Fall days are offically here.

As we once again say goodbye to summer, Autumn comes sweeping on by and gracefully puts cool colors in the trees.  Whether it may be a red, brown,yellow or a mixture of all fall colors on the leaves, I come to realize just how mother nature likes to keep things colorful.  

When I think of the long fall days, there is soo many activities to do with the kids each weekend until Halloween.  It may be the pumpkin patch, haunted houses, apple orchards or digging out the fall and Halloween decorations.  Matt is like a little kid when it comes to decorating for Halloween.  He has done a couple of haunted houses in our garage in the past and the kids in the neighborhood loves it.  

I on the other hand love to decorate the house with scarecrows, pumpkins and other small items that we have had in Tupperware bins.  But what I really love watching is the leaves fall to the ground and the scent of apple and pumpkin spice lingering through out the house.  

What I really love the most is just watching Samantha, Zack and Emma decorate their own pumpkins while getting their face painted at their reactions after seeing all the Halloween decor that we may use in the upcoming year.  Since this is Abby's first year for our festivities, I am anxious to see what she may do while looking at all of the decorations, especially the scary ones.

Another way that we like to stay out of the house for a couple hours on a Saturday morning is watching Zack play tackle football while Samantha plays her first year of fall ball and 2nd year of volleyball.  It has been a little hectic at the house because Matt will take Zack to his game while I take Samantha to her softball or volleyball game.  Emma and Abby is always on the side lines watching either one if their siblings games, but I know Emma is looking forward to trying out her own sport come next spring.

In the next couple of postings I am going to share with you some of the recipes that I have found and used myself to some Pintrest cleaning ideas that you may want to try in the near future for yourself.  Trust me, it will be a fun fall for everyone


~Nicole~

#Fall days #sports #enjoying life

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to make memories with my family.  It's not just bon fires out in the back yard or teaching my 5 year old how to read, it is how we like to spend our weekends.  Samantha and Zack are involved in a couple of sports that they enjoy.  Zack is my little football star and recently he finished up his first year of baseball, his 3rd year of tackle football.   I asked him on the way to school last week on what sport he likes to play the most, Zack told me he was undecided.

For Samantha, this is her first year at playing fall ball and her 2nd year at Volley Ball.  Fast pitch is something that Samanta likes to do, besides having one or two practices with Volley ball.  Knowing different rules and sportsmanship is important to teach at any age.  

As my 3 school agers become a little more independent, I cherish the moments that Matt and I have with Samantha,Zack and Emma.  But with Abby, I see she wants to make sure she does not miss out on anything.  Being 7 months and figuring out how to crawl and take all the excitement in, she gets a little tired of crawling with her stomach on the floor.  

 

As the weather cools off Matt gets into having bon fires in the back yard with marshmallows and the older kids helping him collecting the wood on the other side of our fence.  Sitting with a sweatshirt on and relaxing by the open fire is something that I like to do.  It's not because of the orange glow of the fire, it's the company of my family that makes it all complete.

As for the long nights and short days, I will think of different possibilities of crafting and baking.  Without making different things for the house or cooking different types of courses for the family, my mind goes on an over load.  What I like to do is make a little mental note to see what I can come up with and gather my supplies and let everything fall into place.  Getting ideas from friends or co workers does help out, depending if I am brain storming.  

For the next month and a half I am going to make different things that are "fall like". ( From decorations to baking)  If any of you that read my blog, feel free to add any comments that you may want to share so I can post it.  A fall give away will be at the end of November, so start being creative.

Have a great night,

Nicole

Pre-school friends= growing up together

This past week Emma said "see you later"  to her two best friends that she met 2 years ago in preschool.  Of course Emma's friends: Sadie and Amira are attending different schools than Emma, it can be a little challenging when meeting different friends.  But these 3 girls have a strong connection and friendship I see lasting throughout the years.  

Getting to know Sadie and Amira have been a true blessing on my end because I watched both of them  become strong independent individuals. Especially at the age of 5.   Since being their preschool teacher for this long, I feel humble that Emma has grown up with them.  

Play dates are the best becase the girls can play at the park and run their energy off while I get to hang out with Erica and Melissa.  I would just catch up with the ladies and tell them about myself a little more or just the school Emma is going to.  Some times we just take everything in and just watch our girls squeal and giggle because they are having the best time.  

Before school started for the girls, mini golf was on the agenda.  Since it was a nice day just to be away from the heat and humity, it was actually nice to get the energy out.  Where we were at, the playground was just walking distance to where we were going to play golf.  

18 holes and lots of squeals later, the game was over.  To top the day off we all went on the carousel so the girls can ride the horses.  Towards the end of the early afternoon they said had a little group hug, just the 3 of them.  The next play date we are having is at the park.  In about 2 weeks the "purple park"  as the kids call it is holding a inflatable event and all is welcome.  So Emma is looking forward to that.

Pencil pillar for a favorite teacher

 For today, I had some time to make a pencil pillar for my co-worker because she had my 5 year old in her class for about a year.  And I thought this project was the perfect teacher "Thank you".  

What you would need for this project is a 2 pack of pencils, a clear pillar and a bunch of glue sticks for your glue gun.  But before you do this project, make sure that the glass is cleaned off there are no smudges while putting the pencils on.

 The next step is to put the pencils into place.  Learning the hard way, I decide to burn my fingers just a little bit. What I did to make sure not to burn the fingers was to put glue along the side of the pencil that was already glued to the pillar.  Of course I had help with my 11 year old, so Samantha insisted on gluing the remaining pencils.  You want to make sure that all the pencils are touching each other.  If not you may see little tooth pick gaps.  But no one is pickier than me when it comes to making your own crafts.

   Then there you have it.  38 pencils that are glued by me and my little helper. 3 items for 3 dollars from the dollar store.  For the inside of the pillar, you may  use any filler you may like.  It could be glass stones, pen flowers or any thing that a teacher, friend or neighbor may use.  The choice is yours when it comes to crafting.  There is no right or wrong way, just "Your way".

Till next time and be creative.

~Nicole~

Last stretch of the summer week.

Hi everyone,

I know I have not been on for a couple of weeks.  It's been a little hectic with school shopping for the new school year, to capturing my 6 1/2 month old trying hard to crawl and hanging with my little 5 year olds at work before they head off to the "big kid school".  

Since this past weekend the family went school supply shopping for 3 out of the 4 kids.  Target is the best when it comes to school supplies.   12 pack of Crayola crayons was .50 cents, 2 pack of glue sticks was .99 ( I believe)  I could go on and on.  The total was about 37 dollars and rough change for little over a dozen items.  I am sure Walmart has good deals and I will not complain, but it's too far from our house.

This post I really don't have any pictures this time, but for the end of the week to early next week I am going to do a couple of posts.  I am deciding on what I may write and share about since there are a few ideas still in my head and I just have to transfer it and share.  It's from up cycling soup cans to cleaners that you can use around the house.  

If you have any suggestions that you would like to share feel free to let me know, I am up for any challenge.  


Well I must close for now and I apologize for keeping it short and sweet.  In the next post(s)  I will let my creativity shine.  You never know when I may give out a free give away gift just by visiting and supporting my blog..

Have a great week.

~Nicole~

Just another week.

Well another week has come and gone, and we say "Hello" to August.  I often ask myself each and every summer," where does the time actually go"? 

I admit that I have a blast spending time with my kids as well as my husband, but capturing each moment and sharing these precious moments with close friends and family, that's what is important to me.  

This week, my work holds an annual VBS bible school with anyone that would like to come and participate.  We do games, snack, a story about the theme for the week/year.  This year we taught the kids that reading the bible, friends and family as well as praying to GOD helps everyone stand strong. It is offered to children from pre- school to grade 5.  Samantha is entering the 6th grade in September and she had the privilege to help me out with my little group.  

 Abby had a wonderful time playing and trying out a Popsicle.  Since she is at that wonderful age at 5 1/2 months she is chewing on everything that she puts into her mouth.  When she was done eating the Popsicle,  she got mad at my co worker because Abby wanted more.  But at least she loves to have them,  especially when her gums feel a little sore.  

This weekend our family is driving down to Mankato to the Vikings training camp and do a little swimming, bowling, maybe some autograph signing but will see what happens.  I am getting a few things together for my next blog project.  But I have to made up my mind on what to show.  Maybe 2 blogs in one.  Decisions, decisions.  

Wisconsin Dells trip

 

This past week the family went to Wisconsin Dells just for a get away for 4 days 5 nights.  The first hotel that we stayed at was Chula Vista.  

From our house to the hotel took about 3 hours and 22 minutes to get there.  I must admit that Abby did a great job on her fist road trip, even at 5 1/2 months.   Chula Vista reminds me of the outdoors.  It has foxes,deer, geese and antelope among with other wild life you may find.  

The wave pool was a lite ways down from he indoor watermark along with the outdoor and beach setting.  The kids loved the wave pool except for Abby.  But I will give her some time to get use to it.  Over all our stay was great for the first 2 1/2 days.  

Our next day stay was at Kalahari.  The resort was something you would want to stay a day or two.  The view from out room was ok,  but the sites that we saw was nice .  When you walk into the lobby,  there was 2 baby tigers that were about 3 to 4 months old and you got to take pictures with them if you wanted to.  Along with the tigers was a baby kangaroo that you could get a photo with also.  

There was also a indoor theme park that was open to the public as well as the guests staying at the resort.  From riding on a 8 story Ferris wheel to bowling on the second floor.  Samantha,Zack and Emma had a blast bowling and the scores to all 3 games were a little close.  But most of all the 3 older kids loved the go carts. 

The last 2 nights we stayed at was the Wilderness resort.  And I must admit the resort is pretty huge.  There are about 4 indoor and 2 outdoor water parks plus mini golf and laser tag.  All 6 of us has our work out since we did all the water parks and took a break to rest out of the water for a few with Abby.  Yes it is the Dells is known to be the water park capital of the world.  Everyone had a lot of fun playing and enjoying the vacation.  Thursday night we took time to go to downtown Dells to shop for sweatshirts for the older kids.  

But being home and looking forward to another week of work is what I am looking forward to.  

~Nicole