Bring Crafty....

I've been inspired to be a bit crafty.....

First I started with Alden's hair- it was SO cute spiky- but it only lasted long enough to take this picture. 5 min after this pic it was laying perfectly flat on his head. I've tried to spike it with gel, and I get the same result. Oh well- at least his hair is cute!


This isn't a crafty pic, but I love it and wanted to put it in!



We made orange pancakes for breakfast- a lesson in measuring, mixing of colors, stirring and following directions!


Addie's polka-dot bedding has been doing some strange shrinking when I wash it- so I've been on the look-out for a new comforter. There was a cute green organic one at Wal-Mart that I've had my eye on. I saw 1 set on the discount rack the other day, and was able to snag the entire set, orginally $50 for only $15! As a result, the artwork above her bed needed to be revamped. I used some old foam I had and created this- I LOVE it!

Here is Addie in the new-and-improved bedroom! The bedskirt I kept from the old bedding (the new one didn't come with one). I love how this helps blend the pink and green!

I also decorated Alden's room more- pics of that to come! He has more airplanes, his passion, all around the room- a score from a recent consignment sale!

Fall Fun With Nate & Jen

This weekend, Aunty Jen and Cousin Nate came for a visit while the men went motorcycle riding. The cousins had a blast playing together.

Here Addie is giving Nate a ride on her "new" tricycle. She got this at the local MOMS Club Consignment sale for $5. To say that she loves it is an understatement. She rides it everywhere and would sleep with it if I let her! Nate loved riding behind her and she loved having an audience!


Saturday morning we hit up the outlets since it was crummy weather. Sunday was gorgeous so we visited a local pumpkin patch. The kids were thrilled- and to help them spend some energy we let them bounce on the little trampoline- and boy did they enjoy that!
Here are my 2 Italian Jumping Beans!


At the Pumpkin Patch they had this cute pumpkin to put their faces in....

Introducing Pumpkin Addie


Pumpkin Alden

And Pumpkin Nate!

Alden was bothered by all the pumpkins that had "fallen down" so he walked around the field setting them straight. Bless his heart- he's a lover of all that is neat!

Attempting to get a cute picture of them together in all their orange!

Wheeling all our treasures to the car- notice Alden "helping" to push?! Addie carrying her "baby" pumpkin and Nate is, too!

After the Pumpkin Patch, we visited the local Zoo since it is right there. Addie and Nate loved being together- so here she is leading him around "her" Zoo- and he loved it!

Snack time at the zoo's playground.

We had a great time with Aunty Jen and Cousin Nate. The kids are all old enough that they actually play together and have so much fun! The guys had fun- and hopefully I'll get some pics from their adventure to share....

My New Favorite

I finally did it. I bit the bullet and bought a nice, double jogging stroller. And even after 1 walk and 1 jog, I can tell was worth every penny and wish I had bought it earlier! The kids like it, I can push it without hurting my shoulders and hopefully, it will help me shed these last few baby pounds (please don't remind me that my "baby" is 2...). I've been working on these last pesky pounds for a while and they just won't budge. In the past, the only way I have ever been able to loose weight is jogging. I hate jogging with a passion, but I love the results it brings. So, now that I have the tool that will enable me to go just about any evening, I'm determined to loose these pesky pounds!

But for now, isn't the stroller cool?!? It came with a bug netting, built-in cup holder, and the easiest seat belts! Plus, the best part- I ordered it Friday night- and it arrived Wednesday afternoon- and that was the FREE shipping!!

Now, I must run- literally!

Fun With Fire Trucks

Addie and Grayson's school has been studying fire safety, and one of the culminating events was a ride ON a fire truck! Families and siblings were invited- so I came and left the 2 little ones with Al. It was nice getting to meet Addie's new friends and to ride on top of a fire truck- it was a first for us both! We all had fun!

Ready to go- all squeezed onto my lap! There were about 20 kids on top- with 2 parents, 1 teacher and 1 fire fighter! Both kids weren't too sure about riding on top- but they warmed right up and enjoyed themselves!


Here is the other class on their firetruck- we passed each other. I can't imagine what people must have thought- there goes a firetruck, lights and siren on, but with about 20 kids sitting on top....

Gut Wrenching

Addie has been obsessed with Tinkerbell lately. I wasn't sure she knew who she was, so I rented Peter Pan from the library, and the passion for Tinkerbell, increased! While shopping the other day, a local stationary shop had a knock-off Tinkerbell costume for $5, so I got it for her. All the way home, she kept bouncing in her seat, clutching her costume- SO excited to try it on and become Tinkerbell (I should have clued in on that terminology...).

When we get home, she quickly puts on the costume, wings and all- all while I am making lunch. All of a sudden, I hear her just sobbing uncontrollably. I go to her and this is the conversation we had:

Me: Honey, what's wrong? Are you hurt?

Addie: No! I can't fly!

Me: What? (I can't believe she just said that, I must have misunderstood!)

Addie: I want to be Tinkerbell and fly!

Me: (starting to understand the "situation") Well, Love, you can't fly because you are a girl and Tinkerbell is a fairy.

Addie: No! I put on my Tinkerbell outfit. I'm Tinkerbell. I should fly! (sobbing continues)

Ahhh- she thought that once she put on the Tinkerbell costume, she would BE Tinkerbell and thus be able to fly. The innocence of childhood.

I was possibly the most difficult thing I have ever had to do- console Addie AND keep a straight face. She was truly heartbroken that she could not fly. I really wanted to take a picture of her- but it was just too sad.

Instead, here are 2 pictures of her, having come to grips with the bitter truth that putting on a costume does NOT make you THE person and thus give you all their powers. So sweet....

Flying at last! This kind of flying made her SO happy!

Showing off her "wings"!

Fall Cuteness

While in Richmond, I took the kids to my all-time favorite photography place, Portrait Innovations. There isn't one any where near where we live now- the closest one is about 1.5 hours away... I thought these 2 turned out super cute...

We love motorcycles around here- Alden has clearly been watching Al has he rides his- notice how he is leaning into the curve?


And this one just sums up their personalities- Alden is looking cute while trying to pick the fake fruit and Addie is just cheesing it up. I love my kids and think they are pretty darn cute!

LOTS of Posts

Life has been well, busy around here! School has started back up for me- so I'm up to my eyeballs with essays to conference. I'm the Co-Director of my local MOPS group. I have 2 kids, 1 dog and 1 husband- so my house is in constant need of attention. And on top of all that, we travel and do all kinds of cool things!!

Finally, tonight, my essays are all graded, and I have had time to put a ton of posts here. Please keep reading until you find one that is familiar! God is good- and we are so blessed to have so many wonderful things to share with you, our family and friends that follow this! Thanks for your patience- and yes, this will probably be a trend- a long lag in posts, and then a whole bunch. Such is the life of a stay-at-home-part-time-writing-teacher!