Gingerbread House/Scottish Rite

Gingerbread House 2011
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The PALS group at Scottish Rite had a Christmas party at the beginning of December. We didn’t go for Amelie since she doesn’t know that she is different now, but for Nadia to see other kids (and adults) with limb differences. She has started to notice when people comment about Amelie and has even asked, “When are Amelie’s hands going to be like mine?” That lead to a great discussion with her about how we are all different and that is how God made us. They had food and a Santa which really got Nadia excited. Amelie on the other hand screamed in terror at first. In the end Amelie took the gift from Santa’s elf and waved at him, but that was it.

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Amelie showing her new bear the Scottish Rite Kaleidescope.

We headed home and I set the girls up to decorate a gingerbread house. Amelie did a great job on her first try and put all the candy on herself. I was on “icing duty” and heard a lot of “can you put some icing here mommy?” I let them each do half and it was really cute.

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Gingerbread House 2011

Things I love at Costco

Years ago I was given a Costco membership and let me tell you, I never went back to Sams Club. My bargain hunter heart knows which things are cheaper at Aldi, SuperTarget or Costco so I don’t let myself get sucked into things just because they look like a good deal. I have seen it and know that it’s easy to just fill the cart with impulse buys. Anyway, I thought I would do this blog post just for fun of things I really LOVE at Costco.

  • The 3.5 pound pumpkin pie for $5.99. Seriously, this is good pumpkin pie and you can feed an army with it (or just me with a can of whipped cream).
  • The children’s books!! If you still need Christmas gifts for kids they are having amazing deals right now. The Roald Dahl collection for $25. The top 8 Sandra Boynton board books for $16. The Beatrix Potter collection for $25. It’s a splurge, but they have the entire Nancy Drew hardback collection for $200!! (I still have mine which my Grammie spent years buying me). I could go on and on, but you get the idea.
  • Kirkland Brand Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen Capsules, allergy meds and children’s pain reliever. You can’t beat the price anywhere.
  • Turkey bacon, yogurt and lunch meat.
  • Frozen Chicken breasts. (I can’t have MSG and have to make all our chicken meals from scratch)
  • They have lots of “good” prepared frozen foods. Good as in made with healthy ingredients and easy to prepare.
  • Spices.
  • Glasses and contacts.
  • At Christmas time – The Torta. Cream Cheese, Pesto and Sun dried tomato. I am so hooked on this that it’s practically my holiday season kickoff when I see it in the store.

And sometimes they just have random useful stuff at amazing prices. Like the mats we have in our kitchen in front of the sink and the island. They are so comfortable to stand on while I am doing the dishes, baking or chopping veggies. Or name brand tennis shoes for more than 50% off.

If you go to Costco, what’s your favorite thing OR best deal you  have found?

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011
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Halloween 2011

The morning of Halloween Mike took Nadia with him for the costume contest and lunch at his office. She was pretty excited for all the special attention she got and to be at Daddy’s office with a bag full of toys and activities while he was working. While they were there I took Amelie with me to Outback to use a free lunch coupon. That evening we headed out to a neighborhood in our area that we heard went all out for Halloween. And we weren’t disappointed – what an amazing display they put on. Everyone was so friendly and most were out on their porches waiting for kids to show up. It took Amelie 1.2 houses to realize that she could say some form of “trick or treat” and chocolate would appear. She was highly motivated and she didn’t need the stroller until way past dark. We got a lot of attention, just like when we went to Boo at the Zoo, and several people asked to take our photo.

Look at this amazing house that did the “Wizard of Oz” – I loved it so much!!!!

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011

After trick or treating we went to see a pirate ship someone built in their front yard that was featured on the news. Nadia really got a kick out of it and the family put so much effort into the details.

Halloween 2011

Halloween 2011

From there we headed to my aunt and uncle’s house. We were surprised to find one of my cousins there with her new son. It was great to see him in person.

Halloween 2011

Then we made our trek over to Grammie’s house for a quick visit. We ended the night at our friends the Hathcocks’ house. We didn’t get home until midnight…it was crazy. Needless to say the girls were exhausted, but we all had so much fun!!!!