Our Pirate Family

Here is Girlfriend rockin' her pirate costume...and her usual stink face.

AJ informed me that when in costume, he should only be referred to as Oliver...
as that is his pirate name.

Got it, Oliver....
as long as you understand that pirates always listen to their mother.

With an enthusiastic "ARRRR!" they posed for a picture.
That is one mean lookin' pirate on the left.

& I can proudly say that as a family we won the best overall family costume
at our neighborhood party...
which came with some great loot...
candy, decorations, & wine!
Handmade costumes were totally worth it!
Whoop! Whoop!

Until next year...

These party-going, trick or treatin', candy eatin' pirates are exhausted!

Pumpkin Carving

Today we carved up our pumpkin!

AJ was super excited to help this year!

He took every step very seriously.

And enjoyed every part!

AJ was totally in charge of drawing the face...

So our jack-o-lantern looks j.u.s.t like all of AJ's artwork...

totally kid created, a little off centered, but oddly adorable.

(It makes me laugh...err...smile every time I see it.)

I'm Going to Make This...One Day.

Check out Little Lady Patchwork to learn how to make it with me!

Fall Craft

Inspired by No Time For Flash Cards, the kiddos and I did a quick fall craft.

Super easy.
Pretty fast.
Lots of fun!

You just need some crepe paper, Elmer's glue, scissors, and card stock or construction paper.

I cut the pumpkin outlines out ahead of time for the kiddos. You could also cut the crepe paper in small square ahead of time if you would like...or have your kiddo practice cutting them.

They just glue overlapping squares together to fill in the inside of their pumpkin...or ghost...whatever object you desire.

So cute!

Pumpkin Spice Parfait

Step 1: Get some cute helpers. Make sure they can reach the counter and have aprons.

Step 2: Gather all the ingredients: milk, pumpkin spice pudding, graham crackers, whip cream.

Step 3: Have your helpers make the pudding according to package directions.

Step 4: Let your helpers go to town smashing graham crackers in zip lock baggies.

Step 5: Closely monitor your helpers idea of how much whip cream is necessary.

Step 6: Enjoy your treat and take lots of pictures!

That would be our evidence all over the table.
*Remember to remind your helper to point the whip cream can down every single time.

Somehow, he may forget that little step each time.
Making your afternoon treat that much more exciting.

What A Glorious Problem To Have...?

Have you ever seen those pet rescue shows where the Animal Control goes to a lady's house and removes literally 37 dogs or cats...and then 3 months later they go back and she has another 24 more?

You know, the compulsive dog or cat collectors...?

Well...

I have a similar problem....

only with winter coats.

(This one is perfect for recess duty. Don't ya think?!)

I would be a compulsive winter coat buyer if my husband did not reign me in.

BUT
this week (he was in Georgia), & I may have acquired 2 new coats!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

These things make me so stinkin' gitty!

It is already done folks...these beauties are in my closet right now as you read.

(Come on! A Yellow coat with a ruffle collar and big buttons?!
It was destined to be mine, all mine!)

Now the temperature just needs to drop enough for me to wear them.

Thank You Georgia!

Andy was in Georgia all week for a conference.

I had an interesting week as a single parent back here on the home front ,

but look what daddy brought back in his suitcase!

Seriously one of the g.r.e.a.t.e.s.t. things on Earth!

Christmas Bling In The Shop

Check out the shop to get in on this whimsical holiday fun!

What Does Fall Break Mean For Me?!

It means....

Lots of early morning snuggle time with the cutest kids ever!
Making cinnamon rolls in our jammies!
Meeting Nana for lunch!
Getting to drop AJ off at school and pick him up!
Shopping with Abby!
Papercrafting!
Starting the first book in the Dark Hunter series!
Snackin' with AJ.
Meeting a good buddy at McDonalds for a play date!
Sewing late into the night!
Eating butternut squash ravioli for lunch with the windows open!
Drinking lots of Pumpkin Spice Lattes!
Baking with a good friend...

which brings us to today's adventure...

The Salted Caramels are a work in progress...

First batch: FAIL.
(But we laughed a lot, so in my book still a morning well spent.)

As soon as I get the burnt caramel taste out of my mouth,
I'm going back for round two.

Don't homemade Salted Caramels in the fall just sound amazing?!

Our traditional Candy Corn Bark: Success!

Just melt a couple bags of white chocolate chips,
and throw in some candy corn and crushed pretzels and oreos!

What a treat!