It seems like November has flown by. I don't know, it may have something to do with this...CLICK HERE
If you are wondering if November is a good month to move, I'm going to say no. No it's not. But then again, December wouldn't be great either. I'm just glad it's over with. Is it bad that I'm already wanting to take down the Christmas decorations? I can't really decorate accordingly with all this garland getting in my way. We had to off center the couch to find a place for the tree and it's about to send me in a panic attack. I mean when you actually whip out a measuring tape to make sure the couch is in fact centered you don't really want to go messing that up with a tree. Oh well, it's only for a month. I'll try to hold back from tossing the tree out the front door after the kids open presents Christmas morning.
I'll post pictures/video of the new house once I have things in order. I don't really want to take pictures with boxes still around and bare walls. I have a reputation of being a Super Mom and I'd like to keep that image up...no one needs to know the truth.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Take Back Queen
Ever buy something and then the next time you go back to the store you see the same thing on sale? Well that happens to me a lot. In no way do I let this defeat me. In fact, it's forced me to become the kind of shopper that I am.
A couple of weeks ago I got it in my head that Aiden needed micro machines. Not familiar with micro machines? Well, they are only the hottest little cars of the 80's! So I started searching. I even dug up an old commercial. So after watching that I was down right determined that not only would he get cars, but a play set too. I didn't care which one. Knowing that they don't sell these anymore my only hope was ebay. I was pleasantly surprised by all the choices. Not so crazy about the prices though. So to make a long story short I finally found one to bid on. I should probably keep my bidding price disclosed, but I won't because it just makes it that much better. I beat out the highest bidder with just seconds to spare by just .50 at a whopping $20.50. It's like the heavens opened up and the Super Van City and 13 micro machines were mine. I know what you are thinking, 20 bucks for a dumb toy that's 20 years old? That's the thing about ebay. You think you've gotten this great deal on a 'treasure' that is no where else to be found. It's an e-buyer's high. And it's mine, all mine... And then it hit me. 'There's no way Brian is going to be happy about this. I'll have to ease this one in with perfect timing.'
So a couple of days passed (alright it was 5, but who's counting, right?) and my package arrived. I hadn't told Aiden about the cars. I waited to open it until nap time to bask in the glory undisturbed. It's a satisfying feeling to end a cycle of obsession. Once I get something in my head I'm gonna do it and there's no stopping me. It's a flaw really. Well, after the kids woke up from naps I got everybody ready for our weekly trip to Goodwill. Yes, I take weekly trips to Goodwill. I go for the Target stuff (once the clearance stuff has been out for a certain length of time Target sells them to Goodwill).
But that's a whole different story. So off we went to the new Goodwill. I had only found out about it that morning. So naturally, the kids went straight to the toys. I can hardly put into words the emotions that flooded my body when we got back there. Sitting on the shelf directly in front of me was Super Van City. My mouth hit the floor and I felt physically sick. I stood there in shock and it was like everything else stood still. 'I cannot believe what I'm seeing right now. This must be some kind of hallucination.' I mean what are the odds, right? I knew what I would find when I looked at the blue sticker. I almost didn't want to look, it was going to be too painful. $1.50. Are you kidding me!
Well, I wasn't going to pass that up. So I bought it. The next day I put the same Super Van City that I had just gotten the day before up on ebay and threw in 5 cars for good measure. I'm happy to say that it sold for $17.28. So there ya go. Super Van City and 6 micro machines for roughly $5, now that's a price Brian will be happy with!
Moving on to this week (that was last week).
My weekly trip to Target. Yes, I do that too. I like check out what's on clearance. I almost never pay full price for things. I can't stand to pass up a good deal when I see one. If you get a gift from me, I've probably had it for well over 6 months, maybe even years.
So I've had my eye out for bedding for Riley for when she moves out of a toddler bed (she's still in a crib). I had fallen in love with a quilt set at Target, but I was not willing to pay $65 for it. Well, back in July it got marked down to $45 and the matching sheets $13 (from $18). So I figured I'd snag them. I still felt it was a little high, but like I said before, I know what I want. So into the closet they went. Wednesday we went to Target. They are having some mega markdowns right now and I can hardly contain my excitement. Well, same quilt, same sheets were now marked down to $32 and $9. So you can guess what I did. I bought them. Yesterday I went back to Target and returned the ones for $45 and $13. I was doing a little victory dance in my head for getting a better deal. I figured since I was there, I might as well peruse the store...again. Well, what happened next was not a case of deja vu. I got to the bedding section and there again same quilt, same sheets now $16 and $4. 'Wait a second, didn't I just pay double this the day before???' So I bought them.
So technically, if Target follows suit I can go back today and they will be half off? I don't think the kids could handle going out again. They are such troopers while I drag them around town with me. I'll have to take back the $32 and $9 next week. In the mean time I'll check back in to Goodwill to see what Target supplied them with this week. Bargain shopping is exhausting...ok, more of a hobby really. I mean can you blame me though?
I think I may be the only person who buys things with the intent to return them. When I come home with things I just tell Brian, "Hey, you know my policy, if you don't like it I'll take it back." So if the stores (Target) changes their return policy, I'll apologize in advance because it's because of people like me. Or just me. This was not the first time that I returned the same item1 ok 2 ...err 3 times. Oh, and PS- don't plan on returning anything to Kohl's. They charge you a 15% restock fee. I just wanted to throw that out there.
A couple of weeks ago I got it in my head that Aiden needed micro machines. Not familiar with micro machines? Well, they are only the hottest little cars of the 80's! So I started searching. I even dug up an old commercial. So after watching that I was down right determined that not only would he get cars, but a play set too. I didn't care which one. Knowing that they don't sell these anymore my only hope was ebay. I was pleasantly surprised by all the choices. Not so crazy about the prices though. So to make a long story short I finally found one to bid on. I should probably keep my bidding price disclosed, but I won't because it just makes it that much better. I beat out the highest bidder with just seconds to spare by just .50 at a whopping $20.50. It's like the heavens opened up and the Super Van City and 13 micro machines were mine. I know what you are thinking, 20 bucks for a dumb toy that's 20 years old? That's the thing about ebay. You think you've gotten this great deal on a 'treasure' that is no where else to be found. It's an e-buyer's high. And it's mine, all mine... And then it hit me. 'There's no way Brian is going to be happy about this. I'll have to ease this one in with perfect timing.'
So a couple of days passed (alright it was 5, but who's counting, right?) and my package arrived. I hadn't told Aiden about the cars. I waited to open it until nap time to bask in the glory undisturbed. It's a satisfying feeling to end a cycle of obsession. Once I get something in my head I'm gonna do it and there's no stopping me. It's a flaw really. Well, after the kids woke up from naps I got everybody ready for our weekly trip to Goodwill. Yes, I take weekly trips to Goodwill. I go for the Target stuff (once the clearance stuff has been out for a certain length of time Target sells them to Goodwill).
 |
| Target, Wool Rug-$275, Target sold it to Goodwill and I bought it new for $50 |
Well, I wasn't going to pass that up. So I bought it. The next day I put the same Super Van City that I had just gotten the day before up on ebay and threw in 5 cars for good measure. I'm happy to say that it sold for $17.28. So there ya go. Super Van City and 6 micro machines for roughly $5, now that's a price Brian will be happy with!
Moving on to this week (that was last week).My weekly trip to Target. Yes, I do that too. I like check out what's on clearance. I almost never pay full price for things. I can't stand to pass up a good deal when I see one. If you get a gift from me, I've probably had it for well over 6 months, maybe even years.
So I've had my eye out for bedding for Riley for when she moves out of a toddler bed (she's still in a crib). I had fallen in love with a quilt set at Target, but I was not willing to pay $65 for it. Well, back in July it got marked down to $45 and the matching sheets $13 (from $18). So I figured I'd snag them. I still felt it was a little high, but like I said before, I know what I want. So into the closet they went. Wednesday we went to Target. They are having some mega markdowns right now and I can hardly contain my excitement. Well, same quilt, same sheets were now marked down to $32 and $9. So you can guess what I did. I bought them. Yesterday I went back to Target and returned the ones for $45 and $13. I was doing a little victory dance in my head for getting a better deal. I figured since I was there, I might as well peruse the store...again. Well, what happened next was not a case of deja vu. I got to the bedding section and there again same quilt, same sheets now $16 and $4. 'Wait a second, didn't I just pay double this the day before???' So I bought them.
I think I may be the only person who buys things with the intent to return them. When I come home with things I just tell Brian, "Hey, you know my policy, if you don't like it I'll take it back." So if the stores (Target) changes their return policy, I'll apologize in advance because it's because of people like me. Or just me. This was not the first time that I returned the same item
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The New Additions
Well, I wasn't planning on having any more...at least not any time soon. Somehow Brian caught the fever and has been hounding me for months. I can't believe I let him get to me, but it's a done deal now and it's official...
Yep, you guessed it, we have new PETS! Oh, when I said fever I meant 'puppy fever'. You didn't think I was pregnant did you? Although Brian (and the kids) tried really hard to convince me we needed a dog, we were able to settle on a more practical compromise. I mean let's face it, having a puppy would be like having another baby and I'm not about to tackle that one. So on Saturday we took the kids to PetSmart where they picked out their first official pets (the chickens were mine). Trust me, this is a big deal. Everybody knows I'm anti-pet so no one is as surprised as I am.
This is Lollipop (Lolli), Ella's pride and joy.
She's the most active of the three, which works out well considering Ella has tea parties with her, takes her on walks, builds her 'crabitats', takes her outside to play, and right now while I'm writing has her in a bowl full of dry beans. Ella was elated when I played her this song I'm pretty sure this song was written about a crab.
He's good about crawling around too. A little skiddish though. I mean I can't blame him though, he has been dropped a few times. Aiden gets a little freaky when he's holding the shell and Whirly's legs start creeping out. Initially Aiden dropped him, but now he says "Ah, he's coming out, come and hold him!"
Yes, Riley got one too. Ella named it Chugga Chugga.
I think Chugga is lame, but he's Brian's favorite. Chugga is shy and doesn't play. The only time he'll walk is if there's a shadow or a dark hole nearby. He'll find the nearest shadow and stop...lazy.
I just hope they survive...
Yep, you guessed it, we have new PETS! Oh, when I said fever I meant 'puppy fever'. You didn't think I was pregnant did you? Although Brian (and the kids) tried really hard to convince me we needed a dog, we were able to settle on a more practical compromise. I mean let's face it, having a puppy would be like having another baby and I'm not about to tackle that one. So on Saturday we took the kids to PetSmart where they picked out their first official pets (the chickens were mine). Trust me, this is a big deal. Everybody knows I'm anti-pet so no one is as surprised as I am.
This is Lollipop (Lolli), Ella's pride and joy.
She's the most active of the three, which works out well considering Ella has tea parties with her, takes her on walks, builds her 'crabitats', takes her outside to play, and right now while I'm writing has her in a bowl full of dry beans. Ella was elated when I played her this song I'm pretty sure this song was written about a crab.
Aiden's crab, Whirly.
He's good about crawling around too. A little skiddish though. I mean I can't blame him though, he has been dropped a few times. Aiden gets a little freaky when he's holding the shell and Whirly's legs start creeping out. Initially Aiden dropped him, but now he says "Ah, he's coming out, come and hold him!" Yes, Riley got one too. Ella named it Chugga Chugga.
I think Chugga is lame, but he's Brian's favorite. Chugga is shy and doesn't play. The only time he'll walk is if there's a shadow or a dark hole nearby. He'll find the nearest shadow and stop...lazy.
They really love them though. And I'm not gonna lie, I like them too. Mainly because I like making 'crabitats' and watching them crawl around. What's a 'crabitat' you are wondering? It's the totally awesome play places I build them out of our big wooden blocks. The possibilities are endless! I might get a little carried away sometimes.
I just hope they survive...
Thursday, June 2, 2011
It's My Parties, and I'll Cry If I Want To
Well I can't put it off any longer. Ella and Aiden are due for a 'plog'. This year they each had their OWN birthday parties instead of sharing. With their birthdays only being 2 weeks apart, it was just easier to do them together sometime in the middle. I should have known it wouldn't last long.
Ella kept telling me she wanted a Princess Party (like that was a big surprise). I tried to fight it. Everything in me was saying "No Princess Party! No Princess Party!!" I didn't raise her to be a frilly, prissy little girl! I almost had her converted to the idea of having a Book Party instead. I even had big plans of making the invitations look like library cards and everything, but my guilty mother side got the best of me. I should not be trying to force something on her that she doesn't really want. It is her party after all. So it was a Princess Party she wanted and it was a Princess Party she got! Dern shoulder angel.
Yes, I did Bejewel her balloons. Obsessive? Oh, you haven't seen obsessive... My next order of business was to build her a castle. So I looked up our local appliance store and asked if they had any boxes. They pointed me in the direction of their warehouse and gave me a free for all. It was lovely. Well, 3 dryer boxes, 2 washing machine boxes and about 10+ hours later, voila! Click Here to view Ella's Box Castle It was amazing.
This is the smile of a 4 year old who just dooped her mother into throwing her the best Princess Party of her life. I may not be so easily swayed next year. Oh and as for the box castle, Brian and I drug it out to the curb for pick up a few days later and less than 15 minutes later I saw our neighbor drag it across the street to her house. The castle went on to entertain a bunch of 3 year olds at a Mad Hatter Tea Party.
As for Aiden, he wanted a Pirate Party. Well, I couldn't argue with that. So with a week break of having my living room back to normal, it was time to revamp.
I had been bouncing around the idea of having a photobooth at the party too. You know so the adults could have something to do inside instead of melting outside not getting wet with the kids. So what's one more project to add to the list? The kids called it their 'pirate house'. I'm surprised it lasted until the party started.
OK, well wasn't that fun? Moving right along to outside...
Since Ella got a castle, I told Aiden he would get ships. So I took another trip down to the warehouse and strapped a refrigerator box to the top of the van and piled in another one and 2 dryer boxes all around the kids. It was like a van fort. I'm sure the people of Chapin really appreciated me going 25mph down the main road at 5:30. You know, when everyone is trying to get home from work! Not my classiest move ever. But in my defense I did pull over 3 times to let cars go around me. So the night before the party Brian and I each made a ship. We let the older kids paint them.
This was quite the water balloon fight. It's like we had our own waterpark in the backyard. How can there be a pirate party without water? I also had a treasure map (they had to use a compass) that led the kids around the yard. I will quote Brian here, "Best party ever." Enough said.
This is the cake that Brian's mom made (she also made Ella's princess cake). The best part was that she hid a treasure chest in it that Aiden had to dig out. AWESOME!!
The whole base of the cake was about 60 cupcakes. Aiden got his own cake. I still can't figure out why he ate it like a dog. Oh, wait, yes I can...it's Aiden. Fork? What fork?
YAAARRRRR!!!!
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