Rookery Bay

I decided to take the girls on a whim to Rookery Bay...and it was a SUPER decision. They have a fairly small learning center, but it was perfect for the girls. And....even better...we were the only ones there for the first hour! I was expecting some day camps to be there or something, but nope...just us...no other kids to stress me out. So, I took Hannah out of the stroller, and both girls got to walk around and explore. They have a large fish tank on the floor that was the highlight of day for both girls. At the end, Nicole even got to help feed the fish shrimp. I was impressed, she took the first shrimp and threw it in the water, no problem...but she freaked out about the second shrimp and dropped it on the floor! haha. Hannah would run up to the tank and yell at the fish, the turn away and squeal.

These pictures were taken from my phone, so I apologize they aren't great quality. It also explains why I didn't get Nicole feeding the fish, my camera wouldn't turn on fast enough.


Hannah checking out the fish tank on the floor. She really liked this (and the stairs, but that's besides the point)


They had another small aquarium. Nicole is looking at a flounder. It was cool to take her because she's very inquisitive and asks all kinds of questions. We are hoping to go to the Atlanta Aquarium sometime soon, so I think that will be lots of fun and excitement for her.

Nicole was looking at a display about the birds on the beach. I forget...are these sandpipers?

Upstairs was a history exhibit. They had a lookout station with rocking chairs and binoculars. Nicole knew exactly what to do (although in this picture she's looking inside, not outside). But, I got in trouble from her when I used the binoculars without first putting the strap around my neck. She was adorable! and loved using those things!


We packed a lunch and ate outside. Today was perfect. A storm was brewing so it was not hot and a bit windy. No bugs, no sun...good quick picnic weather. Nicole is "helping" Hannah drink her juice.

We ended our lunch with a walk through the butterfly garden. Nicole even found a butterfly (and didn't freak out). It was a beautiful monarch. Of course, I didn't get a picture of it because my phone was to slow. Oh well.

For my local friends with kids...this was a nice change of pace. It was not busy (at least not today) It was not to big so the little kids get lost. It was CHEAP! $5.00 but print this coupon and get in for $4.00. Children under 6 are free. (The conservancy is $9.00/adult in comparison). We watched a little 10 minute video on Rookery Bay and Nicole was very interested, asking all sorts of questions about the wildlife. Fridays are kids days (kids over 6 get in free with a paying adult) and they said they have a lot of kids activities. The touch tank is open, fish feeding, and crafts I believe. Only a couple more weeks of this though. Tomorrow their emphasis is on oysters. I won't go tomorrow...but I may think about it next week, we'll see. It was a fun little morning trip with a picnic lunch. A much needed "happy time" for our little group of girls. We all had fun, no one got in trouble, and momma was not frustrated. YAY!

Busted!! and Backpacks of love

For the past couple days, we have caught Nicole hanging out somewhere, she's not suppose to be anymore




The first time Nicole climbed into Hannah's crib was during nap time. It was a difficult moment not to laugh at, and especially difficult not to photograph. However, she had already been in a lot of trouble that day for playing (read....Destroying her room) during nap time. So, she ended up getting in trouble for climbing in the crib.

The second time it happened, was the same night (Monday) just after we put the girls down to bed for the night. I had left for my clipper chicks meeting and Jeremy heard the girls laughing. He again, found Nicole with her blanket, pillow and doggie, all lying in Hanah's bed. Again...she got in trouble.

However, this morning, she climbed in after everyone had woke up from sleeping all night. I finally could resist no longer and took the pictures. They were having fun. I don't mind so much if this happens, as long as it's not during naps or during the night. After naps and night night time is ok. I'm glad Nicole is learning to enjoy Hannah more.

Backpacks filled with love (and school supplies)

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I just haven't been able to resist amazing back to school deals. However, since my kids are not yet in school and I don't have a need for endless supplies of spiral notebooks, I decided I would have a blast "buying" all sorts of free and almost free items and donate them. I decided to donate two well stocked backpacks to Sunlight Homes, a Christian organization in town that takes in at risk pregnant teens and young women. They make them continue their education, do chores, go to church and counseling session as well as prepare them for their new life as a young mom. They provided prenatal support and a safe place for these young ladies. I'm always happy to help an organization that supports life.

So...Monday morning, Nicole and I dumped all the schools supplies onto the floor and began pairing up all the matching pieces (most everything I bought two of)



Then we stocked the backpacks full of items like....(this is from memory)
*3 ring binder
*filler paper
*4 book covers
* a zillion (ok, maybe a little less) of pens and pencils)
*highlighters
*spiral notebooks
*white erase board and markers
*erasers, crayons, scissors, glue
*composition notebook
*protractor
*toothbrush and makeup remover
*and much more



We also filled a bag with "feminine products", band aids, blood glucose meters (for any girls with gestational diabetes), hygiene products, dishwasher soap, and a large box with outgrown clothes (btw...they need boys 18month and larger clothes right now if you have any).

It was a fun activity to do with Nicole because I got to tell her a little about the girls. She was so excited she "drew" a picture for them, "cooked" them some food (in her kitchen), and asked about them throughout the day. She would occasioanlly bring me items and ask me if "the girls with the backpacks" need them. I loved her help and I hope I can do things like this with her more often (especially with my coupons) and teach her to help others.

Nicole's "House"

Self Portraits




Enjoy this video of Nicole's little play area. You MUST watch at least the first few seconds for a classic answer from a three year to a very dumb question asked by mom:-)

popsicles, grandma, and M&Ms

This morning, while Hannah napped, Nicole and I headed outside. She played (for an hour and half...all by herself) while I worked on a little surprise for Jeremy. Nicole painted and played in water, and painted and played in water and painted and played in water. Let's just say she had a blast. Her hair was blue, her bathing suite was covered in every color, her toes here pink, and the water in her little pool was indescribable. I was sweaty, tired, and exhausted. About halfway through my task, grandma came over and kept me company. I even got to talk to my Aunt Paula on the phone.

Needless to say though, after nearly 2 hours in the Florida summer heat, we were ready to head back inside and cool off. Although Hannah was enjoying the A.C. the whole time, even she got to have a cool little snack.




Popsicles!!!!

Then, it was play time. We enjoyed spending the whole morning at home! Nicole had fun hiding behind furniture and building a sort of fort. And Hannah had fun bringing books to Mimi to read. I know she doesn't look happy in the picture, but she was. I had just missed a huge grin from her. She loved sitting on Mimi's lap looking at the pictures.

And, I finished the afternoon off with my favorite snack. I sure hope my midwife doesn't see this, because she does NOT approve. But, I LOVE Cheerios with M & Ms on top:-) Where did I ever come up with this concoction? When I was growing up, I would often spend the night at my grandma's house and she ALWAYS had M&Ms, plain and peanut. I blame her specifically for my addiction to the little colored chocoalte candies. However, sometimes she wouldn't have the "real cheerios". One thing I never buy as a store brand is cereal. The only company that make edible "Os" are cheerios. Anyway...sometimes she would have store brand (of course not knowing my preference for the real deal, or else I'm SURE she would have bought those for me). But, to be a polite little girl and not offend, I would cover my store brand O shaped cereal with the delicious and unending supply of M&Ms. This helped me swallow the yucky, soggy immitation without hurting anyone's feelings. Now, as a grown up, this is truly my comfort food. I love to sit down with a nice bowl of (real) cheerios with M&Ms on top. Yummy!

Just Fun

A few fun pictures to share


Hannah crawled in the basket this morning and the moment screamed "Photo Op"

We played outside for a while yesterday. Nicole is totally into filling, emptying and refilling containers. Today, it was mulch in a spray bottle.

I don't know...but she's cute

What on Earth was she thinking about here? What do you think? I'd love to know!


Taking silly pictures with the camera, one of my favorite things to do.

Baby Registry List

I have had some friends and family ask me what I need for baby boy who is coming in a few months. I really don't feel like I "need" much, but there are a few things that may be helpful and definitely useful. My friend Teri likes to use a site called "The things I want". It's sort of an online registry that doesn't restrict you to a certain store, which is nice. A lot of the "things I want" can't be purchased a Babies R Us or Target. So...I'm working on piling some items together. I'm reluctantly putting this up, because I don't want people to think I'm greedy or want a lot...I'm just giving ideas to those who are interested in buying something. Some things are expensive, some aren't. I'll do a little registry at BRU and Target for some basic things (like extra sheets, wipes, etc) also.

Also....there are some (most) things that are totally fine used. Like, I put a Baby Bjorn on the list. Please don't buy a new one. There are great consignment stores around town that sell them at a much lower price ($25 instead of $100!!!!). So...used is fine. Ok...here it goes...here's the link.

Things I want

Oh...I just figured out how to put the list on my blog, so you can check it out on here if you want.

My Frugal Day Off:-)

The girls got to spend the night at Grammy and Gramp's house AND...they stayed most of today. When Grammy called to see if she could have the girls (I love when they ask because then I don't feel like I'm taking advantage of them...they want to....they of course meaning either set of grandparents). So....where was I? Oh....when I found out she also wanted to keep the girls all morning and put them down for naps, I began planning my frugal shopping extravaganza.

One thing I've been wanting to do, but just simply refuse to do with the girls in tow, is hit a bunch of thrift stores and consignment shops. It's been years (read highschool-never) that I've visited a thrift store except to donate items. So...that was big item on the agenda. I wanted to find maternity clothes and some picture frames (failed at both). BUT....I found something even better (Amanda....you're gonna love this!)


I bought 8 NEVER BEEN USED CLOTH DIAPERS for $.99 each. These are fuzzibunz and cost $17.95 EACH...I got 8 for $8.00!!!!! I'm super duper Psyched!!!!That's a $135 savings!!!!

My other main goal was to hit Staples and CVS and get some cheap/free school supplies. Why do I need school supplies when my kids aren't even close (ok...Nicole's getting close) to school age? Well...because it's fun to buy things for free...and I can donate them to someone who needs it. My goal is to stock 2 backpacks full of great, high quality school supplies, and I am well on my way. This is what I got today...


...paired with what I got earlier this week at CVS.
And there are more great freebie sales to come. Let me explain what I did.

CVS...get $5ecb for any backpack (limit 2)
Purchased each backpack at a different store. Used only ecb (save for $.30 in tax). Ended up with 5 ecb in the end. So...two free backpacks and 5 ecb.

Staples
Staples had some great rebates and in -store rebate items this week.
My total was $57.36
- $10 Office Depot Q
Spent $47.36 oop
Rebates I'm getting back $38.93
So....all of my school supplies have cost me $8.43!!! I'm totally cool with spending that much money to donate 2 backpacks....woohoo!!!!!!

Stock pile test

In Honor of what I see as a pretty crummy sales week at Publix (we don't eat tuna, and that seems to be the best deal this week), I have decided to do something drastic....for me. I will only be purchasing staple items NEEDED for the week and using whatever I have stocked up in the fridge, freezer and pantry for my meals. I will still be purchasing items for a fresh lunch daily for both Jeremy and the girls....and several Arnold whole wheat bread loaves which are the only BOGO item I want. The real test begins....is my stock pile really that good? I probably will not use a single coupon (wait...I have a few produce coupons I can sneak in) what do you think? Can I go under $25 for the ENTIRE Week? Wouldn't that be nice for once:-)

My list will look something like this....
1 gallon Whole Milk (Hannah)
1 gallon 1% milk
1 lb fresh deli meat
1 block of cheese
1 tomato
3 peaches
1 head of broccoli
1 or 2 cans of green beans
4 loaves of whole wheat bread

CVS share

Last night after the Clipper Chicks meeting, I went to CVS with my friend Sky. I'm pretty sure she would agree that we did great!


Here's what I got...
1 2pk of C Duracell $2.99 and 1 ecb
2 pks of filler paper $2.00/1 and $2.00 ecb each
2 10pk of pens $.99/1 and $.99 ecb each
1 Speed stick pro $2.99 and 2 ecb
1 Bayer Glucose monitor $19.99 and 5 ecb
2 Sobe lifewater BOGO $1.59
2 Avery binders $3.00 each *See explaination
2 Memo books $.99/1 and $.99ecb each
2 Golden emblem choc. covered nuts $.99/1
Energizer battery $7.49

Subtotal $50.99
Coupons Used $34.24
$10/$50 CVS
$19.99 Bayer Contour
$.75 Duracell
$1.50 CVS Speedstick Pro
$2/2 Golden Emblem nuts
-$6.00 for notebooks (it seems that our CVS stores do not have in stock the binders that are $3 with $3 ecb...so this store manager substituted the Avery binders for us. We didn't get ecb, but we got 2 free binders...which I needed to have my subtotal be above $50 so I could use my $10/$50 Q)

Total after Coupons and discounts $11.40
Paid with $7.99 ECB
Grand total OOP $3.41
ECB Earned $15.96!!!

Chicken Pot Pie

Before I talk about my Chicken Pot Pie...Here are two little pics of the little ones, just because...



(Mrs. P...do you see what she's holding. I had just read her letter and she said, "awe...that was so nice!")

Chicken Pot Pie

I forget how or why, but somehow, chicken pot pie got brought up in conversation early Saturday morning. I know this may sound crazy (especially to my southern food luvin friends) but I have never really had chicken pot pie. I thought it looked gross, all the chicken, gravy and worst of all vegetables mixed together with *gasp* a pie crust on top? YUCK!!!! (I don't like pie by the way)

Well, for whatever reason, ok pregnancy, I had been sort of craving chicken pot pie (can you crave something you've never had?). As soon as Jeremy mentioned it, I said, oh...I'll make that tonight for dinner. I quickly began searching for a recipe. I didn't find one that I loved, so I used bits and pieces and made my own.



It was YUMM-O....Delish. I loved it, and I'm pretty sure everyone else did too. I even think it was pretty healthy (minus one ingredient which I didn't necessarily want to put it, but needed to). Here was my basic recipe.

2 refrigerated pie crust
2 chicken breasts, cubed and cooked
1/4 onion
5 or 6 red potatoes, cubed and precooked just a bit
a good handful or two of sliced carrots
about 1/2 a bag of frozen mixed veggies
a little cheese
Home made gravy (little butter, little flour, 2 C chicken stock)
1 can cream of chicken soup

1. Lay one prepared pie crust in the bottom of the pie dish
2. Cook chicken. Remove from skillet. In the same skillet, melt 2 or 3 TBS of butter. Saute chopped onions until soft.
3. Add about 2 TBS of flour to make a roux. Mix with a whisk for a couple of minutes on medium-medium high heat.
4. Add 2 C chicken stock. Bring to a boil then let simmer for a few minutes. This is a yummy home made gravy that I love. Add some cream or milk or mushrooms if you want to make it creamier.
5. Mixed chicken, precooked potatoes, frozen veggies, carrots, home made gravy and a can of cream of chicken soup. Pour on top of pie crust.
6. Add a thin layer of cheese...just because cheese always tastes good.
7. Add the 2nd pie shell and cut in some cute pie design.
8. Cook at 375 for 30 minutes or so.

*Next time I'll also precook the sliced carrots a bit, they were a little hard for the girls. and I won't over fill the pie dish...I had a little mess in my oven from it bubbling over. I think I would also add mushrooms and maybe make a double portion of my own gravy rather than use the cream of chicken soup...I think it's probably healthier that way too. Maybe I'll use puff pastry next time too...just for fun, Paula Dean has a recipe with puff pastry.

I also made home made cinnamon rolls Saturday morning that were superb. I know it sounds like I'm bragging, I don't mean to be...I am just excited. I had a fun cooking day:-)

Swimming
Finally....this morning I did something that I have never done before. I met my friend Alison, bright and early (just after 6AM) and I swam laps! I confess...I loved it! It was a good work out, but it was also incredibly relaxing. I felt super cool with my brand new goggles ( I bet I looked cool too with my big huge belly!haha). I was just so pumped to be doing this. I felt like I was doing something great for both me and the baby. I know it's only the first day, but all day today I have been thinking about how much I wished I would have been on the swim team in high school. Not because I think I could have competed...I don't. But, because of how great it felt. I'm excited to go again, and it was nice to work out with someone else. Alison was very patient with me and all my silly questions:-) My biggest issue right now is water up my nose and down my throat. I don't know how to keep it out, any suggestions?