Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Freebies in my mailbox!

Remember when I told you about Swagbucks? A couple of weeks ago, I redeemed some of my bucks for some books on my wishlist at Amazon.  Here's what I got for FREE:



A Mother's Heart: A Look at Values, Vision, and Character for the Christian Mother by Jean Fleming

Little Pillows  by Frances Ridley Havergal

The Shaping of a Christian Family by Elisabeth Elliot


Swagbucks are so easy to earn and they add up quickly, allowing me to be able to purchase books.  There are many prizes you can redeem your bucks for, but there are tons of books I want, so the Amazon gift card works best for me!

It's super easy to sign up for.  You can also download their toolbar, which frequently has free codes you can redeem for bucks.  Lately, I have been winning Swagbucks just for logging in on their toolbar!  It's great!

Can't wait to cash in some more Swagbucks to expand my library!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

CVS Savings!

It's been a while since I've been to CVS.  The deals have been pretty slow.  This week, however, proved to be awesome!  Look what I purchased last night:


Here's the breakdown:

Six Degree deodorants- $2.50 each
Herbal Essence Shampoo and Styler-$2.99 each

Total=20.98 (before tax)

Used:
$4 of $20 purchase (in email I received)
(3) $3/2 deodorant
B1G1 Herbal Essence product
-$4 ECB's
-------------------
Grand Total of $2.11 (with tax)

 And I received $6 ECB's!  They pretty much paid me $4 to take this home!  Wow!  I love a good deal!

Saturday Seven

1)  I just finished making my own laundry soap.  I've been meaning to do this for about.....umm.....probably a couple of years.  Yep, procrastination is my middle name.  It seriously took me all of 20 minutes. Super easy.  It made about 2 1/2 gallons.  That will go a long way when I'm only supposed to use 1/4 cup per load!  I have to let it sit for 24 hours so I'll let you know next week how I like it.

2)  Jacob is now in a toddler bed.  We really had no choice, trust me.  It was either put the toddler rail on his crib or end up with a broken arm or other body part.  We would hear a loud thump followed by the sound of his diaper swishing as he came running down the hall.  The biggest challenge has been his lack of sleep!  The first peep of the eye and he's up and running.  I'm hoping once the newness of it all wears off, he'll not be quite as excited about getting up.

3)  To prove he's not getting the sleep he's used too......


He fell asleep eating lunch while I was writing this post.  He didn't even care about the peanut butter and honey all over his face!  Not that he normally does.

4)  Today is officially the first day of spring!  Yay!  I'm so ready for warm weather and sunshine.  The kids love playing outside so much better when it's warm!  And trust me, the boys need to get out all of that energy.  There are little holes all over the backyard where they've been digging with their shovels.  The poor swing set has taken a beating since Luke got a tool set with a hammer in it! 

5)  Speaking of back yards, Austin has decided we are going to raise chickens.  Last week he built a door in our fence that will open up into the coop. (Or whatever it is you call the place chickens lay their eggs)  I think the plan is to get about ten eggs and hatch them out.  The kids are super excited about it.  I love the idea of having my own eggs, although I'll have to get used to the fact you actually have to go get the eggs from the chickens and not the store.  Big difference. 

6)  Austin was talking to someone the other day and telling them about the chickens we're hoping to get.  The question was asked if we could have chickens because we live in a subdivision.   Austin's reply was "I own the subdivision.  I can do whatever I want with it!"  'Nuff said.  Definitely a perk for us, huh?

7)  If you didn't already know, we do in fact own a subdivision.  We bought and developed the land about two years ago and he is finishing up his fifth house now.  I am so proud of him!  He has amazed me with his determination.  He can do whatever he puts his mind to.    Not to mention, he recently got promoted to manager at his job!  His big thing now is, whenever I have a problem and he helps me out, he'll wink at me and say "I'm a manager, baby."  He's such a nut!  :)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Showers

Oh, happy day was the day my Luke said he wanted to take a shower like Daddy!  I was more than happy to oblige him.

Let's be honest, bathing four children is no small task.  I feel like SuperMom on the days everyone gets a bath!

So, we marched off to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and had a lesson on how to actually take a shower.  And that the point of a shower is to get clean and not to stick the foam letters all over the tub wall.



A couple of days later, I realized I had failed to mention we don't close the drain when we're in the shower.  It's not exactly safe. Or good for the bathroom floor.  Or my stress level.

It's been great to be able to tell Luke to go jump in the shower and never have to get my sleeves wet!  I've pretty much traded his bath time off for this little fella's bath.


 I'd say he's pretty happy about the trade!