Garage Sale Saturday

This morning when we were out for our walk we passed a garage sale and stopped by to take a look. They had a bunch of great children's books and videos. Klarity immediately found the 9 tapes of Blue's Clues. I was secretly happy because I am sick of the two we already have. Then I picked out some Dr. Seuss books, The Complete Illustrated Louis Carroll and a series of neat discovery books. Two big bags of stuff for $5.

Then I got home and decided it was time to purge so I went through Klarity's closet and reorganized to make space for some of her brother's things. We are also trying to figure out how we will rearrange her room to fit her "big girl bed" which she will be getting for her birthday. So far the kitchen will be the hardest piece to relocate. I do have a running list of furniture to list on Craig's List to help out. We'll see how much we can get done this Labor Day weekend.

Birth Announcements Finally Ordered!

I have had the file of Grayam's birth announcement on my computer since a couple weeks after he was born. A nice mama made it for me and sent it as a picture file so I could have it printed out wherever I wanted. For some reason it has taken me this long to do the legwork to find a good deal on prints. At first I was going to use CVS Pharmacy so they could be picked up, but they wanted $1.49 per print for a 5x7 which I thought was a little steep. Since I always use Shutterfly for photo books I decided to compare to their print prices. They were $0.99 each. Then I had to figure out whether shipping would still make that cost effective. For 20 prints the shipping came out to $1.99, so still a much better deal. Of course, I then had to look for a coupon code. I found one for 10% off so for $20 we got all our announcements printed and shipped. Now I just have to make sure it doesn't take me this long to address the envelopes.

Bastian Has Arrived!

I found a Rumparooz diaper in the Bastian print so Gray could match his gestation-brother, Miles. New these go for $28 including shipping...I paid $22. I can't wait until we can get the two boys together for a joint photo shoot!

Saturday Morning Goodwill Finds

We ran into Goodwill this morning on the way to Target because I was going through withdrawal. Actually, I ran in while Erik stayed in the car with the kids. I was there right when they opened the doors at 10:00 and I quickly raced through the store. Immediately I found a mini hardcover notebook that was one of the reasons we were going to Target in the first place. I picked that up and walked around but wasn't seeing anything else good. Just when I was wondering whether it was worth it to go back to the car to get $1 for the notebook, I spied a bag hanging behind others that looked like a laminated diaper bag. It was a nice baby blue color with chocolate trim. I got it out from the back to get a closer look and not only was it a diaper bag, it was a Fleurville Sling Tote. For $5.99. I almost did a little dance of joy.

Retail $149.99

Then when I was waiting at the cashier I noticed a box with the XBox 360 logo on it and asked if it was for sale and if I could see it. It was a brand new Guitar Hero: Aerosmith package. This is actually a very popular game that Erik does not have. For $40 off retail price I figured he should have it. Aren't I sweet? I made sure I could return in case anything is missing.

Fluffy Mail!

I got my first purchase from Diaper Swappers today in the mail. Four excellent condition small Fuzzi Bunz with inserts. I got them all for $32 including shipping. Notice one is missing...it's on Grayam.

GADs on Sale!

I have been wanting to try a Green Acre Design (GAD) cloth diaper because they come in lots of cute colors and in medium long size (perfect for tall skinny kids). You can also design your own on their website, and even have it embroidered with a design and a name. I have heard great things about the diapers, too. I had a few coupon codes for various CD retailers from a WAHM (work at home mom) website so I checked those stores first. I found one with GADs on sale and they had some in the colors/sizes I wanted. I went to place my order but when I was checking out there was no spot for the coupon code. So I sent an e-mail and asked how I should place my order to take advantage of the coupon. I got a response saying that the coupon code was no longer valid, but the mom offered me free shipping instead! This actually ended up saving me more than the coupon would have! So buy your own GADs from this nice mama: Mom and Baby Naturally.

Diaper Swappers - My New Addiction

Now that I am thoroughly engrossed in cloth diapering, I am so excited to have learned about a website called Diaper Swappers. It is a marketplace for used cloth diapers where people can unload ones they don't like and buy (or trade for) something they want to try or want more of. I have found out about some really unique diaper brands through the site and now am obsessed with finding specific colors and styles. I also keep my eyes open for people selling good used condition diapers I have tried and really like. The key is to respond as soon as you can to the seller, kind of like Craig's List. It seems like the mamas are pretty good about letting the first person to respond have first dibs, but it always pays to add your name to the interest list just in case the previous deal doesn't take. I have already bought 4 new style Fuzzi Bunz for $8 each, a Happy Heiny in brown camo print and a Happy Heiny One Size in sage. Now I am waiting for the perfect Rumparooz...

If the site is taking a long time to load, it's because I am refreshing every 10 seconds.

Blocks!

I got these blocks for $5 from a Salvation Army when I was pregnant with Klarity. I knew they would get some good use eventually!

$5 in 30 Seconds

I needed a couple things from Drugstore.com so I made sure to order at least $25 worth so I could take advantage of free shipping. One of the items was on backorder so they offered to ship it at a later time at no extra charge (on Amazon choosing Super Saver Shipping on an order with something "not in stock" will often delay shipment of your entire order). As I was checking out, I saw there was a space for a coupon code so I did a quick Google search to see if I could find one. Within 30 seconds I had found a coupon for $5 off your order and, more importantly, it worked. It's times like these I wonder how anyone can justify paying full price.