a day in the life of twins...

So there I was doing dishes for the tenth time that day and I noticed that the twins had disappeared. So I called for them and heard a noise in the laundry room. When I went to check it out, I thought I heard something in the dryer. No it couldn't be... About that time Olivia pushes the door open FROM THE INSIDE OF THE DRYER! As I was scolding her (and grabbing for my camera to capture the moment on film), she just smiled really big and then Sophia pops out from behind her and says, "Hi Mama!" Just a typical day in the life of twins. Welcome to my world...

out of the mouthes of babes

Having a bunch of children is such a blessing in my life because I grew up as an only child. The girls, I understand because I am one. My boy, however, has created a whole area of continuing education. He's playing baseball this year-machine pitch. He is a Houston Astro. Pretty darn cute. The Little League provides his uniform shirt, hat and socks. We were required to purchase his pants, belt, shoes, and uh...cup. This was new for me. So off we go to Dick's Sporting Goods (named appropriately enough) to purchase our baseball needs. I had no idea what to get in the ol' cup department. So naturally I asked for help from a sales clerk-who was maybe 12 years old himself. With a straight face he asks me, "what size?" Uh... he's eight years old. I don't know. "Small?" Sure. Sounds good.

So we make our way home with our purchases and all is well. The season starts. We have our first game. Since he only has one uniform shirt, I have to do laundry after each game. Then there's the uh..cup. So I ask Doug, "Do you throw it in the laundry?" He told me that I could wash it by hand or throw it in the dishwasher. GROSS! I'm not putting it with our dishes. So I laid it on the counter to wash by hand later when I had a chance. Bad move. As I'm putting the clothes in the washer, Lily comes running down the hall, "Look, Mommy, it's Jack's pee-pee platter. You forgot it!" Oh thank you Lil, what would I do without you and the now infamous "pee-pee platter". Cup, platter, I guess dishes are dishes. And I hate doing the dishes...

too cute for words

Olivia was having some problems with her left eye. It was turning in a little. We took her to the doc and he says that she has a lazy left eye and is slightly far sighted. We're hoping to correct it with glasses but if that doesn't work, she might need surgery. Isn't she just the cutest darn thing you ever saw?!

orgasmic organic

With such a big family and a single income, I run a pretty tight budget ship. My goal is to feed my family of 6 for $400 per month (not including diapers and wipes). Considering that 15% of that is milk (we go through a gallon per day), that only leaves me a little over $300 for food, house, toiletries, etc. I sit down every Sunday evening and plan our meals for the coming week and write a grocery list. Then on Monday after dropping Lily off to school, the twins and I head out to shop.

The biggest challenge I have is making sure that we are eating as healthy as possible. I am a huge proponent of whole grains, lean meats, healthy fats like olive oil and avacados, fresh fruits and veggies and healthy dairy stuff like yogurt and lowfat milk. I have decided that I will no longer purchase things if I can't pronounce all the ingredients. I refuse to put any more partially hydrogenated polysorbate80 on our table!!!

This vow, however, has caused a problem in my budget. The problem is that if you want to eat healthy you almost always pay more. Damn! So I have been as frugle as can be and then.... I was shopping at Meijers and discovered that they have their own generic organic brand!!! Yippee skippee!!

I'ts really good!! They have organic graham crackers, ice cream, cheese crackers, chicken stock, cage free eggs, flour, milk--you name it!!!! And it's 98% affordable for people like me!!! The milk is about $3.50 for 1/2 gallon, so that doesn't fit our budget yet, but still!! How exciting to be able to buy fun wholesome snacks, create tasty wholesome meals, and have happy kids!! I know, I know, I am starting to sound like Carol Brady or Mrs. Beaver, but I don't care because it feels so good to be able to take such good care of my family!!! (even on a budget!)