Saving

I decided not to really make any New Year's resolutions this since I failed terribly at achieving last year's. I did decide that I want to do better at some things this year. I would like to be more organized, so today I cleaned out the pantry and now I know exactly where things are and what I have. Being able to know what I have leads me into the next thing I would like to do better, save money. I think this is something we all want to do, but some of us are better than others. A couple of my co-workers presented a couponing workshop during our professional development before Christmas and I got a lot of great tips! While I was out on break I bought a notebook, sheet protectors, and photo pages to start my coupon binder. I made my to-do list last week of all the places I needed to go to get my savings started, like Kroger, CVS, and Rite-Aid to get my loyalty cards set up.

So here is my haul. Last week I shopped at Publix twice, Kroger, Rite-Aid twice, and Earth Fare (a local organic and healthy grocer). I also made a stop at New York and Co. for a new outfit.

Here is how I did:

	Spent	Saved
Publix	$46.08	$41.23
Kroger	$45.45	$41.51
CVS	$0.00	$0.00
Rite Aid	$25.01	$39.60
Walgreens	$0.00	$0.00
Target	$1.63	$1.14
Other	$48.70	$80.08
TOTAL	$166.87	$203.56

I am using lots of websites to help me make my weekly lists and plan to use several of my lunch breaks getting my deals. I think the best thing about this week's savings is that I got a FREE pound of chicken from Earth Fare. They do a weekly free item and the nice thing is you can go in there many times with the coupon (you can print as many as you want) and the the item as long as you spend $5. Not bad in my book.

I will share some of the resources I use later for anyone interested. I bet some of you already use these sites. Happy Saving!

Tinsley's New Year's Resolution

While we are still working on our resolutions, Tinsley is already trying to work on hers. Her resolution is to walk. She still isn't walking, but she is making big milestones. She can now stand up by herself. I have been wanting her to walk so bad, but I am regretting this desire. She has a passion for going everywhere and loves to climb. This weekend we are going to buy some of the drawer locks because she gets into them all. I hope you all have a blessed New Year.

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas season! My mom came into town the weekend before Christmas and we went to snacks with Santa at our church. Meredith got over her fear of Santa back in November when we saw him at a festival and after some coaxing and an offer of candy from the big man himself (note to self, talk to her about taking candy from strangers). Tinsley has been pretty clingy for some time so we didn't think she would be happy with Santa. Each of the girls got their own turn with Santa and Tinsley did cry but she settled down after a minute. Meredith practically ran to him. Below is the picture of them together.

On Tuesday our Chick-fil-A does a kid's night and this particular Tuesday the Santa Cow and Elf Cow were there. Being that Meredith loves cows we couldn't pass this up.

On Christmas Eve mom and Meredith made cookies for Santa. Meredith was almost more excite to see if Santa ate her cookies than to see if he left her a gift. We put the girls in their matching jammies, courtesy of Melissa.

Christmas morning brought both the girls what they wanted. A dollhouse for Meredith and a shopping cart for Tinsley. Luckily they have enjoyed playing with each others toys without too much fighting.



Georgia had its first White Christmas in over 100 hundred years. Ours started at about 5pm and didn't really get to accumulating until the girls went to bed, so they enjoyed it yesterday. Tinsley really like the snow and wanted to sit and play. Meredith always talks a big game, but when you get her out in it she freaks a little.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Rowdy Rowleys!

We're still here

I cannot believe it has been over a month since I have posted! We have just been busy living our lives. We did go to FL for Thanksgiving and while we were there we went to the Happiest Place on Earth...Disney World. We had two days left on our pass from our visit in May so we went to use those up. We had a great time and the weather was great. Our special treat was lunch with the princesses at Epcot. Meredith loved it, she bounced up and down all day.

The girls in RC Car at the hotel.

Meeting Belle and Beast. Meredith loves Beast but did get a little stand-offish when it was our turn.

At lunch with the princesses.

The trip was made on the first day right when we walked into the gate, Daisy Duck was there. She was the only clubhouse member Meredith didn't get to meet in May.

Buzz and Woody, always a favorite.

At Animal Kingdom a lot of the characters were dressed for Christmas.

This is the only picture I have from Thanksgiving. I was making bows and just enjoying the day so I forgot to take pictures. Speaking of bows, I am making them now. Some of what I have done are below.

Mulan

Mickey ears

Rudolph

Halloween 2010

Our county did Trick-or-treating last night. So we go the girls all dressed up and went for the first time ever. Some of our neighbors get together and have dinner before hand and then go as a group around the neighborhood. We got invited this year and had a lot of fun. Here are some pictures from the night.

All the neighborhood kids before heading out. Hard to corral them all.

Meredith ditched the ears and had to change shoes before going out.

Loved riding in the wagon.

Her first house. She did really well at saying trick-or-treat and then saying thank you.

Play set

At the beginning of the summer we started looking at play sets for the girls, but just didn't have the money or seen what we were looking for. Well after some gracious birthday gifts and just waiting for the perfect one, we got a fantastic deal on this one. Because we waited until the end of summer we caught a great sale that included delivery and set up, which was totally worth it. We would probably still be putting the darn thing together otherwise. As you can see, the girls love it and will be able to grow with it.

Tinsley wasn't big on the swing when she was an infant, but she loves this one.

I think we got at the perfect time, since it is not too hot to enjoy it.

Pumpkin Farm

On Saturday we met some friends at Washington Farms to go to the pumpkin patch and have fun with all their activities. Meredith is definitely growing. I think maybe she was just over the two mark last year.

She loved going through the pumpkin patch and picking out her pumpkins, it sort of surprised me. Then she wanted to help everyone else.

All the kiddos with their pumpkins. They are so cute!

I promise the girls like the hayride even though you can't really tell with the picture.

Meredith ran to the playground which shocked me yet again because she is usually really timid in new situations. She could have stayed here all day.

All the kids enjoyed petting the animals. Meredith didn't hesitate to pet the horse on her own. Tinsley got a little pat in too.
I think this was also a highlight for Meredith, the cow train.

Tinsley loved it too, she kept squealing with delight.

The third shock of the day came when Meredith said she wanted to bounce on the big pillow. Normally she would have never done this with so many people involved. It was fun and she laughed the whole time.

After the pillow we went to the vortex tunnel, which is dark and it spins around you while you walk on a platform. I didn't think Meredith would be into that but I took her through and as long as we help her she was fine. She went through it I think 5 times!

Talking to her piggies. She kept talking about how dirty the were. Overall it was a great day, even though it was very hot. Looking forward to another busy weekend coming up.