Short and Sweet - Pre-Thanksgiving finds

I realized recently that I haven't posted in a pretty long time.  It's been even longer since I've actually posted about my two amazing little boys and how busy they keep me.  That can wait for now... for a time when my eyes aren't drooping and I'm not doing three others things at the same time I type this.

Kmart had one of their double coupon deals going on that ended today.  (I will post more about Kmart later as well)  I went in to pick up a few things before the sale ended.  To my surprise, everything I wanted was stocked and I didn't have to fight anyone to get to it.  I was able to pick up 12 packages of Nesquik Chocolate Milk mix, and 5 Coffee Mate coffee creamers all without paying a penny out the door.  (the picture doesn't match the number that I got because I gave some away before I got home)

Then Aco Hardware was having their Pre-Thanksgiving sale today.  They had 9 roll Charmin toilet paper on sale  for $4.44.  Normally not the best deal, but my local grocery store had a coupon machine in the store last week printing $2/1 Charmin product coupons.  I snatched up a lot of them because a coupon for that high value doesn't come along very often.  So with my nice coupons on top of their deal I was able to get a pretty good price on toilet paper.  So while everyone else's carts in the store were filled with things like heaters and appliances, I was the only crazy one with a cart full of toilet paper!  I walked out paying $2.44 per pack, really it's not the best deal I could have gotten, but we go through a lot of paper products in this house, so until a better deal comes along, I need to keep up with my family! (again, i gave some of this away before I got home too)

Thanksgiving on a budget

Kroger has some really great sales for their Mega 10 events.  They are something to watch for when you are a couponer because some of the prices are worth stocking up on.  This week, I went to the store with Thanksgiving in mind in hopes that I could get a good start on our thanksgiving meal (plus some) for a price anyone can afford.

I was able to get 4 jars of gravy, 11 cans of veggies, 8 cans of cooking soup, 5 cans of chicken broth, 4 cans of cranberry, 5 boxes of stuffing, 3 boxes of hot chocolate, and 8 packages of breath right nasal strips today for only $15.60 after sales and coupons.  My beginning total was over $70.00.  Thanks enough food to get a good start on thanksgiving sides for three families all for less than the cost that it would cost one family.

Toilet troubles

It's a very scary sound when you hear the toilet flush and the only people in the house are you and a two year old.

See, the problem is, if he sticks something in the toilet that is large... a toy, a soda can (it has happened), or a piece of clothing (yep, that's happened too)... it's not too much of an issue, just a bit of a mess to clean up.  If he sticks something small in there... momma's chap stick, a sock, or his breakfast... it's much more flustering because I have no idea if there really was something in there and we've just lost it forever or if there really was nothing in there and he just did it to hear the toilet flush.

And forget trying to get him to tell you what he put in there because he will just smile at you and go find some other fun object to put down the toilet.

Life with a toddler... there should be a warning label.

Project: Organize - Day 2

Today we moved my stockpile.  Talk about a job, considering I was doing it all alone.  I had it all store in my son's bedroom walk-in closet until yesterday when we decided to convert the closet into a built in bunk bed.  My boys are thrilled, and I cannot wait to have this unique bed added to my house.

My boys have a very long and narrow room, so removing the two twin beds and building the bunk in the closet will make a lot of extra room for them to play.

My stockpile before, we are building bunk beds in half of the closet, and the other half we are turning into a storage closet accessed from right outside the bedroom.  I am so excited about this project.

 Temporary stockpile location after.  I refuse to let these items stay in my kitchen for long, did I mention this is only half of it?  I still have to find a spot to store all of the shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, etc.

 The boys room now.  Ryder doesn't sleep in there yet, but he will very soon.

This is my inspiration.  Hopefully in the end we will have something like this and a very large space for my boys to run and make messes in. 

Favorite Thing Friday

My favorite thing this week is my back yard.  I'm so blessed to have found a house in the country (but also a mile away from town) that has the most amazing yard.  I can honestly tell you right now that I bought this house for the yard first.  I took this picture last night.  I promise you, these six deer are no more than 30 feet off my back deck.  How peaceful is it to sit and watch deer eat apples in your backyard?