Hunting for eggs

    Ever since I knew the Hubs he always worked Saturdays. Since he has taken a new job he now two day weekends. The kids made sure to jump on that wagon and begged him to go with us to the egg hunt that's near my parents house. So today all of us went egg hunting. It was fun! Next year we will definately be needing at least three adults as Bear will be able to search for eggs too.
    The sun came out. After everyone cleared the fields we gathered up all the hay (while double checking for any left over eggs) and we fashioned ourselves a big ol' birds nest. The kids loved jumping in and out and pretending to be birds.
    Even though we didn't score the big huge chocolate bunny (phew!) we walked away with memories, candy egg prizes and a few cookies.
    Has your little one ever walk away with the grand prize from an egg hunt? What did you do with all that candy?

This picture cracks me up - all three girls walked over those eggs right there to go for the pretty eggs.

Big Bro's egg bounty!

Cracking open the treasures

Wordless Wednesday

My current desktop background - haha

Traditional sights

    I love going to the market with my parents and our family. The girls pick out an Easter crown and a nesting doll. Big bro gets to pick out some eggs. We order up some fresh Polish sausage and some sweet treats. The smells, the sights, the polka! Then we all go out to brunch afterwards. What is an Easter tradition that you love?
    Here are some sights from the market..., aren't they festive?!

Beautiful Eggs

Sour Jelly Beans

Fresh Horse Radish

The Easter Crowns

Delish Platzek

Venti? You betcha!

    I had a quick errand to run on lunch today while at work since I'm here an extra hour. I rearranged my schedule so the Hubs could pursue this new job of his. I already miss my extra hour sans the kids on Fridays but we'll make do. 
    Anyway - back to what I was going to brag about. I happened to remember an email from Starbucks for my birthday last month that I had a drink (or food) coming to me. Happy Birthday to meeeeeee!! Somehow I was able to find it on my phone through the Starbucks app and cash in on that sweet deal!
    I went big! Venti baby!! A nice ol' green tea latte. I skimped on the whip though.., it would have gone straight to my hips. Haha. 
    This takes me to my Smart Phone. I still don't use it that much and I don't have many apps on it. I think I am in denial I had to upgrade when the Hubs did. And my old regular phone was restarting when it felt like it. 
    Anyway, I ended up with a Samsung Galaxy or something like that. I was aiming for an iPhone but wasn't too sure on it. I chose something simple to start with, although I seriously don't use my phone for much of anything. It has a crappy camera, no flash and holds a crappy charge. Enough of my whining about Smart Phones. 
    I want to know - what kind of apps do you have on your phone? I use Cozi with the Hubs which coordinates calendar events between our phones, the Starbucks app, Endorse, Shopkick, ibotta, Pinterest and gStrings (to tune guitars).
    What kind of phone do you have? Likes? Dislikes? Does anyone have an iPhone? What is the camera like on those? I wonder if the Cozi app would still communication to the Hubs phone if I went iPhone. I can guarantee he would never go with an Apple OS. 
    On another note - I bought this during my outting today for Big Bro. I don't know why he loves these stretchy weird lizards, frogs and dinos - he just does. 

Wordless Wednesday

Bear practicing her "downward dog"

Fred and Earl

    Fred and Earl are back! Yes - Fred and Earl!! Those are the pair of mourning doves that chill on the wire over our driveway. Seeing those two make me think of a few things. The first thought is that Spring is right around the corner! The robins have been coming back but once you see those two - you know for sure.
    The other main thought seeing them is that I am going to miss them when we move. For nearly 7 years we have seen these mourning doves. Whether or not they are the same ones or children of the ones that we have seen, I don't know but what I do know is that I definitely miss seeing them.
    That thought moved my mind to other things that I am going to miss about this house and location. I will definitely miss my corner cabinet pull out drawer system from Ikea that we splurged on when we remodeled the kitchen. I will miss the playground park around the corner from us. The Hubs would take the Tweedles on Sunday morning to run around then swing over to the gas station to pick up a paper. That Sunday morning outing gave me a good hour and half to clean up and get the crockpot going.
    I'm also going to miss our side yard. That has been an ongoing factor in our search for a house. We want a nice sized yard, no dot of land. With all the new subdivisions popping up around our town, it's harder and harder to find a nice size chunk of land with a house big enough for us. We have pigeon holed ourselves there. Unless our money trees grows up and starts shedding hundo dollar bills I think this factor will be one that will have to be compromised first.
    There is plenty that I wont miss.., but Fred and Earl are totally two things that I will miss a lot!
    What were some things that you knew or figured out that you were going to miss when you moved?

Wordless Wednesday

That's a big one!

(Luckily he wont be coming home with us)

When mama is sick...

    Talk about fun! Well, not really. I got struck with an icky cold Sunday. My bones and body ached. Sore throat. Congestion and headache. I thought I made it through cold and flu season but I guess I was wrong.
    On another note, spoke with our realtor today about putting in an offer on the house we're looking at. We both agree that the listing price is overprice. This is where the fine art of negotiating takes place. We don't want to come in too low that we insult but don't want to over extend ourselves.
    It's just sad to know that the house currently not occupied. The current owner has moved in with her sister and she goes back once a week to check in on the house, etc. It has been on the market for a year now.
    I am hoping things work out but I also have to be realistic. If this doesn't work out, there will always be another house right?

Green Light!

    I still can't believe it! We got the green light aka preapproval on the mortgage. Well we technically had it before but then the Hubs took a new job after being where he was for over 16 years. A big leap! Let the race begin!! We have so much to do it's unbelievable. But the good news is that we got the ground to make a bid with and that we get to list our house on the market. Now for lots of fingers and toes to get crossed!
    This is our first time buying a house and selling a house at the same time. It's pretty insane. What are some pointers or helpful hints?

What's more fun that a box - Wittlebee

    I have dragged my feet on this Wittlebee post long enough. I suppose it is because I had a pretty good box for my first one so I was expecting just about the same, if not better.

    With an intro like that you can only predict that I was disappointed in the contents of the second box sent to us - well all with the exemption of one article.
    I sent in an inquiry email right away to see what happened. The items did not match my clothing request which is fine, I can deal with some of that here and there but three items that were plain and could be purchased at the store for a few way less? Not digging that. The kicker was the colors did not match the profile I set up, which were earth tones.
    The response I received was not impressive. At first I was told the following: "our service is designed to be a fun surprise each month that will supplement your existing wardrobe. While we love to get as much preference information on what you are looking for and the styles of clothing you are wanting to receive, we are not able to guarantee that only those items will be included in your box. It is not our goal to meet your child's complete clothing needs with our boxes, but we instead try to provide something fun for the family to enjoy together and have use of without the hassle of going to the mall. We are a bit low in inventory and that may be another reason we were not able to tailor your box to your preferences."   I was a bit floored. I understand that they are not to complete my child's wardrobe but half the items I received were plain Jane items that we already have enough of. How is three plain items consider a fun surprise I cant tell you. One plain item is fine, but three? Nothing fun there. No designs, no textures, just plain. And the color profile? Way off. So then why have me fill out a style profile?
    I asked about their inventory for the possible next box. I don't want to pay for another hum-drum box. That was followed by: "We should be back on track by then. the season is changing here as far as purchasing. Mid February early March we will have a new system that allows you to choose a few of the items you receive, we will be fully stocked in inventory, and our shipping times will be back on track by then as well."
    I am left with a sour taste. I informed them that I would have much rather waited for stock than just be sent a box of stuff to just fill my subscription timeline.

At least it was a full looking box.

 

A cute outfit and it's actually a dress which is one of the styles selection for our profile but PINK? Definitely not an earth tone.

This was the one item I really liked. The color and ruffles are adorable.

These three items were less than thrilling, quiet random.

Feels like they were just tossed in because they fit the size profile.

The overall spread.

 

    I wish I could encourage to join this service. The idea of it is neat and my first box really showed awesome potential but to use the excuse that the inventory was low and that the next box "should" be better because stock will be in is a poor reason.

    There have been many changes with the service since I joined. They charge for shipping now if you are a new subscriber but also have a feature they are rolling out where you can choose from an online stock room a few pieces to go in your monthly box.

    I'm just not sure where I sit with this service. For now - I have my account on hold until I can further decide.  

I purchased this Wittlebee Box and was not compensated in any way.

My opinions are my own.

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My review of Stork Stack - February and you can read about it here.

My review of Conscious box - January and you can read about it here.

My review of Mommebox - February and you can read about it here.

My review of Citrus Lane - January and you can read about it here.

Next box to review: Citrus Lane

Lunch Lady Land - Packing lunch

    I know I have plenty of time before I really have to worry about packing Liv's lunches, but before I know it she will be going to Kindergarten. She has been very active in choosing her items, like her backpack, her smock and her lunch box. In fact, after a ton of research and a lot of price shopping I made the decision to invest in a lunch tin from Planet Box.  These do carry a hefty price but when you think about the money you'll be saving this investment is worth it.

    The stainless steel, eco friendly, reusable and even customizable lunch box has little compartments and is perfectly compact. I wont have to worry about baggies, containers or anything else that could get lost or tossed. And one of the things I like most is that everything will be there for her to see and eat right away instead of pulling one thing out her lunch bag, eating that then moving on. All the food is seen and she can just eat.
    We ordered the Rover version, which is the smaller of the two offered. Much to my daughter's "sha-grin" we ordered the black carrying case even though she wanted the pink, then the purple. (I pushed for the black to fend off any stains or dirt. I am that neurotic I guess.)
    I did let her choose two sets of the magnets. She picked out Fairies and Rainbow. Both are fun and charming, aren't they?

           

     I plan on plenty of fruits and veggies cut up to fill the compartments. She loves cucumbers with Italian dressing and both of my kiddos are suckers for blackberries!  I'm thinking the occasional noodle salad and classic pb&j sandwich will be some great main staples.  Any other ideas for a kid's lunch? Any easy wraps that will stay until lunch time? Any things I can make the night before and still be appealing when she sits to eat? I think I'm going to try out some mini meals to see how she digs them. I have a few months to practice!   

Wordless Wednesday

My curious Bear - checking out the trip change jar

Pack it up, Pack it in

    I have been packing up boxes and getting them ready for the Hubs to take over to the storage unit. That's right! We are trying to stage our uber cramped house by getting this stuff outta here.
    I had wanted to be able to sort through everything and sell what we no longer use but no one is biting on the items I listed on Craigslist and some facebook garage sale page so I'm guessing it will be easier to do that when we move into a house and just yard sale it.
    I feel the pressure of getting this house listed and sold - that's not a fun feeling. I feel frazzled. I really hope something works out smoothly in this whole process...., need to think positive!