I'm still here!

    Please don't think I've fallen off of the side of the world! We have been very busy around these parts! We found out that we were having a BOY! Yes! Really! We couldn't be more ecstatic! Since finding out, I have been in total nesting mode! I have plans for this boy, I have plans!
    Along with rearranging our entire house, almost... still in the process. I have also been very busy with a group that I am a part of! It's the Girls Night Out group of Montgomery! I am now "co-organizer" of the group so I have been busy the last week trying to fill my part. :) I made our own Facebook group page, what kind of group is complete without a Facebook page!? I am working with the organizer now to revamp the guidelines for the group. With over 250 members, something has to start getting these people interested!
      I have ALSO, decided I wanted to start making my own planner. I've been doing quite a bit of research in that department. I've found that I am NOT as creative as lot of the bloggers I have been following, but it is fun to be able to make my planner the way I want. No more being mad that I can't find one in my budget, that I like! :) I wouldn't have needed this planner if I wasn't so busy, you see. I literally have to check my calendar to tell someone if I am busy on a certain day- which isn't too bad! I've been able to give Lee a lot of one on one time with N! I hope that he's enjoying it all! I've also been able to take her to a few play dates with another group that we are apart of, she seems to have fun so far!
     One of the rooms that is complete (still a work in progress) is the dining room/ school/ craft/ office! We set up a new corner desk in the room, so I could get the big hunky cabinet out, and I love it! I was able to bring my Cricut and sewing machine out of hiding, and hopefully once things start calming down around here then I will be able to get involved in my old crafting projects. One thing at a time, one thing at a time. For some reason Lee is all about me getting back into sewing- do you think it's the two huge totes of sewing things I have?!
     Next on our list of things to get done- is finish clearing out the new nursery! The bedding we picked out will be here this week, and I want to set his crib up soon!!! I will say that by November his room will be complete! At least, all of the big stuff will be moved and put in their rightful places. Then the crafting will start! After his room is complete, minus the crafting, then I will be redoing N's room. A few pieces of furniture will be moved out into the nursery, which will leave a ton more room for N to spread out! :) Maybe she will decide she can fall asleep in her bed then, instead of the pack n play... then she would have A LOT of room!!! Maybe even move her toys into her room, so Mommy doesn't have to see them all day! Yay!
    As you can see we have been super busy, and will remain super busy for a few more months! Please don't think I have forgotten about you. Since I have my nifty new planner, maybe it will remind me to update you guys more often!! For now, I have a few kiddos to chase after, and get them to clean up the huge mess they just made while I wrote this..at least they were occupied!

Until next time.

C is for Caterpillar

      This week went surprisingly well, considering what I was up against. I actually went to bed Sunday night thinking that my expectations were WAY WAY too high for what I had planned and for a 16 month old and 2 year old! I for sure had a full week planned for the girls, and I was going to finish everything! This week we were learning the letter C!

   

Here, the girls are going thru the C alphabet box   

     

     In our box we had a C book, a few C flashcards, a few letter Cs, our C sandpaper letter, and the C alphabet bean bag. They both picked everything up in the box and explored, then passed it along. :)

These are our Caterpillars made from the letter C

     We read the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, and then made these caterpillars out of the letter C! B was super into it, and quickly placed all of her circles on the paper, N kept putting one circle on, and taking another off, but she finally kept them all on and they turned out great! 

B is on top, N is on the bottom 

     The girls matched colored paperclips, to paint swatches! They both did amazing! B did it right away, but then got confused when I tried to get her to add more to each swatch. We then just tried one swatch at a time and she had to pick out which paper clip matched. She did one, then decided she was ready to play. N took a little while to get sat down and concentrate but she eventually matched all of the colors correctly! :)  We tried to show Daddy when he got home, but N was not interested at all!

     One evening I tried to get N to do some dot painting, you can almost see the outline of the C! I tried to get B to do it the next morning, and it didn't turn out too well. :)

Painting their trees with corks. 

     C is for cork on this day. I painted a tree on to the paper and gave them each two corks and some paint. The idea was for it to look like a fall tree. I think they did pretty well. 

Here the girls are playing with their cloud dough!

    Cloud dough is simply a mixture of flour and baby oil. I separated the mixture into two containers so we didn't have any fighting, and let them go at it! I gave them some plates, bowls, spoons and a few letter C's to have some fun in the Cloud dough. This enjoyment lasted quite a while until my little one decided she was done and kept distracting B from her fun. The clean up process was fun too. ;)

This was just the middle of the mess, it was all over the kitchen! 

Puffy cloud paint!

     If I taught the kiddos anything this week, it would be cloud! Both girls can say cloud now. The puffy cloud paint is a mixture of shaving cream and white glue. I made some in two different bowls and gave them paintbrushes to paint their clouds. They had a blast with this as well! 

Shaving cream on a tray.

     I was sure if anything- that the shaving cream on a tray would be the biggest hit! While N LOVES shaving cream, she had more fun laying on the floor watching me try to get B to play. B has a thing about different textures, so I tried my hardest for her to not be afraid of it. Be sure to know that I will be introducing this later on, she will like it before the end of the year! :) 

     Here are all of N's artwork for this week, I forgot to take a picture of B's too! Will have to make a note to take before she goes home next week! My window frame was for sure full this week, and it was so much fun to see them everyday. :) 

     I am so proud of my girls this week! They took on a lot, and succeeded in everything I threw at them! N stayed interested longer than last week, and I thank B for that! I would like to say they learned a lot this week, and I hope I am right, but I do know they had fun! Next week will be even better!!  To end our week, Daddyo found a Tomato caterpillar and we decided to keep him and watch him turn into a super cool moth! A great way to continue learning our letter C, and maybe even saying caterpillar by the end of it all! 

Until next time.

A is for Apples and Airplanes

     Our first week of tot school is officially over! This week we tried to learn our letter A. To say we learned our letter A would be lying. She is only 16 months old! She did learn how to say apple, and correctly point out an airplane. I would say that is progress in my book!
     Our first day was short and to the point, N did not want to do anything for me that day! We did sit down and go thru our alphabet box, which is where she picked up every single item and asked "what's this?" So inquisitive.

      She promptly stood up after looking at every item and said "I'm done." Then walked away. Though I did get her to sit in my lap long enough to make her Alligator.

 

(please do not make fun of my A cutting skills)

     I would put glue on the paper and she put the eyes and the teeth, the last tooth she wanted me to put the glue on it, instead of the green paper and she put it where she wanted. :)

   The next day we played in our Apples sensory box! She LOVED it! Once you see the pictures you will see exactly what I mean. 

     I had quite the mess to clean up once we were all done. She cannot grasp the concept of keeping things in the box! Which is probably why I am scared to play with our new mood sand. I did notice that she is a lot more coordinated with her left hand then her right. Which would also explain why she's so daggum smart!

      The next day we were suppose to count apples and group them with like colors. This was also a morning she didn't want anything to do with me. It took me 20 minutes to just get her to pick the apples back up and put them in the box!

    
     Then the fun day! She got to stamp with real apples! She loved that as well! Red and black paint, an apple cut in half and two plastic forks- makes about 20 minutes of fun!

     All in all, it was an okay week. Two out of four days went extremely well! Hoping next week will be even better, although with us adding in another tot, we may have a week of crazies.

     I say this week = Success.


     Get ready for next week when we will be learning letter C!


Until next time.

 

Tot school starts tomorrow!

I am pleased to announce that summer break is now over! School starts back all around town tomorrow, as well as in our own house! Tot school is making it's comeback! I'd like to also apologize for taking such a long break, but I have certainly enjoyed it. Right before I started my break we found out we were expecting our second bundle of joy! We are of course, over the moon happy! I on the other hand have been sick with a cold since I found out! Two months of being sick- is no fun! My entire summer I tell ya! I am so ready to be over this! 

Anyway. Tot school! It starts tomorrow! I am probably more excited than N. Well of course I am, she has NO clue as to what's happening. But I am excited. :)

I am following a lesson plan, to teach her the alphabet. I know she's only 16 months old, but I totally believe she's ready to learn anythig I throw at her. And I'm going to prove it. :) Stay tuned for tot school updates, we are back in the game!

15 month check up!

I have been seriously neglecting this poor little blog the last few weeks. Please believe that it was not intentional, and please believe that it's not because nothing is going on in our house. Because let me tell you- A LOT has been happening. We'll get into all of that in a future post. :) 

For now, I want to talk about N's 15 month check up! Yesterday my beautiful girl turned 15 months old, and it's so bittersweet that she is growing up. 

N weighs 21.3 pounds, and is 32 1/2 inches long. She is in the 30th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. Her doctor says she's just going to be tall and skinny. Besides having a little cold, as we all do in our house right now, she's completely healthy and smart. The doctor was amazed at what N knew and how she acted. Even said she acts more like a two year old than a 15 month old. The doctor also informed me that N's two year molars will be coming in within the next 4-6 months. Whew, that will be fun! 

I want to let everyone all of the things N can say and do- but there is so many I may not remember them all!  But I'll try. :)

She knows:::

      Where her:

Nose

Eyes 

Chin

Ears

Hair

Head

Hands 

Belly

Belly button

Toes

Mouth

Tongue

Teeth

...are all located. 

She can say:::

Mommy

Daddy

Juice

Sophie

Lolly

Baby

Eyes 

Ears

Toes

Shoes

Nose 

Yellow

T.J.

No

Yes

Food

Puppy

Sucky ( her pacifier)

She knows::

What a cow says

What a dog says

Can point to a dog on TV and in a book

How to blow her nose

When she needs to blow her nose 

How to wash her hair (kinda)

How to brush her hair

And many many many other things! 

She is amazing, she is one of a kind. She is mine. :)

Zulily has Frozen Sale

Disney Frozen Sale:

• Details: Up to 60% off.
• Dates: 6am 7/07/14 – 6am 7/10/14
• Description: Nothing can cool the enthusiasm of Frozen fans. Relive the heartwarming magic with Anna, Elsa, Olaf and all your favorite Arendelle friends. Escape the summer heat and chill out with this cool-as-ice adventure.

   

4th of July Sale

This weekend is the greatest holiday of the summer, and Karina Dresses is adding some fireworks of our own to the celebration! From 7/4 to 7/6, the entire Karina Dresses web store will be 30% off. Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.

JULY 4TH WEEKEND SALE

Here are the details:

From 7/4 to 7/6, take 30% off of the entire web store. Use code JULY4TH at checkout.

Pre 4th of July Sale

In honor of our nation's birthday, declare yourself free from cheap, ill-fitting dresses! Buy AMERICAN-MADE Karina Dresses! From 7/1 to 7/2, all red, white, and blue dresses will be marked down from $158 to $99. Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.

PRE-4TH OF JULY PATRIOTIC SALE

Here are the details:

From 7/1 to 7/2, all red, white, and blue dresses are marked down to $99.

Summer Heat Wave Sale

Summer is in full swing! Beat the heat in an easy-breezy Karina Dress! From 6/27 to 6/29, all short sleeved and sleeveless dresses will be marked down from $158 to $99. Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.
SUMMER HEAT WAVE SALE Here are the details:
From 6/27 to 6/29 all short sleeved and sleeveless dresses will be marked down to $99.

National Rose Month Sale

June is National Rose Month, and red is the color of beauty, passion, love, and emotion. Get more red into your life (& closet) today! From 6/24 to 6/25, all red and pink dresses will be marked down from $158 to $99. Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.

NATIONAL ROSE MONTH SALE

Here are the details:

From 6/24 to 6/25 all red and pink dresses will be marked down to $99.

76% Savings at Publix!

Okay okay,  I am super excited about today's shopping trip! I went into Publix knowing that I was going to save about 70%, I came out saving 76%!!!

I spent $18.04 before tax, and saved $56.04! I would have spent $74.08 before sales and coupons!
I bought 28 items at an average of 64 cents an item!
I actually got a few things for FREE!
I am so happy with this trip- this is what keeps me couponing!
When you can go into a store and come out with 76% savings, why not spend the extra time and coupon?!

Update of Sleeping Beauty

I feel like it's time to give you an update on our sleeping habits. You can read about past experiences here, here and here. Once you read those then you will know that what I am about to say has been heaven in comparison!
Right after our last post, we found a toddler bed online for N. We know that it was probably too early to switch her, but we set it up in our room just to try it out. The first night, I put N in her new bed, and sat down on the floor next to her. Within minutes she was asleep. Guess what!!! She slept all night! Night after night was the same thing. She would fall asleep in her bed and sleep until around 5:30-6 in the morning. Then crawl into our bed for a few more hours.
THEN:: she got a slight cold, and was in our bed again. Then we went camping and was in our bed again. That really messed things up for us, especially since we just got her to where she would fall asleep for naps and at night by HERSELF!!!
Since we've been home from camping, she is just about back into a routine. Just last night she slept all night in her bed, only woke up once I believe.
She may only be 14 months old, but I feel like switching her to a toddler bed was the right thing at this time. Granted the bed is still in our room, but pretty soon we will be moving things around and she will have a "big girl toddler room!"
I am very please with our progress. It helps that N understands more of what we are saying to her- and when we ask her to lay down, she generally does. One thing I absolutely love about having her in a toddler bed, is that when she wakes up, she will walk into the living room herself. There is no more me having to listen out for her to wake up and go get her. Sometimes she will walk out with her "sleepy bear" and a blanket, and want to crawl back into my lap to sleep some more- and that is A okay with me!
Our little girl is growing up, and we have to deal with it. She is an amazing little creature, teaches me things every day. :) 

First Day of Summer Sale

Happy first day of summer, Karina Nation! Dress season is in full swing! This weekend only, use the code SUMMER to take 30% off of the entire web store - no exceptions! Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.
FIRST DAY OF SUMMER SALE Here are the details:
From 6/20 to 6/22 take 30% off of the entire web store with the code SUMMER.

Publix shopping trip

This morning I ran to Publix for my weekly shopping trip. All though I didn't have the savings percentage as I would have liked, I still feel like it  was a pretty good trip. Seeing what all I bought. This is what I purchased:

Let me point out in saying that the Neutrogena sunscreen is regularly $11.99 a bottle!
I purchased 26 items. I spent $35.38 before tax. I saved $60.50.

Before you start fussing at me for going over our budget- I know! So hush!
I saved 63%.

I also use Ibotta,  which is an app on my phone that pays me to buy certain things. Download it- add me as a friend, we'll make money together. :)
From buying the sunscreen-the body wash (which is "Fro-yo" and I can't wait to use it!) and also buying the ice cream I got $4 back!!

SO.... I technically spent $31.38 Saved $64.50. Which is a savings of 67% Amazing when you look at what I bought! :)

For 26 items, and a few high dollar items, I averaged out at $1.20 an item!!

Tot school week 8

Life. It's funny how it works. One day you're sitting here ready to start your week and the next- you realize that you've done nothing that was on your "to do" list. Then it's the end of the week and you wonder what has happened. How does life just pass you by like that?  What happened when we were all kids and summer days were long and full of fun.  Now you skip a day of doing anything productive and the entire week is gone! I swore that I was going to do better during school this week, and I have to say that again- I was distracted. I guess finding out some certain news in the middle of the week makes things around you just seem silly. :)

We did do a few days of work, and did a lot of running around and shopping this week. And hey! That is learning enough right?! 

Monday we were outside a lot of the afternoon, I was working on my new project and N was just running around after her Daddy. I decided to give her a tub of ice to discover. She let the dogs help her play. She would take the scoop we gave her and scoop the ice all around the tub.

Then one day I gave her the threading farm animals again, and right off she threaded one of the pieces. I was kind of distracted this day, so I just let her do her own thing. Which meant she became really bored, really fast. 

This same day we were suppose to go to a play date with a few other Moms and kiddos, but we were the only ones there. We did, however, enjoy our shaved ice. 

Another day we worked with the "pom pom drop" turned "bead drop." She had a bowl of beads to just put into the drop, but she thought it was better learning to just drop them onto the floor. When she got bored of the beads, which wasn't too much later, she decided it was time to read. We read about 10-12 books in that one sitting. Although you would have thought we read them all, since they were all over the floor! 

Looking back, I guess we did do some good during school. I had a few things planned, but I had to make them and just didn't find the time to sit down and actually work on them. Tomorrow I plan to get back on track with the cleaning, and maybe we will have time to work on some projects. Sunday- Father's Day is going to be a very busy day here, and will probably be gone for 90% of the day. :P

Until next time.

Zulily Deals June 10 - June 16

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Special Sale Alert
The Limited: Save up to 60% on dresses, tops, pants, shorts, accessories (sunglasses, handbags, belts, jewelry) from The Limited at zulily through 6am PT on 6/12! 

Tuesday, June 10th

• Kenneth Cole & Kenneth Cole Reaction – up to 60% off at zulily




• Summer Road Trip luggage, personalized gear, crafts, toys, pet travel picks, and more on sale at zulily!

Wednesday, June 11th

• Halo – from $9.99 at zulily


• SmartWool – up to 50% off at zulily




• Sanita on sale at zulily

Thursday, June 12th

• PUMA on sale at zulily


• Robeez on sale at zulily




• Disney Junior - up to 45% off at zulily

Friday, June 13th

• 13 events under $13 at zulily


• 7 For All Mankind on sale at zulily


• Skechers on sale at zulily

Saturday, June 14th

• Betsey Johnson on sale at zulily

Sunday, June 15th

• Laura Ashley: Sleepwear & Intimates on sale at zulily

Monday, June 16th

• John Deere on sale at zulily

CVS shopping trip

I absolutely love shopping at CVS, if I had my choice of drugstores, this would definitely be my top pick. Actually, you will rarely find me going to any others. 

I needed to get milk this morning, and was going to drive all the way to Wal Mart just to get it cheaper. I sure am glad I didn't!

I went to CVS with my list in hand and ready to go. 

I bought a gallon of milk, 4 cans of Chef Boyardee, 3 Snack Pack puddings, and a pack of Tena Pads. ( getting a jump start on after baby #2) 

I spent:: out of pocket $7.37 before tax. 

With a savings of $14.96

That's 67% y'all!

I bought 9 items at $0.82 a piece! Who can buy a gallon of milk for 82 cents!? 

I'm glad I didn't go all the way to Wal Mart- I would have just been wasting gas! 

Best Friends Day Sale

Karina Dresses are all about self love and positive body image - any girl's best friend! First, you love your self and then share the secret so your best friend can, too. Even better, we're having a sale to celebrate the love! From 6/10 to 6/11, all Spring 2014 dresses will be marked down from $158 to $99. Karina Dresses are vintage inspired, independently designed, and made with love right here in the USA.
BEST FRIENDS DAY SALE Here are the details:
From 6/10 to 6/11, all Spring 2014 dresses will be marked down to $99.

Expired Coupons

It's that time of the year, when I need to clean out my coupon binder! I haven't done so since I started back couponing in February. I almost couldn't pick up my binder without struggling. Just four months of coupons are back breaking!
I just cleared out an entire month worth of expired coupon inserts, all the way to March 9th. When looking thru my first set of March 16 I found a few that didn't expire until the middle of this month, and I decided to stop there.
So, if your following me, you can throw out all of the coupon inserts before March 16. I also tossed a few P&G's- just go thru your stack and normally you can look at one date in the P&G inserts to tell you if they are expired. They tend to expire at the end of the month.
Let me tell you now- cleaning out this many inserts, made my binder feel a world different! I won't have to struggle anymore. :)