Hogle Zoo

Not only do I love to hang out with Amy and Cicily, but Kira loves to hang out with their kids Zachary and Dimitri. They always have fun plans and let us tag along. This time we went to the zoo and it nwas SOOOO much fun! We got to see the baby animals, walk around in the sunshine...the kids played musical strollers, and Amy and Cicily learned how hard it is to push a double stroller with the brake on all day. (Great exercise, right?)
Now, all these photos are courtesy of Amy and Cicily because again, my camera was out of commission. I never really realized how much I missed my camera until it was acting crazy.

My sweet little child's face. How adorable are her little eyes.

Kira did not want to go down the slide. She stood up at the top, and kept going over to the opening, and then would back up and refuse to go. I finally coaxed her to go down and she dragged her little hands the whole time to stop herself. I swear it took her a lifetime to get down.

Now, if I ever go into selling little halmart cards...this for sure will be on the front of one. I love these little kids...they give kisses and hugs freely and just love to hang out. I better save this picture for their wedding video.

The carousel went MUCH better this year that last year. Kira loved it. No tears, or grabbing onto my shirt...she just sat and looked around and hung on!

I think at every statue...the kids were posed, and of course my little Kira was in them. These kids are the cutest little friends...and I love to watch them talk and interact with each other. We went on the perfect weekend...good call ladies! Can't wait to play with them again!!

My Passion

If you know anything about me, you know what I'm passionate about. If you know me, you'd also know that I've neglected one of the true loves in my life-My paint brush. We've made up though, and will never be apart again.

Okay, now that I've decided that I'm really going to have the time to start painting again. I have a new blog of my artwork as I do it. www.likeabreathoffreshair.blogspot.com :)

She's learning so much....

At Kira's last check up the doctor told me that by the time she's two, she needs to be able to use atleast 50 words on her own, and know what they mean. She's getting to be such a big girl...almost 2! So, I want to share with you, and well, just to keep it myself of the things she says all the time, or that she knows for sure.
No. No way. Mommy. Daddy. Grandma. Grandpa. Don't do it. Stop it. Owie. Hurt. Ouch. Yuck. Food. Noodles. Roni (macaroni). Milk. Water. Juice. Snack. Apple. Banana. Baby. Cryin'. Rainin'. Workin'. Shirt. Shoes. Pants. Bath. Pillow. Sleepin'. Puppy. Elephant. Kitty. Buckle. Outside. Inside. Up. Down. Out. Grape. Popcorn. Cracker. Cookie. Cheese. I want one. See ya. I love you. Open it. Close it. Keys. Phone. Pretty. Head. Eye. Ear. Back. Elbow. Shoulder. Wrist. Finger. Toe. Leg. Belly. Hair. Book. Eat it. Mine. Hit. Bye. Funny. Awesome. Cute. Cool. Blankie. Bottle. Drink. Color. Pen. Chip. The numbers one thru ten. Chicken. Cereal. Fry. Hot dog. T.V. Cycle (motorcycle) Nose. Potty. I'm sorry. Please. Thank you. Welcome. Bless you.
She's also making choices. It used to be when I asked her if she wanted water or milk she'd just repeat the last choice I gave her. Now, I ask her what she wants to drink, and she can tell me. Or, like the other day, I asked her if she wanted water or milk, she thought for a minute and said juice. So, of course I gave it to her.
She is a climber now--she likes to climb up on the kitchen table and stand there. She likes to climb up onto our bed...you have to step up little steps to get to it. She likes to dance, and jump, and she is great with other kids.
What I like most is seeing her learn. I'll say a word sometimes, and I can see her watching my mouth and try to say it back. Then I'll say it again, and she just watches so intently. It's adorable. I love her.

Toddler + Pantry= Mess

I had a long day yesterday. I mean a loooong day. I'm not one to come home from work and fall asleep, or someone who really falls asleep without ever meaning to. Well, not yesterday. I get home from work...Get Kira some milk....she lays down with me on the couch and snuggles close. I decide I'll lay there for a few minutes, then get up and make her dinner.
The next thing I know--she's a little more quiet than normal, and I swear I only fell asleep for a minute...but, I jump up and discover this.
So, what did I do? I put the dog in the laundry room so he could not eat any more pancake mix, and I let her play in it while I made dinner. It wasn't too much fun to clean up, but she sure enjoyed her mess while it lasted. So, yes...my lesson learned. Close the pantry door if you might fall asleep with a toddler running loose.

My World

She cries. She laughs. She smiles. She sings. She babbles. She talks. She's funny. She's sassy. She's stubborn. She's smart. She learns. She grows. She runs. She falls. She walks. She's sweet. She's loving. She hugs. She kisses. She's silly. She's adorable. She's persistant. She's strong. She's tough. She's beautiful. She's innocent. She is.....My world.

It's true.

My life will be back on display.

The lap top is fixed. Stupid virus interrupted my blogging for way too long. Kyle killed it.

I can't control my excitement.

I've been taking pictures...and now they will for sure be on the internet.

I will soon explore why I am incapable of using the desktop for blogging. For now, don't worry. My laptop is no longer headed to it's grave. Let me give thanks.

It's been a fun summer so far. Lots of sun, and lots of family time. (and lots of work, but who wants to talk about that? Not me.)

Kira has learned lots of new words, and lots of new behaviors. Some good, and some bad. But, she's healthy and funny. So, I really can't complain.

Stay tuned. I'm not kidding. Get excited.

Coupon Clipper (That's right. I said COUPON CLIPPER)

So, let's be honest. Kenny works. I work. We bring in a decent amount of money. But, we also have quite a bit of debt. Even still--I have always been under the assumption that because we both work, I deserve to go to the store and buy whatever I want (when it comes to food, etc.--because I can.) I also told myself many times that I am not poor, and I don't need to be one of those penny-pinching-make a shopping list-keep track of my budget grocery shopping women. Seriously. I was really obnoxious like that.
Well, Brooke (who I love by the way) had a grocery party at her house or whatever it was called officially... and I went to it. One of her friends taught us (very simple by the way) how to save money on our grocery bill. So, I thought...well, I'll try it.
This week was the first week that I really clipped the coupons and looked for the sales. And, it may be of no interest to anyone besides myself (and Becca because she went with me)...but I was pretty proud of myself for my shopping...so let's see how I did.
(I went Albertsons and Smiths. Albertsons for most all of my shopping, but Smiths also because there were a few deals I could not pass up. )

I bought the following....

2 bottles of Wesson cooking oil
5 4 packs of Hunts pudding
5 bottles of Hunts ketchup
4 boxes of popcorn
1 package of Hot Dog buns
2 boxes of Gushers
2 boxes of fruit roll ups
3 boxes of Capri Suns
6 Easy Mac
2 loaves of bread
4 12 packs of coke products
3 Fiber One Pop Tarts
2 boxes Alberton's cereal
4 boxes of Kelloggs cereal
1 package of Mini delights
2 cartons of egg beaters
2 packages of Kraft american cheese singles
3 8oz chunks of cheese
7 boxes of Lean Pockets
2 Deli Select meat packages
8 oranges
3 boxes of Electrosol tabs (that's 60 total dishwasher loads)
2 gallons of Milk
6 packages of hot dogs
1 roast
2 bags frozen potatoes
1 10 lb bag of potatoes
1 bottle Kraft salad dressing
1 bottle Kraft bbq sauce

Now, Becca was trying to help me figure out the percentage I saved. I can't remember exactly but it was I want to say 65%. But, don't quote me on that because I don't really know how to do it with all the tax and stuff. But, If I was to pay regular price for the food I bought...I would have paid $257.45. But, I paid $95.85. Um....HELLO? What have I been wasting my money on this whole time?
Now, some of you may be wondering why in the world I bought some of this stuff. 5 bottles of ketchup, 6 packages of hot dogs etc. Well, why not buy it when I get it super cheap, instead of only buying one and then having to pay full price when that one runs out.
I'm sold. Seriously sold on this whole thing. Kenny thought I was bonkers...because I taking pictures of the food I bought...but it was entertaining to him I think. But I mean--I'm never ever going to look at shopping the same. It's totally given me a new appreciation for the money that I have been "wasting" this whole time at the grocery store.
So, yeah...I'm a coupon clipper. At first I was nervous to admit it--but, I'll say it again. I'm a coupon clipper, and proud of it.