$$ Dollar Tree Fun

I try to find inexpensive crafts that I can do with Audrina on a daily basis. I always go to Michaels and I feel like sometimes their are certain items you get there should be a lot cheaper then they are. To make a long story short I decided to hit up the dollar tree. I found these foam pads and stickers and little wands for A to play with. She loved the stickers and they are great because if she sticks it on the wall or anywhere else it will come off easily. The little wands can be decorated with the stickers also, although A didn't want any stickers on them and she flipped out when I try to put one on it lol Dollar tree is awesome and there's a lot of great crafts you can create with their items. I also got cute Valentine tins there for my baking :) Less then $5 and your kid can be crafting for a good hour.

Budget Bites

Since we have been on escrow I have been finding ways to budget our income and bills so we don't end up broke. I would say the biggest issue we have is our grocery bills. I admit Jake and I suck at meal planning and we always have. We would have a planned 5 day dinner and then after that week we would end up the way we were in the beginning. Jake and I have always planned dinner that day, yes that means going to the grocery store everyday. It's a routine we have, I take care of Audrina during the day until 4 then he takes care of her from 4-9. I usually get the groceries for dinner and he will cook it right before I come home. So yes we eat dinner at like 9:30 sometimes 10 at night. Some days I will make a crock pot meal or prepare things ahead of time so dinner will be done right at 9. Either way I am still ending up going to the grocery store almost everyday. With that said you spend waaaaaaaaay more going grocery shopping everyday. I have the issue of finding fun interesting things I want to bake or cook for lunch and it always ends in me spending more then $20 on groceries for that day. Instead of planning ahead I am basically throwing money away on unnecessary purchases. So my goal for this year is to budget. Budget my food. We are three tiny people and we should not be spending that much on groceries. Now tell me what do you do for budget and how do you stick to it? My budget plan is $125 a week on groceries, we home make all our dinners and maybe go out to eat 2-3 times in a month. I try to eat less processed items, but not all. A and I eat A LOT of fruit and trail mixes, dried fruits and yogurt. Please give me some advice on budgeting groceries. I would coupon, but a lot of coupons are for crap processed food and sodas, and we don't eat much of that stuff. I was thinking of going to the co op, still haven't been in there before. Advice PLEASE!

Home Sweet Home

It's just like when you put on your dream wedding gown, you just know its just right and THE ONE. That is how I felt with our new home. We walked in and it had everything I wanted for a house, not too big,  not too small, just perfect for my family. The kitchen opens into the living room so I can cook or bake and watch Audrina play. My room and Audrinas room have walk in closets, which is a HUGE deal to me. The kitchen cabinets are cherry wood and the house is a 3 bedroom 2.5 baths. I couldn't ask for a better location, right next to Wildwood and Hooker Oak park, close to schools and upper bidwell park. This is a home that I will be in probably forever, unless I have 3+ more kids which I don't see happening. I can actually call this place my home and do anything I want to it. If I want to paint the door red I can! I have a great yard for my dog and for A to run around in. It has covered patio so I can entertain guests. I have been looking up decor and different ways to make the house more homey because original owners have no style whatsoever. We are going to paint the inside of the house. 11 more days and we close on escrow. Thank you mom and dad for letting Jake and I  borrow money for a generous down payment and my mortgage is almost the same as my rent! Jake and I worked hard for the down payment portion we are putting in and hard work pays off because our dream will be coming true soon :) Home sweet home.