10, 7, 4, 1, Is Lots of FUN!

I love how silly he is. If a bigger kid does it, he must copy them too. 

Take a picture Mom! Take a Picture! She matches her cast, and is hauling a bucket of rocks.
I love how determined she is to do things one handed. 

I love how determined he is to slow down and listen lately.
I also love his caring way he plays with his younger siblings.

I love seeing the person he is turning into. Even the hints of teenage-hood make me laugh.

Now for Something Completely Different!

Ta-da! Target!

This was a fun target trip! I haven't used a stack of coupons at Target in a looooong time. Most of my coupons were just printed off of Target's website, no where fancy or special.

I spent $37 at Target ( about $23.00 of that was Starbucks drinks for hubby, CRV for those, and 3 frozen meals, tax). With my remaining money I got:

Satin Care shave gel $.44 (used $.55 MQ) 

Aveeno hand lotion $1 each (used $3/2 coupon with $1 off Aveeno item -forgot my 2nd coupon in the car)

Hand Sanitizer $.50 each (used $.50 off Target Q x2)

Pantiliners $.39 each (used $.50 off Target Q x2)

Colgate $.49 (used $1.50 MQ, $1 Target Q)

Listerine $2.49 (on clearance and used $1.00 MQ)

A+D Red box $.39 (used $1.00 MQ, $2 Target Q)

A+D Blue Box $.99 (used $1.00 MQ, $2 Target Q)

Target Baby Wipes $1.07 each (used $.50 off any Target baby item)

Bic Razors $.99 (used $2 MQ)

Bathing Suit Top $2.49 (on clearance, used $2 off any swimsuit item)

Not too shabby! Receipt says I saved $21.05! 

Sort of Super Saving (Saturday) Sunday- Sort of

I kinda, sort of shopped this week for a few things. I'm trying to get a schedule going on what days we go to what store. I also am trying to make Friday the day I can hit up a few stores for good deals without the kids in tow. Best way to shop with kids? Leave them at home!

This is my freezer, full. The Tony pizzas were on sale at Stater Bros. for $.75, and I had a bunch of $1.00 off 2 coupons from the Vons frozen food coupon book and the paper. Total cost for each was $.25! They are good for school lunches, since the cafeteria lady likes to go on strike some days. The french fries I buy 5lb bags at Superior for $2.50. I can do frozen fries when they are that price (usually I cut my own)! The Boston market meals are pretty much the only thing my hubby likes for lunch, and they are cheaper then eating out.

The apples were $2.77 for 5lbs, and the oranges were $.25 a lb. Not pictured here are the 5 lbs of grapes that got eaten as soon as they came in the door.

The Danonino yogurts were $.99 after my $1 coupon, the little pies were on sale for $.33 each, and the cheese, eggs and milk were free thanks to the State of CA. The pink pitcher is Strawberry Lemonaid from Costco, my absolute favorite thing to drink.

This was my naughty purchase, on clearance for $40. It even came with LID HOLDERS! How awesome is that? And it came with spoons too! We have company for dinner a lot, not to mention birthday parties, baby showers, etc, so it will be well used. I blame it on my sister. Or Doorbuster. The containers next to it are my flour and bread flour containers I recycled.

That was pretty much my week in shopping! This next week I am going to have to break my rule of not paying over $2 a lb for meat, it seems like all the prices have gone way up.

What's in the bag?

I used to carry a diaper bag and a purse. Then after almost loosing the purse several times, and needing my hands free, I started cramming everything in the diaper bag. Now with 4 kids, it's more a Mommy bag then anything else. So as I was cleaning all the bits of stickers out and restocking my bag for another week, I figured I would share with you what I carry around in my "diaper" bag.

I have a skip hop diaper bag which I LOVE. It has straps on the sides so I can strap it to the handle of my stroller so I can cram water bottles and jackets in the basket of the stroller.

Bradley gets a change of clothes, a bib, a bowl of snacks, and the diaper changing pod. It has 2 diapers, wipes and a changing pad. I like that it keeps everything together.

My stuff- wallet, coupons, Advil (don't leave home without it!), chapstick and hand sanitizer.

Then the other stuff that I cram in the pockets, extra diapers, a mini first aid kit (for parkday scrapes and ouchies), baby powder, baby lotion, sunblock stick, Daredevil's medical ID, a folding hairbrush (with a rubber band inside), drink packets, baby Tylenol (in a pinch the older kids could have some).

Even more stuff- crayons (very handy in the doctor's office), cars for Doorbuster, trash bags for dirty stuff/diapers/throw up, a Mario Yatzee game (I should probably take it out of the cube), and a handwashing button that blinks lights and plays "If you're happy and you know it". Don't you carry around a handwashing button where you go?

Not pictured- one receiving blanket I keep tucked in the back pocket in case I need an extra blanket, or for changing diapers in really disgusting places.

You'd be surprised to know all this stuff has come in handy in our various adventures!

To the People of Walmart, I Am Sorry

No, I'm talking about the People of Walmart, I'm talking to the people in Walmart this morning, specifically the shampoo isle.

You see, this morning is P.E. class, and I woke up a half hour late, which means I only had enough time to get the kids up, fed, and dressed. With Princess' broken arm, I had to get her dressed, and do her hair (she follows me around insisting it needs to be done, and she needs her spray, and then she needs a hairtie, which she lost and has to find), and then change Doorbuster's diaper twice. There was no time for me to take a shower or get dressed, so I left the house in my pajamas. I at least got to brush my hair in the car at PE class so I felt a smidge together.

Of course, halfway through PE class Princess has to potty and the bathrooms are locked. There's no place to go close enough to use a potty and make it back in a half an hour. Plus, Princess takes FOREVER to use the potty.

Did I mention the day before? If Doorbuster wasn't crying, Princess was crying. Daredevil was going out of his way to steal everything he could from her, and she wanted everything Daredevil had. It was fight, fight, fight, whine, whine, whine, from the time they woke up to the time they went to bed. I got a break while we ran errands, but as soon as we got home, the grumpies were back in full force. It didn't matter what it was, they fought over it, screamed over it, and the toy time out is now a large box in my room due to all the stuff I have taken away.

Back to PE class- afterwards I had to stop at walmart for ink. Both my black ink and color ink needed a new cartridge. Genius also needed a new toothbrush, which ended up in everyone getting new toothbrushes. You must understand that buying toothbrushes involves much picking and choosing between colors and cartoon characters and taking up the entire isle. And lots of "Look, MOM! MOM! Mom, MOM! LOOOK! LOOOOK AT THIS! LOOK MOM! MOM, MOM! Look." Yes, I looked. I oooed over the pink one, I admired the fact that there were two pink ones. You'd never believe it, but there was a green one right next to it. Yes, that's the same toothbrush you have at home, and look, it's the same one you had 6 months ago! Wow, what an amazing toothbrush.

Finally, everyone has picked and I figure that I'll check the next isle, since I have a bunch of coupons expiring that I wanted to use up on a few free things. I get to the travel size stuff and match up what I have when it starts again, "Look Mom! Look! Look at this! MOM! MOM". I do the usual "Ohhh yes, that's cool. OOO that's neat". And the child keeps going with "MOM, MOM LOOOOK!". I have to admit, I was D.O.N.E. "YES. I. SEE. IT. IT'S. THE. SAME. BOTTLE. I. JUST. BOUGHT. YOU. NOW PLEASE STOP. I'm NOT buying you ANOTHER one."

So, to the people of walmart, I will usually listen to my kids and there Look-looks. I'm happy to see their look-looks because most of the time they are showing me something that is neat, or something they made and they are proud of. But at that moment when I am being told to look-look at every single item that Walmart stocks in the shampoo isle, I'm so done look-looking.

(And while writing this, I've broken up 2 fights, taken away a set of keys that were being fought over, said no it's not time to go yet at least 15 times, and sent two kids to their rooms. I deserve hazard pay!).

Wordless Wednesday

Super Saving....Tuesday?

I'm going to get a cape with an SS on it and wear it when I go out shopping. I'm sure it wont gather any more attention then I already do with my gaggle of children during school hours.

I take full advantage of Daredevil being at tutoring to go to Rite Aid. Here's today's haul. Not super-duper-OMG I got so much stuff for free, but I saved a lot. In honor of spring, here's my new deal model.

2 packs of Huggies wipe refills- $6.00 each (B1G1 50%off, used 2 $1.00 coupons)
5 packs of Huggies Diapers- $4.69 each ($8.99 each, $10 UP wyb $40 select products, used 2 $2.00 off & 3 $2.50 off coupons)
Veet- Free + .50 money maker ($6.49, used $3 coupon + $3 Rite Aid coupon + Got $1 UP back)
 Reach Toothbrush- Free ($2.99 with $2 UP, used $1 coupon)
Old Spice Wash & Deodorant- $1.50 each (2/$7.00, got $1 UP wyb2, used B1G1 Free coupon)


Saved $34.00 in coupons & UP rewards
Total OOP- $45.83, Recieved $14 in UPs for next time (plus a survey coupon)
(It also rolled over what I spent over the $40 in diapers for another $10 when you spend $40)

Our "Stay-cation"

I wanted to get out of the house and go someplace so we went to the Griffith Observatory. It was a great trip! The kids had a lot of fun looking at everything, and I'm sure they learned lots too. I think I narrated all of the signs to the entire museum. If you haven't been and you have the opportunity to go, GO! It's FREE!

If you are taking kids to the Griffith Observatory, be prepared to take a good sturdy stroller and wear tennis shoes! There is only about 30 parking spaces in front of the observatory, if it is full, you park on the streets in and around the hills. Check the top parking first, even if the sign says it is full, it's really worth checking to see if there isn't a space open or someone leaving. If you do have to walk up the hill, there is no sidewalk for parts of it. It's probably best to make sure all little ones are securely attached to someone who will make sure they don't get ran over, or pushed down a hill. I'd also recommended if you've parked far, take your water or snacks in the stroller or backpack with you.

The view from the top. 

The Observatory has no food or drink allowed inside, but if you bring a picnic in your car there is plenty of space on the grass to enjoy it. They also have a "Cafe at the End of the Universe". It serves some kind of food they cook up for you, drinks, and lots of Sun Chips. There's inside and outside seating. While we were there, we ate our snack on the outside terrace area, and enjoyed watching the joggers, birds, and helicopters go by.

The Griffith Observatory is three levels; roof, main building, and basement. There are lots of stairs. There is an elevator that goes to all floors, but there are some areas that are raised a step or two. It was pretty easy to lift the stroller up the few steps (I even dragged it up one flight of stairs). The ramps are pretty well marked to show you where to go (for strollers or handicapped).

The main level has exhibits on the sun, the way people viewed space in ancient times, a pendulum clock, and exhibits on why the Observatory was placed here, and information on the telescopes they have. If you have littles who can't read, you will be doing lots of narrating. You'll also do quite a bit of lifting up so they can see in the windows of the displays. I wasn't worried about them touching things though, but it's a far cry from a hands-on children's museum. Genius though, could of taken all day reading everything he saw. I know I learned a lot just reading bits and pieces to the kids.

You must watch them work the Tesla Machine. It is really cool! It gathers quite the crowd. The kids absolutely loved it.

The roof houses the large telescope, and some solar reflective thing that powers it. It also gives a lot of nice views. Genius took lots of pictures so he has lots to choose from when it comes time for the fair. It's also a nice place to stretch your legs if your mean Mom confined you to a stroller for a long period of time. The telescope is open at dusk, or 7:00pm. Get there early to avoid the line.

Walking from the Main level down to the basement is a big hall that has a timeline from the big bang to current time. It's all made of jewelry that a lady collected and donated. There are some interesting pieces. Princess liked looking at them all.

They have a few shows you can see in the planetarium. You must be 5 or older to watch the shows (except for the first one of the day). The shows last 35 minuets. They do ask your kids ages when you buy tickets. I wouldn't recommended taking those under 5, it can be scary for them.

While Hubby, Genius and Daredevil watched the show Centered in the Universe, I took the younger two out on the grass to run off some energy. It was kind of chilly and windy, so brining a change of clothes for cooler weather would of been smart. I told everyone to wear shorts, which I regretted. Next time we will wear pants!

The basement has a solar system model with all the planets and lots of information about them. If your kids go crazy for telescopes, there's a whole bunch of free ones to look from the top down to the bottom.

Gotta check facebook! 

If you are planning on taking pictures and uploading them to facebook, you'll have to do it from the roof, or out front. Inside cellphones don't work.

It was a very fun trip, and we can't wait to go back again! Though next time, we will be a bit better prepared so we can spend the entire day and evening there. This trip lasted us about 5 hours.

Let's go that way!

Sort-of Super Saving Saturday

The Rite Aid deals haven't been inspiring so far, so I'm planing to go later in the week. Today I went to Super Walmart & Super Target.

At Walmart:
(Not Pictured- 5lbs of apples for $3.77, 3 snap containers for $2.50, and a ream of paper for $2.77)

Found all of their Geranimals sweat pants and shirts marked down to $1.00, so I bought 2 pairs of 24 month, 1 3T and 1 4T. The trashcans will be used for Breadflour storage, and the other for storage of something (probably regular flour? not sure yet), they were on clearance for $4.50.

Super Target:

Huge box of diapers- $29.99
Huge box of Wipes- $11.99
Used $2.00 off pampers coupon, $1.00 off pampers wipes coupon, and $7.00 off Target coupon WYB 96+ diapers and 480 wipes. So bought the diapers and got the wipes for $2.99. Not an awesome out of this world deal, but I try to never buy diapers without a coupon, and these coupons were going to expire.

Last weeks Target Trip: $.65!

4 veggies at $.74 each, (.99 each, used $1 off 4 coupon)
Pantyliners- $.14 ($.84, used .75 off coupon)
Right Guard $1.25 each ($2.50 each, used B1G1 free)
Satin Care $.44 ($.99, used $.55 coupon)
Excedrin Free +.41 moneymaker (used $3.00 target coupon, $1.00 manufacturer coupon)

Total was $5.65. Used $5.00 gift card from Glad promotion, paid $.65 out of pocket.

And my mailbox surprise:

A free bottle from the Tide Facebook giveaway. They actually mailed a bottle of stain release. I thought they would mail a coupon. It also had a detergent sample too.

St Patty's Day FUN!

What's the funnest thing you could possibly do for St Patty's Day? Go to the Doctor and get your broken arm looked at! Princess had an appointment with the Orthopedic doctor, where they took xrays of her arm and deemed it healing perfectly. The appointment went downhill when he looked at her cast and decided it was too big, and she needed a new one (I think her arm just went down in swelling, you could fit a hand down in her cast). When the nurse brought in the saw to cut it open, Princess got a little worried. They cut the sides of the cast, but when she got out the scissors and started cutting around the top, Princess started to yell, "Don't kill me! I don't want to die." I'm such a good mom because I started cracking up along with the nurse, who said she's never heard anyone say that before. For scissors! There was much yelling and crying when they cleaned around the pins in her arms (it gives me the heebie-jeebies, there are pins sticking out of her arm. UGH), and then they re casted it. Pink again, of course. She's now fine, and doing great, and we go back in two weeks to have them take the pins out. I have the feeling that will take more then a slurpy bribe. 

Bye Bye cast number 1!

So to make up for that "fun" we walked (I walked, the kids scooted and rode) to go get some pizza. It takes the same amount of time to drive and wait for parking as it does to walk. I was really surprised Princess managed to ride there and back. The last time we rode someplace, I ended up carrying her bike (not the tricycle, her bike) the mile home, while she cried that she had to walk. I did bring a bungee cord so I could pull the tricycle back if I had too. 

This stroller is perfect for Pizza

She wont let her broken arm slow her down! 

Then we spent the rest of the evening watching movies, eating pizza, and playing video games. It was a perfect ending to our busy day.

4 Moms, 35 kids- Breadmaking

I'm linking up over at Common Room, Life in a Shoe, Raising Olives and Smockity Frocks and sharing bread making recipes.

I'm not a bread making expert at all. I don't have any patience for things that take a long time, or need my constant attention. I have 4 little ones and lots of things that need to be done in a day. So I'm introducing my assistant in the kitchen, Breadman. Three cheers for Breadman!

Breadman is my handy dandy everything in one maker. He cooks! He bakes! He mixes! He beeps really, really loudly to demand my attention when the dough needs checking. I can hear the beep above the noise I hear around the house. He was well worth the splurge I spent on him (I did get him on clearance, but it was still a bit of money).

The best part of making my own bread & rolls is not needing to buy rolls at the store. I'm sure if I planned out my meals a little more, I would know I'd need to buy 3 cans of Cinnamon rolls, 2 biscuits and a croissant. With the bread machine, I just keep my staples supplied (buying bulk from Costco), and it's easy to whip up my own rolls and treats. Plus, as the kids get bigger they eat more, and I can make HUGE batches of dough and breads in this machine for pennies apiece. It's already paid for itself in savings.

I've also learned that yeast is temperamental and you have to make sure the water is the right temperature! Most of my bread making fails have been related to the water/milk being too hot or too cold.

My Grandma taught me to grease the pans with the stick butter wrappers to save money. I save my wrappers in a baggie in the fridge for when a pan needs greasing.

Enough rambling, onto the recipes! I don't have any spectacular recipes of my own, but here are our favorites.

Money Saving Mom's Cinnamon Rolls
Can be found here

Dough:
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm milk
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 egg, lightly beaten plus 2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups flour (Add a bit more if dough seems too wet after first few minutes of kneading in the bread machine.)
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons bread machine yeast

Filling (I always double this)
2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Icing:
1 teaspoon milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons (or less) butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Put the dough ingredients in the bread machine in the order listed and run on the dough cycle. After the dough cycle is finished, roll the dough into a large rectangle and spread it with 2 Tablespoons melted butter and 2/3 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 Tablespoon cinnamon.

Roll up and cut into 10-15 rolls (I use floss to cut it) and place in two greased round cake pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until browned. Spread the icing on as soon as they come out of the oven.

You can also cover the unbaked rolls with plastic wrap, stick them in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake in the morning.

Carmel Pecan Rolls

I use the same dough as above, but when I make the filling I add in chopped Pecans, and on the bottom of the pan I put in 1/3 C brown sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, 2 tablespoons corn syrup, and 1/4 cup pecans. Then put the rolls on top and bake following the same directions. When you take it out of the oven, flip the pan over on a plate and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. 

Bread Machine Buttery Rolls

From Money Saving Mom

1 cup warm milk (70-80 degrees)

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup sugar 

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups flour 

2 1/4 teaspoon active dry yeast

Add ingredients in the order list to your bread machine. Run on dough cycle. When dough is complete, divide into 20-24 portions and shape into balls.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 15 minutes. Bake at 375 degrees for 13-16 minutes until golden brown.

A new favorite around here has been Honey Buttermilk Bread:

2 teaspoons yeast
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup buttermilk
3 teaspoons margarine
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup water 

Measure all ingredients into machine according to manufacturer's
directions. Push start. Makes 1 1/2 lb loaf

This recipe yields 1 loaf.

For Rolls:  Bake at 375 for 20-25 min

Works-For-Me Wednesday- Towels

I haven't done a Works-For-Me Wednesday in a while, and I have wanted to share our way of organizing towels.

Our bathrooms are all tile and don't have towel racks, so every time someone (especially the kids) would take a shower, the towels would end up wet and on the floor, crumpled under the beds, etc. I was doing load after load of towels every time someone took a shower. I finally caved and told hubby that I guess we would just drill into the tile and put in some towel racks. We rent this house, and while I know it would look good and I doubt they would mind, I was still on the fence.

Until it was decided that hooks, and some elastic, would solve the problem one and for all!

I sewed an inch long piece of elastic in the middle of one side of the towel. We put three hooks on the back of the door. The elastic makes it very easy for them to hang their towels (and they don't fall off when the door opens and closes). Each kid has their own color, so it's really easy to tell who left their towel in a place it shouldn't be.

I even took it a step further and did it to hubby's and my towel. I used the stick on scotch hooks, so the tile wouldn't be damaged.

I now have elastic on all our towels to make it very easy for everyone.

Super Target Fun!

I got an afternoon of kid free time (aside from doing Rite Aid), I wanted to check my frozen food coupons to the prices at Target, and also wanted to check out the Glade deal. Super Target is also really big, so there is lots of isles to go up, and down, and up, and down. With no kids, I take full advantage of walking every single isle.

Cotton balls- $2.00 (used a .50 off coupon)
Meat Thermometer- $10 (on clearance for 50% off, and the basic ones were $8, so I bought it)
Eggo Waffles- $1.45 each (2/$4, used 2 $.55 off coupons)
Jimmy Dean- $1.59 (used $1/1 from Vons frozen food book)
4 Steamfresh Veggies- $.50 each (used $1/2 from Vons Book)
Renuzit Air Fresheners- $.44 each (used buy 3/3 free from 3/13)
Glade $.90 each- (On sale $2.50 each, $5 giftcard wyb 5, used 2 $1.50/2 coupons)

Saved a total of $25.24

Then came home, refreshed and ready to play with these guys:

Riding the Pink Princess Scooter