tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82423516328644860312024-03-06T00:25:52.015-06:00Three Times the GigglesIdentical triplets causing trouble together.Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.comBlogger601125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-30246263213504748852010-10-04T13:24:00.000-05:002010-10-04T13:24:07.514-05:00Heads Up!If this showed up in the blog roll on your site, then you have the wrong web address! Back in July I moved Three Times the Giggles over to self-hosted Wordpress. Please change the link on your blog roll and if you have my old button, swap that out for the new one (which can be found on the new site)!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://threetimesthegiggles.com/"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>http://threetimesthegiggles.com</b></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hope to see you over there! </b></span> </div>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-158976249424513172010-07-22T11:49:00.000-05:002010-07-22T11:49:15.716-05:00Bugs Worked Out?I know some of you were having a hard time viewing our new blog over at <a href="http://threetimesthegiggles.com/">threetimesthegiggles.com</a>, but I think whatever the bug was has worked itself out. I suspect some of the new settings just hadn't made their way across all of the internet!<br />
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If you're still having problems I suggest trying a different browser to see if that helps, or making sure you're running the latest version of your browser. If you're <b>still</b> having problems you can subscribe to the new blog and get the posts in your e-mail for now, by going <a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=ThreeTimesTheGiggles&loc=en_US"><b>HERE</b></a>.<br />
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Hope you're all able to join me at the new site! I think you'll find much simpler, cleaner and easier to navigate.<br />
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Oh, and if you had my blog in your blogroll, please change the address!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-44708008051374501252010-07-20T09:34:00.000-05:002010-07-20T09:34:01.806-05:00We've Moved!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As of the afternoon of Monday, July 19th, Three Times the Giggles has taken up residence at <a href="http://threetimesthegiggles.com/">threetimesthegiggles.com</a>!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please update your bookmark/favorite, as this blogspot address will no longer be updated!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-49654014909489251232010-07-19T09:15:00.000-05:002010-07-19T09:15:59.877-05:00I Heart Faces - Over My Head ChallengeHave I mentioned just how much I love the <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/">I Heart Faces</a> site? Seriously, so much fun! This week's challenge is "Over My Head" and each entry must have (of course) a human face and something, anything, over their head. It could be a hat, a balloon, a bird, etc. This assignment should bring out some creative shots, so I'd highly encourage you to scurry on over to their Mr. Linky and <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2010/07/week-29-%E2%80%A2-over-my-head-photo-challenge/">check out the other entries</a> - after you admire my of course.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Summer!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm-v3mDFrWX2LSO-sJ2DhQMXDd6pt70VDCM3PsNMliDmxoO5yas_mInjfQFEmQqWYXy7Frfa-EIWFygXM3jUg1QjniW5Q4Emq2qv9k-PED6Osl4mR2YkEzIaAHcWzOW6EsASznPj-H0g/s1600/DSC_6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm-v3mDFrWX2LSO-sJ2DhQMXDd6pt70VDCM3PsNMliDmxoO5yas_mInjfQFEmQqWYXy7Frfa-EIWFygXM3jUg1QjniW5Q4Emq2qv9k-PED6Osl4mR2YkEzIaAHcWzOW6EsASznPj-H0g/s640/DSC_6061.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" mce_href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" /></a><center><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" /></center></center>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-54023338643489056392010-07-19T09:04:00.000-05:002010-07-19T09:04:43.317-05:00Who Wants to Win a Prize?I think I have pretty awesome readers. A good number of you take the time to comment on my silly ramblings or picture heavy posts and I received so much help last week regarding the sleep issues in this house! When I was approached last week about either offering a giveaway to my readers or keeping the prize for myself and just writing a review, the choice was an easy one.... of course I want to reward my readers!<br />
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The prize up for grabs? $40 to be spent at any of the 250+ CSN stores (you'll have to pay shipping costs)! Remodeling your bathroom? You could put the $40 towards a new <a href="http://justvanities.com/">vanity</a>. Have a child's birthday coming up? You could use the $40 to buy a sweet new <a href="http://www.csnstores.com/Pretend-Play-C216148.html">toy</a>! Kids keep breaking your dishes? Buy new <a href="http://www.dinnerplates.com/">dishes</a>! Seriously, the options are endless! Check out all of the specialty stores CSN has by clicking <b><a href="http://www.csnstores.com/ourstores.asp">here</a>.</b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's how you can win!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><ol><li>Leave a comment saying what you need (or just really want) to buy right now.</li>
<li>Become a follower of this blog and leave a separate comment (or let me know if you already follow).</li>
<li>Check out the blog, and leave a comment, of another commenter - then leave another comment here.</li>
<li>Share this giveaway on Facebook and leave another comment letting me know you did. </li>
</ol>That's it! Four easy ways you can enter to win. Winner will be drawn on Thursday morning, so you have until then to leave your comments! <br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-2784353419171633162010-07-17T08:00:00.002-05:002010-07-17T08:32:08.730-05:00Saturday SavingsLast week I never got around to doing any grocery shopping, which meant I was in trouble by the time the middle of this week rolled around. Some "staples" I just can't stock up on due to space limitations here, so I almost always have to shop once a week, but sometimes can stretch it a week and a half like I did this past week.<br />
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Wednesday evening I made a quick run to Price Chopper for some eggs, bananas, carrots and some of the snack type stuff they had on sale (crackers). Thursday morning the boys and I hit up Target for some cheap taco shells (thanks to a sale and a coupon you can print on the <a href="http://www.ortega.com/">Ortega website</a> right now) and grapes as well as a few other household things we needed. We also swung by Hen House for some free-range, locally raised chicken, local milk (nothing like "voting" for local food by spending your money on it!), granola bars, and something else but I'm blanking on what right now. Between those three mini-trips I spent about $35.<br />
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Yesterday I headed to HyVee where I was thrilled with the amount of stuff on sale! Even better is that most of this stuff will be on sale next week too (just pick up an extra coupon book at the customer service desk). Everything you see below came from HyVee and was $48.31.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TEEHC8QdjaI/AAAAAAAAF_c/0LsmT2tIisI/s1600/DSC_6158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TEEHC8QdjaI/AAAAAAAAF_c/0LsmT2tIisI/s640/DSC_6158.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Loot:</b><br />
Lemonade<br />
Eggs - 2 dozen<br />
Yoplait Simply Yogurt Go-Gurt - 2 boxes<br />
Fuel Injector Cleaner (random, I know)<br />
Iceberg lettuce<br />
Earthgrains 100% Whole Wheat Bread - 2 loaves<br />
Total Cereal - 2 boxes<br />
HyVee Pudding - 2 boxes<br />
HyVee Jello - 2 boxes<br />
HyVee Tortillas<br />
HyVee Hamburger Buns<br />
Sparkling, Flavored Water - 2 bottles<br />
HyVee Taco Seasoning - 2 packages<br />
White Bread<br />
HyVee Tortilla Chips<br />
Sunbelt Granola - 1 box<br />
Era Laundry Detergent<br />
Yukon Gold Potatoes - 4.64 pounds<br />
Blueberries - 1 pint<br />
Broccoli bunch<br />
Green Peppers - 2<br />
Pink Lady Apples - 3 pounds<br />
Vine Ripened Tomatoes - 1.45 pounds<br />
Smart Chicken (all natural chicken) - 4 pounds<br />
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<b>The Deals:</b> So obviously a lot of the best deals this week are for store brand items. It's not often my cart is so full of store brand things! The <b>tortillas </b>were $1, the <b>taco seasoning packets</b> were .34 each, the<b> tortilla chips</b> were .78, the <b>hamburger buns</b> were .69 and the <b>pudding and jello mixes</b> were .25 each. Produce also had a lot of really nice bargains! <b>Iceberg lettuce </b>was .49, <b>tomatoes</b> were .98 a pound, <b>green peppers </b>were 2/$1, <b>broccoli bunches</b> were .99 each, the <b>potatoes </b>were .77 a pound and the<b> blueberries</b> were .88 after my coupon. The<b> Total Cereal</b> ended up being between .92 and .67 a box thanks to a coupon I had with me and a coupon that was on some of the boxes. The <b>granola</b> was $1.45 a box.<br />
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Some of my purchases (apples, eggs, Earthgrains bread to name a few) weren't rock-bottom prices, but they were low enough that I felt I could "splurge" a bit on them.<br />
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<b>Total Before Sales, Tax and Coupons: $92.96</b><br />
<b>Total After Sales and Coupons: $45.69</b><br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-57848201911031927812010-07-15T09:15:00.000-05:002010-07-15T09:15:15.163-05:00I Need HelpWe have serious bed time issues here and we are just at a loss as to what to do. If you've had toddler bed time issues, I need your help! Here's a brief run down of the issues and what we've tried....<br />
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<ul><li>Bed time is at 7:30pm - most nights the boys don't actually fall asleep though until 9:30 or later. That's two hours of messing around!</li>
<li>The boys do still nap most days, but even on the days they don't nap they <b>still</b> mess around for a couple of hours.</li>
<li>They're waking up at 6 or 6:30 in the morning and often have crabby tendencies as a result.</li>
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<b>What We've Tried</b><br />
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<ul><li><b> </b> Super Nanny technique of just putting them back in their beds without talking. The boys thought that was hilarious.</li>
<li>Locking them in their room (we've reversed the door knob) and ignoring them. Works great until we hear crying and fighting.</li>
<li>Sitting the offender in an extra long Time Out (5-10 minutes depending on how many times they've been in TO that night already) in an attempt to let all the kids calm down completely.</li>
<li>Moving the offender to a different room to fall asleep and then move them back to their room after they're asleep. Problem here is those door knobs aren't reversed, so Nick and I will often end up in the hall holding the door shut until they just give up and lay down.</li>
<li>Giving them 10 minutes to just lie in their beds and talk before telling them it's time to be quiet.</li>
<li>Sitting on the floor in their room for 10-15 minutes until they're calm and quiet (then about 5 minutes later they're wild again).</li>
</ul>Some of those attempts at controlling them have worked for a week or two and some have never worked. Last night a friend suggested giving them each a certain number of "passes" for coming out and asking for hugs, kisses, to be covered with a blanket or to use the bathroom. I may give that one a shot, even though I'm not convinced the boys are old enough to "get it".<br />
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Any other ideas? By 7:30pm my patience with the boys is <b>done</b>. Another 2 hours of shenanigans sends my stress level through the roof! Nick and I often alternate dealing with them, but boy would it be nice to just sit on the couch and talk or watch a movie without having to pause it every 3 minutes.<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-88182020955986144672010-07-14T09:36:00.000-05:002010-07-14T09:36:40.092-05:00Fun TimesThe boys had a ball this past week, hanging out with Grandma and Pop Pop. We did all kinds of fun things (some of which I didn't take any pictures of *gasp!*) including a trip to the zoo and playing at the park...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GLWq9GHI/AAAAAAAAF-o/Fe_0_TcWilQ/s1600/DSC_6088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GLWq9GHI/AAAAAAAAF-o/Fe_0_TcWilQ/s640/DSC_6088.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Chase and Jackson. Such a shame my focus was on the dragon and not them! Darn! And yes, Chase is wearing his shirt backwards. Again. He's always so proud of himself for getting himself dressed that he hates it when I try to help him or "fix" whatever he did wrong.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GN4lH-_I/AAAAAAAAF-w/5TwtXPVvJdY/s1600/DSC_6096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GN4lH-_I/AAAAAAAAF-w/5TwtXPVvJdY/s640/DSC_6096.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson and Pop Pop checking out the kangaroos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GQ_nbdAI/AAAAAAAAF-4/n9GZW2bKWdc/s1600/DSC_6102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GQ_nbdAI/AAAAAAAAF-4/n9GZW2bKWdc/s640/DSC_6102.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope there isn't a squirrel living in that hole!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GTRl-vuI/AAAAAAAAF_A/xVvVNULsby0/s1600/DSC_6119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GTRl-vuI/AAAAAAAAF_A/xVvVNULsby0/s640/DSC_6119.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chase flying across a bridge at the park! And yep, his shirt is backwards again... his shorts are also backwards, but that's harder to tell in the picture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GVT0CaFI/AAAAAAAAF_I/DGfA2jm5DmQ/s1600/DSC_6127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GVT0CaFI/AAAAAAAAF_I/DGfA2jm5DmQ/s640/DSC_6127.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GZGtWXWI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/uiqWBkizjow/s1600/DSC_6139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TD3GZGtWXWI/AAAAAAAAF_Q/uiqWBkizjow/s640/DSC_6139.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not so fast, Pop Pop! </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Don't worry, they weren't really going that fast - I just messed with my shutter speed to make it look like they were.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">In baby news, I'm now 10 weeks along and so ready to be out of the first trimester. The fatigue is killing me! My nausea had gotten better in the last week until some icky heat and humidity rolled in yesterday. Now I feel gross again if I spend too much time outside. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-1730107490262622172010-07-13T08:54:00.000-05:002010-07-13T08:54:24.088-05:00Too Much FunPoor Chase. He had too much fun yesterday! Between a morning at the zoo and skipping naps to go swimming at Aunt Laura's, he was wiped out. It should be noted that when my children fall asleep in the car they NEVER can just be transferred to a bed. Never. They always wake up. Yesterday, Chase didn't budge and let me put him in a bed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDxv-6iHQFI/AAAAAAAAF-c/qllTqyEunpw/s1600/DSC_6105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDxv-6iHQFI/AAAAAAAAF-c/qllTqyEunpw/s640/DSC_6105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-86961031695392238212010-07-12T16:56:00.000-05:002010-07-12T16:56:51.776-05:00I Heart Faces - I Heart My CountryThis is a non-competition week over at I Heart Faces, but it's been a couple of weeks since I've been able to participate! Because it's a non-competition week I can enter more than one photo - Woohoo!<br />
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The theme this week is I Heart My Country. We get to feature favorite pictures from our home town or state! Growing up in Maine there is no shortage of beautiful places to photograph. Living in the mid-west now, I have seen some truly beautiful expanses of open space! Today I'm going to feature a favorite from each location (I bet you can guess which is Maine and which is Kansas).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDuOv9AhIBI/AAAAAAAAF-I/2A5FHsnwxtM/s1600/P8050003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDuOv9AhIBI/AAAAAAAAF-I/2A5FHsnwxtM/s640/P8050003.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDuPRqP5nCI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/5aWk350hFas/s1600/P7030045+wm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDuPRqP5nCI/AAAAAAAAF-Q/5aWk350hFas/s640/P7030045+wm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
You can join the fun and show off your favorite place by visiting <a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/">I Heart Faces</a>!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/" mce_href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_Photography_125.jpg" /></a><center><br />
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" /></center></center>Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-85696506664211588892010-07-12T09:46:00.000-05:002010-07-12T09:46:53.339-05:00Ice Cream!The boys love the ice cream truck. Sadly, for them anyway, it rarely passes our house. Instead it turns 2 blocks down. The boys can hear it, and they can see it, but it almost never comes close enough to flag down. Here they are Thursday night watching the ice cream truck turn too far down our street...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKX8ySC5YU6ENCksI0nkbK4_mPW5O-6mm0tn7JJOvq0tZMt7yB8N_oIPu5djdGg0lkOmy0vbD_WpvqF_ilLt2ewWySxG99RfxyYg_jEqxM3J_pSE6o6T36YI-GOddfphqM7_U8Q__bN4/s1600/DSC_6033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKX8ySC5YU6ENCksI0nkbK4_mPW5O-6mm0tn7JJOvq0tZMt7yB8N_oIPu5djdGg0lkOmy0vbD_WpvqF_ilLt2ewWySxG99RfxyYg_jEqxM3J_pSE6o6T36YI-GOddfphqM7_U8Q__bN4/s640/DSC_6033.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friday night Pop Pop took matters into his own hands by running down the street to flag down the ice cream truck. Great excitement followed!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDso0-OsoTI/AAAAAAAAF9k/raQdxmxhZ8Q/s1600/DSC_6034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDso0-OsoTI/AAAAAAAAF9k/raQdxmxhZ8Q/s640/DSC_6034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspA-18P7I/AAAAAAAAF9s/z74UJ0-Er6Q/s1600/DSC_6036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspA-18P7I/AAAAAAAAF9s/z74UJ0-Er6Q/s640/DSC_6036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspJMX4jYI/AAAAAAAAF90/tDuuNZdeUOc/s1600/DSC_6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspJMX4jYI/AAAAAAAAF90/tDuuNZdeUOc/s640/DSC_6061.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspSFoKo7I/AAAAAAAAF98/Hvi6QVCxQBk/s1600/DSC_6065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDspSFoKo7I/AAAAAAAAF98/Hvi6QVCxQBk/s640/DSC_6065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-19623257504270072042010-07-10T09:10:00.000-05:002010-07-10T09:10:51.134-05:00Saturday Savings - Buying Grass Fed BeefYesterday I took a blogging break. My parents are here visiting and I had a busy morning planned. Due to my parents being here I also haven't done any normal grocery shopping. However, I still have a fun deal to share with you all!<br />
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A few months ago, after watching the movie <a href="http://www.foodincmovie.com/">Food, Inc</a>, Nick and I felt compelled to buy only grass fed, locally raised beef and hormone free chicken (we prefer free-range but that's been harder to find). I made myself a little spreadsheet of organic and all natural food prices at area stores in order to keep track of various prices and was shocked at how much this meat was going to cost us.<br />
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Every once in a while I would find some (at Hen House usually) for around $3.50 a pound and I would buy several pounds. I know the cheapest way to go is to buy part of a cow (whole, half, quarter), but we don't have a chest freezer so don't have the space for all of that beef.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago I started searching online for farms near Kansas City that raise and sell their own grass fed beef by the pound. I actually found quite a few! Most of the sites listed prices and the difference between the various farms was staggering. I finally found one farm though (North KC) that had fantastic prices! I contacted them early this week to confirm their prices and that they had meat on hand and arranged to pick up 14 pounds of beef on Thursday morning when I was up north at the airport anyway.<br />
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The price of ground beef is only $3.10 a pound and the rest of his meat prices are quite good too! I highly recommend checking out <a href="http://longlivestock.com/index.htm">Long Livestock Company</a>. Mike, the owner, was great to work with! He did warn me that business is picking up and I'll need to place orders further in advance probably next time because he's been selling out quickly. Hope this little tip is helpful to you and your family!<br />
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(Oh, and the tenderloin we grilled up last night was really good!) <br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-7271461458254250762010-07-08T09:11:00.000-05:002010-07-08T09:11:19.891-05:00Pizza on the GrillSeeing as I get asked quite frequently for my favorite, family-friendly recipes, allow me to share with you a brand new favorite.... Pizza on the grill!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDXZLf-nATI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/tO_FWD2OO2U/s1600/DSC_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDXZLf-nATI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/tO_FWD2OO2U/s640/DSC_6031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Can I just tell you this was, by far, the best pizza I've ever made? I've made pizza in the oven for several years and it's just alright. I'd still rather order pizza, but the homemade is alright when we're being cheap. This pizza last night though I think I'd gladly make over ordering take-out pizza! The crust was a perfect, light-brown color and had just the right amount of crunch to it. The toppings were heated perfectly. I seriously am salivating right now and wishing there was some left over in the fridge!<br />
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Ok, so on to the how-to. Understand that this was my first time ever cooking pizza on the grill, so some of it was winging it and some of it was using bits of advice I received from various Facebook friends. The crust recipe came from The Pioneer Woman. (If you've never visited her site, prepare to be hooked. Did I mention she also gives away the coolest stuff?!) The pizza crust recipe can be found at the bottom of<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/03/caramelized-onion-prosciutto-pizza/"> <b>this page</b></a>. She recommends letting the crust sit for at least 24 hours, but I didn't have that long so only let it sit 2 hours. It still tasted fantastic!<br />
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For the "sauce" I drained most of the water out of a large can of petite diced tomatoes and then dumped the tomatoes into a sauce pan. I added some seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and sugar) and cooked it for about 30 minutes. Then I scooped the tomatoes (leaving as much liquid as I could in the pot) onto the crust and spread them out. Added some pizza cheese and some sliced, smoked sausage (the only topping type item I had in the house).<br />
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As you can see, I cooked it on my pizza pan, which has holes in the bottom. I think that helped with the crisp crust, although my crust has never been that crisp in the oven. Others have said they used a pizza stone, but I don't have one of those.<br />
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I had all four grill burners on and turned to low and I cooked the pizza for about 15 minutes. I used tongs to lift the edge of the crust every so often to see how the bottom was looking. This pizza was seriously perfection! I have the other half of the crust in my fridge for now and will move it to the freezer in a day or two, and I cannot wait to make it again!<br />
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Oh, and we also had the very first cucumber from my garden last night. Yum!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDXZIWjLJsI/AAAAAAAAF9I/zpJ8jICB0C8/s1600/DSC_6029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDXZIWjLJsI/AAAAAAAAF9I/zpJ8jICB0C8/s640/DSC_6029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-9621472765330655092010-07-07T10:20:00.000-05:002010-07-07T10:20:33.710-05:00LaggingI noticed the other day that Tyler is once again lagging behind his brothers in the height department. This happens every few months and always Tyler catches up... eventually. He's never caught up in weight (he's 3-4 pounds lighter than Chase or Jackson), but he always catches up in height. Right now though, the difference is quite big! Check it out (that's Jackson with him)!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Meanwhile, as the boys grow up so do their destructive tendencies... Poor Mr. Penguin! He no longer has a head, wings or feet!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-39086250881770032572010-07-06T10:49:00.002-05:002010-07-06T12:17:35.326-05:00Our Weekend in Pictures and VideoWe had a fun filled 4th of July weekend and hope you did as well! Here's a run down of the fun we had, in pictures and one video!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNLuoEh3HI/AAAAAAAAF7E/BozgnB-m8A0/s1600/DSC_5926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNLuoEh3HI/AAAAAAAAF7E/BozgnB-m8A0/s640/DSC_5926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Friday night we (wisely) decided to go see some fireworks. We were thinking the boys might need most of the weekend to recover from being up so late (we were right) and it was looking like rain on the 4th, when all the other displays would be happening (again, right). The boys had a ball waiting outside as it got darker and darker and then they Oooohed and Ahhhhhed every time one went off!<br />
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I was wishing I had a tripod while there. It was insanely difficult to hold perfectly still long enough to not have blurry fireworks. Most came out like the first picture below, but I did catch one decent one...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMC-ggQhI/AAAAAAAAF7U/CAAap2W0aB0/s1600/DSC_5940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMC-ggQhI/AAAAAAAAF7U/CAAap2W0aB0/s640/DSC_5940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMImHifwI/AAAAAAAAF7c/aNpI9jT3_Ck/s1600/DSC_5944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMImHifwI/AAAAAAAAF7c/aNpI9jT3_Ck/s640/DSC_5944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLbSlakPUSpN8uWpCMgmOXkNNHEePLNGoSzTF19W6H41h6Zwm7E9Pb0eZ0JLfOB3vTNSSAvqTPYSlFpaTjFrL2k_1P-gKWH-_Pe7-ME8MokgMFCU6PQV8mlIpB9-Aym0PrUmGlsgo_uU/s1600/DSC_5963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLbSlakPUSpN8uWpCMgmOXkNNHEePLNGoSzTF19W6H41h6Zwm7E9Pb0eZ0JLfOB3vTNSSAvqTPYSlFpaTjFrL2k_1P-gKWH-_Pe7-ME8MokgMFCU6PQV8mlIpB9-Aym0PrUmGlsgo_uU/s640/DSC_5963.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>Sunday was cloudy all day, but we didn't let that stop us from taking the boys to swim at Aunt Laura's pool! They've been dying to try out their new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00364E0W6?ie=UTF8&tag=thrtimthegig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00364E0W6">Puddle Jumpers</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thrtimthegig-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00364E0W6" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> since they arrived last week. I tell you what, that was the best money spent all summer! The boys LOVED swimming and kept exclaiming "we don't need Mommy or Daddy!".<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMb-lbSAI/AAAAAAAAF7s/NS_nydJKX98/s1600/DSC_5974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMb-lbSAI/AAAAAAAAF7s/NS_nydJKX98/s640/DSC_5974.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMlX5r7PI/AAAAAAAAF70/ZPuH7QBRDLs/s1600/DSC_5984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMlX5r7PI/AAAAAAAAF70/ZPuH7QBRDLs/s640/DSC_5984.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMsZgq2-I/AAAAAAAAF78/-f-cAeKSMJ0/s1600/DSC_5987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMsZgq2-I/AAAAAAAAF78/-f-cAeKSMJ0/s640/DSC_5987.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMzBHQxlI/AAAAAAAAF8E/A0lhOqJ5g_g/s1600/DSC_5989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNMzBHQxlI/AAAAAAAAF8E/A0lhOqJ5g_g/s640/DSC_5989.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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When Jackson got out and put on his towel, he looked like a little football player. Cracked us up!<br />
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Yesterday we took the boys bowling for the first time! They had a ball and we'll definitely take them back again sometime this summer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNNDvvBypI/AAAAAAAAF8U/sGtCqWlumro/s1600/DSC_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNNDvvBypI/AAAAAAAAF8U/sGtCqWlumro/s640/DSC_6004.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNNLb8mkCI/AAAAAAAAF8c/XG16QXFB1ZM/s1600/DSC_6007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDNNLb8mkCI/AAAAAAAAF8c/XG16QXFB1ZM/s640/DSC_6007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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Chase won, but not by much!<br />
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Hope your family had as much fun as we did this weekend!<br />
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-30941779317490854612010-07-05T13:09:00.001-05:002010-07-05T13:10:25.528-05:00Just One Baby This Time!We're only having one this time! I'll be honest though, I'm pretty sure Nick and I were both holding our breath when the ultrasound started this morning. Last time I could tell it was two right away (they found #3 90 seconds later), but this time I couldn't see anything except one little bean in there. Whew!<br />
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The tech knew we had triplets last time, so I think she was nervous with us. She is the one who labeled our U/S photo for us...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDIeUz0gLzI/AAAAAAAAF64/ydQsoB9dpxE/s1600/first+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TDIeUz0gLzI/AAAAAAAAF64/ydQsoB9dpxE/s640/first+ultrasound.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Now I'll just need to deal with waiting months on end for my next (and probably last) ultrasound. I was so spoiled last time! Everything looked good with the little one. He/She was measuring 2-3 days ahead of where I'm at, but they said they probably wouldn't change my due date because of their margin of error. Heart was beating quite fast at 182!<br />
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I'm so looking forward to having a "normal" pregnancy. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like to have just one baby wiggling inside of me. I'm looking forward to nursing just one baby. I'm looking forward to rocking my baby to sleep (just once in a while of course!). I'm looking forward to not going through nearly as many diapers, and am even toying with going cloth this time. I'm looking forward to the convenience of an infant seat that can just pop out of the car. There's just so much I'm looking forward to!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-53386708548055965112010-07-05T08:35:00.000-05:002010-07-05T08:35:45.416-05:00Consignment Sale Giveaway WinnerGood morning!<br />
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I just had the computer at Random.org pick our winner (the boys are too busy eating waffles to bother with drawing a name for me), and the winner is....<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_266475721"><br />
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<a href="http://littlehomeontherange.blogspot.com/">Emily @ Little Home</a>!<br />
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Congratulations, Emily! Get in touch with me via e-mail at threetimesthegiggles (at) gmail (dot) com, by Wednesday night to claim your prize.<br />
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I'll be back this afternoon with that all-important ultrasound update!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-19479166727004230122010-07-03T11:16:00.000-05:002010-07-03T11:16:01.654-05:00Saturday SavingsHappy 4th of July weekend everyone! I hope you have lots of family fun planned for the weekend. Yesterday was the last time for a while that I'll <b>have </b>to grocery shop with all three boys! Wooohoo! It's not that I dread it, it's just so much easier and faster without the constant buckling and unbuckling of the car seats and the fighting over who gets to ride where in the cart. Yesterday the four of us managed to score some nice deals! Everything you see below cost me just $35.42!<br />
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<b>HyVee:</b><br />
Eggo Waffles - 2 boxes<br />
Miracle Whip<br />
Kraft Light Mayo<br />
Frosted Mini Wheats - 4 boxes<br />
Ritz Crackerfuls - 2 boxes<br />
HyVee Pickles<br />
HyVee Hot Dog Buns<br />
Grape Jelly<br />
Red seedless grapes - 4 pounds<br />
Cantaloupe<br />
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<b>Price Chopper:</b><br />
Breyers Ice Cream - 2 cartons<br />
<b> </b>Hefty Plates - 2 packages of 50 each<br />
Hillshire Farms Smoked Brats - 2 packages<br />
Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage - 2 packages<br />
Oscar Meyer Premium Hot Dogs - 2 packages<br />
Seedless Watermelon<br />
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<b>The Deals:</b> At HyVee I picked up lots of great deals and was even able to double up on the deals because I had bought two newspapers back at the beginning of June! The <b>Mini-Wheats</b> were $2 a box with my coupons (50% off), the <b>Ritz Crackerfuls</b> were $1 a box with my coupons (71% off), the <b>Eggo Waffles </b>were .30 a box with my coupon, the <b>Miracle Whip and Mayo</b> were .74 each after I stacked the HyVee coupon with my Manufacturers coupon and the <b>cantaloupe</b> was .99 (67% off).<br />
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I also used a slew of coupons at Price Chopper, and again I was able to double up on some deals thanks to having double the coupons! The <b>Hefty Plates</b>, which will come in handy when birthday time rolls around here next month, were .44 each after coupon (82% off), the <b>Hillshire Farm Brats and Sausages </b>were $1.50 each after my coupons (62% off), the <b>Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs</b> were .44 each after my coupon (86% off) and the <b>Breyers Ice Cream</b> were $1.44 each after using the coupon found in the flier at the store (71% off). The huge <b>seedless watermelon</b> was $2.94 and the boys (Nick included) can't wait to cut into that thing this weekend!<br />
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<b>Total before Sales, Tax and Coupons: </b>$91.61<b><br />
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<b>Total after Sales and Coupons: </b>$33.74 - <b><i>63% savings!</i></b><br />
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<b>It just dawned on me that I haven't selected a winner yet for my <a href="http://www.threetimesthegiggles.com/2010/06/consignment-shopping-giveaway.html">Consignment Sale cash giveaway</a>. My deepest apologies! In light of that, I'm going to extend entries until 9pm Sunday night and will announce the winner on Monday morning.<i> </i></b><br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-43804470269641946302010-07-02T09:09:00.000-05:002010-07-02T09:09:16.377-05:00When People Find OutYesterday was such a fun day! I loved finally sharing the exciting pregnancy news with you all on here and with our friends on Facebook. Only a handful of people knew about the pregnancy before yesterday big announcement, so the deluge of comments was fun!<br />
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I'm friends with a lot of Nick's co-workers, so we knew they would be finding out via the blog or Facebook as well. Nick has been out of the office a lot for various sports camps and his co-workers took full advantage of his absence yesterday. At about 2pm I received the following picture via e-mail....<br />
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That would be Nick's cubicle (or cubby as he likes to call it) encased in paper, balloons, dolls and diapers! Oh man, did I laugh when I saw that picture! Did I mention Nick works in an office full of women? And creative ones at that! I so wish I could have been there to see the look on his face when he first saw it. I got the next best thing though when a second e-mail was sent to me a couple of hours later...<br />
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So fun to see others as excited as we are!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-24143132619191802872010-07-01T08:59:00.000-05:002010-07-01T08:59:17.998-05:00When April Fools Jokes Come TrueOn April 1, 2009 I played <a href="http://www.threetimesthegiggles.com/2009/04/huh.html">a little joke</a> on you all. I told you I was pregnant. I had this whole elaborate story about taking the boys to Target to buy a test. Guess what? You should be careful what you joke around about....<br />
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Just over three weeks ago it dawned on me that I was "late". I figured it was only a couple of days but then was shocked to realize it was actually 6. Uh oh. After nap time I took the boys to Walgreen's to buy a test. I couldn't look the cashier in the eye!<br />
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I didn't bother waiting until the next morning to take the test as my wondering nerves couldn't handle the waiting anymore, and you know what? It was positive. <b>Instantly.</b><br />
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Oh my. The last 3 weeks have been a roller coaster of fatigue, nausea and trying to wrap our minds around this. Nope, we weren't trying for this. How I answered the "more kids" question on Friday in my Q and A Answer post is how I would have answered it 4 weeks ago.<br />
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I'm 8 weeks along and I'm due February 10th.<br />
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We have an ultrasound scheduled for this coming Monday, the 5th, to make sure there's only one baby. If there's more than one I'm going to need a lot of nominations for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, because our house isn't big enough and we can't move due to our Re-Fi this spring!<br />
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I guess my "Summer of Change" ended up being more of a change than I was bargaining for! I'm excited though and, of course, am hoping for a girl.<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-57441831500235837212010-06-30T09:53:00.000-05:002010-06-30T09:53:42.027-05:00An Evening of Family FunSunday evening Nick found someone to cover for him at work, so that we could have a fun family night out at the zoo! Normally the zoo closes by 5pm, but Sunday night was a special night just for members of the zoo! There was entertainment, food specials and freebies. The boys were so excited to go, especially when we started the night on the train....<br />
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Then we did something the boys had never done before.... we rode a boat! The 10 minute boat tour was full of cheesy jokes by the guide and we didn't see all that many animals, but the boys loved being on a boat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxJqz42l7zznmlyp4PXOtXLkzPJ9Iw8Y0t3k1hsdTmBmuUZBDTRIx5Z4nTBZlXPj8VduYpVmzm4GMHzms_aGlbbCkQbafSUlQ4oYb6dJK5C9raiNLqWV8uYzEsGNBXzOOgs870laDtGE/s1600/DSC_5714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxJqz42l7zznmlyp4PXOtXLkzPJ9Iw8Y0t3k1hsdTmBmuUZBDTRIx5Z4nTBZlXPj8VduYpVmzm4GMHzms_aGlbbCkQbafSUlQ4oYb6dJK5C9raiNLqWV8uYzEsGNBXzOOgs870laDtGE/s640/DSC_5714.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCtXaicMj0I/AAAAAAAAF5U/L6V9ehkIQuA/s1600/DSC_5716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCtXaicMj0I/AAAAAAAAF5U/L6V9ehkIQuA/s640/DSC_5716.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
After the boat ride we found a new-to-us place to eat our picnic dinner. There was no one else up there most of the time we were there and we had a nice view of the little lake. Nick said "doesn't this remind you of Maine?". Uh, not quite but it was pretty at least. Here's Chase offering me some of his cantaloupe.<br />
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During dinner, Nick helped himself to my camera. Wouldn't you know the one in-focus shot he got was of me? Lovely.<br />
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After dinner we headed to a part of Africa we actually hadn't visited before. The boys loved it! The animals were closer, so easier to see and it was nice and shady. The boys paused at one point for a heart-melting moment that I was just lucky enough to capture.<br />
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Then Jackson stomped in a big, muddy puddle even after Nick and I both told the boys not to step in it. He then proceeded to walk around the zoo like this, and complained that his legs were dirty.<br />
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After a couple of hours of fun, we joined the masses waiting for the tram back to the main gate. I'm pretty sure the boys would be happy if a trip to the zoo just meant rides on the train and tram....<br />
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Definitely a fun, family night!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-59236932405682245962010-06-29T08:43:00.000-05:002010-06-29T08:43:00.135-05:00Sprayground Fun!There's a popular thing here in Kansas City called the sprayground. They're awesome and they're free. Well, actually they're free (and numerous!) on the Missouri side of the state line. Kansas has a few, but the ones I know of are all within pool areas and you have to pay to get in. Score one for Missouri!<br />
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This past weekend we went to the grand opening of a new sprayground and the boys had a ball! We enjoyed some playtime, got soaked and then had a free lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs)! The boys are already asking when we can go back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn1hGuur-I/AAAAAAAAF4I/PjfEMuYphdY/s1600/DSC_5647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn1hGuur-I/AAAAAAAAF4I/PjfEMuYphdY/s640/DSC_5647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn14wgi3PI/AAAAAAAAF4g/a2O1yaOXmYw/s1600/DSC_5665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn14wgi3PI/AAAAAAAAF4g/a2O1yaOXmYw/s640/DSC_5665.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2F7m9FYI/AAAAAAAAF4o/P-K3263k6CQ/s1600/DSC_5666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2F7m9FYI/AAAAAAAAF4o/P-K3263k6CQ/s640/DSC_5666.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2WRHxBvI/AAAAAAAAF4w/5pd7f9ThCmY/s1600/DSC_5680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2WRHxBvI/AAAAAAAAF4w/5pd7f9ThCmY/s640/DSC_5680.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">RIGHT after I snapped this shot, Tyler ran into all that water that was falling! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2f_u0oPI/AAAAAAAAF44/3uw2VgAfXpM/s1600/DSC_5683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KKJkUwMl_aw/TCn2f_u0oPI/AAAAAAAAF44/3uw2VgAfXpM/s640/DSC_5683.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And one last shot (of Chase) that was actually taken the day before at a different sprayground. It just cracks me up too much not to share!<br />
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<i>Kansas City readers! Don't forget to enter my giveaway just for you! Click <a href="http://www.threetimesthegiggles.com/2010/06/consignment-shopping-giveaway.html">HERE</a> for that!</i><br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-50706563373527762332010-06-28T11:10:00.004-05:002010-07-03T11:17:12.620-05:00Consignment Shopping - A Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>In light of my forgetfulness yesterday, entries will now be accepted until 9pm Sunday and the winner will be announced Monday morning! </i></span> </div><br />
It's no big secret that I love finding a great deal, and shopping for clothes and toys for the boys is no exception. Sure, I've scored some awesome deals at clearance events at places like Children's Place, Gymboree and Target, but there's another place I've found great deals on clothes AND toys! Consignment Sales!<br />
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Consignment sales are springing up all over the place now, so sometimes it's hard to know which one to shop and sell at. I'm here to recommend one that I absolutely love <b>and</b> I'm going to give one of you the chance to learn to love it too, by giving away $25 to spend at their sales next month!<br />
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</div><a href="http://www.timestwokc.com/">TimesTwoKC</a> is the best. Hands down. I've heard horror stories about every other sale in the Kansas City area. Everything from not getting paid, to having to dig through racks and racks of stuff at the end of the sale just to find your unsold items. Those things don't happen at <a href="http://www.timestwokc.com/">TimesTwoKC</a>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Why <a href="http://www.timestwokc.com/">TimesTwoKC</a>?</b></div><ul><li>High quality items are all you'll find at their sales!</li>
<li>Two convenient locations this year - Overland Park, KS and Independence, MO </li>
<li><b> </b>Easy drop off and pick up of your items - everything that didn't sell is ready and waiting for you to just swing by and pick up, or you can have it donated and you'll receive a receipt for your taxes!</li>
<li>Cheap to consign! If you sign up before July 1st your consignor fee is only $5 (and includes <b>two sales!</b>).</li>
<li>You can sell your stuff in <b>two</b> sales, back to back!</li>
<li>Start your Back to School shopping there and then round it out at the stores if you need to.</li>
<li>You can volunteer and earn 75% on your stuff!</li>
<li>It's run by some of the nicest people you'll meet.</li>
</ul><b>Bottom Line?</b> Sign up to sell your stuff. It's just collecting dust in your basement and instead it could be making you some money, which you can then turn around to buy the stuff your kids need now. It's a beautiful system. The sales are less than a month away now, so it's time to get tagging those items! July 20-22 the sale will be in Overland Park and July 27-29 the sale will be in Independence. Double the places to buy and sell and both in convenient locations!<br />
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As mentioned above, if you sign up to consign in the next couple of days (you have to do it by the end of Wednesday) then your fee is only $5 (normally $10). Gotta love the chance to save more money!<br />
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<b>Want to win $25 to the upcoming sales? </b>$25 will go a long way at a consignment sale, and here's how you can win!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do one, or all of the following, </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>leaving a <b>separate comment for each item completed!</b></i></span></div><ol><li><span style="font-size: large;">Leave a comment here mentioning whether or not you've ever consigned stuff or shopped a consignment sale.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Become a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TimesTwoKC">TimesTwoKC</a> on Facebook, or mention if you already are.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Become a follower of this blog, or mention if you already are.</span></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Comments accepted until 10:00pm on Thursday, July 1st. Winner will be drawn randomly, either by my children or by random.org and announced on the blog Friday morning. Winner will have until Monday evening to claim their prize before an alternate winner is selected.</i></div><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-83233899259750063922010-06-26T09:21:00.000-05:002010-06-26T09:21:27.867-05:00Saturday SavingsIt was a good day for deal hunting yesterday! Check out all the loot below that I only paid $44.37 for...<br />
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<b>HyVee:</b><br />
Eggs - 2 dozen<br />
Apple Juice<br />
Dole Crushed Pineapple<br />
HyVee Cereal - 2 boxes<br />
Little Debbie Snacks - 3 boxes<br />
Saltine Crackers<br />
Sugar<br />
Sara Lee Bread - 5 loaves<br />
Skippy Peanut Butter - 2 jars<br />
Aluminum Foil<br />
HyVee Shredded Cheese - 5<br />
Dole Iceburg Salad - 2 bags<br />
Dole Coleslaw mix - 1 bag<br />
Cantaloupe<br />
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<b>Price Chopper:</b><br />
Sunkist Soda (not pictured)<br />
<b> </b>Blue Bell Ice Cream - 2 pints<br />
Blue Bunny Malt Cups - 3<br />
Planter's Nut-rition Bars - 2 boxes<br />
French's Honey Mustard Dip<br />
Bar S Hot Dogs - 2 packages<br />
Lunchables - 6<br />
Green Grapes - 2.36 pounds<br />
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<b>The Deals:</b> HyVee was a fun place to shop with their $1 sale going on (ended yesterday)! The bread, apple juie, cereal, skippy pb, Little Debbie snacks and shredded cheese were all just $1 each (some had limits on how many you could buy). The salad and eggs were 2/$1!<br />
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Price Chopper also had some nice deals to go with my coupons. The French's Honey Mustard was only .50 with my coupon (73% off) and the Planters Nut-rition bars (which are really good by the way!) were $1.25 a box with my two coupons (61% off). The hot dogs were only .28 each after my coupon (81% off) and the Lunchables were $1 each (52% off). I picked a bunch of those up for our upcoming zoo trips! The Blue Bunny Malt Cups were free, thanks to the Price Chopper Kids Club!<br />
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<b>Total Before Sales, Tax and Coupons: $92.97</b><br />
<b>Total After Sales and Coupons: $42.23 - <i>55% savings </i> </b><br />
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<b>Attention KC area readers! </b>Check back on Tuesday for your chance to win a great prize!<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242351632864486031.post-21892485688461560472010-06-25T10:25:00.000-05:002010-06-25T10:25:32.506-05:00Your Questions AnsweredBefore we get to the questions and answers, I wanted to share with you all a little tidbit from my day yesterday. My friends on FB found it hilarious, and I'm pretty sure you'll think it's funny too.<br />
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Yesterday, while the boys were finishing lunch outside, the mailman went by and the boys stood up and started yelling "Bye, Daddy!" at the mailman. Talk about awkward! Thankfully I don't think the man could hear the boys. Oh, and to be clear the mailman looks <b>nothing</b> like Nick.<br />
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I'll scatter some random pictures from the park throughout this post today, because I've been lax in posting pics this week. (I've also been lax in keeping my <a href="http://365giggles.blogspot.com/">365 Blog</a> caught up, so I'll be trying to do that later today too.)<br />
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<b>What are some of the boys' favorite meals? </b>This is a tough question to answer, because the boys will eat pretty much anything. I guess there are some foods they clear off their plates in record time though... For now I'll say favorite meals include the following: pancakes and fruit, eggs, pizza, macaroni and cheese, and last night's was a pretty big hit - grilled chicken, rice and cut up cucumbers and red pepper strips.<br />
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<b>Do you have any tips for planning menus in advance? </b>I'm probably not a good one to ask about this! Back before we had the boys I was great at planning out our meals every week. Now? Not so much. In fact, usually what happens is at about 4pm I think "hmmm... wonder what I should make for dinner". Here's the thing though, because I follow the stock-piling method of grocery shopping I almost always have a wide assortment of stuff in my house. I've become quite good at throwing meals together and kind of making it up as I go along (I think I must have inherited that from my mom). When I was meal planning (in the pre-kids days) I would go through the weekly sales fliers, look at what was already in my cupboard and plan based on those two things. My goal always was to buy as few "extras" (i.e. things not on sale) as I could each week.<br />
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<b>Do you plan to have more children? </b>This is a topic Nick and I have been debating for a while now. I'm firmly planted in the "yes, one more" camp and he is firmly planted in the "nope, we're done" camp. Only time will tell I guess!<br />
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<b>Do you think you will ever go back to work? </b>I think I probably will at some point. I miss working now! I miss the adult interaction and the gratification of finishing a task and being praised for it. (I don't get any work reviews on my cooking or care-taking skills!) What I'll go back to and when is the real question though. I'd love to go back to radio if I could but then I've also toyed with (ever since the boys were in the NICU) of going to nursing school and becoming a NICU nurse. We'll see I guess!<br />
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<b>Do you plan to have the boys attend public school? If yes, what age? Kindergarten? </b>Nick and I haven't spent a whole lot of time talking about this yet. We do know there are a ton of Christian school options around here. We also know it may not be something we can afford (unless I go back to work sooner), so when we bought our house we made sure it was in an adequate school district. It's not the best district in our area, but it's also not the worst. It would be nice if we could find something private we could afford, but we've still got 3 years to figure that out before the boys would go to Kindergarten (they miss the school cut off here so won't get to start until they're 6).<br />
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<b>If you could take the boys anywhere in the world for a vacation for free, where would you go and why? </b>Oh this is a no-brainer for me! Disney World! I have such fun memories of Disney World as a kid and I <b>know</b> the boys would find it so magical right now!<br />
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<b>How would you react to finding out you were having triplets again?</b> Honestly? I don't think it would phase me that much with the exception of two things - our home and car wouldn't be big enough and we can't really afford bigger of either! Multiples don't scare me now because I've been there, done that. I know how to schedule, I know how to handle three screaming kids, I know how to change diapers at the speed of lightning, etc. If I was having triplets again I think a call to Extreme Makeover Home Edition would be in order, don't you?<br />
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<b>How many children did you imagine having when you were younger?</b> Two, I think... I always wanted twins! Ha! When Nick and I got married we agreed we both wanted one or two of our own and then adopt another (so 2 or 3 total). Turns out having 3 at once changed my perspective because now I want 4 and I'm still open to adoption down the road.<br />
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<b>Do you cook every meal for the boys? (You guys don't eat out much, right?) </b>Correct, we hardly eat out. I would say we eat out on our own (just our family) 4 or 5 times a year. When family is here visiting we usually eat out a couple of times too. Now as far as cooking goes, yes I cook most of the meals. Sometimes I get lazy and pop a frozen pizza in the oven or something convenient like that. That's really for my own sanity though! And I'm not sure you could call pouring cereal or making a PB&J "cooking", but yes I make all the meals.<br />
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<b>How do you keep up on the housework with 3 boys? I struggle with just 1! </b>Nick is a HUGE piece of that puzzle. Without him I suspect this house would go downhill in a hurry. Every night before bed we make the boys pick up their toys. We've done that since they were about 15 or 16 months (it's just throwing things in baskets really). There are nights I don't feel like picking up the rest of the stuff (stray toys, vacuuming, dishes, etc), but Nick will remind me it'll only take a few minutes (20 or so) and if we don't do it the house will get worse and worse. He's right. Sometimes he's nice and lets me just sit on the couch while he does all the picking up. Yup, I married a keeper :)<br />
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<b>How do you manage your stress level? </b>I don't really feel like I have much stress. I think part of it must be because I'm a glass half full kind of person. When I sit and think about the future, I'm thinking about all the good stuff that could happen not the bad. The boys don't really stress me out. They make me mad sometimes and when that happens it's usually either just before nap time or just before Nick gets home, so it works out for me to get some space. Honestly, I think a lot of our lack of stress comes from a solid marriage and a solid handle on our finances. When we lived in Michigan we were paycheck to paycheck and I can remember being constantly stressed about money. I broke down a cried one day in a parking lot when we found out we needed $700 work done on one of our cars. Nick says we live on a tight budget now so that those breakdowns don't have to happen. And you know what? Between November and April of this year we had $6,000 in medical and major car repairs and I didn't have one breakdown. Not one.<br />
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<b>Do you have any parenting books you recommend?</b> This question stemmed largely from my story about taking the boys to the Post Office and how well behaved they were (until Chase's tantrum when we left). As far as discipline goes, we use the methods from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1889140163?ie=UTF8&tag=thrtimthegig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1889140163">1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thrtimthegig-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1889140163" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" /><br />
The book says you can start at the age of 2, but I'll confess we actually started with the basics at more like 20 months. I was tired of the biting going on then and needed <i>something</i> to help curb it.<br />
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That being said, I think a lot of the success we've had with the boys comes from consistency, following through on threats <i>all the time</i>, and giving the boys some freedom in areas of their life. My theory is kids just want to do things by themselves. They want that feeling of satisfaction for completing something themselves. I let the boys pick their own clothes (most of the time), I let them pick what they want for breakfast and lunch, we let them walk on the sidewalk without holding our hands (but the moment they bolt for the street they have to hold our hand for the remainder of the time which was not popular), etc. The boys know there are certain things they have to do in public and they know I have expectations for them and we started with all of that very early on.<br />
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Don't question yourself too much and just find something that works with your kids! Your mom instinct usually won't fail you.<br />
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<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3760038396_60728fbc38_o.png" />Helenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06008283445891296500noreply@blogger.com2