Flashback

It was a year ago this week that we
closed on, painted and moved into our house.

That week was exhausting.

Just ask the girls:

Aug 20, 2009

We are having a much more relaxing week
playing with friends and doing some school work,
mixed with a little Super Mario Bros.

We made it to the beach, too!
(Thanks to Auntie)

We may even go bowling today.

We've come so far.

But I still have a todo list longer than my arm...

It's a deal!

Money spent: 53.33

Money saved: 139.81

This is what I got:

28! boxes of cereal (avg price $.34)
12 boxes of Eggo Cinnabon frozen pancakes (12ct)
2 boxes of Fudge bars (20ct)
2 Pilot gel pens (turned out free after coupon)
2 12-packs double rolls of toilet paper
6 fajita size tortillas (2 wheat just for fun)
8 boxes of brownie mix
4 cans of Parmesan cheese
2 dozen eggs
2 packs bun length Ball Park Angus hot dogs

1 bag cheez curls (to appease the beasts who went with me)

Here's the details:

I went to Weis (a local grocery store), loaded up my cart and then made the poor cashier do five consecutive transactions for me. (I got the information to pull this off from one of my new favorite blogs For the Mammas.)

Transaction #1

4 Frosted Flakes @ $2 each
3 Corn Flakes @ $2 each
3 Cinnabon @ $2 each

Total: $20

Plus the following coupons:
$1 off 3 Kelloggs cereal
$1 off 3 Kelloggs cereal
.75 of Cinnabon cereal (x2) doubled up to $1
.75 of Corn Flakes cereal (x2) doubled up to $1

Coupons: $6

Amount paid: $14

AND the register kicked out a $10 off and a $7 off coupon for my next transaction

They ended up paying me $3 for these cereals. Avg price : -$.15/box


Transaction #2:

4 boxes Apple Jacks @ $2 each
4 boxes Froot Loops @ $2 each
2 boxes Rice Krispies @ $2 each

Total: $20

Plus the following coupons:
$1 off 3 Kelloggs cereal
$1 off 3 Kelloggs cereal
$1 off 2 Kelloggs cereal
$1 off 2 Kelloggs cereal

Coupons: $4

Amount paid: $16

AND the register kicked out a $10 off and a $7 off coupon for my next transaction

They ended up paying me $1 for these cereals. Avg price : -$.05/box


Transaction #3:

12 boxes Eggo Cinnabon pancakes (12ct) @ 3/$5

Total: $20

No coupons : (
But I did use a set of $10 and $7 coupons from a previous transaction (you can only use one at a time)

Amount paid: $3

AND the register kicked out a $10 off and a $7 off coupon for my next transaction

Avg price : $.25/box


Transaction #3:

2 Cottonelle 12 double roll @ 4.99 each
4 Life cereals @ 7.50 total

• Side note: there was a sign posted 4/$8 AND a sign posted 4/$10. The first cereal scanned at the higher price, so I made a fuss. My awesome cashier, Chris called over the manager. The others scanned for the higher price, too, so I got one of them free. A bonus savings of $.50!

2 Multigrain Cheerios @ 2.50 each
2 Shredded Wheat @ 2.50 each
2 Pilot G2 pens @ 1.00 each
2 Blue Bunny Fudge bars (20ct) @4.99 each

Total: $39.46

Plus the following coupons:
$1 off 1 Cottonelle
$.50 off 1 Cottonelle (doubled to $1)
$.75 off 1 Multigrain Cheerios (x2) (doubled to $1)
$1 off 2 Shredded Wheat cereals
$1 off 1 Pilot G2 pen (x2)
$1 off Blue Bunny Novelties (x2)

Coupons: $9

And I used a set of $10 and $7 coupons from a previous transaction

Amount paid: $13.58

Cottonelle 3.99/pack: $.33/roll

Life $1.88 each

Multigrain Cheerios $1.50 each

Shredded Wheat $1.50 each

Pilot pens FREE

Fudge Bars $3.99/box $.20/bar

Needless to say, I am very excited about these deals.

I will be going back for more cereal tomorrow, hopefully with more coupons, too!

June 1-10

June 1



Daddy gave Mommy an iPod touch for their
ANNIVERSARY last week.

Mommy LOVES it.

The kids love it.

Daddy wants one.

And just might take Mommy's away since she
uses it so much.


June 2

There is an extreme closeup setting on our camera.

It makes for good pictures.

Especially of pretty flowers.


June 3

Mommy likes flip flops.

So she bought herself a necklace.

And supported breast cancer awareness.


June 4

Leia had her kindergarten fashion show today.

Every kid wrote a blurb about what they were
wearing and doing
using words that start with the
same letter as their name.
Too bad we don't say her name on the blog.

Needless to say, she was the cutest one out of all the classes.

They also sang lots of songs complete with actions.

It was a great way to finish off the year.



June 5

The family went camping.

We had a great time

cooking

hiking

scaring a raccoon from camp

making biscuits in the fire

roasting marshmallows

sleeping amidst a thunderstorm

and hiking some more.


This picture was taken along the Little Falls Trail
after we broke camp in the morning.

Since we obviously survived and
thoroughly enjoyed it,
we'll be camping more in the future.



June 6

Leia returned from playing at a friend's house looking like this.

Bright blue eyeshadow and ruby red lips.

But the funniest thing is the
paused image on the TV behind her.

We're trying with all our might to
figure out what mom was watching.

10 points to whomever can identify it.



June 7

It's not quite clear what is going on here,
but it is quite possibly related to the
little LEGO guy who is
standing on the pet treat box
next to his tiny LEGO frog friend.

Captain Rex left this on his bed when he went to school.

Imaginative little boy, he is!

June 8

These cute little eggs were found
(along with the angry mama bird)
in a bush in our front yard.

They're about the size of a dime.

So cute.

I hope they hatch before we leave on vacation.



June 9

This is mommy's packing mess.

It always looks worse before it gets better, right?

Three kids for one month
three stops along the way
means a lot of planning.

Especially for this mommy.


June 10

Daddy doesn't get a lot of blog time.

So even though there are lots of interesting pictures for today
we are dedicating it to Daddy and his birthday.
(which we celebrated early because of the vacation)

The most exciting (and useful) gift was the brownie pan.

It makes the crustiest brownies.

Thanks for the idea, nother-one-grandma and grandpa!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

May 26-31

May 26

The new favorite dinner location
is the picnic table on the playset.

Complete with table cloth and all!


May 27

This is NOT zesty Italian salad dressing.

This is freshly made maple syrup.

In the fifth plastic bottle of the month.

Mommy keeps pouring it in too hot.

And melting the bottles.


May 28

INTRODUCING...

DANCING PRINCESS LEIA!!!

There was a dance recital on the fireplace stage.

And she busted some sweet moves.


May 29

Today was a race car at Lowe's Build and Grow.

The stickers and American flag were the best parts.

And maybe a little confusing to Leia.


May 30

The neighbors had a deck party this afternoon.

The kids had a great time playing
on the trampoline, hide-n-seek, and kickball.

The grownups liked chatting with neighbors.


May 31

Mommy is trying her hand at gardening once again.

Right before a month-long vacation.
(keep your fingers crossed)

The kids picked and planted seeds
which grew SO WELL
and were SO READY to go into the ground.

It was quite a production.

And mommy got very dirty.

May 20-25

May 20


Hubby brought home a recently live lobster for dinner.

While we enjoy an interactive dinner,
cleaning out the lobster for so little reward
may not happen again too soon.

But we enjoyed playing with the poor guy.


May 21


SPA TIME!!!



May 22


Mommy and a fun friend went to a scrapbook convention today.
(Thanks to Daddy for watching the kiddies)

The plans for the event were cut
from a weekend to overnight to a long day.

It was a small show,
but they both found fun treasures.

Caught the scrapbooking bug anew.

And had a great time!


May 23


Once again, mommy's camera was hijacked
by one of the kiddies and
it turned out an artistic result.

Or at least a different perspective.


May 24

Rex is waiting for the bus.

Under the pine tree.

On the corner.


May 25


Rex earned his Bobcat patch and pin at scouts tonight.

There was no hanging him upside down or anything,
but he was excited to receive an award.

We are all proud of our Cub Scout.

May 10 - 19

May 10

THE SWING SET IS DONE!!!

And everyone loves it.

Mommy is partial to its festive coloring.


May 11

This isn't a very good picture,
but because of the rain on the windshield
the other pictures were out of focus.

We took a slight detour on the way home from the airport
and found the quintessential
SNOB HILL.

The house on the right tops a hill.
(delineated by the red dirt)

It is the only house on the hill.
And it is big.



May 12


Happy Birthday AMBER!!
(her name was not changed)

A new toy and some fancy food
celebrated Amber's 9th birthday.


May 13

Belle was excited about the new Dora Popsicles.

She ate a green star first.



May 14

As part of the Mother's Day celebration,
my sweetie got me my favorite tree.

A fingerleaf Japanese Maple.

It is so pretty and sits on the deck
just outside the family room window.



May 15

The boys went on the father-son camp-out this weekend.

Rex had a great time camping and exploring with his friends.

My sweetie caught the camping bug
and is determined to turn it into a family affair.


May 16

Silly puppy thinks she's people!



May 17

Belle is posing with beautiful flowers from our yard.

We get a new bouquet and have a wedding every day.



May 18


We signed up for "free" bowling for the summer.

We only have to pay for our shoes.

And what festive shoes they are!




May 19

Apparently some of the bushes in our yard
(which were in danger of being ripped out last fall)
are a form of the Dogwood.

I love them.

The flowers are beautiful!

Even if they have big red berries that the birds love and
then poop purple all over our cars, yard and house.

Revisionist History

Rex: You know that war that was in Hawaii?

Mom: At Pearl Harbor?

Rex: Yes, that one. And you know the deadliest shot?

Mom: In Hawaii?

Rex: Yah, the one that landed on the Arizona. I wish that it wasn't the Arizona.

Mom: What do you mean?

Rex: Like it could have been Iowa or Ohio or somewhere like that.

Mom: Hmm.

May 1-9

May 1


We had a fun day a the Franklin Institute,
a children's museum in Philly.

The last time we went, Leia was little.
Here she is in the same heart artery.
She is just as excited four years later.

Everyone had a great time.
Our favorite places are the electricity hall,
especially the light-up dance floor,
the hall of wings,
hall of trains
and the build it yourself moon landing vehicle.


May 2

It is warm outside!!!

Well, warm enough for the kids.

We finally got out the slipNslide that was
purchased on clearance ($3) last fall.

While the water is a little chilly,
and there is still a bit of a breeze,
the kids are happy to play with their new water toy.

Maybe when it warms up for real,
someone can show them how to really slide.



May 3

We accidentally left the garage door open overnight.
When we went out to the garage this morning,
we saw this nest on top of the garage door opener.

INSIDE THE GARAGE!!!

Thankfully the occupant was not home
(but may have been seen leaving the premises)
and there were no eggs yet
because those dried twigs and grasses
were woven into the light compartment,
dangerously close to the light bulbs.

Needless to say, our new houseguest was evicted.
And did not return.



May 4


In honor of Star Wars day, I give you the above photo and caption:

"Shut down all the garbage mashers on the Detention Level!"

May the 4th be with you.

And a Happy Han Solo to all!



May 5

Mommy got a solo vacation for Mother's Day.

She flew to visit her parents and sister,
also for Mother's Day.

Here is the tunnel between terminals in Detroit on a layover.

It is a spectacularly calming corridor.

All the arrangements were made
without alerting anyone in the destination city.

Mommy took the bus from the airport
and walked in to surprise grandpa at home.

Then grandma was surprised
when she got home from school.

Finally, Antie Lou was surprised
when a knock at her door revealed a surprise visitor.

Fun times were had by all.


May 6


This is our cousin Mac.
(names have been changed to protect the innocent)

It took him a few hours to warm up to the mystery visitor,
but then happily played while mommy and Auntie Lou
played a rousing game of Scene it?.


May 7


Mmmm. Sushi.

Haru poppers (as shown on the sign)
can't officially be classified as sushi,
but were the favorite plate(s) that mommy ate
while at lunch with Auntie Lou.

Jalapenos filled with crab meat,
then tempura fried, quartered
and topped with a delicious spicy sauce.

And sushi DOES taste better when served on a conveyor belt.


May 8

Working the bling bag.

Only at Walmart.



May 9

Happy Mother's Day!

You wouldn't have imagined that
seconds before this picture was taken,
bummies were being smacked and
threats were being made
that if they didn't get their jammies on and
teeth brushed their lives were going to end.

The amazing versatility of kids!

April 23-30

April 23


When we went to buy ceiling fans at the
local home improvement stores,
Belle wanted the fancy (expensive) flower fan
which does not fit our neutral decorating style.

Instead, we got the plain (less expensive) white kind and
used adhesive vinyl we already had to girlie it up a bit.

We did the same for Leia
(five colors of her own choosing)
and Rex (silver).

Now when they have a change of decor
(or the desire for a white fan)
we can make an inexpensive change.


April 24


Bird feeders were the project of the week at Lowes.

So, like good little store patrons,
we bought birdseed to go in them.

Unfortunately,
we only have two hooks on our deck
on which to hang a bird feeder.

Fortunately,
Rex can assimilate anything
into part of a LEGO scenario,
so everyone is happy.

Including the birds.

And the puppy.


April 25


Our plants have sprouted and grown nicely.

Now we have to wait until the appropriate time
to put them in the ground.

Some of these need to be replanted so they'll survive
(and not choke out the neighboring seedlings)
before the garden is ready.

Wish us luck keeping these guys alive inside for a few weeks.

Then keeping them from the bunnies.


April 26


Mmmm.

Daddy does a lot (ok, most) of the grocery shopping.

He is a great bargain hunter and
pairs up coupons and sales well.

When he goes to ShopRite
(our favorite store)

on his way home from work,
(usually Friday- cheese noodle night for the kids)

he picks up a tray of sushi
(in this case tuna rolls)

for dinner with oriental noodles.


April 27


Mommy has been tutoring a friend lately.
(who coincidentally has the EXACT same name)

Tonight she and her little sister
did a presentation about Irish step dancing
for the youth at church.

They are very accomplished,
having just returned from the
world championships in Ireland.

Belle and Leia were sooooo excited to
watch,
dance along and
beg for lessons
when it was all over.

Belle also begged for one of the
"beautiful sparkly dresses"
(they're totally covered with crystals)

and wanted to go to the
"fancy dress store"
(they'd cost $800 easily)

right away.
(these girls' mom makes their dresses)

We'll be looking into it after our summer adventures.


April 28


Grandma and Grand-daddy-daddy arrived last night!

And playtime has begun.

They brought a new game with them called
Bananagrams.

It is like Scrabble without the board.

Rex always makes a 3x3 square filled with words.

What a great game!


April 29


With the arrival of Grand-Daddy-Daddy
began the assembly of the afore-mentioned swing set.

We were delayed by rain and blistering winds,
but in one morning we assembled
all but the tower of the structure.

Did anyone but me notice the color scheme?


April 30


Sorry about the quality of this picture.
Flash off and moving people don't mix well.

Tonight we had a talent show at church.

Mommy was invited to participate in two acts.

First, she played a worm
(with her arms)
who fell in love with its tail end
while a humorous poem was read.
(opening act, to be precise)

Then she performed a
synchronized swimming act
with two friends.
(mommy is in the middle)
(wearing a shower cap and pink goggles)