Guitar

I decided that one day I am going to get Brandon a really nice guitar. He is completely self taught and loves to play whenever he has free time. I admire his love and appreciation for music. As you can see both rug rats gravitate towards their Daddy as soon as he began to stroke the guitar strings. Issy wants to learn to play and baby Jax sat there quietly just trying to figure out figure out what was making all that beautiful noise.

My lil' Professor

Big Time Saving

A couple of months ago a friend of mine intruduced me to this thing called "coupon shopping". Like most poeple I never thought about using coupons in the past, and on the rare instance that I had used my one or two coupons during my grocery trips I never noticed a big enough discount to make the whole coupon clipping worth while. After getting more information and hearing just how much she was saving each week, I had to try it. I did- This past week for example I went to Albertsons- I purchased $302 worth of groceries and walked away paying only........$117 with TAX. Wow. I have only started using coupons since June 1, 2009 and I even though I still make mistakes, I am saving a ton of money.

Lucky for you folks my amazing friend Ali has been bombarded enough with questions from people wanting to learn more, that she started her own blog to help others get started. Check it out--> start.

10- Capri suns

3-Gal of Milk

15- Powerades (I got 5 Free)

4-Culinary Circle Pizza's

3- 2 liter Sprites (Free)

1-Sunkins (Free)

6- Mac & Cheese Cups

8-Mac & Cheese Dinner Boxes

4- Kraft Pasta's

3- Crystal Lights To Go

8- Air Wick Aerosol Cans (4 were Free)

9- Taco Bell Refried Beans

4-Taco Bell Shells

2-Taco Bell Sauces

2- Hersey's Ice Cream Topping

1- Heinz Steak Sauce

10- Smart One's Entrees

2- Bagel Bites Pkgs

1-Similac Formula (No Coupon-but we have to feed the baby :~)

3-Carnation Instant Bkfts

2- 4 Cinnamon Rolls (Got One Free)

1-Rigatoni Pasta Pkg

9- Hamburger Helper Dinners

1- Mr. Clean (Not on sale but it was a Must)

The Training Wheels Come Off...

The training wheels finally came off! I know she is almost six but this is the second bike I have ran over so it wasn't so much that we didn't want to take them off and teach her how to ride on her own- its more like she didn't have a bike to learn on...ha ha.

Issy was so excited about this new experience so Brandon took her to the gas station to put some air in her back tire. When they came back, I had camera on had, helmet ready. Issy was so excited...then the back tire was flat again. What the heck? No, the back tired didn't need more air, it needs to be replaced. We were so close.



To Be Continued....

The Sandbox

I finally got around to uploading the pictures of the sandbox we built this past weekend. As you can see its nothing fancy, but the kids love it and it keeps them busy for hours. The sand was definitely the most expensive part. We bought 10- 50 lb bags of sand and it wasn't nearly enough for ours. Now that we have had it in our back yard for a few days, we are finding sand everywhere. We are going to need to buy more and keep replenishing the box each year. It can get a little messy.

In case you plan on making or buying your own sandbox make sure that you also a cover for it. The last thing you want is to turn your back yard into the neighborhood cat haven. Yuck!

the restlessness continues...

I know my husband is hating me right now, but I can't shake this restlessness off. Today I got up way early. For those who know me, this is a huge deal, as I am not a morning person....I do not like to wake up early especially on Saturdays. Today however I was up before 7:45 am. Yes, I know its not super early but for this night owl, it really is.

I guess there is a first time for everything...

Once we got up, had breakfast we decided to make a stop at Lowe's. I love home improvement stores, I love tools, I love to build things...well, I love it when Brandon builds me things. I'd like to think that I am just the one with the good ideas. lol.
Anyway, we picked up some wood and supplies to build the kids a sandbox. Its certainly nothing fancy but its bigger than most I have seen around town and MUCH more economical. The most expensive part of this project was definitely the sand bags at almost $4 per bag. The best part was working on this little project of ours as a family. Issy loved it! Before long she was building castles, and digging up her skeleton T-Rex and just having the time of her life. I had to make her come inside when it started raining, otherwise she would have kept playing. My husband is a keeper!

Blocks

I love these kids...who would have known that a set of new blocks would bring them together?

What I have been up to...

I have been a little restless the last couple of weeks so I decided to pull out my "box of crafts" and see what I could come up with. Earlier in the day Brody, our crazy Bull Mastiff destroyed one of Isabel's aprons while playing in her room, so I decided to make her a new one. I am not very good at this stuff, but I love it and I keep trying. Keep in mind that the only sewing skills I have come from half of a semester of Home-EC that I took many, many moons ago.

Yes, I know its ghetto but I don't know how to read apron patters (I never got that far..lol) so I decided that I wasn't going to waste $2.50 on a pattern now...so just made my own. It totally worked!

I love this retro fabric...it's so cute!
Although Issy doesn't look very happy in this particular picture she wouldn't take it off!

6 Months

Jackson had his 6 month Get Well Baby Check up this morning. He had to get 3 shots on the thigh, and the fourth was given to him orally. Issy had to step out of the room when the nurse came in to give Jax his shots, she said "I don't want to freak out again". Poor thing is still traumatized from the first appointment she had to go to with him.

There was very little crying on Jackson's part this time, once he found his thumb of course! Even with water filled eyes, he was back to smiling within a few minutes. What a little trooper! Once again are happy to report that the little guy is doing very well.

Stats:

Weight : 21.5 lbs. 95% percent.

Height: 28 inches. 90% percent.

Head Circumference: 43.5. 40% Percent.

Welcome to this world...Bella!

Happy Birthday Baby Bella!

June 4, 2009 at 12:53 pm- Weighing 6 lbs. 7 oz.

I was invited to be there for the birth and it was truly an incredible experience. Everything went really well, my "little" sister and her baby are doing very well.

We are so excited!

Isabel has been looking forward to having a baby girl to play with.

Look at this sweet little girl.

Grandma holding two out our her three Grand kids.
To think that we were just here six months ago....Wow!

Happy Half Birthday!!!

We didn't do anything special today so I wanted to write some of the amazing things that have been going on lately. I can't believe this little guy is six months old already. Everyday I am snapping pictures like the paparazzi, holding him and kissing him more than he may like- I just hate how fast the last six months have just flown by.

Dear Jax:

Happy half birthday buddy! You are a true joy to have and we feel so blessed to have you. The last several weeks have been extraordinary for you. You have gone through another little grow spur and hitting some new milestones- its quite fascinating. One day you started reaching for your bottle, now you are practically holding it. The next day it seemed like you reached a little further and found your toes. These days you wont let them go! We giggle when we see you do this, and it seems like it only makes you want to keep doing it.

You have an excellent eye for jewelry, and will reach for only the pretty pieces- especially Sissy's Fancy Nancy earrings and necklaces! She doesn't seem to mind, but when you do that she starts putting clips in your hair. My advice: Take it easy with her things....at least for the next two years or so when she will still be bigger than you.

I wake up most mornings to the sound of you chatting in your crib- I love it. I am not a morning person but its the best way to start my day. The moment I say "Good Morning Buddy" you smile so big, and immediately start kicking your little legs until I pick you up. You are a sweet little guy.

You do not like your paci as much anymore- Ever since you found your thumb, you pop your paci out of your mouth, and stick that thumb straight, until it reaches your nose, then you slide it in to your mouth. it's amazing how much you are figuring out already.

You love all of the new foods your are getting. You don't seem to have a preference for one type of food, over another so I have been keeping a good variety on hand.

The lately the biggest thing we have noticed that you are really working hard on is sitting up. Although you are already sitting up, it only last a few seconds before you lean forward or fall backwards. You are so, so close!

You are amazing.

love,

Mommy