This and that

Addie and I were reading a Little Mermaid book last night and we saw a picture of Aerial and Eric riding in a horse drawn carriage. She said that was kind of like what Santa rides in. Never thought about it, but I was amazed at her connection. We talked about how they were a little different, but in the end she said, that yes, that is kind of what Santa rides in. Amazed at her connection at the age of 3.

The Zach, age 6, and Nate, age 8, are taking care of the neighbors cats. I normally go with them but their sister has been sick so I sent them over on their own. Zach said, "Mom, we'll make sure not to disappoint you". I've been impressed with how well they have been doing it without me being with them. Good kids.

Job charts

We've done job charts off and on for a while. we've had our latest job chart since April and the boys are required to do their jobs every day. They are pretty simple and include cleaning their room, making their bed, pj's away, dishes in the sink, teeth brushed, etc. I'm also a mean mom and have included on our job chart things like reading for 20 minutes every day, homework, and exercise. If they don't have homework from school, I make them do something like flashcards or write in their journal. Every year for the last few years they get a composition notebook as one of their gifts for Christmas. That is the years journal. We aren't really good about it, but I try to get them to write five sentences in it when we are doing journals. I need to be better, but its a start.

Anyhow, we were shoveling sidewalks this morning and after they finished doing our sidewalks, Zach (age 6), asked if we can include service as one of their things on their job charts! So, part of it was that Nate helped the neighbors shovel their sidewalk on Christmas eve and they gave him a candy bar for everyone in our family to say thank you, but hey if he wants to do service I'm thrilled!

Cub scouts

After spending hours sewing on Cub Scout badges during the last three weeks I have to remind myself that, yes, I do want my son to succeed in scouts. I hate sewing and have had to do it by hand, but I'm getting much better at it. I originally ironed them on but they started falling off so now I've been sewing. It's a wonderful program and it's worth it with what they learn and get out of it. However, I think I should earn the sewing merit badge! Maybe we'll focus on belt loops for a while...

My Sweet Nathan

My sweet Nathan. He came home from a birthday party today with a big bag of candy which his brother and sister wanted him to share. He didn't share it right in the beginning but it was set aside where they played throughout the day. Around dinnertime he, all on his own without being asked by me or his siblings, decided to split it. He took four bowls out and divided all of his candy up and gave a bowl to me and his brother and sister. For an eight year old boy, I think it's pretty huge. He had a big bag of candy and only took 1/4 of it for himself. He's such a sweet kid and such a good example to his brother and sister. I went to the bank with Zach and Addie when Nathan was at his party and they got suckers, which they always do. They asked to get one for Nathan as well. Such sweet kids.

I keep telling myself that all our hard work is going to pay off in the end. It's what gets me through the day!

The "Inator"

Apparently my three year old daughter built an "inator" this morning in the family room with blankets and pillows. Apparently she has watched too much Phineas and Ferb with her brothers. She doesn't know what it does, but does know it's an "inator". She has bucket loads and bucket loads of personality.

Confessions of a Frugal Shopper

I have decided that, contrary to my family's belief, I'm not cheap, I'm frugal. I love to save money. In some cases, I have to save money. This is, in part, for my sanity's sake. I'm coming to terms with my obsession to save money, but it's hard. I just can't understand why you have to pay full price for most things. There are some things that I will spend full price on but it's just not very often.

I usually don't buy clothes for myself unless it's a really good deal and something that I need. Sadly most of the clothes that I own were either gifts or hand-me-downs from family or friends. I do, however, buy food. Lots of food. Sometimes too much food. Food storage is my security blanket. The thought of my family going hungry for a prolonged period of time terrifies me. So I buy lots of food. My boys actually have to share a room because I need a room for my food storage. I realize there is something wrong with me but when there is a major disaster and the grocery stores are empty I will be able to provide for my family.

So, I love food storage. Whenever there is a good price on something I will buy a few of them. I.e. recently chocolate chips were $1.25 which is a really good price so I bought 10 bags. That's just how I roll. Sadly, I look at things in people's grocery carts and I think to myself "Oh Honey! I could have gotten that at ___ price at this store". I saw someone donating food to the food bank and sadly I thought they could have gotten a similar product for much less recently. My latest was that I ran into a family member at a store recently and watched her put a loaf of bread that cost over $4.00 in her cart. It took all I could to not say that she could have gotten it at the bread store for 90 cents. I realize there is something wrong with me! I didn't say anything and thankfully she put the the loaf of bread back. It was a stark realization that people, probably lots of people, may actually buy loafs of bread that cost over $4.00. I'm still blown away by it. I was mad when the bread store raised their prices from 75 cents to 90 cents! My hope is that all my frugality will pay off in the end. I think it has already.