As Fall Arrives

Fall is here... as of tomorrow, officially.

It sure doesn't feel like the fall we're used to.. and that is FINE by us!

We've been enjoying the warm and sunshine and I have not stopped to say "Wow its Hot!" At all.. I remember where we came from.

Samantha had a half day last week, and this is how she wanted to spend the extra time, at the beach of course! Andrew is SOOOO happy when she is with us. When its just him and I, it isn't nearly as much fun as having big sister there too. They come up with all sorts of hilarious games, and they swim together ..Below I think they were jumping off a sand bar and they probably did this 40 times at least.

Even though its still 90 and sunny, I felt the urge to bake.

I used Trader Joe's pumpkin bread mix and turned them into cupcakes and mini pumpkins.

 

These two are already thinking about Halloween time.

Andrew keeps saying he wants to be a Bat or a Ghost.

Samantha wants to be some kind of Monster High girl. The name changes every day.

 

Running has never been more beautiful.

Living on a golf course and running past the open scenery just never gets old. The Carolina pine trees are so pretty and that distinct smell - one I remember the first time I flew here to meet Mathew.. I think of that every time I get a hint of the pine smell.

Pumpkin all things... all day.

 

I tried a new granola recipe and it was pretty good. Since it had the word PUMPKIN in it..thats what really motivated me to make it.. I'll be honest.

Ive come across the cutest beachy coastal thrift stores here, its the thrill of the hunt that draws me in. Ive found so many cute DIY project bases, cute decorations and vintage items on the cheap! And Andrew loves going too... he appreciates the need to browse and take our time

Sunday Funday last weekend at the beach.

It was so calm and relaxing ... and the water was so calm.

Today.... theres a hurricane heading our way, but last weekend it was gorgeous.

I went on baking up a storm in the air conditioning.

I made my FIRST ever pecan pie in mini mason jars

Omg. I had never had a pecan pie ever before this ... and it might be my new favorite pie and favorite way to eat pie. Theres only one more left and Im hoarding it in the fridge for an appropriate time.

 

I've falled up the house a little bit, and now tomorrow being October 1st - I feel like I need to incorporate a lot of Halloween into it

I couldn't resist this adorable garland



It doesnt really feel like fall outside yet... But inside we have the pumpkin and apple candles on rotation, and everything decorated for the harvest 

Monster High Birthday { Sassy is 6 }

Today we had a little party for our soon to be six year old... 

Her official birthday is one week from today. But our move date is 4 days after that.. so I had her friend birthday party a little earlier this year for a good reason. 

I had done my usual prep for months.. Finding and making cute garlands and accessories, matchy matchy plates, napkins, serving trays. I could easily love staging houses and planning parties.. I love it. And even though this was the last party in this packed up chaotic house.. I spared no expense to do what I always have done at her celebrations in the past . I didnt want her to feel any different about the fact that we are moving very soon.

The treat boxes were packed and tied with hot pink tulle

Garlands, Balloons, Candy and Tables were set up.

The lovely western new york weather...*sarcasm*.... forced us to have the party INDOORS...

This was a bit of a game changer.. but we had so much fun anyways.. 

Samantha kept telling me it was "the best day ever".. so I dont think the kids cared where they were .. the party was perfect in their eyes. We had her favorite Wegmans pizza for lunch and her friends and her chatted it up and sat around the little tables and chairs we had left 

She has some of the sweetest friends.
We're gonna miss these girls.

She requested a pinata... So we browsed Party City, online stores and even Walmart .. But I couldnt stomach paying almost $30 for something that would be destroyed in 5 minutes or less.

So good ole Pinterest to the rescue.

I cut up an old box and made a 6... the hardest part was the tissue paper fringe. Just time consuming. But it was super easy. I will NEVER pay for a pinata .. its gonna be a DIY thing for me. Im excited to try new shapes and holiday pinatas..

I've never seen such a mess of candy, toys and stickers disappear faster.

The kids loved it, so thats all that really mattered.

After the Pinata .. Samantha wanted to do the cake/cupcakes.

She wanted to "save the presents for last Mama, its my favorite part"

Six. Oh boy.

She was elated. And just as it should be for my little big girl

Onto her favorite part.

I just love her face and her friend's face in this picture.

She was opening this friends' gift. I just think its so cute that her friend was just as excited as she was.

As people began to leave, each guest got a Monster High goody bag.

I chose the zebra takeout boxes to hold all the goodies, and tied hot pink tulle and pom-pom tags of course

Here is what was in each box

Homemade Raspberry Lip Gloss, Bubbles, Lipstick Pen, Monster High Stickers, Pink Lolly, Monster High Pad, and Eraser, & Pink and Black Gum Balls

The lip gloss was a diy 

I got the small containers from the Dollar Tree. 

I melted some vaseline and added pink edible dust (wilton) and raspberry drink mix 

Stirred until it turned pink. 

Then I put the mix into a ziplock bag, and snipped off one end to fill the little pots without a mess. 

I glued a monster high logo face on each one.

I made my first pinata for this party and my first tassel garland

A few new Monster High girls she got today.

I think these things are hysterical.

We had so much fun today

Silly and Sweet end to a fun day.

Celebrating Andrew George

My big guy is three

The previous post was about how I felt about having a three year old now and reminiscing this day (below)

Its a chilly day today.. 15 degrees... It was 55 when he was born. 

So needless to say he had to pretty much stay indoors today.

We arranged his gifts on the table.. and he shouted "open presents now!" which I think is the FIRST time he was all excited to open presents.. He didnt even care that much at Christmas just a few weeks ago

He got right down to business...

A new garbage/recycling truck.

He was smitten. 

Played with that thing ALL day.

He also got new diecast car set, a Cuckoo Clock (hysterical) Tractor Set from Sister, A Backyardigans DVD, and a Delta Airlines Airport set 

Sam and I headed out to get a few things for his little party later in the day.

I love setting up party stuff.

No real theme, just blues and reds and yellows, But his truck cake ended up being Orange.. so .. 

I had leftover cake and homemade buttercream, so I froze about a dozen un-dipped cake pops (just the cake and frosting rolled) and then I made a few blue ones. 

Drink station ;)

And I had made these sugar cookie "3"'s about 2 weeks ago and froze them/forgot about them till the party almost was starting. 

We ordered some pizza, and had snacks. 

My homemade salsa/chips, carrots and dip and popcorn, chips

As soon as we were done eating, we mentioned presents again, and he ran and sat down so fast.. he was ready.. he likes this "present opening" thing...

Then cake... He was so excited too.

I know I keep saying he was so excited.. but i'll just preface that he was into NONE of these things when he turned 2. I made him a huge construction cake.. he took one bite and spit it out.. And Samantha opened all his presents last year.. (which is why she looks teary-eyed here... She had to accept that he FINALLY wanted to participate in his own party)

We were laughing so hard because he kept digging his fork right into the big cake.. He poked off all 3 Oreo wheels and went to town.. He had never had an oreo until yesterday.. so we were amazed.. haha..

He sat and ate and ate and ate frosting and cake and oreos... 

He was so happy ... We were so happy.. 

The party was so much fun.

and just like that, he's 3.

I have a 5 1/2 year old and a 3 year old.. with no plans of another baby... thats kind of sad... 

But then again, we're getting into the stage when its become a LOT easier, and Im grateful for that.

But if I could just blink myself back into the hospital room with him for a few hours.. That would be okay too..