Lego Cake

Posted on by Mandy

Once E.B. decided he wanted to have a Lego-themed birthday party, I was too excited because I couldn’t wait for our “cake lady” to make his Lego cake.  I just knew it would be cute.  This woman had made my birthday cakes when I was little and every one for E.B. up until this point.  Since we’ve been super swamped at work, I got my mom to make the phone call to get the cake lined up.  And?  Horror of horrors, our “cake lady” wasn’t available to do it. 

Oh. Em. Gee.

Thankfully, Facebook came to the rescue.  I simply asked if anyone knew someone who did amazing cakes and I received more suggestions than I knew what to do with.  I just love that about Facebook.  It’s like a 24-hour self-help line or something. After I gathered a list of potential cake-a-teers (yes, I made that word up) I investigated their work and settled on a lady I had never laid eyes on before.  And I am so glad I did.  Not only was she super nice, but she did this:

2011_02110124

For my baby.  I cannot clearly convey the excitement that she brought to my child’s face when he first saw his Lego cake.  I nearly cried myself.  It was just perfect.  The Lego blocks are made from Rice Krispy Treats and they were a huge hit with the adults at the party.

6 Years

Posted on by Mandy

Well.  It happened.  E.B. turned 6 years old last Thursday.  When I started my blog he had just turned three.  Three.  Break a mama’s heart!

His four-year-long obsession with trains and Thomas the Tank Engine has been replaced by Star Wars and Legos.  He’s a complete whiz at his video games.  He’s counting to twenty in Spanish.  He’s outgrowing his clothes faster than I can take them out of the dryer to hang up and although I am so thankful to see him growing and healthy, a little part of my heart is breaking because he is not a little guy anymore.  He is growing up.

The nerve of him!

And so, on the day he turned six, he got one of the best gifts ever.  A snow day!  No school!

2011_02110048

And, his first BB gun, thanks to Paw-Paw. 

2011_02110083

And a super fun birthday party this past Saturday.

2011_02150015

So, fine, E.B..  Keep growing up.  But know this…you will always be my baby.  There is nothing you can do about that one.  Muhwahahahaha!

Meet TLC Extreme Couponing’s Nathan Engel

Posted on by Mandy

Did you happen to have a chance to catch Extreme Couponing on TLC this month? I kept hearing so much buzz about it from Facebook friends that the next time it was aired I made sure I watched. Talk about amazing! The extreme couponers featured walked away with tons of free items simply by knowing where to find multiple coupons, which stores were having the best sales, and when to take advantage of these sales.

I was fortunate enough to snag an interview with one of the couponers featured, Nathan Engels, who is also the admin and owner of WeUseCoupons.com. Nathan had the most impressive stockpile on the program I have ever seen and so I wanted to ask him a few questions about how he coupons, what he does with all of his amazing finds, and how everyone can learn to do what he does so well.

Mommy Cracked: What’s the most you have ever saved using coupons in one shopping trip?
Nathan Engels: The trip that was featured was my biggest to date!
Mommy Cracked: How much planning goes into every shopping trip you make? Hours? Days?
Nathan Engels: Very little actually! I get on WeUseCoupons, see what’s on sale, print our my list and go to the store. I spend 5-15 hours a week doing this!
Mommy Cracked: Your stockpile in the garage was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen. I know to most viewers it may have seemed pretty extreme, but I know you mentioned on the show that you donate quite a bit of the stuff you score for free and it must feel amazing to be able to help places like you do. Can you explain to my readers the benefits of stockpiling in order to donate to places that can use these items?
Nathan Engels: You change your community! My wife and I are so proud of the fact that we can really have such a positive effect on the community around us. Last year we literally donated tens of thousands of dollars in product to various organizations! Before couponing, it was so hard to give a little cash, but now, I can turn $5 into $50 or if I’m lucky $500!! We encourage everyone to give and give generously!
Mommy Cracked: What method do you use for organizing your coupons?
Nathan Engels: I use a combo method, the binder, some Ziploc bags and then some accordion folders. Organization is so important!!
Mommy Cracked: Where can we find more of your great tips and advice on the internet?
Nathan Engels: WeUseCoupons.com! It’s a great place to learn how to do this. We have virtual classes, tons of articles, you will learn so much!

I thank Nathan so much for answering these questions and encourage anyone reading to check out his website WeUseCoupons.com, register there, and check out the forums to find amazing deals and learn the ins and outs of couponing from the people who know their stuff.