I'm a mom too!

Kindle Fire!  In case my love for this product is not clear I thought I should write yet another post about how great the Kindle Fires are.   Let me be clear.  I do not have the latest and greatest when it comes to technology but I do consider myself somewhat tech-savy.  I am not brand loyal.  I am best product loyal.  If I had everything I wanted tech-wise this is what I would own: A Macbook--simply because they do seem virus proof and let's face it.  I attract a lot of viruses. A Kindle Fire--because I could read books, listen to music (I can go on and on about Amazon cloud), play on flash based websites, watch movies + a lot more!  Amazon offers many free books and apps every day.  If you end up buying a book, it is cheaper than the paperback. An iphone--for the camera alone, 'nough said.   A sansa clip MP3 player--because I wouldn't take a Kindle on a run with me.  I despise itunes and will not ever own another ipod...

An oldie but a goodie. I wrote this before I blogged. I think it has good info if you are planning a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. I'm writing this note for my own memory (and for hubby's sake since he had to work the whole time) also as advice/warnings to those that are headed to GWL for the first time. I know I was full of questions before I came, and nervous to do this myself but fun was had by all --eventually. We arrived at GWL around 1:30, our room wasn't ready so we headed to the waterpark, I knew that I was going to rent a locker so I started grabbing things out of the van-- swim bag, diaper bag, purse and snack bag. Big mistake. The locker was only big enough for one of those bags so I had to head back out to the van with 2 overstimulated children who wanted to go anywhere but out. I decided to go ahead and change Jenna in the van (love my mini-van) and we headed back in with just the diaper bag. By 2 we were inside the waterpark ready to explore. Lesson #1 lear...

Here are a few pictures from our weekend trip to the  Grotto of the Redemption . What is this thing??? Jesus' tomb the 9th station, Jesus falls for the third time. Next time I go back to the Grotto I need to take a picture of each station. Hindsight is 20/20. :/ Easter weekend was loaded with family and faith!  We headed to my parent's house and then off to my sister's.  On Good Friday I remembered that the Grotto of Redemption is located right in between the two and all of a sudden I was on a mission to take my girl's to a place I visited often as a child.  In fact I visited it so often I thought these Grotto structures made of all kinds of precious stones were located everywhere and this just happened to be one we drove by a lot.  Little did I know it was a rare site located in small town Iowa. It turns 100 this year and is a pretty remarkable site.  To read more go  here  and  here .

I even labeled!! I am sooo NOT a labeler!  This project was fun.  I used label templates from Better Homes and Gardens.   Find the beginning of this project here. Check out some more great projects at                                                               AND

So I was in a major meal planning rut!  With 2 WOTH parents, 2 kids, and 4 nights of extracurriculars we often would throw supper together and it was usually met with groans and moans.  I am not afraid to outsource.  So I am loving my latest find emeals!! There is a referral program so if you want to try it out please click on the icon below to give me credit.  Use the coupon code PARENTCHILD for a discount.  (It must be a percentage, I got $3.15 off my first 3 months!)  Also groupon has deals once in awhile too!  It cost me $17 and some change for 3 months of meal planning and you easily save that in the first week!! Here is how it works, You choose the store. They provide the plan! Each week you will receive a brand new plan with a complete grocery list organized by sections. Each meal plan is as low as $5 per month!!  The stores to choose from are ALDI Kroger Publix ...

Honestly she turned 4 about 2 weeks ago but I've been very busy!! I am on spring break and trying to catch up on a few things.  HOORAY!!   11 day coundown to J's birthday! J took them down and made her own version. :) Very simple Birthday stations: trampoline, bean bag toss, bingo dots J's new trampoline.  I forget about our small space problem when I bought this.  She loves it though!!! She bounced for over 12 hrs. that day beginning at 7 am... Guests with Webkinz (cheap from Graveyardmall.com BTW) Pinata, if at first you don't suceed Put it on the ground a smoosh it! Big sis! Wii Kids Dance! How cute are they! Round 2 with Grandparents!  Finally a Doodle bear! Somewhere around 10:00 PM!!  I think we have finally recovered from that day.   and an interview with the birthday girl! How old are you?   Three. I mean 4. When is your birthday?   Friday (not quite) ...

 This week started out a little rough.  Last Sunday M tried to cram all her homework into Sunday night and then when I went to sign her January reading log (which I totally trust her with) I was appalled by the lack of minutes.  There was a meltdown and anyone with a 9 year old probably knows, it wasn't pretty so we came up with this contract and had a good rest of the week. Phew! J on Reading Eggs.  I discovered Reading Eggs on Mrs. Willis' blog  so I signed up fro my 30 day trial.  I am loving it!!!! I discovered that J knows her letters and sounds but cannot hear what things start with.  She also has trouble remembering things in sequence so this probably goes hand in hand.  Not a huge problem, she's three, but good info to have.  This is what I woke up to.  J playing with her Kindle, watching the snow come down.  We had a very pretty snow this weekend and ended up with 8-9 inches of heavy white snow.  ...