Amelie Says

"Hey Mom! I had some extra crap in my room so you can have it. Happy Birthday!"

gee...wow...thanks! hahha

Saving Statistics Week 2

Things are going well in the land of save-a-lot (or at least, the land of save-a-little). Progress report:
1. Shopping at Shop Rite v. Wegmans. I must preface this by telling my lover Wegmans that we'll always be friends....it's not *you* it's *me* ((and my desire to have coupons doubled and to see items I use hit rock bottom prices every 4 to 6 weeks.)) I really fell for you and your pretty stores and your desire to keep prices at one even, low price all year long without fluctuation but the sales and the double coupons have me. I'm sorry. I'll still visit once a month for EPI bread, the Grandma Brown Baked Beans, Gianelli Sausage, Hoffman Hotdogs and Buck Salt (central NY staples!!) I promise.
Our grocery bill this week had me convinced: usually we spend $100-$120 a week at Wegmans. Eesh. At Shop Rite? $56. Um, that's so close to half it makes me sick. I'm switching and sticking to Weggies for special occasions.
2. We did a big rookie *fail* at Walgreens and tried to pay for an item using Register Rewards and getting them in the same transaction--usually it works--just not when you are earning and paying with RR from the same company. Rookie mistake. Will NOT happen again!
3. Did a "free" trip to CVS--nothing big but getting free shampoo makes my hair more manageable or something. Also the Cereal--Kellogg's--Two boxes for 50 cents. Nice. Love the coupons.
4. Swagbucks: I haven't traded any in yet and am saving up--for 235 bucks you can get $20 at Target...Holding out hope to get there by my birthday--I think I will! Woot! $20 for searching the web? AND I get to go to my favorite store. So Easy. So Awesome.

5.Shop At Home: I've already earned my $20!!! It gets mailed next week and will possibly be higher by then! Woot! Seriously. I can't believe they give you money when you BUY things you needed or would have anyways!!

6. Last but not least-(-I cheated just a smidge here-)-I ordered Diapers and used my Mother-In-Law's address (w/her permission) and rec. the $10 off for new addresses and free shipping and can sign up for the new $15 rebate they are giving! That's two huge boxes of diapers, an extra large pack of wipes for $25 SHIPPED free. Nice. Want to sign up? Go to Diapers(dot)com and tell them I sent ya...or type in this code: MICH4199. When you refer people they hook you up with a discount too! ALSO: I searched diapers(dot)com at shopathome and will ALSO rec. CASHBACK for that order too. Oh man. So Exciting!!!
*To sum it all up.
I LOVE THE GIFT OF FREE.
It makes me happy.
Win. Win.

Post Secret: These Are The *Best* Days Of My Life

*Ezra is getting so big.*
There. I said it.
Seriously? Can't believe he's getting *big* already.
(And yes, I have pictures and no, I am not motivated to edit them and post them.
Yet... =)
He's "talking" to me all the time.
Laughing at me.
Always staring at me.
Very nearly rolling over.
Sucking his thumb!
Enjoying his exersaucer!
(He has excellent head/neck control and is such a strong little *big* guy)
Loving his big, silly, wonderful sisters.
And tolerating his loving, wonderful, amazing Daddy.
I can't believe that in a couple short months it will be starting with the food and the crawling and all that jazz.
The moments are flying by.
Amelie says, "We don't want Maeve and Ezra to grow up--do we Mommy? Can't they be little forever?"
I can't help but think that they'll ALL
*always be little. *
In my heart.
In my eyes.
And that whenever I look at their faces I'll picture the moment I first held them, remember that *new* baby smell and what it felt like when they laid their little heads on my shoulder and sighed themselves to sleep.

Hey SteV(ph)en Happy Valentine's Day!

p.s. ironic artist choice, i know hon!

Snow Daze Snippets

*We've been snowed in the house on and off for the last eleventy-five days.
(Give or take)
*Mr. Wonderful and Amelie only had school twice this week.
*I went a little crazy today and completely rearranged the living room.
*I love it.
*We also finished a lot of painting projects and little odds and home improvement ends
*We're expecting my parents tomorrow! It will be nice to put them to work visit with them for the weekend!
* Mr. Wonderful took the girls to Chuck E Cheese today--Here's their portrait

*What a fabulous husband have I.
*I'm up to 100 swag bucks! Woot!
*Happy Friday!

All I Want For My Birthday (Aside From Being 29 Forever Which Is Already Impossible Because I'm *gasp *choke 30 {and counting})

Interview With An Amelie

What is your favorite color?

Pink and purple because Princesses have those colors on them.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A teacher because it's fun to learn new stuff with little kids!

What subject do you want to teach?

Music team--just like Daddy.

What is your favorite animal?

A snake.

Why!?

I like to look at big snakes at the zoo.

I don't believe you! If there was a snake on the floor right now would you pick it up and give it a hug or would you run away?

I would run away but at the zoo they can't touch you because they are in a cage.

Um...ok...

What's your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

Play games.

With Mommy?

Hug each other!

Maeve?

I like to dance together with her.

Brother?

I love to hold him because he's so precious and cute and handsome.

What is your favorite food to eat?

Mac-a-nomi and cheese!

Who is your best friend?

Judah!

What is your favorite thing to do at school?

Crafts and drawing pictures.

What are your favorite/most exciting things?

Having my birthday, getting cards in the mail and going to Granny Blue-Swings house.

Anything else I should know about you?

I can't think of anything!

Saving Statistics Week 1

Remember how I mentioned my savings quest a couple of days ago? Well--I'm already making major progress! Yay me! I always thought coupons and saving was too hard or not worth the hassle but I've found some great and easy ways to earn extra money or get cashback for my family!

1. Remember Swagbucks? I've only been a member for FIVE days and I already have enough for $5 free at Amazon.com! I shop there all the time for gifts, electronics, books--they have it all! I just spent 3 minutes searching in the morning and in the afternoon everyday and have earned *bucks* within 3 or 4 searches. Friday is bonus day and they award bucks of larger denominations. It's soooo easy--who can say "no" to free gift cards!!? (Also I found out that if you trade in 70 swagbucks you can get $5 deposited in your paypal account).

2. I also joined ShopAtHome when I did that Target diaper deal. They give you cashback on all your online purchases and then send you a CHECK every month as long as your balance is at least $20--if you don't reach $20 in the first month your balance carries over until it does. They give you $5 for signing up and I've already got $15 in my account from 2 purchases (the diapers and polos from Old Navy for Amelie to wear in KINDERGARTEN AHHHH), 1 referral, and my sign up bonus! We're in need of some home improvement items from Lowe's--my plan is to buy them online and pick them up for free in store so I can use the coupon codes on the website AND get cashback! woot!!

3. Walgreens--I sent Mr. Wonderful there today (during Amelie's dance lesson) and with our coupons and 2 very easy pain free transactions we spent $4 out of pocket and rec. $17 worth of products we NEEDED and got $4 cash back for our next purchase! So, basically it was free! It was super easy--I just used *this website* which had some of the deals laid out and the links to the coupons for printing! There are many websites which list different coupon scenarios--there are amazing deals out there--why not take a few minutes to look around? I'm happy I did!
4. Shop Rite. Now, this saddens me a little because I'm a die hard Wegmans shopper. I simply adore Wegmans! So. much. love. Anyways--I've decided to let Weggies become my once a month trip and to head to Shop Rite for my other trips. I went there last week and with a few coupons (which they double) rec. $45 worth of groceries for $11! (it was supposed to be $7 but I think I messed up a coupon or something b/c I didn't get the extra $4 off I thought that I would). Again--there are websites with deals, coupons and scenarios all listed out so all you have to do is stack up your coupons and head off!

I only share this not to be annoying with *dealy* finds but because I really felt like I contributed even more to our household economy with just a few extra minutes of my time and with very little effort. I feel like a better steward of what God has given us and just thought there would be others out there who might be interested in doing something similar--cause if this brain dead mother of a newborn and 2 young children can do it--ANYONE can =)

The Snow Isn't The Only Thing That Is Piling Up!

With the frightful, frigid, freezing, winter weather
I should be getting a lot of projects done..
..however,
the three children, lack of sleep and general plethora of chores has kept me from my project pile.
So many plans....such cute fabric....so little time.

Amelie Says

"Oh, Mama! I wish that allll of our furniture was made of bologna so that we could eat it. Wouldn't that be delicious?"

(um....!!!!!!)

*Snowmageddon*

Well, we survived
*snowmageddon*
or
*snowpocalypse*
or whatev.

It was lovely really--we just stayed in and drank hot chocolate

(me)
and tea

(mr. wonderful)
and played lots of dress up

(the girls)
Maeve tried her darndest to make it feel *tropical*
(didn't work--but valiant effort on her part!)

and Amelie tried her darndest to just be cute
(she succeeded)

we just did a lot of make believin'

pretendin'

cleanin'

eatin'

and even some paintin'

I don't know about you, but I think it's kind of nice to be *snowed in* once in a while =)

Truly

It's

Really

Extra

Difficult

{to be so}

Cause Everybody Likes *Swag*

So I've started a few things this week:
1. regaining my sanity after last week's sickness festival here
2. majorly researching coupons and *deal* sites in hopes of saving our family money at the grocery store
3. searching through SWAGBUCKS!
--i search for things (the googley way) all of the time and you can actually, through swagbucks search google and get *paid* to do it! they randomly give you bucks as you search throughout the day and you can trade them in for: giftcards (45 swagbucks = $5 at amazon.com), MONEY in your paypal accout etc. and if you sign up i get referral points so now you KNOW you wanna do it! (also, if you get people to sign up you get their referral points--it's the gift that keeps on giving!)
-->if you click on the link below you can get started--you also get 3 free *bucks* for signing up! totally free, totally worth it and totally fun!

The Most Amazing Art I've Ever Seen

(as seen on Ukrain's version of America's Got Talent--An artistic rendering of Germany's invasion of the Ukraine during WWII.)

Dear Ezra,

What happened to all of the sleeping at night?
I miss it.
A. lot.
Love,
Mama

It's A Love Story Baby Just Say *Yes*; A.K.A. Ode To A Third Floor Playroom

oh third floor
i simply adore
how far away you are

rose petal cottage
puzzles
crayons
tv
wii
and lots of ga-mes

you gently muffle four little feet
two little mouths
sound so very sweet
(when they can't be heard)

you're far away and full of toys
you're the answer to my prayers
the secret to my joy

i wouldn't sell ya for a million dollars
you're the perfect place to send my daughters
i'm just so glad you're a part of my life
if i wasn't already married i'd like to be your wife

fin

My Fair Ladies

Target Diaper Deal!

I was perusing some online deal sites to look for a few things:
1. computer deals (ours is suffering from a serious virus related nervous breakdown. urgh)
2. cvs deals (i'm always in awe of the hardcore cvs deal shoppers who buy like $100 of things and cvs pays them to take it home--i just can't ever figure out the math)
what i found instead was an awesome deal on Target diapers!

I usually use either Luvs or Target brand and like them for different reasons--

Luvs are nicer quality--a little "softer" and Targets run a little bigger and seem more roomy. Both brands have worked really well for us and are very inexpensive! Anyways here's a rundown of the Target diaper deal I found if you're interested!

1. register at shopathome.com (it's a cashback for online shopping program and you get $5 free for signing up!)
2. search for target and click on the link to the store
3. search for up & up diapers at target and buy 4 packages
4. you will automatically get free shipping and 15% off!!
5. enter code URTYJLI8 to save an additional 10% at checkout!
6. i spent $18 for FOUR packs of diapers AND got freeshipping!! awesome! you also get 5% cashback at shopathome

deals are fun. woot!

Never Too Young For Narcisscism

The other night I headed out to BuyBuyBaby with some dear friends and scored an awesomely clearanced price floor mat! Ezra is in love with it and the fact that he can see his reflection in the little mirror =)

i miss my tastebuds; alternately titled: i wonder if *jillian* knows about this...

my son and i are on the same inhaled breathing treatments
(it's like totally a bonding thing for us-NOT!)
it doesn't seem to bother him but for me it changes the taste of
everything i eat
((or negates the taste of everything i eat))
everything has a weird medicine-y taste
also my nose is not working
so since food tastes like medicine and doesn't smell like anything to me-
-one would think that this would be an excellent tool for weight loss
but no...it isn't so
for i keep testing everything just to make sure it isn't
*the one food*
that will help me to escape the curse of tastelessness and smell-less-ness
for the record:
pretzels
orange juice
tea
hot chocolate
chicken
potatoes
hershey kisses
apples
cafe mocha
french fries
chocolate chip cookies
pepsi
strawberry milkshakes
pb & j
bread
spaghetti
and
cheerios
all taste exactly the same
((or taste like nothing))
really.
but just to make sure i don't miss anything delicious i'm just gonna keep on testing things over here =)
and i thought you all should know cause ya'll are so supportive
any tips on things i should try?
so to sum up:
i miss my tastebuds
(come back to me!)
the end.