Frugality

So, I am in the process of becoming more frugal because I am no longer working full time. We are cooking at home a lot more, and I am trying to combine more trips to places when I drive. One area I am hoping to improve on is spending at the grocery store & the amount of trips to the store. I am thinking of going to the CASH system & using the debit card less. I can only spend a certain amount each week at the store. My 5 minute commute is going help out!

Oh, its killing me but I am cutting back on the Pumpkin Spice Lattes from SB. I am in search of the perfect recipe to make mine at home.

Poppy Corn Cakes

So emma has a new love for "poppy" corn & cooking. I decided it would be fun to make a "poppy" corn cake, after finding a recipe in Emeril's cookbook.It's basically popcorn balls formed in a bundt cake. My plan was to take the cake to a playdate tomorrow, well that idea failed. I cannot subject my friends our cake. Even though we washed out hands, emma would stick items in her mouth & then promptly use the same one to put marshmallows & M &M's in the "cake". We had quite a bit leftover & started making poppy corn balls. Emma basically started treating it like Play doh & took all the intact M&M's out of the poppy corn. It was hilarious watching her with chocolate drool & offering "chochy milk kisses". I guess this is a prime example of how the experience was better than the final product.

We're Back & How I almost ruined our trip

So it has been a busy week of traveling for the Putman Clan. I will post on our disney trip later with some pictures. Unfortunately, while visiting my parents on St. Simons Island I developed a nasty sinus infection & bronchitis. I ended up at the urgent care on Labor Day where I received an ABX shot, Z Pak, & Tussinex. After not sleeping or breathing, or keeping food down due to my gagging cough, I was worried our Disney trip was ruined. Luckily the Tussinex allowed me to sleep ALL of monday while my parents gladly entertained Emma. Tuesday we headed down to FLA & I was still pretty miserable. By the time we got to disney I was rested & starting to feel better. I got another great night's sleep courtesy of Tussinex.

Good parts to the trip:
My parents & siblings had a great time with Emma, she was in full "Emma" mode for them. She love playing with the Doll House that Aunt Pam donated to Dad & Lisa. She also love going to the sticker store (hallmark) with MeMe.

My dad cooked his famous fried shrimp & hushpuppies. (that did not stay put due to my lovely gagging cough sunday night)

I got to hang out with my longtime friend Kim & her little girl Addy who is 9 months youger than Emma.

So it was not a complete bust!

Will post all the Disney Details later. Gotta get pictures saved to the computer.

Gratitude

So I am writing about myself today. There has been a lot going on & I feel very grateful for all that I have in life. Ryan & I do not live in a fancy house or drive fancy,cars but we can pay our mortage each month & put food on the table. Emma is healthy, happy, and safe. I am able to work part time so that I have the chance to see her grow & help mold her into a kind and generous human (hopefully).

So I am on a mission of self improvement--mind, body, & spirit. In addition to getting my body healthier, I want to give back & improve my spirit. I am looking at ways that I can volunteer and contribute in the Round Rock area. Some areas I have explored are:

Round Rock Serving Center
Texas Baptist Children's Homes & Starry--tutoring, babysitting, painting, & cooking.
Driving seniors to appointments & run errands.

Emma's Playdates

So Emma has been a busy social butterfly. On saturday her friend Dante came & spent the day with us while his mommmy & daddy were at work. They got along great & Emma asks where he is all the time.

Today Payton & Cael are hanging out with us while their mommy goes to a work meeting. We are having fun & I am enjoying having a little baby boy around. Later we are all going swimming. I am glad that Emma is going to have a chance to hang out with her friends more now that I am working less (Oh I get to hang out more with mine too!).

Yesterday I went to see Rachel & baby Ava. Rachel looks amazing & even cooked us lunch! Yummy Gumbo. Baby Ava is so tiny, I don't think Emma was every that tiny.

Tantrums & The "Magic" of Disney

So Emma's tantrums are becoming more frequent. We had about 3 of them before heading to school today. The worst one is quite funny, because it involves Mickey Mouse. Emma's nighttime diapers have Mickey Mouse on them. She was quite mad & threw a fit because I would not let her wear one to school. Keep in mind that nighttime diapers are more expensive & we use generic diapers for daytime use. She kept screaming I want Mickey Mouse Diapers, so I guess I am a victim of Disney branding by my own fault.