I see the phrase "having it all" everywhere these days. Sometimes it is "how does she do it all?" "I want it all." "You can have it all." or "How do we have it all?" Time and time again I read that the modern women can have it all. What does it all mean?
It seems like everyone is obsessed with having it all these days, and how hard it is to have it all. Most days I feel like I have it all, and it isn't all that hard. But maybe I define it differently than everyone else?
For me having it all is being at home with my kids and not having to work or put them in daycare. Having it all is living on a teacher's salary without going into debt. Having it all is having happy, healthy kids.
Having it all means a house that we can afford the mortgage on, healthy food on our plates, warm clothes on our backs and fuel for our house. And after all the necessities are paid for having it all means we can do some extras well.
Many would point out all the things I don't have and say I do not have "it all." But I disagree, having it all means having the ability to make the choices on how to live your life. We made the choice to live on one income and for me to stay at home. We made the choice to live in a smaller house and not take vacations. We made the choice to cut back even more this summer so that Jon could stay home and not teach summer school for one year. And in that case Jon and I do have it all.
Showing posts with label home life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home life. Show all posts
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hand me downs
Today I was playing with Ben in our playroom (our converted garage) and he was sitting on an Elmo car. This Elmo car was purchased by Jon and I for Madeline for her first birthday. She is now five, so this car has seen a lot of love. It is a little dirty and doesn't work as well as it did when it was first purchased. But does Ben care? Not a bit.
In our house we love our hand me downs. I learned the value of these was Madeline was born and the girl clothes that my older niece had outgrown came flooding in, along with the outgrown clothes of the little girl I babysat for a time. We were new to one income and adjusting to my new part time income, as well as the cost associated with a new baby. The clothes were amazing. I did purchase clothes for Madeline, some I wanted for her and others I needed for her, but even then many of those clothes were second hand.
My kids don't care if they have hand me downs. They don't notice that a toy has been loved before. In fact some of Madeline's favorite dolls are the ones I played with as a child. Ben loves playing with Owen's toys. And Owen doesn't care that his last two winter coats have come from tag sales and second hand stores.
We know the difference between wants and needs in this house, to live on one income we have to. A need is winter coats and boots, in Massachusetts you can't make it through winter without these supplies. However, brand new coats and boots are a want. The coats we bought last year at our favorite second hand store looked brand new. And if we are find enough of our needed clothes at tag sales, and utilize hand me downs, there is more room in the budget for the wanted items (a second pair of boots for when the first is wet).
No one looks at my kids and knows off hand what is new and what is second hand. And even if they did, I honestly don't care. I brag about my tag sale finds. When I got Owen's fall coat for $2 at a tag sale, it was Gap corduroy and in almost new condition, I told everyone about it! I was excited and proud. New that coat would have cost...well I don't know what it would have cost because I don't buy Gap clothes new, they are not in our budget. Kids outgrow things very quickly. And I won't even mention how quickly my kids can ruin perfectly good clothes without meaning to. There is not a need to pay exorbitant prices for clothes simply for the name brand.
Living on one income means budgeting. My kids need clothes and they get them. Then there are clothes that they want and we try to find things they will like. But this can still be done without buying everything new. Owen loves toy story and I found a buzz lightyear shirt for $1, he was thrilled! Madeline's new obsession is Hello Kitty. Every time we head into Target she asks to look at the Hello Kitty clothes. Each time I check the prices, but $10 for a shirt is way too much. I found one for $3 second hand. Madeline told me I was the best mom ever. Ben can't talk, but he kept stealing his brother's and sister's Nalgene bottles so we bought him one using reward points that Jon earned through REI (this was not a second hand product, don't worry!).
All three kids have used the same stroller and the same car seat. (Ben will be the last to use the car seat as it will be too old if we have a fourth baby.) All three kids used the same baby saucer and baby swing. Our double jogger stroller, purchased when Owen was 1 for $25, is more popular with both Jon and I as well as with the kids than our sit and stand purchased brand new when Owen was a baby. There is nothing wrong with these items. There isn't a need for new items for each child. We chose gender neutral things because we knew we would use them for more than one child. And we planned ahead and saved the items we would need for other children.
Living on one income with three kids is not impossible. You don't need to go into debt to do it. It just takes creativity and planning. And storage space in your house (or the basement of a friendly relative) is helpful as well.
In our house we love our hand me downs. I learned the value of these was Madeline was born and the girl clothes that my older niece had outgrown came flooding in, along with the outgrown clothes of the little girl I babysat for a time. We were new to one income and adjusting to my new part time income, as well as the cost associated with a new baby. The clothes were amazing. I did purchase clothes for Madeline, some I wanted for her and others I needed for her, but even then many of those clothes were second hand.
My kids don't care if they have hand me downs. They don't notice that a toy has been loved before. In fact some of Madeline's favorite dolls are the ones I played with as a child. Ben loves playing with Owen's toys. And Owen doesn't care that his last two winter coats have come from tag sales and second hand stores.
We know the difference between wants and needs in this house, to live on one income we have to. A need is winter coats and boots, in Massachusetts you can't make it through winter without these supplies. However, brand new coats and boots are a want. The coats we bought last year at our favorite second hand store looked brand new. And if we are find enough of our needed clothes at tag sales, and utilize hand me downs, there is more room in the budget for the wanted items (a second pair of boots for when the first is wet).
No one looks at my kids and knows off hand what is new and what is second hand. And even if they did, I honestly don't care. I brag about my tag sale finds. When I got Owen's fall coat for $2 at a tag sale, it was Gap corduroy and in almost new condition, I told everyone about it! I was excited and proud. New that coat would have cost...well I don't know what it would have cost because I don't buy Gap clothes new, they are not in our budget. Kids outgrow things very quickly. And I won't even mention how quickly my kids can ruin perfectly good clothes without meaning to. There is not a need to pay exorbitant prices for clothes simply for the name brand.
Living on one income means budgeting. My kids need clothes and they get them. Then there are clothes that they want and we try to find things they will like. But this can still be done without buying everything new. Owen loves toy story and I found a buzz lightyear shirt for $1, he was thrilled! Madeline's new obsession is Hello Kitty. Every time we head into Target she asks to look at the Hello Kitty clothes. Each time I check the prices, but $10 for a shirt is way too much. I found one for $3 second hand. Madeline told me I was the best mom ever. Ben can't talk, but he kept stealing his brother's and sister's Nalgene bottles so we bought him one using reward points that Jon earned through REI (this was not a second hand product, don't worry!).
All three kids have used the same stroller and the same car seat. (Ben will be the last to use the car seat as it will be too old if we have a fourth baby.) All three kids used the same baby saucer and baby swing. Our double jogger stroller, purchased when Owen was 1 for $25, is more popular with both Jon and I as well as with the kids than our sit and stand purchased brand new when Owen was a baby. There is nothing wrong with these items. There isn't a need for new items for each child. We chose gender neutral things because we knew we would use them for more than one child. And we planned ahead and saved the items we would need for other children.
Living on one income with three kids is not impossible. You don't need to go into debt to do it. It just takes creativity and planning. And storage space in your house (or the basement of a friendly relative) is helpful as well.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Changes and more changes
There have been a lot of changes around here in just the past 7 days.
Last week at this time I was working on accepting that Madeline will be in school in less than a month. I was working to keep the house clean and hoping and working towards finding a buyer so that we could purchase a bigger house in a nicer town for our family. I was working on letting go of things I can't control.
And then this past week happened.
In the past seven days homeschooling is once again on the table. We are now looking into becoming landlords and renting out our house. And the price of the house went want dropped another $12,000.
I'll start with the biggest change- becoming a landlord. This is nothing I ever planned to do, but our house is not selling. And getting mortgages is becoming more difficult. Our realtor feels that, based on these facts, if we want this particular house (and we REALLY do) we should consider renting out our house. He tells us that there is a need for rental properties, especially houses, right now. We have enough for a down payment without selling (with the new house price) so we are looking into the ins and outs of being landlords and getting qualified for a mortgage while still owning our current house. It is a scary prospect, but also exciting.
Jon and our realtor went and looked at the house we really want. After the extreme price decrease we were becoming concerned that there were more problems than we had originally seen or that the mold had taken over more of the house. The mold is still there but has not progressed much. It still looks contained to the basement which means we can demolish the finished walls, clean it and be done. Obviously inspections need to be done to ensure that there is nothing else wrong, but we are cautiously optimistic.
As for the homeschooling, that change a large shock to me as Jon was the one who suggested it. There is a reason for this. In our current city if we were to hold Madeline out this year (for homeschool or preschool) she would be required to enter first grade based solely on her age. Because of this fact Jon was pushing for kindergarten this year even though we are not convinced she is ready. He didn't want to keep her home and then be required to send her to first grade, whether she was ready or not. The other option, of keeping her out for two years, is not something he sees as ideal. In discussing our possible move the idea of holding Madeline out a year came up again (I was talking about a mom I know who held her son out for an extra year in the new town). Jon didn't realize that if we move to the new town and we choose to keep Madeline home another year we can still enroll her in kindergarten next school year if we choose, regardless of the fact that she will be 6 at the time. Because of this he would prefer to keep her home this coming year and homeschool her with the kindergarten curriculum. This way the following year we can decide, based on Madeline herself and not her age, whether she is ready for first grade or needs another year of kindergarten. Needless to say, I am ecstatic at the prospect.
I never expected so many changes in 1 week. At this time last week I was struggling so much. But now everything is falling into place. I know nothing is definite, there are still so many things to figure out, but I am so much more optimistic. I am very scared at the prospect of becoming a landlord, but all of the positive things that can come because of it are slowly helping me to realize that this is a risk that will help my family. I am a believer that we control much of what happens to us through our choices. This past week has shown me that although I can control many things I still need to open my eyes and look at options that are not familiar to me and be open to these changes.
Last week at this time I was working on accepting that Madeline will be in school in less than a month. I was working to keep the house clean and hoping and working towards finding a buyer so that we could purchase a bigger house in a nicer town for our family. I was working on letting go of things I can't control.
And then this past week happened.
In the past seven days homeschooling is once again on the table. We are now looking into becoming landlords and renting out our house. And the price of the house went want dropped another $12,000.
I'll start with the biggest change- becoming a landlord. This is nothing I ever planned to do, but our house is not selling. And getting mortgages is becoming more difficult. Our realtor feels that, based on these facts, if we want this particular house (and we REALLY do) we should consider renting out our house. He tells us that there is a need for rental properties, especially houses, right now. We have enough for a down payment without selling (with the new house price) so we are looking into the ins and outs of being landlords and getting qualified for a mortgage while still owning our current house. It is a scary prospect, but also exciting.
Jon and our realtor went and looked at the house we really want. After the extreme price decrease we were becoming concerned that there were more problems than we had originally seen or that the mold had taken over more of the house. The mold is still there but has not progressed much. It still looks contained to the basement which means we can demolish the finished walls, clean it and be done. Obviously inspections need to be done to ensure that there is nothing else wrong, but we are cautiously optimistic.
As for the homeschooling, that change a large shock to me as Jon was the one who suggested it. There is a reason for this. In our current city if we were to hold Madeline out this year (for homeschool or preschool) she would be required to enter first grade based solely on her age. Because of this fact Jon was pushing for kindergarten this year even though we are not convinced she is ready. He didn't want to keep her home and then be required to send her to first grade, whether she was ready or not. The other option, of keeping her out for two years, is not something he sees as ideal. In discussing our possible move the idea of holding Madeline out a year came up again (I was talking about a mom I know who held her son out for an extra year in the new town). Jon didn't realize that if we move to the new town and we choose to keep Madeline home another year we can still enroll her in kindergarten next school year if we choose, regardless of the fact that she will be 6 at the time. Because of this he would prefer to keep her home this coming year and homeschool her with the kindergarten curriculum. This way the following year we can decide, based on Madeline herself and not her age, whether she is ready for first grade or needs another year of kindergarten. Needless to say, I am ecstatic at the prospect.
I never expected so many changes in 1 week. At this time last week I was struggling so much. But now everything is falling into place. I know nothing is definite, there are still so many things to figure out, but I am so much more optimistic. I am very scared at the prospect of becoming a landlord, but all of the positive things that can come because of it are slowly helping me to realize that this is a risk that will help my family. I am a believer that we control much of what happens to us through our choices. This past week has shown me that although I can control many things I still need to open my eyes and look at options that are not familiar to me and be open to these changes.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Trying to move on 1 income...
I like my house. I like my neighborhood. I love many things my city has to offer.
I don't love the school system in this city.
Because of that factor, the school system, we are looking to move. Madeline is starting kindergarten in a month. We listed our house back in the beginning of June and we optimistic that we could be in a new house before school started, or soon after. It seemed perfect, Jon had the summer off and could help with cleaning and packing. We were too optimistic.
If you have watched the news lately you know the economy is not great. You also know that banks are not giving mortgages out very easily. I am reminded of this both by the news and my realtor. And the for sale sign that won't budge from my front yard is a daily reminder as well. Now is not a good time to move if you have a house to sell, or not great credit. Because we have worked hard over the years to live within our means we have excellent credit. But we also have a house to sell.
Keeping our credit score also means knowing what we are comfortable affording for a mortgage. We went to get pre-approved yesterday. I was amazed at how much they would give us. It is almost double what we want and feel comfortable paying. If we took the amount they are willing to give us, the options of where to buy a house would grow hugely. But we won't. Because we know what our other bills are. And we know what we spend and how much we feel comfortable spending on our house. And the bank doesn't know that, all they know is how much we can afford based on our income. They don't know that we choose to have money to put into savings for the just in case. They don't know that we may need to buy another vehicle in a few months. we know this and we choose to buy a house based on all of those factors, not simply what the bank says we can afford.
Living comfortable within our income means that if we want a nicer town, and a slightly bigger house, then we buy a fixer upper. That is okay, it is part of the choice that we made. Even with our price requirements we found a house we want. We love this house. It needs help, quite a bit of it actually. But the help it needs is cosmetic which means that we can move in and work while living their. It has three bedrooms, one and a half baths, a living room, kitchen, dining room, bonus room and finished basement. It has a two car garage and 7/10 of an acre. It is in a great town. It is perfect for our family.
So now I continue to keep my house extra clean and hope the phone rings and a realtor wants to show our house. Or even better, that someone has made an offer on our house. It will happen, eventually. I just need a reminder lesson in patience.
I don't love the school system in this city.
Because of that factor, the school system, we are looking to move. Madeline is starting kindergarten in a month. We listed our house back in the beginning of June and we optimistic that we could be in a new house before school started, or soon after. It seemed perfect, Jon had the summer off and could help with cleaning and packing. We were too optimistic.
If you have watched the news lately you know the economy is not great. You also know that banks are not giving mortgages out very easily. I am reminded of this both by the news and my realtor. And the for sale sign that won't budge from my front yard is a daily reminder as well. Now is not a good time to move if you have a house to sell, or not great credit. Because we have worked hard over the years to live within our means we have excellent credit. But we also have a house to sell.
Keeping our credit score also means knowing what we are comfortable affording for a mortgage. We went to get pre-approved yesterday. I was amazed at how much they would give us. It is almost double what we want and feel comfortable paying. If we took the amount they are willing to give us, the options of where to buy a house would grow hugely. But we won't. Because we know what our other bills are. And we know what we spend and how much we feel comfortable spending on our house. And the bank doesn't know that, all they know is how much we can afford based on our income. They don't know that we choose to have money to put into savings for the just in case. They don't know that we may need to buy another vehicle in a few months. we know this and we choose to buy a house based on all of those factors, not simply what the bank says we can afford.
Living comfortable within our income means that if we want a nicer town, and a slightly bigger house, then we buy a fixer upper. That is okay, it is part of the choice that we made. Even with our price requirements we found a house we want. We love this house. It needs help, quite a bit of it actually. But the help it needs is cosmetic which means that we can move in and work while living their. It has three bedrooms, one and a half baths, a living room, kitchen, dining room, bonus room and finished basement. It has a two car garage and 7/10 of an acre. It is in a great town. It is perfect for our family.
So now I continue to keep my house extra clean and hope the phone rings and a realtor wants to show our house. Or even better, that someone has made an offer on our house. It will happen, eventually. I just need a reminder lesson in patience.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
This is the Year for Canning and Freezing?
I have been a stay at home mom for over five years now. In those five years I have learned a lot about ways to save money while still eating healthy, and without feeling like a penny pincher. I like to be called frugal, I don't want to be a tight wad! But even after five years I am still finding new ways to save money.
This year we bought a CSA share as a way to eat more organic products as well as support a local farm. It was more expensive that if we were to buy our vegetables in the store, but that is because we are getting more vegetables then if we were to buy them in a store and all of them are organic. But I need to constantly remind myself that I don't NEED to eat all of these vegetables fresh. Instead I need to learn how to can and freeze them for the winter. If I manage to freeze some of the food we get then I will also pay less on my grocery store bill in the winter. In addition to buying less fresh produce, I will also buy less frozen produce.
This year we are trying our hands at gardening again. Last year was my most successful year, but it can still be much improved. We doubled the size of our garden this year and it still only cost about $20 to start up. It should have cost less but I cannot manage to grow tomato or pepper plants from seed. At the farmers market this week we bought 4 tomato plants and 6 pepper plants for $12.50. The other $7.50 was spent on seeds. In my garden we are growing lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, corn, carrots, watermelons, zucchini, cucumbers, beans and peas. If I am lucky I will get a good harvest from it.
While our garden and CSA share will cut the weekly budget at the store down during the summer, this year my goal is to use it to cut down my winter budget as well. To do this I need to learn to can and freeze. In the past I have not taken advantage of canning or freezing vegetables like I should. Last year was my first real attempt. I made several containers of (not so great) spaghetti sauce and I froze several bags of peppers. That was it. Clearly I can do much better! To do this right Jon and I decided we should looking into canning kits and see how much they cost. We know we will be buying many jars this year, but we also know that everything we buy this year we will be able to use again and again. So last night I spent time looking online at canning sets and we found one that we like. It has good ratings and several people say it is perfect for beginners (which is what we are!). The price is right as well at $30. This is an amount we are willing to risk in case we are abysmal failures at this canning process. But before I buy it, does anyone have any recommendations for a good, inexpensive canning kit?
I am interested to see if I am able to can and freeze vegetables and fruit (something I never thought I would be doing) and how it effects both my summer and my winter grocery bill. If you have an helpful hints, links, or great spaghetti recipes, PLEASE share them with me!
This year we bought a CSA share as a way to eat more organic products as well as support a local farm. It was more expensive that if we were to buy our vegetables in the store, but that is because we are getting more vegetables then if we were to buy them in a store and all of them are organic. But I need to constantly remind myself that I don't NEED to eat all of these vegetables fresh. Instead I need to learn how to can and freeze them for the winter. If I manage to freeze some of the food we get then I will also pay less on my grocery store bill in the winter. In addition to buying less fresh produce, I will also buy less frozen produce.
This year we are trying our hands at gardening again. Last year was my most successful year, but it can still be much improved. We doubled the size of our garden this year and it still only cost about $20 to start up. It should have cost less but I cannot manage to grow tomato or pepper plants from seed. At the farmers market this week we bought 4 tomato plants and 6 pepper plants for $12.50. The other $7.50 was spent on seeds. In my garden we are growing lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, corn, carrots, watermelons, zucchini, cucumbers, beans and peas. If I am lucky I will get a good harvest from it.
While our garden and CSA share will cut the weekly budget at the store down during the summer, this year my goal is to use it to cut down my winter budget as well. To do this I need to learn to can and freeze. In the past I have not taken advantage of canning or freezing vegetables like I should. Last year was my first real attempt. I made several containers of (not so great) spaghetti sauce and I froze several bags of peppers. That was it. Clearly I can do much better! To do this right Jon and I decided we should looking into canning kits and see how much they cost. We know we will be buying many jars this year, but we also know that everything we buy this year we will be able to use again and again. So last night I spent time looking online at canning sets and we found one that we like. It has good ratings and several people say it is perfect for beginners (which is what we are!). The price is right as well at $30. This is an amount we are willing to risk in case we are abysmal failures at this canning process. But before I buy it, does anyone have any recommendations for a good, inexpensive canning kit?
I am interested to see if I am able to can and freeze vegetables and fruit (something I never thought I would be doing) and how it effects both my summer and my winter grocery bill. If you have an helpful hints, links, or great spaghetti recipes, PLEASE share them with me!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Making Choices
I was having a not so great day this week. I was tired. I wanted some time just to myself but could not find a spare minute. I was grumpy.
Owen came up, gave me a hug and said "I wuff you mommy!" And my day got better.
I was reminded how lucky I am to be at home with my children all day. A choice that Jon and I made was for me to stop working full time in order to be at home with our children. We made the choice that we would build our life on 1 income and that Jon would hold down the full time job. We made a choice that we would make our life with less in general.
We made the choice that we would not have large vacations, that we would not buy new vehicles.
Madeline will be leaving the catholic school where she attended preschool and will be going to public school in the fall. I love the idea of a Catholic education, but the tuition is not in our budget.
We made a choice that we would live in a smaller house (which has it's benefits!). Some see these things as sacrifices. And they are. But they are also choices. And when you view them as choices they seem much more positive.
Sometimes it is hard. When friends are planning vacations, or buying pools, or moving into larger houses. When family wants us to move to a nicer town. When friends invite us out for dinner. The green-eyed monster can rear his ugly head at times like these.
But when I think about the choices that Jon and I have made, the choices we have been able to make (because not everyone can have one parent stay at home) I remember how lucky I am. When I am able to drop my daughter off at school and then go home and spend the day with the boys I am reminded how lucky that I am not to be running to drop the other two kids at daycare. When I work less than 10 hours a week, and don't leave until Jon gets home, I am reminded how lucky I am.
We all make choices. If I am not happy I need to look around and see what choices I need to change. It sounds simple, and often it can be.
Owen came up, gave me a hug and said "I wuff you mommy!" And my day got better.
I was reminded how lucky I am to be at home with my children all day. A choice that Jon and I made was for me to stop working full time in order to be at home with our children. We made the choice that we would build our life on 1 income and that Jon would hold down the full time job. We made a choice that we would make our life with less in general.
We made the choice that we would not have large vacations, that we would not buy new vehicles.
Madeline will be leaving the catholic school where she attended preschool and will be going to public school in the fall. I love the idea of a Catholic education, but the tuition is not in our budget.
We made a choice that we would live in a smaller house (which has it's benefits!). Some see these things as sacrifices. And they are. But they are also choices. And when you view them as choices they seem much more positive.
Sometimes it is hard. When friends are planning vacations, or buying pools, or moving into larger houses. When family wants us to move to a nicer town. When friends invite us out for dinner. The green-eyed monster can rear his ugly head at times like these.
But when I think about the choices that Jon and I have made, the choices we have been able to make (because not everyone can have one parent stay at home) I remember how lucky I am. When I am able to drop my daughter off at school and then go home and spend the day with the boys I am reminded how lucky that I am not to be running to drop the other two kids at daycare. When I work less than 10 hours a week, and don't leave until Jon gets home, I am reminded how lucky I am.
We all make choices. If I am not happy I need to look around and see what choices I need to change. It sounds simple, and often it can be.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Money Saving Tuesday- how do we do it?
Jon gets this question a lot, and I get asked it as well but more infrequently. Often people look at us- a family of four with one more on the way, a house, two cars paid off, a healthy savings account- and try to figure out how we do it on Jon's teacher salary and my paltry 10 hour a week job. Honestly, sometimes I just don't know! I am VERY happy with my life and I do know where the money goes and how it gets spent but when I look at Jon's salary and mine put together and the things we are still able to do- with no debt- it does amaze me. Especially when I see others who can't make it work on basically one income.
I think the biggest thing is that our house mortgage is very small by comparison to many. I prefer not to go into details, but it is comparable to renting an apartment in the city we live in. And we own the house. The main reason for this is that when we got married we wanted a fier upper house. Something that was structurally sound but needed updates and paints and comsetics that we could make our own and eventually make money on. Even with today's economy if we were to sell our house we would make money. Jon is very good at doing things himself as well. So the things we did to our house we actually did ourselves (or at least Jon did) with help from friends. We never hired out anything- laying floors, knocking down walls, installing cabinets, electric, plumbing. This helped a LOT especially when we were both starting out and working at Catholic Schools. So since the beginning our mortgage has been smaller than most people we know.
Another reason is that when I got pregnant with Madeline Jon switched jobs. He went from making one salary to almost doubling it just by going to public schools. So when I stopped working we honestly were not making much less than before Madeline was born. As long I or, or Jon, continue to work part time in some way, the income will stay what it always was.
We never spend what we don't have. If we buy something large we talk about it and yes we do use credit cards but we also pay them off every month. The only time we have carried a balance was on a 0% interest card when we bought our couches and tv. We planned to pay them off in two years and budgeted for it. We did it just before Owen was born.
I have to say the meal planning and shopping the grocery sales is huge for me as well. Every time I read an article about how to save money this is one of the big ones. I have been doing this since just after Madeline was born, not just to save money, but also because it makes my life so much easier. I go to the store once (well 95% of the time I go once a week) and have what I need for all my meals for the week. I look at the flyers before I go and comparison shop. I split my purchases between four major stores- Big Y, Stop and Shop, Arnolds and BJ's. I buy what is on sale that I need/want at Big Y and Stop and Shop each week. I keep tract of which store has better prices for certain items I need when they are not on sale as well. And BJ's is where I buy many of my bulk items as well as milk. Arnolds is where I buy my meat about every 6-8 weeks. They always have great prices so I buy bulk, break it up into freezer bags and freeze until I need it.
Jon and I talk about it every so often. And sometimes we are amazed at how well we are doing. We never have a reason to worry. Jon is happy that he can work at a job he enjoys and still be able to provide enough for the family. One sacrifice is that he works summer school. Being a teacher, one thing that you look forward to is summer vacation. Well for now it means Jon gets to work part time. But he's okay with that. Because the pay off is that we are raising our family the way we want to. And he also knows it isn't forever, one day when the kids are older and I am back to work we will both have the summers off with our kids. And that will be great as well. No we don't go on big fancy vacations each year like some of our friends. And yes we have to sit down before making a big purchase, and extras need to be budgeted for. But we are happy. And we don't feel like we are losing out in life.
So I guess the answer to the question "how do we do it?" is "we just do!"
I think the biggest thing is that our house mortgage is very small by comparison to many. I prefer not to go into details, but it is comparable to renting an apartment in the city we live in. And we own the house. The main reason for this is that when we got married we wanted a fier upper house. Something that was structurally sound but needed updates and paints and comsetics that we could make our own and eventually make money on. Even with today's economy if we were to sell our house we would make money. Jon is very good at doing things himself as well. So the things we did to our house we actually did ourselves (or at least Jon did) with help from friends. We never hired out anything- laying floors, knocking down walls, installing cabinets, electric, plumbing. This helped a LOT especially when we were both starting out and working at Catholic Schools. So since the beginning our mortgage has been smaller than most people we know.
Another reason is that when I got pregnant with Madeline Jon switched jobs. He went from making one salary to almost doubling it just by going to public schools. So when I stopped working we honestly were not making much less than before Madeline was born. As long I or, or Jon, continue to work part time in some way, the income will stay what it always was.
We never spend what we don't have. If we buy something large we talk about it and yes we do use credit cards but we also pay them off every month. The only time we have carried a balance was on a 0% interest card when we bought our couches and tv. We planned to pay them off in two years and budgeted for it. We did it just before Owen was born.
I have to say the meal planning and shopping the grocery sales is huge for me as well. Every time I read an article about how to save money this is one of the big ones. I have been doing this since just after Madeline was born, not just to save money, but also because it makes my life so much easier. I go to the store once (well 95% of the time I go once a week) and have what I need for all my meals for the week. I look at the flyers before I go and comparison shop. I split my purchases between four major stores- Big Y, Stop and Shop, Arnolds and BJ's. I buy what is on sale that I need/want at Big Y and Stop and Shop each week. I keep tract of which store has better prices for certain items I need when they are not on sale as well. And BJ's is where I buy many of my bulk items as well as milk. Arnolds is where I buy my meat about every 6-8 weeks. They always have great prices so I buy bulk, break it up into freezer bags and freeze until I need it.
Jon and I talk about it every so often. And sometimes we are amazed at how well we are doing. We never have a reason to worry. Jon is happy that he can work at a job he enjoys and still be able to provide enough for the family. One sacrifice is that he works summer school. Being a teacher, one thing that you look forward to is summer vacation. Well for now it means Jon gets to work part time. But he's okay with that. Because the pay off is that we are raising our family the way we want to. And he also knows it isn't forever, one day when the kids are older and I am back to work we will both have the summers off with our kids. And that will be great as well. No we don't go on big fancy vacations each year like some of our friends. And yes we have to sit down before making a big purchase, and extras need to be budgeted for. But we are happy. And we don't feel like we are losing out in life.
So I guess the answer to the question "how do we do it?" is "we just do!"
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Trying to do it all
It has been one of those days where I try to cram everything in even though I know deep down I cannot keep up.
I keep forgetting what 7 months pregnant is like. I swear I was at it full tilt until Owen was born and I know I worked full time until five days before Madeline was born. But with this one? I can barely work up the energy to sweep the kitchen some days. But does that stop me from planning on doing things? Or keep me from volunteering to cook Easter dinner? NO. And maybe I was more energetic with my first two pregnancies but I was younger (not that I am ancient by any means, but 4 years and two kids is 4 years and two kids...). Or maybe I choose to forget the aches and pains and the exhaustion so that I will try it all again.
I am sitting here right now putting off making dinner for tonight, cleaning the bathroom, getting an art project ready for the kids, making a list for the store tonight and checking on Owen to see why for the love of everything that is good won't the boy sleep because I pushed myself too much this morning and it pains me to walk. Literally, walking and standing are excruciating at the moment. I have a list a mile long of things that need to be done in the next few days, and even more immediatly this afternoon, that just won't happen unless this pain goes away. And it is my own fault.
I was in a lot of pain from falling on Sunday and Monday morning it didn't get much better. Luckily even though I had to work on Monday it was a quiet evening and I was able to just sit for four hours. By yesterday morning I was better. The pain was pretty much gone. Then for whatever reason I sat on one of our barstools last night to work on the computer for about 45 minutes. When I got down I could barely walk again. And woke up this morning feeling not much better.
Well what did I do today? I did all my normal chores (sweep, vaccuum, feed kids, empty dishwasher, letter and number time with Madeline) then took Madeline to the dentist where I proceeded to carry Owen because he wanted to be carried. We went to the grocery store and the dollar store and then came home. Did I rest then? No, I got ready for a playgroup I was hosting for 8 moms and 13 kids. I made 4 boxes of mac and cheese and got plates and stuff out. When people got here I did not sit, no I stood for the next 2 hours talking to friends. Why? Who knows!
So now it is 3 and I am dead tired. I have no one to blame but myself. Some of the things I did today were necessity- dentist, feed the kids, feed the dog, etc. But I could have cancelled the playgroup (heck I didn't even have to host in the first place.) I could have put off the store, I could have left the dishes for Jon to empty, he would have understood.
And will I stop now? Of course not. In about five minutes I will be washing dishes from lunch and making dinner plans.
I am not whining, or saying poor me. I make the choice to do a lot of things that are not necessary when I am not feeling well. I am just writing it all down to hopefully figure out why I do it. Am I the only one who thinks I can do everything? I know there are other mothesr like me who take on to much, don't say no when they can, don't want to have people help them. I HATE when poeple offer help because I am pregnant. I don't know why, I just want to be able to do it all.
Why am I like this? Maybe one of these days I will figure it all out.
I am off to do it all, and hopefully I'll still be able to walk tomorrow.
I keep forgetting what 7 months pregnant is like. I swear I was at it full tilt until Owen was born and I know I worked full time until five days before Madeline was born. But with this one? I can barely work up the energy to sweep the kitchen some days. But does that stop me from planning on doing things? Or keep me from volunteering to cook Easter dinner? NO. And maybe I was more energetic with my first two pregnancies but I was younger (not that I am ancient by any means, but 4 years and two kids is 4 years and two kids...). Or maybe I choose to forget the aches and pains and the exhaustion so that I will try it all again.
I am sitting here right now putting off making dinner for tonight, cleaning the bathroom, getting an art project ready for the kids, making a list for the store tonight and checking on Owen to see why for the love of everything that is good won't the boy sleep because I pushed myself too much this morning and it pains me to walk. Literally, walking and standing are excruciating at the moment. I have a list a mile long of things that need to be done in the next few days, and even more immediatly this afternoon, that just won't happen unless this pain goes away. And it is my own fault.
I was in a lot of pain from falling on Sunday and Monday morning it didn't get much better. Luckily even though I had to work on Monday it was a quiet evening and I was able to just sit for four hours. By yesterday morning I was better. The pain was pretty much gone. Then for whatever reason I sat on one of our barstools last night to work on the computer for about 45 minutes. When I got down I could barely walk again. And woke up this morning feeling not much better.
Well what did I do today? I did all my normal chores (sweep, vaccuum, feed kids, empty dishwasher, letter and number time with Madeline) then took Madeline to the dentist where I proceeded to carry Owen because he wanted to be carried. We went to the grocery store and the dollar store and then came home. Did I rest then? No, I got ready for a playgroup I was hosting for 8 moms and 13 kids. I made 4 boxes of mac and cheese and got plates and stuff out. When people got here I did not sit, no I stood for the next 2 hours talking to friends. Why? Who knows!
So now it is 3 and I am dead tired. I have no one to blame but myself. Some of the things I did today were necessity- dentist, feed the kids, feed the dog, etc. But I could have cancelled the playgroup (heck I didn't even have to host in the first place.) I could have put off the store, I could have left the dishes for Jon to empty, he would have understood.
And will I stop now? Of course not. In about five minutes I will be washing dishes from lunch and making dinner plans.
I am not whining, or saying poor me. I make the choice to do a lot of things that are not necessary when I am not feeling well. I am just writing it all down to hopefully figure out why I do it. Am I the only one who thinks I can do everything? I know there are other mothesr like me who take on to much, don't say no when they can, don't want to have people help them. I HATE when poeple offer help because I am pregnant. I don't know why, I just want to be able to do it all.
Why am I like this? Maybe one of these days I will figure it all out.
I am off to do it all, and hopefully I'll still be able to walk tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Just Good Enough
As it says in my profile I am a self proclaimed just good enough stay at home mom. I try to be the best mom that I can be but often find myself comparing my mom skills to those of others. And I often feel that I am lacking in some way. I love to go into someone else's house and see how clean it is and how their children have matching adorable outfits, food free faces and pretty hair dos. But I always leave feeling lacking in some way.
I am working really hard on not doing this anymore. And that is why I am proclaiming that I am just good enough. And what does that mean? Well for me it means the following:
* yes I clean my house, but no I do not make it spotless. If you move furniture there is a high possiblity you will find dust bunnies. Not big enough to eat a small dog perhaps, but they are big enough. But if you are in the mood to move the furniture you get what you get.
* my kids may dress themselves and not match. Yes they will be in weather appropriate clothes. And their hair will be combed. But matching clothes? Well who wants to argue with a 4-year old who thinks pink polka dots match with lime green and yellow plaid? Not me!
* there may be some food on my kids clothes. I really TRY to teach them to eat neatly, but I don't love laundry so if they spill a little they may wear it for the rest of the day. Does this mean that I let them roll in their food or spill and entire glass of milk and continue to wear that outfit? Of course not. But a few dribbles of pb&j are just not worth an outfit change.
* I cook my own meals but I don't make everything from scratch. I do not buy precooked meat (too expensive) but I do buy box mixes for many types of bakes goodies. And those tubes of crescent rolls? Yup I buy them as well. Frozen veggies that are prepped? Those are for me as well, sorry kids I don't buy all my produce fresh.
*Ironing only happens when I cannot get away without doing it.
*My bed gets made daily but I don't bother with Madeline's. What is the point? Half the time playing involves taking everying off and leaving it on the floor for a picnic. And then there is nap time.
* I love to do crafts, but I always keep them simple. I do not have the time or patience or skill to make complicated things. And I do not like it when things don't turn out just right. For my sanity, and the sanity of those who live with me, I stick to keeping it simple.
* I lie when toys that annoy me have their batteries run out. We never have the batteries that fix that toy, sorry kids.
* I love having a playroom because it means I can close the door and ignore the mess.
* I do wash the laundry each week (usually when it takes over the closet where we throw our dirty clothes) but they don't often get put away for a few days.
There are many things that are important to me, and I choose to focus my energy on those. I would rather spend time with my kids than put away clothes. I would rather do a quick sweep on the kitchen floor and give myself some rest than scrub the floor with a mop every week. I would rather make a messy craft with my kids that looks like a child completed it to hang on the wall then spend time working on something I will never be quite happy with on my own. And those dust bunnies? Honestly are my kids going to remember that mommy vaccumed almost daily (due to dog fur, not by choice) but did not often move the couches to make sure everything is clean? If they do then I messed up somewhere along the line!
I used to feel that since I am at home all day my house should reflect that. And over time I have realized that my home does reflect that I am home all day. It is not spotless, but it looks lived in. It looks like kids are home and we have occasional playgroups as well. It is not spotless by any means, but it is clean and functional. It is warm and welcoming. And as long as I have kids at home I am happy to settle for clean and functional if not spotless and neat.
I am working really hard on not doing this anymore. And that is why I am proclaiming that I am just good enough. And what does that mean? Well for me it means the following:
* yes I clean my house, but no I do not make it spotless. If you move furniture there is a high possiblity you will find dust bunnies. Not big enough to eat a small dog perhaps, but they are big enough. But if you are in the mood to move the furniture you get what you get.
* my kids may dress themselves and not match. Yes they will be in weather appropriate clothes. And their hair will be combed. But matching clothes? Well who wants to argue with a 4-year old who thinks pink polka dots match with lime green and yellow plaid? Not me!
* there may be some food on my kids clothes. I really TRY to teach them to eat neatly, but I don't love laundry so if they spill a little they may wear it for the rest of the day. Does this mean that I let them roll in their food or spill and entire glass of milk and continue to wear that outfit? Of course not. But a few dribbles of pb&j are just not worth an outfit change.
* I cook my own meals but I don't make everything from scratch. I do not buy precooked meat (too expensive) but I do buy box mixes for many types of bakes goodies. And those tubes of crescent rolls? Yup I buy them as well. Frozen veggies that are prepped? Those are for me as well, sorry kids I don't buy all my produce fresh.
*Ironing only happens when I cannot get away without doing it.
*My bed gets made daily but I don't bother with Madeline's. What is the point? Half the time playing involves taking everying off and leaving it on the floor for a picnic. And then there is nap time.
* I love to do crafts, but I always keep them simple. I do not have the time or patience or skill to make complicated things. And I do not like it when things don't turn out just right. For my sanity, and the sanity of those who live with me, I stick to keeping it simple.
* I lie when toys that annoy me have their batteries run out. We never have the batteries that fix that toy, sorry kids.
* I love having a playroom because it means I can close the door and ignore the mess.
* I do wash the laundry each week (usually when it takes over the closet where we throw our dirty clothes) but they don't often get put away for a few days.
There are many things that are important to me, and I choose to focus my energy on those. I would rather spend time with my kids than put away clothes. I would rather do a quick sweep on the kitchen floor and give myself some rest than scrub the floor with a mop every week. I would rather make a messy craft with my kids that looks like a child completed it to hang on the wall then spend time working on something I will never be quite happy with on my own. And those dust bunnies? Honestly are my kids going to remember that mommy vaccumed almost daily (due to dog fur, not by choice) but did not often move the couches to make sure everything is clean? If they do then I messed up somewhere along the line!
I used to feel that since I am at home all day my house should reflect that. And over time I have realized that my home does reflect that I am home all day. It is not spotless, but it looks lived in. It looks like kids are home and we have occasional playgroups as well. It is not spotless by any means, but it is clean and functional. It is warm and welcoming. And as long as I have kids at home I am happy to settle for clean and functional if not spotless and neat.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Absent...
Last Friday Jon had an upset stomach (putting it mildly) that we thought was caused by something he ate. I am rethinking that since Wednesday Owen started his day with throwing up and proceeded to do so all. day. long. And having a child who cannot tell you when they are going to throw up is a very messy task.
Then Madeline started.
Then I called Jon and left a message to come home as early after work as he could. Which he got on his way home. Not so early after work.
And then today. I woke up with it. Pregnant, gd, and a stomach bug. Not a good combo. We are hoping I have the mildest form of it and can eat and drink again soon. Very soon. I am feeling a little better now and am thinking of tryign rice. I mean, what harm can plain rice do? right?
Hopefully I will be back to posting again this weekend. I have a really cute craft we did early this week to share with everyone.
Then Madeline started.
Then I called Jon and left a message to come home as early after work as he could. Which he got on his way home. Not so early after work.
And then today. I woke up with it. Pregnant, gd, and a stomach bug. Not a good combo. We are hoping I have the mildest form of it and can eat and drink again soon. Very soon. I am feeling a little better now and am thinking of tryign rice. I mean, what harm can plain rice do? right?
Hopefully I will be back to posting again this weekend. I have a really cute craft we did early this week to share with everyone.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tis The Season
..for spending, spending and more spending. At least that is what it feels like sometimes. Everytime I turn around there is another something to buy.
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas. And I love choosing and giving gifts that people will enjoy. I try to make things personal to the receiver.
But sometimes I worry that we are forgetting the meaning of the season. This past weekend at church Father Scahill was talking about advent. The point that struck me the most was how he empasized that advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is a season itself. Advent shoud be celebrated and we should be getting ready for Christmas, not simply counting down to it.
It made me think. When I taught Catholic school and CCD I did treat advent as a season. Now I don't as much. And how sad is that? I taught the meaning of advent better to my students than to my own children.
I also find myself empahsizing Santa more than Jesus when talking to Madeline about Christmas. Part of that is the kid in me and just enjoying that this is the first year she really "gets" the whole Santa thing. But is that what I want her to grow up thinking Christmas is about? In order to begin to teach her the true meaning of Christmas I looked for books at the library today. I found TONS of books about Christmas, but very few about the real meaning of Christmas or the nativity. I am having Jon drag out my box of Christmas books tomorrow becuase I want to read her and Owen stories about Jesus and the season of giving (not just getting). When choosing Christmas books I choose some fun ones, but I also try to choose books that have a lesson about Christmas as well. Even the Berenstein Bears and the Grinch have good lessons in them if you look.
Somethings I am planning to do with Madeline (and Owen as well) this season to help them learn the real meaning of Christmas:
*go through their toys and choose some to donate to children who don't have what they have
*involve them in creating gifts for family members, things that are memories not just things
*attend mass as a family each Sunday and on Christmas Eve as well
*teach the religious Christmas songs as well as the popular Jingle Bells, Rudolph and such
*involve the children in donating gift cards or food to our church for the Christmas baskets they are creating
*starting next week involve a bible verse and coloring page from dltk-kids.com that teaches the Christmas story
*look for the meaning of Christmas in all videos that we watch and emphasize them as well as the fun
*try and find the meaning behing the christmas tree and the candy cane (I had them when i taught) and involve them in our holiday plans
*take out our little people nativity and set it up correctly after reading a Christmas story
*create traditions that involve family and time rather then just things
I am not perfect, I get caught up in the gifts at times as well. But I am hoping to take this time when I am trying to teach my children to teach myself as well.
How do you keep the meaning of Christmas from getting lost at your house?
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas. And I love choosing and giving gifts that people will enjoy. I try to make things personal to the receiver.
But sometimes I worry that we are forgetting the meaning of the season. This past weekend at church Father Scahill was talking about advent. The point that struck me the most was how he empasized that advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is a season itself. Advent shoud be celebrated and we should be getting ready for Christmas, not simply counting down to it.
It made me think. When I taught Catholic school and CCD I did treat advent as a season. Now I don't as much. And how sad is that? I taught the meaning of advent better to my students than to my own children.
I also find myself empahsizing Santa more than Jesus when talking to Madeline about Christmas. Part of that is the kid in me and just enjoying that this is the first year she really "gets" the whole Santa thing. But is that what I want her to grow up thinking Christmas is about? In order to begin to teach her the true meaning of Christmas I looked for books at the library today. I found TONS of books about Christmas, but very few about the real meaning of Christmas or the nativity. I am having Jon drag out my box of Christmas books tomorrow becuase I want to read her and Owen stories about Jesus and the season of giving (not just getting). When choosing Christmas books I choose some fun ones, but I also try to choose books that have a lesson about Christmas as well. Even the Berenstein Bears and the Grinch have good lessons in them if you look.
Somethings I am planning to do with Madeline (and Owen as well) this season to help them learn the real meaning of Christmas:
*go through their toys and choose some to donate to children who don't have what they have
*involve them in creating gifts for family members, things that are memories not just things
*attend mass as a family each Sunday and on Christmas Eve as well
*teach the religious Christmas songs as well as the popular Jingle Bells, Rudolph and such
*involve the children in donating gift cards or food to our church for the Christmas baskets they are creating
*starting next week involve a bible verse and coloring page from dltk-kids.com that teaches the Christmas story
*look for the meaning of Christmas in all videos that we watch and emphasize them as well as the fun
*try and find the meaning behing the christmas tree and the candy cane (I had them when i taught) and involve them in our holiday plans
*take out our little people nativity and set it up correctly after reading a Christmas story
*create traditions that involve family and time rather then just things
I am not perfect, I get caught up in the gifts at times as well. But I am hoping to take this time when I am trying to teach my children to teach myself as well.
How do you keep the meaning of Christmas from getting lost at your house?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Doing a little better
My last few posts have been less than positive. I know that. In a way it has helped to get it out.
But I don't want anyone to think I am normally a down person. I have struggled with depression in the past. And unfortunatly I am prone to low moods when I am stressed. And lately I have been stressed.
Luckily I am almost done pmsing. That alone will help me feel much more like myself.
I am trying to get out for walks again (twice yeseterday and today) which I got out of doing when it rained non-stop for three weeks around here. Getting fresh air really does help. Plus I am spending time with my kids and doing something that is good for me. This is great for everyone!
Jon and I talked a LOT about baby #3. I still really want a third child, I am just not ready for it now. I am enjoying my family as it is. I know a third baby will be a blessing and we will be just as happy, if not happier, but it will change things. And I am just not ready for that change. Plus I am not ready for the physical changes of being pregnant again. We have decided to put it off for at least one more month, possibly more. Jon is completley open to waiting another year if I feel the need for it. Just knowing that he is okay with this has relieved me sooooooooo much.
I am trying to just let the house stuff be. I know we will find a house when it is the right time. There is no need to stress over it now.
And lastly we started going to church again last week. I feel peaceful after going to church and I have not been since Christmas. I have no excuse, I just have not made it the priority it should be. But I had my wake up call when we walked in last week and big rugrat looks around and says "where are the christmas trees." Oops!
So things are looking up for me. I am getting more sleep and trying to stress less. I have not been to the gym this week and I am trying not beat myself up too much over it. I am actually comtemplating dropping my membership and just walking around my neighborhood more. I don't know though, that is just a thought at the moment.
A higlight this week- little rugrat is starting to say his first word (other than mama and dada). And what is it? more! it sounds more like "mo" but he says it when he wants more food. And this kid can eat! I love hearing him say "mo!"
And the great news around here is....big rugrat is completely potty trained during the day!!!!!!! No accidents in the past three weeks. (this is another You know you are a mom when...highlight =)
Off to watch Cinderell 3..did you know that they made two sequals?
But I don't want anyone to think I am normally a down person. I have struggled with depression in the past. And unfortunatly I am prone to low moods when I am stressed. And lately I have been stressed.
Luckily I am almost done pmsing. That alone will help me feel much more like myself.
I am trying to get out for walks again (twice yeseterday and today) which I got out of doing when it rained non-stop for three weeks around here. Getting fresh air really does help. Plus I am spending time with my kids and doing something that is good for me. This is great for everyone!
Jon and I talked a LOT about baby #3. I still really want a third child, I am just not ready for it now. I am enjoying my family as it is. I know a third baby will be a blessing and we will be just as happy, if not happier, but it will change things. And I am just not ready for that change. Plus I am not ready for the physical changes of being pregnant again. We have decided to put it off for at least one more month, possibly more. Jon is completley open to waiting another year if I feel the need for it. Just knowing that he is okay with this has relieved me sooooooooo much.
I am trying to just let the house stuff be. I know we will find a house when it is the right time. There is no need to stress over it now.
And lastly we started going to church again last week. I feel peaceful after going to church and I have not been since Christmas. I have no excuse, I just have not made it the priority it should be. But I had my wake up call when we walked in last week and big rugrat looks around and says "where are the christmas trees." Oops!
So things are looking up for me. I am getting more sleep and trying to stress less. I have not been to the gym this week and I am trying not beat myself up too much over it. I am actually comtemplating dropping my membership and just walking around my neighborhood more. I don't know though, that is just a thought at the moment.
A higlight this week- little rugrat is starting to say his first word (other than mama and dada). And what is it? more! it sounds more like "mo" but he says it when he wants more food. And this kid can eat! I love hearing him say "mo!"
And the great news around here is....big rugrat is completely potty trained during the day!!!!!!! No accidents in the past three weeks. (this is another You know you are a mom when...highlight =)
Off to watch Cinderell 3..did you know that they made two sequals?
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