Grocery Shopping

I was just thinking today about how part of what I love about old photos of my family growing up back in the 80's, isn't the people who are the subjects of those photos, but the background of those photos.  I love to see what things looked like back then, the style and design of all the everyday items we used.  That got me to thinking...I pretty much solely take pictures of people and activities that we are doing...most of the time with no thought to what's behind those people and I'm missing out on a important part of this "time" in my family's life...those daily mundanes.  So I thought it would be fun to take a picture of what 2 weeks of groceries look like in our household.  Now this isn't quite everything but it's most of it.  I leave a good bit of budget just for the extras that we have to replenish as the two weeks go on.  Today's trip didn't include milk, since we had to make an emergency trip last night just to have it for this morning's breakfast...and thank goodness because there is no way it would have fit in the buggy!  Anyway, this is about 8 meals worth(I'll be out of town for a few days and then Shawn is out of town for a night so we can get buy with less planned meals this time)  as well as breakfast and snacks and lunch stuff for the girls.  So this is what it looks like.  Oh and today's trip cost $175...I have no idea if that's a lot to your family or if that's barely anything....I'm always curious what other families grocery trips look like and how much they cost.  Comment if you care to share!  I'll be interested to see what my reaction and my family's reaction will be to this post in about 15 years!  Until then....continuing to hunt and gather....

A Quirk that Pays

If you know me well, you know I have a little quirk...it's not annoying or outlandish, but it's something I can't deny.  If I see money....any amount, on the ground, I MUST pick it up, no matter what I'm in the middle of.  I don't care who sees me, who thinks it's weird or a waste of time, or what I was doing before.  I must get it!  If I don't get it, I'll obsess about it until I go back and get it.  When I run in the neighborhood, it's like a jackpot if I find money while running and no matter how bad it will mess up my stride or my breathing or whatever, I have to stop and pick it up!  Some of my friends find this funny and silly because they say "It's only a penny! etc..." Oh how they would be wrong.  A few years after we were married, we had been saving our change and took a trip to New Orleans on that change!  With our trip to Europe exactly one month away, it was time to pour out the change jar and count up what we had....this would help with miscellaneous expenses and souvenirs while there.  So drum roll please.....the total is $122.50!!!  That's a lot of change!  So make fun all you want but I'm $122.50 richer....one penny at a time!

Seven is Heaven

The day Ava has been anticipating since the day after she turned 6 has finally arrived!  Today is her birthday and on Friday the 13th no less!  She has been excited all week long and barely able to contain herself with impatiently waiting for Friday to arrive.  She is so much fun to plan for...everything is exciting and wonderful to her.  I can't believe my second child is seven years old!  It sure has been a very happy birthday!

We started with a photo in front of her birthday banner and allowing her to open one present (of our choosing...which I rig.)  She got a new cheetah shirt to wear to school!

Next, we sang Happy Birthday for the first of three times she'd hear that song today!  She got to have cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Then a little photo shoot of my sassy cheetah-loving seven year old.

Later that day, Shawn took her lunch and ate at school with her.  Then I went up there at two to spend time with her class reading a book, doing a craft and passing out chocolate chip cookies per her request.

 

Around 4:30 Poppy and Nana arrived at our house and the excitement level kicked up a few thousand notches!  We went to Panda Express (Ava's choice) and then went shopping where she promptly spent every single penny she'd gotten for her birthday.  After that we came home to eat the icecream sandwich cake she requested and enjoy all the new things she'd gotten. 

What a great year it has been.  I'm so excited to watch her grow and mature in the coming year!

My ideal Saturday morning

The hunt for Christmas on a budget has begun, and to all those that make fun of my early shopping....I am CRUSHING my budget (in a good way) and finding amazing deals by shopping early and saving TONS of money by buying used.  I love love love Saturday morning garage sales!

 Wish I could show you my "treasures" but that would give away surprises.

 

Shawn was trying on some shoes....just 1/2 size too small.  boo!

Friday Night Lights

We got a wild hair last week and decided to go to one of the local high schools' football games!  It helped that two girls in the youth group are on the Sparkles dance team and we wanted to support them too.  As much as we wanted to be cuddled up under blankets, sipping hot chocolate, that was NOT the case...but it wasn't as bad once the sun went down.  The kids were absolutely the best behaved that they've been in a long time.  It was really wonderful and lots of fun for all of us!  Note to self: it's worth every penny to get one of those seat cushions for the bleachers....I'll remember that next time!

Here's all the kids lined up at the fence watching the halftime show with the band, flag girls and Sparklers.  The girls were very interested in all the possible activities they could try out when in high school and I was really pushing the whole drum thing...I will not live vicariously, I will not live vicariously, I will not live vicariously....GIRL DRUMMERS ARE SO COOL!!!!!!!!!!!

And our friends the Valdezs.

Lazbor Day

Our Labor day was exactly how I like it....lazy.  Shawn's brother Chad was here which really put a fun spin on an otherwise potentially boring holiday.  I couldn't have dreamed up a better day than what we had!

Shawn and Chad started the day with a THIRTY mile bike ride...good grief!  I started with a late breakfast in PJ's.

Then we headed to Chad's father-in-laws house for as much swimming as we could stand...which turned out to be about 3 hours worth.

 

We had the best time swimming and relaxing and trying to beat the oppressive heat we've been having.  Chad's f.i.l. even fed us a delicious lunch while we were there!  It was a great way to say goodbye (and good riddance) to summer!