It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Woo hoo! The kids are back in school! I love this time of year. All three of the kids are in school from 8 - 2:25 now. Well, Sean is in until 2:25, Audrey goes to 3:00 and I could have Jackson at preschool until 6pm! Not that I ever do, but it's nice to know I have that option.

So what to do with myself, you ask? Well, let me tell you! I signed myself up to be a temp within the local school district. I get paid to go and play secretary for the day or classroom aide or whatever else they would have me do that doesn't require a teaching credential. I'm out of the house and I'm not spending money, I'm making it. Craig especially likes that part. So the temping, combined with the duties of being PTA president, keeps me going for most of the day. And most importantly, keeps me from snacking. My endocrinologist likes that.

Legoland

So we spent today at Legoland with our friends the Olivers. Although the husband is particularly annoying, the wife and kids make up for his lacking. Just kidding, I love them all, even the husband, he's my comrade in conspicuous consumption. His wife and my husband commiserate about the money their spouses love to spend. But my answer to all that, they chose to marry us.

Legoland was great. It was a deceptively beautiful day. Sunny but cool and that added up to a sunburned face and scalp for me, a husband and daughter that got sick from too much sun, and two hyper boys. But we got to see a very cool miniature Las Vegas. My husband amused some folks around us by saying, "Shall we walk up the strip?" I guess you had to be there.

The highlight of the day, despite having to spend a small fortune on food for lunch, we managed to get out with a minimum of swag. Just two key chains and one smooshed penny book. No t-shirts or legos for that matter. And they had some really cool stuff! Maybe I'm changing my ways...?

Lounging and Dining

The hammock costs $269. Comfy looking, large enough for two or one parent and the three kids, reversible. The umbrella over it, $600. It's nice but seriously! And this is at Costco.

Went to the local Farmer's Market tonight. On dinner for four (me & 3 kids), I spent $45. What did this buy me? One hot dog, 4 lemonades, 1 pupusa, 3 shaved ice, 1 churro and 2 servings of fried rice. I don't know, but I think I'd rather spend the money somewhere else. But it's one of those "see and be seen" sorts of deals. Suburban mom networking at it's best.

Yummy!

For a long time, I was in denial about my love for chocolate. As I've gotten older and more comfortable with who I am, I have come to embrace my love for the smooth, milky, chocolate-y stuff.

Now most folks would name Godiva as a great chocolate but I would have to disagree. Don't get me wrong, I would gladly enhale a ballotine of their finest if given the chance and their chocolate-dipped strawberries are the best, but my heart belongs to See's Candy. Their box of nuts and chews is divoon (except for the stuff with walnuts, yak!) and very easy to eat.



So, based upon what you've just read, can you guess what I bought today?
That's right! Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs! And Snicker eggs.

My Shopping Day

I got to go shopping today! I actually found some clothes that I liked that were cute and comfortable. This is an EXTREMELY rare happening. I am terminally unfashionable but I managed to find 3 cute outfits! They are a bit conservative but I'm a preppy sort of girl.

So, since I had some pretty clothes, I had to go and find some new shoes to match. I went to Nordstrom to return some Robees I had bought for my nephew that were too small. Then as I was about to leave, I thought it wouldn't hurt to look in the women's section too. And I have discovered a new brand that I like, Simple. Specifically their Green Toe line. This is what I got...
Aren't they cute?!??! They are made from sustainable products. The upper is cotton and the sole is made from recycled tires. So even though they are more expensive, I'm helping the environment, and that's what makes them worth it.

See, there's a justification for everything...

My latest obsession

So far today, I've been looking over ebay to add to my scrapbooking collection. I keep thinking that one day, I'll finish making scrapbooks for my kids, our wedding, my mother-in-law's 60th birthday party. So far all I've really done is make a few cool cards for folks.

Right now what I really want to buy is a new paper cutter. Not just anyone mind you, but a guillotine style one. One that can cause a maximum of damage to the little fingers in my life. The one to the left is made by Tonic Studios, depending on where I go, the price has been anywhere from $38 - 55.

Scrapbooking in general is a dream hobby for me because I have a pen and paper fetish. So many pretty papers, pens to write with, stamps and ink pads, doo-dads to embellish my cards or scrapbook pages I do manage to finish.

One of these days I'll have my fill of this stuff and move onto a new obsession.

A New Road

So a friend of mind suggested that I start using my blog as a shopping list. More specifically, a list of things I wanted to buy that day. Let's see if this will get me to post more often.

So today...

• a new car, specifically a new Toyota Sienna. I have one now but it's not new anymore.
  
• a new house, but can you blame me? I've been in remodel hell since September 2005 now.
• iPod, 80 GB in white and a matching iPod Hi-Fi. Some friends of mine have one and the sound is amazing.
• MacBook Pro, just a 15 inch one. I have a 17" powerbook now and it's just too big.

As I look this over, it makes me realize just how shallow I am...