22 months old...and 2 days

A little late on this entry. And no it didn't slip my mind, I had no time on Tuesday. :/

But as of Tuesday, October 9, my daughter turned 22 months old. I can't believe how fast time has flown by. Not including going through her clothes to officially move her up two sizes, she is growing in more ways than one. She can recognize about half the alphabet including say their sounds. She knows almost all of her body parts. She is stubborn and bullheaded and independent and snugly and sweet. She is this awesome little toddler package all rolled up into one.

She runs and dances and doesn't have a picky bone in her body.

*****EDIT:*****

When I originally started this post, it was Thursday. :/ Knowing this fact just makes me feel more terrible.

I know every parent says this, but my child is seriously amazing. She is this little sweet ball of energy. She plays and laughs all the time. She helps me with the laundry and the dishes. She gets to be more of a handful but more fun everyday.

Taken 10/12. Being silly with Mommy's new iPad.


This picture was taken Saturday at the Perry Fair. 10/13. She was feeding a goat.


The main reason for this continually late post? I was having too much fun with my daughter. She will only be this age once and although I want to write down the memories, the blog can fall by the wayside as long as we are having fun.


Weekly Totals: Publix 10/12 68% Savings

 


I'm playing catch up today. My friend and I planned to go out to eat then to Publix and then back to my house to watch a movie with the little ones. We didn't watch the movie but still a lot of fun was had by all. The girls never want to stay in the carts anymore. So they were terrorizing the store. But they are allowed since they are almost 2, right? I did get to do the P&G Bakeware rebate as well. Saved a total of $146.89. :)

Anyways, Saturday I went to the North Georgia State Fair with my in-laws. SO MUCH FUN! Hubby couldn't go which I am REALLY bummed about. We were gone all day. Then last night I stayed up to late trying to play catch up on house work.

 
We met Junior & Willie from Swamp People. Too cool, right? :)

Here is a link-up. I will get a FULL break down with coupons of my shopping trip for y'all. But right now just add your brag post or comment on how you did this week and I will get you updated as soon I get a chance to breathe. :)

*****EDIT:*****

So Here is the break down. Remember you have until Wednesday to get most of these deals. :) Note: My Publix accepts Target, Kroger, and Ingles as competitors. They double coupons and do half price bogo. They also accept money off coupons with boho coupons as long as the coupon doesn't say cannot combine offers per their coupon policy. Target and Kroger are also this way.


First Transaction:

12 Weight Watchers Entrees @ 10/$5
- $5/12 (manu mailed from Kroger) - Here's a $4/10 IP and $3/10 IP
- 2 B5G1 Publix Coupon from Yellow Ad Flyer (exp 10/12/12)
- 2 $2/4 Target IP
= $11 or $0.92 each

8 Totino's Pizza @ 10/$10
- 2 B3G1 FREE Publix IP from Best Meals Happen at Home email
- 2 $1/4 IP (NLA?)
- 2 $1/3 Make Your Home Italian Tonight Publix in store coupon or IP (exp 10/13/12)
= $2 or $0.25 each

2 Stouffer's Family Size Entrees @ $3.99
- 2 $1.50/1 IP
= $4.98 or $2.49 each

2 Cascadian Farm Frozen Veggies @ $2.49 (reg price)
- $2/2 Publix IP from Best Meals Happen at home email
- 2 $0.85/1 IPs (or Here's a $0.75/1)
= $1.28 or $0.64

Publix Whole Milk @ $2.99

3 Pillsbury Artisan Pizza Crust @ $1.99
- $2/3 Make Your Home Italian Tonight Publix in store coupon or IP (exp 10/13/12)
- 3 $1.25/1 IPs
= $0.22 or $0.07 each

2 Bailey's coffee creamers @ 2/$3
- 2 $0.55/1 IPs
- 2 $1/1 Yellow Advantage Flyer Publix Coupon (exp 10/12/12)
= -$0.10 or $05 MM each!

3 Fresh Express Salad Blends @ 2/$3.99
= $5.98

Publix Shredded Cheese @ $4.99

2 Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt @ BOGO $2.19
- 2 $1/1 IPs (NLA?)
= $0.19 or $0.10 each

Publix Grade A Large Eggs 12 ct @ $1.77

- $5/$30 Publix Coupon (Mailed from my Mom)

Total before taxes = $28.06
Total Savings = $68.97

Second Transaction:

Glad Trash Bags @ $5.99

4 Robitussin @ 5.69 (reg price)
- 2 $5/2 Green Advantage Flyer Publix Coupon (exp 10/31/12)
- 4 $3/1 Robitussin from 10/7 RP (Here's a $1/1)
= $0.76 or $0.19 each

4 Emergen-C 10 ct packets @ $3.99 (reg price) - My Hubby swears by these
- 2 $5/2 Green Advantage Flyer Publix Coupon (exp 10/31/12)
= $5.96 or $1.49 each

Gerber Graduates Yogurt Melts @ 2/$5
- $1/1 IP (found cleaning off my desk and expires 10/14!)
= $1.50

2 Wishbone Salad Dressings @ BOGO $2.65
- 2 $1/1 Publix IPs from Best Meals Happen at Home email
= $0.65 or $0.33 each

8 Beechnut Stage 2 glass jars @ 10/$4
- $1.50/8 Beechnut Publix Baby Club Coupon
- 2 $1/3 IPs
= -$0.30 or almost $0.04 MM each!

Publix Hand Sanitizer @ $0.99
- FREE Publix Baby Club Coupon

8 Chapstick @ $0.99 (reg price)
- 4 $1/2 Publix Green Advantage Flyer
- 4 $1/2 10/7 RP (Here's a $0.55/1 to make them $0.10 MoneyMakers wyb two!)
= FREE ($0.08 MM)

Angel Soft Bath Tissue @ $5.49
- $0.25/1 IP (doubled)
= $4.99 ($0.17 a roll!)

Qualified for P&G Bake Ware Rebate:
(I seriously needed all this makeup because I lost my make up bag some where between my vacation and home.)
Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets @ $2.79 (reg price)
- $0.50/1 (doubled) Bounce from 9/30 P&G
= $1.79

Covergirl Concealer @ $4.29 (reg price)
Covergirl Eyeliner @ $5.49 (reg price)
- 2 $1/1 Green Advantage Flyer Publix Coupon (exp 10/31/12)
- $3/2 Covergirl from 9/30 P&G
= $4.78

Downy Fabric Softener @ $4.49 (reg price)
- $1/1 Downy from 9/30 P&G
= $3.49

2 Cascade Action Pacs @ 4.99
- 2 $1/1 Cascade from 9/30 P&G
= $7.98

2 Covergirl Eye Shadow @ $2.99 (reg price)
- 2 $1/1 Covergirl Green Advantage Flyer (exp 10/31/12)
- $3/2 Covergirl from 9/30 P&G
= $0.98

Covergirl Thick Mascara @ $4.99 (reg price)
Covergirl Powder @ $4.79 (reg price)
- 2 $1/1 Covergirl Green Advantage Flyer (exp 10/31/12)
- $3/3 Covergirl from 9/30 P&G
= $4.78 (Total for P&G rebate: $42.80)

- $5/$30 Publix Coupon Mailed from my Mom

Total before Taxes = $39.77
Total Saved = $77.92

Total Spent of both orders before taxes = $67.83
- with Taxes = $76.68
Total of both orders Savings = $146.89

Total Percentage Saved = 68% (66% after taxes)


Creamy Arroz con Pollo: A Quick and Cozy Family Dinner Win

If you're anything like me, weeknights can be a wild ride, especially after school pickup, homework wrangling, and the never-ending laundry pile. Most nights I’m just aiming for “nutritious and done,” but every now and then, I surprise myself by wanting to actually cook. Not microwave, not assemble, really cook something warm and comforting.

That’s exactly what happened recently when I peeked into my pantry and freezer expecting to throw together a quick, uninspired dinner. But instead, I ended up making something so delicious and so simple that I had to share it: Creamy Arroz con Pollo.

This dish is everything I love in a weeknight meal: comforting, flavorful, one-pan, and full of ingredients I already had on hand. Plus, it's a great way to sneak in veggies and protein, and the kids actually ate it (that’s the real test, isn’t it?).

Whether you’re a busy working parent, a stay-at-home multitasker, or somewhere in between, this is a meal you can get on the table with minimal stress and maximum satisfaction.
 

Creamy Arroz con Pollo


House Party - Battle of the Sexes

Wednesday, I received my Battle of the Sexes House Party pack. I was so super excited to get invited to host this party because I seriously thought it would be so much fun.



Now, I have applied to multiple other parties but this was the first one I got accepted to.

I was going to host this party at my friend's house. It is actually her birthday and I was given permission to bring the game and such a long.



UNfortunately, Hubby has to work now Saturday night so no car, means no night out. Which means I have no idea what I am going to do about hosting this game.

The game looks really fun and all the drinks on the drink list they provided sound super yummy.



If you are interested in hosting a party of your own, go HERE and sign up. Maybe you will have better luck getting people to come. If you host stuff all the time, then you probably will. I always go to others houses but usually plan entertainment, bring food/drinks, etc. So I'm kind of disappointed. I was really hoping to get on invited to host the Sabra House Party but with no one coming to this one, the chances are low.

O well. Still a neat site and it was still amazing of Spin Master Games to give me the opportunity to host. Maybe Hubby and I will play all by our lonesome after he gets home from work.

So have you ever throw a party and been disappointment with the outcome of the number of guests?

Vacation Update: Conclusion

Okay and here is an update on the rest of our trip. I know I said I was going to post daily ones but I was exhausted at the end of each day. So I took a vacation from my blog. Ha!

The sun setting on our vacation.

Wednesday night we went to Wild Wings and then shopping around Pier Park. The guys took the little ones to ride the rides and Sweet Pea had to ride the merry-go-round twice. And then we went to Marble Slab and got some very yummy ice cream.

After eating Wild Wings, in their matching dresses from Carter's.

Thursday morning we left the girls with my FIL and Hubby while the ladies went to K-Mart to pick up a few things. I ended up buying a really cute bathing suit for only $7. And I know it's the end of the season and hopefully it will be too big by next year but I couldn't resist. I just love the way I feel in it and that is rare for me.

Then we came back and went out to the beach for a bit but after lunch I went out and left Sweet Pea with Daddy while I had some very much needed quality time with the sand, ocean air, and just me.


Thursday night we went to eat at Pineapple Willy's with just me, Sweet Pea, and the Hubby. And then after that we went and played putt putt because Hubby just HAD to go. It was very cute and quite amusing. Sweet Pea didn't really play (thank goodness she was free :]) but it was so cute. She just held on to her ball and club the entire time. And then when we had to put her ball up, she was NOT a happy camper.

Little Cousin and Hubby
 
After everyone got home with her balloon hat
Friday we spent all day at the beach (except nap time) and that night we went to Margaritaville. They had a lady on stilts making animal balloon hats and such. Then a Jimmy Buffet song came on and the lights turned bright. I was really nervous because there were cannons on the wall and I forgot what they did last year. But we just found the lost shaker of salt. We were then suppose to go walk out on the Pier but Hubby started getting a migraine so we left early. He has never had one before but we are pretty sure that's what it was. He is fine now though.

And then Saturday was the LONG trip home. It's so good to be home. And everything is back to normal. I still have some unpacking to do but that part is no big deal. The driving with an almost 22 month old was not fun. We didn't leave until 9 so she hardly slept but she was a good sport about it.

Finally home and so glad I did a deep clean before we left and had a washer/dryer at the condo. It's hard to try and get back into our daily routine but I'm getting there.

So did anyone else do anything fun while the kiddos were out of school for Fall Break? Or any fun vacations over the summer? Share them! I would love some ideas for next year. ;)