woohoo for resale shops!!

So, unintentionally I began Christmas shopping.

I bought a Monopoly baseball boardgame (in excellent condition) for $8.99. At Toys R Us last Christmas, it was $40.

I bought some Geronimo Stilton (kids) books, like new, for $1.50 each.

I bought a Baby Gund plush first purse set for $2.99; at the Learning Shop it's $15!!

I bought a Lands End sweater, tags still on, for $9. And kid's Gap jeans new with tags for $7.50.

The resale shop also had school desks, which I so wanted to buy. $10-$18 each! But I didn't think they'd fit in my car.

I need to do some more shopping!! I love resale! Off to a Rummage Sale listing tons of great stuff--they have American Girl clothes!!

Our baby tornado

I think it's funny my dear friend just did similar posts, because I've had this one saved and have been meaning to post for some time! : )

I get into everything. I mean EVERYTHING.

I particularly love going under the kitchen table, which makes Mom frustrated, knowing I'm going to cry when I'm all the way under because I hit my head when I stand up. Or I try to eat what's under the table. Mom asks me why I eat everything but food. I guess I don't really know why...that bright play doh looks so fun and like it will taste so good!

I climbed up the stairs the other week. No big deal. Mom said she almost had a heart attack. So now Mom & Dad put up a gate so I can't do it anymore. Boo on them.

I love crumpling and ripping papers. Doesn't matter if they are important!!

I wave at everyone.

The scrunch face is a big hit.

I can say Mama, Dada, uh-oh. I say this "boom boom" word, too. Guess I'm just making stuff up.

I love playing the piano. I can just reach the keys by myself!

I just started eating cheerios by myself. I'm not really into this "people" food thing, and I don't really care for veggies, either.

I don't like to sleep. I enjoy waking Mom & Dad up at night. You know, I might miss something!! My crib just got set up. I slept downstairs for a couple days, then I just got moved upstairs...my very own crib in a bedroom with Maddie. I still don't like to sleep, though.

I can stand for a pretty long time, all by myself. But then I fall on my bum and crawl to what I want. Walking seems like a lot of work!

school days

back to school! The kids started last week already. And they are LOVING it. Anyone else find it odd that my kids are coming home and doing homework without being asked? Oh, and some of it isn't due for a week?!?!? I'm so glad they are loving it!

Kaycey joined the cross country team. She is already running over 2 miles, no problem! Cal starts soccer practice tomorrow. I'm so glad this school has so much to offer. We also found out yesterday that Cal made one of the select club baseball teams that he tried out for. It's exciting, but it means lots more time playing baseball and being on the road for tournaments next year! They start practice in January already! We're not so sure what to do with Maddie...dance or gymnastics. She is definitely going to do swimming, seeing as she spent so much of her summer in a pool, often doing front flips into the pool, any pool. Off ladders, diving boards, etc...yeah, I think she needs to officially know how to swim, that little daredevil!

First day.

what's the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz?

Well this, for one...

That has a home in our tree in front of our house. How we didn't notice it before it got as big as a beach ball is beyond me!!

And this little baby...who is so NOT little anymore!! In fact she is 19 lbs, 10 oz. That's a chunky monkey :) She is a monster...crawling, into everything, standing, crawling some more...

(uh don't mind the dust on my kitchen floor...it's been hard to do much of anything since Sadie is mobile!!) Poor baby isn't feeling so good this week...she has whatever nasty cold I've been trying to get rid of, and she is getting her top four front teeth at once!

OFFICIAL STINKER! Who, me???

Party planning is underway to celebrate Kaycey being cancer free for nearly five years! It's gonna be big! I don't know how I'm going to get everything done...so little time and SO, so, so much to do!

At the end of July we went to Hollandfest, in Mike's hometown. The kids dress up in costume and scrub the streets. Even Sadie got in on it.

Cal & Kaycey didn't want to dress up, but everyone still had fun. Lots of treats and rides! After the fest, we went back to Grandma & Grandpa's for pizza, snacks, and four wheeling.

Cal & Kaycey on the four wheeler

Cal's off to camp for a whole week this year!! Kaycey is officially in charge of his pets, Franklin and Carlos (a tiny turtle and a beta fish...and by the way Kaycey has a little gecko lizard named Skeeter.) SO here they are, right before Cal and I left to go to camp (144 miles away!!!)

We've been on the go, swimming tons, hanging with friends, and having way too much fun. Can't believe school starts in just over two weeks!!

Brainstorming....

I am looking for fun, crafty, creative ideas...thinking possibly carnival themed. Tons of kids involved. Curious yet?? I'm picturing tents, cotton candy, a bouncy house, a lemonade stand, popcorn, peanuts, candy table...I see bright colors, fun banners, and tulle. This is going to be HUGE : ) But have to do this on a budget. Ideas WELCOME!!!! Especially on how to do all this fun stuff on a BUDGET.

(taken from Dear Lizzy blog...but this is just the start of what I'm thinking...)