The Value of Money

Tori learned a valuable lesson this week. She learned the value of money. Two weeks ago, we got our Sunday paper with coupons like always and in there were coupons issued by Hasbro. They had coupons for $4 off Transformers (used it), $5 off My Little Pony, and $5 off a Baby Alive doll. I've never considered one of these dolls for Tori, but Tori seemed very interested in having one. Since her Easter gift was already purchased and I wasn't intending on buying another doll for her, Tori suggested she buy this doll herself.

I told her that was fine on two conditions 1) she have the money to buy doll (taxes and all with coupon), 2) she keep her room clean until I can take her to the store.

Since Tori was two dollars short of her goal, she spent two weeks keeping her room clean. I, to be fair, kept reminding her to put away clothes on the floor and put away toys that belonged in drawers or toy boxes. She was pretty good at doing this. And in now way, would she earn money from ME that she needed for this Baby Alive. Tori had to find it on her own.

Finally, yesterday, it was decided that I could take Tori to get the doll. However, she still needed the two dollars. As luck would have it, Tori checked her piggy bank in her room and lo and behold, two dollars (plus some) were in there. I told Tori to bring the extra, just in case (I'm not used to sales tax in Arizona).

We went to Wal-mart where they had the doll cheapest ($15, plus $5 coupon, meant only $10 for doll, which is completely reasonable).

Now to interrupt, I just want to say, I remember when I was Tori's age and a few years older, raising my money to buy toys I wanted. It always felt so good when I finally had the cash and I could go to the store to get the Barbie or My Little Pony that I wanted (those were my big toys when I was a kid). There is something about buying something yourself that makes you so attached to a toy.

But anyway, we went to Wal-mart, Tori picked out the doll herself (Baby Alive - Baby Beautiful now), went up to the cashier, presented coupon and money, and walked off with the doll all by herself. I could tell she was so proud.

However, we do have an agreement. Before Tori can raise money for her next toy, she must put some money away into her 'fund'. It's always good to save for that rainy day and never too early to start saving for your future.

Oh and the baby doll...happily slept by herself in the Dora bed next to Tori's bed. And today, Tori gave her swimming lessons in the pool, after she took her for our walk at Saguaro National Park. *sigh*

Spring has sprung in Arizona!

Wow! It's been too long since I last updated. Sorry about that. Been busy with the children and trying to write other things. Maybe one day I can actually earn a living writing...but I doubt it.

Anyway, Spring break has come and gone. School started two weeks ago. To our surprise, so did spring in Arizona.

I first noticed the baby prickly pear pads (yum) starting to come up, along with potential fruits (double yum). Then Tori noticed these beautiful flowers on the organ pipe (?) cactus. Just today, we went walking through another part of Sagauro forest and noticed flowers of all colors (orange, yellow, and purple). The saguaro flowers are not out yet, but they will be soon. I can't wait to see those.

So, despite living in the desert, we are experiencing a beautiful spring here. Things are greener and more 'flowery' than we expected. I'm loving it. Of course with spring comes pollen. We have this strange tree in our yard that has pom pom like balls for flowers. They are kind of the equivalent of those stringy pollen strands that fall all over back east. These balls are everywhere now. And they are invading our sinuses like crazy.

With spring comes spring cleaning. We decided to straighten up our backyard today. Our old picnic table chairs started breaking, so we went off to target to replace them with new chairs. Instead of getting boring beige ones to match the table, we got them in rainbow colors. The kids like them and it adds color to the back yard. Kevin powerwashed the back deck before he put the chairs up and now, it looks great.

I also cleaned up our sandbox and added sand. Stefan loved helping me do that. Then we enjoyed the new lounge chairs Daddy got (our old ones from Bealeton also broke). So all in all, it's been some nice sun time. But of course there is no going outside without sunscreen...or SPF swimsuits.

Gotta love it!

Letters from Virginia - Part 2: The Response

Tori's response to Crissy...apparently she has a 'rood' brother too...and soccer is hard...lol...

Letters from Virginia - Part 1

A note to Tori from her friend Christable in Virginia. A little back story: apparently it was decided that in order for the girls to live together when they get older, it was agreed over the summer that Tori should marry Crissy's brother, David Jr. and Crissy should marry Tori's friend Liam...I guess by this letter that plan is off...

Spring Break - Day 2

Check out the craftsmanship on this house!!! Of course this was Day 2 of spring break. The kids encouraged me to get started early on this. I didn't mind because it mean it would keep them busy the entire day.

There is one story I have to tell before I get into this. Years ago, before Kevin and I even got engaged, I had lived in an apartment briefly with four girls. I splurged and got myself a desk for my computer. Then I attempted to assemble this desk all on my own. Now, normally, I can put things together. This however, was a challenge. Apparently reading direction is really important. Later, Kevin came over and saw what a botched job I did and had to fix it. Since then, he always teases me on how I don't read directions. Lately, I've been trying to do that (but I will say since this incident I have assembled many things such as medicine cabinets and kid toys with no problems).

Everything seemed pretty straight forward with the house...just insert and click. However, the directions did tell me to put screw where there were no holes. I repeat, the directions told me this!!! As you can see, however, the house is standing and it's not crooked (as far as I can tell). The kids helped put the stickers on and the put together the little inside doohickeys.

They pretty much spent the rest of the day in the house. They even ate lunch and snacks in it. Tori got some of our extra cushions to sit on inside the house. Her friend that visited really enjoyed being around for the house unveiling. The next door neighbor girl even came over (for just a bit).

That was pretty much day two...that was enough! Day three...a second sleep over and the kids' first dentist appointment in Tucson...oy!

Spring Break - Day 1

Day one of spring break started out a little later than normal. We were all tuckered out from such a busy weekend. Everyone was up at 7am and we all had our normal breakfast. Then it was time to do chores. Tori had to clean her room because she was having a friend come over.

Most of the day was spent cleaning, feeding kids, and doing little things here or there. There were two highlights of the day. One was making our first Peep diorama. If yDoou have never heard of making a peep diorama, then you have never seen the Washington Post Peep show. I highly recommend it. We look forward to it every year. It's online if you do not subscribe to the Washington Post.

I thought it would be cute to tackle a Arizona desert theme. Our diorama is plain in comparison to what the Washington Post comes up with, but I am happy to say the kids did alot on their own. The main focus was on cacti. Tori colored a prickly pear while I fashioned a pencil cholla out of straws. Merrick insisted on including a peep snowman in our desert. Don't quite know how that fits in, but he made it himself. While some peeps disguised as quails (towards the back), a littlest pet shop toy filled in as a tarantula.

I realized later we should have included coyotes and javalinas somehow, but we did include alot of 'sweating' peeps. Tori made the sweat out of hot glue.

My favorite part was making the 'melting' peep by microwaving it. The kids loved watching it blow up.

After our diorama making, I was tired. I layed down with Bubsey (aka Stefan) on the couch. Just as I was about to doze off, I got a text message. The new playhouse I ordered for the kids arrived at Wal-mart --over a week early! This was totally perfect since it was the first day of break. So I packed everyone up and off to Walmart on Speedway we went.

It took a while to get there and when we did, we found out the box was too big to fit into the car. No biggie, I did some car seat shuffling and had them take the item out of the box. I knew I was keeping it and I made sure every part went into the car. Besides, who needs the huge box, it was ripped to heck anyway.

On our way home, I got a call from Tori's friend's mom asking if I could come pick up her friend. So I stopped home, unloaded the house and went off the pick up the friend.

Pretty full afternoon...but it made for an exciting second day...

Daylight savings

Since I'm not using Facebook...for any East Coast people that MIGHT read this blog...keep in mind we just sprung out clocks forward...so everyone here in Tucson is three hours behind the East Coast now...Just keep that in mind when you go to call.

THANKS!