lightening mcCLEAN

convincing a 4 year old to clean up his toys because it is time to go to bed, is never an easy task. so, what's a mom to do when she wants her kid to do something??? no...not bribe (although that works too!) turn it into a game! andrew was busy playing with a flashlight at the time clean up time came around so i made up this game for him...

i pointed the flashlight at a toy and he had to race to put it away in the correct toy bin before i was shining the light on another toy. i really didn't expect this to work, but it did...and andrew actually was having fun while cleaning up his toys. so...we named this game lightening mcCLEAN! what could be better than a game named after his favorite race car?

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in the bank

my sister-in-law, who is AWESOME at finding bargains and saving money, introduced me to this site yesterday. i have tried numerous coupon websites and this one is by far the best! it tells you what the deals are and exactly how to get them. so...last night i familiarized myself with the site and this morning while derek and andrew were at bball i started my coupon hunt. the deals at cvs are great, but i didn't get there today. i went to target and giant and here are some of the best deals i scored today...

coffeemate coffee creamer - retails at target $1.67 - i used a $1.50 manuf. coupon - paid only 17cents!

yoplait yogurt (8) - retails at for $4.72 (59cents each) - i used $1 off manuf. coupon PLUS $1 off target coupon - paid only $2.72 (that's ONLY 34cents each)!

del monte can corn - on sale at giant for $1 - i used 75cent manuf. coupon, which was DOUBLED to $1.50 - paid ZERO and EARNED 50 cents on my purchase!

i'll be sure to keep you posted on future deals i score! i am very excited (if you can't tell) and got such a high after saving this money today, that i think i've found a new hobby...coupon hunting :) thanks jodi!!!

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changing time

picture this...you're out to dinner at what you would consider to be a "family friendly" restaurant, when your smell something quite unpleasant. you immediately recognize the odor and want to get of rid it as quickly as possible, before anyone else catches a whiff. you grab your child out of his high chair and quickly make a dash for the ladies room. much to your surprise there is NO changing table in the bathroom. before letting out a scream, you compose yourself and realize it must be in the handicapped stall, where they so often are located (why, i'm not sure...i mean do they think no one handicapped will ever need to use the bathroom at the same time a diaper is being changed?!?!). you open the door to the stall only to find 3 things...a toilet, toilet paper dispenser and sanitary napkin trash can. you begin to sweat and think "where am i going to change this kid's diaper? i can't do it on the floor because it is just plain gross. there's clearly not enough room to lay him on the counter next to the sink. i'd take him out to the car, but we parked 5 blocks away (of course!). UGH!!!"

well...think no further...before heading out next time, check out this website. anthony and his wife started this website in an effort to research and rate changing facilities in our local area. they welcome any additional info you may have...so if you would like to tell them about a place, i'm sure they'd really appreciate it!

together, we can change the world (or at least our kid's dirty diapers!)...one changing station at a time!

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