New Year's Eve day....

the hat she made with the daycare kids yesterday,
and her lunch today a clock sandwhich in honor of the countdown to a new year.

Rubik's cube

i recently found one while shopping
they have been trying to solve it
usually they bring it to me with a finish this please
solving one side is a breeze
getting two rows correct has been accomplished a time or two
but bother completing the entire thing...is proving to be a challenge for this brain of mine
did I realize when I was younger and solved it with minimal effort just how cool that was?
of course not.
oh well, they think I'm pretty amazing that I can solve one side

hex bugs

tiny little battery operated "bugs" that move at an amazing speed, and offer
countless hours of entertainment to this crew over the past few days...

pancakes

made in a special pan (love those clearance sales) those two pictured were the earliest risers
and enjoyed the first of the pancakes with a snowmen, santa, a tree and gingerbread man on them...

marbles

a science kit purchased during after christmas sales...
grow bouncy marbles by putting tiny little dots into water
and watching them grow...every half hour they were checking
to determine if they grew or not. the bowl that looks empty
actually has clear marbles in it...

snow

it snowed yesterday...
much to the delight of the little people in our home
as soon as they could they bundled into jackets, snowpants and boots and
headed out the door.
snowmen were created as was some creative sledding...
there was no grumbling when I requested that the driveway be shoveled....
ahhhh the joys of the first snow, when just being in it is fun no matter what you
are doing.

New blanket

Several years ago I made tie blankets with the kids, Reyna had not yet joined our family.  I had yet to make her a blanket and the other day when shopping I noticed an adorable penguin print fabric.  It seemed like the perfect time to make Reyna her tie blanket.  The fabric made it's way into my cart and and yesterday afternoon we cut and tied the blanket.  Reyna watched not quite sure what exactly I was doing.  Once it was completed she quickly snuggled in with a big grin.  I wish I had bought another set of fabric for a blanket for me this material is so soft and cozy. 

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Joann fabrics

I needed nothing there but Linda said its fun to browse. I  should have known. Me in a craft store with clearance sales a plenty was going to be interesting. It was... Oh my.
When we hit the dollar section where the sign said half off my mind  whirled with potential.  Linda laughed  as she  helped me fill my cart. I might have muttered a time or two that there was nothing I needed at this store which caused Linda and several clerks to laugh when the looked at my cart. When I reached the checkout what I thought was 50 percent off rang up at 70 percent.
Oh my stars.  Now that is clearance shopping at its finest.  Many of those items in my cart were 30 cents each. That! Made my day
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Keurig coffee maker

For Kevin. A simple solution to the often unused coffee....a maker that brews one cup at a time.
Perfect!   And bonus it also makes hot chocolate and Apple cider. Judging by the number of times he made hot chocolate and coffee today Kevin liked this Christmas gift

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Scrapbooking supplies

Awesome deals.... love when something is half price. Absolutely giddy when it is 70 percent off.  Today would count as a success in stocking up on Christmas scrap supplies.  Perhaps now I will actually complete our Christmas album earlier in the year than usual?
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After Christmas shopping

Rarely do I get to go.  Normally I am working but today with only one daycare kid scheduled I decided to go shopping. Kevin watched the kids and Linda and I headed out at 7 am for Kato.  First stop target. I had spotted a Lego event calendar the other day but didn't like the price. Sadly by 7:45 Target was very picked over. I did score a few  things at half price
But not the Lego advent calendar. Bummer.  Off to Walmart where Linda had seen them  and score still in stock and 1/2 off.  Picked up another outdoor decoration, scrapbooking supplies I do love clearance.  Back to the mall. Where I found a sweet deal on coffee cups at herbergers. A stop at Barnes and noble. And then off to hobby lobby for some awesome scrapbook bargains. Lunch at Mongolian Grill. And then a last minute decision to make one more stop. Where I think we found he best deals of the day

next years gingerbread kit was found, as was the tablecloth for the kids table, napkins and plates, and an advent calendar....
kits at walmart that had a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss for 2.50  I couldn't even buy those items separately for that price.
and at Joann's fabric....art projects, and craft sets for .30 each.  yes you read that right .30.  How cool is that?
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Band aids

30 cents.
Oh be still me heart. These are the kind of band aids I can afford

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Seriously

After Christmas shopping is the best.!
New fun glasses at Target 1/2 price
Cookie cutters at target Walmart and Joanna's  50, 66 and 70 percent off. Awesome!   Play dough time is going be fun.  So are meal times .  Frosting in a bottle brilliant, so perhaps we will actually make those cut out cookies chilling in the freezer.

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I love clearance !

Socks for 30 cents each.
Blankets 2.50 each
Pencils notepads stickers  30 cents each.  Smencils. Scented pencils 3.00
A set
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Christmas 2011

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Merry Christmas!

from our family to you
may the miracle of Christmas be with you each and every day of the year.

We wish you a .....