REVIEWS

I will be posting some reviews over the next couple of months! I have found a great store, Elephant Ears, in Ann Arbor and I was also selected by MAM to be a product tester!!! I am so excited to do this. I will have pictures to post and will have some promo codes for  Elephant Ears! Check Back for updates!               

DISCOUNT DEALS FOR THIS WEEK

REDBOX

 FREE ONE NIGHT MOVIE RENTAL

GUYHT

after chosing rent with promo code on screen

BABIES R US

935210

$20.00 off all carseats $100.00 or more until March 25, 2010 

STRIDE RITE

spring2010

20% off purchase in March 2010

Passing along deals that came through my email this week! Enjoy the savings!

Preperation for the Week is on!

     Sunday is always a hectic day for me. My husband just gets done working 3 - 12 hr midnight shifts, kids are coming and going from sleepovers and what not, and its time to make sure we have everything together to get us through the week (or at least Monday...lol). Laundry is gets washed, dishwasher is running, kids pack their lunches and are in the room "sleeping" by 9:00 (they think we don't know they are up talking, reading, watching TV or whatever).They are usually up until 9:30 or 10:00 ~ except my 13 1/2 y/o, she is a night owl! I have no problem with them staying up a little bit, but they know they better not give me any problems getting up for school! I always get notice from one of the kids or my husband at about 9:30 or 10:00 that they need something for the morning or we are all out of something! Never fails, every week.... Today it is milk, so I must run to the store sometime before 6:00am.

I know this economy sucks, but really people?????

     Mom 2 Mom sale was pretty good. I made some extra $$ to contribute to my family (in reality this means to buy things I want  "NEED"!). I got there at about 8:00 this morning with my 9 y/o daughter (Jaden) and my 7 mo. old daughter (Keeley) in tow! Jaden helped me with the finishing touches and Keeley sat wide eye in her car seat watching the last minute chaos.

     The doors opened to the public at 8:30 and people started to dwindle in at first, then we got the early morning rush. I realize that the state of our economy is terrible and everyone is trying to do what they can to make or save a buck, but some people are just crazy!!! I have 6 kids, so needless to say, I have a lot of clothes, toys, shoes and everything in between. I really try to limit my kids clothes so my laundry mountain is not to overwhelming ~ reality is my kids have enough clothes to change outfits everyday for about a month without me doing laundry. With that being said, their clothes don't get much use or abuse because they have so much and ultimately end up throwing on their favorite clothes. Majority of their clothes come from Gymboree, Gap, Carters, Old Navy, Childrens Place, Justice, Aeropostale, Hollister, American Eagle, Hot Topic, PacSun ect ect ect... I always try to price my clothes at a decent price so that I can replace my kids clothes with new sizes.

     Just to give you an idea of my prices, here are some examples ~ jeans -$3.00. shirts- $2.00, shorts-$2.00, hoodies $5.00. I had people complain that these prices were too high and try to get me to accept anywhere from $0.50 - $1.00 for things like a Gymbo sweater or a brand new Aero hoodie with tags!!! REALLY! When I would politely say "no" to their offer they would get upset and some would make comments! I felt like posting a sign saying if you don't like my prices, please feel free to go to the mall to pay full price!!! None of the items had stains, holes, or signs of wear/tear! I need to replace the empty spaces on my 6 kids shelves in the family closet!

    Alright, rant over! I know it is just the sign of the economy... but I don't think I'm the only one with struggles and everyone else can afford to take a loss! I have no problem cutting a deal, especially if they are buying a lot! Oh well, I cleared out some space in my house and made a little money! Bonus~ both girls were very good! Glad its over = )

  

I Did It!!!

YAY ME! Who said a mama isn't a SUPER HERO... All set up for the mom2mom and know I am relaxin' with my 2 oldest girls. Now I just need to wake up early in the morning!!!

So Much To Do With 2 Cling-Ons...opps, I Mean My Babies

How the heck am I supposed to get everything done when Landon (21  mo.) is being a monkey on my back and Keeley (7 mo,) thinks that when the cord was cut she was reattached to me via my arms and boob! Yes I said boob! She is having complete meltdowns if I set her down or if I do not let her nurse 24/7. Im not stressed at them, just the situation. Landon likes to play with my hair and follow me around like my shadow and Keeley is teething, so she just needs mama to make her feel better. I love, love, love that they want to snuggle, but today is the day that I must, must, must get some things done! I have a mom2mom sale tomorrow and I have to set up tonight! I wish I could put them to work....not so sure they would understand the whole pricing system though! I finally got Landon to take a nap, but now here I am with my little cupcake in my arms "snursing" or sleep nusring or "neeping" - whatever way I say it, I'm still stuck here. I really want to sell lots of items so I can clear out my house. It looks like Geoffrey from ToysRUs puked repeatedly throughout my house! I think I've had neighborhood kids come over to play and never made it back out - I should probably go look through the mountain of dirty clothes in my girls bathroom just to make sure! Oh well, there is always later, as long as I'm ready and out the door tonight by 5:30ish! Looks like pycho mom, my alter ego, will be visiting in the next few hours...lol
I need to...
> clean out my van and lower all the seats
>finish going though and pack up clothes and toys for sale
>get into the shed
>load up the van
>unload the van at the church
>set up my tables
I am tired and sore just thinking about it!!!

In the mean time, here I sit, both kids asleep and I am unable to move!!!
So much for Landon's nap....he is up...20 min. power nap~ great.

SHOPPER ALERT!!!

CURRENT DEALS THAT I AM PASSING ON!

GAP.COM
Enter GAPEXTRA20
at checkout to receive an exra 20% off sale merchandise
HURRY OFFER ENDS MARCH 13, 2010

CHILDRENS PLACE.COM
Enter FAMILYA9
for 15% off entire order
HURRY OFFER ENDS MARCH 16, 2010
*Family Circle Magazine*

DIAPERS.COM
Enter LAND5OFF
For $10.00 off and FREE SHIPPING on orders over $49.00! FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS ONLY!!
This promotion is an ongoing referal code!

REDBOX ~ FREE ONE NIGHT MOVIE RENTAL
Enter DVDONME
after selecting "rent with Promo Code" on screen
*thank you insideredbox.com*

I will try to post random deals a couple times a week!!!

Here are a couple of ways to dress up your dinner!

We all love are veggies, right? Even our kids eat them without complaints, right? Well, not so much! I remember being a kid and gagging down green beans praying they wouldn't come projecting from my mouth! Gross I know, but that is how I felt about my green veggies as I child! I can honestly say that I did not develop a love for my greens until I was in my thirties....yes, yes, this is sad! So, here are a couple of things I use to encourage my kids to eat them as well.

BROCCOLI
you will need:
fresh broccoli
water
butter
garlic powder and/or fresh garlic
Broccoli is so yummy, but I did not know this until I was pregnant with my 21 mo. old son. I craved broccoli and I have no idea why!?! My kids also now love broccoli, only if it is prepared as follows:
I steam my broccoli with water, buttter, and fresh garlic (can use garlic powder also). Be sure to steam just until the brocolli starts to get soft. If it is steamed too long, all the good nutrients are lost. I also spray butter and sprinkle some garlic powder on top of the broccoli as it steams.

CHICKEN GARLIC SAUCE
you will need:
chicken bouillon cube or stock broth
garlic powder
corn starch
water (for cubes)
Chicken garlic sauce is great on top of chicken and/or your broccoli. I take chicken bouillon cubes and follow the directions on the bottle or you can use stock chicken broth. I prefer low sodium. Make enough for the size of your family and your intended purpose. I then add garlic powder and season to taste while it is at a slow boil - my family is big on garlic so we use a lot. Garlic has a ton of health benefits!!! After I have my desired taste,  I use corn starch to thicken it to make it more like a gravy consistency. I put about a heaping tablespoon of corn starch into a separate cup and add cold water while stiring it. This mixture should be a thinner liquid consistency. Add slowly (you may not use all the corn starch mixture) to your chicken broth with your flame/heat on low and stir, stir, stir. The sauce will start to thicken. BE CAREFULL not to just add all the corn starch, the sauce will slowly thicken with a little bit added! This is so good with chicken!

GRECIAN PEAS
you will need:
peas ~ fresh OR small bag frozen OR 2 cans drained
tomato paste ~ 2 heaping T
4 scallions (green onions) chopped small
2 t for freshly chopped dill
1 heaping T of butter
        OR
2T of olive oil
2C water
salt and pepper

Last but not least for today is Grecian Peas. My husband and I love them and I never ate peas unless they were in a pot pie. I have prepared with canned peas and with fresh frozen peas...my kids did prefer the canned peas. I am going to try this again with fresh peas when my local farmers market opens up!
Start with a large skillet, melt your butter or heat your oil. You will need to dilute your tomato paste with the water and set aside. Add your scallions, cook until soft, but not brown. Next add your peas, dill and your tomato paste dilute. Bring to a rapid boil, stiring occasionally, salt and pepper to taste. Then turn down to a medium/low heat, cover and simmer until the liquid in absorbed. Takes about 30-45 minutes.

TRY THESE OUT SOON AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

So More on Baby Gear. . .

For any Mamas out there that have 2 kids close in age, I need your help and opinion. Today my hubby and I took our two youngest (21 mo. & 7 mo.) to the Ann Arbor Hands On Kids Museum (Ann Arbor, MI). We have been going there for years and have just as much, if not more, fun everytime we go. We parked in the structure a block down and unloaded our extremely heavy tandem double stroller. I am not going to reveal what kind it was right now because I intend on doing some research and trying a different kind and posting some very helpful reviews for mamas. This is definitely an "If I only knew now..." time. We put the babies into the stroller and headed down the elevator and down the street. Once I got moving, the stroller is not too hard to push or make gradual maneuvers, but once you come to a stop....well you have to start all over! Inside the museum was a whole new set of challenges. The elevators are not too small, but still it was hard for me to get my super long tandem into and especially out of. The first and second floor was not so bad to move it around, but when we hit the third and fourth floor, we could not move more then a foot or so from the elevator. Boy how I envied the moms with a little umbrella stroller just whipping around like no big deal. I realize that I need different strollers for different reason or occasions, and as far as a double stroller, there really is no small version to weave in and out with grace.

I knew within the first month of my daughter being born that this double stroller was not the one for me, but I keep trying to love it! My hubby already thinks my baby gear addiction is beyond help! Another problem is at the mall! I was always so certain that I would not want a side by side, but now I am very open to the idea. I can not turn my tandem around the clothes racks inside the stores. I bump into everything, often knocking things over. I wonder what people around me think, "boy that lady probably has to drink just to keep her sanity", when all 6 kids are with me! Or, "Look at that lady with the 2 babies, I hear prescription drug addiction is a real problem these days".  Ok, all jokes aside, I would like to find a double stroller that is maybe not so heavy, must be able to turn on a dime, fit through doorways, both seats recline, can be used with one infant carseat, easy to fold/unfold, and it must look cool ofcourse! Tell me what double stroller you have and what you like best and what you dislike the most about it!
Also if you live in the area or ever visit the Metro Detroit area, please go and visit the Kids Museum in Ann Arbor! Fun for all ages!

How much gear do you have

Having two babies back to back, I have ended up with a lot of gear. Before my 21mo. old son was born my "baby" was 7 y/o! So, needless to say, my husband and I started all over ~ with babies and gear. Then when my son was only 5 mo. old, I found out that I was pregnant again! At about 18 weeks I found out it was a girl. So our baby boy blue items were sold and pink was flooding in! In the past almost 2 years I have gone through lots of gear in somes areas, but was able to reuse in others. My travel system is the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System Stroller in DECO. This was gender friendly, so I kept this for my baby girl.I have the matching playpen that is used more as a catch all for baby items. I also kept my swing and highchair.  I sold my rainforest bouncy and got a pink boppy bouncy seat. I sold lots of clothes with dinos, trucks and prirates for pink, flowers and butterflies! I have had a total of 5, soon to be 6, types of baby carriers, I currently have 6 strollers ~ which I am not totally happy with any of them, 6 diaper bags, 3 different styles of bottles, 2 styles of the "baby sitter" seats, 2 different exersaucers, 3 monitors, walkers...my list goes on and on... At some point I would like to start reviewing products and would like for you to comment on them with your ideas, experience or questions. For now tell me about all your baby gears...lets compare!

When Did You Realize You Were OLD?!?!?

 I never really felt old until recently. In my head I had always seen myself as I was in my late teens or early twenty-something. When I started my job as a RN I was one of the younger nurses. I wear current styles of clothes and hair and still play pranks and act just as silly as my kids at times. I can remember when my oldest daughter, now 13 1/2 y/o, was younger and I would help pick out her clothes or show her fun stuff to do on the computer. I thought I was the "cool mom"! Well now, with 5 additional kids in tow, it has just dawned on me that the reflection in the mirror does not match the image in my head. I have to go ask my daughter what is "instyle" now. I ask for her opinion on clothes, hair and makeup. She shows me how to do things on the computer now! I'm the senior staff at work... The "you're so old" kind of joke smacked me in the face a couple of weeks ago when I found 2 strands of grey hair on my head. What happened to me? Even the image in my head has aged since the discovery of grey hair. When did I turn into this "Mother" image that is now residing in my head and where did the cool young mom go? If anyone finds her, please tell her I miss her and would love to have her back living in my head ~ rent free! My oldest daughter looks like she could be a lilttle sister to me and my 2 youngest babies look like they could be my grandkids...lol! In the mean time...post about when you realized that you are old now. I need some old age comic relief!
Thanks