Extreme Garage Saling

Reduce, reuse, recycle

An easy way to "go green" is to reuse.  "One person's trash is another person's treasure."  Right?

Last Thursday and Friday I really had a fun time shopping the local garage sales and finding GREAT, reusable items for our family.  Now that everything is washed and put away I seriously cannot believe how much I was able to purchase for $98.50.  Every item is name brand, in great condition and was purchased for a fraction of the cost.

Anthony
1 jacket
8 pairs of pants
6 pairs of jammies
8 long sleeve T-shirts
3 flannels
4 sweatshirts
7 T-shirts
5 pairs of shorts

Chubby Chubberton
3 complete outfits
1 long sleeve T-shirt
3 T-shirts

Marko
1 T-shirt

Me
1 super cute dress (Love it!)
3 super cute skirts (Can't wait to wear them!)
1 unbelievably comfy pants (SERIOUSLY comfy...WOW!)
2 cute, cute, cute sweaters (I'm in love!)

I now think TLC should have a spin-off of their new show Extreme Couponing.  They could call it Extreme Garage Saling and Tracy could be the host!  That girl KNOWS how to find a great sale and how to stay away from the crappy ones just by doing a quick drive by.  She seriously has skill in how to "hit the mother load".

Go Twins!

  

I love this field and this game!

 The retirees 

To celebrate Carol's retirement this past weekend all four of us went to Target Field to enjoy an outdoor game of baseball.  It was a fun weekend of eating, chatting, taking the Northstar train, cheering on the Twins (and doing the wave!) and spending time together as a family.  It was another reminder that I have been extremely blessed when it comes to my mother and father in-law.  They are both wonderful individuals -- so supportive, giving, loving and genuine.   Clearly, I have hit the jackpot marrying into the Hanson family. 
 

 Our seats and the view of the stadium

Our neighbors from Blackduck

Grammie Love

Swingin'

Talkin'

Spending time together

Grammie time is the best!

Get the Camera, Momma...

ALWAYS means Anthony is ready to show me his awesome goofy poses! Oh, how I love his energy, craziness and personality to the max!

The Green Machine

On Monday night we went to Anthony's first (hot and sticky) T-Ball practice and game in Monticello.  I was nervous.  Last year I took him to a week of a sports sampler class and he wanted nothing to do with it.  He refused to participate and it was painful as a parent to watch wanting so desperately to jump in and help.  When he gets into new social situations he tends to shut down and that was my worry.
However, I was optimistic that this year would go better because of the growth he has shown and because he was so darn excited.  His new glove was ready to go and a huge smile was plaster on his face as we drove to the field.  The extra bonus was the fact that Ry and Cam would be there too and that Mark & Luke would be coaching and out on the field with him.
For an hour I sat there in awe and felt a bit emotional as I watched Anthony.  Yes, he clung to Mark and was very timid (totally NORMAL behavior), but he was OUT THERE and DOING IT with some extra coaxing. 

 He was fielding the ball with daddy by his side and throwing it back to another coach.

 He was excited to wear his new shirt, glove and try on the helmet.  (This sounds easy, but trust me it's not when a kid struggles with sensory issues.)

 He practiced at the tee, got a hit and even interacted with Luke.

And, best of all, he was BEAMING during the game when he hit the ball and ran all of the bases!

That smile and joy always makes the tough moments worth it!  The growth and change that has been made from last summer to right now is AMAZING.  I know this wasn't an easy task for Anth, which makes me so darn proud (and, as always, hopeful).  There are five more practices/games remaining and I'm looking forward to seeing Anthony grow as a member of The Green Machine.

All for $100

Today, for the first time ever, I went to Becker's annual city-wide garage sales instead of hosting one at our house.  Laura, Tracy and I got an early start on the sales and quickly found many needed treasures.  The best find of the day was a motorized four-wheeler for Chubby Chubberton to enjoy as he grows up and a huge pile of 5T clothes for A. When all was said and done the van was packed, we went to an ATM machine THREE times to fund our serious shopping quest and had a great time hanging out together.  I can't wait to do it again!

Wrapping up another year

 

This was my passenger Friday after school.

Another stack to correct from another assignment given...

but that's okay.

Only SIX days remain in this school year.

Soon there will be three glorious months off

with no weekend correcting passengers taking away from 

precious time with my family.

The correcting end is here.

Almost.

I think I can...

I think I can...

I think I can...