Triple Clicks

Monday, August 13, 2018

Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning August-September

It's August!  How can it be August already?  We are anxiously awaiting baby... Whose decided that teasing mommy with practice contractions is the way to go.. Hannah must have been coaching it.  I'm utterly exhausted today.  

I do have some freezer meals in the freezer just sitting and waiting..  This month I'm sticking with easy meals that I can just put together and then put in the oven..  Hubby is planning on cooking eggs and bacon the first few days, so we're getting the precooked bacon he can just throw in the toaster oven for a few minutes... or I can just throw in when I'm up and around.   

So the meal plans for breakfast really isn't changing that much.. Still eggs, bacon, yogurt, cereal, juice...  Coffee of course.  Sundays we'll do cinnamon rolls or monkey bread with omelets or scrambled eggs.  Saturdays we'll do waffles and eggs. Wednesday is cowboy hash.  We are buying a case of pop tarts for something to go with eggs when baby comes. 

Other than when the baby comes, we don't have any special meals planned except for a potluck with our church on labor day.. I have a dessert planned. 

Dennis is switching up his work lunches.. He's going to try chicken sandwiches instead of salads for a month, along with a pickle, nutty bar and avocados are cheap right now so we're doing avocado with some salt and some lemon juice. 

Our lunches are pretty much the same.. Pizza pockets, peanut butter and honey, peanut butter and jelly and mac & cheese.  I eat leftovers most of the time.  

Wednesdays will either be leftovers or chicken strips and homemade fries. 

Saturdays we're doing hamburgers, hot dogs and fries or potatoes on the grill. .. Both of these are easy meals also if we need something easy for right after baby comes.  

Sundays we have pita bread sandwiches and our homemade snack mix... It was pretty good last time, we'll see what we find at Aldi this time.  

As for the other meals... 

Pizza (Hawaiian, cheese, pepperoni and chicken alfredo)
Hawaiian Fajitas 
Bacon Parmesan Garlic chicken and Potatoes 
Pork Loin and potatoes and broccoli
Taco Bowls 
Chicken Parmesan Bake (freezer meal!) 
Teriyaki chicken and fries
Tator Tot Casserole
Caprese Chicken
Pork chops and evggies
Simple Mexican Chicken and rice
Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Casserole (freezer meal!)
Mexican Lasagna (freezer meal)
Five Spice Tilapia and Rice
Pineapple Chicken tenders with grilled pineapple and peppers 

The chicken parmesan bake, cheesy chicken casserole and mexican lasagna all have shredded chicken.. And I found chicken in the bottom of the freezer-so that's being used up that way.   I finally figured out how to premake the pizzas so I can have them in the freezer and ready to go...  So I'm working on those as I get the chance.  Hoping to have 3-4 of at least pepperoni, hawaaian and cheese in the freezer by the end of the week. But we'll see how that goes.   

We are also trying shopping a different way this month-as long as baby isn't here anyway...  For one, instead of having my shopping list by store, I'm going to have it by department (chip, produce, meat, dairy, baking etc)..  We're starting at Aldi instead of Sam's and we're going to get what we can at Aldi, then move on to Sam's and Walmart.. I'll have a list of prices for things at Sam's and Walmart to make sure we are getting a good deal..  We've been noticing a lot that when go to Aldi, they have some things for cheaper than what we can get at Sam's... But we've already bought it at Sam's....  


So... Shopping that way saved us money.. We started at Aldi where I was able to get pork chops and ground beef for half the price per pound of Sam's or Walmart. Filled in at Sam's and finished at Walmart..    

At Aldi we picked up a few extras. They had kids' tennis shoes for $10-$15, but the only one with small enough feet was Hannah... We have her next size up,  Paw Patrol tennis shoes for $13, I can handle that price!!!  We had coupons for fruit roll ups and fruit snacks, but they were at Aldi and cheaper than with a coupon so we grabbed them there.  The kids will love the treat. We also grabbed a 15 lb bag of charcoal for 5, I had priced it at $15 at Walmart. Oh, they also had hamburger and hot dog buns for $.75 a package!  That's a win!!  Total on food was $193.98, then $20.42 with the non food...  Making a total of $214.40. I figured $220, so we saved $5.60

Sam's it didn't seem like we got as much-but most everything is about $10 an item because it's bulk.  The only extra we grabbed was meatballs... It's not always a guarantee they have Italian meatballs in the frozen section and they make really good meatball subs..  So now, because I have leftover hoagie rolls from last month, we either have some easy lunches for when baby comes, or we have them for the next few months.. One bag lasts us about 6 Saturdays of lunches (8-9 subs with 5 meatballs each).  Food was 295.64, non food was 33.22.. making a total of $328.86. I figured $380, so we saved $51.14. 

Walmart we grabbed a few extras again along with supper..  So let's see if I can decipher the receipt.   Dennis and I grabbed a couple smoothies (Bolthouse Farms), we also had to round out the last of our snack mix for Sundays as Aldi didn't have the coconut clusters this month.  He found a coupon for candy bars and decided that would be a nice treat for everybody, so we grabbed some of those.  Walking down the isle he saw one of those kindergarten workbooks they always have..  Grace is working through her lessons very quickly, so we grabbed one of those for when she's done with what I have.  So.. Food was 140.85, non food was 23.53.. Making for a total of $163.38.
I figured $145, we went over by $18.38 (supper is usually not figured into groceries which is around $13 for 7 of us with grandma and our smoothies we picked up). 

So we spent $706.64 this month, from my guess price we saved $32.76... No, not much saved, but a little.  I'm just resigned that's the new normal.  We did go back to Aldi on Sunday and grabbed a much needed step ladder for the kitchen.. Now I can actually use all of my kitchen cupboards. It was $18, and came with a 3 year warranty.   So just on food we spent $630.47.  Now I know some of that will be carried over into next month.. because I am doing some freezer meals (doubling recipes that I'm making and putting one in the freezer) and ladies at church are helping with some freezer meals for after baby.  But I'm not counting those extra freezer meals into my meal plan, I'll just make a list of what meals we don't use and I have either those meals, or those ingredients to make different meals.   

So.. $630.47 for 5 weeks.. That's $126 for 3 meals+1 snack (ish.. lol) a week or $105 a person a week.   

A feature on the price tags at the stores I'm really loving is the price per unit they have already figured for you.  It's great to have that math already done when comparing brands especially with 4 kids in tow.  Having my list, I was quickly able to know that while the price of laundry soap per ounce was actually the same at Sam's vs Walmart, the container is bigger at Sam's, so we don't have to buy it as often.   I was also surprised to find out that about a lot of things we buy, the price per unit was within a few pennies of each other, but containers are bigger at Sam's.  

I think that's all I have for this post.  (Hannah is currently throwing a fit because I gave her almond milk in a big girl cup-it's the end of the world. lol) 

Have a great week! 

~Tabitha

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Preparing for a Home Birth Getting Ready for Baby 2018!


I'm getting closer to having baby.  So it's time to set things up. 

We are having baby at home, so instead of packing a hospital bag, I put everything I need into the baby's bed.  In this case, it's our playpen with the bassinet in it.   I tuck a crib sheet around the "mattress" part of the play pen..  Downstairs we have the bassinet, so I can move baby around with me into the kitchen if needed.  




Miscellaneous birthing supplies...  Sometimes it's just the little things you have to think about that you don't think about if you're in a hospital-because the nurses take care of it.  On the left, we have new scissors for cutting the umbilical cord, a few plastic table cloths to help protect the mattress (dollar store!), along with a few extra sheets ready to throw on the bed to make quick bed changes after wards...  When I go into labor, I'll do a few double layers on top of our clean sheet..  Chux pads, sheet, tablecloth.. Then when one layer is soiled, all we have to do (ok.. all hubby has to do) is strip off a layer and throw what's washable in the laundry and what's disposable in a trash bag and the bed is all ready for me to lay back down on.   I'll only need a few layers to change every few hours or so right after baby comes.  Not in this pile is a container and a baggie for the placenta along with the cord tie..  It's up there now, but I forgot that when I took pictures.  In the next pile is a whole bunch of chux pads.   Just another layer of protection.   And last (but not least).  A package of depends.  Don't laugh.  I didn't have these when I had Hannah... I have them this time and it will help so much..  that and I'm told these are more comfortable than those mesh panties and huge pads that are the norm. (don't mind the hangars on the bed, the girls were cleaning their room...) Also not in any of my pictures is towels. Those are easy access in the bathroom so not in with the rest of the birthing supplies.







A few more miscellany..  Shepherd's Purse tincture and all purpose nipple ointment.  The shepherd's purse is a just in case measure.  You take it right after the placenta delivers to help prevent any hemorrhaging.  The APNO..  I was introduced to this stuff when I had Andrew.  This bottle is leftover from when I had Eva.  SO much better than just lasinoh-especially when you have issues, but it's really expensive and you need a compound pharmacy. 




A few more miscellany..  The blanket I made, and a lighter blanket made by a lady at church. 





Everything is all organized so it's easy to get to.  I have the diapers and clothes in the baby's dresser just across the room.. but for the first few hours at least, it's best to be skin to skin with no clothes.. We'll lay a prefold or flatfold diaper around baby's bottom and a shirt or blanket over both of us for warmth and privacy as the kids meet baby.  But that's it.  Skin to skin is so beneficial for momma and baby.   It helps regulate baby's blood sugar and body temperature and gets the hormones going that are needed for milk production.  Also missing out of this that I have added today are my nursing night gowns.  A friend purchased them from GVS and I have been wearing them, but I want to make sure they are clean, so since we are getting close, they went in the bassinet as did my nursing pillow when I pulled the bassinet out of storage. 

When I had everything packed in, I covered the top with another crib sheet to keep out curious hands and keep everything clean for baby.  Last night the dog managed to pull the top sheet off, drag it downstairs, and cover it in pizza sauce from the one crust Hannah gave her. :/  Because. Life happens. lol 






A few more baby items.   These are not for our baby, but for a friend and for a cousin.  I knew if I didn't get them done before our baby came, they wouldn't get done at all-even though these two special ladies are due a few months after us.   A blanket, burp clothes (triple layered fleece) and some precious little booties.  




So we are all set up for baby.. We just wait on baby to make it's appearance. 

Check out my other posts on getting ready for baby. 
Cloth Diapers
Quilt Making


Have a great week! 

~Tabitha

Thursday, August 2, 2018

It's Time for School!

For a few years now, we've been starting school in July when it's so hot out they can't go outside...  We usually get done about April, so I can deal with this schedule.  


I put off my school organizing waaaaayyy too long this year. So here's the rundown..  Andrew is going into 2nd grade.  He tested awesomely when we did the placement tests to switch him over to ACE Paces.  Eva is going into 1st grade with Abeka.  Grace is still having fun with another round of preschool.  Hannah is along for the ride, I'm still hoping to get some ABC toys for her that only come out during school.. but we'll see.  

So let's start at the top.   

We found an awesome church home and family last fall.   It's such a blessing to have a church to call home.  I must admit I'm still getting used to having like-minded moms I can physically talk with.  So much of my mom interaction has been online for so long, I've almost forgotten how to act.   Anyway, the church has it's own school... As much as I love having the kids home and teaching them myself, I would LOVE to  be able to send them to the church for school.  I would still be a big part in their schooling as parents go in and help out at least once a week.   But for now, it's not possible... So we decided to start the kids on the curriculum they use, which for now (they use a variety in older grades)is ACE.   

We had looked at ACE when we first committed to using a set program.  But it was too expensive.  Thanks to the Lord we can afford it now.  We're getting the books through the church every quarter.. For the base curriculum it was $25.20 for the first quarter.   So unless we go with electives, we're looking at about $100 for Andrew for the year.  

I'm still figuring everything out, but it seems like it will be mostly little to no planning for me (WOOHOO), and it also looks like he'll love it.  The work pages are about what he was doing per day last year, the reading (so far) is  A LOT LESS, although we have been told it's a lot of reading-so we may be in for a suprise in the next set of books.  I will definitely be doing a blog post-and maybe even a vlog on ACE after the baby comes..  We're 3 weeks into school now and he's starting to finish up some paces..  We're loving it.. Most everything is review, but the math he is already getting into some new things..  But I can deal with the review while we're getting used to the new curriculum and review is never a bad thing. 

When we had talked with the pastor who heads the school, we had wanted to start both Eva and Andrew in ACE...  After considerations on the cost, we decided to just leave Eva with Abeka since we have everything.  So that's what we did.  You can see that book haul from last year here.  I am doing more phonics with Eva than I did with Andrew last year because the reading just hasn't "clicked" with her yet.  But that's ok, she'll get it.   

I also ordered the next level of cursive books from Abeka for Andrew and Eva and the Letters and Sounds 1 Test book that I forgot last year. That order was $50.  ($150-$170 for a whole school year for 3 kids' curriculum!!)  

For Grace's school, I had all the papers (or files saved on my computer), I just had to copy and organize. I also realized I need to reorganize the folder I keep those in.. because..it's a mess.. 

So I've been organizing and copying as much as my swollen feet can stand it for the first 2 weeks of July.  I still need to figure out how I'm going to keep grades this year.. I didn't like how I did it with Andrew last year and I have no idea how I'm supposed to do it with ACE-but I have at least until he gets done with the first set of books and help is at church.   I'm sure Dennis can help me figure out something on a spreadsheet if I can find something close to what I'm thinking.   For now, I just have everything in my notebook..  Sort of like a homemade bullet style journal.  I have calendar pages (which isn't working out that great... I need something bigger for next year), and grading pages.  I am going to get together with the second grade teacher at church to make sure I'm grading and recording grades correctly.  

So we're started school Monday, July 16th.  I spent about an hour going through Andrew and Eva's to get the first few weeks planned out.  I really want to get a few weeks under my belt before baby comes.  I know from last year the more we get into the school year, the faster the planning will go.  Grace just does one lesson a day (one letter a week).  


Eva's planning.. My bullet style planner (which I already know WON'T WORK).. And of course the doll photo bomb...because... kids.

Andrew's planning.  Those are homemade goal cards... We make a plan for each subject for them to get done by the end of the week... Pretty sure I'm doing this right... Something to ask about.  I also have the same lesson plan in my book. Andrew gets the goal cards in his stuff.




So yeah, week 3 into our school year and I think we have a good routine down.  It still only takes us about 2 hours, after baby comes and we get back into school we might increase work a little bit, but we'll see how things go.  For now, at least, we are taking things slow and getting into the routine.  

Have a great week!! 

~Tabitha