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Refilling Your Ink Cartridges

My friend Kristen at The Frozen Coupon made a video about how to refill your own ink cartridges to save lots of money when you print coupons from the internet.  This will be mega helpful for me because just reading how to do something doesn't cut it.
I'm a huge fan of her suggestion to recycle paper.  Why buy new when you can use what you already have but don't need.  Seriously- I'm stocked for years with what my kids bring home from school, like worksheets! 


And here it is:
Refilling Your Ink Cartridge

CUPCAKES!

I may or may not have eaten around 10 mini cupcakes while making Amara's birthday cupcakes for school.  They were really good.  

 

 

 

Yum

Ten Thousand Villages Clearance + FREE Shipping

Thanks to Hip2Save I just spent $20 at Ten Thousand Villages!!  They have a great selection of clearance items, starting at just $2 so it was really hard to resist. 
There are a few special events coming up so it's okay to pick up some super cheap items to stow away. 
I can't mention everything I got because of a few family readers/recipients but I couldn't resist the Galimoto for Henry (a push toy) for only $9.  I also got a $4.50 textile hanger (it was $18!!!) for a textile Amara got for Christmas that needs to be hung up ASAP!  For Daddy's day I got the Dragon Jar, on sale for $2.50 from $10.  He never asks for anything and we know he loves dragons.

Not only did I score a few cool things for a great price but right now they are offering FREE shipping with the code EASTER at checkout.  NO minimum required to get this fantastic deal.  I hate it when you see a free shipping offer only to find out you need to spend $50, $75 or even $100.  This is a real deal, folks!

The Calm Before the Storm

The Calm Before the Storm 
(from Nickelodeon's Parents Connect)

This is my daily life. I feel a sort of peace or relief when I see that others go through it too. Makes it less of a disaster for me and more of a relation to others! I really AM human (and so are the kids...I think).

Pay $15 to Spend $30 at Fashion Playtes- Daughter Can Design Her Own Dress!

Family Find's Baltimore Daily Deal from yesterday was 50% off a voucher to spend $30 at Fashion Playtes, a cute site where girls ages 5-12 can design their very own dress (and one for her doll too!).  For only $15 your daughter can design her very own outfit!  It's still available right now and I'm thinking of purchasing one for my little girl.

The outfits at Fashion Playtes are right up my daughter's alley...and guess who's turning 6 in 8 days?! 

The site is really fun- you pick your garment (they have shirts, dresses, bottoms, accessories and more).  Then you choose your daughter's size- from sizes 6-14.  Next you can choose your color plus any additions like rhinestones, ribbons, ruffles and other cute decorative elements.  You can also add their name to the tag!  Each item has a  price that is clearly reflected as you make your choices.  You can add or remove additions or start over all together if you don't like your creation!

For a unique creation I think the prices are good.  The least expensive piece of clothing is $8.40 and the most expensive is $30 with most being under $20.  Doll clothing is $6-10. 

Shipping at Fashion Playtes is a reasonable $6 flat rate for all orders.  

I'll Be Back

Planning a Craft Fair is exhausting and nerve-wracking!!  I've been so busy that I've had to neglect my blogs (and even missed out on a PAID OPPORTUNITY that I really needed!).  But finally- The Loucks/Lincolnway PTO Spring Time Craft & Gift Show is happening this weekend- Saturday April 9, 2011.  Only a few more days to go and I can take a deep breath before diving into the next project which will be happening SOON.  

Wish me luck, good weather and a great turnout and stay tuned for cake-covered Henry updates!!

Miss Amarica's Day in Photos

Amara loves to take photos and video of her daily life.  Here's what she had to share one day:

 
Reading Jo's Dinosaur book:



Rawr!


Hanging out with the guinea pigs:







Dollhouse, Stretchica and Lego "people".




Kindergarten classwork: I can be a good friend by...Holding Hands



RIP to My Recliner

We were given a second-hand recliner a few years ago.  It was pretty and in great condition.  But many dirty hands and lots of use beat it down to this:

This isn't an optical illusion...the chair has been DESTROYED.

RIP (Rest in Pieces)

Coundown!

In less than one week this boy...

Will be ONE!

No more baby :(  



The last few weeks have certainly been trying and if I didn't know any better I'd swear I had a child entering the "terrible twos" phase!  It started with mini tantrums.  As far as a tantrum goes, it was absolutely laughable- Henry wanted something and couldn't have it so he would proceed to gently lie his head on the ground then writhe silently on the floor.  This (wonderful) tantrum quickly progressed over the next few days to some loud protesting, head-thumping and throwing his head back so that if no one was there to catch him he ended up on the floor.  Not something I'd expect from an almost-one year old (*sniff*).  He has been sleeping less and clinging more (to me, and sometimes ONLY me).  Which has led to some serious grumpiness (from both mom and babe).  I don't mind cuddling most of the day but when you're trying to cut chicken and stir something on the stove while your child is screaming at your feet with his arms wrapped around your leg...for the THIRD time that day...it starts to get a little frustrating!  And I really really REALLY beg the sleep Gods to please keep him asleep until after I get the kids to school.  And while I enjoy grumpy company, I simply need a few minutes to shower, feed the older two and get at least the oldest out the door.  Wake up then and we can have a super duper happy and calm morning, just the two of us (until the Tasmanian Devil, AKA Jonas wakes up!).  And the hitting thing really needs to be nipped in the bud ASAP.  His brother, the dog, his brother...Jonas can only take so much!    

It hasn't been all bad.  He's been getting really good at talking.  I might be the only one that understands "dud" and "deent" but he's been picking up a few hand gestures and signs to accompany his language so soon others might understand too!  "Mama" is always loud and clear.  When he sees dad he whispers, "dadadada".  If he picks up a ball and starts murmuring- watch out!  He's actually saying, "throw" or "catch" and he likely won't wait for you to be ready!!  He LOOOOVES being outside.  Not being able to go outside elicits some serious tears.  With age he has grown a mega mop of soft hair that curls when it's wet.  There will be no first birthday haircut- I'm enjoying this!  When he's anticipating something like a tickle he giggles like crazy and it's so funny to watch and hear and always makes me laugh too.  When I'm sitting on the floor I'm a target for dive bomb hugs that come with a huge laugh and are always welcome.  

And have you ever seen a baby that loves the Sit 'n' Spin?        

Just shy of 7 months



Weee!



     

This love started at almost 7 months and has continued since.  He visits it on an almost daily basis!

The countdown has begun!  Am I ready?  Yes and no.  This is my last baby and it's just not the same when it's not your own.  I look at my oldest, who will be TEN this year, and wonder where the time went.  But it's going to happen so I might as well enjoy the ride!