Weekend Shopping Trip

Here is everything I bought this weekend at Kroger, CVS, and Walgreens. I got all this for $31.75.

Here's the detailed list of what I purchased:
1 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice---coupon for one free in mail
1 Sara Lee Wheat bread---coupon for one free in newspaper
3 9-roll packages of Charmin---on sale at Kroger for $3.74 + used three $0.25 coupons from P&G insert
2 Boxes Hefty Big Bags---on closeout for $2.99 at Kroger + used a BOGO coupon
2 Gillette shave gel---on sale at Kroger for $1.49 + used 2 $0.55 coupons from P&G insert
1 Noxema shave gel---$1.49 at Kroger + used $1 coupon from magazine
6 cans of Pringles---on sale at CVS for $0.88 each + used 2 $0.30 off 3 coupons from P&G insert
4 Cover Girl Outlast lipsticks---on sale for BOGO at CVS+ used 2 BOGO coupons from P&G insert (all 4 FREE!)
1 Shick Quattro for women (with 4 Bonus blades!)---on sale at Kroger for $8.99 + used $4 coupon
1 Febreeze Noticables---on sale at CVS for $6.99 + used $5 coupon from P&G insert
4 boxes Kleenex---on sale at Walgreens for BOGO + used $0.50 off 3 coupon
2 South Beach Diet pizzas---on sale at Kroger for $3 + used $1 coupon on each
3 boxes Excedrin 24-count ---on sale at Walgreens for $1.99 + used 3 $2 off PM coupons (worked on regular Excedrin!)
2 KY Warming massage oil box set (one included a back massager and the other a romantic CD)---on closeout at Walgreens for $2.99 + used 2 $3 coupons (FREE!)
2 Star-Telegram newspapers

HOORAY! This, my friends, is why you should clip coupons. Have a great week!

First Day, First Grade

Luke started first grade on Monday. It is a different feeling to have a bona fide elementary student in your house. When he was in kindergarten it didn't feel real---probably since he was only in school from 8-11 each day (what is up with 3 hours of school???).

Luke is so much like me in so many ways. He wasn't a bit nervous about school this year. His best buddy, Drew, was in his class and sat right next to him (they got separated today,but that's another blog at another time). He was confident and happy to return to school. I am so very proud of him. Luke's teacher is Ms. Hyland and this is her first year at our school. She's been teaching for 8 years and I can tell she is a dedicated and compassionate teacher. She is so cute and excited, truly excited to be a teacher. God is so good to put Luke in her care this year.

We started a tradition last year that Chris would take off work for Luke's first day so he could be there for drop-off and pick-up. We also began the tradition of having party hats and horn blowers when we pick up Luke at the end of the day as a "Happy First Day of School" celebration. He loves it. This year the theme for our little celebration was Star Wars.

Happy first week of school!

Well, that was short lived....

Don't faint as I start my story.

So, today I was dusting my dresser. (I know.)

And Isaac started playing with a little music box on my dresser. Here's how our conversation went:

Luke: Where is that music box from?
Mommy: Daddy's grandma. She died before you were born but we saved it for Isaac.
Luke: Grandma? Like Daddy's mommy?
Mommy: No, Daddy's grandma. You didn't ever meet her. She is Paco's mommy. (yep, we call Chris's dad Paco)
Luke: Do you think Paco misses his mommy?
Mommy: Oh, I bet so.
Luke: Why?
Mommy: Well, wouldn't you miss me if I died?
Luke: No. Because then I'd go live with Uncle Jer-Bear and I could watch Star Wars whenever I wanted to.

So, it was a good thing I got breakfast-in-bed yesterday because otherwise I'd be a basketcase today.

Reborn Mommy

This morning I woke up to my 4-year old Isaac bringing a tray into my room and putting it over my legs while I was still in bed. He then ran out of the room as fast as his little legs could carry him and brought in another tray and put it up on Chris's side of the bed. I sat up and got my wits about me. "What in the world are the boys doing?" So, I got out of bed and peeked out of my door to see my 1st grader Luke screwing the top on a sippy cup. Next to him was the carton of chocolate milk. I quickly ran to get back in bed. Just then Luke walked in with a sippy cup of milk and a Cheerios cereal bar for both me and Chris. Smiling from ear to ear he said, "I just saw on Arthur a mommy who was all by herself so her kids made her breakfast." It was the sweetest thing I have ever had done for me.

Don't you think that God revives you just when you need it most? Just when you think you are at the end of your rope, He sends someone to bring you a sippy cup of milk to give you just a little bit more strength. I am reminded today that God wants us to enjoy the simple things in life and that He is always there to give us refreshment. My boys showed me a bit of Jesus's love today and I will never forget it.

Bum leg

So, Mary started "crawling" this week--she's 8 months old. Sorry, Landon. And her method of crawling has me laughing. Both my boys started army crawling at 6 months and then moved right into regular crawls. Not Mary. She has been rolling all over tarnation for about 4 months now. For about the last month she has mastered the roll over and then sit up movement, which gets her just about wherever she needs to go. Now she gets up on all fours and moves hand, hand, leg, and then you would suspect the next movement to be leg, but she keeps one leg folded and just drags it. It's like she's been wounded in battle and is dragging the bum leg behind her. It gets her real frustrated and is rather funny. Anyway, I count it as crawling and I would post a video of it but Big Guy hasn't taught me how to do that yet.

All Olympics, All The Time

I am addicted to the Olympics. I stay up till freakin' midnight every night watching everything.

Volleyball? Yep.

Sand Volleyball? You betcha.

Kayaking? Sure.

Swimming? Am I an American?

Gymnastics? Does a bear have fur?

I did, however, hear that one Michigan transplant isn't much of a fan of the Olympics. I have requested a check of her citizen status. I think she may be secretly Canadian.

I am also requesting a recap of Jeremy's Olympic run. Please re post, Jeremy. The world needs your inspiration now.

In Defense of Michigan Part 2

Remember how Kim loves Michigan?

Well, maybe that Michigan love will get tamed down a bit after this.

More Isaac & Luke

My kids keep me laughing, even when it's inappropriate.

So, I'm wrestling with the boys and I've got them rolling in tickle laughter. Then, I smell it.

Mommy: What is that smell?
Isaac: (stands up and raises his hand) It's ME! I tooted! (he loves to toot)
Mommy: Aww! Gross! It smells stinky! (and I get up to leave)
Luke: That is the smell of victory!

Happy Birthday Hermano-in-law!

Jeremy has reached the big 3-0 today and I just want to wish him a very happy birthday. Love you, Jer-bear!