Praise God!

Stellan was discharged from the hospital today--such an amazing little guy!

http://www.mycharmingkids.net/2009/04/big-news.html

We've been praying for Stellan and his family--prayers are definitely still needed, but this is such a joyful day for his Mom and family.

(Almost) Free Ice Cream

Who doesn't love (almost) free ice cream? This pregnant mama loves this promotion!

Baskin Robbins is hosting a 31 cent scoop night on 04/29/09 to help firefighters--what a great cause and yummy event!

Check out the details here:

http://www.baskinrobbins.com/firefighters/

Earth Day Freebies

Happy Earth Day!

Check out these sites for some Earth Day freebies:

Common Sense with Money; Walgreens Freebie

http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/04/free-walgreens-tote-take-2/

Life as Mom; a chance to win

http://lifeasmomreviews.blogspot.com/2009/04/review-and-giveaway-envirosax-reusable.html

Deal Seeking Mom; Disney Store and more

http://www.dealseekingmom.com/earth-day-freebies-24-hour-green-giveaway/

Money Saving Mom; HEB and more

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2009/04/fresh-easy-neighborhood-market-stores-locations-in-arizona-california-and-nevada-will-give-away-free-reusable-canvas-b.html

Beautiful Reminder

I stumbled across this post today, and wanted to share. How easy it is to forget to slow down and "go to the creek."

The beautiful reminder from Jen @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam:

http://inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-simple-things.html

Walgreens and CVS Shopping List, Update

My finds this week @ CVS:

Huggies Wipes (large refill) 50% off + 2.00 off CRT + .75 off mailer coupon=.75
2 Vitamin Water=free after manufacturer coupon
Gerber Graduates Arrowroot Cookies clearance for 1.50
Easter items still 50% off

My finds this week @ Walgreens:

Scunchi 18 pack hair bands=free after RR
Skintimate Shaving Cream=free after RR (thought they were out, but found on an end cap)
True Shimmer Chap Stick=free after RR (look for this near the cough/cold/lip care pharmacy products)
Easter items still 50% off

There were a lot of orange clearance tags at Walgreens, and I think they will be marking down more products tomorrow!

Wordless Wednesday, Daddy and Baby Koala

My guys.

Walgreens and CVS Clearance

photo from mms.com

I stopped by CVS and Walgreens on my lunch today, and checked out the Easter clearance. Although both stores only had the merchandise at 50% off, it was largely picked over. I did get some great deals on candy--and a couple of other small Easter items.

My favorite Walgreens deal today?

Large bags of M&Ms on clearance for 1.50 each--buy 2, and use the 1.00/2 Easy Saver Coupon (found in the store), bringing the total down to 1.00 per bag. These are great to use in place of chocolate chips in many recipes--or you can make M&M specific recipes--check out the list here:

http://www.m-ms.com/us/baking/

My favorite CVS deal today?

"Winter" imitation Crocs, on clearance for 99 cents! These will be a great for my son next year.

Menu Plan Monday

We keep breakfast and lunch simple around here, we grab a sandwich, leftovers, noodles, or a bowl of cereal and fruit.

Here are the dinner plans for this week:

Fried chicken and Coleslaw

Lentil Soup and Rice

Baked Potatoes and Salad

Spaghetti and Meatballs, Garlic Bread

7 can soup, http://www.recipezaar.com/7-Can-Soup-251443

Check out more menu ideas at www.orgjunkie.com!

Redbox Code, 4/13/09

Today's Free Movie Code is J89LA2!

Check out Tara @ www.dealseekingmom.com for more info on how redbox works!

http://www.dealseekingmom.com/redbox-101-your-guide-to-renting-free-and-cheap-dvds/

I've found it is fun to share the movie code with others in line who were planning on paying $1.00 for their rental. It's an easy way to save someone a buck, and maybe provide them with a smile!

CVS and Walgreens Shopping List

Thanks to Crystal moneysavingmom.com--I've got my shopping list ready! Check out her site for the complete list of Walgreens and CVS deals.

Walgreens

Scunchi Hair Rubber Bands (free after Register Rewards)
Skintimate Shaving Gel (free after Register Rewards)
Chapstick True Shimmer Lip Bals (free after Register Rewards)
Check Easter clearance for goodies to save for next year!

CVS

Vitamin Water (free after $1.00 off coupon)
SoftSoap Scrub Body Wash (free after Extra Care Bucks)
Free Lifewater (free after BOGO coupon)
$1.00 Raisin Bran (check out moneysavingmom.com for details)
Check Easter clearance for goodies to save for next year!

What's on your list this week? Have you found any good Easter clearance deals?

Pull Ups, Cheap!

I wanted to share a great Pull Ups deal I scored at CVS this weekend.

Here's how it worked:

2 packages of Huggies Pull Ups=20.00

1 large package of Huggies Wipes=5.00

Total=25.00

Used 2, 2.00 off Pull Ups coupons

Total=21.00

This would have been a good deal, however some additional coupons, and ECBs made it even sweeter.

-5/25 CVS coupon e-mailed to me

-8.00 ECB

-3.98 ECB

I paid roughly 4.00 Out of Pocket, and I earned 10.00 in ECBs.

Note: The Overnight Pull Ups are not included in this deal, I purchased the regular ones and will save them for potty training days.

Have you scored any great CVS deals lately?

Works for Me Wednesday, Nesting

I'm nesting. Like, cleaning, organizing, standing on chairs to move things, having my hubby move furniture around, kind of nesting.

I'll try to explain how odd that is for me, because if there were a Mrs. Messy--um, that would be me. A hard thing to admit to fellow mommy bloggers, who seem so darn neat--and whose homes (at least in the pictures) seem to be spotless!

I've always been this way--the complete opposite in this way of a Dad who was the very opposite of Mr. Messy, and my sister--well she got all of the neat gene.

I have clutter, lots of it--and it is time for it to go!

I'm looking for advice, suggestions, and blog posts--on how you clear the clutter, keep up with your home, and keep "everything in it's place." I'd like to turn this pregnancy nesting into a lifestyle change, and oh my, my husband--he would love it if I could truly make that happen!

So, why this for a works for me Wednesday post? Because, these:




work for me in this nesting phase. I was able to pick a few up for 75% off in the CVS clearance aisle.

For less than 2.00, I was able to satisfy a part of this nesting, and not break the budget.

How have I used these so far? We have many electronics in this house, which come with many chargers. Those cords and chargers fit perfectly into one container, and are now safely tucked away in the study.

That's how Sterilite Containers work for me. What works for you in home organization?

Check out more Works for Me Wednesday, at http://www.wearethatfamily.com/.

RedBox Code, April 6

Today's free Redbox code is: TS473G

Thanks, Shynea at www.pennypinchingdiva.com!

Learn more about how redbox works here: http://www.redbox.com/HowItWorks.aspx

Enjoy your free movie!

Menu Plan Monday, Easy Week

We have an easy week--as a couple of evenings we have dinner plans out or with friends.

I'd love some feedback regarding peanut butter donuts, my latest pregnancy craving, see post here: http://koalamama.blogspot.com/2009/04/craving-confession.html

Here's the simple dinner menu plan:

Quick Spaghetti (with the help of Ragu)

Orange Juice Pork Chops (see recipe below) and Cole Slaw

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1827,151162-235195,00.html

Rotisserie Chicken Sandwiches (use leftovers for chicken salad and chicken and rice soup)

Looking for some menu ideas? Head on over to www.orgjunkie.com.

Craving Confession

I'll admit, so I can provide you with a laugh or a roll of the eyes, I just googled "peanut butter and chocolate donuts."

The good news?

It looks like someone actually makes such a thing: http://www.stansdoughnuts.com/peanutbutter.html

The bad news?

I'd have to travel to California to get one.

Anyone know of somewhere else (preferrably in Texas) that makes peanut butter donuts?

If so, please comment with the address ASAP.

Baby Koala really likes salty and sour food.

I'm thinking this baby girl might have a sweet tooth like her mama.

Frugal Friday, Consignment and Garage Sale Finds

My Frugal Tip of the Week? One most of you I'm sure already follow...it pays to dig!


I attended a large consignment sale in our area last week--I had a plan, and a list. I was unable to find most of the big ticket items I was looking for (double stroller, etc.), however my persistence in searching out the little things paid off.



Have you heard of Trumpettes socks? (http://www.trumpette.com/)





The Mary Janes are just precious. I was hoping to find some of these at the consignment sale, and my first visit did not pay off. I went back later on the weekend, and while searching for a bathing suit for my son--noticed a few ziploc baggies of socks on top of a table. Digging paid off--I found 3 pair with the tags still on--in one bag--and paid 5 dollars for the bag.

Digging also paid off in the clothing dept for our baby girl we are expecting. I was also able to obtain some name brand, adorable kids clothing for just a few dollars! A gap onesie? One dollar, Ralph Lauren (new) pink dress and bloomers? Seven dollars. Many shorts, shirts, and onesies for 2.00 or less.


Lest you think my son was left out of the fun--I found one of these at a garage sale.

A MegaBlox Firetruck, with Blox included for only 6.00. Not bad.

So my question to you--what do you search for at consignment sales and garage sales?

What great bargains have you found for you or your kiddos?

While you are here--if you have any suggestions on double strollers, I'd love to hear your feedback!

(http://koalamama.blogspot.com/2009/04/works-for-me-wednesday-diaper-rash.html)

Find more Frugal Tips at http://www.lifeasmom.com/!

Bumbleride Giveaway at 3 Kids and Us!

Isn't this beautiful? I just entered to win this beauty at www.3kidsandus.com, and you can too! This stroller--the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller --has great features, and comes in beautiful colors (my favorite is this Indie Twin--love the SPICE option)!

Check out 3 Kids and Us (http://3kidsandus.com/ultimate-stroller-giveaway-bumbleride/) for details on how to enter to win, and check out http://www.bumbleride.com/ for more details on this cool stroller and more!

Works For Me Wednesday--Diaper Rash and Double Strollers

This week's Works-For-Me-Wednesday is a Backwards Edition in honor of April Fool's Day. I am so glad it is working in reverse this week, because I need some help from experienced mommies!

My 1 year old son has a BAD diaper rash--very red, with bumps.

We have not experienced one at this level before, and the normal Desitin and A&D are not working!

We are likely headed to the pedi this afternoon, but I thought I'd seek out the bloggy experts.

What works for you when your little one has diaper rash? What products do you use? How do you soothe them through this painful problem?

On a less painful note...I'm expecting my 2nd baby, so my 2 will be 19 months apart. I'd love to hear double stroller suggestions! What do you love/hate?

Check out http://www.wearethatfamily.com/ for more Works-For-Me-Wednesday!