Exciting TidBit

So I stopped at Stop & Shop today. I typically go to Shop Rite but I was in town this morning so it was easier to get what we needed today while I was out. Shop Rite is less I find and I stop on my way home from work and really couldn't wait until Monday, especially since we may get a storm tomorrow.

Anyway...I tried the new Scanner Program they have. When you enter the store you pick up a scanner. Someone is there to walk you through it and it was very easy to understand and then go do. I only got a little tripped up in the produce section, but figured it out on my own.
So the idea is you scan as you go and fill up your grocery bags as you go along. Then when you are done, you can go to any register and they scan your scanner and you pay and WaLa you are done and on your way!!! No waiting for slow baggers. No waiting in long lines, because you can go in Express Lanes and Self-Check Out lanes with the scanner!!! No more lifting heavy items in and out of your cart, taking all 10 cans out of your cart!
I loved it for all that and I saved money! Yes, really.
See when you start you tell them how many bags you want (they have new little hooks on the cart to help them stay open) and I said 5 thinking I'm not doing a big week of groceries. Well, as I got going I was very conscious of bag space. I was also conscious of the price of things, since I first had to look at the shelf and then look again as it scanned! Well I put a few things back, telling myself, "I really don't need that!"
So I bet your wondering how much I spent? I did not have to buy any meat this week, but everything else was pretty standard (milk, yogurt...).
I paid $68 and change! I typically spend around $100 for a non-meat week!!! I did great! Oh and they also have specials built into your scanner. So I did get grapes for 55 cents, I typically don't buy grapes in the winter. The trainer told me as I use it I will get more savings because it keeps track or your regular purchases since you first scan your Stop & Shop card and that keeps track!

Well, I thought it was great and just wanted to share!!!

My Dad's Blog

Okay, my Dad who I got to start a blog on all of his geneology stuff has won an award!!! I am so proud of him.
He has been researching our family's history for a few years. In the past two years he has really done a lot so I thought it was time he shared it! Well, now he's like a pro blogger:) I am soooo proud of him.
Check out his blog...the link is to the Left of posts and under blogs I follow.
It's called BitsandPieces.

My Puzzle

Katie got a 3-D puzzle for her birthday. We started working on it together and she did do some. It wasn't easy at all, 500 pieces! She gave up but I kept going. It brought back memories of my Grandma Wrenn doing jigsaw puzzles in her basement. I would go over and help her. I really liked doing puzzles with her so it was fun to do one with Katie.

Here are some pictures of my work in progress. I've reached the really hard parts, so I'm going pretty slow now. But I WILL GET IT DONE!!!





We've been having fun playing some new games.
Aunt Yuki gave the kids perfection for Christmas when she came to visit. Do you remember that game? I loved that game. I also hated it because the buzzer going off always scared me! Now it scares Ben!


This is our other favorite new game.


Ben loves to play Jenga!


Katie loves to play school and she is the real deal teacher. I get a desk, folders and worksheets to complete.

New York City Trip

Katie and Kelly on the train.

I never did post our photos from our annual Girls Trip to NYC! Soon after we got back both of our computers went on the fritz! Weird how they both went on the same night....anyway I'm back and posting some great pics.

It all started last year when we My Mom, Sister and I took Katie and Kelly to NYC for a Christmas Gift/Katie's birthday. First we stopped at American Girl and then we saw Little Mermaid on Broadway last year. Very fun.


Katie and Mia 2008
This year my Mom didn't come with us as planned. We went one of those super cold Saturdays in Janurary and the cold would have likely given her a very hard time with her asthma/breathing. She decided it was best to stay home. Katie quickly said, next year we'll go in the Spring so she can come!

We had an extra ticket for the play, Mary Poppins, so Laura G. met us in the city. She's finishing up her PA degree at Seton Hall. It was easy for her to take a train in! We missed Nana but we had a great time with Laura, you know she's one of the girls too!!

We went to American Girl first and it wasn't to bad. When we first got there, Katie and I went straight to the hair salon to get Mia pampered. Amy and Laura went up to the cafe to see if there were any cancellations. We weren't hopeful, but guess what...we got in!!! After we dropped Mia off we rushed upstairs to get in before they gave our table away. Phew.

Well, it was so cute inside! It was all pink,white and black. Cute tables and chairs and fun plates. It was surprisingly not as expensive as we thought it might be. For a very reasonable all inclusive price we got yummy appetizers, great lunch choices for adults and kids and then cute little cookies! Yes, I really enjoyed my lunch!





Here are some pictures of Mia getting her hair done at the salon. It was very cute. Your name is called (the wait was over 90 minutes) and then you would go up to the counter and watch your doll get done as she sat in a chair. The stylists all talk to the girls and ask the girls about their dolls. Katie didn't really catch on until I told her. Oh, Mia also got her ears pierced.






The hair salon took a lot longer than we thought so we were really cutting it close to make it to the show that was a good 30 minute walk. Amy was panicing slightly and Laura was trying to reassure her, there's always a cab! We made it NO PROBLEM!!
Mary Poppins was AWESOME! I highly recommend it if you are thinking about going to see a show with kids. It was constant entertainment and no lulls.


Katie and Laura at the show.

Having a Moment...

So I'm sitting here in a quiet house folding laundry.
You're thinking hmmm what kind of moment is she having?
A Katie is getting so big moment! BooHoo...

So for all my friends out there who are dealing with toddler meltdowns, the never ending princess phase, the Polly Pockets and Pet Shop all over the house phases...enjoy.

I am feeling weepy folding her laundry and there are fewer and fewer signs of her "I am a princess" phase and little girl phase.

Now it's bigger sparkles, more glitter and less characters on her clothes. Of course there are the Hannah and Taylor shirts, but they are just not the same! And they aren't even PINK!!!!

Okay, back to folding laundry.

My Boys

THE BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

Ben's birthday was first. He turned 5!
Here are a few pictures of Ben's party, he was all over the place so I don't have many pics of just him. I don't want to post ones with his friends since I don't have all their permission. Trust me, they had a blast!




The next day, Nana + Poppy and Amy and her family came over to celebrate. This was the first year I didn't have a BIG family and friends party in addition to Katie's friend party, Ben's party at child care/preschool and Katie's treats for her school party.
I bring it on myself because, I always feel so guilty that their birthdays are 3 days a part and I feel like they need their own separate day but also time with family and friends. Well, it gets to be a lot of planning, money, buying what seems like 5 cakes and stress on my part! I make way to big of a deal about things.
So,this year I decided for 2 separate parties and I hope everyone will understand. I know my friends who's children weren't invited to the parties will understand.We have a few sets of friends who all have older boys that couldn't come to Ben's because of the age restriction at the place. They certainly couldn't come to Katie's because, HELLO...it was a SPA party and boys are gross, according to Katie. So we will see them individually and hopefully stay friends:) Just kidding!

Jason's parents will come over for dinner at some point, his mom was sick the one day it was planned, to see them. I had my sister and parents over for a get together/birthday cake on another day. I think my sister and nephews were in shock that I didn't have a crowd, NO games, NO goodie bags and no hoopla. Just a good ol' day of playing fun!!! FYI, last year I had my wonderful brother-in-law, outside in the freezing temps helping me set up for a scavenger hunt and trying to put the pole in the ground for the pinata!!! He was soooo happy not to have to do that this year! Oh, I even made them share Ben's left over cake for our celebration with my sister!!!!!
Then Ben didn't want to bring anything to school for his special birthday treat. He told me he already had his party with his friends! WooHoo.
Katie of course couldn't imagine this!! But then she never mentioned bringing in treats either. WOW, I did end up having an easier time this year.

So there is my confession. My friends better be reading this!





Now Katie turns 8....

Poppy and Nana gave Katie a very special gift this year. It's a bed for her doll, Mia (AG). Poppy made it out of a piece of maple he had from his father. Two years ago he made Ben a beautiful set of blocks out of it too. It must be pretty big?!
Anyway, Nana, yes Nana, made the bedding with some help from her friend Mrs. Yates, an old family friend. Katie loves it!!! I do to because now, Mia has a place to stay.

Then she had her Spa Party with her girl friends....

This year she wanted a Spa Party at home with her friends. It turned out to be 12, 2nd grade girls. Thank goodness some couldn't come:)
Here are a few pics with her friends who's mom's I know won't mind them being on my blog.
Let me just say this...There was A LOT OF: SCREAMING, GIGGLING, NAIL POLISH SMELL, BUBBLES, SUGAR AND HAIR SPRAY GOING ON ALONG WITH TAYLOR SWIFT PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND! I went out for a drink with my friend when it was all over!!!!