The Unplanned Life

Cheap Toys... sometimes

2009-02-11T08:58:00.004-05:00

My kids are playing in/on a toilet box. It's pretty much been the only thing they've played with for the last 3 days. My boy even took a nap on it.

It's got me wondering why I buy them toys at all. They've had more fun with this box then with all their toys from Christmas. It's been a house and a slide. They've colored it with markers. I even climbed in there with them. Now that was a sight.

This toy cost me nothing. Well as long as you don't count the toilet that came in it. The toilet cost something. Thank you box for providing hours of creative fun for my kids.

Here's an interesting product for the cardboard box toy enthusiast.

Mr. McGroovy's Box Rivets™ are inexpensive plastic connectors that make building fantastic cardboard creations quick & simple.

This guy found a way to make money off a kid's favorite free toy. Good for him.

If you don't have any largish appliances coming your way, try contacting a local appliance store. They usually have plenty of boxes lying around. Or if you're not a do it yourself-er you can buy a Kidsonroof Mobile Home. It's pricey, at about $50, but still cheaper then a new fridge.

Snow Day

2009-02-04T11:25:00.004-05:00

Does shoveling snow counts as exercise?

My answer is yes.

But I also count chasing my kids as exercise. That's the only exercise I get with this brood. I've thought about joining a gym. I really have my choice. There are at least 4 with in 5 minutes of my house. I'd love to take a kickboxing class or pilates or maybe yoga. The gyms have childcare. I could have an hour or so to myself. Then I remember, little boy. He won't go in.

I can't even get him to go into Scrunchy's Playhouse at Shoprite. His sister loves it, but I can't get him to go in. He went in twice. The first time I had to go get him half way through my shopping. The second time he had a ton of fun and stayed the whole time. Now shopping would be so much easier for me if he'd go play. Instead I have him climbing in and out of the shopping cart and running down the aisles. Oh well

This doesn't even take into consideration actually getting there. Getting three kids dressed, ready to go and in the car. That's a feat in itself. I'm a big proponent of car-seats and proper use and all that jazz. I'm sure I'll have a post about it one day. But man, sometimes I wish it was 20 or so years ago and I could just throw them in the back. It would be so much quicker.

So I've resorted to exercise dvds. I have a couple of yoga ones. I'll have to dust them off. The last time I tried them the kids climbed all over me. Anyone have a suggestion? Is there a dvd out there that my kids would do with me? Erin at exhale. return to center recently posted about Nia. It looks right up my ally. I'm going to get the dvd and give it a try.

But today I'm going to rest and hope it's done snowing for a few days.

Day 3

2009-02-02T20:13:00.005-05:00

Day 3 of No Spend February and I've failed.

I bought coffee yesterday.

I said that was acceptable.

Right?

Please, please, please, can I buy myself the occasional cup of coffee. I make the rules. So I can decide that coffee is alright, but I'm not going to. I'm going to allow myself this one slip up and move on with the month. So today I need to find my travel mug. Or I should say retrieve it from under the seat in the car. Wash it. Place it next to the coffee machine, where it is readily accessible. Alright, the plan is in place. This should prevent me from buying a cup of coffee out. And for those of you just tuning in, I am taking part in the MomAdvice No Spend Challenge. You can join in here.

No Spend February

2009-02-01T10:01:00.008-05:00

Today I am joining Amy over at The MotherLoad in the "No Spend Challenge". I have a very limited budget as it is, currently.

If it's not on sale... I don't need it.

If it's on sale... I still don't need it, but I might buy it.

I think out my purchases carefully. I go for quality products that will stand the test of time. I'd much rather spend a little more, then have to replace something of lesser quality. But even I can go a little overboard and buy things I don't need. And that cup of coffee out... well, that's my kryptonite.

Today, I answer the challenge and the answer is yes.

My Rules

Rule #1 Groceries & gas are ok purchases.

Rule #2 I can buy the two new car-seats I've been planning on. In my opinion safe car-seats are a necessity. (If you're in the market for car-seats or other baby gear check out Hip Monkey. This store supports The Kyle David Miller Foundation with 100% of net proceeds.)

Rule #3 We can go out or order out 1 time.(Including pizza... this could be hard.) If I say no going out to eat, I'm just setting myself up for failure.

Rule #4 My birthday celebration is exempt. My birthday falls at the end of the month and I am planning a night out with friends. It's a rare treat to go out with adults only. It can also be a celebration of my no spend month.

So those are my rules. Wish me luck. You can join me and Amy in the no spend challenge here.

Chris

Take 3!

2009-01-29T09:40:00.002-05:00

Hi. My name is Christine, but please call me Chris. (I don't care if it makes you squirm. I am a girl and I like to be called Chris. Deal with it.) This is my third go at starting a blog. Why do I keep doing it? I'm not sure. I love reading blogs and I want to be part of the whole culture instead of just a voyeur. And like the saying goes, "Try. Try again." So here I am trying again.

A little about myself. I'm a mother of 3 under 5 in my late 20's. If you saw me on the street you might think I'm a teenager babysitting. It's a blessing and a curse. I actually got carded for an R rated movie when I was pregnant with my first. I was 21 and with my 17 year old sister. She did not get carded. As I was chuckling to myself and pulling out my I.D. she is arguing with the ticket seller. "Do you think there is anything in this movie that she hasn't seen?"... or done.

While being a mom is a large part of who I am, it is not all that I am. This blog will be about both parts of me. So there will be plenty of mommy and family related content. And at least the occasional personal tidbit. So here's my coming out. Until next time.

Chris