The Easter festivities.....

Ava is heading to Cali on Thursday to spend Easter there with her Dad and sisters, so we had some fun on Saturday. Easter egg hunt with Katie and cousins, then coloring eggs (an interesting experience for sure), Ryan humored the kids and hid the eggs once and then they were on their own, and of course I made some yummy treats. I didn't get my mojo for sugar cookies so we settled for chocolate dipped rice krispy treats. Less work and I didn't feel like my figure could take on a weekend of sugar cookies right now. I was beat last night, but I have to remember that even though days like that wear me out they are limited and that one day I will definitely miss it! Pictures are in no order because I was lazy, I can admit it.....

Ava's eggs...
I love this, she had sooooo much fun! Oh to be 5 again
Sista's.... I could not survive without mine! I needed some laughs desperately and we definitely had a few this weekend
works of art in progress
I even made one. Luka needed some help ;)
Me and my not so little baby
Checking out the goods
I got to help Luka while Katie was in charge of pictures. Have I ever mentioned just how much I love this little guy? Well, I do. He even gave me real kisses this weekend (he gives very limited kisses, it makes them extra special)
Getting ready for the hunt!

Well, that is the weekend recap. I am feeling a little blue tonight...... My last spring break is over. I don't feel ready to get back to life tomorrow. I have kind of a lot to do to wrap up the semester, and then there is the looming fact that I have to actually look for a job if I want one. I have been in denial and it is time to snap out of it, and get my booty in gear and make something happen. I know I can do it, but I am not feeling very inspired about much right now as far as a career is concerned. I just want to keep being the Mom. We went to meet Sharon's grandsons tonight. They are precious. There is nothing sweeter than a newborn baby. I loved holding them, but it made my heartache. Oh, the bitter sweetness of life.

Just Us

Just a picture of me and my cute girl today. Isn't her skirt so cute? Thanks to auntie Katie for making it for her :)

Proof of Growth

Ava and our Easter bunny 3 years ago..... The thing is bigger than she is! I miss those cute chubby cheeks.....

And today......

FREEBIES!

This is all the free stuff that made its way back to my house in the past month........
Isn't it awesome? I had several goals I wanted to accomplish in 2010 and found it easier to combine several into one big one: WASTE LESS (time, money, food, energy, etc....). I started following some money saving blogs (you can find two of them here and here) and trying to catch on to the whole coupon game thing, and this was my result. Lots of free stuff, and this is just the stuff I brought home free, not including other items that I got kick butt prices on.
Pictured above:
8 bars Olay soap = 5.50
3 Olay body washes = 16.50
1 Olay body lotion = 8.24
1 bottle Herbel Essence hairspray = 2.99
1 bottle Cover Girl foundation = 7.48
1 bottle Windex = 3.24
8 light bulbs = 4.00
4 boxes Kellogs cereal = 10.00
1 bottle Tide Stain Release = 6.99
2 bottles Listerine Smart Rinse = 8.98
1 travel size Degree deoderant = .97
1 bottle Excedrine = 5.99
1 bottle Vaseline Intensive Care gel = 4.49
3 bags cocunut M&M's = 1.50
2 Glad candles = 5.00
2 packages Oreo cookies = 6.38
2 gallons Milk = 4.00
2 Old Navy tanks tops = 4.98
2 pairs Old Navy flip flops = 5.00
1 10 dollar smiths card = 10.00
1 Digiorno pizza = 2.50

Grand Total of: $122.23

In addition to these savings I have also accumulated $70 in Target gift cards. If you haven't started hitting up the $5 Target card sales, you should. I think I am going to save up through out the year and use the card for Christmas $$$$. Some of the groceries I used my Smith rewards to get free but had some good coupons so it stretched the money a little further. I had mail in rebates for some of the stuff, coupons that were just for out right free products, and some that were buy one item get another item free. The Old Navy stuff was free with a coupon I had for making previous purchases with an Old Navy credit card and then finding some clearance sales to stretch the money further.
Some of the stuff I would have never bought due to higher prices, but with coupons and sales they were free, so why not?
(Becca: those oreos are for your eating enjoyment this weekend :))