Tonight we attended a benefits dinner to raise money for my aunt Susie who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer. There were a lot of people there and a ton of kids! A rough estimate of the total was over $5,000!
Ajax ran nonstop. I couldn’t get him to settle down and eat anything as he would run and run and run (with each family member taking turns shadowing him), and then circle back to the table to take two bites of spaghetti and then would take off again. My mom tied a little balloon to the back of his pants and he thought that was the funniest thing. On the drive home he crashed big time, so that by the time we reached the house I gave him a super quick bath, sippy of milk and then bed. I also won something in the auction (a summer cooler packed with fun stuffs) and I never win anything.
I’m a little rusty, but I hit up Rite Aid today. I also went to Meijer, but it wasn’t a very successful trip, as I had to buy meat and some items so that tonight I could prep a few freezer meals. I know quite a few people who do freezer cooking and I so want to start, I just can’t seem to get myself motivated to actually do it. Tonight we have a benefits dinner to go to and then after that I’m hoping to get some gringo chicken and meatballs in the freezer, along with some chicken in bags marinading.
My First transaction-
Gillette razor – $10.49 (this was supposed to be 9.99 but I wasn’t paying attention!)
Face wash – $5.49
(2) body washes – $7.00
Total = $22.98; minus coupons I paid = $6.38 (with tax)
I will be getting a check from RA for $5 and received a $4 reward coupon (like 4 cash!), so with this transaction I made $2.52!
Second transaction-
Bounty paper towel – $11.99
Listerine – $3.99
Carefree liners – $0.99
(2) Pampers wipes – $4.98
Total = $21.95; minus coupons I paid $6.97 (with tax)
I will be getting a $3 check from RA and I received a $1 coupon for use on my next transaction, so – $2.97!
On Friday night we went to a BBQ as some friends are in from Boston. I forgot my camera unfortunately, but it was cute watching Ajax interact with their little one, Riley, who is about 6 months older than Ajax. Riley was much more outgoing than Ajax and wanted to be friends immediately, but I’ve noticed that Ajax hangs back a little and observes before opening up. It’s interesting watching his personality coming out and realizing how very similar he is to his father.
We had an exciting day on Saturday. Dave managed to cut the grass (some of it, half our yard is still under water from all the rain we’ve been getting) and I played around in the garden. While we worked Ajax was busy exploring the yard and moving his toys into different areas of the driveway. We have had some interesting weather lately. In the morning it was hot and humid, somewhere in the high 80s, but by late afternoon we noticed the temperature dropping significantly, probably low 70s.
We had family over for dinner as my Grandma Flo and Grandpa Stan are now here from Florida. We had eight adults and one nino in our house, which is quite a house-full for us.
I hit the sack early and left Dave on the couch watching TV. At about 11:30, however, a loud siren woke me up. In my daze I thought Dave had the TV on too loud, but then I realized it was the city’s tornado warning. I stumbled downstairs and Dave and I sat in front of the TV watching the local news and listening to the sirens. We poked our head outside and the sky had a greenish hue with terrible clouds. Our whole neighborhood was awake, but Ajax slept through the whole thing. It amazes me what he’ll sleep through. There were some funnels that touched down, but it was quite a bit west of us.
Ajax and Grandma Flo
Ajax wanted to go out and play, but the weather was horrid so I had to say no and he was just so upset.
Tonight when I was trying to make dinner (chicken and pineapple quesadilla, yum!) Ajax discovered the cabinet filled with the pots, pans and rolling pin. For some reason he has never been too interested in that cabinet before tonight. Now he was so excited to push the rolling pin all over the kitchen, which made maneuvering between the stove, sink and counter a bit of a trick.
Dave also said that I needed more lake pictures, so I thought I’d comply! Also I have a confession. I have been slacking on the coupon front lately. We’ve just been so busy that at night I am just exhausted and all I seem to be able to do is sit on the couch and watch HGTV (I’m watching House Hunters right now). I’m hoping that this weekend I’ll get back on the coupon horse.
Ajax has really been into phones lately. If you’re on the phone, than he needs to hold it and say hi and of course press every button. He also thinks that just about everything is a telephone. He’ll hold the remote control up to his ear and pretend to talk into it or any toy really. He’ll also hold the “phone” just behind his ear, which is pretty funny.
Yesterday when Dave was talking to his sister Ajax demanded the phone. To give Dave a few minutes of talk time I gave Ajax my cell phone, which of course was a mistake, as he somehow unlocked my phone, got into my phone book and called Jets Pizza.
Yesterday we met some friends for breakfast and then headed out to my parent’s house. My grandparents are coming up from Florida this week, so I helped my mom get the house in order and Dave helped my dad outside (considering it was 90 yesterday, I think I had the better of the two jobs). After our work was done we headed to the beach! It was perfect beach weather.
I was so excited to take Ajax to the beach. We even bought him a little life vest and swimming shorts. At first Ajax just put his toes in the sand and was not willing to even step into the surf, so Dave scooped him up and took him out. It took all of two seconds for Ajax to realize he loved the water. Dave took him out, I took him out, and then my dad took him out into the water. We then played in the sand a bit, but Ajax was not thrilled about having his hands dirty, so back out into the water. What a little fish, I need to sign us up for swim lessons.
After the beach we hit up this great BBQ joint, can I say awesome? Ajax was such a ham at the restaurant. He was dancing with the jukebox and flirting with the other patrons near our table. I was a little worried that he wouldn’t eat very much, but I was so wrong. He tried – pulled pork, ribs, mac/cheese, brisket and cornbread. He loved it all and chewed on the rib bones to the point where I had to take it away.
We then headed back to my parent’s place gave Ajax a quick sink bath, put on his PJs and drove him and then right into bed for little man. What a great holiday weekend.
Ready to party!Ajax learning water appreciation from Dave (Dave is actually on his knees, they aren't out that far)Playing in the sand with dirty hands.Posing with grandma.Ajax was a little out of control on the eating front.
Dave and I both had Friday off, making this a nice, long four day holiday weekend for us! The weather has been very cooperative, but a bit on the hot side, nearly hitting 90 each day. We set up Ajax’s baby pool and bought him a new water toy for outside to help him stay cool (again, because the only place he really wants to be is outside).
We went to Gander Mountain (a camping store) yesterday as they were having a sale on camping grills and we had a gift certificate! We actually didn’t put Ajax in a cart, but instead let him walk around the store with us. This might have been a mistake because he was all over the place and kept taking things off shelves and lining them across aisles (cups, pans, a french press, etc). He would then zip into tents they had set up and run around inside them. He was very happy till it was time to leave and then he threw a terrible tantrum.
Today while we were out and about Ajax insisted on walking and then fell flat on his face and scuffed up his little nose. He has the walking confidence down pat and does not want to be confined to a stroller or held, but just wants to explore. What a busy little guy.
Ajax plays so hard outside that he is now taking three naps again, lol. He wants to be outside all the time and will bang on the back door to go out. Once outside he pushes his car up and down the driveway, tries to pull the wagon, plays on the slide, and tries to help with the garden (though when he “helps” he ends up pulling up all my flowers, I keep saying- gentle, gentle… oh well). We actually have a few things coming up in our garden, so we are very excited. I think I may have planted a few too many beans and I may need to learn how to can (I’m hoping my mother in law would be so kind as to teach me!).
For dinner it was another grill night as we are getting hit with some major summer weather. It’s been in the high 80s all week. We did chicken, zucchini, and corn-on-the-cob. I ended up giving Ajax 1/2 the cob and letting him chew on it (or lick off all the butter). He seemed to enjoy it.
Ajax fell over and was shocked that his hand was dirty. He does not like dirt on his hands.On the move!Learning to garden.Enjoying corn on the cob!Just showing off our garden. Those are green peppers and beans!
Summer is upon us! It wasn’t here yesterday, but has made its presence known today hitting a high of about 87! It is supposed to be in the high 80s all week, so yep, summer, in your face. Ajax and I went visiting this morning over my Grandpa Nader’s house. Ajax is such a ham around all his cousins and aunt/uncles and loved the attention. He kept opening cabinets in the kitchen and taking cans out and handing them out to people. We also had my family over for dinner. We cooked out on the grill and finally got to utilize my mother’s day gift by eating outdoors! It was great! Ajax didn’t really want to settle down to eat as eating outside was maybe just a little to much for him as all he wanted to do was play. My mom and dad ended up having to take him for a wagon ride up and down the street.
learnin' to use a spoonsitting with Franklin the bearand then losing interest and trying to escape
Sometimes I call Ajax my hungry little hippo because he eats so darn well! He will try almost anything you put in front of him; we were out to dinner on Friday night and the waitress commented, wow! he’s such a good little eater (after he ate two large pancakes, some eggs, and a little potato).
Tonight we made hamburgers with a chunky-homemade chic-pea/radish sauce (I found it in a Martha Stewart magazine, it was so/so). I was amazed that he tried everything and seemed intrigued with the chic peas. I also tried to introduce finger painting today with yogurt, but all he wanted to do was eat his “paint”! He then got frustrated and demanded I spoon feed him the rest of the yogurt. It’s also interesting, but I have no doubt that Ajax is left handed. Dave and I have actually been saying that for a while now, but really his left hand is obviously dominant.
Ajax thought it was hilarious to put this bowl on his head and run around the house. It was pretty funny. Oh we also have a new word- “baby” and “hi there!”
