The Lanssens Family

Read below first....this Magic Bullet was 50 cents! It was disgusting, all caked with gunk inside and out and I didn't even know if it worked. Tami has one and I watched her make her Beachbody "Shakeology" shakes in them and it works great. Check out Tami's fitness blog for more info on these...www.coachtami.blogspot.com. Olivia is really into smoothies right now so I figured we could use it. I know they are expensive, but not sure how much. I washed the heck out of it and had to scrape stuff off with a knife, but after everything else ran through the dishwasher, here's what it looks like. We've made smoothies with almond milk, frozen fruit and yogurt and Olivia's favorite now is chocolate Silk, banana and ice.

I had an amazing garage sale day last Saturday! I took Lucy with me and Rob and Liv went to Home Depot day. I had exactly $4 in cash and a small bag of change. We stopped at several, but nothing caught my eye. Then, we stopped at a parking lot where multiple people have things. I walked through and looked and didn't see much until I saw this jumperoo. It was all taken apart, dirty, scuffed up and the fabric seat was filthy. I remembered Olivia loved the one she had, which I think we borrowed from Aubrey, who borrowed from Jill...anyway, I wanted one. It was marked $2, so I got it with spare change. At home, Rob took out the pressure washer and simple green and we washed it all up like new. I laundered to seat cover and it came out perfect. Lucy loves it, although her head still bobs a little. She can grow into it this summer.

Next, on the way home, I stopped at a "boy scout" rummage sale. It was almost time to pack up so they were telling people if there is anything they want, make an offer, any offer! I focused in on this stroller. It's a Joovy
Caboose. I've heard of these and my friend had an older one that was broken that she used and liked. Again, it was dirty, but it looked in great shape. I asked how much it was and they said, make an offer. I said I only have $5, sorry. They said "We'll take it, just get it out of here!"

At home, we pressure washed it and it came out beautiful! Brand new looking! Here's Olivia modeling the two ways she can use it, sitting or standing and of course Lucy goes in front. I looked it up out of curiosity and it is $170 new. Not including the $25 neoprene organizer for water bottles, cell phone, snacks, etc that it came with (not pictured because I'm laundering it)

Ok, here's the last one. While I was looking at the stroller, Olivia laid eyes on this beauty. She climbed in and would not get out. It's a Fisher Price Power Wheels Jeep. It looked like it sat out for several winters. There were cobwebs, leaves, dirt. It was gross! Olivia has been asking for one since her last birthday. The answer has always been NO. They are $279.00 t Wal Mart. She even tried to rope Grandma into buying one, telling her, "All I want for my birthday is a Barbie Car." Of course, my mom said she'd get it for her until I told her what it was and how much they cost. When I was ready to leave, the man said she could have it but it doesn't run. The battery was old and there was no charger. I told Olivia no, but she wanted it soooo bad. I asked her what she was going to do with a car that doesn't work. She replied, "Isaac can push me!" Oh boy, poor Isaac! Well, they shoved the disgusting heap in my car and I brought it home. Rob couldn't believe I brought that home. I pressure washed it and scrubbed it with Oxyclean. Olivia scrubbed the wheels and tires for an hour. Rob looked inside and said the battery didn't work and he couldn't fix it. Oh well....but wait, I left the two of them alone for a few hours and he put his old drill battery inside and the stupid thing works! Olivia drives all over the lawn and driveway and couldn't be happier. It's still ugly, but last I heard Rob was going to get some plastic paint at Home Depot and paint it like the Barbie one at Wal Mart. Go figure!

Lucy had her four month check up and Dr. Berger said we could start her on rice cereal. It didn't go so well as you can see. She's not ready, in my opinion. I made it REALLY thin, but no interest at all. I was afraid Lucy was getting a bit chubby....compared to Olivia anyway. She weighed in at 12 lbs 10 oz which is only the 27th percentile. Her height is 26 inches which is the 96th percentile!! The Dr said she's gonna be tall and skinny (like her Grandpa Lanssens :)) That explains why she's wearing 6-12 mo clothes already. Her head circumference went from 58the percentile to 85th percentile in one month. I guess you could say she's getting a "big head" from all of the attention we give her!