Trying to save a few pennies.

In light of this bad economy where the stock market plunges, homes go into foreclosure and folks loose jobs, we are all doing everything we can to try and make ends meet and save where ever we can.
I'm trying to do my part for my family. I clip coupons, look for Internet deals and shop at wholesale warehouses. I buy the cheapest gas and make my kids wear hand-me-downs. You've heard the old adage "a penny saved is a penny earned". Well we are pinching those pennies every time we have a chance. Saving a little here and a little there.
I think our good habits and efforts are starting to rub off on the kids too.
The other day Kylie was so proud of herself for finding a shiny new 2007 penny on the ground in the parking lot of Target. She held onto that penny wondering what she could buy herself. I told her that she would need many many more pennies before she would be able to buy anything worth having. So she put it in her pocket and saved that little sucker.
The next day that penny ended up on the kitchen counter. It floated around for a day or two, moving from one counter to the next. On Wednesday it had made its way to the center island.
I was emptying the trash and doing my part to help the environment by recycling my plastics while Gavin was watching me and toying with that glistening penny.
I proceeded to take out the trash and when I walked back in the house Gavin was crying and telling me to take the penny out of his throat. Yep, he SWALLOWED IT! It got stuck in his throat but he was breathing and when he opened his mouth I couldn't see it. I hurried and called Scott and told him what happened and he told me to give him a drink of water and wash it down. He said he'd swallowed a million pennies as a kid no harm no foul. So I gave him a big glass of water and waited, and waited and waited. Everything I read on the Internet told me 24-48 hours and it would come out. So 48 hours later, no penny. I started to worry that it had gotten stuck somewhere. I decided to take him to the doctor to have some x-rays done after reading an article about post 1982 minted pennies. That they have a high zinc content and can actually dissolve in the tummy and the mixture of the stomach acid and the penny can act like battery acid causing an ulcer! I know that thing was a 2007!
Then I started to doubt whether or not he even did swallow it when I thought of the things the doctors would have to do to him to get it out! My imagination is very vivid when it comes to human ailments. But the motherly instinct kicked in and I took him in for the x-ray. So the penny is in his tummy still and the doctor told me that it could take up to 8 days to exit!!! E.I.G.H.T! So much for the potty training! Its bad enough to sift through poop in a diaper, let alone having to scoop it out of the toilet! Then again they're pretty much equal.
So my son has started saving for college and his investment pays out dividends!
Meet Gavin, the human piggy bank....
Gavin thinking he was cool because he got a bracelet with his name on it...

Gavin not thinking this was cool anymore...
The penny...
Hope it tasted good buddy...its causing a whole lot of trouble now.

Ask and You Shall Receive...

Yes, I know that I have been terrible about updating my blog. I do think about it often and have not just blatantly forgotten about it. I just haven't had that much to report as of late....that being said, I will report about all the nothing that has been going on around here. You might find yourself amused, if so I'm glad I could give you a little chuckle. If you aren't amused, well, life's rough.

As I was going through my recent photos I was giggling to myself so I hope that these will serve as some form of entertainment for you as well.
The twins are getting so big. I scarcely believe it myself and I see them every day! Its strange to have two more little intelligent beings wandering the halls of this house. Looking for ways to entertain themselves and often finding trouble instead... So here are the recent photos of the twins. (I cant call them "the babies" any more, they are henceforth from this moment on, referred to as "the twins") How do you like my prose??? I'm working on my voice...am I on the mark??? No, I never talk this way in real life. Just on paper when I'm trying to sound scholarly.

And so we begin....

A day at the library. They were actually quite good this trip and I might just let them go again. (note: They had been banned, by me for the last 6 months after nearly de-shelving every book in the childrens section.)


Isabelle having "princess time" (her words, not mine). Look closely, her outfit is complete with beads, purse, shoes and hat. You cant see it in the picture, but she has lip gloss on too.
She devotes at least 1 hour a day to "princess time". (look at the hat, it is balancing on top of her head. She really is a princess!)


Here is Gavin having a little princess time himself. He thinks its ok cuz at least its not pink. The blue makes it more masculine. Scott will KILL me for posting this picture, but it is a true testament to how comical my life is. At least he's a princess with fangs!!!!
I'm going out tomorrow to buy him some BOY dress up. Poor kid, he doesn't have much to work with here!!

This is Isabelle in her true form. The princess thing is all an act. This is the skin shes most comfortable in.

"don't bug mommy Gavin, I'm facebooking...."
Do ya THINK its time for a new diaper??? YAH! He couldn't pull his pants up after redressing in the standard pair of pajamas after his princess time. They were stuck on the sag. The crack was thrown in as a freebie.
Enjoy.

March 21st: Update.
So my friend felt really sorry for Gavin and the very next day brought me 6 bags of dress up for Gavin. Here he is as Buzz. No more princess time. Thanks Joce.

yes, it is true...I live in a zoo...

I know that I have said that a million times but it really is true. In fact the zoo animals are starting to get really comfortable around here. I had to snap these pictures because it was just too funny...


Gretchen getting caught with Dora... She doesn't look like she is going to budge...


Gavin and Gretchen watching "The Grinch" our favorite movie...

My life is truly a comedy in every sense of the word. I might be the only one who thinks it is funny but I just have to laugh. I wonder if everyone's houses are full of such characters.
I do admit though there are times when I DONT laugh, because I have many moments of frustration. But at the end of the day, when the house is finally quiet and the little animals are safely in their cages for the night, I can only close my eyes, and shake my head and chuckle silently to myself...

Were up to a whole lot of nothin, really...

I feel like I haven't updated my blog in so long, I was starting to feel guilty. Just for my own lack of journaling. That's why I decided to start this little blog. So I could have a way to document my little family, and I haven't been that good at it lately.
We haven't been up to much. Both Bailey and Kylie were "Riders of the Week" in the last two weeks.
It is a little way the school honors the kids for good citizenship and attendance. They were both pretty proud of their accomplishments. The twins had fun too.

On the way to school.
Kylie in line for the morning announcements.

Bailey on her day!
I have to say my kids are pretty darn cute...

We are just ENJOYING a winter of temperatures that fluctuate 30 degrees from one day to the next, but at least were all staying healthy (knock on wood).
Hey at least that's Something!

Bailey's Baptism

Bailey on her Baptism day with Grandma Precious! We are so proud of her!

The four generations. What a treasure to have Great-Grandma there.

Bailey and Scott just before entering the waters of Baptism.

I asked Bailey how she felt after her baptism and she said she felt "clean".
She was so excited and has been carrying her scriptures around ever since. She asked me today if she could read them for her reading homework. I'm so proud and happy to see that my daughter wants to do what's right. She is such a good girl.
I hope I can help guide her down the right paths through this life. I know that I cant force her to do whats right, and sometimes she will choose something that might not be the best choice, I know I had to learn through experience, and she is my daughter after all. But I pray every day that my children will be beacons of good in this world where everything is so dark and twisted. I hope they can weather the storm of these times and be pillars of strength to the ones who might be weak or straying off the path of righteousness, I know that Heavenly Father saved the strongest spirits for last. I don't have to look very far to see that it is true.

My little girl, growing up...