I REALLY Puffy Heart Target :)

In my last post, I stated the toys should be marked down today. I was right! They even were marked down at a few stores yesterday! So being the obsessed stalker of Target that I am :) I went to the store that was marked down to 75% off yesterday and bought for $100 all of this! I bought 27 toys averaging $3.70 a toy! It is so much I had to take 2 pictures!!!

Then after reading a few more blogs, I heard a lot of stores were marking down in the late afternoon. So off I went, without kids;), and checked out 2 more targets. Both were a bust;( However, I did scope it out to see what I wanted to buy today since I *knew* they would be marked down today. I hit the jackpot when we went this morning! I followed the Target scanning lady around with toys in hand ;) I got 29 items for $100 averaging $3.44.
So for $200 I bought 56 toys. Why does one need so many toys?? Because I put them in organized bags for each of my kids/nieces/nephews/friend gifts in the closet. I won't have to rush out and pay full price for Christmas or Birthday presents or deal with holiday crowds. Since I don't work, I tell my husband I am earning money this way because if I waited to buy gifts until they are needed, I'd pay full price. And unlike food/coupon hoarders....toys don't go bad :) Love Target!!

I Puffy Heart Target;o)

This is THE week at Target. The final markdown of baby and toys in anticipation of Christmas. And by markdown, I mean 70% off. Target has gotten a tad stingy on us this year. In previous years they have gone to 75% off, but I think with their new 5% back debit card, they need to make up the difference somewhere! Nonetheless 70% off is still a good deal;o) I tend to stock up to last me through Christmas and birthdays. Mr.E thinks I'm crazy, but hey this is how I contribute to the family by saving money for gifts we'll have to buy most likely at full price later on. Yesterday, Monday, was the baby markdown. Since I have a few friends having babies and a sweet baby of my own, I stocked up. Here is my haul.
I bought 34 items for $97.69 with original price of $325.63!! That averages out to $2.87 an item and a savings of $227.94!! I bought an ipad cover, 24 pieces of clothing, 3 big baby toys, and the rest misc baby bath and sleep items. LOVE IT!!!

The toy sale should be later this week! I am hoping to score big then too!! I'll keep you posted :)

Waves Hi!

Flower Power is learning so many social skills, but has no desire to learn to crawl! A girl priority, I guess :) Here's a short video of her "yeahing" and clapping, and my sweet Little Lion playing with his sister.

Summer Fun!

We have been enjoying the cooler weather in the evening here....you know 85 degrees :) Hello Florida!! Flower Power has been fascinated by bubbles. She's not quite sure what to make of them! Her face says it all in this picture!

Little Lion still loves playing basketball and has been practicing his dunk shot :)
And the afternoon showers don't stop the fun!
I scored a fun summer deal at my favorite store....Target! A picnic table that also is a water/sand table. I don't do mud so water it is. Flower Power and Little Lion have enjoyed it!

Flower Power was so proud of herself for sitting at the table!
Just think summer is half way done already and we are only 6 months until Christmas! Time flies!!!

Park!

Mr.E is out of town for work. So I decided to take the kiddos to the park. A first for Flower Power! I put her on the baby swings and she just laughed. Little Lion swung too....watch the silly boy.

The weather was gorgeous and we stayed a tad past bedtime, but they sure did have fun :)

New Tricks

Flower Power is going to be a communicator! She likes....no LOVES...attention! So she is a squealer, babbler, and whiner when she wants something :) All of course in baby talk. The teenage years are going to be interesting!! Well, her newest form of communication is waving HI! She wants you to notice her waving at you and say HI!

Little Lion is continuing his love for music. We were at the toy store and they had a tall old school microphone out for the kids to test. He was having such a good time announcing people to Come On Down, Your The Next Contestant on The Price Is Right! Yes that is a favorite show! One of my college friends said I should have been an announcer because I like to hear my voice. I guess he takes after me :) After making the other customers chuckle, he decided to sing.

I am enjoying watching them grow and am very thankful to be home with them everyday!

Circus Act

My daughter thinks she is funny and is flexible. Whenever, we put her in her highchair to eat, she always manages to get a foot out. She grabs it and waves it around. I tell her one day the circus will hire her :)

Sweet Babies!!

Another few shots from our photo shoot from Dena.Here are my babies being as cute as can possibly be!!



We did a few of Little Lion since he was being so cooperative....a rare treat :)

Dena didn't take too many of Flower Power since we had just done her 6 month photo shoot a week ago. Nonetheless, here are a couple.

And one with Me and the kiddos. Next time we'll have to get Mr.E in one :)
Our wall of pictures is getting bigger and bigger :)

Final Mission!

Today was the final space shuttle launch EVER! Atlantis blasted off at 11:26. This morning we weren't so sure it was going to go off with only a 30% chance of the weather cooperating. However, with the luck the Florida has been having this week with Casey Anthony only having a 10% chance of getting off, and did...boo! I assumed it'd go off. So we left a little later than usual, but luckily didn't hit too crazy of traffic. It usually takes us 45 minutes to get to the coast, but it took us 1.5 hours. We lucked out and got a close spot at Jetty Park. Here is the family to commemorate the occasion!
There were a gazillion of people there! You could feel the excitement in the air!

When the shuttle went off, the crowd counted down and cheered! Since there were slight clouds, the shuttle kept going in and out of the clouds. The crowd cheered each time! We were even close enough to hear and feel the rumble! A feeling I hope never to forget!! Here is a video of the launch until Flower Power got too fussy. She didn't like the noise of the crowd and the video is shaky since I'm trying to make her feel better :)
It's sad what is going to happen to NASA now that the launches are done. It was interesting to see the reaction of the crowd. Some were very emotional.
My husband and his family attended the 1st launch and many in between. A circle is complete with Mr.E and his brother seeing the last. Launches have been a big part of their family! I'm glad LL and FP were able to experience the magic of space flight!
We'll miss you Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavour!!!

Cousins!

My parents are celebrating their 45!!! Wedding Anniversary later this month. As a gift, we got all four of the grandkids together for pictures. Dena at Everyday Moments Photography...yup I'm her best customer...took the pics. Here are my favs of the 4 of them.



Hmmmm which to pick for a wall photo????

Red, White, and Blue Family

For the 4th we celebrated with friends during the day playing in the pool, grilling out, and talking :) That evening Little Lion took Uncle Ben with us to the St.Cloud fireworks. This is my favorite picture of the day :)
Our family tradition is to eat at Crabby Bills and watch the fireworks. Mr.E's dad's birthday is the 4th so we are usually there with family. Unfortunately they were in Pennsylvania. So half of us went.

And for a treat, LL ate a red, white, and REALLY blue cookie :)

7 Month Birthday!

This is how a 7 month photoshoot goes in our house in pictures :) I put Flower Power in a cute 4th of July outfit and her 7 month sticker.

I help Mom.
No not right.
HERE!
Just kidding! I don't want to wear that! It doesn't match!!!
Well, since you asked so nicely to wear it.
But really, it doesn't match!!
Mom, you know I'm right!!
See look.
HaHa I'm right!
So I'll eat it!
Good thing I'm cute and have a great fashion sense!

Yes this is the actual succession of pictures and with the commentary I totally think she's having with me;o)