Sweet Deal

Hi girls! I wanted to fill you in on this awesome sale I happened upon. It's at http://www.childrensplace.com/ and I scored some darling clothes for both of my kids for cheap, cheap, cheap!

Take an additional 50% off selected styles. The pickins' are getting pretty slim, so check it out quick!

P.S. Use the discount promo code: FA78 and you can get an additional 15% off!

Favorite Musical

What is every one's favorite musical? I used to be a huge musical theatre buff when I was single (and had money to attend musicals/buy cds) but I've really fallen behind. Plus my tastes have changed. When we moved out here I gave away half of my cd collection and now I'm wanting to rebuild it with musicals that are a bit more clean and uplifting.

I'd say my favorites are Aida and Les Mis! Though I have a lot of close runner ups!

Cheap Toy Storage

Right now I use our changing table for all of my sons toys. I am going to need the changing table again for little girl stuff and I am trying to figure out the best way to organize my toys. Oh and the cheapest way. Does anyone have any great ideas that doesn't cost to much? How are your children's toys organized? Also how do you decide whether or not to get rid of toys. Sometimes I think we have to many toys but I can't ever decide what I would get rid of! I would appreciate ideas!!

Biggest Loser: Week 11 Weigh In

One more week to go!! I'm so close to my goal weight... but far enough away that I don't think this one week will be quite enough! How about everyone else? I know a few girls have reached the goals they've set. Share your progress!

Wednesday Weekly

What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Go Get Yourself a Jamba Juice!

Too good to be true!

Go to this site and get a BOGO coupon for a Jamba Juice.

Here's the clincher: it expires July 30th so hurry!! 

Hospital Bag Musts

I'm on my baby countdown! 21 days!  It's time to pull all the gear out, wash it, get it ready and pack the bag!

Last time, I took a big bag of stuff for labor and afterward and didn't use half of it and wished I'd put other stuff in.  I used the ipod but didn't use the magazines.  I wished I'd had my own toothbrush (the hospital issue ones were weird!) stuff like that.  

What were your essentials?  What was your lifesaver or did you wish you'd had?

Biggest Loser: Week 10 Weigh In

Week 10 is done! Only 2 weeks to go. How close is everyone to reaching their goals? Start thinking about the things you've learned and what you've accomplished throughout the weeks of Biggest Loser. I want to hear everyone's success stories in 2 weeks.

Wednesday Weekly

If you could have any view outside your bedroom window, what would it be?

Cloth Diapers?

Right now I have a 2 year old and a baby on the way and have been freaking out about how much I will soon be spending on diapers for the two of them. I remember my parents talking about using cloth diapers when I was a kid, and I have to admit it never sounded like something I would want to do. Recently however, we have had to use diaper covers on top of my sons overnight diapers to prevent leaking and it has gotten me thinking about switching the disposable diaper with a cloth diaper, since the disposable diaper isn't doing the job, and maybe even trying to use cloth diapers instead of disposable during the day for him and our baby to come. Have any of you tried cloth diapers? What did you think? If it is a huge ordeal, I have to admit that I probably won't stick with cloth, so I don't want to invest money into it until I feel comfortable that it won't be too bad, some of the cloth diapers look really easy to use.

Cheap book tip!

FYI, the Kohls Cares for Kids books this month are the Eric Carle books (Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See, etc.) That means they are nice hardcover books for $5 each. They have four different ones. I picked up the two my daughter doesn't have yet today, for early birthday or Christmas gifts. She loves the Eric Carle books. It might not be an absolute steal, but I thought it was a good deal, and it's for a good cause. Just thought I'd share!

Kids' shoes

Just wondering what you guys are willing to pay for kids' shoes, and where you find the best deals. My daughter is going on two, and is outgrowing the baby section at Target, which used to be my favorite place to buy her shoes. They were usually around $12 regular price! I like shoes that are cute, but also comfortable for her. I hate to spend a lot, because they outgrow them so fast. I see shoes that are good brands go on sale for twenty something, and I'm just wondering if that's a good price, or can I find something cheaper???

Free Huggies Wipes

I saw a link on Baby Cheapskate to an offer for free Huggies wipes. Just wanted to pass the info along!

Blenders and food processers

I don't own a blender or a food processer. I would like to be able to make smoothies, baby food, and vegetable purees (like in Jessica's Seinfeld's book, Deceptively Delicious). Would it be best for me to own both or could I do it all efficiently with just a blender? Any recommendations on specific brands of either of these?

Bike trailers/joggers

I am in the market for a bike trailer. I jog a lot, too so I want to purchase a bike trailer that also can convert into a jogging stroller. I've done a little bit of research and it seems that there are several price points (under $200, $200-500, and over $500). Of course I want to spend under $200 but I wonder if that is realistic. I jog or walk three miles 3-5 time a week. Once I get a trailer I plan on biking at least a few times a week (for fun and for errands).

Any insights to share? I am willing to pay up to $500, but of course would like to get by with less (my bike didn't even cost that much!). What brand/model do you have that you love?

Biggest Loser Challenge

How did everyone do last week? About trying something new with food? Report in a comment.

This week's challenge: Hydration!!! Drink at least eight 8 ounce servings of water each day. Soda, juice, etc. don't count.

What are some benefits of staying well hydrated?

• More energy, power and endurance
• Stay cooler, feel better
• Go farther and faster
• Work harder, burn more calories.

As you exercise, keep in mind the following hydration tips:

• Drink early -- about 2 hours before exercise.
• Drink often -- continually sip fluids rather than gulp them down infrequently.
• Add sport/energy drinks -- they help restore carbohydrates and electrolytes.
• Drink after -- Post-exercise hydration gets your fluid levels back to normal and can help with recovery.
• Finally, make sure your fluids are close at hand. When you're 2 miles into a hike, your water bottle is not much good to you sitting in your car.

Wednesday Weekly

Vanilla, Chocolate, or Swirl?

Biggest Loser: Week 9 Weigh In

Only 3 more weeks to go!! I don't know about you girls, but I am close to my goal and so motivated to actually accomplish it! Any progress made this week?

Returning Bottles

Two different people have told me in the past few days that they brought their Avent bottles into Babies R Us and were given an in-store credit to buy BPA-free bottles. I threw my Avent bottles away and just bought the Born Free bottles (free of BPA), but it would have been awesome to get some in-store credit to buy them! Just wanted to pass this along.

Being LDS - New Blog to Share with Friends

Hello Sugar & Spice Sisters!

After reading the article in this month's Ensign about using the Internet to share the gospel, I decided to start my own blog to let my friends know how being a member of the church has blessed my life. My goal is to share my testimony and explain simple gospel principles through my own experiences. I would love it if you would visit my blog and let me know if you have any suggestions for my site (i.e. content and execution, topic ideas) Also, feel free to share this blog or any of my posts with your friends. Happy Blogging, Jocelyn

http://beinglds.blogspot.com/

Video Camera Help

We are thinking about buying a video camera for our anniversary and I don't even know where to start looking! I know we want something small... we have a dinosaur sized one! That's what we want to get away from. So I was hoping you girls could help me out... What kind of video cameras do you have? What do you like or dislike about them? Thanks!!

Biggest Loser Challenge (better late than never!)

Hi everyone!

I'm sorry for not posting challenges the last 2 Thursdays! I just moved to another state and had to wait for internet service. Anyway, now I'm back in full force and ready to issue another challenge.

Even though I am posting this challenge late I think we all can complete it before next Thursday. This week's challenge is to try something new with food. You decide what that means and report back next week. You could try a new fruit or vegetable. You could try a new recipe (hopefully low cal or low fat or in some way healthy). Try using whole wheat flour in your cookies or bread you make. Try switching to brown rice or whole wheat spaghetti.

This is an easy challenge (I am still unpacking...) and I look forward to seeing what we come up with!

More of "These is My Words"

Oh. My. Goodness. I just finished reading "These is My Words". AWESOME recommendation Tiffany. I'm going to leave my thoughts in a comment, so as not to ruin it for anyone else!!

Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A

If anyone's looking for something fun (and kind of crazy) to do with your family tonight, Chick-fil-A is holding their annual Cow Appreciation Day. Dress up like a cow from head to toe and get a free combo meal. Kids get a free kids meal, I believe. Details here and here.

Edward fans

Okay, so I ran across this and thought it was pretty funny.

http://mormonhusbands.blogspot.com/2008/02/truth-about-edward-from-twilight.html

Good thing Jacob is my fave...

Biggest Loser: Week 8 Weigh In

I'm a day late, but better late than never, right! And I'm sure you are all anxiously awaiting the chance to update us on your weight loss!! So lets hear it...

Wednesday Weekly

What was your favorite TV show when you were in elementary school?

One coupon crazy woman!

Ok, I just got back from Target and I spent a grand total of $14.75. Want to know what I got for that price?
3 jumbo packs(40 count) of Pampers size 3 diapers (on sale this week for $8.49/each)
3 value packs (231 count) of Pampers wipes (not on sale for $5.99/each)
and a $5 target gift card

Thanks to coupons, manufacturer and target web coupons and the greatest blog in the world next to this one:
http://babycheapskate.blogspot.com

You can see how it is done under the entry Top Diaper and Formula Deals of the week.

I love coupons!

Tell me it's just a phase!

AAaaaaghhhh! My 21 mos old, who's never really struggled with shyness or stranger anxiety, is regressing in nursery! She used to LOVE it, and cried when she had to leave. Now she won't stay in there without my husband or I. She completely freaks out. I'm okay with her crying for a few minutes, but the nursery leaders bring her to me right away. I don't know what to do! I keep hoping it's just a phase, but I'm wondering what will make the phase end??? Needless to say, Church has been miserable for us the past few weeks. Have any of your children gone through phases like this? Any particular tips to get through it? Tell me there's an end in sight!

Book Club... List for Coming Months

Alright... I've put together a very short list of books to read for upcoming months... Please, please, please feel free to leave comments with other books you'd like to read (or if you object to any of the books that I've posted!)

For August discussion: P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern
For September discussion: Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer (I don't know how many of you are Twilight fans... if not enough people have read the first three books, we'll change this book out, so let me know!)
For October discussion: Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
For November discussion: Persian Pickle Club by Sandra Dallas
For December discussion: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle

Alright... that's all I've got for now! The one other book that was suggested a few times is A Thousand Splendid Suns, but it sounds like a bunch of you have already read that... do you just want to start a discussion on it right now, or are there enough people who haven't read it that it needs to be put on the list?

Wednesday Weekly

Hmmm...this is kind of lame, but I feel like asking it anyway!

What is your favorite patriotic song?

making things easier

My husband seems to always be thinking of things to make life with little ones a little easier. We let my toddler drink one of those drinkable yogurts with a straw but it usually ends with a mess. Tonight he stuck the straw through the foil top to keep it covered. Simple, yet I would have never thought of that. Here are a few other things I have learned from him that you may benefit from:

1. Most cars have an arrow pointing to the side of the car that the gas tank is on right where you read how full your tank is. My car actually doesn't have it, but most do!

2. You know how it's so hard to butter untoasted bread sometimes? When my husband makes grilled cheese, he puts the pat of butter in the warmed pan and then rubs the piece of bread onto the melted butter.

3. Lastly, for the perfect toddler banana hold, he peels the banana then cuts off the long peels with scissors.


Thanks for always making my life better, honey!

Biggest Loser: Week 7 Weigh In

Week 7 is over! Is our Biggest Loser challenge just zooming by for anyone else? I can't believe its been 7 weeks already! Where's everyone at?

These is My Words Discussion

Happy July everyone! I FINALLY got my copy of These is My Words and finished it last night (I couldn't put it down). I loved this book and hope that you all did too. I'm going to post some discussion questions in the comments...and everyone feel free to just say how you felt about the book too. You don't really have to answer the questions. (I know I'm posting this early, but I'm going out of town soon so I wanted to get it out there before I leave. :) )

So what book did we decide we're going to discuss in August?