Grocery Shopping - YUK

We've been trying to be very conservative in our grocery shopping and I have turned into a coupon clipping fool. My biggest thrill is to save a ton of money at the grocery store. Well, if you are trying to do that, I have a BIG TIP for you:

Don't go to the grocery store with an

11 year old and a 1 year old

and ESPECIALLY do NOT go

on the day thatthe Titans have a player

signing autographs in the grocery store.

*sigh*

Not only was it a madhouse of people, my son could not tear himself away from watching all the going's on and thus was no help entertaining Ellie. I caved and gave her (sugary) Fruit Loops throughout the store while trying to keep her strapped in, sort through coupons, figure what was on sale, remember what I needed and check on Joshua every two minutes. Needless to say, I did horribly in the savings department. Two weeks ago at Harris Teeter, I saved 50% in coupons (about $105). THIS week, I saved 10% (about $15). See! I won't do that again.

Kevin will return from his out of town project tomorrow (thank goodness) and Josh has his first baseball game. Ellie continues (fingers crossed) to sleep 8 hour stretches at night now. Josh is taking TCAP tests at school this week so we are scrambling to sleep well and long, eat well in the mornings and not rush too much but still get to school with time to spare -- all this and Kevin's been out of town. Calgon, take me away.

I entered Ellie's picture in a photo contest for Parent magazine and for American Baby magazine. I figured I had nothing to lose and she is just such a cutie patootie that I was willing to see if others thought so too. I'll let you know late summer/early fall if I hear anything. *smile*