New pictures....finally!

Finally, some new photos of the crew. It seemed impossible to get everyone looking at the camera, smiling, and not blinking. I think we will try on another day when we aren't rushed going somewhere!




G and R....brothers...can't live with them, can't live without them!

Isn't B cute sitting out
on our bench?

J looks handsome in orange! Who knew we would have so many boys!

Papa brought his dog for a visit with
the little ones.

Walmart Friday Deals: 5am to 11am

I was looking at Friday's deals at Walmart, and I think there are some worth making a trip on Friday morning. Unfortunately, I guess I am going to have to take back a few of the things I already have wrapped because they are now a lot better deal! Of course, it wouldn't necessarily be for Christmas. With 8 kids, we have 2 birthdays around the corner.

Phillips 4GB MP3 player $29.00

Battleship and Connect 4 Bundle: $9.00

Kerplunk/Tip it Bundle: $9.00

Elefun: $9.00

Guesswho Extra: $15.00

Airhogs Micro Zero gravity car: $15.00

20" girl's/boy's bike: $29.00

Kid's pajamas: $3.00

Select Wii games: $10

Select DVD's: $2-5.00

Christmas shopping almost finished!

I took the 4 Little ones to the store today to try to finish up the majority of Christmas shopping. B was certainly a little pistol trying to climb out of the cart. The kids handed him a small ball while we were in the toy aisle, so he thought it was fun to throw it and have mommy "go fetch". Baby J was content until we arrived at the checkout lane. By the way, I can't stand that they put a bunch of candy at the checkout lane. I understand that it is for people to impulse buy, but can't they have at least one lane that doesn't have candy?

So, here is what I bought so far. This is going to be great for me to check here to see what I bought because they are already wrapped!

G: I bought him a Wii game, but I have to take it back because I didn't notice that it had "mild language" on it until I got home. I didn't realize that kids' games have mild language in them. : ( States and capital game to share with M, Roller Blades
M: Kid's bow and arrow, states and capital game to share with G, Strawberry shortcake game
P: Connect Four to share with R,
R: Roller Blades, Connect 4 to share with P
T: Baby doll with stroller, Leap frog Scribble and Write, Don't Break the ice game to share with Little M
Little M: Cap gun and holster, cowboy hat, Don't Break the ice game to share with T, Knights tube to put in stocking
B: Leap frog Alphabet pal, Glow in the dark stuffed animal (like glow worm), and ball

I have also bought some stocking items: punch balloons, cheap movies from Salvation Army, cheap books from the Salvation Army, push cars, etc. Time to clear out my prize box and start again!

I need to buy some pipe cleaners and art supplies from the $1 store. The kids have asked for art supplies for Christmas.

Other things still on the list to buy: G- Wii game, R: Remote control Air Hogs Nano car, M: a small mp3 player when they go on sale for $10.00, P: a Miraculous Medal necklace and rubber stamps

I think that is it. I bought everything on sale or second-hand, which I don't think they mind!

Christmas catalog

I remember looking at the Sears toy catalog growing up, and I had so much fun circling everything that looked interesting. No, I didn't get everything I circled; actually, most years I did not get anything I circled!.....good thing though, or I would have ended up more spoiled than I am, although, I am still waiting for my pottery wheel and art spinner (ha ha).

Well, we received The Back to the Basics toy catalog in the mail, and I thought it would be fun for our kids to do the same. R circled almost every toy in the catalog. T told everyone she was getting everything she circled. M and P circled the toys I thought they would. G didn't circle anything (he is set on getting the Wii games, which by the way are on sale at Target plus they have a Target printable coupon available. This would make the possibilities of the games to be about $4 something!).

From what I could interpret, the girls want art supplies, a sewing machine, and an archery set. R wants everything, but mostly musical instruments, building sets, and cars. I saw some very neat items that I would get for them if they were cheaper (krazy kar, blocks, karaoke machine, pogo stick, whirly wheels).

We will see though. I think the art supplies are a definitely a possibility, especially for good stocking stuffers. I had bought some used Salomon Roller Blades for two of the kids, since they are always using mine. I thought they would want roller blades for Christmas, but I guess they are just as happy to use mine....only, I am not. This will be a project in itself to find some reasonable priced toys, toys that they would enjoy, toys that help their imagination, and toys that would be fun.

Oh, something funny I forgot to mention is that R asked for a menorah and dreidel set.....mind you, we are Catholic. I don't even think he knows what the toys are, but if it is a toy, he has to have it!

Christmas List

Right now, I am typing the kids' Christmas List. No, they are not getting everything on their list, but I am happy to hear what they would like:
(R): pack of punch balloons, gun, Leapster charger, set of cars
(G): Wii Lego Batman Game, Didj game, bionicle movie
(Big M): Pony that you press a button and it moves, Perfume studio, Music box, Art supplies
(P): Art supplies, dress, stuffed dog
(Little M): gun, push car, batman costume
(T): sled (even though we live in a state that never snows!), pack of 5 punch balloons, snow globe, candy cane, new shoes, new dress, doll, doll stroller, doll swingset
(B): push cars, ball
(J): pacifiers
(Mommy): netbook : )

Free products

I read about how you should write to company's and compliment or comment on their products, and they will send you a free coupon. I wrote to a few company's so far, and I received a free drano coupon (worth 6 something). Not too bad for taking a few minutes of my time to write.


Oh, there is a site called house party that you can sign up, the company sends you enough of the product for you to have a party, and you report back. A couple of weeks ago they were giving away a $200 (not sure on the price, but it was expensive ) Rowenta steamer. I was chosen to have a party, but you have to be one of the first 700 to reply back. I check my e-mail all the time, but forgot to check this day, so I missed it. I was so bummed! I am still feeling disappointed that I missed that one because we could have really used the steamer. I have a lot of school uniforms to do every day, and I stink at ironing! The upcoming parties are Digiorno Pizza, Zatarain's Mardi Gras, Jello Mouse Tempations, and ABC's All Family Mondays.

Another site is vocal point. I have received coupons for free kashi cereal and also a 29 day supply of olay x. I didn't have to do a thing, but sign up and place a comment on how I liked the product!

Walmart.com has a sample page that you can get coupons and a free sample. Right now, I think they have a sample of overnight diapers from Pampers.

I might actually shop at CVS this week....

As I have mentioned, I don't like CVS that well since they begin putting a limit of one on all their deals, but I did see one deal worth my time, if I get a chance to stop this week. I love Oil of Olay, and my skin has never looked better since I began using it.

• CoverGirl Simply Ageless Foundation $13 and buy CoverGirl Simply Ageless Blush $10
  Ecbs: Get $10 wyb both/ Use B1G1 from 11/1 P&G and $1 from the 10/11 P&G = PAY $12 with your coupons, get 10 back= 2.00 for both