Consignment Sale Madness.

I meant to do a post about all of the fabulous children's consignment sales in Birmingham last spring, but it never happened.  Many of the local churches around town, plus the moms of multiples and other groups host consignment sales in the fall and spring with children's clothes, accessories, and toys.  While I've always considered myself a bargain shopper, I've never really been into the consignment or thrift store thing. 

All that changed when I had Fawn and realized (1) how many clothes you need -- a lot, especially if your child prefers mud, water, dirt, outside play; (2) how quickly kids grow out of clothes -- blink of an eye; and (3) how hard on clothes kids can be -- between Popsicle stains, grass stains, and rips from sheer roughness Fawn's clothes can quickly go from pristine to better used as cleaning rags.  So, I frequent the consignment sales each season.  I generally look for good, cute play clothes, knowing that I won't be disappointed if they get ruined before they are outgrown.  Case in point, I went to the Birmingham Moms of Multiples sale in August and scored for Fawn four long-sleeved t-shirts (I'm talking nice brands like you could get at Lily Pad for $30 each), a cute pair of light brown pants, some camo hunting gear (for the farm per Buck's request), and brand new pj's.  I also picked up 6 gender neutral day gowns/sleepers for the growing bambino.  (When I had Fawn I used all borrowed newborn clothes, which have been passed on and on, current location unknown.  I literally have nothing in my closet for the newborn/0-3 month stage.)  Total cost: $24.50.  I kid you not!

I have some general rules of consignment sale shopping -- (1) try to go on half-price days, otherwise you really aren't getting the best deals; (2) don't buy cheap basics that you can spend very little on at Walmart or Target; (3) take a shopping buddy to help you really look over the clothes to spot stains, broken snaps, etc. (my mom has become an excellent consignment sale wing man); (4) take cash, set a budget, and stick to it; (5) look at clothes in the size above and below what you think your child wears because the items often get moved around; (6) have fun -- and be proud of the money you are not wasting on brand new clothes that will either get quickly outgrown or ruined!

Although I generally look for play clothes at these sales, I also look for great deals on smocked outfits.  Last spring, at one sale (on half-price day) I was able to buy 8 smocked john johns for $100.  They lasted through the spring and summer, after a mid-summer button adjustment.  I have also found some very nice church clothes with tags still on them.  The possibilities really are endless -- you just have to spend a little time digging.

I don't buy all of Fawn's clothes this way, but try to get what I can at these sales as long as the clothes are cute, I would buy them in a regular store, they are in great shape, and the price is right.  Happy hunting!

Bright.

For a kid who loves to be outside, Fawn hates bright sunlight.  Hates it -- especially when we are travelling in the car.  "Turn off the bright mommy" I often hear from the backseat when we are driving towards sunlight.  While the almost ever-presence of the Alabama cap helps Fawn with this issue, I recently invested in a pair of sunglasses for the little man.  "Invested" is a loose term -- I spent $5 to buy two pairs of sunglasses at The Children's Place outlet in Leeds.  I figured the second pair would come in handy when we inevitably lose the first pair.  (I am notorious for losing sunglasses -- Buck gave me a very nice pair of sunglasses for my birthday one year while we were in college.  I "misplaced" them in the KD house and to this day he has not let me live it down.)  Fawn loves his sunglasses, and loves that they have their own special place of honor in my car -- the sunglasses holder (as mine float around in my purse).  Thought you might like some pics of Mr. Cool in his shades.

Alabama cap.

Fawn loves his Alabama cap (do not call it a hat, it's a cap, for the record).  Buck's parents gave it to him a few months ago and he wears it basically everywhere.  Even to church.  I take the parenting mantra of "pick your battles" to heart.  If an Alabama cap is going to mean that I drop off a happy toddler in the church nursery as opposed to a screaming toddler, bring on the Alabama cap.

Found: Plain White Tees.

You know the kind -- for monogramming, appliqueing, and layering.  No pockets!!!  Target (Cherokee brand).  $8 for long sleeved and $6 for short sleeved.  Not as cheap as Walmart ($3.50 a pop!), but still better than Old Navy.  Run, don't walk!

John Deere Tractor Party.

A few weeks ago, I asked Fawn what kind of birthday party he wanted.  I think deep down I was expecting a blank stare or something along the lines of "a presents party Mommy."  But no.  Fawn's answer:  "John Deere Tractor birthday party Mommy."  I confirmed what I had heard (just in case my mind was playing tricks on me), but I heard Fawn correctly.  In his mind, he was having a John Deere Tractor birthday party.  While I have to admit that if I had my way we would have somewhat of a repeat of the first birthday (super-cutesy invitation, polka dots, fun balloons, pastels), I felt that I owed it to Fawn to embrace his vision for his second birthday.  (And, I really don't want to turn into one of those parents who asks their child their opinion and then totally disregards it -- if I'm dead set on a certain way I simply don't present my toddler with an option.)

Why John Deere Tractor you ask?  Well, there are lots of John Deere toys out now -- and we are the proud owners of a handful of tractor toys.  And, Fawn is obsessed with farms and farm equipment.  He's only made one trip to Buck's farm, but was in awe -- huge, saucer eyes, gaping mouth awe (especially at the tractors).

So, what's a mom to do when faced with the prospect of a slighty tacky, yet right on the money birthday party?  Head to Party City, of course.  And Buck and I lucked out -- all the John Deere items were on clearance (because, according to the store manager, "people around here want classy parties" -- thanks for that, really).  Needless to say, we walked out of Party City with invitations, thank you cards, party hats, plates, napkins, forks, and farm animal candles for the cake, for less money than we spent last year on invitations!


And, the cake -- of course, the cake.  Fawn was specific about the cake as well -- only chocolate chip for him (Fawn loves anything with chocolate chips -- cookies, muffins, waffles, pancakes, and now cake).  There's nothing I love more than a homemade birthday cake.  I know that store bought cake often tastes better (and most definitely looks better) than homemade.  But, to me, nothing says love and Happy Birthday like a homemade cake.  My mom always made me a homemade cake.  In fact, I cannot remember ever having a store bought cake.  And, I want to do that for Fawn.  I'll fill you in on a secret -- I'm not a baker.  I love to cook, not so much to bake.  So, when I say homemade I mean start from a box.  I spiced it up a bit -- added a box of instant vanilla pudding mix to the cake mix before adding the wet ingredients -- then added a cup of sour cream and chocolate chips at the end.  Still easy (no sifting!), but so tasty.  I made buttercream frosting -- yummy -- and decorated the top of the cake with farm animal candles and a toy John Deere Tractor I bought at Walmart.  It was a fantastic cake, if I do say so myself.  And, most importantly Fawn LOVED it!

I also scored some equally tacky John Deere material at the local fabric store -- along with a much more traditional coordinating green stripe.  I made Fawn a pair of pull-on pants from the striped material and used the John Deere fabric to make an applique for a t-shirt.  Total cost of birthday outfit -- about $10 (including t-shirt).  And, I'm sure Fawn will wear it again (I may even recycle the pants for a cute St. Patrick's Day outfit).

And then there were the decorations.  There were balloons (yellow and green of course), signs and pictures.

We invited Fawn's family (he's got four grandparents, six aunts and uncles, and two great grandparents who can get out and about all in his hometown -- lucky fellow) -- and served Fawn's guests parmesan onion dip with Fritos, Buck's famous turkey chili, and cheddar cheese biscuits.  It was an evening of fun and fellowship (and lots of presents of course).  I know Fawn will soon reach an age where he wants friends to join in his birthday celebrations, but for now it's just us -- our precious cocoon of a family.  A huge thank you to them (and to dear Buck who cleaned up the mess) for making the day so special for Fawn (and me too!).  It exceeded all expectations!

Kiddie Long Johns.

Have you ever shopped for long johns for your little one?  Not from a catalogue or in some fancy ski shop, but at the mall or Target or Walmart?  Well, if you have (like me) you've been met with zero success.  Oh yes, they do make long johns, for grown-ups and big kids.  But not for toddlers -- and don't ask me why not -- I have no idea. 

I do know that Fawn needs them in the winter -- on those days that we brave the cold and are the only residents of our mid-sized city at the zoo or the park.  Especially on the days that I dress him, because if he's not going to school (where he always comes home disgusting -- never an article of clothing without food or art supplies adorning it), I put him in cutesy clothes.  Not girly, just cutesy.  But the problem with cutesy clothes is that they're not warm.  They're "singly-ply" if you will.  One layer of gingam, plaid, or polka dot material -- and if you're really lucky one thin layer of lining.  Fawn's not usually so lucky; when I sew his clothes I generally omit the lining (which I view as totally optional).  So the boy needs some long johns!

My solution: little girl leggings.  (Don't tell Buck -- he's not a fan of girly clothes on his little man, and certainly would carry on if he knew I was putting his son in leggings.)  $3 a pair at Walmart -- cheap and works like a charm!

By the way, this is also my test to see if Buck is actually reading this blog.