Freebies ROCK!!!

I love freebies!!! Janelle told me about this great little website (hip2save.com) that has coupons and freebies. Well I started checking the site out daily as well as another (shop4freebies.com). Low and behold my freebie samples are starting to roll in. Not to mention all the great coupons I have already used!


I seriously think my mail man hates me as of today! I had six little boxes and a couple puffy envelopes waiting on the table when I got home. I added those items to the few I had already gotten and viola... FREEBIES!!! The best part, they are NOT all for me :) Little Miss Sloan is getting a few extra diapers and a potty training DVD. That little reluctant sticker will embrace the potty one of these days! A couple cans of organic all natural dog food for my babies (there are a whole lot more samples to come for them, yoohoo!) as well as a soap sample for Matt. A Tide sample and recipe books that will benefit all that eat what is prepared from them. I of course got a perfume sample, protein bar, body wash and tooth paste. These are just a hand full of the freebies that are on their way. I am super excited!! Most important besides the free samples of this or that, the coupons and deals that are posted on these sites, ROCK! If you haven't checked them out yet, you should. :)

Nicknames

I have come to realize I use nicknames an awful lot with the ones I love... both human and animal alike. I hear them from others as well. Just thought I would share some that get used by me and around me on a daily basis. Some will be spelled out how they are pronounced so you understand exactly what each person/animal is called. Also, I'm not going to go into detail as to why some of the nicknames are what they are, but the ones that make you go "Hmmm..." are the best!!! :)

Matt -- Matty Fry, Matty Matt, and Steve (kids' favorite)
Hailey -- Hay, Hah-lay-lee, Rockin' Betty
Logan -- Low-gon-nah Louise, Darth Logan
Jayden -- Jayd, Jaydee-Bug
Billy -- Billy Boy
A group of kids -- Children of the Corn (Most often Hailey & Logan)
Quinton -- Q, Q-man
Sloan -- Sloany Bologna, Sloany B
Xena -- Nar, Zee-nar-nar, Bubble Gyna
Halo -- Lolo, Goblin Ears, Sticker Bell
Lyra -- Princess Lyra (Matt's name for her, not mine!)
Mom -- Mama Sue
Nicki -- Nick, Nicki of the Corn (Logan's for me, playing off of what I call them)

I guess I should add that even the dogs know their nicknames. All their nicknames! You would think an animal wouldn't understand having 3-4 names that they are called, but our girls do. Just the proud mama coming out in me :)

Easter Count Down

This weekend I helped the kids make Easter Count Downs. Technically they are a count down to Good Friday (that's when Lonnie gets them again), but you get the picture. They are just like the advent calendars you can buy in stores around Christmas time. Of course this idea came from Family Fun Magazine... where else?! If you don't get this magazine, I highly recommend it. You can get it here, a 1 year subscription ($10) or look up recipes, crafts and more for free online.

The Egg Carton Count Downs are quite easy to make and you only need a few simple supplies...

• Egg Carton
• Tissue Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Fillers... goodies/treats/notes

First you cut off the top of the egg carton. Next turn the egg carton over and trace on tissue paper. I made ours slightly bigger so we could fold edges over. Cut it out. Fill each section of the egg carton with goodies. We used stickers, pencil erasers, tootsie rolls, coins, and notes. Once you have your goodies placed in the carton, squeeze glue around the edge of the carton, and middle high points. Place the tissue paper over the carton and lightly press tissue paper down onto the glue sections. Next, cut out circles of different colored tissue paper and glue over each section of the carton. This helps hide the goodies and keeps them a mystery! The kiddos then wrote the numbers 1-12 on the dots. You don't have to do this, but we wanted to make sure the kids received the same surprise on the same day.


Hailey and Logan start their count down officially on Monday. We also put extra goodies in so they could share with their big brother back home. This is a great craft for any count down you may want to do. Janelle made one for Q... it is a "Moving to Chicago" count down! You just have to get creative. You could do one for vacation, any holiday, a school field trip, arrival of a new sibling... ANYTHING!!

Rescue 409

For those that know me, Know that I am completely terrified of spiders. So much that just seeing them I get nauseous, and break out in some sort of psychological rash (red blotches all over that itch). On with the story...

Last night I stayed in Morton with the kids since both mom and dad were out of town. Both kids were in bed by 8:00 which meant that this tired girl (time change messed me up) was ready for bed. As I was winding down for the night with a shower that's when things got crazy. AS I was rinsing the conditioner out of my hair, the last thing of my shower routine, I happened to glance up at the ceiling above me. That's when it attacked! Or rather I freaked out!! Trying not to make any sudden movements that would make the eight legged 'Ick' move or fall on me, I slowly inched the shower door open and managed to get out. Granted I almost fell since wet feet and tile don't mix, but I did manage to work up the courage to take matters into my own hand. I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing there was a spider was in the bathroom, nor would I have been able to go back in there in the morning if I did see the thing dead. I searched under the sink, praying I would be able to find some sort of cleaner that would put ME out of my misery. While looking through the contents from under the sink I managed to keep an eye on the spider to make sure the creature wasn't on the move.

I found my savior, the one and only, 409 All Purpose Cleaner! Oh how I love thee :) I learned back in high school that house cleaners work wonders for killing spiders when you can't get yourself close enough to step or swat at them. You can keep your distance and not have to hear any crunching sounds. Now you all see why I like the cleaners. I got as close as my devastated mental state would allow, and started spraying. The spider got upset and struggled to get away. Freaking me out all over again. I didn't want it running my way little lone dropping down to the floor. Ewwww!!! Eventually it died and my blood pressure was able to lower considerably. I was able to get my contact out and teeth brushed before attempting to go to sleep. It was a restless sleep due to the feeling of something crawling up my legs and arms throughout the night. Spiders really do a number on me but I survived to tell the tale! Thank goodness for Rescue 409!!

Howling Hounds

We we first watched the movie Hot Fuzz a couple years ago. It was shortly after we had gotten Xena and we discovered that the sirens in the opening scene made her howl. It was so cute seeing her lift her head and howl away. Every so often, maybe once a month as to not over due it, we'd put the DVD in, turn up the volume and play the opening scene so we could hear Xena howl. Of course we had to try it with Halo too. It took a few times before she finally started howling. Of course the first time Matt tried it, I was gone so only him and his brother got to witness it. When we put it in that night hoping she'd howl again for Mama (that's me) we had no luck. She refused to howl again. I think it was because the guys had laughed at her earlier in the day.

Needless to say, we have not played the DVD for well over a year. Tonight we decided to see how Lyra would react to the noise. After all she goes crazy when it comes to the laser pointers so why not the loud sirens. As I sat there with the video camera directed toward Matt's little 'Princess', I heard kennels coming from the kennels behind me. To my utter delight, Halo was the one howling, not Xena. I was so excited! Halo howled away and Xena joined in. Matt and I were both cracking up. Halo sounds so weird when she starts to kind of talk while howling.

Here is the VIDEO of our howling hounds! Sorry if the sirens are loud and there is a bit shakiness to the video. I was laughing so you know how that goes :) As always our girls bring joy and laughter into our lives just the same as human children do to their parents. Love our girls!!!

Beautiful Day

It was such a beautiful day, the kids and I couldn't pass up going to the Wooden Playground at Glen Oak Park (remember this blog). It's Wednesday, so Q had school until 2:30 today. We were heading down Knoxville toward the interstate when I asked Q what he thought about playing at the park. "That would be great!" he exclaimed. Thank goodness I had brought snacks for in the car. Both kids had a blast.

Q played Star Wars with a few older boys (7-9 year olds) running, climbing and jumping from here to there. Quinton was leading the older boys telling them what to do and how to do certain thing... no surprise there. He helped them pick Star Wars character names explaining each so the boys knew how to act. I couldn't help laughing to myself when I heard him tell the older boys "I can't do that guys, I'm only 4 1/2 you know." One of them offered to help him down and Q replied "No thanks. That's too dangerous." So he found an alternate route to get down off the play structure and met up with the others on the ground. I kept my distance and let Q do his own thing at the park. He was always within eye and ear shot, but he is definitely old enough to do his own thing and make his own responsible decisions. Obviously he knows his comfort zone and had no problem expressing his uncertainty. Q is quite comfortable being his own person which I love, as do his parents.

Sloan was all smiles once I parked the car and she saw the playground. She climbed up and down most of the structure and went down every slide a million times. While she was swinging, Sloan tried to talk with a little girl about her age, but the other little girl just looked at her confused. I enjoy watching little ones who are finding their voice and new words converse and interact with one another. Sloan also did the balance beam that was a good 3 feet off the ground, by side stepping and hanging on to my arms. She did great! Ms. Angie has had such a huge impact of both kids' motor skills. Q was even doing the other balance beam and them shimmied across the hanging bar wit his hands! Although I am sure he sees that as more of a 'Jedi move.'

It was such a great day. I hope we are able to go back to this park again before the big move in a couple weeks :)

"The Cone of Shame"

Little Lyra got spayed on Wednesday. Poor girl is now summoned to our bedroom, segregated from the other two dogs, and allowed out of her kennel only for bathroom breaks and short individual play sessions. Oh wait, I can't forget the "Cone of Shame" (movie UP reference) to prevent her from licking the incision. She hates it! We were using the mussel on her, but didn't like how it was rubbing on her snout. Anyway, we will be keeping her on this regime until next Saturday. So for the next week our bedroom will smell like dog. Blaaaa!!!

Poor Lyra misses playing with Halo something fierce. Halo feels the same way to an extent. I believe she misses her play pal, but I KNOW she does not miss getting her facial wounds, causes by sharp puppy teeth, reopened. I don't miss that either! I am hoping Halo is able to heal over the next week. For now, the goings on around the house is like it was before Lyra came into our lives'. Halo does everything in her power to get Xena (always unwilling) to play with her... she talks, chases her tail and paws at Xena. Halo and Xena are also able to stay out of their kennels at night again. We don't have to worry about accidents or fighting since they are both way past that stage. Not to mention, I can relax when I get home instead of being on edge and constantly yelling "Stop" at Lyra because she is getting to rough with Halo. I have to admit, although the peace and quiet is nice, I do miss her spastic uncoordinated puppy behavior. Lyra brings an awful lot of laughter into the household. It wouldn't be the same without her.

Why?!

Sloan has finally learned and started asking repeatedly the oh so dreadful question "Why?" Now I am not saying I don't like children asking why, because I do. It is important to explain things to them so they understand things properly. I believe that is why Quinton is so smart. Between mom, dad and I, we have always answered his inquisitive questions over the years. Not only does he understand more than your average 4 year old, his vocabulary is quite high as well.

The part I don't like about "Why?" is that it is asked again and again and AGAIN!!! There are some days when you just can't give the correct explanation that will satisfy a little one. Normally, when Sloan asks "why" it is because she is not allowed to have snack yet, or take big brother Q to school. It always comes out when she isn't getting her way. And she WILL ask it again and again until her little stubborn rear gets what she wants... good thing I am just as stubborn!! :) I know this will change as she gets older and her vocabulary grows. Her simple "Why?" will turn into ones that need greater explanations. And when that time comes I hope she absorbs all the information she gets, just like her brother has and still does.

I will have to admit when Sloan asks "Why?" she gets this soft, slightly high pitched drawn out voice. "WhyyYYyyyyy?" I must say it is pretty darn cute! I so wish I could record it to post on here. Perhaps one of these days :)