A SAHM Party

My BFF from HS, Lisa, lives with her family in St. Louis.  She has a lawyer-ing, triathlete hubby and two cute kiddos that I love so much.  Unfortunately, her hubby had to stay and work, but Lisa, Addison (6) and Lucas (5) came for a visit during the week last week.  We got to be SAHMs together, with four kiddos ranging 1-6 in one house, traveling in one car.  It was a zoo, but the kids had an incredible time playing together, and Lisa and I got to catch up, run together (bonus, thanks honey) and parent together.  I hope we continue to make these trips back and forth a summer tradition.  Here's my photo dump of their trip to the 'Nasti:

Build-your-own Frozen Yogurt after T's baseball game

 Water pad fun @ a local park

Target trip...yes please!  Me seeing what it would be like to have four kids.  :)

 I don't think Bob reads my blog, so Lucas said "don't show this picture to Daddy because he gets mad when Mommy buys me toys". lol!  You're secret's safe with me, buddy! :)  Lucas was the king of Legos!  I was so impressed at his skills

 Yes, Addison and T got a new toy also, sorry Dads

Backyard sprinkler, sand table and playground

 Oh yeah...we were there too:)  Not the best self-portrait...but we tried:)

 Addison was a great "big sister" to B

 Our monkeys

Firepit dinner roasting their own hot dogs

 don't forget the yummy smores :)

 The adults got in on the fun too.  Who can refuse a smore!

 Fun times were had by all, we got to run together, have a few cocktails, watch some really bad reality TV (you're welcome Bob) and watch our kiddos play for hours.  It was truly a gift of three days.  I love my friends, and being away from all of them is very hard.  I'm grateful we all make time for each other, travel far to spend time together and keep in touch after all these years.  Love you, Lis!  I can't wait for the next adventure!

Don't Forget to Vote Daily!!

Dads Rock

To the most important Dads in my life...
You are amazing gifts to our family, and I love you more than anything! 

Happy Father's Day to my incredible hubby and the father of my amazing babies!  You are the love of my life, and the light in my childrens' eyes.  I'm so grateful they have you as a Daddy!  Thank you for always being a team player in the struggles and joys of parenthood.  I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else.  We love you!

To my amazing father, who has always shown me how to enjoy life, kick back and relax and always gave my brother and I all we could have ever asked, and more.  I know you worked incredibly hard to provide for our family, and we appreciated everything you did.  We are so blessed to have you in our lives and the lives of our children.  They adore their Granddad!  xoxo

To my gift of a father-in-law, who has been a perfect addition to our family.  Thank you for being so in love with our kids, and they love you right back!  You have brought so much stability, warmth and humor into our lives.  We thank you for taking care of Marcia, and for including us in your lives.  We are blessed to call you Dad!  We love you!

Nifty & Thrifty Thursday: Week 2

Thanks for joining me for my new summer linky party.  Lets share ideas for ways to save, and still do creative, fun, useful things.  Your post can be new or old.  There are not many rules, except you link up a relevant post below, grab my button (on the right sidebar) to place in your post, and come back to read other ideas. 

This week's Nifty & Thrifty idea is a way I've been saving money entertaining my kiddos for a couple of summers now...yearly county park passes!   We are very blessed to have an incredible park system where we live.  For only $10 for the entire calendar year I can take my kiddos to 3 water pads/water features, 2 petting zoos, horseback and buggy rides, trails, enchanted forests, free arts and crafts and nature walks, little tyke hikes, 12 and under fishing competions, 2 butterfly gardens, more parks than I can count, paddleboating, fishing, driving remote controlled cars/sailboats, playbarns, huge treehouses, and more.  Not to mention, there are family-friend free concert series, weekly movie nights, beer and wine tasting events and murder mysteries for the adults and much much more.  Exploring the park systems has been so much fun!!  This is our third summer buying a pass, and we still haven't hit all the fun parks and features yet.  It's also perfect, affordable fun for when company comes in.  If you can fit all your company in one car (which I did with  my bff and her 2 kids...gotta love a third seat) there is no need to buy another pass.  We had fun for 2 adults and four kids at our fingertips.  There is lots of variety, countless opportunities for exercise and fun for all ages.  Do your research, buy yourself a pass and get exploring.  You'll love it!  Summer rocks!

Here are a few pictures of features found at the park system we buy & some photos of us enjoying them:)

Boathouses

 Water pads

Treehouse

 Buggy Rides

Summer Fun @ our local parks!  So affordable and neverending exploring!!!

What are your cost-saving ideas, new coupons, great deals, fun and cheap crafts for kids?!  Come share!!!

Holy Cow, 4 Kids are a Handful

Here's why I've been silent the last few days...

Imagine these four angels all in one household, not to mention the same car, for three days.  Needless to say, my friend Lisa and I have been having a blast (but very busy) being 2 SAHMs under one roof.  More about that later. :) 

Don't forget, tomorrow is Nifty & Thrifty Thursday, so don't forget to come by and link up your favorite deals.  Any old or new post will do!  Just grab my button, link up and come back to see what others have found. 

Nifty & Thrifty Thursday

So I'm going to start a new summer series titled "Nifty & Thrifty" Thursday.  I'm a little nervous...but excited!  Hopefully you'll all come participate.  The premise is that if you see a deal that week, you take note (maybe even some pictures) and share it with the blog-o-sphere, so that we might all benefit.  I'm a sucker for deals!  In the summer, I become an even better couponer, deal-spotter, money-saver, because, well...I have time:) 

The deals you find don't have to be on baby or pregnancy items.  They can be household items, groceries, ways to save on diy projects, crafts, fun cheap ways to entertain your kiddos...whatever your little heart desires.  Just be creative, and come share!  Use pinterest ideas, even, if you find something share-worthy that you tried yourself.
Don't forget to add my Nifty & Thrifty button to your post, then come back and read other entries.  The button can be found on my Thursday posts, or on the sidebar. 

<center><a href="http://schermanfamily.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Nifty & Thrifty Thursday" src=" http://i1172.photobucket.com/albums/r562/RTP_inHeels/NiftyThrifty-1.jpg "/></a></center>

I'm sure it will take a few weeks to get things in full swing.  But if you participate, I'm sure others will too.  Submissions will be accepted until Sunday!  Tell your friends!  I appreciate your support. Plus, I think this will be fun and informative.   

I have two kids of different ages and genders, so I'm going to try to find something to fit both kiddos each week.  So here's my first Nifty & Thrifty post...

For the Pre-K+:
$4.99 flip flops @ Kohls from sizes 6-7 toddler to 4-5 boys
They were also 20% off and I had Kohls cash!  Score!
Helpful hint: They are in the boys/girls clothing section....NOT in shoes!  So they're hidden a bit.
Adorable styles in boys and girls, cheap and comfortable (or so says T).  I don't know about you but T goes through shoes like water.  This cheap and cute find was very exciting!  I also thought they were better quality than the run-of-the-mill Old Navy. 
Here are the two I got T ~

For the Waddler:
Stearns Swim Vest @ Target
Up to 30 lbs, for level 1-2 swimmers
15% off & there was a $5.00 coupon in our weekly Target mailer!!
Plus...it's super super cute!  B will look adorable, and Mama will feel much more calm near the water this summer.

Also, if anyone would like to cohost with me each week, send me an email to klscherman at gmail dot com.

Happy Bargain Hunting! :) :)

B Takes Steps

Love this little peanut! 

May Madness

Oh May, how I hate to love you! 

As a teacher, May is a very exciting, frustrating road block between the school year and mecca...summer!  This year it was an extra pain-in-the-butt.  Our house fought a very nasty virus for over 3 weeks.  It went from B to T to me and back to T and B...and it wouldn't go away!!!  On Tuesday-Thursday of last week, I was feverish and teaching wrapped up in a blanket.  What a teacher does to make sure her kids don't fall behind.  I felt horrible!  Thank God for my Mommy, who was in town helping us out.  My MIL has a very horrible injury, so she has been unable to watch B the past few weeks.  B has been shuffled between daycare and one of us being home for a few weeks now.  My mom came to Ohio to help us out for 4 days, and it was perfect timing.  I was so sick, so it was nice to have MY MOMMY there to take care of me, and help me with the kids.   Thanks Mom!

On top of the icky virus, school has been all-consuming.  With projects, finals, grading, kids begging for extra credit, and parents calls, it's a very hard time.  I pulled three 13 hour days last week trying to get it all done.  Being away from my babies was very hard, but I just had to tell myself that by the same time next week, I was going to be a SAHM of two!!! :) 

On top of normal end-of-the-school year crap, I am also in the process of moving classrooms.  It's amazing how much you can accumulate in 6 years.  I am moving up 2 floors, and had to do it all by myself.  Needless to say, I was THE WORST mom this week.  But I got through it.  Today is my first day of summer. Woo Hoo!!!  Unfortunately, I have to go into work again a few times this week to finish up the move, but grades are done:)

So...here's what we've been up to during this crazy month called May:

Lake time!

 B wasn't a fan of the chilly lake

 But both kids were big fans of the warmer wading pool

 T was obsessed with going on the jet ski

 Me and baby girl

 T and Daddy went tubing

 B's first slice of watermelon was a hit

 Quality time with Grams and Granddad

 We had an early bonfire so T could help build it and eat smores:)

T graduated from Preschool:)

My handsome boy!

 T is front right next to his "girlriend" Kaityln <3

Where was mommy?  Yes, that's right...I missed his preschool graduation!  Epic Mom Fail!!  I was devastated!  But I had to graduate from high school...for the 7th time...  As a high school teacher, it's a good show of dedication if you participate in graduation.  I committed, then a few weeks later, we got the invitation in the mail for T's graduation.  I was so sad:(  Luckily, I have a super Daddy for a hubby!  Love you, babe!  Thank God for pictures and our flipvideo. 

Now that summer's here...my blog will finally get back on track.  There are big changes on tap for Running Through Parenthood, like a brand new look.  :)  Hope you'll come back to visit again.