I think that the best tip anyone has given me in a long time was last September, when Jamie Lea told me about her bubble machines!  I bought three for Pilot's first birthday party, and we have enjoyed them for every party since then!  Well, we actually enjoy them more often than that, LOL. 

I bought my machines from Hobby Lobby.  They are in the wedding section of the store and there are two kinds:  electric or battery-operated.  I bought one electric--it gives out a LOT of bubbles!  And two battery-operated--these are smaller and great for placing anywhere on the deck to really round out the bubble-filled-air!

When I bought my bubble machines, I printed out 40% coupons from the Hobby Lobby website for each one~I think the small ones ended up being less than $7 each and the electric one was about $15.  Now, in the long run, the electric one might be the more "economical" machine, because of the price of batteries, but it is nice to have the little ones to place anywhere and really cover the entire back yard.

And, bubbles are soooo cheap!  I found out a couple of summers ago that the scented bubbles that are in little plastic ice cream cone containers from Dollar Tree make THE best bubbles!  We had a birthday party and everyone was raving about what great bubbles those were--and Dollar Tree sells the same brand in large containers--that is what we mostly use.

There is nothing more relaxing than watching your children play in the yard, with zillions of bubbles floating all around!  So, go out and buy yourself a couple of bubble machines for the spring and summer--I think you will enjoy them as much as we have (every gathering becomes a reason to bring out the bubbles!)!  Thank you, Jamie Lea!

was made by Polly!  She has generously made several beautiful banners that she is giving away for free!  And, she has a beautiful blog~a new favorite for me!

Thank you, Polly!

Kat

Does he hear himself?

Obama on abortion (read the entire article here):

"This is a very difficult issue, and I understand sort of the passions on both sides of the issue," he said. "I have two precious daughters — they are miracles."

"Look, I got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old," he said. "I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn't make sense to not give them information."

His children are *miracles*, but other babies are *punishments*??  At what age is one appointed a "miracle" or "punishment"~miracles and punishments could conceivably occur at any age...

Years ago on Oprah, a skin care *expert* said that this L'Oreal toner was equivalent to Clinique's toner, at a fraction of the price.  I am currently using Philosophy cleanser and moisturizer, but would like to change to something a little more economical...do any of you have any suggestions?  I appreciate all input!  Thanks!

Kat

Today I took our 3- and 5-year olds to the doctor.  They both caught the germs from me and baby...Sailor (5 yrs) more than Lion (3 yrs) right now, but I took Lion anyways because he has started to cough a little and I knew it was just a matter of time...

She prescribed Zithromax for both and I did not say anything, because it worked fine for the baby.  After two days on it, he was acting normal and happy!  I hope Sailor's cough will improve in two days!  It is an awful cough--he sounds like he is choking and cannot breathe!  Very scary...

I thought I was over it, but last night my throat (and left ear!) started hurting again!  This could cycle through my house continuously, I guess...I hope not...  So, I am taking Nyquil again and am hoping that this will be The End  of it. 

We are feeling so much better!  Our five-year old has a horrible cough, but no fever...

Today, we gave our boys their Easter baskets.  My dh was not here yesterday and I was not up to doing everything (or anything?), so it just worked out this way, LOL.  It does feel odd, but I am not going to obsess about it (I keep telling myself!).  I have everything for them to dye eggs at some point this evening, and tomorrow morning, we are going to let them hunt eggs outside.   

We bought a new dishwasher two weeks ago and when Sears arrived to install it, I found out that the builder of this home (and later, Lowe's)  had tiled our existing dishwasher IN.  My husband will have to break and remove tile, call Sears to install the new dishwasher, then tile it back in!  Does this sound wrong?  It sounds wrong to me--but there is no wiggle room for us to tile underneath the dishwasher because of the countertop.  We were not planning on installing new countertops...  I am trying to justify the whole ordeal by thinking that the existing dishwasher has been in this house for about 18 years, so if the new dishwasher lasts as long...maybe the owners at that time will be ready for new flooring?  Or new countertops?  Who would have foreseen this problem?  Not us...it is a little frustrating...

Thank you all for the sympathetic comments and messages!  My baby (his *xanga* name is Pilot) is on an antibiotic for the beginning of an ear infection.  He is also congested and has a very sore little throat!  He and Lion, our three-year old, took turns waking up and crying throughout last night!  I am so tired today, and am also fighting illness.  I was taking Nyquil and Dayquil for my throat and headache, and today when I finally woke up, the back of my neck was aching.  I am hoping to fight this off before it gets any worse...

Our pediatrician prescribed the five-day antibiotic, Zithromax, without me realizing it!  We have not had a very good history with this medicine--I tried it with bronchitis and my oldest tried it with strep and it did not work for either of us.  If I had realized it before we left the doctor's office, I would have asked for a regular 10-day antibiotic...I am just praying that it works this time for Pilot!

I wanted to post more about CVS and coupons, but I will have to be brief this time--I printed out these coupons for cereal and bought six boxes for 18 cents each.  I also ended up with two free J&J soap buddies and free chicken nuggets~this was at Wal-mart.  Then I did about four rounds at CVS and got all of my boys' Easter basket candy, plus a few small toys, for less than $3.  At one point, I had $30 in ECB and a $30 gift card...I left with $10 ECB and my entire gift card (I'll use it later!).  Go to Money Saving Mom to see how to shop at CVS--I am so hooked! 

Well, I am about to give out medicines (some preventative for the ones who aren't sick!) and go back to bed.  I am praying for a calm, quiet night--hoping that the two little ones can breathe out of their noses enough to sleep through the night, LOL!

My baby is sick (picture taken previously) and my other two little guys are coughing.  Just the other day, I was feeling grateful that we have not had any serious illnesses this season--our three little ones went through a two-day cold last month, quickly recovering.  But the other night (Monday night), the baby woke up, crying and feverish.  We gave him Motrin and he seemed fine yesterday (he's not coughing or anything!).  Last night, he was soooo hot again.  Even after a dose of Motrin, he was still hot.  I dampened a cloth and periodically moved it to his neck, under his arms, forehead, etc.  We finally fell asleep around 6 a.m.--I am so very tired today!  I am afraid that a headache might be coming on--I'm about to take some ibuprofen.  Around 9 this morning, our two middle boys crawled into bed with me and were coughing--I gave all three little ones medicine and went back to bed!

I am hoping that my headache is not the beginning of anything--and I have also been trying to ignore a little tickle in my throat...I will probably run to the drug store for Dayquil for myself, just in case...

Cera, 9 years (named for Triceratops in The Land Before Time):

Simon, 5 years:

Tag, our sweet Springer Spaniel, 3 years:

And, Tess, our newest arrival--almost 4 months old: