SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, yesterday just might have been one of the happiest days in my entire life. I may have gotten the date mixed up a little bit (ahem, Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all!), but I did NOT forget that yesterday was THE BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR. Oh, how I love a good sale - brings tears to my eyes!!

There is this big church down the street from us that has an ENORMOUS baby & kids consignment sale every 6 months. A neighbor clued me in to this in time for the sale 6 months ago and when I got there, my oh my, there were deals to be had!! This neighbor also told me that people actually get there before the doors open and line up to get inside first. I thought people only did that on commercials. But no. She was serious! Unfortunately, I didn't take her too seriously last time and showed up half-way through the sale. Only then did I realize why people line up to get it -- it was AWESOME. Or, as my dear cousin Kate would say: It. Was. AWESOME. Never fear, people, THIS time I wised up and got there a good 2 minutes before it opened. The line was already out the door -- thankfully not too far out the door as it was freezing and hailing and nasty outside. But, as I told Bryce, the biggest blizzard of the century could not keep me away from this sale!

When I got home an hour later I showed off my spoils to Bryce, who was very appropriately impressed - and even excited about some of the things. :) So, I can tell you're all dying to know what I came home with... I focused on the toys & books section of the sale and here are the goods!!

This beauty hopped into my bag at a steal of $1.50! The woman at the check-out went ga-ga when she saw it, "I've seen this telephone in retro toy magazines for $20!!!" Even better, though, Sophie loves it!! I told Bryce last night that I wanted to slowly bring out the new toys, but this morning I couldn't contain myself! This was the first thing I showed Sophie and it was a HIT.

This is what I showed Sophie after the retro telephone. "Baby Activity Center - $1." Boom, Baby!!! This has also been a hit - she loves twirling everything and dinging the bell on the right.
These hand puppets are Bryce's favorite -- they came as a set for $5 and are in SUCH great shape!! I'm wondering if they were ever used at all. Looking forward to puppet shows a plenty.

I just saw one of these blankets at a friend's house earlier this week and thought it was the greatest idea. Sophie ADORES tags. I was considering making one, but when I saw this at the sale, well... that idea flew out the window. $3.

Other assorted goodies. I was SOOO thrilled about the soft blocks. Been looking for some of these for a while now, but I can never bear to pay full price. And the BOOKS!!! Oh, people, the books! We got some real winners -- Madeline (for when she's older), Sandra Boynton's Snuggle Puppy book, a handful of cardboard lift-the-flap and texture books, etc. In my happy place. :)

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for!!! This last item was my crowning purchase last night. My pièce de résistance, if you will. I dreamed happy dreams because of these. And smile every time I see them. I was wandering through the clothes and shoes section when I saw these. I may have shrieked and done a happy dance upon first sight... TAP SHOES!!! Size 11. $2. (Does anyone have any idea how old Sophie will be when she is wearing size 11 shoes?? I am guessing around 4 or 5...?) It does my heart good to think of little Sophie shuffle-ball-changing around the kitchen in these black patent winners. ARE THEY SO CUTE OR WHAT?!
Resident stuffed chicken gives the tap shoes a try.

So that was my evening-o-fun. So proud of myself for my extreme deals! I could hardly wait to wake up this morning to show Sophie some of her new toys!! Wherever we end up next year I am seriously thinking about making a special trip to Virginia in 6 months for the next consignment sale... Anyone want to join me? :)

ps - last night we also celebrated Bryce's 1/2 birthday with a green 1/2 cake. 1/2 birthdays are a big deal where I come from. I'd planned on doing a green cake before I'd been enlightened about the fact that St. Patrick's Day was not yesterday, ...but since we were celebrating a day late anyway, I figured I might as well stick with the plan and green-frosting!