A Christmas Miracle

Today, the second to the last Saturday before Christmas; I found myself alone at the biggest mall in the area with all three boys. Originally TT was suppose to stay with Husband at an Aunt's house while he worked on a computer. But after many tears about wanting to keep riding in the car he came to the mall with me. I will admit I was a little concerned, tears that early in the day are never a good sign. Plus I didn't have a stroller, but Husband suggested I spend the $4 and get one of the mall "racers" to push TT around in. So, with three boys; one strapped to me, one in the racer and one walking we set out at the mall.

And it was by far the calmest shopping trip ever. 

1) I got most excellent parking, without having to look

2) None of the boys cried

3) None of the boys asked me to buy them anything

4) I stayed within my spending budget

5) The line at Starbucks, while a little long; moved fast

6) No one at the mall was rude, or cut in front of me, or stepped on my heels

7) I got everything I set out to get (and then a little more)

8) We left before my "timer" went off (I had to get home in time to get ready for Mass)

9) None of the boys teased each other, or played "punching" or the like

10) None of the boys cried - did I mention that? 

Truly our shopping trip was a Christmas Miracle. OK, really it was the boys' behavior that was a miracle. They were so well behaved I took them to lunch. Where I proceeded to order two too many hot dogs for some reason. And again during lunch my boys didn't argue or cry. TT even ate his baked beans before the fries. 

Not Created Equal

This blog post is a service announcement to anyone who has children of toiler training age, younger children, babies or those thinking about having children - Not All Potty Chairs Are Created Equal.

Potty chairs come in two varieties - fun and fancy or plain and boring.

You do not want the fun and fancy variety.  Have no fear your little angel will not fall asleep from boredom while on the plain potty chair - stick her in the front of the TV or leave a basket of toys next to the potty chair.  No need for the potty chair to be entertaining.

They make potty chairs shaped like cars, complete with wheels.  Do you have any idea what TT would have done with this?  You don't want to know.

They make standing urinal potty chairs for little boys.  I can barely get the older one to get it in the toilet, do I really need this problem times two?

They make potty chairs that claim to be everything in one.  A potty chair, a step stool, a seat for the toilet.  Some have holders for wipes or toilet paper.  Some have handles to hold on to while you go (??), some have handles to flush with, others have holders for your iPad (????) This sounds great, right?

I swear our lid never actually sparkled, even new out of the box.

Not so much.  Let me put it to you this way; the more cracks and cervices the potty chair has, the more places for urine and feces to hide.  Because no matter how hard they try getting it all into the potty the first time or the second or the third doesn't always happen.

When shopping for a potty chair, look for slim lines.  No cracks, no hidden floor spaces.  Just a seat and a removable cup.  That's all you need.  You can go and spend $25-$30 on it and get the fancy-brand or spend a little less than $10 and get the same thing without the name brand.

Consider yourself warned... and you can thank me later.

The Power Of....

The stage is set -

It is 5:30pm.  The Big Boys are running around the house like idiots (and I use that term lovingly).  The living-room is a disaster, couch pillows are thrown about, the Thomas Train chair is tipped over in the middle of the floor, all of the books are off the bottom of the bookshelf.  Husband is in the kitchen going over the repairs he did to his uncle's computer with him and finding out what repairs need to be done to his cousin's computer from him cousin.  Dinner, chili; is thankfully done and simmering on the stove.

ERP and I are sitting on the couch.  I am trying to comfort nurse him; he is suckling some and then popping off and crying.  I send the Biggest Boy for a swaddler.  I plan on trying to sway and sush ERP in hopes of calming him.

ERP has been having terrible gas pains for the last hour.  Husband had gotten him calmed some and ERP took a cat nap, but that is over and he is pissed.  I've given him gas drops and let him nurse all he wants.  Gas pains suck.  Baby hates them, parents hate them more.

ERP is wailing.  Screaming.  He is not happy.

Enter stage left; my mom and her boyfriend.  Right on time for our dinner date, they come baring cornbread and double chocolate cake.

I suggest to my mom that she go across the street (yes, I live in the middle of nowhere with a liquor store across the street, convenient at times - yes.) and get some beer.  Beer goes excellent with chili and a crying baby (drink while nursing or right after nursing, never nurse if you are feeling the affects of the drink).  My mom offers to take ERP so I can go get the beer.

I step outside, the night air is warm for January.  It feels like rain, but it isn't raining.  It is quiet outside.  A few minutes later I am armed with Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale and back in my house.

But now my house is different.  Husband is done taking care of the computer business, the Big Boys are quieter.  But more importantly, ERP is done crying.  My mom is rocking him and he is asleep.

I pass around beers - sorry, none for the boys; and set the table.  My mom transfers ERP to his vibrating seat, and he continues to sleep.  He sleeps through all of dinner.  And dessert.  And us sitting and talking afterwards, relaxing.

It feels like a miracle.  I know Husband or I could have gotten ERP to settle down; we have mad baby calming skills; but sometimes you just need the power of grandma.

Spoiled

It's that time of year again - back to school time.  My Facebook status feed is filled with back to school photos (we go back next Wednesday - I hate them going back before Labor Day, but that's a rant for another time) and the woos and joys of back to school shopping.

I am amazed by some of the things my friends have had to buy their darling little ones for back to school - like deodorant to bring to the classroom.  How is pit stick a back to school supply?

I feel for those who are weighted down with long lists of what to buy and my heart breaks for those that don't have money to buy the supplies they are told their child needs for schools.  Yes, I am that person that when asked to make a donation of a back to school item at the register always says "yes".

I am spoiled.  Apparently one of the perks of living in my town is that there are no back to school supplies to buy.  And yes, he goes to public school.  I have no concerns over colored pencils and how many three-ring-binders my boy needs.

Instead of fear and loathing and making midnight runs to Staples and WalMart for the "essentials" I can stock up on markers and pens as stocking stuffers in August.

Now I realize that some people consider clothes and backpack buying as part of "back to school" shopping and in that sense we do have to do some of that.  Backpack - check - ordered on-line from LL Bean, but since it was a replacement for an LL Bean one he broke it was no cost (in the end) to me.  Clothes - he gets 3 new shirts every year.  Once for each day of the week for the first week.  I don't bother with pants; he'll wear shorts till Halloween and I don't bother with winter clothes till it gets cold, he's going to grow between now and then anyway.  Shoe shopping needs to be done twice a year at least; so we'll get some now while they are on sale.  See I've got it covered.

Easy peasey lemon squeezy.

Sorry fellow moms.... don't let those lists weigh you down.

It's a Bird... It's Plane

.... It's a super awesome deal.

I love getting a deal.  Ok, really who doesn't?

At lunch today I went to one of my favorite consignment shop looking to score some fall/winter items for the boys.  And boy oh boy did I ever score.

For $33.50 I got TT a new light weight raincoat, 2 pairs of pants (Gymbore and Ralph Lauren - sweetness), and 3 pairs of PJs; and I got RR 2 long-sleeve shirts.  So that's 8 items for $33.50; that's around $4 per item.  And we're talking good quality, nearly new stuff here.  Ok, sometimes you can score new with tags.

Now if only I could score clothes for Husband and I at such a bargain   Oh, wait, I can sort of.

You see there are two consignment shops by my work; one that caters only to children and one that serves the whole family.  Personally I prefer the kid centered one for my wee-ones, I like the selection and service better.  It's run by this old lady who loves to gab.  I know more about her family and grandkids than some of the people I work with.  But really either is great.  I have no idea what it is about the area but we do not have consignment shops like this by me.  Really that should be my retirement plan, to open a shop similar to these in my community.

Consigment shops rock; especially for your kids - the way I see it why pay retail for something they are going to either outgrown or destroy wearing in 6 months time.  By the way; how do the people that sell their clothes to consignment shops get them to last so long?  Maybe my boys are just rougher on their stuff than most.

Cutting the Cord

Over the years we've had just about every "cable" TV option out there.  We've had no cable, done Netflix only, done basic cable, had satellite TV service, Hulu only... you get it.

Recently we had cable, bundled with our phone and internet.  We didn't have basic cable, but we didn't have HBO, Showtime, etc; so you get the idea.

Then for too many reasons to go into here we decided it was time to "cut the cord" with the cable company.  We signed back up for Netflix and Husband put in the call to cancel our cable services.

But it wasn't that easy.  Getting rid of cable would increase our "bundle package".  Some how it is less expensive to get three services from the cable provider than just two services.

So we started looking into finding a new phone and high speed internet service.

Finding home phone service was easy.  (And yes we need one, cell service is spotty out here; or non-existant depending on your cell carrier.)

High-speed internet was much harder.  Our choice was our current provider or... nothing.  OK, we could have looked into satellite internet services; but we weren't willing to go that far for high speed internet.

So Husband called the provider again, and after nearly an hour, finally got us a "package" we could live with.  We had to down-grade (or was it an upgrade since we were looking to get rid of it entirely) to basic cable and opt to not rent digital cable boxes from them (they wanted $15 a month for the privileged to charge us for something we don't need).

So now instead of having 800 channels of nothing to watch we have 22 channels of nothing to watch; not to mention the local cable access channel which displays the current temperature 24 hours a day.  Ah... my life is complete - I can now turn on the TV and see what the temperature outside is.

Project Food Budget (Week 18)

So the budget was $100, and I am pretty sure I am over, because I sucked at keeping track this week.  I know for certain I spent $84.10 on food shopping,  Husband and I had a snack while running errands at one point and that was $6, plus we spent $19 on breakfast out Sunday morning.  And I am pretty sure I made a pit stop at the store once this week for deli meats and rolls.  So maybe another $15.  So I didn't make the $100 goal, but I did spend less than my normal $150 goal.

This week I also tried something new, I got some of the "not so fresh" produce.  I've had girlfriends tell me for years that these can be a good deal, and while I was at the store I saw a crowd of other mom's looking them over... so I gave it a whirl, and it worked out well.  My family goes through produce so fast there was never really a time for it to go bad.

This weeks menu was taco night, Outback for Turkey's birthday (not part of the food budget), sandwiches and salad... then after that we fell off the menu.  Monkey was vomiting on Thursday and Husband ate lunch late so Turkey and I had mac and cheese.  Then Friday night we ended up eating at my Aunt and Uncle's house (pizza).

All and all not a bad week I suppose.  Don't forget to see how these other participants are doing - and there are 2 new blogs this week as well.

Emily Levenson
Dairy-Free Cooking
Test Kitchen Tuesday
Red Pen Mama
Acquired Tastes
Fit Flexitarian
Warm As Pie 
Katy Rank Lev
My Inner Healthy
Little Blue Hen
xox, b
What da Health?
Project Food Budget 2.0
Fresh...A New Chapter
Chandeleah
Two Eggs Over Easy 
That's Just Me
Eat Whole Be Vital
Four Happy Violets
Naturally {Un}refined
Pgh Dad  
yogabeautylife
Charmingly Modern
naMAMAste
Six Dollars a Day
The Gluten-Free Vegan

King of the Store

When Turkey was small I signed him up for the birthday program at Toy's R Us.  It's a cute little program, a few days before your child's birthday a card comes in the mail for them from Geoffrey the Giraffe and in the card is a $3 gift card.  Then when you get to the store you tell the employee at the front desk that it's the child's birthday and they get a crown and a balloon (free).

The first year I took him to do this I felt a little silly because he was still riding in the cart and the crown was way too floppy to look "regal".  However since that first year it's been a tradition he looks forward to.  And luckily this year he got 2 cards, and thus 2 gift cards.

Tonight armed with his 2 gift cards (hey, $6 is a lot when you're turning 8) and his birthday money (he had his friend's party a couple weeks ago) off we went.

Turkey was BEYOND excited to be there.  He was on top of the world and could hardly contain himself while I got his brother out of the car and into the carriage... so Husband walked him in... up to the front desk Turkey marched and proudly reported that it was his birthday (OK, so it's on Tuesday but really...) and he got his crown and balloon and off we went to shop...

Well OK, me and the boys went one way and Husband went the other to get Turkey's gift from us (parents also get a $5 off $25 birthday coupon as part of the program)...

Turkey looked over the shelves with care, calculated, and re-calculated the prices on items he wanted....

And then over the loud speaker it came... the employee at the front desk was announcing it was Turkey's birthday and welcomed others to wish him happy birthday if they saw him (which they did).  Turkey stood there beaming, listening to his name being said over the intercom.

In the end he selected three packs of Pokemon Black and White and two 6-Series Lego mini-figures.  In his mind the best way to spend around $25 of his own money and a Sunday night.

Project Food Budget (Week 13)

The budget this week is $150 and this includes our New Years Eve treats and Chinese food.

This time of year the grocery stores in this area have a lot of "stock up sales".  We got the circulars for the two stores we shop at yesterday and planned out the shopping trips last night.

We did the first trip, as a family, this morning at store Y.  They had a number of buy 1 get 2, buy 1 get 1, and $1 sales going on.  We stuck to our list, and only spent $0.74 that wasn't on the list, and that was for an Angry Birds spiral notebook for Turkey.  In the end we spent $54.19 and SAVED $68.22.  And that was without coupons.  I love saving more than I spend.  We stocked up on chicken, frozen meatballs, half and half (that stuff has a shelf life of nearly 2 months), cranberry juices, and potatoes to name a few.

Tomorrow or Saturday we'll go to store X.  And Saturday night we'll spend the change on the festivities.

I am planning on making and freezing and taking some meals to my cousin who just had the baby, as well as stock up our own freezer.   I love having frozen meals ready to go... it really helps cut back on the "need" to eat on the go.

Don't forget to check out these other blogs and see how everyone else is doing.

Emily Levenson
Dairy-Free Cooking
Test Kitchen Tuesday
Red Pen Mama
Acquired Tastes
Fit Flexitarian
Warm As Pie 
Katy Rank Lev
My Inner Healthy
Little Blue Hen
xox, b
What da Health?
Project Food Budget 2.0
A Nice Heart and a White Suit
Fresh...A New Chapter
• Two Eggs Over Easy 
• That's Just Me

In case you haven't noticed this is a Thursday weekly feature.  

Growing

Some days I can't decide which of my boys is growing faster.  And I'm not talking the milestone kind of growing, I'm talking physical growth.

Just the other day I was putting together away Turkey's clothes and I swear I set more stuff aside to store in the attic for when Monkey gets bigger than I actually put away.  But, at least now I can hand his clothes down to a sibling.  I swear it was just this summer that he started wearing size medium, and now all the clothes he got for Christmas are larges.  He's entering that age where he also needs to start trying things on, because no longer are all of the size 10s fit the same.  I am however looking forward to being able to buy his pants like grown men do - in width and length.

We had promised to buy him his first suit for his First Holy Communion this spring, now I am wondering if we should just rent one; because he grows so fast.

And the same can be said for the little one; although we expect that from him.  All of the size 12 one piece outfits I got him when it first started getting cold are now too small.  My 10 month old is wearing size 18 months... he's so long and skinny.  Thank goodness for the cloth diapers to hold his pants up, since he has no waist to speak of.

I'm also proud to admit that I have no problem buying them clothes at the consignment shop.  I try to make their clothes a good mixture of new-to-them and new-new.

But still... they could stop growing so fast... if even just for a week.

Project food Budget: Holiday Shopping & Lesson Learned

Tonight I went food shopping for Christmas and a few days following.

I was ready.  Really ready.  I made my list, and double checked it against the circulars for the two local stores.  I stopped at store X (which I really don't like) on the way home from work and picked up a few odds and ends (less than $10 worth) that was on sale there.  It was 8pm, both boys were in bed, I had on my sneakers and a sweatshirt with front pocket (perfect for my list and pen).  I remembered my list, my pen, and even my shopping bags.  I was READY.

It was a pleasant night, warm for this late in December in New England.  I enjoyed the drive to the store listening to Christmas music and looking at all the lights.  I picked myself up a hot chocolate on the way, and braced myself for the crowds.

But there was no crowd, the store had maybe a dozen other shoppers in it.

I started in the baking isle, since I was going to spend a good deal of money on this and my ham.

I took my time, and shopped off my list.  It was a good shopping trip... I could think clearly and was able to add my groceries up in my head as a I went (a skill that I had lost after the birth of Monkey, I chalk it up to new mommy brain... hey, with a 7 year age gap I get to claim that again).

My budget was $150.  I knew I was doing good and picked up a few dollars worth of extra stocking stuffer chocolates.  My total was $149.44.  I did awesome.

Then I went to pay... and I could not find my debit card.  I was sure Husband gave it back to me after I asked him to do some last minute on-line shopping the other day.  He must have given it back to me.  I checked again and again, but could not find it.  So I counted the cash in my wallet... I was short (OK,  was surprised I had that much on me, who knew all those ones and fives would add up).  I had the clerk take off my conditioner and $8 worth of butter... and I had just enough... down to nearly my last penny... $135.13.

As soon as I got out of the store I called Husband.  He's sure he gave me back my debit card.  Then he checks his wallet... and there it is, safe and sound.

Lesson learned... make sure you have money on you when food shopping.

Don't forget to check out these other blogs and see how they did this week.  Hopefully no one else forget their debit card.

Emily Levenson
Dairy-Free Cooking
Test Kitchen Tuesday
Red Pen Mama
Acquired Tastes
Fit Flexitarian
Warm As Pie 
Katy Rank Lev
My Inner Healthy
Little Blue Hen
xox, b
What da Health?
Project Food Budget 2.0
Ignition Nutrition
A Nice Heart and a White Suit
Fresh...A New Chapter
Chandeleah
• Two Eggs Over Easy 
• That's Just Me
  

A New Chapter

Yesterday I started Chapter 34 in my life.  It was a good day.  And I am hoping the rest of this chapter follows suit.

Chapter 33 was a difficult one.  It started out a bit rocky with Turkey's diagnosis of Asperger's, but then quickly became joyous during the birth of Monkey.  The end of winter and early spring were quiet, but it seemed like unrest was afoot.  In July we lost my step-father, and then in September we lost my Grandmother.  It was during this time my heart and mind went to a dark place, life suddenly seemed a lot less fair than it had in the past. But I looked to my family, especially Husband and my mom, and prayed really hard on it all; and slowly but surely I am finding my way around to a more positive light.

And I think I'm off to a pretty good start for a more positive light, and a better new chapter.

Usually I am a sullen mess around my birthday.  It's not that I don't like my birthday or getting a year older; it's that my paternal-grandmother died right before and was buried on my 25th birthday. Something like that sticks with you for a while.

But this year I was better.  I was less moody, less upset... and considering all that had happened this year, I think I did pretty darn good on my birthday.  Husband was impressed by how cheerful I was compared to previous year.

The day was wonderful.  Breakfast in bed with my guys, swimming lessons for the boys, lunch (child free) with my dear friend KB (who invited my mom as an added surprise), a little holiday shopping, and then a quiet evening home with presents and ice cream cake... capped off with the Griswold's Christmas and some alone time with my honey.

It's days like that, that remind me; that while I was lost a lot, and don't have everything my heart desires; I do have a lot.... especially a lot of love. And for that I am truly blessed.

So bring on this next chapter... I KNOW it's going to be better than the last.

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty

I am terrible when it comes to clothes for me, and I don't mean terrible as in Shopaholic guilty.  I just don't shop for clothes for myself.  When I buy clothes or shoes it's because some one died, some one is getting married, or I'm pregnant.  I have no problems buying clothes for my boys, although I admit I shop for bargains and have no problem visiting the consignment shop.   If I have an extra $30 I would rather go get my nails done with my mom than go clothes shopping.

My wardrobe is sad.  Very sad.  I am surprised no one has ever signed me up on "What Not to Wear".

And then this weekend, we found ourselves in JCP, and they were having a sale (plus $10 off a purchase of $25 or more), and I had some extra cash... so I decided it was time to shop for me.  Husband took Turkey to a movie, music, game store and Monkey and I looked around.

I probably should have went wild... OK, for me I suppose I did.  I got 2 pairs of PJs, a knit hooded sweater, three shirts and a pair of khakis.  As I was standing in line to pay, I felt so guilty; so Husband was texting me with support, confirming it was OK, reassuring me I was doing a good thing.

In the end I got a great deal!!!  An awesome deal, and this helped ease the guilt (some).  I spent $55.02.. but look at how much I saved.

I am happy with my purchases, and I feel GOOD wearing them.  I feel more like a grown-up, like I have my business together.  Hmmmm.... maybe a new pair of flat are in my future. Or maybe an accessory, beyond my  rings and diamond stud earrings.  The possibilities are endless, as long as I keep the guilt in check.

Score!

I hate paying full price, and I usually don't unless I consider what I am getting to be a good deal.  I use coupons when I shop, but will not be starring in "Extreme Couponing" anytime soon. I love Craig's List.  It's where I found my husband, what's not to love?

Tonight I went out to pick up an Avent bottle sterilizer, which in it's self was a good deal at $5 ($24 in the store).   When I got there I meant a Grandma whose daughter had twins 6 months ago.  Grandma had went a little nutty shopping for the twins, and now her daughter and the twins were moving in with her. That being said, she was about to have 4 of everything and needed to downsize.  She invited me to look around, and I spotted an Exersaucer (Baby Einstein).

Now, I've been in the market for one of these; but can't bring myself to pay nearly $100 for one.  Again, lamenting over the I had for Turkey that I got rid of years ago.

It was in good shape and looked like "fun", so I asked how much.  $20 she tells me.  I checked to see what I had for cash on me... no go I stopped at the convenience store on the way there.  So I let her know, she asks how much I have.  I (semi-lie, I thought I had $12, but I had more) tell her I have $12.  SOLD!!!

Sweet score!!  $17 for a bottle sterilizer and an exersaucer.