P.S. TV I Love You!

We love some TV up in this house.  It's not always on in this house unless it's one of those days.  I don't set time limits, but I'm aware of how much we take in. Now that the summer is finally creeping up on us we will probably watch less. But sometimes you just dig in and get as much as you can, maybe even watching two at the same time!

Really, how can you not watch these faces on TV?  These boys crack me up. An empty diaper and wipes box and the day takes on a whole new angle.  They acted out their favorite shows with props and then would change the channel to report the news to me.  All that TV watching has lead to quite an imagination!  Thanks television,  I love you.

Bribes....They Happen!

I'm that person that still rips things out of magazines that I find interesting. Often it's a recipe or a list of fun gift ideas but currently it's a list of discipline don'ts ripped out of one of my Real Simple.

It's a good reminder when I want to do any or all of the above that it's not always the best way to go.  However, say it's a beautiful day and you and your husband want to take a walk with the kids around the neighborhood and the kids don't want to sometimes you pull out some techniques not usually publicized! I won't fuss around the words, I outright asked Colby "what can I bribe you with, ice cream?" And that damn boy came back at me with "no, how about chocolate!"

It was a lovely walk! I'll never spank, compare or undermine my partner but sometimes a bribe is just what the family needs!

Why Does It Always End Like This?

Katie R.

It seemed like a good idea.  We ran errands today and the last stop was the local hardware store.  As I ran in to pay a bill I saw that it was the opening day of a new train display upstairs.

I of course think "the kids will love this."  I go outside and grab them and we go upstairs.  Because it was the first day they were having somewhat of a party.  The kids received balloons, construction hats, t-shirts, cookies and magnets.  It was really great and Wes was a hit as he ran around to each window yelling "WOW". 

We were there for a long time and finally it was time to go.  Of course there was a little whining but we bribe them with the elevator and they go.  Then, because they were both ridiculously tired after a very late night the evening before, the good times ended.

Wes decided he did not need to hold anyone's hand so Joe had to pick him up kicking and screaming.  Andrew was dragging behind so I walked ahead.  I the hear him screaming "mommy, mommy, mommy" as his arm was stuck in the automatic door (he tried to stop it like an elevator door).  Luckily he wasn't hurt but it scared him so now they are both crying.

We get them in the truck and everything was ok until their balloons were stuck together and then this happened.   Just another Saturday morning running errands.

Our Little Hiding Spot

Our old kitchen table had a glass top so nothing could hide underneath, more specifically Isis Kitty didn't even attempt to hide under it.  But now with the wooden table we have had since the holiday season it gives Isis the opportunity to  sit on the chairs and remain out of site of eager little boys that love to play with her.  She has been able to live in harmony with the boys in this fashion for some time until just recently.....

As you can see Isis is thrilled with Lincoln joining her under the table.  Lincoln has discovered this whole new world where he and Isis can see everyone and hide at the same time.  Several times when I can't find Lincoln and he won't answer me either I will eventually look and see him climbed up hiding here.  Freaking little bugger!

One Hell of a Guy

Katie R.

 

So I rarely gush about my husband but he recently proved that I married a great man.

 

Was it that he (and Katie D's husband) sent us away for a day and night of shopping, eating and drinking for Mother's day?  No but that was pretty great too.  I mean what does a mother want more for Mother's Day then to be away from her kids.

 

Was it that on Mother's day he agreed that feeding the kids ice cream for dinner was a good idea.  No but that did make dinner a lot easy.  Don't worry we gave them so tater tots later so they weren't starving.

 

So what did he do that was so awesome?  He fixed the dryer.  Although a dryer is not the most expensive appliance we are currently putting siding (they men working on hammering as I write) on our house which is rather pricey so the thought of having to buy a dryer almost put me over the edge.  Last night he fixed it for $19 which pretty much makes him the best husband ever!

 

 

Picture Time

How many times do I ask the boys if I can take their photo and one is game and the other one wants nothing to do with it. A picture with both boys LOOKING at the camera and BOTH smiling is worth more then they realize. So today when I asked if they would take a photo together and I got an exuberant yes I grabbed my camera as they both ran around the corner to me......

Well they are both looking at the camera and smiling but it not what I was expecting but pretty damn cute nonetheless!

What was I thinking in Junior High

Does anyone remember the details of Junior High?  It was alot of fun but 7th and 8th grades are all a blur at this point in my life.  While visiting my mom's house this past April I came across something that brought me right back. Luckily it wasn't pictures of the perm I was trying to outgrow or ugly artwork I had made in art class it was a toolbox I made in shop class.  Do they even have shop class in junior high anymore? Nevertheless, it brought me back to the workshop and using all of the big machines in that class. I remembered then I was pretty proud of myself but I'm even more proud now that I have 2 boys that think it's the coolest thing ever! Yes, their mom made a kick ass toolbox!

How cool is it that my boys can use something that I made before they were even a thought in my mind!

Couponing PTSD

Katie R.

In an effort to keep on budget we decided to begin shopping with coupons. Originally Joe was doing the shopping but 2 weeks ago I decided that I would take a turn. 

So during nap time 2 Mondays ago I put a list together and organized the coupons.  I made sure to have enough food to cover all the meals for the week and then saved money in the budget for things that were on sale.  I even looked at the store flier to compare their sales with what I had coupons for.

I planned on going at 7pm so that the store wouldn't be crowded and I could take my time.  As I was gathering my items and Joe commented, pretty fancy shoes for grocery shopping, I realized I had nicer shoes from a meeting I had earlier but they weren't heels so I laughed and walked out door.

I walked into the grocery feeling confident and organized.  I put my list, envelopes with coupons and phone (aka calculator) in the front and was ready to roll.  The first few aisles I was doing awesome.  I crossed items off the list, keeping a running calculation on my phone and the coupons were still completely organized.

Fast forward to 1/2 way through the store and the calculations were off and I quit keeping track.  I was still using the coupons and making sure to keep them organized.  I'm also still fairly certain that at this point I'm still on budget.

Finally I reach the last aisle and of course things have completely fallen apart.  Coupons are completely a mess, I have no idea how much I've spent and I feel like my head is going to explode.  And my feet are now hurting from the stupid shoes I wore so I'm limping down the dairy aisle.  I finally grab the last few items and head to the checkout.

I'm the only one in line and the 15 year old checking me out is very nice.  Of course at that hour there is no bagger and I have a cart full of items.  This means I threw things haphazardly in the bags because I've now  been there 1 hour and 45 minutes at this point and all I wanted to do is get out of the store.  I get through the line and my bill is $233 and I was supposed to stay at $150 so I'm annoyed. However, at this point I would have paid anything so I gave him my store card and coupons and hope for the best.

He rang the coupons and I was bagging and he found a few that when he scanned the coupons they didn't match up.  Now in my right mind I would have said "oh don't worry about it" but I was complete crazed so I was digging through all my bags trying to find the bacon and deli meat to get $2 off.  I have no idea how it happened but as I was searching for these I looked up and realized there were now 4 people behind me in line.  They were looking less then thrilled as I dug through my bags.  Now my groceries are on the floor, out of the bag in my cart and on the counter.   I just threw in the towel as he wouldn't just override it and said I would go to the counter. 

I apologized to the long line and walked to the service counter where the experienced employee took the coupons and handed me $2.  I then hobbled to the car and went home.

So... the results.  The starting bill was $233.  With coupons and the store card I saved $67.  Making the total bill $166 which was only $16 over our planned budget.  The kids were sick last week so we didn't do a big trip to the store meaning it's time for me to go tomorrow.  Will I do it again?  The thought of it is too much so I think I'll go out and paint which is another story.

Not a Good Idea

You know you're a mom when you look down the stairs to see this and instead of thinking that this looks like fun you think this is a way to break an arm......

Yes, nothing like some steep New England stairs to make me nervous. (Oh, and Katie R. has fallen down them with Wes so I have good reason to be nervous too)