Flashing Lights

*a trip to the Museum of Science & Industry and not a dollar spent! I even found street parking ;)

-- Post From My iPhone

30 Days of Nothing

For the month of January I have given up spending money on anything other than essentials. Groceries are ok, but I am trying to be more aware of what I buy and whether or not it is really "essential". Coffee in bulk is ok. I think I would wither up and die if I didn't have coffee. It is most certainly an essential. Coffee from Dunkin' Donuts is not. No more lunches on the fly, I need to be more prepared when we leave the house. No more throwing things into my cart at Target....in fact, I am trying to avoid that place all together!

Today marks day #5 of the challenge and y'know what? It hasn't been that bad. I have been brewing my own coffee at home and taking a travel mug (Love you Keurig!!). I have been making my own breakfast sandwiches too (another typical commuting splurge of mine) and bringing lunch to work. We have also have plans to make a bunch of meals in the slow cooker. It is easy and generally stews and such last us a few days.

As far as entertainment goes, we did go to the movies on New Years Day but Ryan bought the tickets and he isn't playing along ;) So.....that doesn't count...right?
Otherwise, we already have a membership to the Kid's Museum and have plans to hit a couple of the local museums in the next weeks on their free days. On Tuesdays, Borders has free storytime, which is great...except I have to avert my eyes from all of the books so I am not tempted. I did hit up the library on Sunday for reading material so I should be ok.

It was hard to tell T no when she asked for a Starbucks today when we pulled into the parking lot of Borders but y' know, she said "Ok Mom!" when I explained that we are trying not to spend money in January. No tears :)

So far, so good....I think. It is actually a good feeling having this kind of control.

All I want for Christmas

is a healthy Miss Peanut


-- Post From My iPhone

Maybe or somethin'

This is how T begins and ends practically every sentence lately.
Ok, probably not every sentence but gosh, it sure seems like it.
It's all...day...long.
It's making me a little nutty. Nutty like I want to pour a glass of wine by lunchtime.

Example:
"Maybe.... I get a lollipop....or somethin'"
"Maybe.... we go to the park...or somethin"
"Maybe... I can watch cartoons all day....or somethin'"

You get the idea....or somethin'



-- Post From My iPhone

12 Books of Christmas

I read about this over at Mama Papaya's blog and absolutely loved the idea! So, we borrowed the idea for our family and hope to make it a family tradition :)

For each of the 12 days of Christmas, T will be receiving a new book from us and in return we will donate a book to Ethiopia Reads.

Without further ado, here are the 12 books for our 1st year!

Thankful

-- Post From My iPhone