The Hearts are Coming

We began the hanging of the hearts today. Grace and I. My little sick buddy. Since we are home with not much to do, we decided it would be fun to make the house look like it threw-up hearts. Over-the-top pink and red, just how daddy loves it. ;) I have a vase full of twig/stick things in the entryway that I found at Michaels and decided we would hang every heart that had a string on it there. So when you walk in the door....look out. It's a heart loving lookin' home right now. S.W.A.K.

Love, Love

Just ordered this from Sparkle Power on Etsy. I'm thinking this will go perfect with the Valentine decor that will be making an appearance in the near future. Love it. Can't you just picture it framed and on a mantle or entry table!! Next to a giant clear jar of red beads or hearts, of course. Love.

We are in the midst of giving extra snuggles and love around here. We started the year off with a bang this year. Grace had a fever of 101 by midnight, Maddie followed within an hour, and Caleb followed the next day. Three kids, three horrible fevers/colds, and some long nights followed. I loathe the flu. Yesterday we spent most of the day at the pediatrician who wouldn't allow us to leave until we could get Grace's fever below 103. Caleb and Maddie seem to be on the mend, and poor Grace is getting there. I really don't enjoy fevers. The whole unpredictability of them scares me. Give me a good old head cold anyday over a fever.

The good news.....for me. I have somehow by the skin of my teeth avoided this virus. Me, the girl who a year ago walked into the same room as someone with a cold, and was sick within a day. Let's hear it for vitamins and eating healthy. Poor daddy was taken down yesterday as well. So, I am the crazy motrin/tylenol/medicine giver mixed with "liquid enforcer" and a LOT of antibacterial wiping for good measure. This house is one big germ, and my little immune system is putting up a fight. I guess I do have one after all.....

Holiday Joliday

We had a very relaxing Christmas. It was a no stress kind of Christmas. I was organized (for me!), food was easy and made a good bit ahead of time, went out to eat a lot....that always helps keep the kitchen clean. ;)  Mom and John came down and we had a really good time. It was nice having them here. Spent a lot of time in New Orleans. We saw movies, dined at Emeril's, put together bikes and baby doll cribs, made some great food, ate enough gumbo to feed a small army, went to church, dragged them around the aquarium, ate a lot of seafood, and had our tails whipped by John at Monopoly. I have been humbled, and my long run of the Monopoly Queen has come to an end. Sad. Very sad. I see a rematch in our future.......

So, we got mom and John settled in New Orleans today and they are going to enjoy the sights and sounds of that fun city for the next few days. They will be eating at some super fun restaurants and exploring the history of NOLA.

We are home and in the process of merging new toys with old, and enjoying a quiet evening at home. Thankful for another whole week off with my monkeys.....and feeling like we have managed another fun and successful Christmas. Soaking up these last days of Christmas tree lights and holiday decor around the house before it goes into hiding for another year. Feeling quite thankful for my little family unit.

Party X3

Let the "over the top, sugar madness rush" begin. I am up early, trying to look presentable, eating my Wheaties, doing my warm-up stretches, gathering up all the fruits of my labor in the form of cupcake trees, and doing a little self-motivation. I think I can, I think I can.......3 parties in 2.5 hours......one mom...in uncomfortable shoes that look cute, but hurt my feet. Ready, set, GO!

Today

 

-Today I am loving that I got to pick up our CD from the photo session we had a few months ago, and all those pictures are now mine!!
-I am loving that the kids got out early today, and are currently snuggled up on the couch in their PJ's watching Despicable Me. And it's only 1:40.
-I am loving that I have a husband who laughs when I call and tell him I just ordered these slippers as a gift from him for Christmas. ;)

-Love the fun little things that come home in school backpacks. Like oranges that have cloves stuck all over them and tied up with red ribbon.
-Love that you can order books from here and they ship FREE and FAST to your front door. Got this , this, this, and this for some fun reading around the house while school is out. We love, love the llama-llama books in this house. If you have little one's they are so fun.
-Love that in 2 more days we get to sleep in, and hang out, and eat Christmas cookies until we are sick. With a little bit of fighting and annoying your siblings mixed in for good fun....

Tree Advent Calendar

Two posts in one day. Yes....you are lucky and I have no life, obviously. ;) OK...I had to post this one today just in case someone wants to get it done by Wednesday. It's an advent calendar, but using trees. Found it HERE. Super cute. They give you a template to use when drawing the trees. Really easy, and then just use double sided tape to mold them into cute little trees. I just used paper I had on hand already and cut them out.

Since I have three children, each will have their own day with a few fun things mixed in. Like this next Saturday (the 4th) we are going to get our Christmas tree, so the coupon under the tree will say "Tree outing - and hot chocolate at Starbucks." A few days I have some fun little toys for them, but it doesn't have to be all toys and things that cost money. Some days I have bible verses, other days we are going to make homemade cookies, or gingerbread houses. I think I am more excited about this than they are!! ;)

We're Back!!

We are back!! Had the best time seeing some friends in Austin and then making our way to Dallas to see Drew's family. It was relaxing and fun and the kids loved seeing everyone. One of my favorite things about Drew's family is the laid back feel their house exudes. We hang out, maybe watch TV, maybe play dominos or Connect Four, or we just chat. Love that. Judy and I always escape somewhere to do a little browsing in some stores. I dragged her with me to Macy's on Friday at 6:00 am. I did it last year on my own, and enjoyed it. So, I thought it was only fair she share in the fun!! ;) We got our Starbucks first, and then browsed. I love hanging with "granny". She cracks me up. Everytime Drew and I leave town we try and figure ways we can move closer to them. Grace is so totally attached to Judy. It is so sweet. And, at the same time breaks my heart when she crys every time we leave. This time she started crying 2 days before we left.....

So...another successful trip. Kids learned the fine art of Dominos, mommy got to stock up on all kinds of "gluten free" goodies from all the stores between Austin and Dallas, daddy got to figure out how to make it all fit in the car, trips to the park, basketball, movies on Thanksgiving day, cousin love, piano lessons from Poppa, baking pies with Grandma, Grandma forgetting to add sugar ;), and a Turkey Trot for mommy.

Connect Four fun with Uncle Matt

Grace's photo skills before the "trot". Although it looks as though I am scared of Drew's lips...I am actually telling her to take the picture!! Drew could care less, obviously. ;)

Winston playing with the girls - isn't he adorable!?!

Turkey Day

The excitment is overflowing around here. Tomorrow we are leaving for our "Thanksgiving Road Trip"!! Swinging through Austin to see some friends, and then we are on our way to Dallas to see Grandma and Poppa. I am a frantic mad woman tonight trying to get laundry done, bags packed for 3 children and one dog, nevermind all the stuff for me. But, we are anxious to get away for a little bit and see family. Kids are missing their grandparents, uncles, aunt, and cousin. A fun week is in our future. Relaxing and being thankful. With a Turkey Trot thrown in, there is only so much relaxing I can do! ;) We are thankful for so many things in our lives this year. Through the good and bad we are blessed. This is by far my favorite holiday.......bring on the turkey!

December Daily

I started a project about 2 years ago after reading of the idea on Ali Edwards blog, and have loved it. The idea is to make an album ("December Daily") for the month of December with a page devoted to each day. Every year it is so fun for the kids to flip back through what we did in the month of December leading up to Christmas. This is the time of year I am usually scrambling to get it done, so that on December 1st we are ready to go. This album pictured is from 2 years ago. The idea is to take a smaller album (6X6 or so) and premake some pages with numbers corresponding for the dates. I do 1-31 for all the days of December. Some people do 1-25 until Christmas, but I think it's fun to do the whole month. I always try to use supplies I have on hand, and those of you that "scrapbook" in any form know how much Christmas stuff can accumulate over the years. This year all I did was buy the 6X6 album, and the rest I had on hand. My goal is to get it done before we leave on Saturday....and it's a lofty goal at this point.

I'm sure I'll mention this a few times next month....since I am a little obsessive about it. :) And, I love the idea of preserving a month in time that doesn't have to feel overwhelming. It's a fun way to get the kids involved as we print our pictures at night and put them in the album. A lot of the pages are traditions we do every year...cut down the tree, decorate the tree, make cookies, wrap presents, Christmas Eve church service....but so far every year I have captured some totally unplanned and unexpected memories that I know I most likely won't remember in 10 years.

Shake Your Tailfeather

Our crazy turkeys. The girls and I worked and played with these this morning. We are going to make them for placecards at Grandma and Poppa's house next week. So far two of us can eat! I bought some ink pads with red, orange, yellow, and brown and used their finger prints to make little turkeys feathers. Then used some goggley eyes I had here at the house, drew in some feet and voila! Turkeys. Super easy and super cheap way to add some fun to the table for Thanksgiving. If you go buy the eyes, I suggest smaller ones. I was trying to use what I already had, and these turkeys have some BIG eyes. :)

P.S. Start with the outside feathers and work your way in. Learned that the hard way......

Holiday Cups

So, I decided today after I dropped the kids off that Jack and I needed to hit Starbucks on our way home. It was one of those mornings where I was dragging...badly. Not enough sleep, battles over pancakes not being "soft" enough, hunts for belts and shoes that are never put back in the same spot everyday, leggings vs. bike shorts under the uniform, making weird noises that are just downright annoying and bug your sisters, and the toothpaste bomb that explodes all over the bathroom everyday . It was a Starbucks morning from the moment my feet hit the floor. And the best part....well two actually. One is that when I placed my order and pulled up to pay, she sweetly said to me, "We accidentally made a venti instead of a tall. I can throw this one out and make a tall if you'd like, or you can keep this one." Gee, let me think about that for a minute. So me and my venti coffee left VERY happy. And the second best part. Those cute cups! I mean do they not just make you smile? The holidays are upon us when Starbucks breaks out the holiday cups. Love, love them this year.

I am currently half way through my venti coffee, and starting to feel motivated. Guess I'll start with the two baskets of clean clothes that have been looking at me for 3 days. Fun times. Happy Wednesday!!

Streusel Topped Pumpkin Bread

My new favorite bread to make and give away. Easy to make, comes out of pan easily so you can wrap it and make it cute! Found the receipe here. It yields 2 loaves, which means if you are making it for teachers...you have a lot of baking to do! :) Yesterday daddy played golf in the afternoon, and the girls and I baked our little hearts away. Here is our finished product.

All wrapped up and ready to go! Wrapped them in parchment paper first, and then craft paper which you can find at any craft type store. If you are a "scrapbooker" like me, then the supply of things to put on the front is never ending, if you don't have paper, ribbon, and all that stuff...head to Hobby Lobby! Each paper strip is about 3 inches, which means you can wrap 3-4 loaves with one piece easily. Add a little ribbon, and voila. Today I am going to go grab some Starbucks gift cards to attach as well. That way they can enjoy a cup of java with a slice of their awesome "Streusel Topped Pumpkin Bread"! Here are the free labels I used as well. Give Thanks Tag

We Made It!

We survived a looooong night of fun! Everyone did wonderful, and I think this is the first Halloween Drew and I actually could relax and just watch as the kids ran off and on the hayride. It was a hilarious sight with all the golf carts following the hayride. I had a few panic moments, but overall I am proud of how I sat in the background and didn't make Maddie sit on my lap in fear she would bounce off the hay. A bunch of the dads put together a haunted house at the pool house, and they did such a great job. Drew even got in on the action and was a scary skeleton/robed/long fingered man. He was rather scary. So, on to the next holiday!! I love this time of year. Time to pull out a few more Thanksgiving things and march on.

Grace insisted I include this one of the butterfly taking flight for the "grandmas". Just in case you couldn't tell she was a butterfly from the picture above. ;)

And then Maddie said it wasn't fair Grace got to have 2 pictures of her on the blog...so here is one of Maddie putting her shoe on trying to keep up with the others.



Anticipation

The anticipation around here is thick. Trying to keep the kids busy with things occupying their hands. We have a fun lunch planned for tomorrow involving "bones and blood". Bwhahahahahah! Today we are making chocolate dipped oreos with fun little faces on them. With all this baking the past 7 days, if my calculations are right, we will all weigh 200 pounds by Monday. ;)

Thankfully tomorrow the festivities will begin early up at our clubhouse. They are having lots of fun "Halloweenish" stuff for dinner, and then a hayride all over the neighborhood/golf course. And the best part.....wait for it.....the hayride man is taking everyone door to door. Yep, mommies and daddies can follow in golf carts, or stay on the hay. Genious is all I have to say. Give me something warm to drink, and drive me around while my kids trick-or-treat. Then we end the night with smores around a giant fire pit on the golf course. All planned by them, which means.....I don't have to smell like gasoline. I love it here......

Spider Web Cookies

I am up for "Fabulous Friday" snack for Gracie's class, and we decided these MUST be the snack. ;) Especially since it's so close to Halloween. Made the cookies with cake mix so they had a more cakey consistency, and then iced with chocolate frosting. Put three round circles of white frosting on the cookie, and then take a toothpick and drag it through all three. Tried to use what I had in the pantry for the spiders, and fruit gushers it was. Nastiest fruit snack on the planet...in my opinion. Then tinted some white frosting to match. Voila. I made the cookies during the day so all I had to do was ice them after the kids were in bed. It's becoming my therapy. :)

3 circles...then drag toothpick through.

Halloween Goodies

Today we made the "Monster Munch" drop-off's to all our teachers/secretaries and favorite librarians. The kids had an early release day yesterday, so we spent the afternoon with our elbows in white chocolate and popcorn. Nothing says Halloween like junk food central. It's become a tradition to make this yummy stuff every year. Here is the receipe:
Monster Munch {Halloween Popcorn Mix}
Recipe by Our Best Bites - I usually double this receipe if making for teachers and friends.

1 package Almond Bark (1 lb)
12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernals)
1 C candy corn
1 C dry roasted, salted peanuts
1/2 C Reeces Pieces/or Halloween M&M's

Pop popcorn and place in a large bowl. Much larger than you think you need. The largest you have. It will make mixing easier! Highly recommend going through and pulling out all the unpopped kernals. It is rather painful to chomp down on those later! Pour peanuts, candy corn, and M&M's on top.

Take a large knife and break up almond bark. Melt according to package directions. I just chop it up a little and microwave it in intervals until smooth and melted.

Pour over popcorn mixture. Stir until everything is well coated and then spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil. Let sit until completely dry and then break up into clumps. Place in containers, and voila...yummy stuff.

Then we will be making another tradition as well tonight....Mummy Dogs. Yep. It's been rough planning this one. Took me all day to prepare. ;) Seriously, one of the easiest dinners you will EVER make. Two ingredients: hot dogs and cresent roll dough. Bake them according to the directions on the dough. Easy stuff. Add a few dabs of mustard for eyes and instant happiness on a plate if you are 10 and under. Or 40, daddy loves them too.

Lunchbox Fun

Found these fun Halloween jokes to put in the kids lunches this week. Not too scary....which is always nice around this time of year. Found them here. I printed them on paper and then ran them through the laminating machine real quick (I know...I own a laminating machine...puts me in a whole different nerd catagory). That way the stuff in their lunches won't spill and make the joke unreadable by lunch time. I've seen the way my children swing their lunchboxes around and those jokes don't stand a chance! :)

Spoooky Bats

Had an idea yesterday while the girls and I were going paper crazy with the bat paper punch shown above. Good ol' Martha really does make some cute stuff. As much as I try not to, I just can't stay away from her isle and Michaels. This bat punch was one of the few things I got this year to add to my "Halloween collection". I found a frame on clearance at Wal-Mart yesterday, and was trying to think of what to do with it when we got home. Once the pile of bats was laying in front of me, courtesy of my trusty assistants....we came up with this.

I'm loving it. But I'm the one who made it, so I guess I should. :) I think I see another interchangeable frame in my future. Turkeys for Thanksgiving, trees for Christmas, hearts for Valentine's Day, and on it could go.

Spooky Spiders

Made these for breakfast today. And tried to ignore the black teeth that smiled at me for the next 30 minutes. Ewwwww. We brushed teeth a little quicker than usual today. Kids loved them. And all I did was turn the pancake mix orange with food dye, made some of the syrup listed below, and made a  SPOOKY spider. Fun stuff. You could try a spider web too. I could barely get them made before someone grabbed it to eat it! I have really learned to love the Wilton gel dyes. Much easier to dye bolder and brighter colors and you can get colors like orange and black. They've come a long way since the 4 little tear shaped bottles of McCormicks dyes.

Black Cinnamon Syrup 

•1/2 cup granulated white sugar

•1/2 brown sugar

•2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

•2 teaspoons cinnamon

•1 teaspoon vanilla

•1 cup water

•black food coloring gel
 
In a saucepan combine sugars, flour and cinnamon. Add vanilla and water. Bring to a boil, stirring continuously. As it heats squirt in a little of the black food coloring and mix in, add more until it's dark (it doesn't take much). Allow to boil for a few moments until the mixture has noticeably thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool enough to put into a squirt bottle. Let each person decorate their own pancake!

Frame Fun

Found this here this weekend...and this is what I did with it. It was super easy too. Last year I bought a frame that I put in our front entryway, and every holiday I switch it out with sayings to depict the holiday coming up. Now I have a Halloween one!! And those little green balls in the background....they are my new obsession. I just switch out the colors for the whatever holiday is coming up, and I LOVE them. They make me happy, and bring joy to my day. Pathetic, yes, but I'm not ashamed to admit that little green balls bring me joy. :)