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.

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 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.