HaPPy HaLLoWeen!

art for the wall

The girls painted these great mosaics for our masterpiece wall that we are creating.  We used a stretched canvas board and taped a design using masking tape.  Then the girls painted in the shapes with different colors of acrylic paints.  After they dried we removed the tape and voila, instant masterpieces.
Do you remember scribbling on white paper as a kid and then coloring in the shapes?  It is still one of my fave things to do when I am coloring with the girls.

autograph books

I am full swing Disney mode.  I recreated these autograph books using 50 cents spiraled-index cards, mod podge, and scrapbook paper (added the mickey sticker to red/white pocket dot).  I turned the spiral over so the back cover is the front.  In doing so the lines are now on the back side of the paper and the blank side will be for the character to sign.  I ran a ribbon through the spiral to keep the pen handy.  I think I am going to purchase retractable sharpies for the characters to sign with.  Now all I have to do is make sure LE gets over her fear of characters before we leave.  Total project cost - $1.00 (by using craft supplies out of my craft closet; before purchasing pens). 

fall backyard campout

Cooler weather = Daddy and girls camping in the backyard.  R2 and I enjoyed our own beds.  All 3 of them stayed out all night and I woke them with the camera around 8:15 a.m.

wordless wednesday - free

punkin paintin'

Missions Monday - Christmas at the Care Point

It's time to start Christmas shopping - here is what I want...give $10 for a child to attend the Christmas Parties in Swaziland and Mozambique.

expect the unexpected

To say, I overbooked last weekend would be an understatement.  It drives Ben nuts when I try to do too many things in one day, mainly b/c things always come up unexpectedly that throws 3 blondies and a Mama out of sync.

I met Mom and Ben's Mom on Friday in Marble Falls, so the kids could spend the weekend away while we were traveling out of town for a training.  R2 was fed and ready for a nap and I had it timed perfectly to arrive and feed him.  Unexpected incident #1 - major wreck on the way which left us sitting on the highway for 45 minutes next to an idling semi-truck.  R2 does not like to be in his car seat; he does not like to be anywhere that has him immobile.   Needless to say there were a few too many tears on that car ride.  We decided to do the pumpkin patch to break up the car rides and burn some energy (pics to come later.)

After my incredibly long afternoon drive, I had to pack up and travel to Houston for an early morning Zumba training.  We spent the night with my aunt in Katy and Saturday morning we headed into Houston for my class.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then Unexpected Event #2 occurred.  TomTom did not have the correct address for the location, it was Lane not Boulevard.  I arrived 30 minutes late b/c we could not figure out the area (one way streets). 

After class, we drove back home and decided to go out for a late date.  We had an appetizer at Pappadeaux's and then headed over to Cheesecake Factory to split dessert.  Five hours of zumba, I may have broken even on calories.

On Sunday morning, we decided to burn off the remaining calories mountain biking walnut creek, but only after sleeping in.  Unexpected event #3, Marissa my SIL was in labor and a certain PawPaw wanted to share the news at 8 a.m.  We went ahead and rode b/c the little Miss was not supposed to make her entrance until late afternoon.  Unexpected event #4 - she came before noon.  We had a quick bite and drove to Fredericksburg to meet my new niece, Avery Grace and grab our bundles of joy.  Great weekend, and after 13 years of marriage I am trying to learn to listen to my husband.

got bored



before



inspiration





after



apple juice slushes

I am not sure why I did not think of this, oh let's say 5 years ago, cannot imagine the money I could have saved.   About year ago, our Sonic stopped serving the apple juice slushes.  Light bulb moment - we decided to make our own for the cooking lesson this week.

Toss 4 cups of ice cubes into the blender, add 1 1/2 - 2 cups apple juice and blend.  Taste much better if you have a curly straw to serve it with.  (oh and it tastes better than the real thing - L.E.)