John and Ella - Fall Photos

John's first school picture! Ella sporting a darling cream knit sweater and red ribbon ponies. A perfect fall look. John plays Mahjong like a champ.

Here's an organizing tip...from the messiest woman alive. Put all your kids' papers in a cute file box with a hanging folder for each child. When it gets full, have your children pick one or two things they want to keep.

More Info about Co-op

Some of you were asking about how to sign up for the co-op. If you live in Arizona, go to BountifulBaskets.org and check to see if they have a one in your area. The co-op runs every other Saturday, so not this Saturday but next Saturday...the 26th. You have to order the Wednesday before you pick up. Make your payment online, then go down to your location to pick it up.

Save Money with a Co-op

Occasionally, Adam and I sign up for our local food co-op. This food cooperative saves tons of money. It is a group of volunteers working together with local business purchasing bulk food at a lower cost. Then, the food is distributed to all members.

The co-op we use is called Bountiful Baskets. It is not a charitable organization. Rather, it is formed solely from volunteers trying to find good bargains.

This week, we participated buying one basket and two loaves of fresh honey wheat bread. The produce basket contained:

1 huge cantaloupe
1 fresh big bag of grapes
romaine lettuce
1 bag of mixed lettuce
cherry tomatoes
huge red potatoes
1 bunch of green onion
1 bag baby carrots
strawberries
green beans
pomegranates
pears
apples
bananas

The produce basket and two loaves of bread cost a mere $20.50. Usually, this much food would cost around $50. AND the quality of the food is fantastic!

I would definitely recommend local co-ops. PLUS, they save time. I didn't have to do any shopping. Adam just ran down the street to pick everything up...total time - 15 minutes.

Sweaty Ella

Ella and I went for a walk to the park the other day.

On the way home she says, "Mom, I have sweaty pits."

"Sweaty pits?!" I said.

"Yes, feel them" she responded and pulled her sleeve down exposing her armpit.

She's definitely a daddy's girl.

Cheap Finds

I ran down to Target this morning and found these clearance rack gems. I also found a cute boutique with my mom when when went to Park West shopping center...it's called Francesca's Collections. Too cute! If you're going nuts trying to save every penny, you can also go to Steve and Barry's store. Everything there is under $20 (stuff for the whole family!) and it's all trendy.

Back to midterms....gotta run!

Black "First Lady" type jacket : $14.98
Cover sweater in gray : $8.98
Cream ladies jacket: $14.98

Walk for Autism

The Phoenix Zoo Walk for Autism is Saturday October 18th. If you would like to participate on our team, please let me know. We will be meeting there at 6:30 am. The walk begins at 7:30 and you are welcome to stay the entire day. Registration is $20 per person. Children 12 and under are free. The walk is just around the zoo and strollers are welcome. Hope to see you there!

If you are unable to come but would like to donate to the
ASU Autism Research Program, please contact me.

Adam's 30th Birthday Weekend

We celebrated the big 3 - 0 for Adam. We had a party, rented a bouncy house and ate too much. Thanks to everyone for coming! We also enjoyed all of Conference this weekend. We feel uplifted and encouraged to do better.

Then, after the Sunday sessions of Conference, we took a walk to the park to get wiggles out.

Then we got a little irreverent.