Five on Friday

Friday has arrived and boy-oh-boy the weekend seems to be heading in an interesting direction.  The weather guy is calling for 3-5 inches of snow here on Saturday!

I think I'm ready...I think...

By this time last year, it was so, so, soooo cold.  It's been an absolutely stunning fall, so I'm willing to compromise on a bit of snowfall over the weekend.  After all, I live in Michigan, for all I know we'll get some snow on Saturday then it'll be 80 degrees in two weeks!
#puremichigan

Back to it being Friday.  Since it's Friday that means it's time for, Five on Friday!  Let's party!

{one}

The gala dress has been ordered!

Okay, so remember these dress options?  Yeah, well, I'm the most indecisive person alive and I found a different one...it's a little more va-va-voom, if you will.  This dress was the last one left and it, unfortunately, only came in one size, "small."  YIKES!  Umm...we'll see how that goes!

So here's the plan:  If this one doesn't fit (or it's a little too much in the boob region), then I'll return it and purchase the red one below (the second dress).  UGH!  I think I'm just so excited to get all dressed up that I just can't make up my mind.  I swear, wedding dress shopping was easier!

{two}

Last Friday I took the kids to a Superhero Training Camp held here in our town to benefit the new Children's Museum.  

Jon was originally supposed to go with us, but he wasn't feeling too hot.  So off the kids and I went to the training camp.

By the way, did I mention that the event began at 5:30 and neither one of my kids took naps that day?

Henry loved it so much that he kept cutting in all the lines.  Oh and Eliza...yeah, she decided to have a meltdown in the middle of the "obstacle course" area.  She was cry-talking through her tears saying, "I want to pwwwaay (play)!"  LOL!

All-in-all, the kids had a blast and we're already looking forward to the next Superhero Training Camp...after we've all taken naps, of course. ;)

Oh and real quick, I need to tell you what Henry said as we were leaving.  We were walking to the car when he said, "Mom, I thought we were going camping.  Why didn't we go camping?"  I had to think for a second, but then I realized that he thought we were actually going to go camping with the Superheroes...Superhero Training "Camp."  So cute!


{three}

This boy and roller skating.

A little less than a year ago Jon took Henry to go to the roller rink while I stayed home to put Eliza down for a nap.  When Jon and Henry returned, Jon had mentioned that Henry really enjoyed roller skating.

Fast forward to last weekend when we decided to skip naps (yet again) and take both kids to the roller rink.  You guys, this little boy of mine loooooves to roller skate.

He seriously loves it.

I had no idea that he loved it THAT much.

  He took off and he didn't mind skating alone.  The "clomp, clomp, clomp" sounds coming from his little roller skates while he skated and danced around the rink were so special to watch and hear.

It made my heart happy.

It was Eliza's first time roller skating and she did great!  She enjoyed herself, but I'd say she enjoyed the pretzel with cheese more than the actual skating itself.  I can't say I blame her.  Who doesn't like a good pretzel with cheese?

{four}

Last night I was watching, "In Her Shoes" and at the end of the movie (spoiler alert...even though the movie is from 2005) Cameron Diaz's character read an E.E. Cummings poem.  As she was reading it, I was brought to tears...okay, okay...it was more of an ugly cry.

I get so sentimental when I hear anything that can be associated with my kids.

{five}

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is less than a week away?

Joey and I have the same intentions.  Who's with me...errr..us?!



Thanks for stopping by for my Five on Friday!

Cheers,
Marie :)

I'm linking up with April, Natasha, and Christina for the Five on Friday link-up Paaaaarty!

I'm linking up with A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, and Grace and Love for my Friday Favorites!

I'm linking up with September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for the Oh Hey Friday linky party!

Thanksgiving with Kids

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...

You've been caught!

  Slowly put down the mistletoe and let's focus on Thanksgiving for a second.

I know, I know - I'm excited about Christmas, too.  In fact, it's taking every fiber of my being to not "deck the halls!"  I'm right there with ya' - I don't know who much longer I can hold out...I give it until tomorrow.  ;)

I-tell-ya'-what, let's cheat, we'll turn up the Christmas music AND participate in a little bit of Thanksgiving fun.  Deal?!

So, here we go...

I found some super cute Thanksgiving ideas/crafts/treats (via Pinterest and Google) to do/make with/for the kids!

Aren't these chocolate covered Rice Krispie turkeys adorable?!

Gobble, gobble!

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The kids would love these construction covered turkey juice boxes!

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This craft would be perfect to keep the kids entertained while you whip the potatoes.

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We may have to hand out these "turkey toes" to Henry's pre-school class!

Family and the Lake House - Thanksgiving with Kids - Activities, Crafts, Recipes
I mean, come on...this one is just too cute...

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I'm not a huge fan of candy corn (I mean, I'll still eat it...I'll eat almost anything sweet), but this is just too cool and whoever thought of this idea should receive some sort of award!

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Here's a great idea for a cheap and fun game for the kiddos.

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Do you have older kids?  This Thanksgiving charades game could be a blast!

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This project could be fun to make after Thanksgiving dinner...

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I thought this little guy could be fun to have at a kid's table with fun little things inside (stickers, funny straws, crayons, etc.).

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I may have to make this "feather letter turkey" with the kids at some point this week.

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Lastly, these turkey snack bags could be beneficial if you're traveling with the kiddos!

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Aren't people so creative?!

I hope you found some inspiration for some Thanksgiving fun with the kids!

How is Thanksgiving already next week?!

HOW?!

Welp, I'm off to go work on a Christmas post.  LOL!

Cheers,

Marie :)

Five on Friday!

Happy Friday!  I can't believe it's mid-November!  How can that be?  I also can't believe that it's already Friday!

Let's get to the par-tay!


{one}

Al Roker came to our town for Rokerthon 2 and it was pretty cool!

Check it out here!

{two}

If you haven't noticed, things look a little different around here on the 'ole bloggity blog.  I finally, finally bought my own domain and I also purchased this cute little template for my blog.  Oh and as you can see, I stayed on Blogger.  This decision only took me three years!  LOL! ;)

{three}

House of Belonging.

I adore these signs from House of Belonging.  I'd love, love, loooove to have one of these signs in our home.  *hint hint* <---Ahem - cough!  Jon?!

{four}

Have you ever heard of Smart Tile?

Last week, Little House of Four shared her "spur of the moment kitchen update" and used these peel-and-stick tiles.  You guys, my mind was blown.  Officially blown.  What a great idea!  Her kitchen looks amazing and you'd never know the tile is peel-and-stick!

Seriously genius.




{five}

This.

Haha!  So funny!

Thanks for stopping by.  :)

Have a great weekend!

Marie :)

I'm linking up with April, Natasha, and Christina for the Five on Friday link-up Paaaaarty!

I'm linking up with A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, and Grace and Love for my Friday Favorites!

I'm linking up with September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for the Oh Hey Friday linky party!

Five on Friday!

It's that time again!  Time for Five on Friday (a day late)!

I can't tell you how excited I am for it to be the weekend.  I was sick all week and it.was.rough.

I'm hoping to give my body what it needs this weekend, lots of rest and relaxation.

Even though this past week was looooong, the kids and I still managed to have some good times.  The week was filled with lots of love, snuggles and giggles; and through my nasty cough and my snot face, I was happy to giggle along with my little munchkins.

Okay, so, here we go.  I'll keep it short and sweet.  :)

{one}

These two on Halloween.  How can you not smile when looking at this picture?!

{two}

La Croix, La Croix, La Croix.

Have you ever had one of these?

We don't drink pop on a day-to-day basis over here.  It's usually considered a treat if we have a pop with dinner.  These drinks are so awesome because they're fizzy and fun...aaaaaand it's water.

Water, people!

Fizzy-fun-water?!  Yes, please.

{three}

While feeling under the weather this past week, I was looking for any sort of relief.  I Googled and looked on Pinterest for natural home remedies.  My girl, Sara, helped me out, too.

Off I went to the store, tissues in tow, to find what I needed to come up with my own natural home remedy concoction.

Below are just two of the products (picture from Pinterest, see source) I used when trying to come up with my own natural remedy.  Thank goodness for Google, Pinterest and BFFs!

Stay tuned for my sore throat home remedy recipe, it was tasty and I really think it helped.

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{four}

Great Days of Hayes is now The Hayes Homestead!  Sara (see above) bought a new domain and she has an adorable new blog design!  I'm so proud of her!  Go check it out!

{five}

Christmas pajamas have been ordered.

I always order from Ella and Evelynn's.  They're the best.  :)

This year, we're going with red and white stripes.  I had a pretty white threaded monogram added to both sets of pajamas.  I can't wait for them to arrive.

The "Elves" always bring pajamas for the family on Christmas Eve, so unfortunately I'll have to wait until then to see them on the kids...that is, unless I order more!  Muhahahaha!  I mean, you can never have too many cute pjs, am.I.right?

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Welp, that's it for me over here.  I'm off to go relax and enjoy the rest of the weekend.  I hope you all do the same.  :)  

Until next time!

Marie :)

I'm linking up with April, Natasha, and Christina for the Five on Friday link-up Paaaaarty!

I'm linking up with A Little Bit of Everything, Momfessionals, and Grace and Love for my Friday Favorites!

I'm linking up with September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for the Oh Hey Friday linky party!

Halloween Recap - 2015

Wow!  How is it already November 3rd?  I don't know about you, but our weekend flew by!  We were busy...the best kind of busy...almost every minute of it.

The weekend began with Mr. Henry's Pre-School Halloween Par-Tay and Trick-or-Treating at a Medical Care Facility here in our town.

"Miles," AKA Henry, was super excited!

I dropped Henry off at school, then I went back home to pick up Eliza and Jon.  The party didn't start until 9:30, so we let Eliza watch Sofia the First instead of Miles from Tomorrowland for the billionth time!  LOL!

Anna and Elsa arrived on schedule, by sleigh ride, of course.  ;)

Henry and his class practiced their pumpkin poem.

As you can see, Eliza thinks she's four and she also acted as if she knew all the words to the poem (FYI - she had never heard the poem before).

Silly girl.

I have a feeling she'll be up front and center again next year!

Lord help me!

Henry did a great job reciting his poem and trick-or-treating.  At first he was hesitant to approach strangers, but he quickly realized that candy was involved.  End of story.

Jon and I loved watching him have fun!

Later on in the day, Jon and I hosted an itty bitty gathering with friends.

Anna Selfie!

All our friends brought amazing dishes to pass and the kids played great together!  In the midst of playing, some kids decorated Halloween cookies and made marshmallow ghost crafts!

The next morning was Halloween!

Henry slept in until 9:30 and Eliza slept in until 10:00!  You guys, this NEVER happens!  They were exhausted!

Normally I'd be all in a tizzy, but since it was Halloween, I tried to relax and enjoy the morning.  After all, we only had one place to be....the photography studio.

Every year for Halloween we head to the photographer to get photos taken of the kids in their Halloween attire.  It's something that I love to do.  Well, we took our time getting ready and as we were leaving I decided to check one last time to make sure that I had the time right for when the photographer was taking pictures.  I was certain it was from 9-4ish...like every year before...

Yeah.  You know what's coming...

Noon.  They were closing at noon.  It was 11:50 and the photography studio was 40 minutes away.

Not going to happen.

Totally my bad.  I'll own it.

To say I was sad is an understatement.  I had these grand plans to have pictures taken every year of the kids in their Halloween gear well into adulthood; whether they wanted to or not.

I tried not to ruin the day by having a "32-year-old temper tantrum."  So, after a small little emotional spat, I gathered myself and told everyone that we were going to the park to take pictures.

"I'll take the pictures!" I exclaimed.

This is what they call turning lemons into lemonade...

I'm no photographer, but I'd call it a success, especially after you scroll down to the outtakes to see what I was dealing with...



.....See???..........Who can relate?  Yup.  Hey, whatever works.

Trick-or-Treat time!

As the afternoon progressed, it was getting colder and it was raining more and more by the minute.  

I became "that" mom and my kids became "those" kids dressed head to toe in their winter gear under their costumes.  I'm talking snowsuits, people!

LOL!

This photo cracks me up because they both look double their size and I kind of love it.

We met with the neighbors and their cute little boys to venture out into the rain to find some candy.  Our kids trick-or-treated to four or five houses before somebody finally opened their door and gave the kids come candy.

We, the parents, thought of it as a valuable learning lesson.

P.S.  Look at that rain!  Don't we get an award or something?!



One of our sweet neighbors wanted to take a picture of the kids in front of her fireplace for our monthly neighborhood newsletter!

This was Eliza's moment to shine, her "Toddler and Tiara" moment!  Finally!  ;)

Don't worry, we don't own a dental flipper.

#notyet

#kiddingnotkiddingtoootallykidding

After trick-or-treating, we came back home and consumed an absurd amount of candy.

It was while eating candy that I made the last minute decision to go to the Halloween parade!  We couldn't not go.  

The costumes and winter gear were thrown in the dryer so that we could venture out into the rain one last time!

Not the best picture, but I had to prove our dedication!

Overall, the kids loved the parade and they even loaded up on more candy!  Parade participants would walk over to the kids and put candy on their blanket.  So nice!

It was a great weekend!

Now it's time for me to find some elastic pants, because Thanksgiving is right around the corner...and I ate too much candy! :) 

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my Halloween Recap!

Best Wishes,

Marie :)