Miss Smarty Jeans

First, a little background story ...

My daughter has the worst time finding jeans that fit her. Actually, finding ANY pants that fit her. See she's a 'normal' sized kid living in a world where all the clothes are made 'slim fit'. It's awful. It's been frustrating on many occasions to go into a store and try on 10 or more pairs of jeans in sizes WAY too large for my child - and still have not a single pair be able to get over her thighs and butt.

And I'm not being an over-protective parent when I say this - but my child is no where near overweight or fat. She is very healthy and very athletic, but she does have thighs and a butt and is not a 'slim fit' girl.

So for a long time now we've resorted to buying her stretchy pants or wearing skirts. But she's a typical 7 year old girl and she loves jeans. She wants to wear jeans and be like all her friends that wear jeans. (And no it's not a school thing, remember, we homeschool?) She begs me to take her jeans shopping all the time and we always leave the stores frustrated.

Anyway, getting on to the story ... today I felt like I actually had the patience to deal with jeans shopping so we went to the mall and I decided to try GAP. I hardly ever go in there and anything my girls have that is GAP was bought at the consignment shop - not full price! But I figured I'd give it a shot.

Well, GAP has these wonderful jeans in PLUS sizes for kids! How wonderful! Problem is, that the PLUS is actually TOO big for my child. (I told you, she' s just normal!) So we try on the 'regular' fit ones too ... and I hold my breath as I wait outside the fitting room door ...

AND THEY FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perfectly! And she loves them! woohoo, success, finally!

So we did find one pair of plus size that you could pull those little tabs tighter on the inside of the pant - you know what I mean? So she ends up with these 2 pairs that she likes.

Oh, and you have to know that because she does have plenty of clothes at home already and it's not like she 'needs' the jeans, I had told her that we'd go jean shopping but that she'd have to use her own money to buy them. And no, I am NOT a mean mommy! She had almost $100 saved from birthdays, teeth and Christmas ... so she had plenty to spend on jeans and of course Mommy's always halfway to broke! Just kidding, but you understand, right?

Anyway, so we go to check out with the 2 pairs of jeans and I squeak out a little compassion for her and say 'How about I'll pay for one pair and you can pay for the other, sound good?'

One pair is $20 and one pair is $15 -- yes, it's way too much for children's jeans but don't even go there with me ... remember the long struggle we've had looking for jeans??!!

So H replies to me, 'Can I buy the $15 ones and you buy the $20 ones?'

????!!!!!! Are you kidding me? I've just been outsmarted by my 7 year old! She has more money than me and she wants ME to pay for the more expensive jeans??!!
Even the checkout girl was laughing ...

So you know what I did, right? I paid for the more expensive pair. 'Cause that's what Moms do. =)

My week - day five

Day five - Friday. This morning as J was eating her breakfast I couldn't help but stop and notice how cute she was. Here she sits with her oatmeal, her best friend Chitchee right there by her side - she even has her arm resting ON Chitchee ... like she can't really put her down while she eats.
After breakfast, making beds and getting dressed we did school work. We are learning about the 50 states and mapping them out one by one. J was gluing on a few more for this week ...

Later after school was done we headed out with Bob to run some errands - this was the day that we saw that cute dog in the sidecar (see previous blog).
And 3 of us needed new sneakers - I was very happy with my new ones and couldn't wait to try them out!
So after lunch we headed out again to the park. Bob watched the girls on the playground while I walked/ran - then we switched and I watched the girls while he ran. {{They really DO love one another!}}
I love how the static from the slide made J's hair stand straight up!
We went home for some downtime, then got ready for Friday night Awana. The girls go to Awana Bible club with several of their closest friends ...
And the Moms get to go out for a couple hours! woohoo!
We went out for appetizers, talking and lots of laughter. (Lynn, me, Caroline)
After getting home from Awana that night I was wide awake! So I stayed up late watching movies. I don't know why ... why not?

This CVS thing

I am slowly getting the hang of this CVS thing. I have been scoping the flyers each week, cutting coupons out like a crazy woman, and taking my time browsing the aisles while I add up my totals over and over again - trying to make sure I'm getting the best deal.

I'm still not as good as some other CVSers that I know of who are getting things almost free (still haven't quite figured out how to do that!) but I am happy about the savings I'm getting.

I have been in desperate need of a new swiffer mop since mine has been broken for awhile ... so this was a great week - I got the starter kit which included the mop, a HUGE pack of wet refills and a FREE duster starter kit. ( I already have a duster but the kids like to help!) All of this was $15 and I got $5 in extra care bucks!!!

Here was my cereal deal (my kids go through cereal SO fast)... 2 big boxes for $4 - the boxes are normally $4.39 each! (I probably should have scoped the net for some cereal coupons which would have made this even cheaper but I forgot.)

And even though we never get trick or treaters here and won't even be home I thought I'd pick up some candy just for those special times when I have a major craving or the kids have been really good ... I got both big bags for $2
If you do the CVS thing and have some hints you'd like to share with me so I can get even better steals (I mean deals) ... please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know! Thanks!

Early Birthday dinner

Tonight Bob surprised me by taking me out for an awesome birthday dinner on this gorgeous yacht. I was so stunned that he would think of doing such a thing ... (my b-day isn't till next week).



HAHA, Just kidding! Had ya going for a minute there, didn't I?? =) Actually, we went to one of my favorite restaurants, Margaritas. Yummy Mexican food, yummy, fruity drinks, yummy 'fried' ice cream ... it was so much fun!
The girls decided to 'dress up' for going out ...

One of the best desserts EVER! {And certainly not recommended while on Weight Watchers!} It was a little embarrassing, Bob and the girls conspired against me and had the staff come sing Happy Birthday to me and brought the dessert out with a candle. We were able to take home FREE hats! Yippee! We then walked around downtown ... the girls 'window shopped' for Webkinz - thankfully the stores were already closed. =)

Heading back to our car I saw this cute restaurant with the steps all painted with chalkboard paint -- it was so cute how the menu was written out on the steps as you were walking up.
We walked around the docks looking at huge yachts and sailboats, we looked in all the expensive shop windows, we laughed and had fun as a family. I love my family and I'm so thankful they chose to take me out tonight. What a wonderful (early) birthday surprise.

I {LUV} Land's End

I love everything about this company ... I love their clothes, I love their shoes, I love their children's clothes and shoes ... I love that even though they are a little pricey, they have such high quality products that you know you are getting your money's worth!

I just ordered a few things for myself since we are heading south next week and I needed some summery things to wear ... I felt like a kid in a candy store when the box arrived through UPS today! It was like getting a really awesome present in the mail ... even if I did have to pay for it myself! :) .... Good thing I worked all those hours around Valentines day ...

In my box came a catalog for their kids clothes too and I have to tell you ... I am ready to order EVERYTHING! I have done a little looking around for kids swimsuits and think that I will now order from LE ... they had the most adorable, comfortable, modest, and SPF of 50 swimsuits for little girls. I have a couple of their suits myself and let me tell you, they really do last so much longer than other companies!

And how cute is this Easter dress????
Oh how I love Land's End!!