I will by no means say I don't like to shop. I LOVE to shop. I just don't do it often. I rarely get the chance to just go and spend money. On myself, the kids or anyone. But when I do shop, I shop well. Meaning I think about what I'm buying - especially for other people. For my kids, I not only want to get them what they want and will actually like and use, but I like to get them quality stuff that is both fun and educational. Sometimes this is a bit pricier, but I'm also a firm believer in "you get what you pay for". I also love a good bargain and shop around which means I shop a lot on-line. At Christmas time I keep UPS and Fed Ex in business.

Since I don't buy often, I am a Mom who can take my kids through a toy store with very few "Mommy can I get that?". And if I do get that question I get no argument when the answer is no. This also makes it that much more fun on the rare occasions when I come home withe a special treat for them or say "yes". So when Kayla got two gift cards for her birthday, I was thrilled. I was excited to be able to take her out and say this is your money, get what you want (within reason of course). The first was my favorite, a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. That didn't take long to spend, although I had to steer her away from a very dumb book and then one where the girl character was just plain mean. But she was happy with her choices and snuggled them in bed that night.

Her second was a $30 gift card for Toys R Us. Toys R Us is not my favorite store - I actually don't care for it much. I go there, but usually when I need something in particular. But today I took them so Kayla could buy a toy. This is not easy for me. I am very particular with what toys they get and she got enough "regular" toys for her birthday. I like to shop at Parent/Teacher stores and on-line specialty catalogs. But for this, I had to make do. Of course she wanted a Dora vanity set that was $80 - um...nope! Sorry kiddo. She also wanted a racing set that was huge, but in her price range, so we put that in the maybe column. But then, as we went down the aisle of polly pocket and pet shops (believe me after her b-day she is in NO need of polly pockets), she rested her eyes on a pretty large Sleeping Beauty doll that sings. She wanted it and it was "only" $20. Then she also saw a Sleeping Beauty doll set that was similar to polly pockets, but Disney. So this is what we ended up taking home.


Of course now that we're home, she's already over the big doll. She's never been into those types of dolls. Thankfully I hadn't opened it, so I'll be returning it. And now she lost her chance, I'll return it and pick something out myself. :) But she's totally in love with her little Sleeping Beauty with dresses.

Now Alysa...she, being 2 1/2 didn't understand this was only for Kayla. I was fully prepared to say "No". But she wanted the Cinderella "polly pocket"'ish set. It was only $10 and as I was putting it back on the shelf, a light bulb went off. This had a lot of pieces. Pieces that could be broken up into 7 days. Seven days of potty training rewards. That's $1.42 per day. She's was doing pretty good even started pooping on the potty. But...she back-peddled in Ohio. She was perfect on both car rides. No accidents in her pull up. But there, she was so engrossed in her cousins, she had a coule minor accidents. But then she starting pooping in her undies again. So at home it was back to nothing. Aggravating to say the least. So now, she knows for each day she goes through w/o going in her undies, she gets a piece. Today it is the doll. Tomorrow a dress and shoes, etc. Hopefully this will buy us a week and jump-start her back in gear. She still has her big pet shop stuffed animal waiting up on my high shelf for when she's 100% trained. That hasn't worked. But with a possible reward every day, maybe this will. She is pretty ticked about not being able to play with her Cinderella, especially since Kayla's enjoying her new set. Lots of crying... Ah, the joys...

Waiting in the wings.


My weekly plan...wish me luck.