Apple Picking

There are few things I love more about the Midwest than Fall...and experiencing it with my kids of course!  I went with Charlotte on her class field trip yesterday and it was a wonderful and beautiful day!

I love you apple of my eye...

Donut Birthday

Never to early to start planning a party in my book...If I had more time and money and hands, I am pretty sure I would have reason to celebrate at least a few times a week...

So, with both my boys having December birthdays I try and get their part-planning done early - on to control my stress level!

While I was at this great paper shop a few weeks ago downtown Chicago, I found the cutest invites that were primary colored polka dots and stripes, they open and hold a picture of your birthday boy/girl...I wasn't sure how I'd use them but I knew they would be cute for Christian's 3rd Birthday, so I bought them...
And, I think I have found my theme!...A donut party!  It will work great w/ the circles, who doesn't like donuts and it happens to be one of Christian's foods...go figure.  I also love to host parties for kids early in the day...they are happy, not ao tired, no one is napping and typically it is just easier.  I thought it would be fun to have all the kids (and parents too if they wanted) to wear their PJs and then in lieu of presents, I would ask them to bring a new pair of PJs and or book to benefit the Pajama Project as seen here: http://www.pajamaprogram.org/ - .


This party is my inspiration  as featured by Christi at P is for Party her site is filled with cute ideas!

http://pisforparty.blogspot.com/2009/06/delectable-doughnut-party_08.html

What do you think?

Last on the List...

Well as we "officially" say good-bye to Summer I wanted to share a few pictures of one of the last things we did on our "Summer Fun To Do" list...a lemonade stand!  Charlotte wanted baked goods too and chose to donate her profit to our Church.  She made about $16 - (we had a few high-tipping  neighbors!)  and we did let her keep a few dollars for her efforts.  She was kind enough to let her baby brother hangout with her too!  Kudos to her Daddy for making all the cookies and Brownies and lemonade, while I was laid-up in bed the day after my Wisdom teeth were pulled....I know they are mine and I biased but are they not the cutest?!  Now, off to get the Halloween decor out...

Bento

Do you what a Bento is/means? (see link below)...

I had no idea, until tonight...when I came across this blog....I am smitten!...I am on a personal quest to get my kids to eat better, to eat more healthy, to try new things.  I want to make their lunches more appealing, more efficient, and more exciting.  I am the first to admit, I have failed my kids in this department.  I don't buy alot (like hardly ever any) junk...I buy mostly Organic and all-natural when I can.  I rarely buy anything with HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)...occasionally, yes, as a treat they will get "junky" but I have never wanted to reward bad eating habits with junky foods.  But, where I seem to fail is letting them get-away with not eating what I prepare for a meal, not trying new things and "snacking/grazing" all most all the time. My kids also fill up on milk...they love it and I probably let them drink too much of it.  So, I have decided to change the obvious and also come at things from a different angle and I think this Bento just might be the trick...or a good start anyway...let me know what you think...and I would love your "healthy eating" ideas and suggestions!

http://www.anotherlunch.com/p/faqs.html

MomAgenda-For Sale

Would anyone be interested in a brand-new, never opened MomAgenda; the Mini Daily in the Zebra print?!  (see the link below)

www.momagenda.com

I have mistakenly wound up with two and will sell it for $25 (paid $42), free shipping.  Let me know and I can send you a PayPal invoice. 

This is like my third or fourth year using the MomAgenda, they are great!  Spots for your kids/activities, menu plan, etc...check out their site - lots of fun things!

Stages

First year of travel soccer...

Last year of Preschool...

In between toddler and full-fledged little boy...

I love each one of you so much I think my heart might burst most days!  I  am so proud of all of your accomplishments and the wonderful little people God has created you to be...

Love, Mama

Stuff

Hello friends...so this what we have been up to lately...well that and lots of travel soccer and getting one more little one back to school...lots of activities and potty-training too.  The potty-training was actually quite easy and it is DONE, very exciting.  The bathroom renovations...not so much.  Seems we encounter one problem after another and of course there is never enough time to work (as Bryan plans to do most of it himself...Good and bad!?!)...and I find myself in a strange place...for the life of me I cannot make a decision to save.my.life!  So, not "me"...I am overwhelmed with all the choices...I can see what I want, just having a tough time bringing it all together right now.  I have Christmas on the brain and am already stressing about not wanting to stress this Season...to start the shopping and cards early, the same song and dance every Season for me.  And just for one last "bitch"...my teeth (3 weeks post-op) are still hurting, I make a daily, yes, daily trip to the Oral Surgeon to have my packing changed....ugh.  Really, who has time for that?  It hurts when I exercise, bend over and pretty much eat.  Fun!  So, I have not felt much like blogging of late.  Lots on the brain, as always, lots of ideas and a "to do" list a mile long.  Hoping to feel more settled that Charlotte is back in school 4 days a week...we'll see.  So, what are you up to? 

More BTS Fun...

Charlotte, 4

2009-2010 school year

While I swear every child we know is back to school...our little Charlotte is NOT.  She is so ready; missing her brother and friends and feeling a little left behind.  She does start next week though and I have plans to make her last few days at home lots of fun! I feel as if she gets "lost in the shuffle" alot...the middle child!  Between all of her older brother's activities/schedule  (school has been in session almost 4 weeks now for him) and her little brother who still requires so of our much time and attention (and we are potty-training!)  I try to make things a little extra-special for her when I can.  Well, I found a GREAT new blog  http://onecharmingparty.com/category/back-to-school/tonight that has some really cute back to school ideas...her pictures and projects are very simple and sweet and timeless (very MARTHA I think!)...so I just wanted to share a few of  her ideas that Charlotte and I will get to work on.  We are hosting a few, small friends for a BTS lunch next week, there will be teacher gifts, Orientation/Open House and the traditional BTS "night before dinner" as well as "day of breakfast".  Campbell had his celebration and now it will be her turn!  ...

apple..clever twist...great gift idea!

erasers covered with scrapbook papers

this is my favorite!...just darling!

and some pictures from my blog last Fall...

my wreath for the front door...

announcing it was time for school!

Campbell's 1st day after school treat...

Do you celebrate the start of the school year?

Celebrate with Cake

Back to School Cake...

Authentic

This picture was part of a challenge from the brilliant Becky Higgins (www.Beckyhiggins.com ).  I love her...I am obsessed with everything about her...her looks, her blue kitchen subway tile, her scrapbook room/office, the built in TVs in her kitchen that ONLY rotate/show pics...how cool is that?!  She is beautiful, has an eye for great style and color, I love her Project Life (just started mine this year) and has some really cool free downloads - anyway...her challenge...set your camera down (literally) and snap the pic. 

Here is what my pic looks like...let me tell you about it ...and in turn, I think it speaks volumes about me!  So try it and try visiting her blog, you wont wanna leave...I promise!

 Apparently I love drinks...yes, I do!  Coke Zero, La Croix Lime and of course a Grande, NF Cinnamon Dolche Latte from Starbucks!  All perched next to my Dell, pink laptop that I LOVE...I feel like having a laptop has been good and bad for me...either way it has opened-up a whole new world for me...and I have loved learning all about people, new recipes, blogging, photo editing, tutorials and information on any thing imaginable!  The silver creamer holds some of my fav pens and pencils...the creamer was my Mom's and was part of a set that was always out in our home when I was growing-up...love it, I always feel close to her with it sitting here.  The tortoise Parsons table is my desk and was also in our home growing-up...in our finished basement - we ate meals on it by the fireplace and did an occasional game or puzzle too.  I love this table, it is falling apart in some places but I wont let it go.  And mu other favorite thing - (from the photo) is the Making Memories caddy...Bryan and the kids gave it to me a few Christmases ago...it holds so much!  Pens, markers, adhesives, ruler, calculator, it has small drawers for clips, brads, etc and it spins which I love!