My Saturday Mornings

I have to admit I totally get addicted to Garage Sale hunting--especially this year now that I am always on the lookout for fun kiddie stuff for Ella. This garage sale season has brought some pretty good finds and I thought I would share them all with you. I really have come to totally believe that you can find almost anything you want at a garage sale especially when it comes to kids and toys. I could probably count on one hand the number of toys Brad and I have bought for Ella at a "regular" store. We just can't afford them and it seems like every time I have found something at the store that I thought Ella would just love, I have found the same thing for $1 or less at a garage sale a week or two later. I feel like I have become really good at passing up things that we really don't need, but when it comes to finding a bargain at a garage sale I just can't resist! I think Brad may be starting to think I have lost my mind, but, oh well. I'm pretty sure I'll keep hunting each Saturday morning. I do have to admit I sometimes feel like an old woman when I rush out to get the paper and circle which garage sales I'm going to hit that morning. I think I especially look like a weirdo when I do it on a Wednesday and start "planning in advance". Oh well. I will admit, that is just who I am right now. . .but at least I think it has been paying off!

I took a few pictures of my best finds over the past 2 months. I have also bought little toys and clothes for Ella, but these are the ones that were most exciting to me!


This is a little rocking snail that I found for Ella for $2 at my first garage sale of the year . . .I later saw one very similar at TJ Maxx on sale for $75! Ella loves to ride on it everyday!

Here is the walker we got for Ella for $1. . .she doesn't use it as much now that she can walk on her own, but it was a lifesaver for a while.

Fun little picnic table, $5

Crocodile see-saw

And the jackpot from this last weekend was this awesome playground! I have been looking into prices and trying to figure out if we would ever be able to afford getting one for Ella lately. They are normally REALLY pricey, but this awesome lady sold it to me for $40. I was nervous getting it because I have never made so big a purchase without Brad's consent, but I just had to dive on in and do it on my own since Brad was at the hospital. I figured, if he didn't agree, I would always be able to sell it for more on Craig's List later! Look how much fun it is! Ella is still a little small for it now but come this winter and spring I think she will really enjoy it!! I am so excited about this purchase, can you tell? (Please ignore the ugly towels and that in the background. . .we had just gotten back from swimming when I took these pictures :))





Crawling through the tunnel

Going down the slide all by herself!

Oh, and I have to say an extra special thanks to my dad for the playground, because last time we were in town he snuck $40 into my pocket (as he often does) when we were leaving for the airport. I've been hanging onto the money waiting to use it on something fun, when I found this at the garage sale I thought it would be a perfect use for his "gift" to us. So. . . . thanks again, Dad!