Friday Night Football

Riley and I had colds, so we "camped" out in the back of the truck at Friday night's football game. Riley brought her pillows and blankets, we packed snacks for all three of us, and stayed in the truck. Very nice since it was pretty chilly. We were able to see the game, and we won, so we had a pretty good night. Ruthie was fussy, so I tried putting her to sleep at halftime, but Riley was the one that went to sleep. Ruthie finally gave up and fell asleep at the beginning of the 4th quarter. They looked so cute sleeping, and I got to enjoy the quiet for those last 15 min. of the game.

Last Friday we finally had some nice weather to play outside. The dogs wouldn't quit barking, so we "investigated" (Riley's idea) why. We found this turtle, stuck in the corner of the yard, cornered on the other side by Marley. We moved him to the front yard, where Riley got her picture taken with him. We wanted to see him move, but waited forever. When we went back outside later, he was gone, so Riley hunted again for him. We found him in the flower bed "waiting for his turtle family." Monday on the radio I heard that turtles can carry salmonella, so we probably won't be picking up any more turtles.

Rainy Day Saturday

This is what happens at our house when it rains for a week, and we can't go outside. We get bored. Riley was asking about headstands over the weekend, and Andy decided to show her how. We may never see this again, so I had to document that he could do it. Andy could do one, but Riley never got up enough to take a picture.

Where's Riley?

We rearranged Riley's room last Sunday, and she was so excited to get to sleep a different way. She piled all her "babies" in her bed before we read our stories, but when I went back in to check on her, she had flipped herself around and placed herself in the middle of them. Just the other day we were looking at a "Where's Waldo" book, and this picture reminded me of that, or the scene in "E.T."

We Have Lift-Off!

Ruthie is finally getting down the whole walking thing. Over the last 2 weeks, she's gotten a lot better and more fluid than when she was just beginning, and she doesn't like help. We were walking down the sidewalk yesterday, and she'll have nothing to do with me holding her hand. She wants to do it herself. Since she's up and around now, I had to finally go get her some new shoes, which she likes to take off and chew on. Wasn't really a problem before since we wasn't really using them, but now we're having to nip it in the bud.

Riley and Ruthie

I have been cleaning out Ruthie's dresser over the past week and going through Riley's old clothes to pull the next size up that we will need. It took forever! Riley was given these Texas Longhorn pajamas by a student that Andy and I taught, and now Ruthie will be wearing them. Remembering Riley's picture in her rocking chair in them, I took Ruthie's picture today. Riley was about 17 months when her's was taken. If it weren't for the dates, could you tell which was which?
Update: Riley just saw this picture and asked what Ruthie was doing in her chair. I told her it wasn't Ruthie, but her. Her words, "When I was a little child?"

Ruthie's Birthday Party

Although her birthday isn't until Thursday, we celebrated it yesterday at our house so some of Andy's family could come. She wasn't really interested in opening her presents until the Fisher Price barn came out and the ride-along car that mom and dad gave her excited her too. She seemed to enjoy the cake, and had a birthday bath right after, of course. Her high chair was filthy, and I should have put it outside when it started raining to clean it off. Would have made it a lot easier, but we would have had quite a bit of cake in the yard.

J.C. Penney's Savings

So after our dumpster diving, I had 4 of the $10 off coupons to use. We (because I am not the only one that had numerous of these) started using them last Monday and got some great deals. I purchased three new outfits for Ruthie, two for the spring, one for now. I got Riley some Wonder Pet pajamas for Christmas, which Andy thinks she'll really like since they have a cape on the back of the top. Also got some cool socks for one of my nieces for Christmas. I gave mom one, and she bought a new purse and an outfit for Hunter. In total we spent including tax $7.10. Total that we saved after clearance prices and coupons - $125.88. Not too bad.

Blueberry Muffin Christmas Cake

Haven't posted for awhile, so I'm trying to catch up a little. We have been very, very busy lately with football starting back up while I'm working a little extra at Bath Junkie. Every day except for Tuesday has something planned on it for the next few months.

Riley wanted to make blueberry muffins this morning, which was fine. When getting the pan out, she saw the Christmas tree pan and asked if we could use it. Everything worked well, we just had to cook it awhile longer to get the middle completely done. It tastes just fine though.

I Am Now THAT Mom!

Yesterday I read on another blog site that a recent J.C. Penney's mailer had a $10 off and $10 purchase coupon inside it. Thinking this would be a great deal to get some fall clothes (or presents) for the girls, Riley and I headed up to the post office last night. We have a couple trashcans for people to throw things away in, and I wanted to see just how many of the coupons I could find. As I started filing through the first one, Riley's eyes opened widely and she said in a horrified voice, "What are you doing?" I probably would have had the same reaction to my mom if she were doing this when I was little, so I started laughing, saying "Saving us some money." Thinking if she were embarrassed of this (we were alone), oh, she may have a lot coming. Poor Riley just stood there, not knowing what to do. How many times have I told her, get out of the trashcan. Once it goes in, it doesn't come out.

The cost of this money-saving lesson for Riley, $40. I found 4 of the coupons.