new ways

As you do something over and over you find a better, more efficient way of doing it. So, as I have been sewing away this week that has happened to me. Of course, I started with the front of the costume, never a good idea. You should do the front last so that by the time you get to it your technique is perfected. Oh well. I am quite happy with how Mia's turned out and can't wait to try it all on and see the finished product. Dane's I made totally off the top of my head, no pattern or picture guidance involved. Having said that, I hope other people can tell what he is. I totally see it, but then I am his mom. The camera battery is charging right now so it will be ready for lots of pictures later. Happy Halloween everyone!

this week

I am ambitious this week. Or crazy. I am making both kids Halloween costumes, a trick or treat bag (did that today) and my sisters have 4 basketball games. We are also trying to get Mia to stay in her bed all night. Since we moved she has been waking up more and heading down the hall to our bed. Should be interesting. Nothing like waiting until the last minute on the Halloween costumes.

I read this in one of my magazines the other day and thought that's a good train of thought. I am going to approach things this way this week and see how it goes. Here's the idea: Replace "Don't throw your food" with "Keep dinner on the plate."

Pumpkin patch here we come!

Snack time

Get comfy this could be a long one! Friday night we went to the football game and hung out with Anne, Nolan, and their 2 boys. It was crazy to be there with 4 kids between us but great to see everyone and let the kids run a bit. Afterwards we went out for a drink and then back to the Jackson's house for a bonfire. I haven't been to their house in ages but it still smelled the same and felt like just like it use to. The pine trees we would jump over are now were taller then the house! My sister, Kaitlyn, was kind enough to spend the night at our house and watch the kids. This is what we found when we walked in that night. It was so cute!

Saturday we ran some errands and met Jack and Tyler at the park for some more play time and lunch. Matt and Nolan were reliving their youth! Luckily no one was injured.

Mia has finally decided on being a dog for Halloween. However, she insists on being a dalmatian. So we went to the fabric store and I bought a pattern and the material. Wish me luck!!

Sunday, we went out to a great farm in Morton. Ackerman farms has a huge pumpkin patch and it had some great pumpkins still in it. We walked out pretty far and found some dandies. You can't beat the price, 3 for $10. You should all check it out if you still need a pumpkin or 2! Mia is one of those kids who is always hot. That day she decided she was going to bundle up for some odd reason. She told me, "I don't want to be chilly." I'm pretty sure she wasn't.

We ended the weekend by having Matt's Aunt, Uncle and cousin over for birthday dinner. It was great to see them.

Small town USA

This week has been a reminder of what a small town we live in. The farmer's are harvesting their crops and Mia was quite interested in that. She watched the tractor harvest the beans in the field behind our house and told Daddy and Grandma all about it.

Today we went to IGA. The local grocery store hasn't changed much over the years, except it's not open 24 hours anymore. Everything in Metamora generally shuts down by 7 it seems like. A few restaurants stay open later. Anyways, back to the IGA story. We did our weekly grocery shopping, which we usually do at Walmart, at IGA this week instead. They had some really good deals. The cashiers are so friendly and there are people all over the store that help you find what you are looking for. I asked a lady in the deli a ? and she said, "Sure, I'll show you right where it's at." Then walked me over, didn't just say in isle 5. We checked out, they called another bagger up to bag our grocery and we walked out. This is when it really hit me, we live in a small town and people are so nice here. They had loaded all our groceries into another cart and told me to pull up. My cart was #40. As soon as I got the kids loaded and pulled up in front of the store a very nice guy came right out with my cart and loaded all my groceries for me. Mia wanted to know where all our food went and who the man was that brought it out. She had never experienced it before. I'm glad she has now and it was nice to experience it again myself!

weekend

I am just waking up and sitting here while Matt feeds the kiddos some breakfast. I'm looking forward to the beautiful weather we are suppose to have here all weekend. Hope you are all finding a little sunshine too!

Our friend, Erin, tooks some photos for us. Here is a little taste of her work. Thanks for letting us share your great work with all our friends. You can see more of her work if you click on the EBM Photography link under My Blog List.

hmmm

I am sitting here, just put the kids to bed, having a little ice cream, watching a football game. Matt is at some bar, in Nashville, enjoying a beer, I'm sure, with a group of guys for a bachlor party. Hmmmm.....

We'll see

Mia is spending the night at Grandma & Papa's tonight. She was so excited to go. Had to get her new favorite pjs and was running out the door before I could say goodbye. She said "Bye Mommy, you stay here with Dane!"The kicker of the deal, she left with just my dad. The girls were still at the football game and my mom was here waiting for them. We were sure she would change her mind as soon as she realized she was going with Papa. She didn't. I am looking forward to a full report tomorrow.

play time

Fall is here. The leaves are starting to change colors and it is chilly in the mornings and evenings. Yesterday we spent some time at the park in our neighborhood. Mia and Dane had a blast. Mia wanted to go on the baby swings, she figured out you can go higher on those.