The Thrill of the Hunt

Ten years ago, when I was expecting Trent, my best friend Kate got me hooked on Garage Sales. I have been addicted ever since. I search the ads each week to see if there are any great sales, map out my route, get up early and load-up the kids. This morning I took my addiction to the next level.
Knowing full well there was a storm cell heading right towards us, I set out early. I had seen a great ad and loaded up the kids extra early. I wanted to be at the sale no later than a half hour before it opened. As I listened to the radio, reports were coming in for golfball-sized hail and tornado warnings. Yet we persisted. As we stood in the driveway with a few other brave (crazy) souls, the rains came just as the door went up. I ducked underneath and immediately said to the homeowner "I'm here for the Nintendo DS". She grabbed it for me just ahead of three other shoppers. SCORE! I even talked her down $10!!!! The boys have saved money and wanted one for sooooooo long.
It is nearly new, came with the box and carrying case. We only paid $50 for it. We got back in the car and found a gas station with an overhang and sat under it, out of the rain and pea-sized hail untill the storm passed. The tornado warning actually passed just to the south of us. I know, I'm nuts. But the boys don't think I'm so crazy. They are on cloud 9!

While we are on the garage sale stories, Trent and Grant made their first purchases of the season yesterday. Since school got out sooooooo late this year, it was the boys first day to go garage saling with me. Grant got a complete Micro Machines set for $5. Trent bought good condition roller blades for $2. He has been asking for roller blades because he wants to learn to skate so he can play street hockey. I was hesitant. Trent is not known for his coordination. But, I gotta hand it to the kid. He is determined! He practiced, and practiced and practiced all day yesterday. He even praciticed in the garage when we got home this morning while it poured rain outside. He is getting it. Thank goodness for elbow/knee pads and helmet. Now, if he would just tie a pillow to his bum, he might not get bruised at all!

And here is Brooke with a couple of her purchases. Brooke had saved her Easter money from the Grandmas and she bought these adorable castles. They both open up and have tiny little figures. The one on the left is Cinderella (complete with carridge) and the one on the right is Beauty and the Beast (complete with a tower and lighted rose). Brooke is holding the TEENY TINY Belle and Cinderella. She loves them.

Team Giants celebrated their Second-Place-Season standings with a pizza party and trophies. Coach Doug nearly teared up when he said a few words about Trent. He told everyone what a great kid Trent is how much Trent has improved since last year. We are in playoffs right now. Giants won their first playoff game and will go on to play again on Saturday. GOOOOO GIANTS!