Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....

That's what dd was singing as I tried on jeans today in the dressing room at Kohl's!
Yep, I've got it already. That Christmas spirit! Just last week I was Scrooge and talking about how sickening it was that the Christmas aisles were showing up right next to the pumpkins and candy for Halloween. There's something much more appealing about it this week. I'm not sure why, but I've been bitten by the Christmas bug. Maybe it's the fact that I scored some really awesome deals at Kohl's today! I decided to stop by Kohl's because dear hubby and I both needed a new pair or two of jeans. We've worn ours out so badly, it was time.
I went in with my handy 30% off coupon, which was able to be used on ALL merchandise; even sale and clearance items! The first trip to Kohl's today was success #1. Though, I could only pick up things for the boys, dh and I since dd was with me. We did manage to get her some camis that she just HAD to have, to wear under her shirts (I'll save that for another post!).
Anyways, the first trip I spent a lot, but saved a lot too. I think I saved $75 that first trip. WOOHOO! I'm a bargain girl all the way. There is something so invigorating about a deal! I managed to find something for my mom while I was there also.
I came home and talked with dh about my savings. I then decided that I needed to go back and pick up a couple of toys and things for the kids when they weren't with me. I couldn't pass up these deals! The toys were up to 50% off, plus my 30% coupon that I can use as many times as I'd like. WOOHOO again! Gotta love Kohl's!
So, back into town I went without any children in tow. That was a blessing in itself I have to say. This time I managed to get several things that will be sitting under our tree on Christmas morning! I won't go into them here since ds#1 is often peeking over my shoulder while I'm at the computer, I don't want to ruin any surprises! We'll just say we scored some big time deals. One of my best finds was the Dora doll sets. My nieces both love Dora and I found two different sets that were on a huge sale.
Tomorrow the new ads will come out and I'm hoping to find some more fantastic deals in them! The Target toy catalog came last week and had some great coupons in it! The kids have all been going through it to find what they'd love to have. Of course, dd managed to mark everything on most pages. She's not picky! She'll take anything in the book. lol.. Ds#1 is a little more selective. He only selected a handful of things in the entire book. He's not sure what he really wants for Christmas. However, ds #2 thinks that he needs a TV for Christmas for his bedroom. Seriously, a TV?! This 3 yr old is nuts! Though, dh told him the other day that he may be able to work that out. What?? Could we discuss this first please! lol... In his defense he was trying to negotiate a deal with ds and it seemed to be working. Since his surgery, ds has decided he isn't going to use the potty anymore. In fact he wants to wear diapers or pull ups all of the time. This is especially frustrating since he was fully potty trained before the surgery. We've been struggling with this all week. We're finally close to getting him back on track. He has been wearing underwear most of the day again and trying his best to use the bathroom instead of a pull up. He seriously thinks he's getting a TV, since dh used his negotiating powers. ugh... What to do...what to do...
I'm not a fan of having televisions in my childrens' bedrooms. The only reason we have one in our master bedroom is because dh got a new bigger tv for the living room and we put our old one upstairs in our room. Otherwise we probably wouldn't have one either. We don't watch it much up there. I think the kids watch it more than we do, like if we're watching something downstairs and they want to have movie time or something. So, I'm torn. I don't know what to do. If (and that's a big IF) we decide to go ahead with this TV for ds it will come with strict rules. He will only be allowed to watch it for maybe a 1/2 hour a day and not when it is time to be sleeping! We'll see how that goes. When you ask the child what he wants Santa to bring he just says "A TV for my dresser!". I hate to break his heart and not let Santa bring the dang TV. But, I also hate to give in and let him have the TV, seeing as how I don't like the idea all that much. I'm going to try to convince him to choose something else in one of the countless toy catalogs that we have. For now he only wants a TV, he tells me "just a small one mom!". ; ) Gotta love him, he's trying so hard!

To sum all of this rambling up, I'm just very excited to say that I've at least started my Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving this year. I'm hoping to have all of it done on the day after Thanksgiving. What a blessing that would be! Then, I could enjoy the entire month of December with my family, baking, celebrating and eating!! Maybe I should keep my eyes out for one of those treadmills to go along with all of the baking and eating! I'll be needing new jeans again after all of this.

Happy Early Holidays all! Happy shopping! They're even playing Christmas music in the stores already. Crazy stuff!