Let's Get Packing - Step 3

While I know that most families do not have the amount of people to pack or clothes to wash that I do, there are still a couple of things a "smaller" family could do to make things easier.

First, check out the potential weather where you're going.  We are headed south which should mean warmer weather, so set aside some short sleeves and shorts for everyone.  Obviously, the same would go if we were heading north, except I'd be breaking out the winter attire!!

Next,  I know all of my children have those favorite outfits or pajamas that they love to wear and take everywhere they go.  Make sure you have those washed and set them aside as well.  I have a laundry basket designated for this job.  Then, when you get out the suitcases,  you have the "must have" outfits ready to pack.  There is no frantic searching the night before or morning of for that favorite tee or hoodie.  Once the outfits are set aside,  they are NOT to be touched.  I will admit I'm having a problem with that from Mini-Me.  That little girl would change clothes every hour if I let her.  As you do laundry, add the other outfits everyone wants to take.

Then, a couple days before departure,  get everyone completely packed up.  I'm sure everyone could survive a couple days without their entire wardrobe available to select from, well except maybe me, I don't have that many choices at the moment.  Now, you are 100% ready to go as far as the clothes go :)

 This is just the girls "must haves" I've set aside.  You can probably tell by the already unfolded items, that Mini-Me has struck again.  She got out her Dora pajamas to wear around and I had to take them from her, AGAIN!!!!!

Plan For the Week

Only two more days left in January!  I don't know why, but this month has gone by so quickly.  Maybe it's because of all the extra hours I've been picking up at work for some Florida money, who knows!!    This week is looking to be just as busy.  I've got an extra night of work penciled in again this week and I have plans to get all the kids clothes packed up.  That is a full time job itself; laundry, laundry, and more laundry:( 

I said all that to say this.  The plan is a week full of easy prep meals.

Sunday - Roast, potatoes, and carrots

Monday - hamburgers, green beans, homemade mac n' cheese

Tuesday - steak n' gravy, mashed potatoes, corn

Wednesday - homemade pizza

Thursday - grilled chicken, peas, roasted potatoes, crescent rolls

Friday - spaghetti

Saturday - Eating out :)

Hope everyone has a great week!!

Earthquake Cake

I have recently become somewhat addicted to the Pinterest site.  I was browsing through today and came across this delicious looking cake.  Once again, my will power gave way and the cake was baked.  It was pretty good for a first try.  I learned a couple things and the next time I make it, I know it'll be BETTER.  But, I must say it was pretty good this time too.  Here's the site it came from.

Here's the ingredient list:
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Grease a 13X9 cake pan and sprinkle the coconut and chopped nuts on the bottom.  Then, mix the cake according to the directions.  Pour the cake mix over the coconut and nuts.

In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla with a hand mixer on low to medium-low until well blended (add the sugar about a half cup at a time to prevent a powder explosion). This mixture will look like thick cheesecake batter.

 Drop by spoonfuls over the chocolate cake batter, leaving at least a one-inch margin around the sides of the pan (this prevents the cheesecake from bubbling over).

 Weave a butter knife in an s-pattern through the batter to create a swirl, but be sure to not disturb the nuts and coconut — keep the knife very shallow. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

 This is where I made the mistake.  I swirled a little too much, putting the cream cheese mixture too deep in the cake.  It got a little soggy.

  But, as you can see, still edible.  They were into it before it was cooled and I got my picture.  It was pretty good!!  I wonder if I could divide the recipe and make two batches of "brownies"?  May have to try that.  I'll let you know, but not this week!!

53 Dollar Double Stroller

I love a good deal. Doesn't everyone? Hubby and I had been contemplating a double stroller purchase for our vacation to Florida.  We had one many years ago when the boys were little, but honestly, I don't know if I sold it or what happened to it.  We decided, it would be a very long day for Mini-Me and us if she didn't have a place to sit and rest.  So, I started looking.  Double strollers aren't cheap!  We had a few requirements and of course that raised the price.  We looked at the sit n' stand, but the seat didn't recline for baby Samuel and he will need to nap in it.  I found one online at Babies R Us for $149.99.  Not a bad price and it had everything we wanted: reclining seats, trays for both seats and a cup holder for me and hubby. 

 They had to test it out.

Here's where the deal comes in. I had a 20% off coupon that had to be used by today, so off we went.  I got to Babies R Us and the stroller was marked down to $109.99, already $40 off.  Add the 20% off coupon and now we're down to $87.99.  Now, I had a $10 dollar gift card from a previous formula purchase deal; down to $77.99.  The best part,  I am a Toys R Us rewards member, so everything you spend goes toward coupons and Toys R Us bucks.  As you can imagine, a lot of Christmas presents were purchased at Toys R Us this year, so I earned $50 in Toys R Us bucks (which can be used at Babies R Us).  They divided them up and my first $25 in bucks were redeemable this week.  That makes the final price.....................................................(there's that drum roll again:))...............................$52.99 before taxes.   I could not be happier.  I was dreading spending $150.00 of our vacation money on a stroller, but God provided this deal, at just the right time, and it's everything we said we needed.

So, once again, when people ask me, how do you afford everything???  My answer, God always provides exactly what we need, when we need it. 

Slightly Surprised

It's Wednesday again. I have to admit, I was a little scared to step on the scales!  Like I told you in my last post, I have not done so well.  I could blame hubby for bringing me a large regular Pepsi from KFC, but I drank it (it was soooooo good).  I might even declare The Princess to blame.  She has taken to baking.  That girl has made chocolate chip cookies AND brownies. However, there again, I am the one who ate them.  I have NO will power.  NONE!!!!!  As you can tell, the odds of loosing were not good, however....................................................................(my drum roll again).............................I did manage to loose 2 pounds!!! I was pleasantly surprised.  Now, I need to get back in the diet zone and take off 5 this week. 

Late Plan For the Week

It seems like I keep getting this post up later each week.  I feel like I have run a marathon for some strange reason.  Maybe it's the extra hours I've been picking up at work, I'm not use to that.  Big kudos to hubby though, he's been keeping the kiddos fed and bringing in the gallon of milk we drink per day.  A big shout out to the kiddos too. They let me sleep and take care of the little ones,  all while getting their chores in and the specific school work I give them(I have to assign it before hand though, or they don't do anything).  They're such good kids (most of the time).  I'm so blessed!!

It's getting close to vacation time too!!!  I can't wait.  It feels like I haven't seen much of the family this past week.  I can't wait to get to spend 12 whole days with them. 

In the meantime, here's what little plan I have put together.

Sunday - Hubby bought dinner

Monday - Again Hubby bought dinner (not good for the diet, I know!!)

Tuesday - hotdogs, mac n' cheese, green beans, french fries

Wednesday - Roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crock pot

Thursday - BBQ chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn

Friday - Spaghetti

Saturday - hamburgers, roasted potatoes, peas

Sunday - cubed steak n' gravy, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and rolls

Tomorrow is the weigh in and I must admit, I haven't done very well this week. All I can hope for is to not have gained, because I'm pretty sure I haven't lost anything:(

Weigh-In Wednesday

It's the moment of truth. Time to publicly announce my loss or gain.  I'm proud to say, I have lost.......................................................(that's my drum roll) .............. 4.2 pounds!!!  Not a bad start! Hoping for another good week.