Just another day in paradise.

Smiths and Albertsons Deals

2011-08-25T09:31:00.003-06:00

Smiths

They have LA Looks products on sale for 10 for $10 I had a $1 off 1 = free gel!!!

Also when you by 1 Revlon beauty item you get a $2 coupon for another

I was told I would get a $2 Catalina this was not the case it is a manufacture coupon for another Revlon item when I realized what was happening I did put a few items back DO NOT be afraid to do this if things change.

I found the foundation in the clearance basket, yet another reason you should always have all your coupons with you at all times.

The nail stickers and a drink not pictured where/are for my very pampered daughter :)

Albertsons

Albertsons has an in ad coupon making the Ken's salad dressing .88 cents stack with the $1 coupon and you get free dressing! Limit 4 per transaction

FYI had I done this trans. at Walmart where they give you overage I would have had .72 cents to spend on something else or have them give me cash back.

Also their Chex Mix and Bugles are on sale for 10 for $10 Stack with .50 off 1 sweet and salty Chex, .50 cent off 1 Bugles, and .50 off 2 Traditional Chex and you get a lot of after school snackage for under $6 :)

2011-08-16T11:02:00.003-06:00

Walgreens

4 packages of 12 rolls of toilet paper $5 + Walgreens coupon for $1 off + Man. coupon for .75 cent = $3.25 each
4 packages of slip on Huggies $9.49 + Walgreens coupon for $2 + Man. for $3 + RR for $2 = $2.49 each
6 packages of Stayfree $6.79 + BOGOF Walgreens + BOGOF Man. up to $4. something = less than $2 a package
3 Pert Plus $3.99 + Man. $1 off + RR $3 = free
2 Ibuprofen Clearence for $2.49
6 Revlon nail polish $3.99 + $2 Wal + $1 Man + $3 RR = MM $2 each
6 Glee fillers .50 each
1 folder filler .50
1 carmel filler .33
3 decal fillers .25 each

total out of pocket $33.83

Albertsons

10 pizza rolls 10 for $10 + .40 off 2 use 5 double 3 + $5 back after .18 each

6 v-8 juice (Zachary needed some as soon as I got home so only 5 in picture) 2/$4 +$1 off doubled = free!!

12 progresso soup 10 for $10 + $1 off 4+ double+ $5 after buying 10 = less than .10 each

Crest toothpaste $2 + .75 doubled = .50

Milk $3.49 (no coupon and in shock!!!)

Straws .99 cents for my FIL

(not pictured) 10 Hamburger helper 10/$10 +.75 off 3 doubled + $2 back +$5 back =$2 MM!!

Today is the last day of the sale at Albertsons so if you have doublers and coupons use them today!!!

Another Wal-Mart Price Matching Trip

2011-07-29T15:21:00.003-06:00

This trip I actually got DH to help because we were price matching Kmarts double days and you can only get max 4 of the same items per person. So this was done in 2 transactions. The first trans. DH did and it was

3 Texas Toast price matched

4 pickles

4 carefree liners

we had $1 coupons for texas toast and pickles and .50 off care free they were doubled up to .99 and the balance was negative so we added 4 up2u gum with $1 off 2 coupons and paid less than a $1

My trans was

3 Toast

4 pickles

4 liners

4 Bandaids price matched and had .50 off coupons making them free

3 kleenex price matched and .50 off 3 doubled making it $2 for 3

4 hand soap price matched and .35 doubled making them .30 each

3 poptarts $2.12 with a $1 off 3 doubled to .99 making it 4.27 for 3 boxes

My total was 7.88

So we spent just over $8 for all of this!!

Twice the Value at Albertson's!

2011-07-17T10:34:00.004-06:00

The kids posing with the goods :)

Lucas was playing peek a boo behind the goods

Okay today starts Albertsons twice the value coupons. They are in the paper and you can use 3 at a time. I bought 10 papers and did 9 transactions I have 1 set for another day.

I will start on the left and go right...

Chocolate Milk reg $4.59 used a free milk coupon paid .09

4 Fiber One Brownies Reg $3.99 on sale for 4/$10 or $2.50 used .75 off 1 doubled 3 got four boxes and got 2 $2 off next trans and free milk coupon. So 3 were free 1 for .75 plus free milk :)

5 Garden Delight pasta reg $2.49 sale $1 had $1 off 1 so 5 free!!

4 Oat Heads reg $1.49 sale .97 plus $2 off next when but 4 so .50 each

2 Hunts reg $1.29 *sale .79

Syrup $2.99 no sale or coupons just needed it :)

2 Lucky Charms cereal bars reg $3.49 sale 2/$5 stacked with $1 off 2 dou bled so $1.50 each

4 Betty Crocker fruit snacks reg $3.19 sale 4/$10 stacked with .50 off 2 doubled $2 each get 2 $2 off next so $1 each plus free milk

8 Nature Valley Thins reg $4.29 sale 4/$10 stacked with .75 double 3 then got 2 $2 so $.75 for 4 plus free milk Did this twice cause we LOVE these!

6 Suave reg $2.79 sale $1.88 stack with $1 off 3 albertsons coupon and $1.50 off 3 that was in a display so $1.04 each! Did this 2 times as well getting kids and adult shampoo and conditioner.

4 Velveeta Dinners these are reg $1.99 *sale $1.49 stacked with .55 off 1 total .94

3 All detergent reg $5.99 *sale $2.99 stacked with $1 off doubled so $1 each

Welches Jelly reg $2.29 * sale $1.79 stacked with .55 off for 1.24

2 Mt. Olive Pickles reg 3.49 sale 3.19 stack with coupon found on pickles for .75 off so 1.69

4 taco bell beans reg $1.29 sale $1 Didn't have a coupon but we needed them :)

6 Who Nu Cookies reg 3.19 sale 2.50 sack with $1 off doubled .50 each

Bananas 1.51

*mega sale buy 10 items

REG $176.33 Paid $23.20 including 3 more milk coupons I have :)

Oh and it pays to go to the same store regularly and get to know the staff the manager gave us a bunch of free diet dr pepper she had left over from yesterday's promotion!!!

Walmart Price Matching = Big Saving Time & Money

2011-07-11T20:57:00.004-06:00

Okay well first off the pick doesn't match this Wal-Mart trip but it was a previous one :)

My Mom left with half the stuff before we got a pick so oh well.

On the trip pictured above I price match the band-aids and A1 saving $12 and a trip to target :)

But today's trip was the most I have priced matched so far.

We priced matched:

Air Wick starter kits for $4.98 on sale at Walgreen's (we got 4) Reg. $7.99

matched with a $4 off coupon = .98 each

Hamburger, tuna, & Chicken Helper for $1 on sale at Smith's (15) Reg. $1-$1.98

matched with a .75 off 3 coupon=.75 each

Pringles for .99 at Lin's (9) Reg. $1.50

matched with $1 off 3 = .66 each

Kellog's cereal @ Smith's for $1.66 (10) Reg. $2.98-$3.62

matched with $5 off 5 = .66 each

Infusium shampoo and conditioner @ Walgreen's for $1.98 (3) Reg. $5.98

matched with a coupon $1 = .98

Hunt's sause @ Albertson's for .88 (2) already stocked for me just for Mom :) Reg. $1

no coupon but great deal

Filler paper @ Stapel's for .25 (8) Reg. .75

Milk @ Albertson's 2.29 (1) Reg. 2.32

matched with .75 off

Bacco veggie crumbles Reg. price 3.32 (2)

matched with $2 off 2

Saved $96.75 spent $33.67 on these items Saving like 75% :)

And would have gone to 5 other stores for these sales had they not price matched.

Also picked up a few things that are at the lowest in town like pretzels and dog food.

And did it all with 4 children in tow in 2 hours :)

Overall price matching can save you time and gas it does take longer to check out but it is worth it! Find a nice cashier and take your time tell them when you start you have price match items cause if they start scanning they can't go back or they get mad. Tell them each item and where and how much it is.

It is best to put all like items together since they have to type in each price.

Also I found out today they are doubling coupons (first 3) when Albertson's does you have to tell them you are.

Good luck and happy saving :)

Couponing

2011-07-02T13:49:00.004-06:00

I have been couponing for awhile but got into in again hardcore a few months ago. Several people have been interested in it and so I am going to post when I have a good trip. Please know that I shop for my family of 5, my home daycare, my sister and Mom too. Most people do not need to buy the bulk that I buy. Also I have a stock pile so we don't purchase for a week or even a month I buy for 3 or more months since the same things aren't on sale every week/month.

Today I went shopping at Walgreens and Albertsons

It is the last day of Walgreens sale and Albertsons goes until Tues.

Another great thing to save on is all the free kid activities stores have!

We went to Home Depot and made coaster sets :) They have it the first Sat of the month!

Also we went to Micheal's they have a great summer program Tues, Thurs and Sat 11-1 they are doing a craft from a different country!

At Albertsons they have Coca-cola 12 packs on sale for 2.80 when you buy 5 I stacked with a $2 off 2 coupon and got 10 for under $2 each, Also Gatoraid is on sale for .50 cents each when you buy 10, bought 30 (we will be luck if it lasts the month), Also Tostitos on sale for 1.99 when you buy 3 mix and match. And the Dixie plates are on sale and I stacked with a coupon so they were less than $2 each. Adding it all together I saved over $80 :)

Walgreens: Pringles on sale for 4/$6 with a $2 RR I stacked with a $1 off 3 coupon getting them for .75 each, Twizzlers were on sale for 2/$3 with a $1 RR I stacked with a .50 off 1 getting them with .50 each, Gram Crackers and Chocolate are 2/$6 with free marshmallows when you buy both I stacked with $1 off 2 Crackers, $1 off 2 Chocolate and .20 cents off 2 Marshmallows

To use my RR I filled with 2/$1 Arizona tea/juice and found a clearance basket with some plastic plates which we need for our trailer, .29 activity books and crafts.

Now my rule of thumb is to try to save at least 50% and if it is a product we are trying it needs to be free or very, very cheap like under .50. Also I can toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, body wash, deodorant and such for free saving us hundreds.

But I will say that to save the max you can't be brand picky but even if you are you can still save with a little time and effort.

A tutorial for Laura and Janet :)

2010-04-04T16:07:00.010-06:00

Easy skirt

Measure the person you are making the skirt from waist to desired length.

Supplies you will need

you will need to get the length of your skirt plus 2 inches for hemming

Waist elastic

matching thread

Start By

making sure that both ends of your skirt are cut straight.

Then turn right sides together or inside out.

Sew open side together with about 1/2" seam allowance

Then hem the bottom of the skirt by folding the fabric twice about a 1/4" twice and use straight stitch.

Wind your bobbin cause you run out half way through hemming the bottom of the skirt :)

Get distracted by your cute 3 year old asking why you are taking pictures of your sewing stuff and not him. Take one of him and move on :)

Then fold over the top a 1/4" then the width of the elastic. Top stitch with a straight stitch.

Make sure you leave a gap to thread the elastic.

Use a safety pin on one end of the elastic to thread it.

Stitch the ends of the elastic together with a zig zag stitch forward and back a few times to make sure it is secure.

Top stitch the gap.

Sew on any tags or embellishments.

Then try it on and enjoy it!

Tie shirt

2010-03-11T22:53:00.002-07:00

I think I need to make one of these for each of the boys for easter. I have been trying to find an easy tie pattern and this would be so much more them and I think it will be TONS easier.

http://www.saltwater-kids.com/2008/10/tie-shirt-tutorial.html

I think I will use the jelly bean fabric that I used to make Zoe's purse that also matches her skirt. I will have pics when I am done!!!!

This week's Menu

2010-03-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

3/8-3/14

M-English Muffin pizzas and fruit
T- Steak and fries for DH's B-Day
W-Salad
T-Applesauce Chicken rice and green beans
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/09/crockpot-applesauce-chicken-recipe.html
F-Apricot chicken in Crockpot

Apricot Chicken in Crockpot

4 chicken breasts
1 cup of apricot jam
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 very large can of apricots (and juice!)

Put chicken into your crockpot. In a small bowl, combine jam, brown sugar, and spices. Pour over chicken. Add the can of apricots evenly over the top. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or on high for about 4.

Serve with rice to soak up the yummy juice.

S- Left over dinner
S-Out to Dinner for our Anniversary

Yogurt review

2010-03-07T15:26:00.003-07:00

I think it turned out great! I am going to try to make some more today and do it alittle different. The first batch I used vanilla yogurt as a started DO NOT do this use plain. It turned out good but didn't really set up so it was more like yogurt drink. Also because my kids and I are used to processed yogurt when I tried to mix it with baby food cause I thought it would be healthier it was too blah for them. So the second batch I blended ripe bananas and strawberry jam and it was a big hit. Everyone loved it! I just got some fresh blueberries so I am going to blend them with some sugar and see how that turns out. Also this new batch I am going to leave for 24hrs to culture and set up more. I also recommend if your kids are stinkers like mine that you save containers from the expensive yogurt and serve them in that.

Yogurt price results and meal change

2010-02-28T22:41:00.003-07:00

Well after I purchased all of the stuff I needed to make the yogurt I have a price breakdown.

Cost
Cream $2.29 x2 = 4.60
Milk $1.59/2 = .80
Yogurt $ 2.99/3 = $1

total 6.40

Makes 128 ounces = .05 an ounce for heavy fat yogurt
High fat yogurt purchased at health food store $1 for 4 ounces = .25 an ounce

So it's a pretty big savings for a semi simple thing. I think in the future the hardest thing will be the time it takes to be around to turn off and add things but I can always plan on doing it on nights I am home. And if I work it right I can start to make bread while I make the yogurt.

Also DH decided he wanted to make Carne Asada instead of Hamburgers so we are changing Wed to that and that means I need to stop at the Mexican market to get the meat and onions tomorrow.

I am really excited to know what we are having each night I think it will be relaxing around 5 to know what I am cooking.

Menu Planning

2010-02-28T11:12:00.001-07:00

So after going to the store 4 times last week I realized that I needed a better system. Interestingly enough a group I belong to is having a menu/meal planning contest so I am going to start that.

Here is want I have so far.

GOALS

Follow a meal plan so that I don't have to go to the store more than once a week.

Make more things like yogurt and bread from scratch.

Make sure that ODS is getting his yogurt once a day.

Use up food we have in the house.

Get back into using the Crockpot and bread machine.

Keep using the rice cooker/steamer.

Use fresh fruits and veggies from co-ops before they go bad.

3/1-3/7

Weekday Breakfasts consist of Bread, bagels, jam, peanut butter and butter. We also have a TON of dry cereals that we need to eat so I am going to try to bag some of that to be able to grab and go.

M- Mac and Cheese with Green Beans and Applesauce and apple walnut salad http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Walnu....tte/Detail.aspx

T-Pork Roast w/ potatoes, carrots and onions and green salad

W- BBQ Hamburgers and French Fries

T-tortilla soup

F-Costco roasted chicken w/ mashed potatoes, green beans and green salad

S- taco salad w/ leftover chicken

S-Orange Chicken w/ Rice

Shopping List for 2/28

Onions
Green Salad
Walnuts
Balsamic Vinegar

Pick up fruit co-op Monday ($24) order veggie and fruit basket ($15) Monday

Recipes

I am going to try this since my ODS is supposed to eat high fat yogurt everyday and it's about $1 each cup from the health food store and it should be A LOT cheaper this way.

Yogurt in a Crockpot

I got the original recipe from here

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/....r-crockpot.html

Ingredients

--8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk--pasteurized and homogenized is fine, but do NOT use ultra-pasteurized. (Debbie recommends starting with whole milk until you get the hang of yogurt-making)

I am going to use cream since my son is on a high fat diet

--1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt (you need to have a starter. Once you have made your own, you can use that as a starter)

--frozen/fresh fruit for flavoring

I am going to use the left over baby food we have.

--thick bath towel

The Directions.

This takes a while. Make your yogurt on a weekend day when you are home to monitor.

I used a 4 quart crockpot. This is so exciting. My fingers are shaking!

Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.

Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.

Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt.

Blend in batches with your favorite fruit. I did mango, strawberry, and blueberry. When you blend in the fruit, bubbles will form and might bother you. They aren't a big deal, and will settle eventually.

Chill in a plastic container(s) in the refrigerator. Your fresh yogurt will last 7-10 days. Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

After I make it I will post the results.

My Tortilla Soup Recipe

1-2 cups of chicken* any kind is fine canned, bottled, diced or shredded
1 cup of diced or canned tomatoes
optional minced chillies a few tablespoons
1 can or 1 cup of corn
1 can of refried beans* and/or 2 cups of your favorite beans
*refried beans make it thicker!
tortilla chips
cheese

What ever spices you use to season your taco meat. I use taco seasoning, garlic and onion

add small amount of oil to pan or crockpot
add chicken and spices
cook until chicken is browned
add everything else cook until boiling
if using a crockpot cook on low for a few hours

Serve over tortilla chips and with cheese

Crafty Craziness

2010-02-11T09:34:00.004-07:00

I have been busy with learning how to knit on a loom and making some fun sewing projects.

I knitted a hat for each of the kids for Valentines and then knitted a few extra for Zoe. She also knitted a hat for a friend and a hat for a friends American Girl doll for her birthday. It's great to see her excited about something that she made for a friend.

The two blue and white hats on the left are for the boys, the two in the middle for Zoe, cream colored one for a baby, and the three on the right are for Zoe's friends birthday's two for dolls and one for her friend.

Zoe's twirl skirt I made for her for a late birthday present.

I made a matching skirt for her doll.

Birthday Fun

2009-11-09T10:45:00.004-07:00

The boys had a pirate birthday party and it was a blast!

We had a fun pirate ship cake and some fun games.
Lucas loved his cake! He started small but soon had it everywhere!

Zach actually ate his cake with a fork this time. But really enjoyed it!
Lucas enjoyed a small bath in the sink after eating his cake.

We played a game with donuts on strings. They were supposed to just use their mouths and not their hands but the little ones got tired and cheated.
Where is the donut?
Lucas' smash cake!
He loved his cake and we were smart this time and blew out the candle before he could reach it!

Zach blew out the candles and was very excited about the ship cake.

My sis D and her new guy.

Pre-Halloween fun!

2009-11-08T10:27:00.005-07:00

We found this cute costume at a thrift store and it was perfect with his ears we got 2 years ago at Disneyland! After putting it on he smiled a great smile then stated "Let's go!" "Where?" I asked "To my clubhouse!"
I made pumpkin seeds while they carved pumpkins. They turned out yummy this year!
Zoe carved two pumpkins all by herself this year! She pick the designs and did everything herself.
Jerry helped Zach carve this. What that means is that Zach tried to stab the pumpkin Jerry stopped him a few times and tried to redirect him to where he needed to cut then he ran off to play and Jerry finished. :)

Zoe carved this ghost too!

My little bat baby!

Zach playing on the tractor at the farm

Lucas' fun Halloween outfit I made the leggings out of knee high socks.

I made this dress and bow for Zoe and we found these cute tights to go with it!

Fun Halloween Cookies and Diapers

2009-10-12T12:37:00.004-06:00

Zoe had fun decorating some Halloween cookies and I decieded that is how we are doing cookies from now on. Buying the store bought sugar cookies and then decorating them with fun gel icing. Less stress and no tears from burnt or broken cookies.

I have been working on some fun Halloween diapers and I think they turned out really cute.

I made two jack-o-lantern ones and then one candy corn diaper. I am going to try to finish one more so they will have five Halloween diapers. (one for last year)

Please ignore the mess. That is just a few mins after I cleaned it. The boys love to dump out their toys :)

Birthdays

2009-10-08T15:08:00.003-06:00

So Zach just turned three and he had a fun Birthday but can you believe I forgot my camera! We took him for lunch at McDonald's and he played in the playplace, then we took him to Jumpin Jack for 3 hours and he was all over that place! He loved it! After that I lost my mind and tried to take him for Birthday pics and they didn't really turn out. We got one cute one of him with his Lala sucking his fingers. I will post it later.

In less than a month Lucas turns 1! I took his pics with a cupcake for the invitation and boy are they cute! I am biased though.

New Pics of Zoe

2009-10-01T18:52:00.001-06:00

Zoe takes better pictures with other people lately and a new photographer was doing a good special so we got so CUTE pics of her. Check them out at

http:// www.myframedphotography.com

go to the clients link password is Blue Fish

It is only good for 5 days so check it out soon.

Lucas Dancing

2009-09-26T23:45:00.000-06:00

Life this last month....Crazy buzy!!!

2009-09-23T09:54:00.004-06:00

Bows and Flowers for Zoe's hair. This year I decided to get a jump on holiday bows.

A very tired Lucas has started to fall asleep in his high chair at dinner because he refuses to sleep until he has to hold still to eat then crashes hard.

Then Zoe started at her actual school building the second week in September. She is really starting to make new friends and love her school. I knew she would once she got over the two things she didn't like 1. leaving her friends from her old school 2. Wearing uniforms (no High School Musical shirts or Jonas shoes :( )

Well this month started with a fun mini vacation "camping" in Enterprise with family over Labor Day weekend. The reason I say "camping" is cause we stayed in a hotel and camped during the day. We cooked out, roasted marshmellows, the boys (Zachary, Lucas and Dallas) played in the dirt and Zoe have fun with her cousins.

Isn't he so cute while learning how to walk on lumpy grass!

Silly boys being silly.

I have been a slacker but here goes

2009-08-27T17:21:00.003-06:00

I am going to add a couple of pics about what we have been doing lately.

Starting a new school!

Starting Dance classes
Going to the fair and doing the 4H talent show again.

Sewing, Sewing and Sewing.

And learning to walk and climb.

Cleaning thoughts

2009-07-10T08:27:00.000-06:00

July 4th Pics for now details to follow

2009-07-09T08:30:00.004-06:00

Slacker Me! "pic heavy"

2009-07-01T22:07:00.003-06:00

Okay so it's been toooo long since I last posted sorry I have been busy and not going online as much. I have been sewing like crazy so I am going to post some pics of projects I made this month.

What a goof ball!

2009-06-01T16:25:00.000-06:00

Yeah I can't wait!!!!

2009-05-31T22:00:00.008-06:00

Only I am a bit upset just from the trailor alone they changed quite a bit from the book. I am sure I will still love the movie I just need to think of them as seperate things not the same story then I won't be all mad the whole time I am watching the movie.
Besides I am excited for more Jacob! I loved his character.

A country bath

2009-05-30T14:25:00.004-06:00

While camping we gave the kids country baths in a old wash tub. We warmed up the water for Lucas first so his was the warmest. But I love his face when we first put him in it. His expression is like "what is this?".

He soon warmed up to it and was his usual smiley self.

We weren't really planing on giving Zach a bath since he can take a shower but he wanted one after Lucas got one so here he is enjoying it fully.

Zoe was so funny she totally wanted one but we warned her that we weren't warming up the water any more cause it was a pain and she wanted a bath any way.

As you can see she quickly changed her mind!

We are changing Friday

2009-05-28T14:42:00.003-06:00

I decided to try to do a tutorial every or every other Friday depending on what I can come up with. Some will be simple with out pics some with. Stop by to see you can make!

The first 3 people to make each tutorial and attach a link to their blog will get a fun homemade prize from me(please state food or craft)!

Today's tutorial is an art notebook.

First your supplies:

1 notebook of your choice, I find that a folder that you add paper to works great as well.

enough fabric to cover notebook and make pockets

sewing machine or sewing glue

tacky glue

colored pencils or crayons or other art supplies you want to add.

1. lay your notebook on fabric and mark leave 1 inch around top and sides for edges and leave at least 4 inches at the bottom for pockets the best way to tell is to bring fabric up from bottom and see how much you want also don' t forget the seam allowance at the bottom as well. Also slit top and bottom at center to allow for paper depending on size of notebook.

2. hem all edges with the machine or with sewing glue

3. attach art supply pockets if you want a pocket for pencils or crayons make sure you use a gather stitch at the bottom before sewing the individual pockets or it won't have room to fit the pencils in. If you are using glue just make one big pocket for supplies because glue with smear and close up individual pockets for pencils.

4. using tacky glue attach fabric to notebook.

5. let dry

6. you can decorate with ribbon, buttons or something fun and creative!

Make sure to leave a comment with a link if you make this to get your prize!

Workweekend

2009-05-28T09:57:00.008-06:00

This Memorial Day weekend we spent it the usual way in Enterprise on our extended family property cleaning it and building projects for the reunion on Labor Day weekend. This was the second year we spent in a family members trailer and it was a life savor when we got rained out at night.

Zoe spent some free time reading,

Picking Flowers,
and having water balloon fights with her cousins!

This year we got the kids into helping too! Zach tried to sand (with help of course), Zoe stained, sanded and even cleaned the bathrooms.

Zach had tons of fun this year with the shovels and trucks and spent alot of time digging! He even helped collect fire wood.

Lucas loved his saucer and the swings and even learned how to stand up using the baby coral! He took most of his naps in the sling or Mei Tai.

On Sunday we got smart and roasted marshmallows after lunch that way we didn't miss out on the camp fire even though we got rain every night.

Overall it was a good weekend. We got to visit with family and have a good time outside. We even had samores!

He is really crawling!

2009-05-20T14:12:00.004-06:00

Future Cheerleader!

2009-05-15T16:49:00.003-06:00

I was watching Bring it on and Zach decieded to join in on the final dance he was doing pretty good on the moves too notice the kick and the head movements! Too cute!

Friday's Obsession confession

2009-05-15T16:14:00.002-06:00

Social networking sites online!

I belong to facebook, myspace, cafemom, several yahoo groups and diaper sewing divas.

Recently I have added a facebook page for my photography buisness!

Water Fun

2009-05-14T12:42:00.003-06:00

On Tuesday I went with Zoe to the Washington Rec Center Pool for her field trip. She had tons of fun splashing in the shallow end and playing with her friends. She did get brave enough to go down one of the little slides with her friend but that was it. After the pool we had a picnic lunch on the grass and went home to rest. We will defiantly be going back with the boys this summer it was alot of fun and there are areas for everyone.

Tongue

2009-05-06T21:49:00.000-06:00

Lucas has found another cute thing to do! As if he wasn't cute enough already he now sticks his tongue out at you! He smiles and makes a cute face as he does it. He also makes it all pointy and now he makes a spiting noise sometimes. Hopefully he won't bite it with those two cute little teeth he has!

Congrats Mom

2009-05-06T08:13:00.000-06:00

On Saturday my mom graduated from SUU with a BA in Sociology I am sooooo proud of her! It is totally awesome! She has worked really hard to graduate and even beat both of her daughters I am totally inspired to go back to school. Both Denise and I started school before her and she totally finished before us. Go MOM! All of her brothers and sisters came from three different states to show their support.

Cinco De Mayo

2009-05-05T16:06:00.002-06:00

So I was going to put 80 things you didn't know about me for my 80th post, but really I'm not that interesting and don't have even close to that. So here is 5 in honor of Cinco De Mayo.

1. I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and got it before I was 18.
2. I have driven cross country over 5 times. Most of them when I was around 21.
3. I am legally blind without my glasses or contacts.
4. I used to speak fluent German. Now I can sign ASL.
5. I played percussion in high school.

I know I know I'm boring I tried really hard to think of something exciting and just gave up. Oh well maybe I'll think of something exciting for the 100th post.

First foods

2009-05-04T21:05:00.002-06:00

On Monday night Lucas tried his first food. Sweet potatoes! He didn't do as well as we thought he would he gaged alot so we will try in a few days. He was very eager to try though before we put the food on his tray he was eating the bib. He seemed to like the food after a few trys but was still gaging he doesn't get the hole swallowing thing when it isn't liquide so we will try watering it down alittle or put it in a mess holder. He gets the chewing so there is hope!

Friday's confession

2009-05-01T08:21:00.001-06:00

Photo's!

Recently we took a trip to the storage unit that my mom and I got before I was married as we were making room for her to move more stuff in we came across a file cabinet. My sis asked me if there were any papers in it I needed. I went to take a look and what did I find? Papers? No. Letters? No. Pictures of Zoe filed by the month! There were hundreds! The thing is that they were all taken before she was three and most 90% were done professionally at a studio! Since then I have cut down okay not really until I was married and had Zach but even then I have taken way more pictures of my kids than the average person. Although I have found that the more kids I have the less pictures I have of them and I don't think I have ever taken a picture of all three of them together that I love. A GOAL! Oh wait this was supposed to help me stop. Any way, here are a few of my faves of each of my youngins that hopefully you haven't seen.

Zoe

Zachary

Lucas

Mother's Milk

2009-04-30T08:34:00.000-06:00

I got this via email and thought it was cute.

MOTHER'S MILK

Students in an advanced Biology class were taking their mid-term exam.The last question was, 'Name seven advantages of Mother's Milkworth 70 points or none at all.One student, in particular, was hard put to think of seven advantages.
He wrote:
1.) It is perfect formula for the child.
2.) It provides immunity against several diseases.
3.) It is always the right temperature
4.) It is inexpensive.
5.) It bonds the child to mother, and vice versa.
6.) It is always available as needed.
And then, the student was stuck! Finally, in desperation, just before thebell indicating the end of the test rang, he wrote:
7.) It comes in cute containers.
He got an A.

Wordless Wed. Sleepy time

2009-04-29T14:47:00.000-06:00

Movin, Movin, Movin

2009-04-28T20:21:00.005-06:00

Lucas can sure get where he wants now! Time to start baby proofing again. And he's only 5 months old(he'll be 6 months on the 3rd).

Combination

2009-04-24T09:37:00.001-06:00

So I am combining my obsession confession with a green tip.

Books

I have a huge problem. Every time I go to a thrift store I get books for my kids. Every time I go to a yard sale I find books for me. We have books in every room of the house including the bathroom! But you have to admit as obsessions go this isn't really bad (except that we live in a small house). I would say I am usually into two or three books at a time. I just finished, The secret life of CeeCee Wilkes (for book club), am reading, I was a great mom before I had kids and a few issues of The Professional Photographer . I am usually reading a self help book, a novel, and a parenting or photography book. I have also passed this down to my kids. Zoe has a huge collection of her own books and so do the boys and they can't even read. But in today's society I would much rather have too many books than too many video games. Zoe is also reading a few books at a time. She is almost finished with Alice in Wonderland (original not Disney), High School Musical 3 (which is different than the movie), and a chapter book from school. Zach just sticks to the board books still and Lucas is just starting on the cloth ones.

The best green tip for books is to buy used. They are always for sale at thrift stores and yard sales and usually for less than a buck for kids books and only a few dollars for adults.

So in honor of Earth Day this week turn off your electronics and light some candles and read a good book, or two, or three :)

Cloth Diapers

2009-04-23T09:24:00.001-06:00

I know what you are thinking... gross. But think about how gross it will be when your great great granddaughter finds your child's diaper. Plus they are soooo much cuter. You can buy commercially made ones, handmade ones or make them yourself. Either way you baby will have the cutest, greenest butt on the block. Plus they even make a kind of mixed breed diaper called a g diaper it is part disposable (biodegradable/compost able/flush able) part cloth. We have some and we use them as covers and plan to use the liners for things like trips or camping. What ever your style you will probably find a cloth diaper that fits your needs and likes.

Facts:from

Environment:
There has been much debate over the impact of disposable diapers and cloth diapers on the environment. The pro-disposable diaper advocates say that the extra water used to wash cloth diapers is just as much of an abuse to the environment as the production and disposal of disposable diapers. But taking into consideration the following estimates you will probably agree that disposable diapers are much more harmful to the environment than cloth diapers.
It is estimated that roughly 5 million tons of untreated waste and a total of 2 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper are added to landfills annually. It takes around 80,000 pounds of plastic and over 200,000 trees a year to manufacture the disposable diapers for American babies alone. Although some disposables are said to be biodegradable; in order for these diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air (oxygen) and sun. Since this is highly unlikely, it can take several hundred years for the decomposition of disposables to take place, with some of the plastic material never decomposing.
The untreated waste placed in landfills by dirty disposable diapers is also a possible danger to contaminating ground water. Pro-disposable advocates say that cleaning cloth diapers uses more energy and contributes to the load on sanitary sewer systems and potential water pollution. This view really makes no sense if you think about it. The amount of water used per week to wash cloth diapers at home is about the same amount consumed by an adult flushing the toilet four or five times daily for a week. Also, the greater amount of water and energy being used by diaper service companies to wash large amounts of cloth diapers multiple times; the per diaper impact on energy and water supplies is actually less than home washing.
Finally, when flushing solids from a cloth diaper down the toilet and washing the diapers in a washing machine, the contaminated, dirty water from both toilet and washing machine go into the sewer systems where they are properly treated at waste water plants. This treated waste water is much more environmentally friendly than dumping untreated soiled disposable diapers into a landfill.

Happy Earth Day!

2009-04-22T12:53:00.002-06:00

Cloth products

2009-04-22T09:09:00.001-06:00

Today's tip: Cloth ProductsCloth napkins , kitchen towels, cloth reusable rags and unpaper towels.

These don't have to be fancy or expensive. I took the left over fabric from our kitchen curtains and hemed the edges and made cloth napkins and we use white kitchen towels for wiping up spills and wiping off the counters or table. You can get them on etsy.com and they come in a huge variety of styles. Have fun going green!

Facts: from

Greener: Cloth—CottonIf you are hugely careless in your treatment of cloth napkins and dishtowels (like running a load of hot-water wash for a few barely-soiled napkins), paper can be the more eco-friendly option. But if you approach your cloth towels and napkins conscientiously, cloth is the greener option. Some say that washing cloth must be more energy-intensive than using paper, but electric dryers are actually twice as energy efficient as the manufacture of paper towels. When you factor in all of the components of making a paper towel or napkins (harvesting the material, processing and bleaching it, packaging it, shipping it, stocking it at a supermarket, transportation to and from the store to purchase it, etc). all for a single use, you find that the paper towels and napkins are about twice as energy-intensive and create more greenhouse gases overall. A cloth napkin or dishtowel may go through similar processes to get to your kitchen drawer, but it will stay there for many, many years, rather than being sent directly to the landfill.

Reusable Bags

2009-04-21T09:00:00.001-06:00

Todays tip: Reusable grocery store bags. These are great for a few reasons. One they save on how many bags we use, two they are bigger and stronger than regular bags so you don't have to worry about them ripping, and three you can get them to fit your style if you want. They come in a huge variety of prices and styles you can get the cheap ones at the store for a buck or you can spend $60 and get one that says feed and feed a kid school lunch for a year. The options are endless. You probably have sutiable bags just laying around already. Another tip so you don't forget your bags in the car (which I do alot) put them in the front seat buy your purse or set your wallet on them.

Some facts from reusablebags.com

Top Facts - Consumption

Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year.
According to the EPA, over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps are consumed in the U.S. each year.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. (Estimated cost to retailers is $4 billion)
According to the industry publication Modern Plastics, Taiwan consumes 20 billion bags a year - 900 per person.
According to Australia's Department of Environment, Australians consume 6.9 billion plastic bags each year - 326 per person. An estimated 0.7% or 49,600,000 end up as litter each year.

Top Facts - Environmental Impact

Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.
Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they photodegrade - breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingest.
As part of Clean Up Australia Day, in one day nearly 500,000 plastic bags were collected.
Windblown plastic bags are so prevalent in Africa that a cottage industry has sprung up harvesting bags and using them to weave hats, and even bags. According to the BBC, one group harvests 30,000 per month.
According to David Barnes, a marine scientist with the British Antarctic Survey, plastic bags have gone "from being rare in the late 80s and early 90s to being almost everywhere from Spitsbergen 78 degrees North [latitude] to Falklands 51 degrees South [latitude]."
Plastic bags are among the 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups, according to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation.

Going Green

2009-04-20T09:00:00.002-06:00

In honer of Earth Day on the 22nd I am doing a tip for each day of the week that is really easy for everyone to go a little greener.

Today's tip: Reusable water bottles and powder drink mix or juice concentrate. These are really simple tips. If you love bottled water just get a refillable bottle and a filter pitcher. It will also save you money. Another thing to think about is the amount of trash from drink bottles and containers. We use refillable bottles for us and the kids. I am trying to get better at this and not buy juice boxes at all so we just refill their bottles to take to the park or on trips. Zoe actually likes her bottle better than a juice box cause it's Tinkerbell! If you love soda consider buying a 2 liter and filling a bottle to take with you instead it will save on how many bottles go to the dump.

Facts: from

The advent of bottled water sent our already wasteful consumer culture into pollution overdrive and it’s a tremendous task to put the brakes on the momentum of this waste. Here is a list of plastic bottle fun facts that put the magnitude of this pollution into scope.
Plastic bottles take 700 years to begin composting
90% of the cost of bottled water is due to the bottle itself
80% of plastic bottles are not recycled
38 million plastic bottles go to the dump per year in America from bottled water (not including soda)
24 million gallons of oil are needed to produce a billion plastic bottles
The average American consumes 167 bottles of water a year
Bottling and shipping water is the least energy efficient method ever used to supply water
Bottled water is the second most popular beverage in the United States
Although it can be easy and convenient to pick up bottle beverage products the end cost to the environment is staggering. So be mindful when you drink…and remember, friends don’t let friends drink from disposables!

Here comes the sun.....

2009-04-20T00:58:00.009-06:00

So we have had good weather for the last few days and took full advantage of it and went to the park, the kite festival and even

Friday we made it to the park with friends and enjoyed some sun for an hour. Zach loved climbing all over the playground and was excited to see his friends. He played in the sand and ran on the grass. I was glad he could get some energy out for awhile. Lucas got roll around on the blanket and have some smiles and laughs with Jaxson.

On Saturday we went to the Kite festival or as Zach started screaming as we approached "the kipe fesable". He got really excited and was running after all the kites. Most were on the ground cause there wasn't much wind :( But Zoe and Zach loved playing the kids games and getting prizes after. Zach took the longest picking his "boingy bouncy" ( half a ball that you flip and it bounces really high). We stayed long enough for Jerry to get tired out after chasing Zach around everywhere (the plan was to tire out Zach). Zach loved the music on the stage and "danced" (ran in circles and shook) for about twenty mins off and on. Zoe was excited to see the kites and disappointed there was no wind. I broke her heart to learn that her parents can not control the weather :( She got over it when we told her we would go home and pop pop corn and watch a movie, she choose Enchanted or Little Vampire or Harry Potter I can't remember she has watched them all for two weeks.

Sunday we went to Enterprise and took some fun pics out in the back. I am going to try to set up some sittings there and was looking to see where we could shoot.

The clothes line pic is also from Enterprise.

Friday's Obsession Confession!

2009-04-17T15:21:00.001-06:00

Twilight!

I love this series! I got into it way late and only read them in the last few months but I love them. I have read all four books and the last two in just a week and a half. We have kept the movie from netflix since it came out! I was not totally impressed by it at first but it has definitely grown on me. I still think they should have cast Edward with a different guy but the rest seem to be just right, also they used way too much makeup on the vampires at first introductions. My favorite characters are Alice and Jacob. What can I say I am a gluten for punishment and harsh love stories. But am a true believer that you can't chose who you fall in love with and these stories show how it can all work out even under the gravest of circumstances. Plus I LOVE vampire stories and shows!

I love Harry Potter

2009-04-16T14:13:00.002-06:00

I found this link on hulu.com one of my soon to be favorite sites.

Easter Fun

2009-04-16T12:04:00.000-06:00

On Easter Sunday we were woke up at 5:30am by Zoe excited to show us what the Easter Bunny had brought her. We tried to get her to keep quiet so she wouldn't wake her brothers. At 6:15 Zach woke up (with Zoe's help) and then got came in sticky from getting into his peeps and so we woke up. At that point we made a rule. From now on she isn't allowed out of her room until 7am, unles one of us wakes her earlier.

Since this year we didn't get an egg dye kit Zoe got to color her eggs with markers. She did a really good job and as usual the artist in her showed through.

Later that afternoon (after a nap) we took the kids to our playground for some fun in the sun. It was great weather and they all loved it. I also wanted to get a new logo shot for my sewing company and was inspired by the leggings on the grass. Zoe got out of her skirt as soon as I was done and had fun climbing with her brother. Lucas loved the swing and was full of smiles as usual. I love the pastel colors of spring they look so cute on them.

My new logo for my sewing what do you think?

Look what I can do!

2009-04-15T10:00:00.001-06:00

Lucas has found his feet. He loves to grab his feet and chew on his toes. It is so cute! Zach saw him and of course had to show us that he could do it too. What a goof ball they both are. I of course had to get a few pics of him at this stage and I couldn't resist taking them with his baby legs on!

AHHHH!

2009-04-13T19:39:00.002-06:00

So while trying to update my Photography website I discovered that the company I was using to make my slide shows doesn't do it anymore. So I tried to find another company that could do similar for free here is what I found. I did a test one with Lucas' pics but Zoe saw and now I'll have to make one of each of the kids.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What do you think? I am hoping to finish my site by the end of the week so I will post an update then.

Super Zach

2009-04-13T08:28:00.001-06:00

For Easter my mom got Zach some way cute pjs they even came with a cape! All Zach kept doing was asking if daddy would make him fly like "suder man". What is so funny is that we already had proof that he is like Super Man. Do you see the blue blur!

When Zach was a baby we called him Hurcules cause he would pull apart all the baby toys but maybe we should have called him "Kal-El"!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T09:00:00.000-06:00

On Friday and Saturday we went to a few egg hunts.

Friday Zach went to the church egg hunt for toddlers at the park. He was so cute every time he found an egg he tried to open it to find out what was inside. I had to encourage him to find more before they were all gone. They each got twelve! Then we had to take out all the candy that would make him sick. He was lucky at this hunt there was only a few pieces. He was on a sugar high after eating two eggs of jelly beans in no time at all.

On Saturday my sis and mom came down and we took the kids to the Albertsons egg hunt. It was so funny! They put the eggs down a few aisles and separated them by age. Zach got confused and tried putting groceries in his basket and by the time we told him eggs he only got one. But he didn't mind getting all the broken empty eggs everyone was dropping! I love this age when it is all about fun and not so much about the candy and prizes. Luckily Zoe and Daniel found quite a few eggs they were even nice enough to share some with Zach. He gave them all the chocolate he couldn't eat (which was almost all of the candy) so they didn't mind.

Science

2009-04-11T10:59:00.005-06:00

So this year we decieded to let Zoe do a science experiment. We talked about her options she was decieding between testing diapers cloth verses disposible, ice melting, food decaying and I sugested oil spil clean up. She decieded she wanted to test soaps for cleaning up oil. We gathered up the stuff and layed out a plan. She dunked the toy in oil then cleaned it up. We used Ajax and Dawn. And the winner is.........DAWN of course it was inspired by a commercial saying that they use it to clean up peguins after oil spills and I guess that sometimes what you learn on tv is true. She was really pleased with her first experiment and I was proud that she chose something that she was interested in and wasn't really the easiest choice.
She won 2nd place! She was so excited and proud of her self and so were we!

Friday's Confession

2009-04-10T14:00:00.000-06:00

Fabric!

I have tons of fabric it was in almost every corner of our house until recently we made a spot for me to do crafts and sewing in the garage and I rounded it all up. That is when I noticed the problem. Also it didn't help that my mom brought me three tubs of fabric from storage so it seems that she has passed the obsession down. It seems that I can not go past fabric in the store with out stopping to look and usually get some. I don't usually buy fabric with a project in mind I just by what I like. Here lies the problem I rarely have what I need for a project and have to buy more. I am hoping that since I have a space of my own to sew now that I will soon turn all of this fabric into tons of fun projects. Also my goal is to buy no more fabric until there is a considerable dent in my fabric.

Goals for fabric

1. diapers

2. wipes

3. activity kits for etsy store

4. overalls for the boys

5. baby leggings for Lucas

6. t-shirt dresses for Zoe

7. quilts for etsy store

8. buntings for etsy store

9. burp cloths

10. nursing covers

11. skirts for Zoe and I

12. embellished overalls for etsy store

Crafty Corner

2009-04-09T10:51:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Vanessa and her tutorial post we made fun crayons in the shape of grapes. What was great about this craft was that Zoe has been bugging me to do a craft with her for awhile and I hate to start something only to get interupted by one of the boys. But she could do most of this by her self all I had to do was the oven stuff. And she was really proud of how they turned out. She went right to her room to color a picture with them. I will have to be on the look out for other silicone shape trays.

Mother Daughter Fun

2009-04-08T18:00:00.000-06:00

On Sunday Zoe and I got pedicures!

Okay well I did them at home but our toes still look nice.

She loves doing all things girly and since having Lucas we haven't done this and our toes were looking shabby. I was kinda glad she brought up the idea. Our toes look nice don't you think.

Now all we need is some new summer sandals! I love sandals and summer! I hate wearing socks and real shoes they make my feet feel trapped and tight. During summer I almost always wear flip flops or some sort of sandals and Zoe is the same way. She usually gets cuter shoes than me cause they cost alot less for her than me. Maybe this summer I'll get us both cute sandals!

50 Things to Know

2009-04-07T22:30:00.002-06:00

So I found this check list here and thought it would be fun to see how many I know. It's in honor of my 50th post just a few posts late :)

While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.
1. Build a Fire – Check (with matches or some lighting things for sure)
2. Operate a Computer –Check
3. Use Google Effectively – Check (how do you think I found this)
4. Perform CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver – Check (it's required to work in childcare)
5. Drive a Manual Transmission Vehicle – I learned how to drive on a manual
6. Do Basic Cooking – Check
7. Tell a Story that Captivates People’s Attention – I think so
8. Win or Avoid a Fistfight – Run away, run away
9. Deliver Bad News – Check, sadly Kermit has left us
10. Change a Tire – Check but not as good as my hubby
11. Handle a Job Interview – Check
12. Manage Time – Check
13. Speed Read – Check
14. Remember Names – Okay I admit I am not good at this any more
15. Relocate Living Spaces – I am awesome at this I have moved more times than I have had birthdays but I am getting rusty we have been here for almost three years
16. Travel Light – Okay my hubby would disagree but I can do this if I have to
17. Handle the Police – I don't know I haven't had to handle them
18. Give Driving Directions – Check
19. Perform Basic First Aid – Check
20. Swim – Check
21. Parallel Park – Check but I hate it
22. Recognize Personal Alcohol Limits – Check (I don't really drink)
23. Select Good Produce – Check on most produce
24. Handle a Hammer, Axe or Handsaw – Check but not an axe
25. Make a Simple Budget – Simple lol CHECK
26. Speak at Least Two Common Languages – If ASL is considered common check
27. Do Push-Ups and Sit-Ups Properly – Check (just cause I know how doesn't mean I do them)
28. Give a Compliment – Check
29. Negotiate – Check
30. Listen Carefully to Others – Check
31. Recite Basic Geography – California on the west Florida and New York on the East Check
32. Paint a Room – Check
33. Make a Short, Informative Public Speech – Check
34. Smile for the Camera – People that absolutely refuse to smile for the camera suck!Check and this is so true
35. Flirt Without Looking Ridiculous – I think so
36. Take Useful Notes – Check
37. Be a Respectful House Guest – Check
38. Make a Good First Impression – Check
39. Navigate with a Map and Compass – Check
40. Sew a Button onto Clothing – Check
41. Hook Up a Basic Home Theater System – Yes I can but don't
42. Type – Check
43. Protect Personal Identity Information – Check
44. Implement Basic Computer Security Best Practices – Check
45. Detect a Lie – Check
46. End a Date Politely Without Making Promises – No I think that I was really bad at this
47. Remove a Stain – Yeah usually
48. Keep a Clean House – When I lived alone my house was spotless with three kids I call it clean if it's vacuumed and mopped
49. Hold a Baby – I don't know I have only had three
50. Jump Start a Car - I did it once with instruction but I am terrified to blow it up or get shocked.
48 out of 50
How many can you do?

My new toy

2009-04-06T17:22:00.001-06:00

So we were recently given a bread maker and I love it! I have been experimenting with it almost daily since we got it. My first bread was basic white and it turned out okay except for the fact that I forgot to push the basket down all the way so it didn't mix right. Then I made chocolate cake in it. That turned out nummy we all enjoyed our desert even though the top half didn't cook all the way. Zoe wanted to decorate it and after I explained that it wasn't that kind of cake she decided a compromise would be putting Carmel syrup on it.

Sunday I tried two different things I made a beer bread which we didn't really like but Jerry is going to take it to work and see if they like it. The second was white bread with cinnamon, raisins, craisins, and sugar mixed in it. That is really good! Everyone but Zoe loved it. She doesn't like things in her bread.

I plan on trying several different wheat and fruit breads in the future so look for future recipes!

Friday's Addiction Confession

2009-04-03T12:10:00.001-06:00

I am going to try to start something new every Friday I will addmit to a different addiction or get one of my friends to confess(I have alot but not enought for the rest of the year:)).

And the first on is.......HATS on Lucas! I recently went through them to get rid of the ones he had outgrown and he had over thirty infant hats that he had already out grown! But don't worry he still has over a dozen that fit!

Including the cute monkey one!
I love how cute they are and when you have a boy hats are about the only accesory you can have them wear.

Sadly this one is now too small :(

our trip

2009-04-02T09:18:00.001-06:00

For spring break my sister and I took Zoe and my nephew Daniel to some museums up north. Zoe really enjoyed it and I think she might have even learned something.

We stopped at Cove Fort on the way. There was alot of pioneer stuff to see and it was restored so that we could see what it looked like when it was in use. Boy it sure puts my small house into perspective when I saw the very small three rooms that this family with ten kids shared.

We also went to Thanks Giving Point for the first time. The kids loved seeing all the dinosaurs and we watched a 3D movie about the Wild Coast even Lucas seemed to enjoy it. Zoe and Daniel being scary dinosaurs.

The next day we took them to Discovery Gateway. They loved it! This place and something for everyone it was great. Daniel loved all the building stuff and Zoe loved all the creative play! They took turns choosing activities so they each experienced each others faves as well.

Lucas's First.....

2009-04-01T09:07:00.002-06:00

Lucas' first tooth came in on March 25th! His second is close behind and will break through any day now. Unfortunatly he loves to chew on flesh ie everyone's fingers and with his new tooth it really hurts he is really a strong chewer :)

Yesterday we went to the park. And Lucas got his first sunburn. I put sunscreen on him but I must have missed some spots cause next to his nose on both sides there is a little sunburn. He doesn't seem to mind cause he if full of smiles as usual.

Family Visit

2009-03-30T12:42:00.000-06:00

My sister in law and nephew were down for a two week visit a week ago and it was great to see the boys playing together. We went to enterprise to visit with them on a weekend and there was snow. All the kids had so much fun playing and sledding.

Zachary wouldn't stop eating the snow he picked it up and ate it then he would bend down and try to eat it off the ground too. I swear we do feed him :)

Dallas and Zach even went on the sled together unfortunately my battery died in my camera just as they started to sled down the hill.

Bath Time for Lucas

2009-03-29T12:28:00.000-06:00

Lately Lucas has been getting showers with mom or dad but the other day he actually used his tub. Zach was gone with Daddy and Zoe was at school so he enjoyed his bath and played peek a boo with the towel after. He is such a joy to have, his smile always brightens my day.

Sisterhood award

2009-03-28T14:42:00.003-06:00

I recieved this award a few weeks ago but haven't gotten to the computer until now.

Thanks to Vanessa at http://michaelgrace.blogspot.com/

Quite the momentous occasion as a.) I'm new to blogging and b.) its my first bloggy award.

And now I get to pass it on! First, the fine print ;)

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude! (okay I don't follow that many blogs so I did half)

3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

And now, to share in the Sisterhood Award are:

1. Janet at http://janetbarton.blogspot.com/

2. Krystal at http://bagleyfam.blogspot.com/

3. mom2triplets04 at http://creativetripletmom.blogspot.com/

4. Emily at http://kokonutlime.blogspot.com/

5. The Winslows at http://winslow1.blogspot.com/

Thanks to all of you for inspiring to try to blog more often!

Family Portraits

2009-03-28T11:51:00.004-06:00

So on March 8th our family went for family portraits at Sears. We got portraits with my mom, my MIL, sister and nephews on both sides. It was totally crazy and I felt kinda bad for the photographer cause there was alot that we wanted and alot of people but they turned out great and I was pleased with them. Which is hard for me cause I am really picky about my photos.

Zachary got a lot of pictures taken for two reasons one he doesn't cooperate at all for photos and two it was his old daycare teacher Kiera taking them.

I put together this college for my mom of all the pics she liked.

These were the pairs pics we took. Zoe(7) and Daniel(5) in their Grease gear. Thing one and thing two and Zach (29 months) and Dallas (27 months).

And our family collage for our house.

Friends

2009-03-04T10:38:00.005-07:00

On Satuarday we spent the day at a friends house Zach and his friend Giannah found the mud lots of fun. They spent awhile just playing in it. Then Zach started crying because it got in his eyes and he lost his shoe so the fun had to end. We ended up hoseing them off outside then giving them a bath.

Both were all smiles after they got a bath.

Lucas was busy playing with is friend Jaxson.

They are just a week apart and so cute with all their smiles.

The Garage

2009-03-04T10:28:00.003-07:00

We recently organized the garage and made a little craft corner for me. I am hoping that this helps so I don't have to put things away every time the kids interrupt me. Also it will make it so the kids can play outside while I sew or craft.

Craft stuff on bottom three shelves to the right.

All of my photography props and equipment. I didn't realize how much I had until it was organized like this!

More fabric. Would you believe there is more in storage!

Crafty Corner for Me!

My desk.

Crafty Corner

2009-03-04T10:14:00.002-07:00

So I decided to share some of my recent creations.

Trainers for Zach.

Bows for Zoe and an online trade.

The sling, not the baby, although I guess I did create him too :)

The Pea Pod diaper. Which is WAY to big for my kids so now I have to fix it. I'll probably post another pic when it's fixed.

Bows for Zoe for Valentines Day.

My Future's So Bright.....

2009-02-26T10:53:00.004-07:00

So while shopping for essentials like dish soap I came across something I just couldn't resist. And doesn't Lucas just look adorable in my impulse purchase!

Saving $$$$

2009-02-19T15:42:00.003-07:00

So this year I have decieded to try to save as much money as we can. I have looked into alot of things online and in books and am trying several things to see what works best for us. For the next few months I am going to try to get and use coupons for alot of what we buy according to some websites and morning shows you can cut you grocery bill in half. I am going to see. Yesterday and today I used coupons and save some $ . I saved $5 on Zoe's movie and found the cheapest place was Walmart so she got HSM3 extended version for less then $20. I went to Walgreens cause all the online coupon places rave about CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. I did buy some things that we should get for free if the rebate thing works I am going on line now to enter the info and you get 10% more if you get it on a card I will do that for the first few months and just use it to get more free stuff and see how far this goes people online have closets full of stocked up free stuff. We have a very small house so this won't work for us if that is how you save money but I'll try it and see. Here is a pic of all the stuff I got if I get back what I should I will have only spent $10 and it was on gifts. It's not a ton but it's a start.

Photo Contest

2009-02-19T07:37:00.003-07:00

I want to enter my boys in a photo contest at wal-mart but what picture do I choose! Help please!

My Crazy Kids this morning

2009-02-10T18:15:00.005-07:00

Lucas with all his smiles lately will melt any heart. He is also becoming a big talker and loves to have constant interaction now. He doesn't care if it is Mom, Dad, Zoe or Zach he just wants someone talking to him always.

Zoe is getting so big and doing really well in school she loves to read just like her mom and her teacher says she excells in anything she tries to do. We are so proud of her. Now if only she would remember to do ALL of her homework the night before.

Zachary is getting so big! I love watching him grow and gain new skills overnight. Just a few months ago he couldn't/wouldn't use a spoon. Now he barley spills a drop of his new favorite food "Ogurt". Maybe it has to do with how big he opens his mouth now :)

Poor Kermit

2009-02-09T16:17:00.000-07:00

So I have been neglecting Zoe's poor frog Kermit. He is supposed to be her responsibiliy but all she can do is feed him. So I am supposed to clean his tank once a week. I think it has been three! Eww!

Little Zachary

2009-02-08T19:32:00.000-07:00

So tonight Jerry changed Zach's diaper and I was shocked to see he was wearing one of Lucas' size 2 diapers. And it fit! They wear the same size cloth diapers but I figured that was cause of the bulk of cloth but no it's just him. He has such a tiny waist and no butt! What a skiny guy.

Zoe's Room

2009-02-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Well today we spent 4 hours cleaning and going through everything in Zoe's room so we could get rid of alot of stuff. We threw out 3 bags of trash and have 10 bags ready to get rid of. We even cleaned out the closet and made the beds. Our goal is for it to stay that way. We will see.

Annie

2009-02-08T18:12:00.000-07:00

Well it doesn't look like Zoe got a part in Annie. She auditioned on Thursday and was so excited and I'm sure did great. She sang Zippity Do Da and had practiced by singing at Jazzy Java the night before at open mic night and they loved her. But they were barely casting in 1st grade and she is really tiny so no luck. But there is always next time we told her. She says she still wants to be a star. Silly goose guess we should have stayed near Hollywood :)

Identy theft fraud sucks!

2009-01-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

So today just before I was going to leave for playgroup I got a call from Paypal. They asked me if I had made a purchase yesterday I said no why and I was alerted to the fact that someone purchased something from a home office store for $999.10 and that it went through my account also they changed my address and ordered a new credit card. AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! I freaked what could we do about it! Luckly paypal has a great fraud team and they said they could reverse everything and cancel the card but they wanted me to change all my passwords associated with this account and alert the bank. So now I am spending my afternoon changing everything and being on the phone with the bank. Yuck!

Twilight

2009-01-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

So I am right on target for my first goal of the year to read at least one book a month. I finish Twilight this morning and now am ready to start the second book. I didn't want to see the movie until I had read the book and now I can't wait until it comes on video. I am such an addict to all things vampire and witchy. Hopefully the movie is as good as the book.

Laughing Lucas

2009-01-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Lucas learned how to laugh it is so cute and he was so smiley yesterday I got tons of pictures. So here they are!

And then he needed a change and as I was changing his clothes and diaper I wanted to capture all of his Cubbyness. Isn't it adorable? He is such a contrast to what Zach was!

Zachary woke up from his nap so I tried to take a few pics of him this is what I got.

Zoe's Birthday

2009-01-14T11:26:00.000-07:00

Wow I can't believe she is turning 7 in just a few days I remember when she was tiny .

4 year old birthday
3 1/2

3 year old birthday

Almost 2

14 months old

So this year Zoe decieded to have a music party. Mostly because she couldn't chose which theme she wanted and since they all were music whala a theme was born I made her cards and they turned out cute.

This is the front of the card

The inside has the info and her pic of her headshot in color.

pictures

2009-01-14T11:13:00.001-07:00

So I took Lucas to Sears to get some pics done of him in a sweater that his Nana made for Zach and he out grew before getting pics. They turned out cute and I spent more that just the coupon cause she even got a cute one of Zach with him. So here they are I edited them and added cute stuff and stole their idea of a sketch with a pic.

Ahhh! Paypal sucks now

2009-01-11T20:24:00.000-07:00

Okay I am soooo bugged I sold some stuff on ebay and the only payment I accept is paypal and it's been that way for years because it is/was the best, fastest and easiest way to pay and recieve payment well now they hold funds for 21 days including shipping! What the heck now sellers are expected to front the costs of shipping then get payment that stinks. I was on the phone with customer service for almost 10 mins before I got through and they said that is the new policy and it will stay that way unless you are a power seller with a positive rating over 100. Well I guess that means I need to sell and buy more on ebay quick to get my funds faster. :(

Zoe's Headshot

2009-01-10T15:13:00.001-07:00

I fixed all the things commented on what do you think now?

Zoe is going to audition for Annie at Tuacan and needed a headshot. What do you think?

Lucas the Duck

2009-01-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Lucas has a few really cute outfits with hats and this is one. He fell asleep and I couldn't resist taking his picture.

Spaghetti!

2009-01-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here is proof that we do feed Zach. The other night we had spaghetti and he got it all over his face and I had to snap a few pictures but that stinker actually started to put his hands up and said "No pictures please!". Silly boy is such a parot when it comes to stuff his Dad says.

Chucky Cheese

2009-01-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

When we went to Orem to visit family between Christmas and New Years we went to Chucky Cheese. The kids loved it! Zoe had been when we lived in California but this was Zach's first time.

They loved this truck that went up and down and side to side on hydrolic lifts.

Zach riding the clock ride he freaked out at first then realized it was fun.

Smily Lucas

2009-01-07T21:55:00.001-07:00

Lucas learned to smile and it is so cute!

Big Smiles at Christmas!

Christmas

2009-01-07T20:59:00.000-07:00

Zachary fell asleep under the tree after opening all of his presents.

Zoe holding up her HSM quilt I made and Zach is riding his big wheel from Santa

Snow fun in Enterprise!

We had a great christmas this year. We spent a few days before and after Christmas in Enterprise and then the kids and I went to Orem to visit other family and then Grandpa Vern stayed for a few days through New Years.

Sleeping Beauty

2009-01-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

Zoe was Flora and a Goone in Center Stage's production of Sleeping Beauty Dec. 13th, 15th and 16th. She was a big hit as she was in the older cast (12-16 years old) and is the smallest kid in both casts (not youngest just the smallest). She did an amazing job! But I am not bias at all :)

Sorry

2009-01-07T17:56:00.000-07:00

So I haven't posted in awhile sorry life has been crazy busy. I'll post a few posts at once to make up for it.

Sleepy baby

2008-12-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

I love how cute and peaceful they look while they are sleeping. They have that commercal for pampers with the silent night song and all the cuties sleeping so I was inspired.

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=128274918

It's holiday time

2008-12-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

So last night we got the tree out and decorated it. Our house is so small that we have a table top tree. I know all of us miss the times when we had a real tree.
It was so cute when we took the tree out of the box Zach saw it and said " A Christmas tree I lobe it sooo much." He is such a goof ball it is so cute when they can't say v's yet. Him and Zoe had so much fun decorating it.

When we were getting the tree stuff out I found a fun Rudolf nose and Zoe was posing for the camera she got the ears and after she was done posing it was Jerry's turn.

Dosen't he look so excited to pose for us!

Lucas' Holiday Pictures

2008-12-08T09:05:00.000-07:00

I took some portraits of Lucas for the holidays and they turned out pretty cute I think. What do you think?

It's funny because I was looking at Zach's first Christmas photos and even though he was a month older they look so much alike.

Baby leggings

2008-11-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

For a baby gift a friend gave Lucas some Baby Legs I think they are the cutest thing ever and since I couldn't really afford to go get more a friend of mine told me how to make some our of knee highs and the turned out so cute. The first pic is of the baby legs and the other two are of the ones I made out of knee highs and slipper socks. They are so easy with diaper changes and they keep him warm in just a onesie!

Lucas is already a poser isn't he cute!

Cutie Pie Lucas

2008-11-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

So the other day I took some pics of Lucas sleeping and I have had a chance to play with them alittle and it turned out sooooo cute. I am bias though so you will have to decied yourself.

And that day a friend gave him baby legs for a gift they look so cute on him I had to share. Thanks Emily!

ZACHARY!!!!!!!!

2008-11-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

Okay so any parent knows how long it takes a toddler to distroy something and I should know by now that it takes Zach even less time than most kids but I plead the distracted just had a baby thing. I left him in the living room watching a movie while I was on the computer for a short while and he brings me my cell phone..... in two pieces!!!!! He some how peeled the number pad off of it! I was so mad it took all I had just to put him on his bed in time out. The thing is he knew he was in trouble cause he started crying right after he brought it to me. He layed in his bed for his two mins and when I went to talk to him he was asleep. What a stinker! Any how so it if anyone tries to call and can't that's why.

Lucas

2008-11-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Okay so here are some details about Lucas' birth and his announcement. Which by the way was alot more difficult then I thought it would be to make thanks to Zach. He is such a stinker about pictures I can't get a good shot of him with anyone. He does okay pics by himself but if I try to get one of him and Zoe or all three it is sooooo hard so I take what I can get and after awhile just give up.

Okay so Lucas' birth...

Saturday I was in consistant labor they started 10 mins apart and grew to about three mins apart I went to bed expecting to wake from them and have to go in to the hospital. In the morning they were still just three mins apart but stronger. So my mom and I and the kids went to Wal-mart to walk and look at Christmas stuff while Jerry took the box spring off our bed so it is only three feet tall not four. After walking for over an hour and them not getting stronger or closer we went home and then labor kinda stalled. The contractions got further apart but stronger. At ten we went to the hospital and they checked me since I was only at one cen dialated and the contrations weren't close they sent me home. After being home for just a little while they got so strong I told Jerry we had to go back. We called my mom who had to drive from Cedar and waited for her to get here. Jerry was rubbing my back and using pressure points to relieve the pain. We got back to the hospital about three am and the contractions were consistant and very painful unfortunatly I wasn't dialating and they were very close together and very long and strong we decieded it was time for a c-section. At 7:35 am Lucas arrived via the operating room. The surgeon then told me what was going on there was alot of scar tissue on the inside of my uterus from my previous c-secs that was stopping him from dropping and that is why I wasn't dialating. After they did the tubel and sewed me up I got to nurse him. Lucas is a very good eater and is doing really well with nursing. After coming home we have only had two tummy problems, I am on a strict no dairy/soy diet and he is doing well. He has gained weight and is happy. Zoe and Zach love having him around and are great big sibs. They love to hold and kiss him all the time. We are adjusting to a fuller house and love having him around.