"pest" control

this year for halloween, patrick and i threw all common sense aside (as do many, many other parents) and gave our "pests" as many sedation packets as they desired.

for one day, our chosen form of "pest control" came in a little package and contained a something nearly intoxicating.


AND....the "pests" love it!

as demonstrated below, the packages can keep "pests" in control for a substantial amount of time.:

the directions for use are as follows.

1. give "pests" the package
   
2. let them open themselves and devour the contents
   
3. repeat
   

and it works! "pests" are contained as long as you continue giving them the packages.

and all day our "pests" were happy.

only problem is that the next day, the packages seem to loose their effectiveness.

and the pests become even a bigger problem than before, acting irrationally and out of control.

around here, the only way to stop that from happening:

EXTERMINATION!

(of the sedation packets, NOT the pests)

and the toys can then help control the "pests"....but not for long. :)

then we must resort to more effective, longer lasting strategies. darn it.

there's always next year. :)

*the term "pests" for all intents and purposes is refereed to in a fond manner....we love our "pests"!

{that's why we are PEST CONTROL...not pest exterminators.}

mom's bright idea

Justin- 

"Mom, I don't think it was such a good idea to give Anna that whole bag of peas."

Mom- 

"Hmmm, you are probably right."

Why is it that the more children I have, the more brain power I loose???

We interupt the regularly sceduled program to bring you a public service announcement.

While thumbing through St. Rose's Fall calendar, I found a Love and Logic Course.

And it's for a GREAT price!!!

I paid $90 bucks for a course which is average.

This one is only $25 bucks!

Course description:

Love & Logic -Early Childhood Made Fun!

Learn practical skills to handle the most frustrating parenting concerns.

Five sessions.

Adults only.

Cost: $25 (Includes Manual)

Mondays- November 16, 23, 30, December 7, 14:

4-6 P.M.

Located at Family to Family behind St. Rose Hospital (Boulder and Lake Mead in Henderson)

To register, call Family to Family:

(They said they have room for only 10-12 more so call soon.)

568-9601

I'm going...again!

(Believe me, I can ALWAYS use a refresher course.)

I'm hiring a babysitter to come to my house, so If you live near me and want to split that cost, let me know. ;)

Yes, 4-6 is a weird time, but I like it because I'll get home after the class at about the same time as my husband.

Click HERE if you could use a bit of L& L enlightenment today.

I know I sure needed it.

You know it's bad when your 5 yr. old mentions, "mom, could you please get a babysitter. it's no fun being around you." ouch! 

It's sad, but true.

At least I can blame the foul mood on this pesky cold which better be gone by tomorrow!

what a difference 10 minutes can make!

I conquered a disaster of enormous proportions in 10 minutes FLAT!



I'm AMAZING, I know.



A true professional of sorts.



It's truly an amazing talent.



A talent I've developed over the years.



A talent I've practiced more and more and more as additional little feet are welcomed to wander this blessed hardwood floor.



And today, I did it singlehandedly,
armed with my trusty industrial strength dust mop.



I call it:
The MEGA sweep.
(for obvious reasons)




And I did it all, just in time for daddy to walk through the door into a "clean" house!



Well, that is until he walked into the laundry room.



"Julie, what happened to the laundry room floor?!?!?"



(I suppose I should have shut the door.)




Oh, that? It's nothing really.




I'll explain away the laundry room floor ANY day.

So long as I don't have to explain the OTHER question:


"So.....what DID you do today????

(I'm sure none of you have EVER been asked that!)

need a new hobby???

Justin has been observant....he saw me on the computer looking at grocery adds and said,

"Mommy, you must really like ads...A LOT!" I asked why and he said,"because you look at them a lot."

Also on two recent occasions he found ads laying on the street and said, "here mom, these are for you because I love you."

My conclusion...my 5 year old thinks I am obsessed with price matching! (and he's right)

Some may know what it is, some may not, but I'm always trying to explain the rules and thought I would write them out and send folks here to learn more....

This may be the point where you skip the rest of this post...go on, I know this is not for everyone, but if you are really keen on saving money on groceries and like getting good deals and are willing to put in a bit of effort, this is for you! Over 5 years ago I started this and have done it off and on ever since... because, well, I really like a good deal, maybe too much, but anyways, here's the low-down!

my shopping day, circa Jan 09'

Wal-Mart Price Matching:
In the Las Vegas area (and I think other places too, Wal-Mart will match the prices of other Competitors in the area. I only do groceries and the like but I hear they match other stuff too....

Basically you bring in the weekly ads from other Grocery stores, show the competitor's price, and tell them how much you are going to pay.

For example: Sunflower Market was Selling Hot House Cucumbers for .77 cents one week. I tell the checker the price and she does a price override and I get the 1.97 cucumber for 1.20 less. There was a sale one week at Smith's on cereal like Raisin Bran: buy 4 for $4. That's what I paid at Wal-Mart.

I also got tons of other good deals but only had to go to one store...instead of intending on hopping store to store. A HUGE drain of energy...not worth the money saved.

There are some basic things to remember....

You can only match things that are the same size and same Brand name.

If it is a store brand, like Kroger or Mountain Dairy, you buy Wal-Mart's store brand which is Great Value.

I always bring in my adds. Some checkers will let you have the price without the add if they are being nice. Don't count on it though!

When I lived in the ghetto, I got the adds in the mailbox.
It was a big disappointment when I moved too far away to get the adds.
I was seriously longing for my ads until I realized I could get them from the internet.

OH HAPPY DAY!
Links for you.

Buylow Supermarket

Cardenas markets

Glaziers
La Bonita 
Liborio

Los Compadres

Mariana's Markets

Sunflower Market

Super King Ranch Market

How to PRINT the store adds:

• Use the web browser Firefox.
• Locate the current week's add.
• Right click on the add image.
• Click "Copy" (you may have to right click several times to get it to list "copy.")
• (some people may click "save as")
• Copy, then paste it into a word document with really tiny margins.
• Print it out.
• (I do color on the fastest setting.)
• Make a list of the things you want.
• Go shopping, check out and feel like you are robbing good ol' Wal-Mart dry.

If you are serious about this, a fancy gal in my mom's ward has a wonderful blog, http://selfreliantsisters.blogspot.com/
She typed up a few more rules HERE.
It's also very nice how she types up the good deals from adds nearly each week.

From her blog, I just copied and pasted the ones I felt most pertinent.
I added a few tid bits in Green.

Price Matching Rules

• Walmart is the only grocery store (currently) that will Price Match.
• You really should have your ads with you.
• Walmart will price match grocery ads & Sunday newspaper ads (Best Buy, Walgreens, CVS, Office Max, etc).
• Item must be identical to the sale item in the ad (meaning same brand, size, type, etc).
• Walmart WILL price match Store Brands. For example - Walmart will match Kroger/Smiths bread on sale for Walmarts "Great Value" Bread.
• Walmart will take manufacturers coupons, but not other stores coupons.
• If a printed ad says (limit 2), then you will only be able to price match 2 of that item. Of course you can always buy 2 more the next day...
• Walmart will not price match "Buy one get one Free" or any other type of BOGO sales.
• Walmart will not price match items that come with an instant rebate/savings, or other such item.
• Each Walmart manager sets the limits on which stores they will price match from.
  

Price Matching Guidelines

Holly is the queen of price matching. Here she shares her tips on price matching.

• Go when the lines are not busy and without children if possible.(until you are used to it at least.)
  
• Shop on the same day and try to go to the same cashier. Get to know your cashiers. Some are anal and make you show EVERY add price. That gets old.
  Lucy at Marks/Sunset is my favorite checker. ;)
  
• Price match at the end of the order & let the cashier know you will be price matching. Separate them with a bar or a space on the grocery belt.
• Tell the person behind you that you will be price matching. This way they won't get irritated if you take a little longer than normal. (It definitely takes longer)
  
• Many Walmarts are MUCH friendlier at price matching than other Walmarts. Know your stores. The neighborhood Walmart at Stephanie/American Pacific & Warm Springs/Eastern are great to price match at. I have great success at Marks and Sunset
  
• Bring your ads & have them ready!! Circle the items that you are price matching, so you are able to show the checker quickly if needed.
• Be Organized! On my grocery list I circle the items that I am price matching in green. That way, when the checker asks me what the price of milk is, I can quickly check my list for the correct price. (I find it easiest to memorize prices. )
  
• Be courteous!
  
• Know what dates the ads start and end.
• Know your prices. Sometimes the "Everyday Low Price" at Walmart is cheaper than the sale price at other stores. (Usually boxed/dry goods are cheaper at Walmart.)

Nevada's Grocery Ads run:

• Albertsons, Food 4 Less, Fresh & Easy, Kmart, Smiths & Vons: Wednesday - Tuesday
• Kings Ranch (And most Latin stores): Tuesday - Monday
• Sunflower Market: Wednesday - Wednesday (w/ double add day on WED!)

p.s. those of you in different states, have you heard of people price matching where you are at? if so, was the experience similar to this description?
just curious.
:)

Happy Shopping......

Nice try!

Last week I realized again what I already know.

I love Love and Logic....
and I really loved the day I learned a technique called, "ENERGY DRAIN."

Creating logical consequences isn't always easy...or convenient, but Energy Drain is.

and as masochistic as it sounds, I like it when Justin (and now Anna at times) drains my energy.
and that is because I love that I don't have to do jobs since HE is doing them for me to earn my energy back!!!

Lets take vacuuming out the door jam for example.
I rarely ever get it done...
that is until last week.

Thanks Justin!!!

Basically, your kids can drain your energy when they do anything that bothers you.

Things that drain my energy...to list a few.
hitiing,
Whining,
talking back,
leaving messes,
the teasing of siblings,
looking at me wrong (on a bad day at least.) :)
anything can drain energy.

Here's a video that explains it quite well.
In a goofy, fun sort of way.



Now, here's my newest most favorite-st energy drain story of all:

Ohhhh Justin, It really drains Antie Angela's energy when you tease grandma's doggies. This is sooo sad.

(in his mean voice)
That doesn't drain energy!!!
Well, someday that program you use is going to be OVER!!!

What program???

That program you always watch and listen to that tells you what to say!

Really?

Yea, soon it will be over and the people that teach you are all going to die.

Ahhhh....you mean Love and Logic.
No problem, if they happen to die we're lucky to have it all recorded, on the internet and written down in books, but good luck with that.

Now, how would you like to help Angela get back her energy??

(insert a well executed tantrum by Justin)

Ohhhh...this is soooo sad. It drains my energy when you throw tantrums.

Eventually he gave up....and the large sink of dishes was washed and the floor was swept too.

Sounds like fun, huh!?!

I know (hope) I'm not the only one who feels life being zapped out of me at times.
Go ahead. Give energy drain a try.
I think you might like it too. :)

Motivation

when going places, i used to ALWAYS be late.
i still may be late some days, but i USUALLY just barely make it to places on-time.
today, i have remembered motivation to leave EARLY for home school co-op.

it's an interesting way to be, for sure, but i am MOTIVATED to leave early by the LURE of what my be waiting for me in the Trader Joes' Dumpster.

Maybe some day will be able to justify spending $15 a week on a stunning boquet of flowers...

until then, i will continue my weekly PILGRIMAGE on the way to co-op to see what beautiful surprise might be waiting for me atop a pile of rubbish in a dumpster waiting to be hauled away without having been appreciated in all of it's beauty.....

or enjoyed day by day at our school table....

or admired by a curious 5 year old.....

or purposed as a beautiful centerpiece for a session of "night school"

(night school=school work we put it off until night time [because life does happen when you are making other plans at times] and get to do it with friends who we are babysitting whom think it's wonderful fun!')

what motivates you!?!?

a moment

what a special treat to look over at the kids playing happily...
then looking again,

and again
and again
and again.
and again.
(repeat)

i just couldn't believe it.
for a full hour:

no screaming.
no hair pulling.
no pushing.
no meanie faces.
no whining.

just lots of fun!
...and fun is good.

what a happy mommy moment.
life is good.

on a beautiful september morn....

3 years ago, today
ANNA was born!

AND WHAT FUN LIFE HAS BEEN EVER SINCE!



And today, we featured her in our family Journal.
(and i just found a spelling error. geesh!)

We love Anna!

i'll git you my pretties...and your lettle dooog tooooo!

no, i would not be surprised AT ALL if this happened to me.......

i better snap out of it soooon!

sorry kids,

sorry patrick.

Digital Disection.

5. Steps to Morris family fun....led by daddy of course.

1.Find an ancient laptop in the trashcan.
2. Try to turn it on .
3. If that fails, get out the tools.

4. Di sect it.
5 Demolish!!!!

What did your family do for "fun" tonight?

A simple equation.

Sometimes I do things that are pure strokes of genius.
[Purchasing this Cub Scout shirt and neckerchief for 2 bucks at a garage sale was one of those moments.]

Some things are just a miracle..
[Like being given the flag the next day.]

To add it all up:

Shirt + Neckerchief + Flag = A VERY Happy Boy!!!

I just want to know if "Premature Scout Shirt Strutting" is sacrilegious?
I sure hope not, because Justin is in heaven when wearing this shirt!!!

little dallin

is one!!!!

and has been for several weeks now.

dallin's most memorable features at 1 year old.

*absolutely squezzable and cuddly
*walking [since 11 mo.]
* independently walking off on his own at the park [i now have to keep track of 3 kids going in all different directions.]
*loves dancing
*endures millions of kisses
*opens cupboards [and empties them in a flash with anna at his side]
* loves container play [the toilet being his favorite container...unfortunately.]
* trying to put on clothes [he got anna's smimsuit strap over his head today.]
* has the most adorable pouty lip you've ever seen.
* understands uh-oh....[and obeys most of the time :)]
* follows simple directions
* plays cars
* recently aquired and had PERFECTED his high pitched screech.
* signs please when he wants something
* loves watching justin run circles around him.
*eats....anything and EveRyThinG [and I can't wait till he stops eating trash]
* makes his mommy's heart MELT!!!!!!!

We're thinking out of the box....

and boy are we excited!

More excited then you can imagine!
(More excited than I ever imagined!)


Soooo, you ask, "What's in the box?"

Well, It's a meticulously researched, planned and sequenced kindergarten curriculum sent to Justin from K12 sent FREE OF CHARGE through the charter school Nevada Virtual Academy, of course!

(And I think it's going to be awesome.)

And now, a message from our "sponsor":

Our School at a Glance:

The Nevada Virtual Academy uses the K¹² curriculum to offer Nevada students in grades K-9 an exceptional learning experience. With individualized learning approaches, the Nevada Virtual Academy and K¹² provide the tools kids need to succeed—in school and beyond.

The Nevada Virtual Academy is one of the fastest-growing schools in Nevada, and here's why:

* Our experienced, Nevada-licensed teachers, who are available online and by phone.
* The exceptional, engaging K¹² curriculum, which covers the core subject areas. Based on decades of education research, this curriculum packages high-quality lessons with mastery-based assessments that ensure students achieve success at each and every level. Find out more about K¹².
* The online planning and assessment tools, resources, and hands-on materials ranging from textbooks to microscopes, rocks and dirt to beautifully illustrated classic children's stories, and much more.
* Our active, supportive school community, which organizes fun and informative monthly activities where NVVA parents, students, and staff share their successes, helpful hints, and more.
* The high-quality, tuition-free public education that enables a learning experience that is individualized for each child.

So.........tomorrow will be Justin’s first day of kindergarten, at home.

And I think we’ll even be out of our pajamas!

f.y.i.

when you add tooooo many pictures to your picasa web album(which is where blogger stores your blog pics), you can not upload any more pictures to your blog!

lesson learned.
junk pictures deleted.
actual blog pictures posted.

the end.

life....

is sometimes too adorable for words.

and too busy for blogging.

there will always be time for more words.....later.
cheers. :0)

some days.....

i'm soooooooooooooooooooooo glad when daddy comes home,
GLAD as i can be.


and it's just a guess, but i think they are too....
as you can PLAINLY see!!!

vacationing!?!

experiencing.....our family vacation "verb" ally

traveling....F O R E V E R . (or so it seemed to the kids.)
anticipating....are we there yet? (repeat)
justin ZONING OUT...while watching wall-e (so funny)
enduring...the sounds of screaming children (mainly dallin)
looking to the backseat....and feeling joy looking at my kids sitting in a cute row
kids sleeping lots.....thank goodness!!!
fitting in the car.....just barely
smiling....most times. :)

redefining "port a potty".....i LOVED the convenience.
pondering.....i wonder what she was thinking about!?
thinking....i'm a GENIUS for bringing that in the car
anna using it...often!

staying....w/ the O'rileys
freeloading.....is the BEST way to go
rating the accommodations.....***** (5 stars!!!)
walking......through beautiful American Fork
kids playing......and having tons of fun
sleeping comfortably.....not in the motel 6 thank goodness
enjoying....the wonderful time with friends

touring......beautiful temple square
totally admiring.....wonderful views
kids rolling.....down grassy patches
anna jumping.....from high up (she sure is a dare devil!)
observing with wonder....a slimy cool snail
feeling grateful....to belong to such a wonderful church

getting "there".....finally.
LOVING.....bear lake
really hoping ....for a warmer day tomorrow.
wrapping up....to stay warm
staying.....out of the cold water and on the shore!
mommy snuggling.....with the cutie guy dallin
dallin eating.....sand. yuck.
everyone digging.....and having TONS of dirty fun.
anna stripping.....huh!?!?
justin rowing.....with some fun found friends

camping.....really close to the beach
enjoying time......with distant relatives and cousins
roasting marshmallows....of course
flicking mosquitos....but i was still EATEN ALIVE!
justin being silly...with cute cousins
patrick and justing climbing....the HUGE tree without even getting hurt!
dallin chilling....in the WONDERFUL table chair (gotta have one camping)
getting dirty.....over and over again

basking in the joy on the beach....another day
actually swimming.....thank goodness for warmer weather!
anna lounging lots....she's good at it.
cherishing play time....i sure love my kids. (and love watching them have fun)
forever remembering....dallin's adorable laughter against blue, sunlit skies
wishing.....i would have the moment & feelings etched in my memory forever

boating....on crystal blue waters
tubing with justin....he even liked it (when it was over)
squealing....with excitement (i liked it the whole time)
admiring.....how cute justin was sitting in the boat, wind in his hair.
loving.....the beautiful lake and time together

taking a peek....inside some caves nearby
cooling off ....from warm summer sun in the 40* caves
learning.....about caves and how they are formed
feeling amazement.....for God's wonderful creations

traveling up to rexburg.....to visit patrick's g&g wilson
savoring.....the wonderful country feeling, sights, sounds and smells
learning....that doggies like mom's milk too
touring.....their AMAZING garden and grandpa's awesome woodshop
realizing.....how zucchini actually looks when growing
eating....cute, fresh picked carrots
justin LOVING.....all of grandpa's constant teasing and joking
checking out....the beautiful rexburg temple
wondering.....what it would live in such a small town
thinking.....i might like that sort of life
appreciating ....their hospitality and loving natures

stopping by....to visit the lovely Larae
admiring....her wonderful decor'
learning....about life living in utah
enjoying the short visit...wishing it were longer

hanging out in provo.....with wonderful friends steve+colleen & aaron
conversing.....and remembering the good ol' days
probably making them think....."when we have kids, they'll never act like that in a restaurant." :)
eating byu creamery ice cream...with great harvest cinnamon bread. yum.
learning....of how much they LOVE BYU.
their words convincing patrick....it's time to apply
wondering .....what it would be like to live there.

heading.....back home
stopping by....in cedar city for a visit w/ my g&g englehart
kids sitting....in grandpa's fun yellow car
LOVING.....the wonderful view a lightning storm near cedar breaks
enjoying the visit.....learning & loving & spending a little time together
showing gratitude....for wonderful grandparents!


REMEMBERING......wonderful times.

forgetting....screaming cranky kids, loads and loads of laundry, the vacation recovery period, unpacking, sunburns, mosquito bites, feeling cranky, and stinking.


wondering....when do i get a real VACATION?
(you know, the kind where you just sit and relax)

realizing.....it might be a while.

but still relishing....in the wonderful moments with my little family.



(and not wanting to edit and check this entry for errors since spell check wasn't working......sorry)



for realz ending...this epic blog entry.