Fruggie Fannie

If you read this blog regularly, you will know I returned home to my brood from a business trip late Friday, and spent most of the day Sunday in the ER with Kate.

You may also remember a post from a few months ago...I may have developed a little addiction...which referenced my new found love for saving money. For those of you who are curious, please allow me to share my latest savings with you from my bi-monthly shopping trip on Saturday...It is quite exciting!

Below are just a few of my receipts from Saturday. You are reading correct...$863 in grocery retail for just $290!

Feel inspired?

Step 1: Cut coupons! I cut them from the Sunday paper, and Coupons.com. The dollar coupons are my favorite, because the grocery store I go to doubles them! But, beware of the expiration dates. The Californians who read this need not worry. No expiration dates for you!

Step 2: Read the circular

The circular will highlight all the specials for the week and any promotions or rebates that will give you money back. Um...yes please!

Step 3: Shop! This is the easy part. Please note: Don't go shopping hungry! Pack snacks in your purse. It is an all day event, and if you don't have snacks, you may find yourself buying things you don't have coupons for!

Step 4: Get giddy over your savings! This is my favorite part of the day! Seeing all the money I have saved, knowing I don't have to grocery shop (outside of milk, eggs, and produce) for two months, and that my spending has gone towards UPromise points for the kids college! Indeed worth smiling about!

So, go, go, go...go out and start collecting coupons. The savings can go towards anything you choose...an extra mortgage payment, special vacation, new lawn tractor (love you honey!)...you name it! It is positively addicting!

Yes, according to our daughter...Mommy is "a Fruggie Fannie". According to me, I am a self-titled Nerd...and proud of it!

Happy Saving!

You are my hero

You cried only a few tears after the accident, and trusted your beloved Dora bandaid to make "it feel better". You greeted every access rep, nurse, physician, and xray tech with a smile, proudly explaining why there was a bend in your arm..."Conor pushed me off the stool. But it was an accident." When they took you to Radiology (3x), you sat stiff as a board, and said "cheese" with every angled shot, waiting to be rewarded with your prized Backyardigan stickers. The heart or pulse monitors, nor the blood pressure cuff hugging your arm seemed to phase you. Today, you were very brave.

I tried to stay strong for you as they sedated you, re-set your arm, and casted the injury. Then, as you came to, you slowly studdered..."I love you, Mommy. " I cried more today after hearing those muttered words than I did the first time you spoke them. Today, I decided I could lay beside you on a tiny bed and hold you forever.

You quickly learned the room remote control to find your favorite cartoons, and knew just how to get the passing nurses attention at a game of peek a boo with Tasha. When you were discharged home, you proudly waved your Pink Princess cast to the staff announcing, "My arm feels better. Bye everybody!"

There are some funny things about being a parent. As much as it is our place is to teach our children. Sometimes, I have to pause...

...and recognize I am learning some of the greatest lessons in life from my children. Today, you were one brave little girl.

Today...you were my hero.

"MaMa?"

Being a WAHM has its advantages...no need to rise early to put makeup on or fix your hair, one can hang out in their comfy pants all day, do the laundry at lunch, pick the kids up by 4:30 and have dinner on the table by 5:30. But, in exchange for the gas and dry cleaning savings, every now and then, I am required to put on a suit, slide on a pair of heels (blisters...ugh), and head to a meeting or two.

On my latest trip, I was able to see the kids off to daycare before heading to the airport. This trip was only two days and a few states away. However, a layover, one tornado, four flight delays, nine hours in an airport, and one text message later (sent from Mr Mom)...

"Conor just said mama clear as a bell when climbin up stairs. must be lookin for you."

Two days can feel like ten. Distance does make the heart grow fonder.

It's TOO HOT!

I apologize to the family, as it has been exactly one week since my last post. We have been busy, busy, so tonight I only have time to share a short and funny with you.

As a part of our usual nightly routine with Kate...brush teeth, potty, Mommy read two books, potty, Daddy read two books, potty...we were reading a book from Mom Mom. called "T" is for Texas. As we turned to the last page, "Z is for zillions and zillions of Bluebonnets"...

Kate: I want to go to Texas, Mommy.

Mom: Ok, One day we will.

Kate: But, not today. It is too HOT at Texas today!

Mom: Yes, Honey, I agree. Too HOT indeed.

Kate: We need to wait for it to cool off.

Mom: Good idea.

Kate: Yep.

She is three and has it all figured out...smart kid!

A laundry washing, painful singing, Princess!

So after driving around on Wednesday with the kids, I learned quite a bit about myself from my daughter. After dance class, I was driving with the radio cranked, singing to my favorite songs when little Kate loudly said...

"Mommy! Stop that singing! You are making my ears hurt!"

Then, as she was standing in her closet picking out a dress to put on, she exclaimed..

"Mommy! Did you wash my dresses? Thank you! Great job, Mommy! Thank you!"

Finally, as I tucked her into bed, she cuped my chin as she often does, and softly whispered...

"You're a Princess, Mommy. I love you."

So, in a few short hours, my daughter taught me that while I will never be signed to a record label (I guess I should keep my day job), I have quite a skill at washing clothes and that in her eyes, that makes me a Princess! I'll take it!

Let's celebrate...or not...

As many of you may know, we have spent more on co-pays in the last six weeks than I have on groceries in the last two months. Okay...well, that's not fair because I survive on coupons, but trust me...it's a lot! From Cardiologists, to Radiologists, to the lab, Allergist, Ped, you name it, I have shared the wealth...$20 here...$20 there. The good news is we took both kids to the doctor on Friday afternoon, Katie for her well exam and Conor for his umpteenth follow-up. In short, they did great! She stood on the scale, touched her toes, peed in a cup (yes, on her own), and received a clean bill of health. He got a passing "normal" on all of his tests, and was finally declared as "thriving", gaining 1.5 pounds moving him from the 5% to the 9%. Woo Hoo! I almost cried!


So needless to say, we came home Friday evening to celebrate! This is how we do it...Clark style. A little music, some good grub, and a few of our favorite frosty beverages. the kids have juice...promise (grin).

Then, Saturday afternoon Katie was hit with a stomach bug, spiked a fever of 105, and spent the evening puking. It was fun while it lasted!

I am Tree years old!

Kate: I am tree years old, Mommy. Tree years old!

Mom: Sigh...yes, you are three years old, Dear. Such a BIG girl.

Kate: Yes, I am a big girl. Tree years old. Mommy, can I wear panties to bed?

When she took her first steps at nine months, her Daddy and I were so proud. At eighteen months, she moved into her new room and "big girl' bed without issue, and at two years we were elated that she was potty trained! No more diapers! So, why was it so hard for me to accept this latest milestone?

Most would jump for joy at the mere thought of the money savings for doing away with pull ups. Yet, I, could only sit, smile, and stare at her for what seemed like an eternity. For the long minute that passed between the question and my answer, future visions passed through my mind of her first day at school, first ride on the bus, first sleepover, first lost tooth, first date, first time driving alone, and so on. When did our time start passing so quickly?

Then, my little Tinker princess gently grabbed a hold of my chin, reminding me that she was still there...Mommy, I want to wear panties to bed. Can I?

Mom: You sure can, Dear. You are a BIG girl. Three years old!

With that, our little one was tucked snug in her bed...in her panties.

No accidents last night. Only a proud little three year old who was anxious to share her latest accomplishment come morning!

Kate: Mommy, my panties are dry! I did it!

I am so proud, but may need additional support when she starts pre-school in September. Boo Hoo...

Random act of...Did you really just do that?

It was the end of July, and a beautiful day on the beach in Southeast Maryland. The sun was shining, a warm breeze blowing, and thousands of vacationers had flocked to the ocean's edge for what was sure to be the peak of the summer...the last opportunity for many to vacation before beginning to prepare for "Back to School" events, be it sports practice, school shopping, or other.

It was on this day, that we trekked down to the beach around 9am to meet friends, stake our spot, and begin digging the trench that would later surround the day's castle. Between us, our friends, and their family, six kids stood jumping around, shreaking with excitement in the sand. Mr. Eric was the man of the hour. The kids all brought him buckets full of water, as he constructed the "Greatest Castle" on the beach. With each pylon built, the kids would shout with joy..."Mommy, Daddy, Look at the castle!" The two older kids had to have a hand in it...Addie meticulously raking footprints from the perimeter, while little Patrick helped his Dad pat down the walls. The kids were so proud of the final product!

As the day went on, Mr Eric erected a wall to keep out the rising tide, and envious children paced back and forth with their Dad's requesting a castle of their own. It had been an amazing fun filled day until...

...The woman in the "red shirt" appeared with her two children (center above...I wish I would have been on the beach when it happened to get a better picture).

Now, all of us having kids ourselves have been witness to tantrums...children who refuse to listen to their parents. However, we would like to think when these events occur, that we (unlike this woman) have enough sense to remove the child(ren) from the situation and remind them of the inappropriate behavior and the consequence that will ensue if continued (if you know what I mean). This woman did not have this sense. What happened next left us all (and the others on the beach) appalled.

This woman's kids ran down to the water's edge just in front of the castle, fully clothed with socks and shoes, proving they had arrived after a lengthy car ride. With one glance of the castle her kids were on it, breaking down the very walls it took most of the morning to build. The woman asked her kids multiple times to stop, but received no acknowledgement in return. Therefore, our family friend kindly asked the woman, "Could you please ask your children not to play with the walls. My brother-in-law put a lot of work into those walls this morning, and my daughter is getting upset watching them crumble." With that, the woman took a leaping belly flop onto the castle, and said, "Screw your castle."

Did you really just do that? he said, removing his daughter from the beach in tears, both in disbelief of what had just occurred.

After sharing the news of the bellyflop with his brother back at the beach house, the castle's architect returned to confront the woman. A yelling match ensued, with the woman claiming, "You don't own the beach. Why don't you go find a private beach to build your castle on." "I am a pharmacist, and I make more than anyone on this beach."

Lesson for the day: Lady, money doesn't by class, and today you proved it for all to witness.

Every time I share this story, I shake my head in disbelief. No length of car ride or amount of unruly children would ever cause me (or anyone I know) to pounce a child's sand castle.

Did she really do that? Oh, yes, she did.