One Kid's Trash is Another Kid's Treasure

by Mama and Gigi...

Mama: When Gigi was on her way, we were so happy that we were finally going to welcome a long awaited child into our family. We were getting ready and decorating her nursery. Sure, we didn't go all out on everything, but there were many moments of, "we deserve this" ... "she deserves this" when we splurged. For example, we bought the Orbit Stroller at full price. We then bought a Bob stroller at full price.....and then when we needed a travel stroller, we bought the Quinny travel stroller AT FULL PRICE. We were starting to look like stroller collectors. Then, at one point, when Gigi was about a year old, we discovered the YARD SALE. When we were going to Spain last summer and decided that although the Orbit had traveled around the US, we didn't really want to take it to Spain and although we had a travel stroller, it didn't recline and we might be out at weird hours when Gabrielle needed to sleep, we turned to yard saling for another stroller we could bring to Spain. We found it....the Inglesina Zippy which ordinarily retails for $350.....for $35 at a yard sale....in great condition. Now, truth be told, at that point, we no longer had the Bob because it was stolen not just once, but twice....we recovered it after the first time, but didn't replace it after the second time. Can I just tell you that Gigi's favorite stroller is the Inglesina?? Now, when she was a baby the Orbit was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and we definitely got our money's worth. They still sell for a very high price used, so all isn't too bad there.

Now, that we are adding two more to our family, many have asked if we are "ready". Well, no. We haven't turned Allen's office into a nursery. The babies are going to be in our room for awhile, so what's the rush? And, we really haven't bought all that much.....some clothing for baby boy (some of it at yard sales, some at a boutique that had an amazing sale and of course, TJ Maxx). In the last month, yard sale season has come upon us and it is amazing what we have gotten....

Last weekend, we scored this almost brand new Graco carseat (normally $99-139) for EIGHT DOLLARS! Savings of at least $100.

and, on Craig's List, we found two double Snap N Gos for $30 each (one for NannyG and one for us)....normal price $99 each. SAVINGS of $140.

A double Maclaren stroller....for TWENTY dollars (full retail of $250 or more). Savings of over $200. At the same sale (no picture), we bought a barely-used double Burley bike trailer to fit the twins. Retails for $500....we bought it for $100. Savings of $400!

At a yard sale that was a fundraiser for a family who lost everything in a fire, we bought this cool wardrobe for Gabrielle's dress up clothes. Cost of $40, but worth every penny given that the proceeds went to a family in need (hard to bargain at that sale).

Yesterday morning, we bought this crayon apron for Gigi.....with the crayons. $3.

After we came home from yesterday morning's garage sale adventures, Gigi put a bunch of her stuffed animals out and some summer clothes and declared she was having a yard sale.

She then went into our closet and helped Daddy set up his yard sale, adding some of her books to it since Daddy didn't have much to sell.

This morning, we set out for a few more sales in Brentwood. We went to the 7:30 one because they supposedly had an "assortment of baby monitors". Of course, they told us at 7:30 that none of them worked.

Oh well. We went to breakfast while waiting for the next one (8:30)....what child when offered a blueberry muffin or french toast orders salmon and blueberries! We chose the Governator (Arnold S, the governor's) favorite breakfast spot. He came in with either his trainer or a member of the secret service after going for a run.

Gigi: Today, we bought baby brother and baby sister a swing! It is very similar to the one I used when I was little, but a more expensive version (on Amazon, it sells for $184 now). Mama bought it for $40! SAVINGS of $144 plus shipping.

I also bought this princess chair....perfect for lawn concerts or the beach. It folds up and has its own carrying case. Price: $2.

After all that shopping, Mama took me to the park for 2 hours. I really didn't want to leave, but Mama looked like she was about to fall over, so I finally agreed (with a few tears).

Sunday afternoon whine.

Last gymnastics Saturday

On Saturday, Mama took me to gymnastics. After this week, I am going to start going on Thursdays with NannyG. Mama says she is too big to help lift me in the gym and needs to rest more. That's okay, I will go any day someone wants to take me!

Princess Party!

On Friday, I went to a princess party at Tati's with some of my friends from school. We played for a little and then Princess Cinderella arrived!

We played with the parachute, did some limbo, blew bubbles and got our faces painted.

After Cinderella left, I played the piano.

And took a call from Daddy.

Some of the things I say to or about baby brother and baby sister...

"Mama, I love them SOOO much"... When Mama responds, "I love you, too"....."No Mama, I love the babies". Mama: "Oh, they love you, too, baby".

"Can I feed them? ... Can I hold them?"

"Mama, baby sister is MY baby and baby brother is YOUR baby"

"Can I kiss them? Can I hug them?"

Mama says, Gigi be careful/gentle...."I am just hugging them, Mama".

"The babies are tiny"....When Mama said to me that when they are bigger, I can hold them, I said "No, I don't want them to be big....they are tiny"

At a yard sale when I see baby boy clothes..."I want to buy these for baby brother."

Princess Bean.....Take 3!

I think I am Princess Bean's biggest fan. Not only have I gone to see her 3 times, but I play her music every day. This time, I took my friend, Nyla.

With Prince Charming (and the dragon)

Dancing during intermission

Few words...lots of pictures

At the park with Grandma...
Grandma on the slide

At a yard sale on Saturday, I bought a Hello Kitty purse for 50 cents!

Making spaghetti squash

Where else, but the Farmers Market?

Yum....chocolate

At Michael's birthday party

I love Dad!

Dress UP!

Spinning on the tree

Making more dog biscuits

Jumping across my new rug in the playroom :)

Weekend Fun...

Grandma is visiting and we had a fun weekend....at the park....on my tricycle....at gymnastics...and a few barbecues. The webmaster is too tired to do much more than supply photos of some of the fun!

My boyfriend, James, and me in my princess costume.

My half birthday!

Friday was my half birthday. I didn't really get it when Mama told me because I know my birthday is in September. I must have told her 3 times this weekend that my birthday was in September....but, she explained to me that I am officially 2 1/2....on my way to 3. So, we had a low key celebration with Zoe and family....a little dinner....some dress up and Princess Bean music and dancing.....and cupcakes. Anything that celebrates with a cupcake is okay by me.

I am almost an expert....

at going to the potty. Notice how I am wearing my undies at gymnastics on Saturday? I went almost a whole week without one accident since I gave up my diapers. Mama and Daddy are so proud of me. I am proud of me, too!

I got into Harvard! (by Mama)

For those that don't live in Los Angeles or have a similar problem where they live (many 3 year olds living within a 10 square mile radius all wanting to go to a "good" preschool), you may not be able to relate to the preschool mania of the Westside of Los Angeles. I did my best to stay calm. But, I refused to start touring preschools when Gabrielle was in utero, or even when she was 3 months old. Even starting in November 2008 when Gabrielle was 14 months old, almost TWO years before we wanted to enroll her in preschool seemed early.....but, it wasn't. We toured 10 schools, applied to six and so far, got into none of those six. Well, more or less, we got into none. One of our top choice schools is a school where Gigi's good friend, Zoe, goes and where our Nanny's son, Richard went 8 years ago. You would think applying in January 2009 and having our connection to a current student should help....We were supposed to hear in March (this month), but I heard a rumor that acceptances had gone out, so I followed up with the school a few weeks ago. First, I was told they were full....then I was told they might have 2 days to give us....I should call after the weekend. We got the two days! BUT, the school knew that 2 days didn't work for us, so it was really more of a gesture than anything. I thought that perhaps we could figure out a solution - like Gigi could attend preschool two days per week at her gym and the other two days at this school. When I followed up to let the school know that I just needed to figure out what to do with the other two days, they were condescending (well, it doesn't sound like this is going to work for you, I can't promise whether you will get more than two days, I don't want you to join and be unhappy, etc. blah blah f*ing blah). Without saying so, they took the days back after giving them to us a few hours earlier. But, then after they told me all 15 slots for the class were not only offered, but accepted and paid for, I was told they were waiting to hear back from two families who have until Friday to accept or not....when I said I would follow up on Friday, she said that she might give them over the weekend and she would get back to me. That would have been this past Monday....and I have heard nothing (no surprise). This is a school with the HIGHEST application fee of $200 JUST to apply. Ridiculous.

The great news is that people who actually care about the children and not just the money side of things know that there are just not enough good preschools for the number of people interested. Accordingly, two new preschools just opened up in the last FEW weeks and somehow, I was lucky enough to learn about them. We toured one a few weeks ago, applied and were accepted. We were ready to enroll Gigi, but we thought we should at least tour the other school recommended by someone we trust. We went with Gigi on Saturday and had a very difficult decision to make. Gigi loved the school. We liked both schools and she didn't go to the other one. Truth is every school she has ever gone to (we visited Zoe's school and she was invited on a tour of one school we didn't even apply to) she has loved and fit right in immediately. So, we had to quickly go with our gut. We really couldn't lose....they are both great schools that are a perfect fit for us and Gabrielle.

Who knew? If I knew that this would have been how we would find the right school for us, I would have never wasted many mornings touring preschools when Gabrielle was barely just walking.....and spent up to $200 for the privilege of receiving a rejection letter almost two years later. What I learned through the process is that because of the lack of supply of preschools, some of the well-reputed schools have lost track of their mission....to serve children and their families. This is a process I don't wish on anyone. Luckily, we won't have to go through it again, because siblings automatically get accepted to Gabrielle's school. What a relief!