Christmas Time is Here!

We have had so many fun Christmas things going on that I am just going to combine them all into one post.  Savannah sang in her Christmas program at school.  I cannot come up with the words to say how much we love the girls' school.  The teachers and staff have been such a blessing!

Next up was Zoolight Safari.  This was an impulse decision because the weather seemed to be "warmer" (I think it was in the low 40's).  The girls loved every moment though and didn't complain at all. 

Savannah helped daddy cook a big pot of pasta sauce after church on Sunday. 

Yesterday we got to spend some time with our favorite "cousins" - Jack and Elle.  The pictures say it all.  We are looking forward to hanging out more this week while they are in town.

In the plans this week are a trip to the winter wonderland at McWane, a playdate with Emily, cookie baking with the girls and of course Christmas Eve and Day and SANTA.  Hope you are feeling as blessed as we are this season.

Bargain Shopping!

I just bought today's Groupon deal for Birmingham.  $30 worth of food at Mafiaoza's in Crestline for $14. If you have kids and have never been, it is one of the only restaurants we have found with "nice restaurant" food and kid friendly atmosphere.  They give the kids balls of pizza dough to play with plus when the weather is nice there is outside dining!  If you have not, you should try it!

I also got a great deal on Yankee Candles at Bed, Bath and Beyond last night.  We LOVE the Mistletoe scent and BBB has select Christmas scents on sale right now.  I don't know about you but I refuse to pay $25 for a candle, no matter how good it smells.  But if you go to BBB this week you get 25% off regular price on the holiday scents, plus if you spend $30 on Yankee Candles you get a free small jar candle (worth $10) AND you can either use one 20% off BBB coupon for each candle you buy OR use this $10 off a $25 Yankee Candle Purchase coupon.  (Tell them to ring it as a competitor coupon.)   Basically I bought one and got two free. :)

Savannah at Dance

Today was Open House/Christmas Party at Savannah's dance class.  This video is mainly for grandparents, uncles and aunts, (and Sidney's mom who got there late and didn't have her camera ;)) because it is LONG.  If you are interested in a seven minute montage of four year olds dancing - hey, go for it.  You can always make fun of my first attempt at video editing/splicing.  I even had to convert the video files from 3GGP format from my Blackberry to WPV files, which included searching for and downloading a free program that would convert for me.  :)  Feeling very techie tonight.  (I used Format Factory to convert and Windows Movie Maker to edit if you are interested.) UPDATE:  MY VERY CUTE VIDEO WILL NOT LOAD ONTO BLOGGER FOR SOME REASON.  WORKING ON TROUBLESHOOTING.

Another National News Interview for Joe in the Morning!

Joe will be on the CBS Early Show sometime tomorrow morning between 7 and 9 am Central time talking about Gabe Watson's case.  It can be seen nationwide.  If you missed his other interviews on the case here is the link to one of them...

Fox National News, November 30 - http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/happening-now/index.html#/v/4441635/defending-the-honeymoon-killer/?playlist_id=86919

After you click the link you have to click the thumbnail titled "Defending the honeymoon killer" to get the video to play.

A Christmas Tea!

We had some very special girls over today for a Christmas tea.  The girls had Christmas shaped PB&J and grilled cheese while the mommies had chicken salad. 

 Dessert was a HUGE oreo cookie.  I highly recommend the giant cookie kit (as seen on tv ;)).  Can't speak for the giant cupcake or doughnut but the giant cookie kit was easy to use and produced this:  It was a hit!

To quote Sara, "It's not a party until there is a hole in the wall."  My little monkey Campbell tried to climb over the baby gate at the top of the stairs and it fell out of the wall while she was climbing!  No worries - she is fine.  I, however, am still recovering!  Thankfully we had an RN among us to reassure me. This is why Campbell moved from her crib to a regular bed at 14 months old.  



The big sisters had an especially good time.  What a great way to celebrate the season!

I Love Publix in Hoover!

I actually drive past the Publix in Vestavia to go to the newer one on Highway 31 in Hoover, not because it is new, but because they are so coupon friendly!  I am hosting a Christmas tea for a couple of Savannah and Campbell's close friends and mommies (pictures tomorrow I promise!) so I bought some non-sale items which made my total a little higher.  The Hoover Publix took several Bruno's coupons from Wednesday's paper and a $15 off a $100 purchase coupon from Foodworld.  Even buying "off the weekly ad" I still spent $65 and saved $47.  If you don't already, check out http://www.iheartpublix.com/ and http://www.couponingtodisney.com/ for weekly ad/coupon match-ups.

I also wanted to show everyone my latest tutu.  This is a gift for a birthday party next weekend.  Hope she likes it!  If anyone wants a tutu let me know.  I'll also be happy to teach you how to make them.

Bargain shopping Wednesday

I had a marathon after school errand running session yesterday!  I had $60 in Kohl's cash burning a hole in my pocket and I am sorry to say that I spent it on very practical things like socks.  :(  Next came a Disney Dress Up Trunk switch-a-roo!  I bought one at Toys R Us Saturday for $39.99 and found the exact same thing at Walmart for $20!  Finally a stop at CVS.  For all of you Birmingham natives - I have found a fabulous new CVS on Highway 31 in Hoover (across the street from Hobby Lobby).  It is HUGE and very well stocked, so even on Wednesday they still had plenty of the contact solution and lip balm that is free after Extra Bucks this week!  I am so excited to not have to run to CVS every Sunday morning to get the best deals. 

Speaking of CVS, don't think I do this all by myself!  I always check I Heart CVS Friday to check out the Sunday ad and look for any great deals and coupon matchups.  THEN I go to Hot Coupon World's Coupon Database to check for any other coupons.  It is a complicated process that has taken me over a year to master, but if you are not CVSing, YOU SHOULD BE!

Halloween and Fall Fun

Groupon

I just bought today's Groupon deal - it is a good one! $12 of food at Chappy's on 280 for $6. Kid's under 6 eat free, so this will be a great lunch or breakfast for us this weekend. Click here to see the Groupon. Groupon.com

We're Back!

After a year or so of trying to reduce, reduce, reduce and focus on being a mommy, wife and teacher above all else, I think I am ready to come back to the blog!

I'll still post fun pictures of the girls and our family outings to keep our family and friends up to date on the craziness we call life around here, but since I last wrote I have become an avid couponer, mystery shopper, online survey taker and general finder of free things on the internet. :) I have actually even taught a few classes, so I'll also be talking about that!

This afternoon I am off to CVS to roll my extra bucks for some free contact solution, lip balm, and revlon lipstick. If you missed the CVS Black Friday deals you really missed out! I actually went at 8:00 am on Thanksgiving day...and I was not alone! I came home with a bag full of free things and $22 in extra bucks to spend this week.

New pictures tomorrow...