I'm thinking of renaming my blog something like "Fun and Frugal". Not really, that would take to much effort. I would like to write a little bit about frugal living right now though. I have a lot of great ideas when it comes to living on a tight budget. Budget aside it's good for anyone to try to consume less, although so challenging. Several months ago I had the idea that we would only shop second hand. That lasted little over a month. It turned out it was often cheaper to buy items new and on sale. Besides as a woman it is only natural to like and want STUFF. I got weak. So when I talk about frugal living it is a similar situation. I can do really well on a tight budget when I have to, but when I don't have to is when it becomes really difficult. 
 Recently we had an incident. I don't want to share the details, but through little fault of our own and involving student loans, we ended up in a really tight spot. Tight is an understatement, but I can't think of a better explanation. I don't get to upset when these situations arise because I know it won't last and I like the adventure. So I dug my cloth diapers out from the back of our storage room. I am so grateful that I kept them, and that they fit Violet. I started baking bread and treats everyday. I love to bake anyways and in the process found the most amazing recipe for rolls. If you are someone that sees me on a regular basis and have noticed that I'm looking a little bigger around the middle it is not because I am pregnant. It is the baking. I'm just kidding. I'm still running all the time to balance out the sweets. I also found a bunch of candy canes in my food cupboard and made yummy chocolate peppermint crinkles. What a treat. When I bake I put half of everything in my freezer for another time, or if someone else needs some cookie cheer. My freezer is full. 
 Another thing I started doing is walk/running my kids to school. I have a double stroller which I am very grateful for and the weather hasn't been that bad this past week. Miete and Lilli cheerfully rode bikes the first few days, while I ran behind with the stroller. It was only when it started to rain one day and we had to beat it from Lilli's school to Leif's pre school that Miete really started to complain. The worst part about that morning was I arrived at Leif's school only to realize I had forgotten his snack at home. Thankfully his teacher had extra snacks that day so he didn't have to eat the soda crackers I had in back of the stroller. Also my dear friend who's daughter goes to preschool with Leif offered to drive him home after, even though it was out of her way.
 So these are not major things but I do want to continue using cloth diapers, at least while at home. I want to continue walk/running to school with the children when the weather permits. Gas prices are ridiculous right now. I may not bake quite as much or my waist line really will start to grow. We buy a lot of produce and I want to buy less snacky garbage for the kids out of convenience.
 I do want to mention how grateful I am for the help and thoughtfulness of my good friend and some of my family members. I really feel blessed and loved. I hope none of this sounds like I am complaining because I really am not. I am happy and life is good to my family. We are healthy and we live in a safe and protected country. Not to mention beautiful.

Here are some photos

                                           Violet changing her bears diaper

                                             
                                      Lilli and Miete received some pretty new pens from
                                     Rae-anne and this is what they did with them.

                                           A rare loving moment between little rascals