First Pedicure

 Last night Alexis and I were busy at the mall while we waited for Josh to fly home.  We were running out of things to do and the nail shop wasn't busy, so why not?   While the lady was working Alexis had a little self talk session saying:  "sit still",  "Don't touch it", "So Pretty", and  "Don't move". 

Art!

Supplies

I found this idea online somewhere and knew Alexis would love it.  It was ready for her this morning as soon as we completed her morning routine:  Out of crib, out of diaper, into clothes, hair fixed, and usually water/juice in hand.

Getting Started

Can you tell she loves it?

Learning the colors.  This one is Yego.

Admiring her work

Showing it off

The rest of our day was a blur.  We are extra busy now that I have the OK from the doc to begin working out again.  I'm very happy about that!  We were at the gym for a couple of hours, had a fun play date at the park, a quick lunch, and then nap time :) 
Josh and I are both extremely lucky to love our jobs.  It sure makes for a happy home. 

Book Update

12 Books for 2012

The Bible- This is an ongoing daily chronological reading for the entire year.  I have to be honest, February was a long month with some days skipped. I have learned so much through this book as I am reading parts of it for the first time.  My favorite part is that it has been arranged chronologically.  It's easier to remember the Big God Story if it is put in order!  I wonder why the regular Bible is out of order?  Does anyone know?
The Meaning of Marriage-Tim Keller
Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen
Amish Grace
More Than Enough- Dave Ramsey
Decision Points- George Bush
Nickel and Dimed- Barbara Ehrenreich
Dare to Discipline- James Dobson
Spiritual Parenting- Michelle Anthony- Currently reading this book.
A Love that Multiplies- The Duggars
The Money Saving Mom's Budget- Crystal Paine

Funny Lexie

My little Cinderella:

 Monday we had a play date at a friends house.   Lexie found the mop cloth and a spray bottle on the floor.  She picked them up, pretended to spray,  pretended to wipe the spray, and said "Clean up, all the time".  

That's my girl! 

Talking to Daddy:

Wednesday I called Josh for Alexis.  She grabbed the phone and said "Daddy home soon?"  I have no idea what was said on his end, but the next thing she exclaimed was "O, My Goodness!" and walked out of the room laughing.

A new twist to dinner time:

 Later that night we were eating dinner as a family.  Alexis was obviously done and getting bored with our conversation.  Banging her fists on the table was way more fun, but when that didn't get her the attention she was seeking, she stopped. She looked at us, and said "Come on everybody, Let's GO!"  We ended our dinner with a noisy table banging finale. 

Uncle John makes a pastoral impression on Alexis:
This morning we watched the lead pastor of CCC, Mark Aston, talk about the book of Psalms online.  I suppose Alexis thought we were on skype, so she said " Hi unca John!  How are you doing?"  She's only seen Uncle John four or five times in her life, but he must have made quite the impression.  Last week we left the church office and she said "bye, Unca John!" to Pastor Elvin.

19 months old and so verbally expressive!  I often catch the teacher in me saying "Stop and use your words, Alexis"  I'm realizing that's not realistic all the time because she is still emotionally very much a 19 month old. 

7 Things We Splurge On

Airfare

We live 18 driving hours away from family.  Enough said.

Dates

I'm wondering if this is even a splurge.  It's on the list because not everyone has regular dates.  I see it more as an investment in our relationship.

Shoes
Alexis trips all over the place in any other brand but Stride Rite.  Luckily I'm able to sometimes find them at consignment sales.  
For Josh and I- It makes sense to spend the extra because they last a lot longer. 
 

Coffee

Really, I tried to go cheap with the Folgers.  Made me want to puke. Eww, so bad!   First thing I do in the am is walk to my coffee pot. I like coffee so much, I think about that warm mug before I fall asleep each night.  It's the little things that make life enjoyable...they should be good quality!  Hill of Beans is my favorite coffee shop in Omaha. 

 

Gym Membership

We want to have a healthy active lifestyle.  It would be really hard to do that In the Midwest with Alexis and no membership. 
 

Trash Bags

Josh does the trash.  He requests Glad with ties.  Not my area- What he wants is what he gets.  
 

House Cleaning

Not all the time, just about twice a year.  I call Molly Maids when our life gets super busy or when the cleaning is overwhelming me.  $110 saves my sanity.  I get a fresh start.  Worth every penny.

Random

Shin splints- tried to run through the pain.  Finally decided to take a full week off.  

Thrill Seeker

A lesson in patience, she had to shop the entire consignment sale holding the dolls in the bag.  The second we stepped out of the store I opened them for her.  She likes to help retell the story of the patience she displayed. 

So happy to have her babies.  They hardly leave her side.

My Southern Girl-misplaced

See?  Dressed or not, they go with her everywhere.

More Coupon Adventures $12.20 after sales and coupons.  Regular Retail $36.89.

7 Things We Don't Spend $$$ On

A post inspired by my favorite blog: www.moneysavingmom.com

The Movie Theater

 The three or four times a month we get out together we'd rather be talking to each other. I'm sure we can all agree it's not the most comfortable place to watch a movie. 

Car Payments

We drive used cars that are paid for because we'd rather save the $250-$300 a month.  It means the occasional car repair and diligent maintenance.  Last year the neither cars had necessary repairs, just general maintenance!

 

Tissue

Some would disagree, but toilet paper does the job here. 

 

Credit Card Interest

There's no getting around it.  

It's a fact:  Credit card interest is a stupid thing for us pay. 

Texting

Texting annoys the ---- out of me.  Why would I pay to be annoyed?  Josh has texting on his work phone, he deals with it.

 

Josh's Haircuts

My Sister-in-law (Megan, Mem, and/or Mrs. John Harris) taught me how to cut hair after Alexis was born.  Saves about $170 a year.

Car Detailing
This is the one I wish we paid for.  Cleaning a car is very labor intensive.  And how do they get dirty so fast?!?!?  One day it will return to the splurge list.


That's our list. What about you?