Confessions of a Shopaholic!

Yes, it's true, I love to shop. I don't get to do it very much anymore. I'm married to a saver. The good news is that we agree that the money we have is God's and He gives us some to manage. He's truly blessed us. The way we've found to compromise our spending habits is to use the Crown Ministry's envelope system. We don't do cash in an envelope, but rather have digital envelopes. I know how much is in the envelopes I need to use and can spend as necessary. My personal envelope was negative this weekend. Good thing I decided to return those shoes that weren't comfortable enough wear walking in Washington DC!

Even though I'm a spender I love getting a bargain. Sales and red stickers my weakness. The thrill of the hunt on the clearance rack is inexplicable! You have to be careful, though because sometimes the red sticker price really isn't that great of a bargain. Target is notorious for this!

Last week I got a call from my sister that Gymboree was having a major sale. Ordinarily I would never shop there. $40.00 for a pair of pants for Micah? I think not. But I like the sound of clearance, especially when Christy said she saw some things marked $3.99! I loaded up the kids last Monday and we made the trek across town. I found some good deals. I paid a bit more than I may have if I'd gone to Target, but these clothes are much better quality than what you can get at a discount retailer.

Micah has quite a few hand-me-downs from Charles, Jackson (my cousin Vince & Sheila's son), PJ, and cousin Ian. But as I was getting them organized a few weeks ago I realized that Micah is quite a bit smaller than Jackson & Charles were at this age. Micah's still wearing 9 month onesies and some 12 month one-piece outfits, but the shorts and tops that are 12 months are still big. So much for the summer wardrobe I had in my closet! I noticed all the winter clothes were sized 18 or 24 months. I think they may all be too big, especially this fall when the weather begins to get cooler. So, I found some things in 12-18 months which I hope bridge the gap. I'm so curious to find out what percentile he's in when we go for our one-year check-up in August.

I'm also building a wardrobe for Charles from garage sales, clearance racks, and hand-me downs. I got him a few t-shirts, a pair of shorts, and a shirt for Easter. I think the one for Micah may be too big at Easter, but we'll see.

My finds at Gymboree:

Yesterday after the birthday activities I went to the Just Between Friends consignment sale. I went a little crazy getting things for Charles...it's not often they have much of anything for little boys. I'm a snob at the consignment sales. I only buy good brands. No Target, Wal-Mart, or Okie Dokie stuff from Penny's. I get stuff that I wouldn't normally buy because of the price. I got a Gymboree shirt (labeled that it had always hung to dry...just like I treat my boys' clothes), a GAP blue shirt (we can take family pictures in this one because there's one in Micah's hand-me-down box), a long sleeved Children's Place polo, a almost brand new pair of GAP jeans (the consignor was working and told me her son had only worn them twice), a pair of nice Levis, and a pair of jeans that was $2.00 (these were a little worn but were CHEAP). I also got Micah two one piece summer outfits. One was a Carter's romper with the tag and was marked $3.50. I also got him a sleeveless romper that was Talbot Kids. I didn't know Talbots made children's clothes. Once again, I felt a got some good clothes at reasonable prices.

Celebrating Russell

June brings two celebrations for Russell. Father's Day and Birthday. This year they were exactly a week apart.

I asked Charles what we should get Russ for Father's Day. His answer was, "basketball!" Russell already has a basketball, a fairly new one he bought last fall. So, I did some more probing and got "basketball shoes." Okay, great idea because Russell's been thinking he needs a new pair, but that's not exactly something you can purchase for another person. So...we went to Wal-Mart and got him a new pair of shorts and two shirts that he can wear to play basketball on Saturday mornings. Charles decided blue was the best choice. Hmmm....an opinion already. Wonder where he gets that from?!?! I'm just afraid he's going to have a double dose since both of his parents are opinionated.

Yesterday was Russ' birthday. Charles thought Russ needed a carrot cake. We made the cake on Friday. It was a little messy. Charles turned the Kitchen Aide on high when only had dry ingredients and carrots in the bowl. Both of us and the counter top were white with orange flecks!

Saturday after Charles' project at Lowe's we took Russell out to lunch to celebrate. His choice was a sandwich at Mr. Goodcents. Charles doesn't really eat meat sandwiches (just PB&J or grilled cheese) but this time he ate pretty well. I ordered him a bologna sandwich, which he'd never had before. I figured it was kind of like a flat hot dog. He ate most of it so I'll have to order it again the next time we're at a sandwich shop and see if it's something he'll continue to eat.

Sunday we got up early and began a new family tradition. Going out for donuts (or breakfast) on the person's birthday. It was EARLY because we had to be at church at 8:15 that morning. Charles had never really had a donut and as could be predicted, he chose the one with sprinkles!

For lunch we met my parents, cousin Travis, and his girlfriend Jenna at Los Cocos for a birthday lunch. We were the first ones there so got to enjoy chips & salsa, an order of queso, and several refills on our Dr. Peppers before the rest of the clan arrived. Afterwards we came back and had carrot cake. YUM! I have to admit, Charles and I made a pretty delicious cake, even if we had to improvise because we didn't have enough oil (applesauce works as a substitute). An entire recipe of cream cheese frosting on a 9 x 13 cake is the key to success!

No pictures of the birthday "bash" but here are some from Father's Day. We took Russell out to celebrate Father's Day at the same place we went for his birthday. They have some good Mexican food. Most of the employees...at least the hosts/hostesses and waiters/waitresses I don't know about the kitchen staff...are Hispanic. It's not Ted's but it's the best we can do in Wichita!

My view across the table.

Russell got fajitas. Micah tried to catch the smoke coming off of them. Charles had to use the restroom and wanted Dad to take him, so I had to capture this funny moment on film!

I've created a monster. Paybacks are brutal!

Several months ago I saw these t-shirts on the Children's Place website. I had to have them because Russell's college nick-name was "Super!" Notice how he's trying to stand like a super hero? Russell is ornery!

My three super guys!

Charles the Builder

Purely by chance Russell and Charles discovered that Lowe's has projects for kids on Saturday mornings. Russell and Charles had a Saturday father/son day while Micah and I went spent the day in Oklahoma City at my sister-in-law's baby shower. Russell was fixing a section of the fence that had blown down in a summer storm and realized he didn't get enough parts when we were at Lowe's. He and Charles wen to get the part and found the children's project right in front of the part Russell needed. Charles didn't want to participate at first, but then decided to take part. They made a hole for putting a plastic golf ball. Since then, he's been talking about the next project...a pirate ship (for the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything)! Saturday we took him and he had a blast. Now he's asking about the helicopter project (he calls it an airplane) that's not until the end of July. Never mind the treasure chest project that he can do in two weeks.

Some pictures:

Trying to get Charles to pose with his project. He got an apron to wear while he's working.
They give out patches to sew on your apron. Sadly, we've misplaced the one from this weekend.
The finished project and his patch. We don't have pictures of the pirate ship. But, I'm sure there will be many more projects to post in the future!

Browns, Walls, Robbins, and Sharps

Reunited and it feels so good...do you know that 80s song? I think it's an 80s song, although I'm not sure of the performer.

Anyway, we were recently reunited with PJ and Brookelyn, here for a while visiting Uncle John & Aunt Lola...their Grandpa & Grandma Wall. Lola and Brooeklyn went to church camp so PJ and John were bachelors for the week. After PJ's swimming lesson they came to Wichita and met the Robbins family, Christy, and my clan at the Zoo. They wanted to see the new tiger exhibit and we had lunch together. It was a misty, Oregon-like day so once lunch was done we headed home.

Thursday we went to Lyons to see them again. Lola & Brookelyn were home from church camp and, of course, Lola spoiled us. We had faspa, which is a lite meal of cold cuts, zwiebach, cheeses, etc. The kids played and Lola took Travis and Christy to the Coronado museum. We also got yummy smoothies at the local coffee shop run by high school friends of Carissa. Then it was time to head home. It was a long day without naps! But, we had great fun with our cousins.

Charles, Elena, and PJ.

The zoo has bronze statues at almost every exhibit. I think so blind people can get a tactile experience. Kids love sitting on them and parents love taking their pictures!

We met the Browns, Robbins, and Uncle John in Sterling for a little fishing before heading to Lyons. A two year-old is not a patient fisherman!

No, it's not your imagination, eating with little kids is utter chaos!




Aunt Lola making sure we're all fed. We stuffed ourselves!


PJ and Elena had their own table.