Walgreens Deals - 2/20

I hit Walgreens early this week. I wasn't very impressed with last week's {or this week for that matter} deals but it didn't matter. Our family came down with the flu! 6 out of 8 of us have been quite ill. In fact, the only reason I snagged Walgreens deals this week was because I needed to get a script filled, we're going through Kleenex faster than toilet paper and my register rewards were set to expire this week.

Transaction #1

Arnicare {I may try to purchase two more this week, we use this stuff like crazy. I keep it in the van, diaper bag, Kent's office, in-law's - basically anywhere the boys go! LOL }, Goody's hair rubberbands - 27 pack and Goody's hair rubberbands - 12 pack {on clearance for .75} . $1.69 out of pocket - Savings of $15.04! I also earned $8 in Register rewards.

Transaction #2

Seven boxes of Kleenex {the other reason I went in Walgreens}, Arnicare, Children's generic Tylenol, Goody's hair rubberbands - 27 pack, Infant's generic Tylenol, Fusion Proglide razor. $13.03 out of pocket - Savings of $34.50. I wouldn't have bought the Tylenol except it was a needed purchase. I spent $10.29 plus tax on those two items alone. Without the Tylenol I would have spend less than $2 out of pocket. I also earned $13.50 in Register Rewards.

Amazon Mom

I recently discovered a new service that has saved me time AND money. No matter what your family size or situation, everyone can appreciate savings in those two precious areas.

Amazon.com has a special program called Amazon Mom. Visit www.Amazon.com/Mom to get more information or sign-up.

Why do I love it?

#1 - It's free! Free is always a good price. All you have to do is sign up and you get free Prime membership for a few months. Prime membership gives you free two day shipping on any order from Amazon.

#2 - It saves money. Lots of products in the Baby store of Amazon are 15% off for Amazon Mom members. Every month that you spend $25 (before discounts) in the baby store earns another month of membership.

#3 - It's convenient. Not only can you get the 15% mom discount, but you can also sign up to receive automatic shipments of products you use frequently for another 15% off! No more remembering to pick up pull-ups, toilet paper or paper towels. AND the UPS man brings them to the door. I can also pick up anything Amazon carries and not worry about shipping.

The two main products I purchase are different kinds of pull-ups for overnight use. I get Goodnights that are normally $17 (plus tax) at WalMart are shipped to my door for $12.32. I order them two packages at a time and each order earns me another month of free shipping.

Be sure to sign up for a free subscription to Baby Talk Magazine { www.babytalk.com/subscribe }as Amazon publishes coupons for items in the baby store. I was able to use last month's coupon and get two packages of Goodnights for $7.32!

I have also found that paper towels can be delivered for less than I can purchase them at local stores.

I don't get anything for referring anyone to Amazon. I just wanted to share. If we used disposable diapers, it would be an even better deal.

Snow Fun!

This has been the year for snow! Everyone was finally well enough that I was willing to let them go play in the wet mess.

Mary Claire was only outside long enough for the couple of group shot pictures I took. She did get to sport her Mommy-made toboggan though. ;-) It was naptime so my plan was to let Henry play for a bit while I put her down. I was gone for less than 2 minutes and returned to find that Henry was NOT a fan of snow!

He continued to cry frantically until his clothes were changed and he was snuggled under his blanket for a nap. I think he's beginning to doubt the sanity of his siblings. He certainly didn't find the appeal of being cold and wet when there was a perfectly dry and warm bed inside.

The snow was dry and didn't pack well. Several attempts were made at making a snowman but they couldn't get much of a ball started.

Ty was determined and even removed his gloves to try to help melt the snow a bit to help it stick together but he didn't get far.

It wouldn't pack for snowballs either but that didn't stop snow from flying. It was just handfuls of snow instead of balls.

While the kids played I looked around in the flowerbed. Despite the snow - there's signs of spring!

Unlike Henry, Ben and Ty seemed to LOVE the cold.

Dot had a good time helping Madisyn make snow angels (which didn't work so well because the snow was so dry).

It's always important to have the tractor in working order when inclement weather is expected. Never know when you might have to rescue someone. ;-)

Griffin was having wardrobe malfunctions and wasn't having the best time. It seems he has outgrown his Muck boots but not grown into the next size in the Witcher boot stash.

I think he did eventually decide to have fun but was glad to come in for hot chocolate and leave the boot dilemma behind him.

Fly on the Wall - Ben Edition

Recently we purchased a new range. The other night while fixing supper Ben started in with his quite frequent routine of asking questions.

Ben: I wanna ask you something.

Me: Ok, ask away.

Ben: I wanna ask you this - Why did we get a new stove?

Me: Because the old one broke.

Ben: Why did it break?

Me: I don't know, I guess it was old and just quit working right.

Ben: I bought that stove.

Me: Yes, you helped Mommy and Daddy pick it out, didn't you?

Ben: Yep, we went to Wowe's (Lowe's) and bought it. It was when the kids spent the night with Papaw. (Madisyn, Ty, and Griffin spent the night when they went to get Skeeter which was the same weekend we bought the stove.)

Ben: I remember. Me and Wenwe (Henry) went to Wowe's but the kids didn't get to go. They had to stay at Papaw's.


It cracks me up the way he refers to his older siblings as "the kids".

Mary Claire's First Bottle

Each Tuesday night this month, I have been taking a class and learning how to operate my serger correctly. It's amazing how much more you can learn from a live person compared to the book. The kids have been staying home with Kent. My absence has required Mary Claire take a bottle. My well-trained oldest daughter knew I would want pictures of the milestone. She even suggested I blog about it. ;-)

Both times Mary Claire was given a bottle she only drank about 1.5 ozs. She snacks just enough to make it until Mommy comes home.

Mamaw comes to town

Recently on a beautiful Saturday, Mamaw came to town. So the kids loaded up and headed to Papaw's house to see Mamaw and Aunt Betty. Aunt Betty brought some adorable clothes for Mary Claire including a plaid dress that is too sweet. Uncle Phillip and Aunt Vicki were there and we all had a good visit. I'm known as the photography nut in the family and they tolerate my paparazzi style impromptu photo shoots pretty well. ;-)

Sister, Sister

Back in the fall, I went to Hancock Fabrics and saw a wonderful corduroy fabric that I knew Madisyn would love. It was brown with pink horses all over it. Being the tightwad I am, I waited for it to go on sale. And waited and waited. Finally a sales flyer came with 40% off coupon. So I headed to Searcy. They were sold out. I wasn't deterred, I could go to Jonesboro. They were sold out. There's always Memphis, I thought. Sold out! I couldn't believe it. I ended up ordering on-line and paying regular price. :-( Madisyn wanted one for her little sister as well, so I made matching outfits. Mary Claire actually has two. The one pictured and one a little bigger so she could match Madisyn all winter.

Madisyn loves her horse jumper and Mary Claire love her big sister so everyone is happy. :-)

Walgreens Deals 2/11

There are some great ladies on a board I frequent that have been bragging about the great deals they get at Walgreens and other drug stores. I've been wanting to give it a try myself for some time and decided to jump in. This is my 3rd week to shop the deals and I think I'm getting the hang of it. Everything I buy isn't necessarily items I would normally buy but I get some of them free or more than free and I can use the overage to buy things I do want {plus we get some "treats"}.

First Transaction:

I have Madisyn with me so sometimes I have her check out separately so I can get more of the things I really want. The above was what I bought. 2 Colgate toothpastes, 2 tubes of Ritz Crackers, Cranberry juice, Lysol automatic soap dispenser, Gummy bears {shopping with the 3 middle boys leads to impulse buys ;-)}, 2 Halls cough drops {all they had}, Hand sanitizer, and 2 Hershey's drops {which are really good LOL} .

Total out of pocket ~ $3.98 . Total saved ~ $45.36!

Second Transaction

This was Madisyn's. I try to make her transaction simpler with less coupons. She purchased 2 Hershey's drops, 2 bags Planter's trail mix, Hand Sanitizer, Cranberry Juice, and 3 Halls Cough Drops.

Total out of pocket ~ $4.12. Total saved ~ $28.95.


It takes quite a bit of planning to figure out what to buy as there are several "rules". They were out of a few of the things I wanted so I had to recalculate in the store and that is getting easier. Between the two transactions I earned $23 in Register rewards which are like additional coupons that come off my total after store and manufacturer coupons.

In past weeks I have purchased shampoo, razors, Arnica, Nyquil, Kleenex, etc. Once I build my coupon stash up a little more, I should be able to get even better deals.

Saddlin' Up Skeeter

Skeeter came "home" (for now home is Papaw's house) shortly after the new year. Unfortunately, it rained and rained and rained so it was some time before the kids could ride him. We finally had a Saturday where it wasn't raining and Daddy was available. So we headed to Papaw's to see what Skeeter could do. Daddy rode him first and then it was Madisyn's turn.

Daddy stayed close by since we aren't completely confident in Skeeter's manners. ;-) Madisyn jumped on like an old pro. I guess riding a horse is kind of like riding a bike, you might get rusty but you don't completely forget. I'm pretty sure she has been trying to figure out a way to make it to lots of horse shows this year.

Ben wasn't much for horseback riding so he played in the sand pile instead. Any guesses what his clothes and boots did to the van when he got in? :-S

Mimi and Granddaddy had the Saturday free so they came over to see the kids in action. It was still cool out so Henry, Mary Claire, Mimi and I watched from the van.

It was finally Ty's turn and he did really well. He hasn't spent as much time on a horse as Madisyn but he isn't far behind.

Photo Shoot

A newborn photographer, I am not.

Mary Claire was pretty tolerant of my position changes . . .

the hair accessory changes . .

and the constant flashing.

She toughed it out and we finally got the shot I imagined. I still haven't managed to capture all the poses I would like to have, but we are getting there.

We also tackled the Big Brother/Sister shirt pose. I think they have talent. ;-)

Mary Claire's First Real Bath

I think Mary Claire enjoyed her first real bath. Her sister and brothers wanted to assist but I thought it best to give her first bath quietly and calmly. LOL

"How do I look, Daddy? This better not end up on the internet."

She never cried or whimpered. I had forgotten how difficult it is to wash a little bitty baby.

Each time she's had her hair washed it seems to get a little lighter. It's like she has wash out hair dye.

So sweet!

Christmas at Home

We started a family tradition of staying home on Christmas Day a few years ago. It allows us to enjoy a low stress day of no traveling with our little family.

Our children are sleepers. They aren't the type to wake at 5 am. Though Griffin frequently says he got up at the crack of dawn {8:00 am to him}.

After everyone gets up, we open gifts.

This year Mary Claire needed a little help opening hers. ;-)

After gifts, we made sugar cookies.

I cheated and bought pre-made dough. I don't think the kids cared. It's all about the decorating.

I'm pretty sure the bar got more sprinkles than the cookies. I'm afraid I may have created a few monsters as the kids have been asking to make more.

Mary Claire you are TWO months old!

You weigh 10 lbs 3.5 oz.



You are 21 and 3/4 inches long.



Your head is 39 cm.


You have outgrown all of your preemie clothes but still wear newborn and some 0-3 month.



You started smiling around 6.5 weeks.



You also have a cute grin.



You tend to give me one 4-5 hour stretch of sleep at night and otherwise nurse every 3 hours.



You really like your swing and hang out in it next to the table during school time.



You love to be wrapped, despite strangers concerns that you can't breathe in there. ;-)




{Some pictures from earlier this week because you looked so cute in your outfit from Aunt Vicki. :-D }



You are currently experiencing your 2nd cold. I'm not sure if you caught another or just didn't quite get over the first one. This time has been much worse and had us concerned about your breathing. Thankfully, your lungs were clear.



You have had two bottles. Mommy is taking a serger class on Tuesday nights so you've spent a couple of hours away from Mommy both weeks.



You are a very content baby and rarely cry. In fact, when you do cry it always takes me a second to realize that it's not coming from the radio or something.