First week of school wrap up

The first week went very well. All the kids adjusted to the new school better than expected, and so far teachers seem awesome.
Connor made a new friend, which I'm very pleased with. Socializing is just not his thing.
It was a busy week, Tuesday we went to the Air Hog game as a back to school celebration.
Thursday we went out to eat to help celebrate our good friend Jennifer getting her promotion.
Saturday Sadie performed with her group again at the district health fair.

Now for Grace..... as you all know Grace has always been a stubborn little thing. She has a mind of her own thats for sure. I've never met a 2 year old who would stand in time out for 45 minutes, but she did. Because she refused to say she was sorry. She never asked to get out of time out, just stood there serious as could be.
So now we are in Kindergarten. Day 1- Grace informed her teacher "I'm not going to do that, its to hard."
Day 3- Grace tells her teacher "I don't feel like reading, I'm going to dance" and proceeds to dance.
Day 5- We're talking about the school day, and the kids are all telling me that their team won for the week. Their school is divided into two teams "Heroes" and the "Owls" they get points for good behavior, keeping their specified bathroom clean, as well as classrooms, and then finally on Fridays they have an academic bowl, and then announce the winners.
Well we are discussing their team's victory and Sadie tells me how she consoled a girl who got a question wrong, and everyone knows that specific girl is the meanest one in school. I applaud Sadie for her good sportsmanship and kind behavior and then Grace pipes up....
"You know what I'm going to do? I'm going to go to the Owls bathroom and throw trash all over the place so they will lose points"

I just don't know what I'm going to do with her. I redirect often (and I do mean often) but she's going to give me a run for my money, this much is sure!

First Day of School

Meet The Teacher

School Starts Monday!!!

Walgreens Trip!!!

I'm floored! The savings just keep getting better and better! This is awesome!
Spent $2.64 Saved $10.70 Total savings of about 90%
I'm hooked on this coupon thing- I can't believe I just now started doing this!

This Mornings Kroger Deals

Total Spent= $21.92
Total Saved= $29.35 (57%)

I ran into Walgreens to try and take advantage of a deal I found, but they were all out- my trip wasn't in vain though, I struck an awesome deal on body wash- marked down to 3.99 with $4 RR back, so ends up being "free" Will work out awesome for me if the other Walgreens I go to today has the wipes I'm looking for in stock. :)

My Kroger Shopping Trip

I have taken up coupon shopping. Its fun to see how much I can save.
On my most recent Kroger shopping trip I saved the most I have ever saved so far- 20% which equaled about $64!!!

Here are some of my best deals:

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls-
.73 cents each. (I bought 4)

Kellogs Cereals
I got 6 boxes for .61 cents each!

There is much much more, but combined with the awesome sale Kroger has going on now, with e-coupons, and paper coupons here's how it broke down in savings:

Paper Manufacture Coupon Savings- $19.00
Kroger Plus Savings-$44.29

Total Savings- $63.29

I was very excited! Its never been so fun to cut coupons!

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow I go and register the kids for the new school year. Sadie for 4th, Connor for 2nd, and Grace for Kinder. Its bittersweet. Time flies by so fast doesn't it?
Matthew is nearly 2 1/2 now, and before I know it we'll be buying our last pack of diapers.
No more babies for us, (barring a miracle) that chapter of parenting is now closed.
Its exciting and nerve wrecking all rolled into one. We're getting rid of diapers, and wipes, and baby talk, and entering the world of pimples, and late night talks about changes. Gone are the reminders to wash your hands, instead its replaced with, don't forget to wash your face, and when am I old enough to shave my legs?
No more barbies, instead we're being asked for MP3 players, and clothes(!)
The age gap between Sadie and Grace has never been so apparent until now, as Sadie enters a new stage of her life, becoming a young lady, as Grace is still a little girl. Why is it that girls seem to grow up faster than boys? I could write a whole post on that alone! Sadie and Connor aren't that far apart in age, yet Connor is still all about super heroes, trucks and toys, Sadie prefers books, music, and fashion. Could be a personality thing, but I'm willing to bet a majority is gender related as well.
I love it. I love being a mom, but its scary. The scariest thing I've ever done.
Prayers are changing, becoming more fervent, requesting more wisdom than ever before to answer those tough questions.
I'm so proud of my kids- they really are awesome.
They just grow up so fast. I spent this evening looking at old pictures- it seems like just yesterday I was standing belly to belly with my grandpa, awaiting the birth of my first baby. Now, 9 years later, I'm registering her for her next to last year of elementary school!
We think we're busy now, just wait. Right around the corner is middle school, science fairs, band practice and all that goes with.
I wouldn't trade it for the world.

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHDAY SADIE!!!

Happy birthday baby girl! It is so hard to believe you on your last 'single digit' year!
You are growing into such a wonderful young lady. Your maturity and beauty astound me every day. It has been an honor to be your mom. I can't wait to see all you do with your life.
I love you doodle-bug!

Ten Days of Sadie-Day 10

She's just an all around fun chick to be around. I have loved watching her grow up, and develop her own sense of style. She knows what she likes, and thankfully, at this point, we don't have any disagreements.

Ten Days of Sadie-Day 9

She is grateful. Even for the little things, she is so excited for.

Extreme Home Makeover Howe addition

If you want to join my journey of taking my home from flea market/garage sale/hand me down to ultra-fab on a teeny budget click on over to my new blog:

http://champagnetastewaterbudget.blogspot.com/

I've already posted a couple really fun makeovers and have lots more scheduled to post over the next week! Leave me a comment to let me know you stopped by.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 8

She has that theatrical personality, she loves to sing, dance, act, write stories- anything to be in the spotlight. She just eats it up.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 7

She is kind and considerate. She is always looking out for other people's feelings.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 6

She loves God, church or anything to do with the two. She warmed everyone's hearts very recently by asking the Lord into her heart.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 5

She loves her family. She always looks forward to family get togethers.

Ten Days of Sadie-Day 4

She makes friends so easily- and they are friends for life. She loves and cares for her friends, and holds them dear to her heart.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 3

She cares for her Siblings greatly. She's always looking out for them.
Fun fact - this photo was published in the Longview News Journal on the one year anniversary of 9-11

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 2

I love her laugh and her sense of humor. When something really tickles her funny bone you can't help but laugh right along with her.

Ten Days of Sadie- Day 1

She's so beautiful! From the time she was a baby she has just been so pretty.

Jonas Brothers Concert

The reaction when she was told what her gift from the grandparents was....


Her reaction when the Jonas Brothers hit the stage....


A huge thank you goes out to my parents, Aarons parents and both sets of my grandparents for making this possible for Sadie! For her (early) birthday gift they all chipped in and sent her and I to the Jonas Brothers Concert this past Saturday night. We had a blast! And she was OH so excited.
I've posted more pics on facebook, if you don't have a facebook let me know and I think I can email you a link to the album.