One Man's Trash

Jeremy has a saying that he likes to tell me when i come home with my bags from TJ Maxx or Marshall's. I am always so proud of my bargain purchases. But Jeremy always jokes and says "We are going broke saving $$". I think it is a funny saying. Yesterday afternoon was a rough one for Chandler. She was just being really fussy. We had to run to Kroger and there was a Goodwill in the same strip. So we popped in to see if they had any books for our upcoming plane trip. They didn't. But instead of leaving we wandered over to the shoe section. I was blown away with what a great selection they had. And the prices were to die for! I couldn't help myself and snatched up these 3 pairs of shoes for less than $9.00 total!

These are from the Children's Place and will be perfect for next winter.

These are Keds! Can't beat that!

I am not ashamed to say i bought these at Goodwill. As a stay at home mom i think it is my job to find good bargains and make smart decisions when purchasing items that Chandler will quickly outgrow! And you know the saying "One man's trash is another man's treasure."

Fun Family Day

Yesterday we went to the Franklin Main Street Festival. The city blocks off the streets and there are vendors selling everything from art to furniture. There is a ton of food and lots of rides. It was a perfect day for being outside as the weather was 85*.

Drink--check. Sunglasses--check. Stroller--Check. I'm ready to roll.

We saw lots of friends as the festival. Grandad stopped to take a photo with me.

Me and Daddy looking so cool.


I saw my good friend Ella Grace. We had to chat for just a bit.

I wanted to ride the bucking bronco behind us but Mommy said i was too little. I had a meltdown right after this picture was taken.

After the festival i took a nap. Then it was time to help Mommy plant some tomatoes. I also played with sidewalk chalk.

Chandler has in the last day or so learned to say "cheese" and smile for the camera. That is what she is doing here.

After dinner we all loaded up in the golf cart and headed to the pond. Daddy went fishing while Mommy and me collected sticks and threw them in the pond. It was so much fun.

It was a busy day, so Chandler came right home for a bath and then off to bed. We had a wonderful day together. It was perfect.

More Zoo fun

This week we went with our moms group to the zoo. I bought a membership. So we can go to the zoo a lot this summer. We rode up there with Karyn and Hailey. Chandler and Hailey were both in the back seat and conversed with each other on the way up there. Then it was off to see the animals.

The giraffe was so close to us. Just on the other side of the fence. He was a big hit with the kids.

After checking out the animals we headed to the toddler play area. Only toddlers were allowed in it. Chandler loved hopping on the soft floor and running around.

"What should i do next?"

So tired after the morning at the zoo.

Karyn and i thought the girls would be so tired they would sleep on the way back. But they must have been too excited as they giggled with each other and enjoyed the drive back. We look forward to many more zoo visits with our friends.

Early Birthday Present

I have been wanting to get Chandler a Kettler Ketrike for her 2nd birthday. That is a brand of tricycles that are very elite. They come with real tires (like a bike), a push bar for parents, adjustable seat, bucket on the back, emergency brakes and so on. They are very expensive, over $100! So for the last 2 months i have been checking the stores, on line message boards, asking people i know, checking the consignment stores and checking Craigslist. Well i was lucky and found one on Craigslist! We picked it up yesterday afternoon and Chandler has been loving it ever since.

Our proud purchase!

I can push it too Mommy!

Let's test this thing out!


Taking a riding break to see the neighbors dog.

Then back on the bike and away i go!

I am excited i found it in neutral colors. That way if we have another child and it is a boy, he can ride it too. I am so happy i found this and for a bargain too. Happy early, early birthday Chandler!!

Chandler's Jungle Gym

I was watching old videos of Chandler on the computer tonight and came across this one. It was taken on Dec. 30th and she has changed so much since then. I know we have told you before how sweet Jake is with Chandler but i think this video just proves it again. I love how he keeps looking at the camera, as if he is asking his daddy to come save him from Chandler. But no such luck. He will have to save himself.

Outdoor fun

Having fun on her new slide. This is a loaner from Ms. Julianne. Chandler loves to push her babies down the slide.

On the go. This is also a loaner from Ms. Joanne.

We are blessed we have such great friends that lend us toys to try out before we buy them.

Found Jake's balls. She is ready to throw them to him even though he is not there.


We are really looking forward to the weather getting warmer and playing outside and visiting the pool. Come on Summer. Were waiting for you.

21 Months old

Chandler turned 21 months on the 11th! I can not believe my baby is almost 2! She is becoming more and more of a little girl everyday. Her vocabulary and understanding of words is increasing every day.
Her new words include:
book, yogurt, Daisy, Pip (our neighbors dog), Spongebob, Duck (for Donald duck), Toto (for Pluto), golf cart, phone, tree, crackers, Elmo, Abby, Zoe, crab, wash, dry, bath, puppy, eat and the best..drum roll...I love you too!
Her favorite expression is to day "Thank you Mommy."

Ahh, refreshing cold drink from Chik-fil-a!!! She is still learning to drink from a straw. She looks like she is in heaven.

Photos of the party girl

I just realized i didn't post any photos of the birthday girl in the previous post. I didn't get any really good ones though. :(

Ella Grace with her momma and dadda.

Another awesome creation by Ms. Julianne! Isn't she so crafty!

Blowing out her piggy candles.

I am hoping Ms. Julianne will help me do a bit of party planning for Chandler's 2nd birthday! Fingers crossed!

Ella Grace's Birthday Party

Our good friend Ella Grace turned 2 in the beginning of April and today was her birthday party. It was at a park and the weather could not have been more beautiful. It was sunny with a slight breeze. Perfect weather for an outside party. Ella Grace's momma is Julianne and she is the queen when it comes to entertaining. She has been planning and working on the party since February. You can tell what the theme was.

One of the many farm animals she made.

Having a blast in the bounce house with her friend Hailey.

After bouncing it was time for pizza! She is being a big girl and holding a whole slice for the first time!

Another one of Ms. Julianne's creations. Such cute piggy cupcakes!

Family photo with the moo cow before we went home.

We had such a good time and are so thankful we could be a part of Ella Grace's special day. Happy Birthday, we love you Ella Grace!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my dad's birthday! So happy birthday Popper! I hope it is a wonderful day for you and all your wishes come true! Love you!

Chandler and her Grandaddy

I'm a winner!!!

I love to read blogs. I love to read friends' blogs. I love to read friends' of friends' blogs. You get the idea. Well 2 weeks ago i stumbled across a blog that was having a giveaway. The blogger makes custom painted signs and she was giving away 2 signs. All you had to do to enter was leave her a comment and then she randomly drew 2 winners. And i was one of them!! After much thought this is what i had her make for Chandler's room.

I had been looking for a sign like this forever and could never find one. I love my sign and can't wait to hang it in her room.

Tonight was Bunco at Karyn's house. I am proud to say that i won $$ tonight!! $15 buys a lot of happy hour sonic drinks!

I talk about my friends and their daughters a lot on this blog. So i decided to post a photo of 2 of the mommy's. That way my mom and Jeremy's mom will finally have a face to put with the name.

Karyn, me and Joanne at Bunco

Karyn is Hailey's mommy and is due with her 2nd daughter July 10th. Joanne is Mia's mommy and Mia is 1 week younger than Chandler. Both of these sweet mommy's live in the neighborhood. I am so thankful that Chandler and i have become good friends with them and their daughters!

My Daughter, the thief

Today it was kind of cold and grey out, so we made plans to meet Karyn and Hailey at CEC. We got there first and as soon as Chandler saw Chuckee she ran towards him and started clapping. Then i saw Karyn and Hailey come in the door and pointed Chandler towards them. She saw Hailey and started squealing with delight. It was so cute. The girls rode some rides and played a few games and then we all ate some yummy pizza. After we left CEC's i headed towards Toys R Us to check out some tricycles for Chandler's 2nd birthday. You can imagine how hard it is to keep a toddler in the shopping cart, while strolling through a toy store! So i picked up a few random toys for Chandler to play with while i shopped. We ended up not buying anything and so i put the random toys that Chandler was playing with back on a shelf and we headed home. I put Chandler to bed for a nap and went to unpack my diaper bag.

What is that?

You got it. My daughter decided to take a toy home in Mommy's diaper bag! Unbeknownst to me!

At least she has her Mommy's frugal taste as the toy was only a few bucks! What a bargain thief she is. Hopefully we will make it back out to the mall this weekend so the glowing creature can be returned safely to his home!

Silly Cousins

Unless you are one of Chandler's grandparents you probably don't have too much interest in this video. Though i think it is pretty cute.

Happy Easter Y'all

Wouldn't you know that while Chandler was sleeping the Easter Rabbit came and visited her?! The rabbit hopes that the dress will fit her when it gets warm in just a few weeks.



She knew just what to do and dug into her basket. Showing off her cool shades to daddy.


This morning she played with her new toys and read some books. Then Grandad, Aunt Mel, Uncle Brett and Cousin Hannah came over. We tried to get a good photo of the girls on the swing but they wouldn't cooperate at the same time. At least they aren't screaming!

After Easter lunch we went to the park and the lake. The flowers were so pretty we had to stop and take a family photo.



Then it was back to playing. Jeremy took the girls to the pond to throw stones, sticks and look for fish. I thought this photo of Grandad, Hannah, Jeremy and Chandler was so cute. Looks like it could be a postcard.

I captured some great videos of the cousins playing together. They were running around chasing each other and squealing with delight at the top of their lungs. I am so thankful they are getting to know each other and become friends.

Egg Hunt #4--the last one!

This morning we went to a public Easter Egg Hunt. I knew it was suppose to be a bit cold, but it was freezing!! I wanted to get a good photo of Chandler in her Easter dress but it was way too cold to take off her sweater for even a second.

Having a good time before the hunt begins

Once the whistle blew and the hunt was under way Chandler decided she didn't want to collect Easter eggs. In fact she started crying and saying no, no, no.

So i decided to start collecting eggs for her and eventually she joined in the fun.


After lunch and our naps we went out to eat for dinner. Chandler has a lot of dresses but does not wear them often. So i decided to dress her up for our night out. She is patiently waiting for our food.

After dinner, she is a happy girl. Check out all those teeth!

Happy birthday to you

Just wanted to post a quick note to Pops and "Aunt" Jennifer. Today is their birthday!! So happy birthday. We love you and are thinking of you. Wish we could be there with you to help you celebrate! But we will see you soon enough. Not to be outdone, my moms' birthday was April 2nd. So happy birthday to you too. We miss you and hope to see you in May in Jacksonville.

Looking for teet-teets

This afternoon was beautiful weather. So Chandler and i went for a walk. One of her favorite things to do is look of teet-teets. That is her way of saying tweet, tweet for a bird. She even had her bird watching hat on!

On the lookout for teet-teets.

Spotting her first one.

Way up in the tree

After looking for teet-teets, we of course had to stop and smell the pretty flowers.