simply saturday

In this rockin' economy (*insert: eye roll*) I thought I would post about my simple day today that was totally free could have been totally free. Once Jared and I decided that I would stay-at-home with the boys I started thinking of ways to save money. After the whirlwind that was infancy, when it was all about survival, they got older and I wanted to start getting out of the house more. This required finding FREE activities. Today was a perfect example of a free day that is simple and lots of fun for all.

The boys and I headed to Target which like I said could have been free but I needed wipes (which don't count b/c I was under budget for groceries but forgot to get these), a birthday gift for Miss Olivia and I found a stuffed animal holder for the boys that is shaped like a rocket and was $4 (ish) on clearance. Other than these measly things I didn't spend (don't you love my logic? So does my dear husband). My point is, Target or any other similar store is a great place to take the kids and get the things you need but also peruse for things that you will never buy but are fun to look at, while they eat a snack in the stroller or if they are younger take a nap. When the boys were babies I did this a lot. Not to mention they open early so when you get up at 6a.m. and need out of the house by 8 you can always head to good ole Target. I am slightly obsessed with this store and when they added a Starbucks well, my obsession grew. Speaking of coffee, my dear friends know that I love me a good latte and therefore buy me gift cards for "the bucks" on my b-day or whatever occassion they see fit. This also allows me to snag a "treat" for Mommy and one for the boys (rice krispy treats there are delish). I truly do not spend money each time I go, I promise. This would obviously defeat the purpose of it being a simple, free outing.

Right before the boys started walking I discovered Barnes and Nobles train table. Oh yes, my friends, it is awesome and it is right next door to my store. Let me paint a picture for you ladies, and Jared, who I believe is my only male reader (love ya honey), you stroll into the lovely bookstore and grab a magazine that you'd like to read or a book, whatever suits your fancy and head over to the train table in the children's section. Here, there is a comfy chair hard wooden excuse for a chair (didn't comfy sound better, I'm just sayin') sitting near the trains and made just for you. It is as if it is saying "sit down, relax, we will entertain the kids" (at least that is what it says to me). Now your children will play for 15 minutes at first but as they grow older they will play much longer, in fact I think it was at least 30 minutes for us today.

While there I found this quote in my magazine "It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most, it's making a great deal out of the little ones". Jean Webster I love this quote!

This goes SO well with simply saturday. I mean for goodness sake I just went to buy wipes and to the bookstore and in turn had a wonderful day with my boys. They literally made me laugh out loud at the things they did and said. I will treasure each moment. Let me be honest with you....I will treasure all the moments leading up to the one where it was time to leave (due to a messy diaper) and Alex went limp on the floor while Mommy tried to hold both of the boy's hands, my purse, the Target bags and her dignity which was dangling by a thread. :) I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is possible, in the midst of a crazy life, trying to raise children, to take a deep breath and live simply. So go ahead and give it a whirl ;)
I intend to enjoy all of these simple moments God has given me as I raise these crazy kids.