Bargains galore

So, if you know me at all, you know I love a bargain, and that helps because I really love to shop. My passion for shopping runs so deep that I think I could identify my favorite stores blindfolded just by how they smell when you walk in... Dillards being one of my favorite smells - it's a mix of new clothes, good perfumes and leather. Not that I would want to wear it as a perfume, but a scratch and sniff sticker wouldn't be a bad idea.

Just like most relationships, mine and shopping go in waves - we have some good weeks and some weeks where we really don't have time for each other. Last week was a good week, a really good week! Last Tuesday, I was really missing my friend, shopping, and decided to brave it with both girls... beyond brave if you ask me. First stop: McDonald's to quench my craving for my morning Dr Pepper and to make McKenzie happy. Unexpectedly, I found my first bargain of the day: a huge Dr Pepper for only $1 and on top of that, a free movie rental with the purchase! The day was off to a good start. Thirty minutes later we arrive at the stores we want to peruse. Toys R Us is first - buy two Guitar Hero games for Nintendo DS and get one FREE!! That is a $50 savings! I sold two of the games to friends who also needed some summer bribery items and we all three became instant "heros"! McK had a birthday gift card to use, so she got a doll and I found a free coupon for a Thomas the Train (12.99 value) and got that! (I put it back for a birthday party gift.) Can you say savings???? And that was only the second stop! OK, I must stop here and say that the first bargain wasn't seeming so good now as I had already had to go to the bathroom twice in Toys R' Us! It wouldn't be so bad, but I have a double stroller and two small children with me that I must tote to the bathroom, too!

After the second pit stop, we moved on Hobby Lobby where they had 80% off home accents - my bedroom is so much more beautiful now and for such a huge savings! I then found a store where they weren't carrying kids furniture anymore and bought a new dresser for McKenzie's new room (I'll get to that later.) It was $179.00 reg and I got the last one for $16.00! No, it's not the finest in oak furniture, but it will work for the time being. Have you ever seen what kids do to their furniture? Oh, I really had to go to the bathroom again in here, but I could hold it - bargain number one was really starting to tick me off now.

We went to the mall next and you guessed it, the first stop: the bathroom in Dillards. Fifteen minutes later we are back out looking for more bargains... we found some and spent three hours there. I won't bore you with the details, but it was a great shopping day - minus the continuous bathroom stops thanks to my giant bargain number one.

Now later in the week, I decided to move McKenzie out of her bedroom and leave Ellee in McKenzie's room - it was just getting too crazy with crying, etc... to leave them together. So, on Friday I began my search for McKenzie's new bedroom attire... by Saturday she was sleeping like a princess in her new room. I found so many bargains and did the room on a budget and she loves it!

So, this week, shopping and I are going to spend some time a part - my husband thought we might be getting a little too close, so to appease him, I guess I'll spend a few days away... if only I had that scratch and sniff sticker!

Well, the girls have been quite funny this weekend! I found them matching princess outfits (Sorry Hunter) and they have enjoyed being royalty. The other picture of Ellee in the highchair marks a milestone today: she joined us at the table for dinner. She enjoys her food, and now she is enjoying it with the rest of us! As if the dinner table entertainment were lacking, we now have even more! Dinner is never boring at our house, maybe crazy, but not boring.

Speaking of the kitchen, it looks so much better! We just finished the remodel, when I say we, I don't mean me, but hubby. I'll post a before and after of the one side - I forgot to take pics until the kitchen was already being torn apart. It makes cooking so much more fun in a new kitchen!

I hope you all had a great weekend and have a great week!

Ahhh... that was a happy sigh after a full night's sleep. Yes, for the first time in a couple of weeks, I slept all night and it was much needed. No baby crying, no dog wanting to go outside and relieve himself, no husband snoring, just quiet, beautiful slumber! I remember when sleeping until 9am or 10am was not out of the ordinary, especially on Saturday mornings. I'm not sure I will ever get back to that point, but I do enjoy an 8-hour stint when I can get it.

Life has been very busy this week and today is deadline day for three articles, but it has been a good week - minus McKenzie's busted chin and Ellee's teething.

Below is a picture that sums up the goodness of sleep. I took it this week during the girls' nap, and for those of you who don't know about "the sock," McKenzie must have a sock in order to go to sleep. Weird, I know, but it works!

Have a good weekend!

You know those weeks that just wipe you out? Well, I've just had one. I took a nap yesterday and woke up so groggy that it took me a few minutes to figure out where I was and who that baby was that was crying. Last week, we taped a pilot of a children's show that my sister and I wrote... it was a lot of work. We won't see the edited product until August, so I have no idea how it all turned out, but I'll let you know.
In between working and sweating in the hot, Texas humidity, we did get to spend time with family and friends, which was really nice. I even got to eat at FOUR of my favorite restaurants that go back to my childhood, of course, it was a little different experience as I tried to keep my little girls entertained while savoring the familiar tastes. In fact, I never made it to dessert at any of the restaurants.
I got to see my dad, just not on Father's Day. However, he did prove again what a great dad that he is. I flew into Dallas and rented a car to get to the shoot site - two hours away. I had so much stuff to carry that he wouldn't hear of me going back alone and wrangling the car seats, bags, strollers and kids all by myself. He followed me and mom and the kids to Dallas and they helped me through the rental car return and all the way to the plane, no matter that it was entirely out of their way. I feel blessed that at 35, I still have parents who look out for me!
Well, the calendar is full this week already, so I better get to work while the kids are at the sitter!
Have a good week!
Jenny