The Decor...for Fall.

I've never done this before, but a blog that I L.O.V.E is having other bloggers show off their mantels dressed up for fall. So...for the first time EVER...I'm linking up to The Nester! If you have time, check her out! She's got AMAZING ideas!

This is my mantel and how it looks today. It changes daily because I'm never quite happy!

This is a shelf that hangs in the living room (Made by my brother...I sure do wish it had a mate! ::HINT HINT::)

This is about the only color I have and it's all on this dry sink!

The Zit.

Today was our first social catastrophe! Matthew had his first 'zit.' I'm not even sure that's what it was exactly. He was soooo freaked out by it that he couldn't stop screaming. Someone told him that when it get's a bump, you have to squeeze it. This will document just how well that experience went. Poor kid...If this is how he acts with one tiny bump, I can only pray that he has perfect skin as a teenager! :)

P.S. Whoever said that boys were easier than girls?! They lied.

I OUTDID MYSELF!

I can't remember where I found this idea, but I knew I had to try it. I have been trying really hard to make sure that the boys get a healthy menu. Tomorrow, Matthew will be having this apple for a snack. It's not just any apple...

It has the core removed and peanut butter in it's place. I added the gummy worm just for a giggle. What kid doesn't like a surprise like that! :) CUTE, NO!?!

I'll keep you posted about what he thinks tomorrow!!

Pumpkin Days

This weekend was Immanuel's Pumpkin Days. The boys got to pick out their pumpkins and they played a few games. It was a great way to end the weekend!

Happy 1st Birthday, Abby!

12 months.

365 days.

8760 hours.

Parade at Home...

Sometimes I have 'BAD MOM MOMENTS' and today was that kind of a day. I told the boys I'd take them to the town parade and time slipped away. Before we knew it, we were late to the parade and had to turn around with two very sad kids. I felt terrible! Then I had a BRIGHT IDEA!! What do you get when you take a TON of old candy, two sad kids and a guilty mother?!

A homemade parade!! I marched up and down the driveway, singing silly songs and throwing candy at them! The expression on Matthew's face was proof that I made his day. It wasn't until he told me that it was the best parade he'd been to, that I knew I fixed my goof up. He wanted to have another 'fake parade' only a few minutes later. He also told me that I was awesome. Phew. I salvaged the day. I am pretty awesome! But...they are pretty awesome too! What mother wouldn't do that for their kids?!

White Boys Can't Dance

Dance like no one is watching...and boy, did they! Ethan especially enjoyed the concert!

Heritage Fest - 2010

Heritage Fest in Dundee is the official start to fall around here.

The food isn't fabulous, the crafts aren't the best...but seeing lots of the 'townies' is what we enjoy. It's just fun to people watch and walk around town. The boys always enjoy the music and of course the climbing wall and trampoline!

This year the boys were very patient while I worked on the 'studio' window.

I'm very pleased with the way it turned out. Thanks Bryan and Dad for all your help!!

P.S. My dad is a nut...look at that goofy mug!! :)

When LoLo Comes to Town...

...we play hooky and head to the zoo. It was an absolutely, amazingly, beautiful day. LoLo bought us membership passes, so now we get to go back whenever we want...and we will! The boys LOVE this place! I can't wait to visit during Halloween and Christmas!

Thanks, LoLo!!

The best part of being in the city and having a willing participant is making the trek to Molly's Cupcakes. What a perfect ending to the perfect day!

Sitting by the fire with LoLo looking at all the pictures from the day!

Three and a Half

I took Ethan to the pediatrician for his school physical.

At 3.5 years old, he's 39 lbs, 41 inches tall and in the 85th percentile for obesity.

WHAT?! Seriously?!

Even the pediatrician laughed. We won't be taking that stat too seriously.

He was tested for diabetes, too. Negative. (WHEW!)

He had a 'foo shot.' He was NOT A HAPPY CAMPER.

Did I mention that he missed show and tell at school? He did.

He was so mad at me.

Poor guy!

Rainforest & LegoLand

Don't ya love when you take a picture and you see later that someone has ruined it?! Darn you, Ethan! :)

Ethan's 1st Picture Day

Ethan had his first 'school picture' taken for preschool.

His teachers told me that he was a natural.

Ha.

No surprise there.

LoLo took these and sent them to me while I was at work.

Talk about bringing a smile to my face...

You know when LoLo comes to town...

...because the smell of garlic wafts out my windows and makes the neighbors jealous.

Lasagna and Chicken Piccata made by LoLo

Creme' Brulee made by me...because I just do desserts!