls toes would be ADORABLE! I need! Check it out

Amy

Miss Helpful

So my 2 yr old is definitely Miss Helpful. She wants to help with everything. I shouldn't complain but goodness gracious it gets overwhelming sometimes. She will rip up paper just so she can get the broom out and sweep. She pushes the mop around, she unloads the dishes (this I actually like), she always wants to put the laundry into the wash, she helps me fold laundry (which means taking it out of the basket and throwing it at me). She is the cutest little stinker there is but sometimes it drives me totally bonkers. And when I say sometimes, I mean most always. She is a great big sister too. Any time my baby cries and I am not in the room I will come in to find my 2 yr old singing to her, giving her a toy, or trying shoving a bottle down her throat (all in kindness of course). She is such a sweet little girl and I love her so much. I started writing this blog out of frustration but as I think of all the silly and cute things she does daily it makes me so grateful to be her mom. She makes me so happy and crazy (let's be honest here) but I love her more than anything. Life as a mom can be stressful, thankless, insane, tiring, and so much more. But when I really think about it, I love it and I am so grateful to stay home and raise these beautiful girls. They are the most precious gift I could ever receive. I am truly a lucky woman! When in need, ramble about your crazy kids and turns out you will realize how much you love them even though they drive you crazy. Thanks Miss Helpful for letting me love you and looking out for your Mama! I sure do love you.

Amy

Yes, I really am blogging about hiccups

So the other night my husband had the hiccups and I asked if he wanted to get rid of them. He said "Sure, scare me." No, no, no silly. I have the REAL way to get rid of hiccups. So I told him what to do and it worked (of course, it always works) and he was amazed. He kept waiting to hiccup but guess what? He hasn't hiccuped since. He was so impressed by my solution (I thought everyone knew the trick but apparently I'm the only one in the world who knows) that he wanted me to sell it on Amazon. Hahahaha seriously though, he wanted me to sell it with a money back guarentee. That's my husband, always trying to make a buck. So anyways instead of selling my cure to hiccups I will blog about it for free. I know, get excited people a FREE hiccup cure! So anyways brace yourself, THIS is the cure.
1. Get one gulpsworth (ya I just invented that word) of water in your mouth

2. Bend your head as close to your chest as possible, if you're really talented your chin will touch your chest

3. Swallow the water

4. Bring your head back to normality

5. VOILA!
I know, amazing right? Anywho, next time you get the hiccups try it out and remember I could have charged you for this ;)

On another note I just have to comment on my favorite shows Bachelorette (don't judge me) and Idol. I don't even like Ashley on the Bachelorette but of course I got hooked again and that boy from Utah, Bentley, seriously? Ew, he is a mean word! As for idol, I didn't even think Lauren or Scotty would make it to the finals but they are both so cute so whatever. Pretty sure they're dating... did they not kiss on the lips immediately after he won? Just sayin... The finale was so fun to watch (Jack Black? HILARIOUS!) and it was so nice to see that they both love their parents and have such good parents who love them. What a relief in this crazy world we live in. Over and out people.

Amy

Aren't baths suppose to clean you?

The culprits and their filth

So I'm pretty sure that the purpose of a bath is to be cleaner exiting than when you entered. The other night my 2 yr old squirted one of her bath toys and this nasty black stuff came out. I drained out the yucky water and thought "Maybe I should clean these toys." Well tonight I finally got around to cleaning them. HOLY DISGUSTINGNESS of the nation!!! I filled the ducks with some cloroxy water (thinking clorox solves all my problems, right?) and started to squirt them out. WRONG! Only after a few squirts did I realize that it was completely useless and disgusting. My girls have been soaking in the tub with these filthy animals, SICK! I decided it would be better just to throw them away than continue cleaning them. Needless to say we won't be buying any bath toys that can get water inside.Wow I hope all of you have cleaner toys than me, because I was pretty shocked and disgusted. What have you found that works to clean your bath toys or do you just steer clear of these little germ breeders?

Amy

On Time

The every day bag

The "church bag"

Getting to places on time with my kids looking cute (I'm a little OCD about hair being done with bows in tact), hopefully showered myself, and my diaper bag properly packed is quite the task. I have finally figured out a few tricks that you have probably been doing your whole mothering life but if not I thought I would share. Sundays are by far the most stressful day for me. (Every other day we chill in our pajamas eating bon bons and watching soaps.) Sundays we attend church and of course I want my kids looking extra nice as well as myself. I have realized that if I bathe them the night before that it is a HUGE time saver. As soon as they wake up I get them fed, ready, and plopped down in front of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (thank you DVR). This way I can know how much time I have to spend on myself. My number one tip for being on time though, is so easy it's pathetic that I just now figured it out, is to pack the diaper bag the night before. Genius, I know! Even more helpful is that I have officially designated a "church bag." It only goes to church, no where else. It keeps the same books and toys in it that never come out unless we are sitting in church and I stock it full of snacks, diapers, wipes, formula, and bottles the night before. Of course on days like today I still manage to forget the sippy cup of milk on the way out the door, which in this house really is a crime, but for the most part we always have what we need and have managed not to be late in months. So whatever events you have to make it to on time; school, church, playgroup, etc. get the diaper bag or "special" bag ready the night before and you will be ready to go! Totally a silly tip I know, but hopefully you have already been doing this and if not, start and I hope it will help!

Amy

The Depot that I Love

Dear Home Depot,

  I love you. When we went out to start our sprinklers this year we realized that the timer had broken. My husband called Home Depot where we had bought the timer last year and told them it was broken. We had no receipt or box but they happily replaced it for us, FREE! Then, we decided to lay some seed to get our grass growing better and decided on a 100% guarantee one because Home Depot said that if it didn't grow they would refund our money. Win win if I do say so myself! This was also after Home Depot price matched the seed (my husband found it $2 cheaper online). So basically Home Depot, I love you. Thanks for being an amazing store. Its the only place I will be shopping for my garden needs this summer!

Amy

Sleep Training

So after a week of very little sleep for me and my 6 month old I decided to make her cry it out. I have said I will do this about a hundred times (with both kids) and never do it. It took me until my first baby was 1 to make her sleep through the night and until she was 2 to actually stay in her bed all night. I know, insanity. SO last night I decided that I could do it for real this time! I put my 6 month old to bed at 8 and she didn't make a peep (sigh). We watched a movie and at 1050 she started wailing (oh great, here we go). We went to bed and proceeded to listen to her wail (I mean seriously wail at the top of her lungs) for 1 hour. I was continuously saying "maybe I should give her a binkie, maybe I should go check on her", but I stuck to my guns and let her be. It paid off because she didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning! YAHOOOOO!! Success. We will see how the next few nights go but I am feeling pretty accomplished about the matter. Lots of my sisters and sister in laws do this and say it works and I never have had the guts to do it. It's sad people, listening to your baby just scream and knowing you could help her in 2 seconds, but I did it and I'm proud! I hope it pays off because I am in serious need of sleep and happy children! Good luck to all you moms out there who are trying to get there babies to sleep through the night. They should seriously come with that already programed in them... just saying. Oh and about teething, my baby LOVES chewing on pickles haha TRY IT!

Amy

Blog Under Construction

I'm trying to get my blog looking sweet so please excuse its excessive daily changes! Come visit soon and hopefully it will be up and running great!

Amy

Strollers

What's your favorite or least favorite stroller? I personally LOVE my single Graco Metrolite and HATED my double InStep Grand Safari jogging stroller. I recently borrowed a single Chicco umbrella stroller (to go to Disneyland) and it was seriously awesome!! Comment about your stroller opinion for all the mom's out there!

Amy

Vacuums

 So I happen to own and LOVE this Dyson ball vacuum and have a product critique to make. I love this vacuum and would recommend it, HOWEVER, my sister just bought a Dyson (not a ball) and very much disliked it. She said it didn't "suck" as in pick up junk off her floor and that it was super short (she is tall so that's no good). She called the customer service and they are refunding her completely and paying for the shipping. So if you do decided to spend your hard earned money, these things ain't cheap, rest assure that if you don't like it, Dyson will refund you. A+ Dyson!

What vacuum do you love or hate?

Amy

Blogging

Ok people, I need your opinion!! How do I make my blog look good and be functional? I'm struggling here!

Rite Aid Diaper Deal 5/15

Rite Aid

Huggies Jumbo Pack - $10
use (2) $3/1 Huggies diaper coupon
Get $5 UP+ reward wyb $20 in Huggies (limit 3)

My personal purchase tomorrow will look like this:
1st Transaction
Buy 2 packs, use (2) $3/1 coupons
2nd Transaction
Buy 2 packs, use (2) $3/1 coupons AND $5 UP+ reward from 1st transaction
I will end up taking home one $5 UP+ reward home for another purchase another day
TOTAL = 4 packs diapers for about $23 and a $5 UP+ for my next purchase, not too shabby

What will work deal look like?

Question

My 6 month old is teething. What products or suggestions have you used that help ease pain?

The Do's and Don'ts of Disneyland

Disneyland is seriously my favorite place on Earth! This was the first time I took my kids (2 1/2 and 6 months) and we will definitely be going again! Here are my do's and don'ts of Disneyland, please share yours too!
     
       Do's!!
- Park Hopper Pass (2 days was perfect)
- Stay in a hotel within walking distance
- Go with other adults that can watch your kids so you can enjoy the "big" rides
- Pack in your own food and lunch (HUGE $$ saver)
- Go when the weather is nice and kids are still in school (May was great!)
- See the World of Color water show at CA Adventure
      
        Don'ts
- Bring a double stroller (we brought 2 umbrella strollers -Chicco-and it was perfect)
- Ride Finding Nemo submarine (waited forever and my 2 year old was TERRIFIED)

       Warnings
- Most characters do not walk around anymore. The Princesses have an enclosed area and the wait was always 45-90 minutes

                You will have an amazing time!