Black Friday Awards!

These are some of the ads we took with us. 
We also have typed spreadsheets, divided by person and store for easy reference.
Yes, that one is torn - there was a coupon.

It's the first annual Black Friday Awards!  I considered naming them the BFA's, but my twisted mind kept making that a *tad* bit not-appropriate.  Any variation on the color word would be super offensive, and any combo of B & F (for those twisted minds with me) was also out.  So we have the first ever Black Friday Awards.  Being a seasoned Black Friday shopper, I feel qualified to hand these out; without a ton of commericals, long dance numbers, and dramatic pregnant pauses.  Also, this was the longest year yet with 11 hours of shopping (there was a LOT of waiting, so it's not like we shopped for 11 straight hours).  MG and I left her house at 11:15 pm to get started on our 11 hours of fun.  We got home around 10:30 am to a wonderful breakfast made by Grandaddy and Bebe.  A super big shout out and award goes to Grandaddy and Jason for watching Bebe and Mamu so this could all be possible.  Because we DON'T take our kids with us (unlike half the shoppers; people, it's called a babysitter or online ordering).  So let's get started, shall we?

Least Busy Award:  Walgreens- Between the manager, clerk, and photo clerk, Mom and I were joined by maybe one other shopper.  We got what we had on our lists and were out of there in no time. 

Craziest Line Award (also most organized outside line): Target - The line wrapped around the side of the building twice (it snaked).  It was pretty much like being at Disneyland.  You're always moving, so you don't really feel like you've just waited 25 minutes to get into a store for sparkle boots (shh!  Don't tell Bebe), slippers (shh!  Don't tell Mamu), and some other things (shh!  Can't list because Jason might read it).  Target also gets an Honorable Mention for inside line cuing- they tried their best.  It was not their fault that the credit card machines were overloaded and that it took an extra 10 minutes (at least) in the checkout line.

PSA: If you have a TV, get a cart.  If you don't have a TV (or some other super heavy item), don't get a cart.  It makes everyone else's life easier.  When I told Jason about that he said that it should be like the old Service Merchandise stores - remember those?  You had to take a ticket to the counter and then it slid down a chute for you.

Craziest Mob Scene: JC Penney: Whoa people!  Really?  It's a free Mickey Mouse snow globe.  They have about a million of them.  Your life WILL continue if you don't get your little free Mickey Mouse snow globe. (BTW: we did get ours).  Mom and I waited inside the mall; mistake.  We should've frozen our tushies off outside and it would've been much calmer.  Although, Mom would've had to concealed carry and that might just get in the way...

Nicest Line Waiting: Half Price Books - Mostly because we got to wait in the warm Suburban* until the last 30 minutes, but also because they rolled out free coffee for the people waiting.  They also had the best reason to wait in line - $5.00 gift card and free tote bag (and I love me some tote bags!) for the first 100.  We were about 73 and 74 if my counting was correct.  One tote bag had a $100 gift card in it, but we didn't see who got it.

LONGEST Line:  Lifeway Christian Store:  They were working as fast as they can, but with only 4 registers and about 50 people (or more - I'm not good at estimating) waiting in line, they did the best the could.  I'm pretty sure Mom and I both slept while we waited in line (standing up). 

Best Customer Service: Kohls:  Very helpful people (except for the grumpy clerk, but I'm pretty sure she was just tired) and they kept those lines a movin'.  They also were the speediest checkout and nicest checkout (although everyone we encountered checking out at all the stores were very nice).

Nicest Free Offer: Sears- For the first 200 customers to make a clothing / accessory purchase, you got a 'collectible ornament'.  Mom let me have hers. 

And that concludes our Black Friday Awards.  Here are the stores we went to:

Walgreens, Target, Kohls, JC Penney, Sears, Half-Price Books, Lifeway, Petsmart, & World Market.  There was about 2 hours worth of down time between Kohls and JC Penney.  About an hour and a half between Sears and Half Price Books.  We feel like we got some pretty great deals; $200 luggage set for $40.  A super cute outfit for Optimus Prime (my soon to be born nephew).  Some fun toys for KK and Bebe.  A great drawing book for Bebe.   We also came home to a great breakast from Grandaddy and Bebe of eggs, bacon, biscuits, and Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes.  Then we took about a 3 1/2 hour nap before we went to The Muppet Movie!  Grandaddy and Jason took the kids (and Duncan) to the park while we got some shut eye.  I believe that Grandaddy played a riveting game of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (yes, it's a board game) with Bebe while Jason and Mamu napped after the park.  We wouldn't do this if we didn't love it!   Yes, we're crazy.  But it's once a year and we don't take ourselves seriously at all.  It's all fun for us.

*Suburban Note:  The first year my Mom and I went Black Friday shopping, we took my car (not van, car).  We had to call my dad at 7 am from the Walmart parking lot because we couldn't fit the TV we just bought into my car.  He now gently encourages us (by filling it up and laying down the seats) to take the Suburban. 

Thanksgiving Break

We had one of the best Thanksgiving breaks!  Not only did we get a week off of school (wahoo!), but we just had a great time.
We started the break with a phone call from Mamu's pre-school.  Ms. V doesn't call unless it's bad.  She's the super sweet woman, with a great German accent and she starts off the phone call with "Hi, Mrs. J.  Um, Mamu fell and hit his head.  I know I call you with this about once a week, but this time he might need stiches."  I grabbed my purse, grabbed Bebe and was out the door.  I got to him and Ms. V was holding an icepack to his eyebrow.  It didn't look good.  Luckily, it didn't need stitches.  I had to bribe him with grapes and cheese cubes to let a bandaid go on it.
I spent all of Saturday cleaning out the garage.  Bebe was a super great help and we got it done in one day!  We filled up both the garbage and recycle bins plus two boxes with trash.  We filled up the back of the van with things to donate to Goodwill.
On Sunday and Monday, Bebe cleaned her room.  We finally discovered that if she takes a 'before' and 'after' picture, she does a great job.  I helped Mamu clean his room and got a ton of laundry done.
Tuesday, we went on a ton of errands.  We dropped things off at Goodwill, went to Dollar Tree, Old Navy, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart.  Mamu also fell on the coffee table and scraped his neck.
Wednesday we went to the library and got some new books.  I also (with the help of my fabulous Dad and Jason) fixed the garbage disposal.  Auntie came over that afternoon and we all went to the park.  Jason rode his bike and Bebe rode her scooter.  Mamu hasn't quite mastered his tricycle, but he tried... He got about 3 houses away from ours and was done.  Auntie was sweet and carried it to the park for him.  He kept his helmet on (and with as accident prone as he is lately, I didn't mind).  He wore that helmet all the way to the park, all the way home, and up until dinner.  :) It gave me some peace of mind.  I'm contemplating bubble wrap.
Thursday we went to MG and Grandaddy's for Thanksgiving lunch.  Bebe decided that she wanted to dress up like a pilgrim!  She had an apron and everything.  My Aunt Taffy and her family came over for lunch (and a pre-lunch show - Duncan chased Jerry cat through the dining room.  It was pretty much like a movie) and our traditional after lunch game time.  We had a great time introducing Aunt Taffy to Angry Birds.  We also had some great games of Apples to Apples.  After games, we helped MG and Grandaddy do some trimming on the shrubs and put the rest of the lights up.  They had put the ones on the house and saved the shrub lights for the kids.  Around dinner, MG and I were still stuffed from lunch, so we took Duncan for his walk.  We found a house in their neighborhood that has their lights timed to music and they broadcast it on a radio frequency.  It was pretty cool!  Then we went home and planned our Black Friday attack.  (that's a whole 'nother post)

Friday after we came home from our Black Friday shenanigans and took our 4 hour nap, we went to see The Muppet Movie!  It was A.W.E.S.O.M.E!  I don't usually see movies in the theater and I want to see it again!  We then went back to MG and Grandaddy's and tried out his new water balloon catapult.  Then we had to come home.  Both kids cried because they wanted to stay.  (MG and Grandaddy's cats - Felix, Ben, and Jerry - threw a party that Duncan went home.)

Our 10 Year Anniversary

So, Jason and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary on November 11.  We went away for the weekend to Gainesville, TX and to Thackerville, OK.  Here's our trip:

Bebe made us this sweet card:



Auntie was fabulous and came to stay with the kids for the weekend.  I left her a detailed family binder to give her more information than she could possibly need.  I also left little treat bags for the kids to open each day that we were gone.  Auntie even picked them up from school for us, so we could leave in the early afternoon.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express (it's one of my favorite hotels for several reasons; free hot breakfast being one) and had a pretty good room.  I loved the fact that a very nice lady came and made the bed for me each day.

We arrived there Friday afternoon and had dinner right off the Gainesville Square at Los Mariachis.

It was about half full when we went and when we left it was full.  We overheard the couple behind us state "This place is jumpin' tonight!"  Wow.  We're in a small town.  The food was good and I even had a sopapilla for dessert.  I have a picture of it, but blogger is being weird about my photos.

On Saturday, we enjoyed our free, hot breakfast and then went to the outlet mall.  We found a couple of fun things to give for Christmas gifts at a few stores.  I also found a really cute onesie for my soon to be born nephew - Optimus Prime!

After the outlet mall, we went to eat lunch at The Fried Pie Company.  The pie was gooooood.  I had chocolate and Jason had apple.  We even discussed getting some to go, but didn't. 

We decided to walk around the square and work off some of the food we just ate and ended up at an Antique store.  It was fun to walk around and look at fun things.  I found a Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy to give to the kids.

Then we got ready to go see Ron White at Winstar casino in OK.  He was pretty darn funny.  There's my sideways shot of the sign; blogger won't let me turn it. I even got to show my skills I've learned at Black Friday parking.  The parking lot was f.u.l.l. and it looked like we were going to have to park offsite and shuttle in ... until we saw a car backing out.  We had already passed it, so I jumped out of the car and went to stand in the spot.  I'm pretty sure Jason was a tad shocked at my parking spot saving skills.  :) It's a gift people.

After the show (it took us 30 minutes just to walk out of the event center to get to our car) we were a bit hungry.  Let me tell you; there is not a lot of places open to eat at 10 o'clock on a Saturday night in the middle of nowhere.  We ended up stopping at the world's smallest Whataburger.  Mmm, yea, we took our food back to the hotel.

Sunday, we enjoyed another free, hot breakfast and then checked out to come home.  We were met by a very excited Mamu, Bebe, and a thrilled Duncan!  He did not handle the separation well.  Poor guy.

Jason bought me a Scentsy Autism Speaks Warmer and a beautiful saphire necklace and earring set for our anniversary.  We had a great time and here's to another 10+ years!

Halloween!

For Halloween this year, we had a mermaid and a pirate, complete with pirate ship and first mate!

We did our usual trunk or treat at church on Saturday night (and had a record crowd!).  It was downright chilly!  The kids had to wear long sleeves under their costumes and put their coats on at the end.  Halloween is always a gamble here in Texas.  It could be 90.  It could be 30.  It could be 45.  It could be any temperature at all.  Welcome to Texas.

Anyways.

MG and Grandaddy joined us at trunk or treat and the pirate theme. 

Duncan came to his first Trunk or Treat 'dressed' in his pirate bandana as Mamu's first mate.  Grandaddy held his leash and he was a big hit with the kids!  He also enjoyed getting more treats than normal.

We ate dinner before it started.

We handed out (and got!) candy.

We went on the 'hay' (beanbag) ride.  Let me tell you.  Beanbags are SO much more comfortable than hay.

We passed out some more candy.

We went home with a very sleepy pirate and mermaid. 

Mamu's school had a costume parade around the parking lot.

On Monday, Bebe still had dance class, so the kids got a little bit of a late start to the trick or treating.

Jason LOVES Halloween and he does all the decorating out front.  It looked awesome.  Sadly it was too dark to get all of the effect captured on film (digital media, but that doesn't have the ring to it, now does it?).

Mamu loved trick or treating and found out if you added please after it, you got more candy.

Bebe loved staying up late and visiting with Auntie.  (She came over to help me pass out candy.  Duncan was our helper too.)

Happy Halloween!

Mamu's Famous!

So, Mamu's school was contacted by one of the local TV stations about doing a product test.
Since the product is aimed at 3 year olds, his class was selected.
Mamu's the one in the brown & white striped shirt.
Love it!  Click the link below!
Mamu's Famous!

Let's do the Time Warp Aggaainnnnn!

So, while shopping for supplies for the Murder Mystery Party that we threw a couple of weeks ago, we were in Party City. 
Now, in case you didn't know, Party City turns into Halloween Super Store to the Max starting mid-August and we were there the first weekend of October. 

We (Auntie, Jason, the kids, and I) had just finished dinner at Jason's Deli.
Jason was contemplating the kind of cups he wanted and Bebe was entertaining Mamu with his Brain Quest in the cart.
Suddenly, the Time Warp came on.
I couldn't resist.
Neither could Auntie.
We did the time warp againnnnnn.
Just a step to the left.
With a step to the riiiight.

Put your hands on your hip...with your knees in tiiight.

With a ...

You get the idea.

Then, pretty much as soon as the song was over, I ran into a parent from school.

Enh.  Enjoy the show.

We then went to the hat aisle and tried on hats.

(I can't get the picture to turn)

Good times on a Friday night!

Duncan's Snuggie

So, yea.  Back on Oct. 9 I believe?  I said I was going to be more on top of my blogging.  And yet here we are.  In November.
So.  Yea. Umm...
Let's catch up with things I promised in my last post.

Duncan & his Snuggie:
So, this summer after we got Duncan, I went to one of our local resale shops (CCA) and was looking for crafting items.  (Me + Pinterest = Crafting galore!)  I also was looking for some cheap fleece blankets that I could make into a bed for Duncan. 
I lucked out!  I found a large, blue, fleece blanket for 1.99 and the tag was the color that was 50% off!  Score!  I could definitely make this into bedding for my pup.
I brought it home and stuck it into a corner with my other crafting projects.

A few weeks later, I pulled it out because I felt guilty that he didn't have any bedding in the living room to curl up on and decided I could just put it on the ground for him. 

I held it up, shook it out, and prepared to fold it into a nice sized comfy thing for Duncky.  (That's one of his nicknames).  Except... it had these weird arm things hanging down. 

That's when I looked and saw the official Snuggie tag on the sleeve.

I laughed so loud the kids thought I had finally gone off of the deep end (it was during the summer, so I was pretty sane). 

It works.  He snuggles with it a lot and it's even moved into the bedroom, so he can sleep on it every night.

I haven't put the sleeves on him ... yet.

At least he'll be warm!