My Frugality has saved Halloween

Our car broke down two weeks ago which meant we had to scrounge up more than $700 we really didn't even have, which also meant that we would not have any money for Halloween or to get anything for Madeline's birthday. But in my free time when the kids were busy or sleepy I did some online contests and signed up to host parties on houseparty.com. Well as you saw in a previous post I was selected to host the Tombstone haunted house party which we had last weekend and the kids had a blast.

Then I took part in a contest with Hershey's and the mom bloggers club and did a post about Hershey's Halloween candy and for doing that Hershey's sent me a Halloween gift package packed full of candy.

And really it may not seem that great to some people but it really helped our family out not having to purchase one more thing and I am very grateful for that. So when you couple that with the decorations I had from last year plus what Tombstone pizza sent me you wouldn't be able to tell from the outside that we have spent very little money on this holiday. I have also won some other little prizes this week including two stuffed animals from a quicken loans game that I have hidden to use for stocking stuffers and a months worth of toaster strudels and free movie tickets from moviefone.com. You know if I keep this up I will hopefully be able to make Thanksgiving and Christmas financially bearable. Oh yes and speaking of things I am proud of, Take a look at my shops website at www.anchorsaweightattoo.com I have been working hard on recreating our site and there is just a few things I need to fix but considering the fact that I had never made a real website before last month I think it looks pretty good so far.

Back to business of being a mom

 So there are many things since I became a mom that I have discovered that I never thought I would see or do or discuss so often, one of those things is poop. The amount of times I talk about poop in a day is beyond anything I had ever imagined. Lets just not even get into the things I have seen or had to clean up...eww...... anyway since we are trying to (and I say we but I clearly mean I) potty train our two year old I have been letting her run around bottomless and the other day I guess she forgot to mention anything to us but she pooed in the bedroom and our puppy thought "oh hey look a food dispenser" and I had to literally stop him from eating it so I could clean it up all while my husband sat there laughing hysterically and saying I bet you never thought you would be doing this when you married me. Seriously NO never ahhhg! but now it is funny and you know what? I am happy with this life. poo and all, OK well I could certainly do without it but that isn't possible so oh well. Now what I do question is why!? Why did I agree to a puppy of all things how did that happen?!

This was our puppy at first all cute and sleepy. My 5 year old named him Rocky because she loves musicals and at the time The Rocky Horror Picture Show was her favorite.

...And this is what he looks like most of the time now. Again why?! Now don't get me wrong I do catch glimmers of what is going to be a really great and loyal dog; however, it is the puppy stage that we are still trying to get through but he is getting much better these days. The most annoying thing is that we have a really big cat that can't be bothered to get up and run when the dog starts barking instead he will lie down in the middle of the floor which confuses the dog and makes him run in circles barking but the other morning I woke up and the dog and cat were sleeping right next to each other.

Is it already time.......

To start thinking about holiday cards? Yes, yes it is. Holiday cards have always been the best way to stay in touch with all your family and friends. They show that you care and often when you personalize them with family photos it gives them a glimpse into your life. Last year I just bought cards and personalized them by adding a collage of festive pics of the kids inserted in to the card. This year I have been looking into personallized cards with the pictures on them from PurpleTrail’s personalized holiday cards 


In the past I have personalized my holiday cards by adding family photos

adding glitter

using holiday stickers to decorate (OK well the children usually apply the stickers which can literally get placed beyond the cards and in the most mysterious of places.)

adding personal greetings to each card from our family

and this year I plan on using the easy tools on www.purpletrail.com

With Purpletrail.com it easy to create one of a kind invitations and cards you are sure to love!. In fact, PurpleTrail is the only service that allows you to fully customize your design & create exactly what you want.

There is no limit on number of photos you can upload or embellishments and text you can add to your design. You can even change the type and size of the card at any time. There is a designer in each one of us. With their website they make it easy to make all kinds of cards, not just for the major holidays, but themed invitations, baby announcements, wedding, everyday cards like housewarming or brunch invitations, they even have a section  for professional business cards. The best part for me is the community section where they have tons of party ideas, and believe me I can ues as much help as I can get.

...So I was just checking out their site and they have some really cool embellishments like falling snow that you can use if you decide to send your cards online. However with as much as I love vintage things that includes some good old fashioned sending and receiving cards.
   OK so I just did a test card with some pictures I had from last year. Oh I just can't wait till Thanksgiving and Christmas. I do truly love the holidays and the way it brings family and old and new friends together.

Disclosure: I am participating in a giveaway for PurpleTrail.com and it makes you eligible for a PurpleTrail gift code. Provide a link to the contest information page at http://www.purpletrail.com/blogcontests

Hersheys Halloween Candy

 On Halloween this year we will be celebrating Madeline's 2nd birthday with Hershey's Halloween candy.
By the way, did you know?

According to a national survey conducted by The Hershey Company, personal candy preferences may provide insight into Halloween costume choices. According to the survey:

• About 30 percent of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Kit Kat Wafer Bar and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate lovers will do the monster mash this year as a vampire, witch or monster.
• Fans of Twizzlers Twists may get the chance to show their dance moves as they twist the night away dressed in garb from the 1950s. More than 41 percent stated they plan to dress-up in period piece costumes from different eras of the 20^th century.
• Jolly Rancher lovers will most likely sport a cape on Halloween, as 23 percent expressed a desire to channel superhuman powers as their favorite superhero.

 
mmmmmm Reese's peanut butter is my personal weakness...yum

www.CelebrateWithHersheys.com/Halloween

disclosure: I am entering a contest for a Hershey’s Halloween prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.

I got my Tombstone haunted house party

  I got my package in the mail today and I am very excited. This is so great especially since this month we are tightening our financial belts until we are sure my husband has a long term job lined up for when his current contract ends. Sigh.. It sucks being a grown up. It makes me wonder why I couldn't wait to be one.. Oh well here I am and it always works out in the end. We are still going to have a great spooky October even if I have to spend most of my free time clipping coupons and making my own decorations. Speaking of coupons, my five year old has been watching me clip and keep my Qs in a binder for some time now and one day she had saved her money and bought herself a shopping cart toy from Walmart and it came with coupons so she ran to her toy box and found a small photo album and carefully put all of her coupons into it and kept it in her shopping cart. Too cute.

The little things forgotten with time

   It is kinda funny how many little things I forgot about that Sydeney did and went through as a toddler. I just sorta didn't think about them any more once she grew out of it. But now that Madeline is entering her twos and oh how terribly entertaining it is, The memories have flooded back and I am amazed that we both survived and I know that this too shall pass. Like for instance when we are getting in the car and Madeline wants to do EVERYTHING herself so I typically let her if I'm not in too much of a hurry, but if she decides she doesn't want to be strapped into her car seat she arches her back and it is nearly impossible to get her in. Not to mention fairly embarrassing in a crowded parking lot. Or when she asks for something, say, like a cookie and I actually give it to her but I guess not in the exact way she had wanted me to do it so she freaks out. My favorite toddler moment is when they both did/do this....fall flat on their face from a standing position to oppose what ever it is they feel the need to disagree with... Sigh....At least I am pretty sure I will survive. There are all of the really great things too like the pure amazement and excitement over every new thing. Luckily both my girls have that joy in their eyes for the little things in life and I hope they always continue to see the bright side of life.