I want to start by saying last week and this past weekend were really amazing. In case you missed it:
- I got a car
- I did a vlog
- Shamless plug: I'm offering sponsorships!
- aaand, Saturday I went to a wedding. (more on that later this week probably... maybe next week. we'll see).
Last week in my vlog I mentioned new things as far as the kids' babysitter. Lately we've been having to do a bit of scrambling, but we finally found something that works for us and the kids. Last week they both started full time at certified day cares.
I know what the moms reading this are thinking; "day care? Isn't that the opposite of staying UNDER budget??" Normally yes, yes it is. However, we've cheated the system in a way. Allow me to explain.
Zander goes to prek from 8-3 Monday thru Friday. It's state funded / lottery funded and therefore free for me. I don't even have to pay lunches. After 3:00 he now attends the after school program. Since he's almost five it's very inexpensive.
Then there's Ainsley. She's 19 months and obviously the bank-breaker of the family because putting her in a day care full time runs about $160-$200 a week, depending on where you go. The cheaper it runs the more sketchy the place tends to be.
However!
We found a Christian Academy. Yes... y'all read that correctly Christian. Academy. that had rates for HALF of what it would normally cost on the low end of the day care spectrum. Meaning we get top rated education / childcare for half the cost of sketchy day care centers. PLUS! It's a Christian based academy and so Ainsley will also be learning about God, Jesus and the Bible at a very young age. Ainsley totally loves going, too. Josh drops her and Zander off in the mornings since he doesn't have to be at work until 10, and she did amazingly last week, y'all. Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Today I'm very grateful for being able to stay well under budget, for being able to put aside money each week towards my car payment, and for my children to get superior childcare while Josh and I are at work.
The best part is I'm off work by 4:30 so I am home with both kids no later than 5:15. I'm beyond grateful, y'all. I get to have more moments with my kids after work.
And now for something completely different!
You guys are in for a serious treat today! I've teamed up with some awesome lady bloggers to offer 19 - yes, NINETEEN - free ad spots to one lucky winner! The winner of this giveaway will win a ton of ad spots - see a complete list - and $25 PayPal cash. Who wouldn't love that?!
Giveaway is open to everyone, and entries will be verified so don't cheat!
Re-Solve//The Imperfect Vessel//Butcher's Niche//The Samantha Life//Treats and Travels//Sage//Jenny Marie's Musings//t.o. & fro//Be a Warrior Queen//Wetherills Say I Do//Life with a Side of Coffee//Becoming Adorrable//SarahChristineStyle//The Rambling Llama//Route Bliss//That Southern Mama//How to Make a Life//Meg in Training//Blogs Like a Girl//HappyPrettyBlog//The So-Called Homemaker
How awesome is that? Definitely something to be grateful for, am I right?
I hope y'all have an amazing Monday and an even better week. I know I will; being able to relax that my kiddos are being well taken care of.
That's awesome that you found a good and inexpensive daycare! Even better that it's Christian-based! And good for you for getting home by 5:15! I bet your kids love the extra time with you.
ReplyDeleteYou NOT having to cough up a crap load of cash every week for child care is something to praise Jesus about for sure! It is so hard to find somewhere good to send your kids at a decent price. If I would have sent kenzie to daycare around Peachtree CIty I would have pretty much had to hand over my paycheck to them everyweek! "/ You go mama! <3
ReplyDeleteThey definitely enjoy it. Both kids love being outside, so by the time we get home we get to play outside before it gets dark and before I have to start making dinner. it makes for a much less stressed end of the day! :) My old job I'd get off at 5 but have to drive an hour to get home so very little outside / down time. :(
ReplyDeleteNo kidding! I prayed hard about getting Ainsley into somewhere good because you know exactly how expensive kids Kenzie and Ainsley's age are. It's ridiculous! Her biggest melt down is when I leave for work in the morning. She's most definitely a Mama's girl. <3 When Josh takes her to school though she's 100% fine. She has no issues with him dropping her off! haha.
ReplyDeleteThats a lot of good information for a Monday. I love it!! I'm so happy budgeting and everything else is falling into place for you. I can't imagine how overwhelming that could be. YAY for you!!!
ReplyDeleteomg it was so overwhelming. Literally the Friday before I got the car (when I had my blog rant) I was so overwhelmed about everything that needed to fall into place. After a long talk with a good friend, we sat and prayed and I'm sure I don't need to tell you but prayer does work. :)
ReplyDeleteGirl that is AWESOME!!! See what God is doing there?? ;) He is SO good!
ReplyDeleteoh that's awesome! I think that lottery funded pre-k program should get more praise, it's such a brilliant program!
ReplyDeleteAMEN to that!! :) You know how stressed I was a few weeks ago, and now I'm just singing praises!
ReplyDeleteI'm singing them with you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteno kidding! I'm so glad we were able to get Zander into one of the lottery funded schools. Most have a waiting list, with good reason, but this one he goes to by our house had ZERO waiting list, and they're just amazing.
ReplyDeleteThat's great about the academy! And I totally missed your new car! So much to be grateful for! :)
ReplyDeletethanks sweetie! Good thing I did a mini recap, huh? haha! :)
ReplyDeleteWow that is like the Holy Grail of day care situations, for both kids!! AWESOME - what a thing to celebrate!! I'm delighted that you aren't killing your budget and that you found a fabulous solution for Ainsley!
ReplyDeleteBtw not sure how I missed you are offering sponsorships now, that's wonderful, congrats!! =)
Thanks so much hun!! I'm thrilled that we hit the jackpot. I hope you're having a good Monday!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing that you found such an awesome daycare situation.
ReplyDeleteThat is great news! E is at a church preschool and we all absolutely love it too. Lots to be grateful for!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!! That is def something to be incredibly grateful for! You've got a lot going on right now, but such good things!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteYay for all the good stuff!!! That is awesome that you found a good school for them!!!
ReplyDelete