Current Baby Clearance Deals from Meijer

Currently, we're expecting another little one (mid February) So I hung around a Meijer store in Michigan today and found a few really good deals!

• Clearance clothing has an additional 25% off! This includes Carter brand, I snagged sleepers for under $3! 

• Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper pail - 50% off - making it $14.99! Refills are also on clearance. 

• Several Playtex Brand bottle nipples on clearance

• Summer infant Swaddles  - pack of two clearanced at $10 for two! 

• Huggies diapers - not on clearance but when you buy $30 in Huggies (diapers, wipes, training pants, or Little Swimmers) you receive a coupon fro $10 off your next purchase! Make sure you separate your purchase if you plan on buy $60/$90/$120 etc in Huggies as only one coupon will print!  Pair this with $2 off coupons from Coupons.com or Huggies.com if you're a member. This is also a GREAT way to earn some Huggies Reward Points! 

• Don't forget to check the end caps of the isles as there are several random clearance items in these areas, including Gerber brand 2pk sleepers. 

Wooden Crate Shelf DIY

This is a super easy shelf for kids! Total cost was about $50! Crates can be purchased at Home Depot for just under $8/each. 

What you'll need:

• 4 wooden crates
• 2 cans of spray paint, your choice of color(s) (optional)
• 2 cans stain color (optional, if not painting or if natural wood isn't desired)
• 2 can polyurethane
• 1 sponge brush
• 1 steel wool pad
• 1 roll painters tape
• 1 pkg particle board nails 
• Hammer 

*Not all items pictured

Step 1: Using the painters tape, tape the open slots of the crates and edges of the areas you do not wish to have painted. Don't for get the handle slots! 

Step 2: Spray paint! Some colors may need two coats.

Step 3: Once dry, remove tape. position crates in desired pattern. Recommended: two horizontal crates in the middle and one vertical on each end.  Starting with the center crates, nail together. Use three or four nails in each wooden panel. 

Step 4: Nail end crates to center crates. Again, three or four nails in each wooden panel. 

Step 5: Polyurethane entire shelf. If you wish to use stain to darken the wood color, stain first. Dry. Then polyurethane. 

Step 6: Use steel wool and gently rub over the unpainted areas of the shelf that have been polyurethaned. Coat crates with another layer of polyurethane. Repeat until desired shine is reached. 

That's it! Enjoy your shelf! This is a great shelf for kids toys (pictured above). It the perfect size for children, toddlers can easily reach the top! Later, more crates can be added to extend the shelf upwards or outwards!

Broccoli Cheese Bites

These were an experiment that turn out FABULOUS! It makes about 8 patties. I will say the patties are hard to make and it can be frustrating. Just take your time, they bake really well and end up delicious! You can also add other veggies, such as diced carrots. Chicken or turkey would be delicious too! I haven't tried it, but substituting cooked rice for part of the bread crumbs might be a delicious addition . If you try the rice, let me know how it turns out!

This would make a great meal for toddlers and kids. Adults, too! To make it more adult friendly, spice it up by adding Tobasco or cayenne pepper! Top with a little siracha aioli.

Here's the recipe, enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

Delicious!

16 oz. Package of frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained of liquid
1 cup Grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
3 eggs
1 cup of seasoned Italian bread crumbs
salt & pepper




DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in bowl

Preheat oven to 375. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or spray pan with nonstick spray. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. In 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions, make into balls/patties. They will not be 100% flat.

Ball into 1/4 to 1/2 cup portions

Bake for 15 minutes. Turn over and bake an additional 10 minutes. 

Our Little Ladybug Turned ONE!

Ms. Emily's first birthday was on the 11th of December, her party was on the 14th. Of course, there was a wonderful snow storm! Only a handful of guest were able to attend, do to the ice and snow. None the less, it was a great party!

I served soup and sandwiches which turned out to be great for such a cold and snowy day.

We had wonderful decorations, set up by yours truly.

A lot of D.I.Y projects. Like the "ONE" pictured here. This was her "year" table, on which I placed her baby book, photo album of pictures I took during the first year, a few onesies, a newborn diaper, and her growth chart.

Since the party was mostly adults, there needed to be some kind of activity. A time capsule was the perfect idea! Each guest wrote a note to Emily which she will open on her 18th birthday in 2030. I also created sheets of the top 10 artists, songs, albums, movies, and price averages of her first year. My dad stopped and purchased a newspaper.

I made these adorable ladybug strawberries

And cake of course!

Overall, I'd say it was a big hit! Emily enjoyed herself, and I had a lot of fun planning! Next year: The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

A Little About Me...

Hello all -

I'm thinking a little bit about me would be helpful for those stumbling around the internet and may have come across this blog.

Personally, I don't think I'm super interesting, but things I do are interesting. Or activities I'm involved in - and my kid is the most interesting thing of all (we'll get to her eventually)!

So, this is me - I'm 26 married mom of a ten month old. This is all of us from this past Christmas:

I'm obviously on the left. My daughter was only two weeks old. Now she's a great big 23lb 29in long 10 month old! She cruises around, says "dada" (we're working on "mama") and she's learning to walk! Such a busy busy baby!

My husband and I think we're pretty hilarious. Occasionally we do things like put stick on mustaches on our child. We're awesome parents.




I'm also a pet mom to two dogs and a cat. They each have a very distinctive personality. Dakota is our mix, very smart but high anxiety. Jasper is out lovable lab, he lets the baby crawl all over him, but the poor guys is as dumb as rocks. Then there is Rosco Cat. He's special. Wild. High energy.

Finally, I'm a baker and aspiring pastry chef. I work for a very well known hotel chain and make all kinds of delicious things. I have culinary degree - before acquiring this degree I went to school for History, Business, and French. I guess I'm pretty well rounded. I also have my own at home cupcake business (Cupcaked. Check it out: www.facebook.com/cupcakedlansing )Here's a few of my delicious things:

Well. I guess that's about it...

OH! The whole point about the blog! Ha, I almost forgot. Well, I'm not sure if there really is a point. I really just want to share my experiences, what I've learned, and share some of my inspiration.  I'm also an amateur couponer, I'm huge fan of savings and try to get free stuff when and where I can. From time to time I'll probably post things that seem like ads or what not - but hey, you con't have to read those posts if you don't want to!  Hopefully someone will find this blog useful!