Little Swimmers Deal @ Babies R Us.

Alisa and I went today and got this great deal on Huggies Little Swimmers at Babies R Us. And it's just in time for summer! They are regularly priced at $8.49 a package. (price may vary in different locations) I purchased three packages and two small packages of wipes for $10.25!! It just can't get any better than that! You'll need these coupon for this deal:

Three $3/1 Huggies swimmers coupon (there is a limit of two coupon prints per computer)
One Babies R Us $5 off $25 purchase coupon
Two $1/1 Seventh Generation Coupons

On this deal you can omit Seventh Generation wipes if you don't want them. The checkers had a problem scanning the Babies R Us coupon but they just manually did it for us. And don't let them tell you diapers are not eligible!! Coupon does not specify.

Free DVD!!

https://store.mattel.com/transition.aspx?TransitionID=153

Click on link and get a FREE dvd!! Free shipping and all! While supplies last, 12-14 weeks for delivery.

Family Fun: April 4-5th

Here some stuff going on this weekend if u want to get the kids out and have some family fun. Some are in the Austin area while others are national, just have to find a store or participating location near you.

Saturday:
Kid's Workshop @ Home Depot : make a window bird house!
Great Easter Adventure @ Toys r us : Free Gift for kids!
Free Museum Admittance for BoA members
TEXPploration Bob Bullock Story time: Austin, TX
Wildfire Awareness Day @ Austin Nature & Science Center: Austin, Tx

Sunday:
Cedar Park Egg-Stravaganza @ Milburn Park  : Cedar Park, TX

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Myth

I just saw on the Doctors, that food does NOT have to cool down before you put it in frig or freezer. Apparently, it is a myth. They said that the sooner you put it in the frig or freezer, the less time it has to start growing stuff. Just thought I would share.

New and reset coupons!! HERE Time to snag all those great coupons for the month.

Cooking

Those of you who know me, know that I do not cook. If we have a nice meal, it was probably cooked by Michael. I try (sometimes) but I usually end up messing up, then getting discouraged. Or, if I actuallly do cook something nice, Michael either comes home late, had a big lunch and is not hungry, or has basketball that night, so can't eat. So, then I just get aggravated and don't cook again for weeks. Seriously, my kids live on whatever I can get them to eat, and I live off cereal and junk food, and I am not sure what Michael eats. (We do occasionally have tacos or spaghetti or something easy like that).

I have decided that my diet is out of control. I have no energy, and it is probably because of my lack of nurishment. I hardly eat, and when I do, it is not healthy. My kids deserve better. Michael deserves better. I deserve better.

With all of that said, I am looking for some great tips for evening meals. I am going to try to make meal plans, then shop accordingly. That way, I will have all the ingredients I need, and I do not have to think of what I want to cook everyday...it is already planned for me.

If any of you have ideas (besides the normal spaghetti, tacos, roast...) or a spin on those items, I would LOVE to hear them! I want to be better at this, but I don't want to get so stressed out about it.

Target Trip

I made 4 trips to 3 Targets today and 1 to Walgreens. Although I did save some money during the other trips, this was, by far the best! My total was $21.91...and YES, that is a Blu Ray copy of Bolt! So, I was pretty proud of this trip!!!

Check out sites on sidebar!!

Need tips on couponing?? Click on any of the buttons in the sidebar. They are FULL of tips, coupons and much more to make couponing just a little bit easier! They do all the work for you!

Looking for an adorable summer wardrobe for your little princess?

Check out this site

http://littlepeoplecouture.squarespace.com/

If you email her, let her know you heard about it from Happy Mommy!

Terrible Tantrums

What are some of your successes with tantrums? I have a pretty good handle on Tye's, but sometimes they are completely out of control. I try to put him in his room if he gets too loud and obnoxious, but then he throws toys at the door and wall (and we are in a rent house).

I have had small tantrums out in public, but nothing too over-the-top. So, I can be pro-active, what are some of your successes that you have had with extinguishing tantrums??

Freebies from Wags

Skintimate Shave Gel $2.99=$2.99RR
Final cost FREE!

Edge Infused/Energy Shaving Gel $3.59=$3.59RR
Final cost FREE!

If you are unfamiliar with RR (register rewards), they are like cash to be used towards your next purchase. So, you could purchase some of these items (sometimes there is a limit), then use the RR you get at the end of the trans to pay for any other items you may have...or save them for another day!

Couponing

Hi everyone!!

So, I have had some people ask me the "tricks" to this whole coupon thing. I love sharing all the things I have learned, but, frankly, I am bad at calling people. So, I have sent some emails, but I will start posting deals on here, also. If you have any questions, please email me and I can give you my phone number to call me. It is a lot of fun once you figure out what to do!

Natalie and Mary...feel free to make posts about your trips, also.

Anyone else that finds great deals, please share them!

Check out
http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/
http://hip2save.blogspot.com/
http://www.dealseekingmom.com/


These blogs have taught me everything I know. They post several times a day great deals in stores and on the internet. They have posts that you can go back and read if you are new to couponing, and you can email, or ask questions on the blogs, and they answer you back...it's great!

Happy couponing!

**and a plug for my sidebar ads...if you don't mind, take a second and click on them! Thank you!

Coupons

Mary, Natalie and I have been doing this coupon thing for a month or so, now, and I have to say it is really paying off...literally! How many times have you gone into Target and saved more than you spent...with a basketful?? Well, that happened to Mary the other day, and I have come really close! Our totals are cut just about in half. I have a stock pile of Huggies baby wipes (we know how expensive those are) and toothpaste and other toiletries. It is definitely worth the time and effort, which has gotten so much better a month into it. I just browse the computer in my downtime, and score lots of great deals and coupons! Feel free to email me (email on sidebar) if you want websites and pointers.

Baby Bjorn Potty Seat give-away

I don't enter many contests, but this one is for a really neat Baby Bjorn potty seat. Check out this blog (I also have it on the sidebar...Mommies With Cents) and see what she has to say about this potty seat!

A little warning would have been nice!

"The world is full of women blindsided by the unceasing demands of motherhood, still flabbergasted by how a job can be terrific and torcherous."

Anna Quindlen

Mothers everywhere, who are under the impression that things will get easier when:

a) your child sleeps through the night

b) your child can walk by him/herself

c) your child can feed himself

d)your child is potty trained

e)your child is in preschool

f) you child is in Kindergarten

g) your child has a hobby

h) your child can do homework on his/her own

i) your child is old enough to help out

I am here to burst your bubble. Lol. Motherhood gets easier in some regards and more difficult in others. It gets busier (chaffeur, anyone?), and dirtier (always have wet wipes with you, even for the 9 year old!), and crazier (starting with me). And I for one, 4 children later, am just as tired as ever. But I truly was among those that thought my reprieve would come as I checked each item off my to do list. That list just gets longer and longer, my friends.

So yeah, we may never escape chaos, but there is joy amidst that chaos. I think we become better at our calling as we go along... more efficient, more organized, more REALISTIC. With that comes confidence, and the ease to enjoy motherhood. Hence, we tend to laugh at ourselves more easily when we, say, try to put socks on our kid's hands instead of their feet. :)

So I'm here to set the record straight, it woulda been nice for somebody to have done so for me... The next time somebody catches you in a fluster and pauses to tell you "It gets easier, dear...", you may look back at them with an all knowing eye and be not deceived. Because they're not saying that your burden becomes any lighter, they're just saying that you learn to adapt.

Just one more reason to keep on keepin' on...

I got this from a friends blog and she was nice enough to let me share it.

Check this out!!

So, we hear "Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!"" It is everywhere, on the news, at our church's, in our communities. But, where to start?? I just found the EASIEST 3 month food storage supply, ever! Follow this link Food Storage Made Easy and look for the 3 month supply spreadsheet. Watch the tutorial, just a few min long, and super helpful!

Have fun!!

Back it up!

http://www.bloggled.com/

Back up your blog for FREE!! (for one any more costs) I think I would DIE if I somehow deleted or lost my blog. Especially since it has taken place of my journals and scrap books at the moment. So, I use bloggled to back it up and keep it stored in case of a horrible accident happening.

Just wanted to share...

Some good places I have been finding information, deals, and coupons...

http://hip2save.blogspot.com/

http://www.couponmom.com/

this one is a friend, not all she blogs is specifically for Cedar Park area...
http://cedarparkdeals.blogspot.com/

Please share your knowledge with us too...

So, we are off to a good start with this whole coupon thing. We have not had our first "meeting" (lol) yet, but, Mary and I got some HUGE deals today! I will not share the specifics, as they are already over, but I was thinking that when we do all find fantastic deals, share them with the rest of us so that we can benefit, also. There are a lot of "secret" coupons online!! Did any of you know that Target has webcoupons that you use in the store? Oh yeah, they do!!! And you can combine them with mfg coupons!!!!!!!

Share those great deals and happy shopping!

Helpful Hint...

So, Mary and I are trying out this whole coupon thing, so we are doing lots of research. One interesting tip I just found is that Target's coupon policy apparently allows you to use (1) Target coupon + (1) mfg coupon per item!!

Also, here is a tip for CVS...

Once you are ready to checkout always put your coupons in this order-
• First give them the 4/20 store coupon since your total could go lower then $20 after manufacturer and additional store coupons.

• Next give all your CVS product coupons

• Then give the manufacturers coupons

• Last give your Extra care Bucks

Save Save Save

I was just wondering what all you moms out there do to save money?

Recently I have been trying to make a few changes in effort to save. At the beginning of the year I stopped eating lunch out. We used to hit a kid friendly food place probably once a week. This has been surprisingly difficult.

Also, I am giving up my swifering. It's definitley more expensive, thanks to my husband for pointing out the actually cost per mopping, so I bought a mop and used it for the first time yesterday.

We used to leave our computer on 24/7 but now I make sure to turn it off every night and again surprisingly sometimes it doesn't come back on till after mid day. Unfortunetly that savings is hard to see.

And as Alisa mentioned we are going to start cutting coupons and watching sales. I think we are both on the fence about maybe doing the grocery game.

So, I am really interested!! What do you do? I could use some help and ideas in my efforts to save!

Hi fellow mommies!

I am trying the "ADSENSE" program thru google. If you are unfamiliar with the program, basically I get paid for putting ads on my blogs, if readers click on them. I will let you all know if it works and if it is something I would recommend. If the ads start to really bother you, please email me and let me know. (If several people are really annoyed, I will remove it. The LAST thing I want is for you to stop coming here because you are bothered by some ads...it's not worth it!) If you have a second, click on the ads...so I get paid! lol If it works well, and any of you start it, I will click on yours, too! So, happy clicking!

Great sites and giveaways!

Check out Coco Bonbons. It has adorable kids clothes that are really unique. They have a great sale going on right now! You can also visit Ladybug Soup for awesome giveways!

I am new to things like this, but I am going to try to start posting lots of great sites like this for great products and giveaways!

Mary, Natalie and I are also going to start clipping coupons and searching for great deals! We will share with all of you!

Lesson about love/service

I saw this on a blog the other day and I thought it was a cute idea. Since it's almost Valentine's day, I decided to use this idea in our Family Home Evening lesson last night. We read a couple of scripture verses about how God wants us to love one another and serve one another. Then we each took a turn standing on a red paper heart (I just used construction paper) while the rest of the family members each said something that they loved about that person. I also cut out some smaller paper hearts and put them in a basket. These hearts were to be used whenever one of us did something to love or serve another family member. For example, if you make up a family members bed for them, then you leave a paper heart behind. Or the hearts can be used to write or draw messages on for a family member. Anyway, it was a short, interactive lesson (which is so important for Lily) and went over well. Just thought I'd share.

Meals

What do all of you give your kids to eat? Especially the ones under 5. My kids eat pretty well, but I have to admit, I get lazy when it comes to meals. I do not have a good diet, I find it really hard to sit down and eat, so I find the easiest, fastest things I can. Tye loves peanut butter/ jelly sandwiches, and Kenadie loves chicken nuggets. So, that is what their lunches usually are, and supper is usually a pasta or rice dish. Do any of you have easy, healthy food ideas that you give your little ones??