Mother's Day on a Budget

Here are a few ideas on how to have a enjoyable Mother's Day on a budget. 

Mother's Day does not have to break the bank, this can be a simple fun day for all family members. 

Speaking to the husbands out there now

1. Take the kids and wife to the park, a great way for the kids to run off some energy.

Free & the kids will love spending time with you this way 

2. Pick up some flowers for Mom, most local grocery stores have a great deal on flowers. If you can't afford any from the store, pick some from outside. 

3. Homemade Cards from the kids are sure to make Mom smile today. I just love the homemade ones. 

4. Mom would love to sleep in on Mother's Day, so while Mom is sleeping have the kids help make breakfast and serve her breakfast in bed. 

5. The Dollar Store is your friend on this one... they have many things Mom would love for Mother's Day. 

Simply create a pamper basket for example for under $10. 

6. Let Mom have some time to relax on Mother's day, prepare a warm bubble bath for her with candles lit. 

7. Take a picture of the kids and get a cheaper frame at the dollar store. 

8. Have the kids make had prints and make a picture of Mom. 

Remember it doesn't matter the amount you spend on Mom today just shower her with LOVE. 

Weekend Getaway in Pittsburgh PA

I surprised my husband with a weekend Getaway trip to Pittsburgh. He is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I knew he would love this trip. Planned 3 months in advance and got a discounted rate for the weekend we stayed. Also I planned our weekend around the Heinz Field Tour they gave us that Saturday. We had so much fun and really soaked up the moments with each other without our kiddos, we sure did miss and talk about them all weekend. A few other things we did in Pittsburgh was the Ducky Land and Sea Tour, Monongahela Incline, PNC Park Stadium. We agreed that we should do little weekend getaways about 4 times a year to re-connect without trying to juggle kids and work. Here are some pictures we took that weekend.

Family of Five 1st Christmas

Christmas times sure have changed along the course of our relationship. Do you remember the first Christmas with your sweet heart. It's a bit awkward because you don't really know this person yet, plus you don't want to spend to little, but then you don't want to spend too much. What about the Christmas season when you were engaged? The Christmas before the year we got married, we got engaged. Oh by the way the BEST Christmas gift I have received to date(asking to be someones wife). But what about the first Christmas with baby? I remember that year like it was yesterday. Our daughter turned 1 month old that Christmas. And because I was a SAHM(stay at home momma), we decided we would not buy each other gifts, we were still trying to figure out how to survive with now the 3 of us. But I remember how with very little gifts under the tree for only our daughter, how my husband reached around behind the tree and had a few small presents for me. I was shocked beyond words, we both agreed no gifts and yet here my amazing husband didn't want me to be without on Christmas. One of our most poor Christmas, was not even poor at all. I knew then in that moment that presents and gifts don't bring Christmas happiness, its the joy we found in each other and how we created our own family.

Here is a picture of our 1st Christmas Tree- a gingerbread theme Christmas 2009

Since then we have managed to become proactive about the Holiday season. However we didn't have a plan on how we went from buying for 1 kid to 3. This past year 2012 was our first Christmas with 3 kids and as a family of 5. My daughter just turned 3 and my twins were 9 months. I had no idea how much we should be saving, putting back or even spending on each kid? Do we buy them toys and clothes or no toys just the things they need? This is what we did, we set a limit to the dollar amount on all 3 kids, we then starting looking for the best deals in the paper and online. Also we needed to factor in our Christmas dinner cost and if we wanted to get each other present cost. My parents graciously gave us $200 to put toward the Santa gifts, which was a nice surprise and big help. I think we had a great first Christmas as a family of 5. And I can't wait for many more. Here is a few pictures from that Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2012. 

Our 1st Family Vacation

This past summer we decided to take everyone on a family vacation. My husband and I were super excited since we opted out of a vacation last year due to the twins being so little. We did invite my parents to come vacation along with us. We headed to my favorite family spot Cape May NJ. I found a camping ground close to Cape May which was family oriented, which also rented cabins(due to us not having a camper). To make a long story short. It was a vacation nightmare. The cabin was way to small for 2 pack and plays, 2 highchairs and lacked the amount of space needed for our family of 5. My daughter spent most nights with my parents in their cabin due to lack or space. The AC unit seemed to only work half the time and my twins caught "The Croup"(another blog post another day). We did have some fun days, here are a few pictures. 

Here are a few tips on going to the beach with small kids:

Buy a cheap bath pool(my 1 twin hated the sand)

Bring baby powder to get sand off your body and things

Freeze water bottles the night before and pack them for your beach day. These will help keep family cool

Bring older comforter to place or lay infants for naps

Ask around to see if friends have any toddler tents

Pack snacks and even a lunch. Kids do get hungry

Have extra hands(Thanks mom & Dad)

Write A Letter To Disney Characters

I recently went to part-time at my office where I was working. With life changing from one child to now 3 we knew I would have to slow down and spend more time with our kids along with watching our families budget. I truly enjoy the afternoons where I do not have to return to work. I try and catch a small nap while my little ones are napping. Then I try and stick with a snack and a craft to help our day flow and also my daughter looks forward to craft time after her nap. 

So today we wrote letter to our favorite Disney Characters. I saw  a post on facebook where a mom had her daughter write to a Disney Princess and the Princess wrote her back. I researched it a bit more and found out you can write to any character and they will send your child something back in the mail. 

I helped my boys draw a picture and send to Sulley from Monsters Inc. And my daughter Tangled the Rapunzel Princess. We should expect something in the mail in about 4-6 weeks. 

Take Lots Of Pictures

I must have heard it a million times while pregnant with my daughter... "they grow up so fast" or "Enjoy every moment because it happens way to fast". You know you have heard these comments too. And at first when we were getting up 5 times a night for feedings and my daughter had her days and nights mixed up, I thought this season in time is going to last forever! Now as this new fall season approaches I find myself planning my daughter's 4th Birthday party. Wow how this was so true..."they grow up so fast". They sure do. Here is my tip for you. Enjoy every moment of every stage of every age. And if you find a rough patch in a stage just remember this... This will not last forever this is just a short amount of time. And remember take lots of Pictures!!!

Brooke 1 Month Old-2009

My Beautiful Brooke Today 2013

And my Boys

My Austin & Bentley 1 Day Old- 2012

Austin & Bentley 1 Year Old-2013

Including Big Sister

With the arrival of my twin sons, life as we knew it was never going to be the same. My daughter couldn't prepare for what life would be like with not just one new baby but two. I'm truly grateful of how well my daughter has done since we brought the twins home. She has been so warm and loving to both of them. However I try and have as much Mommy-Brooke time as I possibly can. I INCLUDE her in almost everything, whether it is with the babies or not. I don't hold my twins very much with Brooke home,(they are to the point where they are rolling over anyways), but I really try to make it about her.

Here is a list of examples you can include your older siblings to help with

Baking

Bath Time

Laundry

Mopping floors

Grocery Shopping

Picking up Toys

Washing Veggies

Dusting

Entertaining Baby

Helping Feed Baby

Watering Garden/flowers

 

 

 

             

Parent's Night Out

With having 5 month old twins and a 3 year old toddler I rarely have 5 minutes to myself. But recently my husband and I were invited out to dinner since having our new babies. We went to our local Melting Pot which I consider an upscale restaurant. We took 2 hours eating and drinking and having a great time without having any little ones. It was nice to not have to worry about the kids. I recommend after you have a baby to go and have a nice dinner night with friends and without the kids.

Skin to Skin with Twins

The first thing I wanted to do after meeting my twins in the Operating Room was hold them skin on skin. I knew this was very important and something I missed out on with my daughter. Studies show importance to skin on skin after birth which include but not limited to, baby's temperature will be more stable and normal, stable blood sugars, breastfeeding starts sooner, babies are being exposed to normal bacterias on moms skin lastly skin on skin contact with mommy after birth helps baby transition into life outside of the womb.

Here is a picture of me in Recovery with my sons, you can see his hand on my chest, we did start breastfeeding very quickly after surgery.

Then once we got into our room I am doing skin on skin with my 1 son, while my husband did "The Kangaroo Technique" with my other son.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

This is a simple quick Guacamole recipe, which I loved during my twins Pregnancy. Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. Which is always welcomed when expecting.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

3 Avocados- Peeled, Pitted & Mashed

1 Lime-Juiced

1/2 cup of diced Onion

3 Tablespoons chopped Cilantro

2 Roma Plum Tomatoes-diced

1 Teaspoon Minced Garlic

In a Medium bowl mash the avocados and add the lime juice. Then mix in the Onions, Cilantro, tomatoes and Garlic.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. And then serve with carrots and celery.