This Day...

The girls managed to drive me crazy. Well, who are we kidding, they can always “manage” that. But today, Amelia refused her nap. That alone makes for a baaaad afternoon.

Then after dinner got the bright idea to try and replicate my favorite dessert, Lemoncello Cream Torte from Cheescake Factory… I made a pretty little pudding cool whip cake thing… but it is NOTHING like CF’s. More disappointment there.

Despite my tired state I decided to go to a few places to catch some good deals with coupons. Yes, coupons. Just shut up and take them already. I am SO tired of being harassed for my coupons.

Now I am ready to go to bed… but not before I check the bank accounts to see how much moolah we don’t have. That is, if I can manage to get on the stupid internet that has been flickering in and out of service tonight. Me without internet…. Bad bad bad bad bad.

How about a better day tomorrow??

PS. Stupid internet is finally working.

A date! A date!

We had a date! Eric and I got to go out to eat. And did we eat! We went to the Cheesecake Factory. Mmmmmm. Can I just say the Lemoncello Cream Torte is better than..... everything. Seriously.

Then I got a nap. Then it rained (poured, actually). Then Eric had to be a jerk about cleaning. Way to ruin a good day.

We got a dolla'...

We got a dolla'. We got a dolla' hey hey hey hey!

Last night I scored some free lotion, 25 cent deodorant, free toothpaste, $1 shampoo/conditioner... Heck, I even managed to get my Taco Bell order for free! I am getting good at this. Thanks to Brie and the BBC bargain board, I am addicted to coupons.

Mario Kart...

is tons of fun and slightly addictive. A very good way to burn an entire Sunday as a family.

Clara-isms!

What are Clara-isms? The things this child comes up with are hilarious. I feel the need to jot them down every once in awhile. When I think about it i'll post em. Hopefully they will still be funny. If not, oh well.

For today:
"Smell that fresh country air!"

Yeah, she is a nerd. She said this several times today.

Couponing Crazeee

All my time and energy has been going into couponing. It is fun, but like I said. It takes time and energy. And gasoline. And patience with jerk cashiers and store managers who don't like "people like me" (yeah, one Albertson's manager said that). Oh well. My scores for the last few weeks:

$.50 Wisk
$1.00 All F&C and Snuggle
$.17 Lawry's marinade
$.63 jars of mayo
$.36 Knorr side dishes
Free salad dressing
$.25 - $.50 cereal

I need some paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, deodorant, toothpaste... I WILL get these thing for cheap, if not free.

Camping!

Clara and I have been camping... twice! I am hoping to drag Eric along, I think he will enjoy it. For now, he stays home with Amelia, and I can't complain too much.

Camping trip #1, April 18-20

We tagged along with my friend, Sarah, and her family. We went to Three Island Crossing at Glenn's Ferry, close to twin Falls, Idaho. We slept in their camp trailer. Clara had her 1st camp fire, she was a RIOT! We went swimming in a warm springs pool and went on a treasure hunt. Of course, Clara loved every second of it. The Snake river is beautiful and I would love to go there again.

Camping trip #2, May 9-11

This time we rented our own little cabin. Eric still refused to go, so Clara and I had the place to ourselves. We went with 2 other families (Sarah's and Jen's) who had camp trailers. The place we visited this time was Bruneau Dunes, south of Mountain Home, Idaho. It was pretty cool , there were huge sand dunes. The kids played in the sand and the adults relaxed.

The weather is getting warmer, so I am not sure how many more camping trips are on order for this summer, but we will go again this fall. Who knows, maybe Eric will join us, maybe not.

Why are things so confusing...

when you're 4? Today during the drive home from the store Clara's conversation went something like this...

- She wants a baby brother.
- She wanted to know how babies got into Mom's belly.
- She concluded that Jesus puts them there.
- She also concluded that Jesus is nice.
- Then she said that it was a good thing he is nice because when you die you meet him.
- She wanted to know if we come back to Earth after we die.
- She pointed out that after we die we are resurrected (yes, she used that word), so why wouldn't we come back to earth.
- She said that she would rather stay on Earth after she dies than go to Heaven.
- She panicked because even though Jesus is nice, she wants to live with Mom and Dad after she dies.
- She panicked when I told her Mom and Dad would probably die first and be waiting for her.
- She panicked more and more and ran through every morbid death situation that could occur including herself, mom and dad, her sister, her grandparents, and even her future children.

Of course, I am driving while she is having this conversation. I am tuning her out and skirting around her questions by saying "uh huh, yep, sure honey"... but then realize I am probably confusing her even more by not listening. So I try and answer the questions truthfully. Well, being truthful about death doesn't work, not with a 4 year old, and not when said 4 year old probably knows more about it than I do. She is a better listener in church...