Extreme Couponing

I will admit I like the "thrill" of using a coupon to save some money.  At times, I wonder if I could be an extreme coupon-er.  I don't know if you are watching the new show out called Extreme Couponing.  I have been.  I am amazed by the amounts of food and other products these people store/hide/save.  And I can't help but ask myself if their couponing isn't causing them health issues.  The majority of these couponers on this show are obese.  Now, I'm not the slimmest of people, but I do know that eating 48 Butterfingers is not good for my health.  Yet, many of these couponers appear to be eating all 48 of the Butterfingers they "saved on".  Not to mention all the noodle packages, frozen pizzas, cookies, etc.  Will these people get a bite for reality shows and next I'll see them on the Biggest Loser?  So it makes me question, does couponing (I'm talking extreme type couponing) have a correlation to obesity?  Certainly, it is a rarity to find a coupon for fresh produce...and if these extreme couponers are only purchasing items they have coupons for...then how often are they buying foods that their bodies NEED?

Easter rolls

Today the kids and I made Easter rolls (also known as Resurrection Rolls).  They are a simple way of explaining that Jesus has risen and the tomb is empty.

You need jumbo sized marshmallows and refrigerated rolls.  We opened each roll and put one marshmallow inside.  

I told the boys that the rolls were like the tomb and the marshmallow was like Jesus being put inside the tomb.  We talked about how Jesus died on a cross and was put into a tomb.  I explained three days later Jesus rose from the dead and the tomb was empty.  Brewer immediately said, "The marshmallow is going to disappear and the roll will be empty like the cave."  You got it buddy; the cave (i.e. the tomb) was empty for our Savior lives!


The boys pinched the edges of the rolls and closed the marshmallow inside.

Then we baked the rolls on 350 degrees for 18 minutes.

When the biscuits come out, rub a little butter on the tops and sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar.  (This make them look even more a little "tomb" like.)

If you break them open, you'll see a "hole" in the biscuit.  

But the biggest impression your kids will have is when they eat them and see the hole in the middle of the biscuit. 

THE TOMB IS EMPTY!  Mark 16:6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him."

Our Savior lives!!  Happy Easter!

Easy Pea-sy Easter Gift

These are super easy.  All you need ... sandwich size Ziplock baggies, cardstock, Easter stickers or die cuts, stapler, and some candy.

First fill the bags about halfway with candy and zip the bag shut.  I would have LOVED to do chocolate candy, but the kids are going to be outside for 3 hours tomorrow...so I had to go with this chewy kind.

Then take some cardstock and cut it in a 5.5"x6.5" rectangle.  Using the 6.5" part as your length, fold the 5.5" part in half...making it 2.75" on each side.   Decorate one side of this fold how you would like.  On these there is an Easter bunny attached with pop dots and the words "Happy Easter".  We've also added the classmate's name and Maddox's name.

Once decorated, staple the cardstock to the baggie.  Make sure the baggie is in between the cardstock.  VIOLA!  SO EASY!!

Now I must confess and tell you that I was planning on making these and using my Cricut to create the cardstock piece.  But I found these cardstock pieces pre-made in a pack of 20 at Hobby Lobby on sale for $2.25...so I really couldn't go wrong.  I cheated and used the pre-made ones...but you could make them easily!

Happy Easter!

Had to pull a Dr. Wharton

In a recent parenting conversation with Dr. Paul Wharton, he shared of a time his family was driving to Disney for a pre-paid vacation.  During the drive, his children had several warnings about their behavior.  Despite the warnings, the inappropriate behavior didn't stop.  Dr. Wharton made the statement to his children that if the behavior continued, they wouldn't be going to Disney.  Sadly, it continued.  He got off at an exit and turned the car north to head back to Jacksonville.  His kids couldn't believe it.  Was their dad really going to not take them to Disney?  Was he going to walk away and lose the money from his pre-paid vacation?  Could they earn the trip back?  They pleaded with their father to let them earn the trip back.  If he would just head back to Disney, then their behavior would be superb.  But it was too late.  He had given them his word -- they would not be going to Disney if the behavior in the car continued, and he was sticking to his word.  So no Disney trip for the Wharton family that weekend.  (He said his wife was in as much shock as his kids. I'd imagine so.  LOL!)

Parenting is tough.  I believe, there is no job out there that will work you harder and pay you (monetarily) less, than parenting...but the rewards are so wonderful.  As a mom, if I sit back and think about my responsibility, I may completely have a panic attack.  It is my prayer that Lou and I are able to raise two Godly, responsible men.

Punishments are difficult.  Today one of my children (who will go unnamed) had a punishment that resulted in losing a privilege of going to the movies.  Both of my children adore going to the movies, so this was a big deal.  But without punishments, where will they learn about consequences and responsibility?

On Friday night, our children were told that if a certain behavior happened, they would not be going to see the movie, Rango on Saturday. Well, one of our children, displayed that forbidden behavior and was not able to go to the movies.  Could he have earned it back this morning?  Yes...  But if we always let our children earn back a privilege and not really make them have the consequence, will they grow up to be the responsible men that we are praying they will become?  I felt he should "do the time" (so to speak) of his consequence.  Therefore, one of our children went to the movie and the other one didn't.  We hope the lesson was learned.  Only time will tell.

It is difficult to punish your child when you see the disappointment in their face on losing the movie.  (The saying, "This hurts me more than it hurts you" began to resonate in my head.) It was a trying day; so I was relieved when I got a text from a friend.  She knew nothing of my day but her text said, "Had to pull a Dr. Wharton".  Of course, we talked immediately and went over both of our parenting dilemmas of the day.  At least, I know I'm not in this disciplining thing alone.  While I hated it for her child and for mine, it was comforting to know that many of us are trying to do the right thing.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Maddox turns 3!

On Friday we celebrated as Maddox turned 3.  We only give our kids birthday parties on the years they turn even ages (2, 4, 6, etc).  Since Maddox was turning an odd numbered age (3), we just celebrated at home as a family.

Maddox picked out popcorn chicken from Publix for his meal and a Nemo birthday cake.  MeMaw, PawPaw, and Uncle DayDay came for dinner to celebrate.

We played outside for awhile.  It was a beautiful evening.

We ate dinner and then Maddox opened his presents.

Next we enjoyed cake and ice cream.

Maddox had a great day.  There were lots of special things for him -- a celebration at his school with cookies, our family dinner, gifts from friends that came throughout the day, and special spending money from Grammy and Auntie Phyl.

I feel so blessed to have Maddox.  He is an adventure for sure...keeps you on your toes.   Yet, he is tender, smart, silly, has an amazing sense of humor, and is a dear friend even at the age of 3.  What a blessing!

Valentine's AGAIN -- You were warned...

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I love Valentine's Day.  So you can't say you haven't been warned that I like to craft the holiday to death.  Here is a little something so the teacher's don't go forgotten.  While I am certain it would be fine to give our teacher a shovel with candy and/or a gumball machine, I thought we'd do something different than what the students are receiving.

Check out these water bottles.

I took the idea from Tatertots and Jello blog's; however, I made my own changes. First of all, I could not find the Hawaiian punch anywhere in red.  (And I thought the idea of the water turning red was a perfect thing for February 14th.)  So I had to go with the KoolAid brand.  A few things about this...make sure you buy the sugar free kind; otherwise, the packets will be too big for the label.  (Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way.)

Another thing is that the packet on the KoolAid says to mix half the packet with 16.9 ounces of water.  HOWEVER, I had already printed the labels based on Tatertots' site.  In hindsight, I should have the label read "Mix 1/2 of contents with bottle of water".  (BTW, Tatertots' has printables on her blog that you could use to create these.)  I'm not changing the labels I've already printed, so I guess our recipients will be enjoying an extra flavorful drink.  LOL!  While we're discussing the labels, I also changed the name from "Love Juice" to "'Will You Be Mine?' Potion".  Brewer would be very upset if anything he had to give to someone said the word "L-O-V-E" -- oh, to be a 5-year-old boy (wink).

To: Mrs. Yvette, From: Brewer

I enjoy using the Cricut. Instead of using the heart labels seen on the other blog, I cut three layers of hearts for the "TO: FROM:" label.

Lastly, I could not find those precious red and white straws that Tatertots has on her blog.  Well, I found them on-line but not locally...so I used a different straw.  The straws I am using for the teachers were in a pack of pink, orange, yellow, and green that I picked up at Walmart.  

Look at all these unwrapped straws
being exposed in the outside air.  

But the big question here is: Does it bother anyone besides me that these straws are not individually wrapped??  

It REALLY bothers me...and I was obsessed with washing my hands while making these.  But still -- if anyone knows of a place I could get a great straw for this -- a straw that is WRAPPED -- let me know. :)

I did find these swirly, heart straws in the two dollar bins at Walmart.  But the kicker is that the straw is no where near long enough to fit in the water bottle.  So I am using the regular straws on the teacher bottles.  I thought I might make a few drink bottles for some of our friends.  I know kids love and APPRECIATE a good swirly straw.  So here is what we are going to do for the water bottles we make for "kid" friends.

And here you go!!!  A fun drink for teachers to enjoy on Valentine's Day!  I'd love for you to leave a comment her on the blog.  At least then I know that I'm not writing to myself. (wink)

"Will You Be Mine" Potion for Valentine's Day 2011

SURPRISE to Disney

A few hours have past since my last post.  I hope no one thinks I was too miserable.  I wasn't...but I needed to have my little party for myself.

This post should be a lot more cheerful.

Last week I called my mom and told her I wanted to surprise the boys with a trip to Disney -- just a day away.  We could go and have a fun day.  The Magic Kingdom is always magical.  Yet, in the middle of the week in February, it's even better.

So on Tuesday we whisked the boys off to the Magic Kingdom for the day.  We had a great time.  Maddox was big enough (finally) to ride the race cars.  He thought this was awesome!

This 2-year-old thought he was "big stuff" driving his race car. :)

Brewer tried out Thunder Mountain for the first time.  He can be timid about new things; yet, he was a trooper about this!

Waiting in line to ride Thunder Mountain -- less than a 10 minute wait.  Gotta love Disney in February!

I believe he liked the ride but didn't "love" it as he didn't ask to go a second time.  He was brave and tried this new ride with no complaining!

Both of our kids enjoy the parade that comes up and down Main Street.  

Having MeMaw with us was a great addition. There is no way I could do the Magic Kingdom by myself with two children.  I was very thankful she came with us. 

I love this photo of my mom with the kids.  But why does Brewer look so upset, and Maddox is looking like he is trying to escape? LOL!

Why do adults feel the need to "squat" when taking a photo with a character that is short?  Mom and I need to learn to not do this.  We look a little 'hunched over' with Donald.

 It was a perfect day!  And a very special surprise for the boys.