Kids Exchange

So, twice a year I shop for the boys at this amazing consignment sale that they hold at the NC Fairgrounds: The Kids Exchange. (No, they don't sell actual kids.) Think of a kids' consignment shop and then multiply whatever picture you have in your head times 100,000!!

It's totally insane. Very crowded. Takes forever. (I stood in line for 45 minutes just to check out!)

On the other hand, anything you need for your kid is there. For a fraction of the cost. All organized. And did I say cheap?

So, I left the house at 9:00am, stopped off at the Farmer's Market for produce, and got to the Kids Exchange at about 10:00 and shopped until 1:30.

I'm thrilled with the bargains that I got. (I always am.) So, what the heck, I'll share here. What else is this baby blog for except to divulge all the excrutiatingly boring details of our life?!

FOR MERRIT
3 pairs pants
5 pairs shorts
12 T-shirts
1 light cotton sweater
1 button-down dress shirt
3 short sleeve button-down shirts
1 pair sandals
1 pair sneakers
1 set of PJs
1 pair of swimming trunks
a kickboard for the pool
Spiderman puzzle

FOR OLLIE
2 pairs pants
5 pairs shorts
2 pairs overalls
5 rompers/sunsuits
4 short-sleeved onesies
2 long-sleeved onesies
5 T-shirts
2 short sleeve button-down shirts
1 pair sandals
1 pair sneakers
2 sets of PJs
1 pair of swimming trunks
infant flotation device for pool (I've seen moms using these at our pool before, very cool; it's a small innertube with a mesh seat built in; brand new, still in the box!)
a booster seat (also brand new!)
SPOILER ALERT: 1 fuzzy bumblebee Halloween costume

FOR HOMESCHOOLING
4 LeapPad books/cartridges
multiplication flashcards
addition/subtraction flashcards
famous inventions flashcards
Spanish/English vocabulary puzzle
2 books
8 cassette tapes (kids' audio books, music)
set of U.S. presidents flashcards
set of U.S. history flashcards
mini-loom with loops for making potholders (remember that craft?! I do!)

GRAND TOTAL
$287.00

So, I know that $287.00 is a lot of money, but consider that just one pair of jeans at Baby Gap (I know, because I just spent a gift card there) can run as much as $23.00. And I bought all those homeschooling supplies, too. So, it was a good day.

Of course, I spent all afternoon washing and folding stuff. And, before I put it away, I need to go through their closet and set aside all the items of clothing that are too small. Whew!

Even though it's only 8:15, I am so wiped, I am just going to take a shower and go straight to bed! Nighty-night, everyone...