A Visit with Santa!

On Tuesday, we took the girls to the mall to see Santa!  But before we chatted with the big guy, we did a little shopping.  Jaden has her Christmas program at preschool in a couple of weeks so we stopped to get her a new outfit.  She wanted to leave the store and go play with Dad and Sis, but Mom and I made her stay with us in case she had to try anything on.

Wishing she was out with Dad and Taylor.  I am forever telling this child to,
"Pull up your pants!"  :o)

Then we stopped at the food court for some supper and ice cream!

Off to see St. Nick!

Taylor definitely takes after her Uncle Shane-O!  I pull out my camera and the silly faces come out automatically!

 

 

Jaden made a hand for Santa :o)

Technically, we weren't allowed to take our own pictures.  It's a good thing I have a super sneaky mom!

There were no tears this year!  It was a great visit!  Taylor asked for a baby.  Jaden asked for the "big princess castle."  :o)

Merry Christmas!

School Shopping!

Last night, we took Jaden shopping for all of the things on her preschool supply list!  This was a big deal for both her and me.  I can't believe my baby is going to be starting school.  A new chapter in her life that she is more than ready for.  I know she will do great in school.

Here is her supply list:

Required

• 1 box of Kleenex
• 1 package of napkins
• 1 roll of paper towels
• 2 boxes of 5 oz. wax-coated Dixie cups

Needed but not required

• Elmer's glue sticks
• Crayola washable markers
• Crayola washable water color paints
• Scotch Tape
• 16 count Crayola crayons
• baby wipes
• package of plastic spoons

We didn't get to shop for the traditional school supplies like pencil boxes and notebooks, but we did get a few things off of the optional list so Jaden could actually shop in the back-to-school aisle.  I really like how they set the list up.  We are still paying full day daycare for Jaden even though she will only be there for a half day.  It was nice to not have to spend a fortune on school supplies.  I'm definitely going to keep my eyes open for sales after school starts.  I'm sure the preschool is always in need of supplies!

Jaden had fun collecting her supplies.  She got each item off of the shelf by herself and as we were leaving Target, she thanked me for buying them for her!  It won't be long... 35 more days!

Let's go shopping!

I have a couple of awesome deals for you, my wonderful blog readers!

Brookstone is a super awesome website full of great gifts for anyone!  After you pick out some fun things for yourself, go grab something for your sweetie... You know, he can't get mad at your online shopping habits if you buy things for him too!  Whether your man is a tech geek or an outdoorsman, you will be sure to find him something great! Brookstone's gifts for him and gifts for dads are truly unique.

For my blog readers, Brookstone is offering $10 off a purchase of $70 or more!
How sweet is that?!  Just enter the coupon code 22SAVE at checkout for this great offer.

Thanks, Brookstone!

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Have you ever thought about shopping at stores that weren't necessarily directed toward your size?  I'm talking plus size stores!  When Jessica at Fashion to Figure contacted me, I got excited about reviewing this necklace!  I had never thought about shopping at plus sized stored before.  You better believe I'll be browsing their accessories from here on out!  I LOVE this necklace/earring set!  Super cute :o)  Also, check out all of the awesome plus size dresses Fashion to Figure has... Super cute!

Have a great afternoon and happy shopping!

BLACK FRIDAY shopping on my blog!

Select bow option from the drop down menu. Then, click the "Buy Now" button to purchase.

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My Fool-Proof Plan for Christmas Shopping

I can't believe that Christmas is only 53 days away.  We have started shopping but haven't really got deep into it yet.  The problem we have run into in the past is getting the shopping done super early only to find that J has a new obsession by the time the holiday actually comes around.  I can't have my kid thinking that Santa isn't in tune with what she loves!  This year, I have a fool-proof plan.  I'm going to get my shopping done early and just feed J's obsessions like it's my job!  She loves 101 Dalmatians right now.  I could go buy her 101 actual dalmatians but if Christmas rolls around and she is loving something else, she won't care one bit.  So, if I buy her a bunch of dalmatian stuff, all I have to do is keep talking about dalmatians, watching 101 Dalmatians, calling her Pongo, whatever it takes for the obsession to last!  Like I said, fool-proof... right?

Sorry, I'm a little distracted today...

Ok, I have had this blog for a while.  Why do you read it?  I want to know what it is that makes people keep coming back and reading what I have to write each day.  I've been posting a lot of crafts and tutorials lately and honestly, those posts are the ones to get the most hit.  Is that what my readers like?  I don't know?  There is a mom whose daughter goes to the same sitter as my girls.  She apparently has a blog (didn't know about it but will probably search for it now) and wrote a post about the babysitter and how much she loved her.  Great, right?  I mean, I love our sitter and trust her with the lives of my daughters and I don't mind telling you about it... BUT, this mother's post was stapled to the kids' menu this week.  Now, I don't know if the mom provided the copy to the sitter or if Annie just so happen to see it, but I felt like it was a little... I don't really know how I took it.  I guess it just made me wonder who is reading my blog and what they come to me for.  For the rest of this week only, I am allowing anonymous comments (hopefully I won't get too many spammers!).  Please, if you read this post, leave me a comment and tell me why you did.  I want the good, the bad, and the ugly.  If you come to my blog because you think I'm a dork and you like watching me make a fool of myself, tell me :o)  If you think I'm the smartest and most creative person in the world (first, congratulations for realizing that), tell me!  I want to know it all!  Now watch... I'll get zero comments :o)

Jaden the OFFICIAL Big Girl!

For quite a while now, we've been trying to get Jaden to sit on the big potty without her princess potty seat.  She has had no problem doing so at the babysitter's house, but at home, forget it!  Being the wonderful parents that we are, Mike and  started to bribe her a little.  We told her that as soon as she could do it, we would take her to the BIG toy store (Toys R Us) and she could buy any toy she wanted in the whole store!  Well... a few nights ago at 9:45 pm, J comes out to the family room and says she has to go potty.  Mike goes to help her... they take a while.  Mike finally comes out and says that Jaden is ready to sit on the big potty.  HOT DOG!  I go in there and she said she only wanted to "practice," meaning she wanted to sit on the potty with her PJs on.  Hey, it's a step!  Oh, and just so you know, the reason she was scared of the potty is because one of her boyfriends at the sitter's left the seat up once and she about fell in.  SO, she lifted the lid and sat right up there like a big girl!  I was so proud :o)  I told her that the next day, we would go to the BIG toy store and she could buy any toy she wanted.  Her request: the slinky dog from Toy Story.  Well...

Welcome, Mr. Slinky Dog!

Then, while we were at the store, she said she had to go potty.  I told her I didn't bring her seat because she was a big girl.  We got in the restroom and she was a little nervous because the potty was much bigger.  But, she did it!!  Since her little bootie is so tiny, she has to hold onto the toilet seat so she doesn't fall in.  We made sure to wash our hands about three times before leaving the restroom!  She ran out and announced to the whole store her dad that she DID potty!  He was holding a Toy Story Seek and Find book and told her she could get it for being a big girl!

Such a proud big girl!

Good job, J!!  We are so proud of you :o)