Summer Is Here!

This past weekend, a friend of ours had the most adorable birthday party for her 2 year old twins, Jackson & Taylor. She filled her back yard with lots of little puddle pools and water splash toys. It was so much fun watching Ellie run around jumping from pool to pool. She is just so much fun right now. She was even trying to float on her back..unfortunately floating doesn't work as well with only 6" of water in a pool. The best part was that daddy was able to share the memories with us. This is going to be a great summer!

chillin' in the sun

don't drink the water Ellie!!

Silly Daddy....

How many candies can I have mom?

stayin' in the shade

Savin' Money & Lovin' It

So a few weeks ago I joined the "Grocery Game". For those of you that don't know, theGrocery Game is a website that teaches you how to save lots of $$ on your grocery bill every month. Each week I spend about an hour or so clipping coupons from the Sunday paper and printing my weekly list that shows me the lowest price products in the supermarkets I choose. Right now I'm using Kroger, Tom Thumb, Alberston's and CVS lits! I have been playing the game for several weeks and have found that my grocery bils has been reduced by about 40%. There is also a great resouce on the grocery game website where members share insight or tips to their success. Anyway, today was the BIGGEST savings day I've had so far and it was NOT at one of the stores I subscribe to but found out about it on the "message board". Here's what I got at Target 2:

# of
Items, Item, Reg.Price, Sale Price, Coupon, Out of Pocket
2, AirWick Automatic Spray, $9.99, $5.99, $5.00x2 (manf), $1.98each
1, Tampax (sorry guys), $3.19, none, none, $3.19
2, Oral B Floss, $1.59, $0.97, $1.00, FREE
1, Bandaid, 40ct,$ 2.19, $1.51, $1.00 + $5.00TG*, FREE
1, Neosporin (on the go) $3.99 , none, $1.00 + TG*, FREE
1, Johnsons Baby Lotion, ???, $ 2.79, $0 .75+TG*, FREE
(9oz w/free 4oz )
Total $22.61- 18.75 coupons = $5.65
Tax .09
Out of Pocket $ 5.74

*Target had a $5.00 coupon if you bought 3 of the listed products...I didn't "need" them but picked them up because I will need them one day!



I know the math is kinda funky but it works! I've attached a picture of the receipt so you can see for yourself. With $4.00 gas prices, I strongly recommed signing up for the grocery game. If you sign up please be sure let them know that I recommeded you by including my email address (michelle75001@yahoo.com). Here's the link to the grocery game http://www.thegrocerygame.com/. The best part is that I headed over to CVS afterwards and bought about $23.00 worth of stuff for about $7.00!! I love this game!!!

Above hows the CVS $7.00 purchase.

Below is the $5.74 Target purchase.

XOXO
Michelle

Daddy's Home

After two long weeks in the Philippines, Daddy is finally home!! Today Ellie woke up asking for Chris like she usually does, but today I was excited to tell her that later this afternoon we were going to pick daddy up from the airport. We had a pretty busy day so 3:40 PM came quickly. When we met Dad in the International Terminal of DFW, Ellie immediately jumped in Daddy's arms and hugged his neck. She was so excited to see him and got really upset when he got out of her sight. Since Chris came home all we hear is "Dad"..."Dad"...."Dad"! Welcome back Daddy!!!

Ellie walking from the parking garage at the airport to pick Daddy up. She insisted on bringing her poodle purse and wearing her sunglasses.

So excited to see Daddy!

XOXO

Michelle

Storm Blew Through Our Backyard

While Ellie and I were at Vacation Bible School this morning a horrible storm blew through Frisco. After talking to my neighbor I realized just how bad the storm really was. She said the winds were blowing pretty strong and the rain was coming down almost horizontally. Because it's been so hot, I've kept the blinds closed during the day but since it was raining and cooler I opened them when we got home. Well, I was shocked to find the grill lying on the ground with the propane tank barely hanging on, Ellie's play house is dab splat in the middle of the yard and the patio table is laying on the floor faced down. Her little coupe car was also on it's side and her bubble machine is now 6 broken pieces of plastic. I wish I could tell you what happened but I don't think I'll ever know. Thankfully, Ellie and I were not home while all of this was going on. This North Texas weather is CRAZY!!!

XOXO

Michelle

Spending Father's Day with Friends

Thank God for great friends! Since Daddy was away on business trip to Manilla for Father's Day, our friend Jill and Harry invited Ellie and I over for dinner. It is so nice to have great friends that wanted to make sure that we still had a special and fun Father's Day. So Ellie and Jill's daughter Ava had a great time playing with toys and in the back yard. Ava shared her little pool with Ellie and a sprinkle spray ball. The girls had a good 'ol time running around together. Even though Chris was out of town Ellie still had a great day!
XOXO
Michelle

Daddy's Father's Day Gift

Father's Day is just around the corner and I thought this would be a great gift to give Daddy...his family's very own blog. Since he is traveling quite a bit with work right now, he can check in from wherever his travels take him and catch up with what's gone back home. With that said, I think it would be fitting to start off my first blog sharing some thoughts Ellie and I have about Daddy!

Chris has embraced fatherhood in an awesome way. No matter how busy he is with work, he always has time give Ellie a kiss. After a long day of work he comes downstairs and instead of catching up on the news, golf or ESPN, he is rolling around the living room floor playing with Ellie. They are best buds! Whether it's giving her a piggy back, a tickle attack or even climbing into her ball pit tent (that is way to small for a 6" man) he is always happy to play with her. He's never had a problem helping with her daily needs so it should be no surprise that he is in charge of bedtime duty. This is a great time that Daddy and Ellie get to share together. Daddy is also the first face Ellie sees in the morning when he's in town so when mommy picks her up her first word is "Dad?" Isn't that a shame? Ellie is Daddy's #1 Fan!

Although it's not "Husband's Day" I have to brag about the best man in the world...my husband. Chris is not only and incredible father is a fantastic partner. It's great to be married to someone who's cup is always full. His positive attitude on life makes is infectious and keeps me grounded. Chris has sacrificed so much for our family and I am so grateful for that. He is always willing to do everything on his "Honey Do" list and then some. The best thing about Chris is that no matter the craving I have (NO, I'm NOT prego!!) he will ALWAYS go get it for me. Seriously though, we have grown so much as a couple and am so excited to see what the future holds for our family.

Babe, we love you very much and want you to know that you are the BEST daddy in the whole world.

XOXO
Your Girls!

Day at the Farm

Today was Ellie's first day on a real farm...come to think of it, it was my first time on a farm too. It took her a little bit to warm up to her new furry friends but after a while she was right there in the mix of things. Her favorite was a white little pony. It was so cute watching her throw food over the fence to feed him. She had a great time playing around in the barn, riding the seesaw with her friend Christopher and even swinging on the tire swing. We were so excited that our friend Carrie invited us to celebrate her daughter Payton's 2nd b-day. Happy Birthday Payton!

XOXO

Michelle

Our Lil' Fish

Today was Ellie's last day of swim lesson. I mean, we say swim lessons but it's really a technique that teaches kids to float on their back to come up for air and breathe. After only 5 weeks in the class, Ellie has graduated and is ready to safely play in the pool. She has no problems swimming to the steps or to us. Her favorite is to jump right in and come up to float on her back. She is able to swim under water for about 5ft. and then roll on her back and come up for air. It is truly amazing to see her. The most important thing is that we know that she is safe playing in the pool...with adult supervision of course.

XOXO

Michelle

Ellie Gets Her 1st Hair Cut

I'm not sure why I had such a hard time with this one. I guess it's because my little girl is growing up so fast. I have been so excited and celebrated most of her milestones but I was wanting to wait for this for a few more months. Actually, until she was 2!! I know...that's crazy but maybe it's because I could control this one. I guess I figured if she hadn't gotten her first haircut she would still have ALL of her baby hair and still be a baby. Unfortunately, her hair didn't agree with me. In the past couple of months her hair was growing so fast that we didn't have a choice but to get it cut. So, today I ventured off with the camera in tow and marched into Sweet & Sassy for her first haircut. The salon is adorable! It has a little shop where little girls can find all of their "must haves". Ellie found a little bag that had a comb, brush and mirror. When she found it she said, "Ma..Ma....cute...cute". I should have bought it on the spot but I didn't. I'm regretting that now. That's the first time she has picked something out that she likes and said "cute". What was I thinking? Anyway, Susan, the hair dresser signaled that she was ready for us and Ellie immediately went to her. Susan propped her up in her big girl chair and draped her with a princess embroidered cape. She handed her a princess wand and a blue lollipop and Ellie was set to go. She hardly noticed Susan wetting her hair or combing it through. I was doing my best to hold back the tears and swallowed a couple of times because I didn't want to cry. My little girl was getting her first haircut. Where has the time gone?? I took a deep breath and got my camera ready for the first "official cut". Susan cut about an inch off the back and 1/2 inch of the front and sides to even it out. She sprayed some yummy spelling girly stuff and put 2 sparkly tattoos on her cheeks and vuala...there she was looking as adorable as ever. She looked at her self in the mirror and said "preee...preee...preee"! It was then that I realized that we are in big trouble. She loved every second of being pampered at a salon. There were no tears (from either one of us), no whining, no complaining. They gave Ellie a "My First Hair Cut" certificate with a picture of her all dolled up and a little baggy with her hair locket. Ellie's first haircut was was a great success and in the end I celebrated this milestone too.

XOXO

Michelle