The greatest gifts

I awoke on my own this morning and rolled over in an attempt to see the blurred numbers on the clock. Instead, my eyes met those of little Kate. She had apparently made her way into our bed last night. I must have slept deeply because my body ached from head to toe, my eyes felt full and puffy, and I wasn't aware of her arrival. She offered me a little giggle, and a smile, of which I gladly returned.

Happy Birthday, Mommy, she soflty said.

Thanks, Honey, I replied.

I could see her Daddy hosting the same smile, eyes closed, lying on his pillow behind her, and knew instantly who was behind the perfectly delivered greeting.

Mommy, you want to share my Tinkerbell birthday with me?, she added.

At that moment, I was reminded of the greatest gifts. They come when you least expect them, and always in the prettiest of packages. I am a lucky girl and have a lot to celebrate this year.

Kids, worms, and Tequila...

Yesterday afternoon, I corraled the wild kiddos into the backyard for some summer evening fun while our wonderful Daddy started work on the patio wall. Conor kept picking up the shovel and hollaring "Yah" "Yah" "Ugh" "Yah", which I am sure is young toddler for "let me help you, Dad!".

Meanwhile, Kate jumped barefoot into the large dirt pile Daddy was making in the corner of the yard, and made herself comfortable. She proceeded to find a Mommy, Daddy, and brother worm, all identified appropriately for their size when compared to one another.

The worm she befriended as her favorite (was it the brother?) was then marched all around the yard serenaded with the sweet sounds of Lady and the Tramp...

"He's a Tramp...He's a scoundrel...breaks a new heart...everyday...(is this the "brother" worm she is singing to?)....He's a Tramp, but I love him, and I wish that I could travel his waaaayyy." Did I mention, we are so proud when she sings this song in public?

Katie then proceeded to volunteer the worm for a game of "tickle, tickle, tickle", followed by a ride down the slide...by himself (again, assuming it was the "brother" worm).

As I sat observing. I couldn't help but feel for the poor little worm. If I was a worm, I would pick the Tequila bottle.

My BIG FAT belly

You know that saying, "Out of the mouth of babes?" Well, our little babe sure threw one at me last night. What you must know is that little Kate has always been fascinated with "the belly". Perhaps it started with my second pregnancy with her brother? After all, my body stretched to an unbelievable size (I will let the picture below speak for itself)...

No ones knows why she likes them, but she does. Whether you are playing a game of "Bore a Hole", or chasing her down for a tickle, she loves to expose her belly. Most recently, she has enjoyed planting loud zerberts (that loud gassy sound you make by placing your lips on skin) on any belly she can access.

Last night, Conor was her first target. We were all in stiches as Conor leaned back, and let her lay into him one after the other, laughing the whole time. Then, she set her eyes on me. I was laying on my back on the floor, when she came over and lifted my shirt, exposing my belly. Instead of planting a zerbert, she instead felt obligated to pound my belly like a drum and say, "Look at your big fat belly!"

Again, we all broke out in laughter. While, I would disagree that my belly is not as big and fat as it once was...I do love it just as it is. That big fat belly yielded two of the most precious...honest...children. I am so thankful to my BIG, FAT belly!

We love our Daddy!

What a perfect Sunday. Me and the kids started out the morning with a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausage, while Daddy slept in. Then, we headed to Lowe's (one of Daddy's favorite stores) plus a few other home improvement stores, ending with lunch at Sam's. Appropriately, lunch was followed by naps (Joe and I laid on the couch to watch Golf), and then we headed out for some backyard fun before dinner. Daddy had his pick of a steak with bacon wrapped scallops. Yum!

It's days like today that remind me the most wonderful things in life are simple. Just an unplanned, warm, breezy, lazy, wonderful day with our Dad.

We love you, Daddy (and all the Daddy's out there)! We hope you enjoyed your special Day!

You deserve it!

I've been called worse

She's three. Sigh... Well, not quite. She turns three in two weeks. Still, I brace myself for the adolescent years ahead. As we sat around the kitchen table tonight, I heard the following from my not-quite three year old.

Kate: You're not my favorite girl, Mommy. You're not nice.

Mom: I'm not, huh? Why am I not nice?

Kate: You yell at me, Mommy. You're mean. Daddy is my favorite girl.

Mom (Wiping the water that has spewed out of my mouth and across the table from laughter): Well, I guess have been called worse.

Dad: Me too.

Our little June Bugs...

Water Princess!

Enjoying the summer sun...on the swings...in their suits!

Heading off to Ms Marci's

(L to R) Mr Dan, Hailey, Joe, and Kate on their neighborhood bike rides

What a water bug!

I may have developed a little addiction...

Yes, it's true...I may have developed a little addiction...

Ever since Conor was born, I started eyeing up coupons...diapers, Formula, wipes, Aveeno lotion for his senstive skin...it all adds up. However, I think I need help. I may have developed a little addiction.

It started innocently with a little coupon cutting, and eyeing up the weekly grocery specials. Then, I moved up to gas points. If you buy certain products at our local grocer, the points go towards FREE gas! Well, at $2.49 a gallon, that motivated me. So, after racking up free gas week after week, I graduated to the Bonus Bucks at CVS, and have now figured out how to get beauty products for free. In just four weeks, I have collected more toothpaste, body wash, lotion, deodorant, and sunscreen than I will admit. And, excluding my first purchase, have not spent more than $15 for any of it. Can you believe that? It's true!

Next, I found myself driving to grocery stores outside of my local area where they "double your dollars" and give money back instead of gas! Yes, they do! We spend on average $200 every two weeks on groceries for a family of four. Would you believe I walked out with $600 in groceries for $270? When paying bills this week, I had an extra $200 because we hadn't been to the grocery store in three weeks! And, I am still stocked for at least three more weeks...another $200! Unbelievable! It was like Christmas in June!

Today, I began surfing thrifty blogs for the latest coupons, and found myself shopping at KMart for the first time in my life. Why you ask? KMart was doubling all coupons up to $2 this week, and I wanted a piece of the action...yep, you guessed it...diapers, trash bags, razors...would you believe I paid $24 for $85 worth of merchandise. This can't be legal.

All of this savings has opened up my eyes to the value of a coupon. Why isn't everyone doing this? With just $200 extra a month towards our mortgage, I could shave 11 years off and 80K dollars off our mortgage. Hello? Again, why isn't everyone doing this?

I think either I need therapy, or everyone else needs to get in on the savings. Hoping for the latter, I am sharing some of my new favorite blogs for coupon savings (Thanks, Marci).


dealseeking Mom.com


heyitsfree.net


retailmenot.com


Enjoy...and happy saving!

It's My Song!

I don't care how old you are, but if you are female, at some point in your life you have hushed someone with the words, "It's My Song," as you cranked up the volume of the radio.

For Kate, "Her first song" has come one month before her third birthday. No surprise...it is a Princess song about Belle.

Warning! You will have to cock your head to the right just like Kate, when watching. I couldn't get the videos to rotate.

I couldn't get enough. I had to post two!