Shop-o-Rama

Well, the blogging has been killing me. As in, I've been dying to do it and haven't been able to find the time or the energy. Since last Saturday, we've had three throw-uppers in our house, and one of them has been me. I was literally sick from Tuesday night until this morning and really unable to function at all. Just laying as still as possible. The kids did great, they got food for each other, helped the youngest in the bathroom and took lots of good care of me.

This morning, I was still throwing up, but the throw up had to wait, because Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve sent everyone a $50 American Express gift card for Christmas. So that, with their $10 from Aunt Sandy, made today an official shopping spree day.

I don't know of a time that our kids have ever gotten to go to the store and spend that much money. They were thrilled. Everyone was very patient with each other. We shopped for almost 8 (yes, that's 8) hours. Before we started, we made a game plan. Everyone knew what they wanted and stuck to the plan.

So this is how it went...
1. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 290)
2. Wal-Mart (Hwy. 71)
3. Teacher Heaven
4. Justice for Girls
5. BookPeople
6. Target

#1 has been dying for a Bocce ball set. We walked into the first Wal-Mart and no luck, but thank goodness, the second Wal-Mart had it! He then saved the rest of his $45 for Bookpeople, where he spent every single penny. He purchased all Bluebonnet books (paperback only) because he wants to read every book on the 2008 list. For the books that only come in hardback, he will check those out from the library. He also bought a special 'reading hat'. It looks like the hat that Snoopy wore when he was flying the dog house - and he really likes it!
Here are the books that he purchased...
The Blue Ghost by Marion Dane Bauer
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan
Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye
(BTW - #1 has pointed out that the titles are supposed to be underlined - but I cannot figure out how to do it on this blog!)

#2 was really really wanting Santa to bring her a grown-up athletic watch with a stop watch. Well, that didn't happen, so it was the VERY first thing purchased today. She purchased a Timex Ironman watch that is black and turquoise. I know that she'll be responsible for it because she's been wearing mine for the last few weeks. She also purchased 'fancy panties' (on sale), a new nalgene water bottle from REI (on sale), an O:>) angel smile pillow (on sale) and two books at Bookpeople. I have been watching her tonight and she can't stop looking at the watch. I love it that she is so proud of it.
Her book choices are -
Green Angel by Alice Hoffman
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

#3 was also very sure of where she was spending every penny. First stop, Wal-mart to purchase High School Musical 2. Boy-o-boy, has she been waiting for it!!! Then she wanted to go to the teacher store so that she could buy her very own chalkboard. Well, the chalkboard was only $8, so she also bought a pointing stick, chalk eraser, chalk, calendar sheet that she had laminated, and bag to keep in chalk in and dry erase crayons. Boy, that kids was smiling from ear to ear. She is going to make a huge teaching section in her new room and is so excited she is about to bust. She even asked tonight if we could put a table in the room so that she could have a lunch room. :) As long as I can remember, she's wanted to be a teacher - and I was pleasantly surprised at how much she could 'afford' to purchase at the teacher store! She also bought a new Nalgene water bottle and a few books for the 'class' at Bookpeople. She had $13 left for the bookstore and it went a pretty long way. Her book purchases are:
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard (teacher book)
Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth by Barbara Park
Junie B. Jones is not a Crook by Barbara Park
Blizzard of the Blue Moon by Mary Pope Osborne

And last but certainly not least, is #4. He also knew what he wanted when we started the spree. Three things...a bouncy ball from Wal-mart, a reindeer Webkin, and a Webkin necklace for his two charms. Well, we got the ball and the necklace, but had no luck with the reindeer. :( While we were shopping though, he did find a Scooby Doo plug-n-play video game (on-sale), and teacher pointer stick, a bug catching watch, and a new Nalgene water bottle (on sale). The one thing left on his list (for his remaining $35) is a moon light for his bedroom. Our 6 year old next door neighbor got one for his birthday and #4 has been wanting one every since. Checked at 3 stores and haven't been able to find it, but I will and he will be thrilled!!

So thank you Grandma Cathy and Grandpa Steve and to you too Aunt Sandy. This was a huge huge treat for the kids and a day that I know they will never forget. I am proud of how responsible they all were and how the three big kids are really starting to understand the importance of finding a good deal and of buying things that you really really want and will use. They understand (for the most part) the importance of not being wasteful and I am SO SO SO proud of that!