Happy Halloween?!?!

It's October 31st. Already. How did that happen? I feel like we just waltzed our way through the last 10 months. I'd prefer the slow sauntering through the seasons of my childhood. Time marches on and waits for no man (or woman) though.  It's hard to believe that in 60 days we'll be celebrating the year that was and welcoming in 2014.

Here's some of my favorite fall moments with my littles. I love celebrating each holiday with them. It helps me remember how much I loved them as a child. The wonder of a child is truly an amazing thing.

 Trick or Treat Street with Bumble Bee & Strawberry Shortcake

 Autbots & Rainbow Dash (both kids had help)

Pumpkin picking @ Sunnyside gardens

We'll be getting ready to head to Gav's school soon  for the Halloween parade. I'll be accompanied by a sweet unicorn & bringing Captain America as our security detail. There will be pictures! We'll post some more later once the littles have passed out into their inevitable sugar coma.  Good thing this only happens once a year!

It's October already?!?!?

I can't believe we're 8 days away from Halloween. How the crap did that happen? This summer was a blur. A family reunion for the 4th of July, Aunt Ali left for her new home in Virginia, a 9th birthday, Oma & Poppa left for their yr long mission trip in West Virginia ( we survived both sets of departures), Oma & Ali came home in August for a visit, lazy days at the lake, sunshine was soaked up, a trip to Great Escape. We enjoyed every second of bliss that accompanies summer. School started (3rd grade!) and he's been doing AWESOME! I keep getting awesome phone calls from the teacher & principal. He's made huge progress. I know now we made the right choice to change schools. He needed AES. I'm beyond proud of  my little guy!

Oma (& Poppa-best surprise ever) came home the 11th for a visit. This will be their last visit until Christmas. They'll be home in exactly 57 days (not that anybody is counting). Having them leave again was tough, we love when they're home. Gavin is being a storm trooper for Halloween, Teagan has decided (for the 3rd time) to be a unicorn. Pictures will come later. We'll be going pumpkin picking with Nana & Grandpa at our favorite place this weekend & going to trick or treat street at the high school. It'll be a fun but busy weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

Back to the costume changes. Originally, she was going to be a cupcake, she decided she hated it. I let her pick another one knowing we could sell the other one easily. She decided on Strawberry shortcake. Given the flimsy nature of the costume & the weather forecast for the next week, I made the executive to change back to her original desire to be a unicorn. The one we found in September was too small, we found a bigger one for $5 the other day. We're all done switching. I swear. Pictures will be added later!

I promise to keep at this one & to post more often.

Jelly Bean Field Day

Today, is June 7, 2013. I'm pretty sure this will be Gavin's most favorite school day ever. It's Jelly Bean Field Day. Just the name sounds fun. Jelly Bean Field Day is a day held every first friday in June at AES. AES is my beloved Elementary school. Jelly Bean Field Day was always my favorite day in school. We looked forward to it ALL year. It's a day filled with a bunch of different games and activities the kids play. For each game/activity they complete, they get a certain amount of jelly beans at a jelly bean station. The kids run around, get all sweaty and then, just when they can eat no more, they break for a picnic lunch with their classmates. It's the stuff childhood is made of. It's rainy and blah today so, the fun was moved inside. The littles would have been overwhelmed & cranky. Maybe next year. I can't wait to hear all about his day. I hope he loves it every bit as much as I did.

fad or legit?

I was watching Dr.Oz the other day & he had an interesting segment on "Paleo". I'd heard of it before and noticed a lot of my "friends" on pintrest were re-pinning "Paleo" recipes and info. I started looking into it. If it does what everyone is saying, my body will feel amazing and my kiddo will feel better. The great question is, "is it a fad or, is it legit?" I guess we're about to be the suckers that find out. I've heard it helps with arthritis, celiac, lupus and other auto-immune issues. I've been doing some more ADHD research, and have come across several professionals that thing ADHD is a link to auto-immune & gastro issues. If this is the case, and eating Paleo works, I'm ready! We shall see & keep you posted on our findings!

17...

If you could go back and tell your 17 year old self something, what would it be?

Mine:
 You're a senior. It'll be a tough year, you'll graduate in June and leave the safety of home in August. Avoid that boy. You can do better. You'll go home, you'll be sad but don't shut down or shut people out. Just because you didn't graduate Caz doesn't mean you failed. There's a reason you weren't meant to be there. Be grateful for the girls you met there but, don't feel bad if you don't stay in touch. 

Your life plan will not work out but, it's okay, there are better things in store for you. Your dreams were big but, God's plan was bigger. Embrace it. That guy you think is a creeper will turn out to be your best friend and the love of your life. It'll take a while but, you'll marry him someday. 

You'll get pregnant. You will be terrified of telling Mom & Dad. Just breathe, they love you and, they know. You'll do the right thing even when you're being told not to. You're brave. You're loved. That baby will be the best thing that ever happened to you. He will save your life and he will be perfect. He will be so very loved. He will make life better. 

You'll have a daughter someday. She will march to the beat of her own drum. She will try your patience. Love her! Someday, she will be just as scared & insecure. Tell her she's beautiful, every day. Make sure she knows it. Set her standards for her prince charming and set them high. 

You'll have women in your life that will be your sanity when you have none and that will be there through the worst of things. You'll be surprised who they end up being. Count yourself blessed. Because, you are. 

For Teagan

A while ago, I posted a poem that I had found on Pintrest that was my entire relationship with my son. I hadn't forgotten about my daughter, I just hadn't found something that felt like it was meant for her.  This one tends to be more for Teagan & her Daddy. Makes me cry every time I hear it. So, here it is:

My Little Girl : Tim McGraw

Gotta hold on easy as I let you goGonna tell you how much I love youThough you think you already know
I remember I thought you looked like an angelWrapped in pink, so soft and warmYou've had me wrapped around your fingerSince the day you were born
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl
When you were in trouble that crooked little smileCould melt my heart of stoneNow look at you, I've turned aroundAnd you've almost grown
Sometimes you're asleep I whisper 'I love you'In the moonlight at your doorAs I walk away, I hear you say"Daddy, love you more"
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl
Someday, some boy will comeAnd ask me for your handBut I won't say yes to him unless I knowHe's the half that makes you whole
He has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's manI know he'll say that he's in loveBut between you and meHe won't be good enough
You beautiful baby from the outside inChase your dreams but always know the roadThat'll lead you home againGo on, take on this whole worldBut to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

Read more: TIM MCGRAW - MY LITTLE GIRL LYRICS 

A Time Out

This weekend, we were blessed with a fantastic overnight in NYC. I owe my sister BIG for making our stay possible (THANK YOU!!!!). We left early Saturday morning and made it to the city by 10, checked into the Hilton and went off the explore the city. We had tickets to The Phantom of the Opera- it was FANTASTIC. If you ever have a chance to see a Broadway show, make it POTO. I promise, you won't be disappointed. After our 2pm show, we headed back to our room to get all fancied up for a dinner date at Mesa Grill. Seriously, a dinner at Bobby Flay's restaurant. It was Heaven on Earth. I've never been full without feeling gross before, Bobby made it possible. I highly recommend it. We went back to our hotel after to change and do some more exploring. My legs are KILLING me. It was worth every achy bone in my leg. We got a quick bite at Starbucks's this AM before heading out. I feel refreshed and loved getting some downtime with the hubs. It was exactly what we both needed. It's nice to do something and not feel guilty about it.

We stopped at Ikea (Oh.Dear.Lord) on our way home and ended up getting lost in New Jersey. I have to say, while I loved exploring Ikea, Elizabeth, NJ is probably one of the smelliest places I have ever been. Jersey is just kind of gross. No offense to any of you who might be from there. It's funny, even with the stress of getting lost (no thanks to you Insignia GPS), we still had a good time. We laughed about it. Normally, that would have caused us to flip out and yell. It's fantastic what checking out and giving yourself an adult time out can do. I recommend doing that too. Sometimes, you just need to remember who you are as people and a couple. Make the time for each other, it's always worth it.

Anyway, while we were gone, my amazing sister tackled the job of a 3 yr old & an 8 yr old. Gavin had two birthday parties this weekend and seems to have had a great time at both (yay). Teagan, well she may have given her Aunt a hard time. Silly girl. I have to say, I'm impressed with my sister. She woke up at 4:30 this AM with the said small girl and still managed to do an art project with them, take them out to lunch and out to play in the gorgeous weather today. Rock.Star. I came home to a great surprise. 

Gavin's above, Teagan's below

These will both be displayed proudly in our home. I love them! The hubs thinks they're just as cool as I do. It helps when you love the artists too! We're blessed to have such wildly creative and imaginative kids.