handmedowns

i just got a letter from the preschool that says the daily rate is going from $32 a day to $35, on top of that we provide snack once a month for the class, we pay for snow days, AND they took away a free vacation week so now when we go away to the beach for a week we have to pay the preschool a weeks worth, even though Caroline is not attending.

it seems like we get less for more these days....i can't seem to go the the grocery store for milk and bread without spending $50. Even when i do a "big" grocery shopping for the week...i spend a gazillion but leave with just the basics.

Don't get me wrong....we are very blessed....Rob has a good job that allows me to stay at home with the kids....but we do live frugally. Rob brings leftovers for lunch, we may be the only ones in town who have "basic" cable, i avoid the mall, and we couldn't survive without Hand-Me-Downs! This is the latest stash from my sister-in-law who has 3 boys....its like Christmas at our house when the bins come through the door.

and "the machines" came from friends whose kids outgrew them, the batteries have about 30 minutes of riding....slow riding at that.....but my kids are so pleased with themselves......its the first thing Cooper wants to do when he wakes up in the morning...and when we are away from the house for any amount of time all he wants to do is..."go home and ride my machine."