Count Down to Halloween, Bucket List Check-In #1

Hello Monday!

Today kicks off week one of the "official" Countdown to Halloween and we are so excited to join in the fun again this year. I hope to use these posts to keep you updated on our Halloween adventures and to share the details as we mark things off our Fall Bucket List. 

So far this is what we have done:

Visit a Corn Maze

This weekend we went out to Pathways Corn maze. Pathways has became an annual tradition for our family and this year was just as fun as the years before (you can check out last years trip here).

We couldn't have asked for better weather. Sunny 60 something degrees and a crisp fall breeze in the air.

They played in the hay maze.

We took a hayride. Of course we couldn't forget the obligatory family hayride selfie.

Taking a barrel train ride is always a favorite!

Selfie with my guy.

Plenty of photo ops

Lastly there was the corn maze. We keep waiting for the year the girls want to go through the whole entire thing instead of taking the early exit but once again we lucked out and only had to do about 1/5 of it. 

Have a Bonfire and S'mores

Friday night I bribed the girls #noshame. It was something like "if you help clean up the house and your rooms maybe we can make s'mores later". Little did they know I had already planned to make s'mores regardless. The weather was just to perfect not too.

This is how we do s'mores.

Once you use Nutella you just never want to use anything else ever again.

Sitting out there in the cold by the fire watching Russ chase the girls around the yard *sigh*.

My heart was overwhelmed with how very, very blessed we are. 

Pick Apples

Last Wednesday I dished up the details of the first time I took the girls apple/pear picking and how very "helpful" they were.

This was a new item on this years bucket list and it was so nice to load up on apple goodies for months to come for free. 

Attend a Fall Festival

I don't know if it was really a "fall festival" but it was a festival in the fall so I say the hot air balloon festival counts.

I already shared several photos but here are a few new ones!

We also had a spooky story time with our new friend Bones and worked on some crafts this week too.

As of October 5th this is where we are on our list, 4/15 done.

I know at least one thing is going to get crossed off that list tomorrow and hopefully we'll wrap up a few more so we have lots to share with you next week!

Today I am linking up with Courtney and some other amazing ladies!

Friday Highlights 10.2.15

Happy October Friends!

October and fall are officially here and the weather has finally caught up as well. We have steady temperatures in the 40's during the morning this week and a lot ideal fall weather in sight, YES! If we could just press the pause button here til spring that would be great.

Anyone else?!

This weekend we have lots of fall fun planned. Sadly we had to post-pone our backyard camping adventure because it is going to be too cold overnight. Hopefully we'll squeeze that in soon.

Lets get started on this weeks Friday Highlights!

{ONE}  Blog Highlights
This week on the blog I shared.
A recap from last weekends adventures.

I interviewed "The Guy Behind The Blog".

Talked about the first time I took the girls apple picking.

And co-hosted the first ever Teaching Together link-up where I shared some simple & "spooky" read and learn activities. 

{TWO} Pictures!!!
Pictures are coming up THIS week. I couldn't be anymore excited than I am! We really seem too only get family pictures done every two years... I should really fix that. 

This years photos are going to be done in a 1930's type setting.

Think something like Bonnie and Clyde.

Okay maybe not that exactly :). But we decided to be true to ourselves and stick with who we are. The setting choice will be a gravel road, a field and there may or may not be an old car involved too. 

{THREE} Hair Cut
Speaking of pictures someone never had her back to school haircut! Wednesday morning we went to trim her up so she is picture perfect.
Before

After

We both LOVE the new hair!

{FOUR} Blog Design Colors

When I first started blogging I changed my design and changed it and changed it again. But things have looked the same around here for right at a year now and I am ready for something new

I debated and debated what colors would inspire the new design and I finally picked a palette



I will most likely tweak things a bit and add charcoal dark gray (best color ever) but I am pretty happy with these color choices. I found hex codes for almost every shade imaginable here and created my custom palette on Adobe Color CC.
How about you?  Do you DIY your own blog design or leave it to the pros?
{FIVE} Girl Mom Series
This week Cathy from Three kids and a fish shared in my 'Girl Mom Series'

Cathy wrote a beautiful post sharing things that she tells her girls now so they will know them later.  She even quoted the great theologian, Aubrey Hepburn.

They really are!
Friday Linkup Parties

To see where I am linking up check out my link-up tab.
Have a great weekend!

We will see you back here soon.

Teaching Together Blog Hop {October 2015}

I have always been a "one post a day" kind of gal. But the first ever Teaching Together Blog Hop happened to land on a scheduled Girl Mom Series post.  I guess there is a first time for everything! When your done here make sure you hop on over to my other post and read about Cathy's Girl mom story. 

Teaching Together Blog Hop #1

We just announced this linkup/hop last week and your response and support was overwhelming.

Thank you!
I feel so lucky to be teamed up with such amazing and creative mama's to make this link up happen. We are all very excited to share, learn and see what others are up to.

With October officially here and Halloween just around the corner I wanted to share a few book/craft/activity ideas for a couple of our "spooky" favorites. The books are easy to find and the crafts are simple and require little preparation. Those are always our favorite kinds of activities especially when life is busy.



The first book is a long time favorite. We fell in love with this fun story while Marissa was attending Pre-K and it is still enjoyed to this day.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything



One of our favorite ways to read this story is to make it an interactive activity. Years ago I printed off theses fantastic printables from Toddler Approved, Marissa colored them and I laminated them. We still use them every time we read the story.



A favorite of Emily's is this music video that turns the book into a song.
She just loves the catchy tune and making up her own actions. 

Then we played a simple roll a scarecrow dice game. 

If ever a book was an instant favorite this would be the one. I grabbed this book at the library last week and I am pretty sure it has been read at least 20 times since then. I should probably look into picking up a copy for the girls soon. I think it is going to be a Halloween favorite for years to come.
Skeleton Hiccups


The book inspired this random purchase at the Dollar Tree this week. The girls quickly named him Bones Hiccup Newman. Never would I have imagined them being so excited over a plastic skeleton.

Marissa LOVES reading this book to her sister and when she isn't reading it Emily is doing her best to recite it from memory.

A q-tip skeleton is the perfect post story time craft for this book. Super easy and simple with lots of room for creativity. All you need is glue, q-tips, construction paper, scissors and a black marker.

I hope you loved our simple spooky read & play ideas. Happy October Friends!


Work It Mommy, Tickled Pink,

Sweet Turtle Soup, A + Life & Our Pretty Little Girls

Now it's your turn to join the fun. Grab the button in my sidebar and link up what you've been teaching lately!
An InLinkz Link-up

Girl Mom Series: Cathy, Three Kids and a Fish

My little love comes bouncing across the floor singing and giggling at the same time at the top of her lungs while my blonde sweet girl comes twirling behind her. They are carrying purses, holding babies, and I detect a little eye shadow and lipstick sparkling up their faces. 

In the game they play they stop over to my coffee shop for some coffee and a bagel, meaning I have called them for breakfast. After their coffee shop break they are headed off for manicures, aka, Mom will paint their nails and after that they will go for a walk with their babies. 

I smile to myself because they are playing the game of life. They are watching and learning from me and my words and actions. 

I love to see them smile, and playing together, I love to see them happy. In a world of good princesses, bad princesses turned good, Monster High barbies, American Girl dolls, drama filled friend moments, trying to be the best at your sport or art, and more I am glad they find these sweet moments to just be five and seven. 

Sometimes five and seven seems older than it sounds especially when they encounter certain things at school, hanging with friends, on the sports field, or in the dance studio. 

I know that it starts now. Laying the foundation and capturing the teachable moments so that they are strong when the hard times come rolling in. I let my sweet girls know that I am here to walk life's journey with them. 

I tell then now so they will know for later. 

    {Happy Girls Printable}

There are 7 things that I actively do with my girls now to help build that firm foundation and guide them through life's journey:

Open Communication-Tell me about your day. What was your favorite moment today? 

I ask questions, open ended questions that require more than a one word answer. 

I want to hear about how they are, how school was, their practices, or that hang out with friends. 

Even if it's just a 3 minute conversation I want them to know I am here.

Listening, Just Listening-Girls can talk!!! Of course, I already knew this but having to listen to endless chick chatter takes work! :-) 

I have had to learn to really dial in and send my sweet girls the signals that I am really listening. Because whatever they have to say may seem small to me but to them it's as if the world is ending. 

I drop everything, look them in the eye, and listen to every word.

You a Princess, An Heir To The Throne-I tell them often that you are a child of God, the one true King. 

And that makes you a princess, a real princess. May you hold that truth in your heart and carry it all the days of your life.

Never let go or lose sight of the King. 

Hugs, Lots Of Hugs-We love to hug and snuggle. Those sweet moments I will cherish and I say to my sweet girls keep the hugs coming. 

It's these moments that tell my girls that I am here for you no matter what, and you are safe with me!

Special Moments-We have always taken dates together. Manicures, Panera for lunch, and shopping is their favorite way to spend an afternoon. 

These special dates allow for alone time, extra giggles, fun outside of their daily routine, and let's them know that they are special and worth spending time with.

You are Beautiful Inside & Out-Our culture is saturated with a distorted view of what true beauty is. I tell them every day you are beautiful on the inside and on the outside. 

In the words of Audrey Hepburn (love her), "Happy Girls are the Prettiest Girls".

You Are Loved- I can never tell them enough that they are loved. To let them know that they are valued and loved, so loved, will carry them through their days, weeks, and years as they grow. 

    

{Teaching Our Kids To Love One Another}

   {Ways We Show Our Kids Value}

Thank you so much Cathy for sharing what you have learned with us. I always see the most fruit when I actively pursue my children. So often I struggle to daily engage them in the chaos of life but they are so worth the effort and other areas of life pale in comparison.

You have encouraged and challenged this mama's heart today.

Make sure you stop by three kids and a fish to learn more about Cathy and her family.