Car conversations and words of wisdom...

Normally driving around in the car with my two children is not a pleasant experience.  They both fight for my attention and want to discuss all things philosophical, (for some reason when we get in the car they become very inquisitive.  One on one I enjoy a car ride with either of my kids but me alone with both of them spells disaster!)  When they aren't bombarding me with questions they spend their time pissing each other off.   Either way I spend most of my time as a referee and concentrating on driving them around safely.

Occasionally I get rare moments of peace and casual conversation between the athlete and the princess.  Moments like last night.  I simply sat listening to them talk with a smile on my face trying not to laugh as the athlete passed on some important insights and words of wisdom to his little sister.

It began with the princess telling me a story of how "so and so" asked  "so and so" out and he said yes, so now they are "going out".  (On a side note, we are talking about 8 and 9 year olds here!)  I replied to her that at her age boys and girls do not belong "going out", that they are too young.  Boys and girls should be friends and concentrate on school.

This is where the athlete piped up and I just sat there and listened.

The athlete:   "Princess you are too young to have a boyfriend.  When you're my age you can"  (Another side note, the athlete is 11!)  You have to be in middle school or it isn't real."

He pauses for a minute and then reconsiders:  "Well actually, Dad probably won't let you have a boyfriend at my age."

The princess in a shocked tone:  "WHY?"

The athlete:   "Well because Dads tend to let their boys do things earlier than they let their girls."

The princess even louder:  "WHY?"

The athlete:  "Well because they just feel different about their girls then they do their boys.  Boys can have a girlfriend and it just slips by them but with their girls they say no to a lot more.  Dad's don't want their girls to have a boyfriend till their like 14 or 15, right mom?"

The princess:  "WELL THAT'S NOT FAIR!  IS THAT TRUE MOM?"

Now I find myself in the hot spot.  I'm trying so hard not to laugh at this point because I find it so funny that the athlete has clued in on how protective their father is over princess and even funnier that she is getting pissed about this double standard as she learns more and more about it!  My answer to them both?

"Well yeah, you're both kinda right.",  hoping to diffuse the situation a little.

Before I could say anything more, the princess infuriated now, blurted out:   "WELL I'M NOT HIS WIFE!!!!!  HE CAN'T TELL ME THAT!!!"


I lost it then and laughed so hard I had my diet coke coming out my nose.  And I thought silently to myself, I can see the future now, and boy oh boy is it gonna be a bumpy ride!  She thinks I'm the tough one now, but   I can't wait  for the tables to turn and she goes toe to toe with her Dad!!

To coupon or not to coupon, update...

So the first week in January I bought the Sunday paper and I clipped my coupons and got myself a coupon folder.  I then organized my shopping trip by sales and coupons and my needs for the week.  Here's a run down on what I've learned so far:

First you're all probably dying to know how much moola I saved.  So without further ado...

Week 1 Results:

$26.00

Now for some of you that might not seem like that much but for me on my first try?  I don't think that's too shabby.  Even more of a surprise was not only did I save $26 bucks but the amount of food I came home with was double what I usually buy.  That was what hooked me!  Take a look at my fully stocked fridge/freezer and pantry:

Now what you can't see in these photos is that I have 3 gallons of milk, 2 gallons of Silk Almond milk, and in the pantry I am fully stocked all the way to the back of the shelves with cereal, soup, pasta, crackers, granola bars, pasta sauce, salad dressings, and kitty treats.  I spent my normal amount but what I actually bought made me giggle!  There is nothing worse than going grocery shopping, spending a small fortune, and after unloading and putting everything away, your cabinets and fridge still look bare.  That really sucks!  But not this time!

Week 2 Results:
Saved $18.00 total.  Came under budget by $20 and came home with a completely loaded up trunk full of groceries, again!

The only down side to this money saving adventure is the amount of time invested between coupon clipping, organizing, and believe it or not, the actual shopping.  First week took me 3 hours!  Second week I was down to 2 hrs.  And both times I shopped at two different stores to get the best deals, something I never do.

Conclusion:
I'm hooked.  I like a challenge.  I like getting the best deals possible.  I feel like I've won something.  Even my kids are thrilled because come Thursday or Friday when we usually are running low on food in the house, both weeks we have had plenty to still choose from.  My goal is to save at least $30 a week by using coupons and get my weekly budget down $50 a week.  

A new look, for a great cause...

The princess decided to start 2012 with a whole new look.  (Entirely her idea, I might add!) 

She wanted a new do, and a new do she sure did get!  

The princess had a whopping 10 INCHES chopped of her head.  I actually got nauseous when the scissors went through it hacking off all her beautiful golden hair.  Don't get me wrong, I don't think cutting your hair is that big of a deal.  It will always grow back.  But just seeing that long ponytail suddenly UN-attached to her head made me feel like I was going to faint.

The other thing that I didn't realize until posting these pictures is just how dark her hair seems to be getting.  (Insert a slight disappointed mama sigh here), I was really hoping she was going to keep her beautiful blonde hair but it looks like we may have just cut off all that remained of it.  Look at how dark her new hair is growing in from her roots!!!!

But alas, at least another child will be able to benefit and enjoy all those gorgeous blonde tresses because the princess had exactly enough hair cut off to donate it to Lock of Love.

And that makes me really happy.

Disney on Ice Dare to Dream Giveaway...

CONTEST CLOSED

For anyone out there who has a Disney princess lover at home I am so thrilled to be able to offer my fabulous readers the opportunity to win a 4 pack of tickets to opening night Friday, February 17th at 7pm at the TD Garden!!!!

Show description courtesy of Feld Entertainment:
"Get tangled up in the newest thrilling show to hit the ice, Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream. Experience Disney’s hilarious hair-raising escapade, Tangled; as Rapunzel, her unlikely companion, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths!  Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in a magical, musical journey that all begins with a fateful kiss.  And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime!  Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!"

To get a sneak peek, click on the video below.


If you can't attend the show on opening night but still want to buy tickets for another show, here is a direct link to purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/vMUbYH

Now for the important stuff!  How to enter:

Mandatory entry:  Leave a comment on my blog telling me who is your little one's favorite Disney princess.  Make sure your email address is with the comment so I can reach you if you win.

For extra entries:
*Follow this blog on google friend connect (1 entry)
*Follow me on twitter: @beenomom (1 entry)
*Share this giveaway link on your  Facebook page and comment here that you did (1 entry)

Contest closes on January 30th.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified via email.  Tickets will be held at will call and available for pick up the night of the show.   Good luck!

To coupon or not to coupon...

As a rule of thumb I don't coupon.  Every once in a while I will pull out a coupon that I have been given and use it on a purchase.  Normally I will hold onto said coupon and it will expire sitting in my purse before I remember I even had it.

I'll admit too that I have been sucked in by the Extreme Couponing Show on TLC but I get frustrated every single time I watch it and see women loading up their carts with 100 bottles of hot sauce or 200 rolls of Mentos.  That is NOT grocery shopping or nor are you saving money on weekly groceries.

But on the flip side I know women in real life who are religious couponers and save a lot of money while shopping realistically for their families' groceries.  People like "The Coupon Goddess"  or "Couponing to Disney" mom.  Even Heather from "Making it Work Mom" has a tween daughter who started couponing for her with much success!

After seeing all their success I have decided to give couponing a real shot.  I got up early this morning and got the Sunday paper because it was well known in the coupon world that today's paper was a gold mine for couponers.  I spent an hour cutting and browsing as well as planning my weekly shopping list.

I am armed and ready to go.  I will hit the store and see how much I save buying the groceries I ACTUALLY need and want while using my coupons.  Wish me luck!  Update will follow.

Fashion Playtes Review; Where girls can design and wear their custom creations!

Several weeks ago, the princess and I got a fabulous opportunity thanks to Fashion Playtes and Boston Parent Bloggers.  She was able to  design an outfit of her choice on their website.  Then we attended a blogger event at their headquarters to participate in a fashion show where she modeled her one of a kind creation!

How cool is that?  Ask any girl who is OBSESSED with fashion and she'll tell you it's a little girl's dream come true!

And would you look at this place!  Very inviting and welcoming!  What a cool place to work!


Their website:  www.fashionplaytes.com is extremely user friendly.  You can shop and design by categories such as: tops, dresses, bottoms, outerwear, accessories, lounge wear, and get this, dolls!!  Want to have matching outfits that you created for your American Girl Doll?  This is the place!

To get started simply  pick your clothing, choose the color, and begin to embellish.  Simple as that.  You can add as much or as little as your like.  When your finished your designer clothing will appear on your model right on the website.  Your child can create as many designs as her little heart desires and keep them in her style book.  (They don't all need to be purchased.  That way they can be creative and play online without breaking the bank.) Whatever you decide to purchase gets shipped right to your door.


The princess chose a dress for her one of a kind creation.   (Any chance to get dressed up and she's all for it!)  

Here she is during her modelling shoot with another little friend from home who was also chosen for the event and came with us!

Before the fashion show the girls visited several stations set up around the room.  Hair and makeup, interview, and photo shoot.  All this went on while us moms got to learn more about the Fashion Playtes website and give our own input to the website "guru".  All this while drinking sparkling cider and munching  fabulous little sandwiches!

The event capped off with a walk down the runway  for all the girls to show off what they had proudly created.

Here are all the girls acting goofy for Justine, the awesome lady from Fashion Playtes who coordinated the whole event.

We had a wonderful afternoon and the little princess really enjoyed showing off her custom made dress to all her friends at school the next week!  It was a big hit.

If you have a fashion diva at home or know someone this would make a fabulous gift!  Fashion Playtes offer gift certificates that you can buy and print out right from your computer.  Go check them out and see what all the fun is about!  www.fashionplaytes.com

Disclosure:  I received a gift certificate to design and purchase an outfit from FashionPlaytes.com for a review.   All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.