Friday, September 30, 2016

Friday Favorites {9.30.16}

Happy last day of the month! September sure did come and go faster than I imagined, but it's ok because we're on to the best trifecta months of the year!

Image result for keep calm holidays are coming



{ONE}

In case you didn't see, I posted about a sweet little boy Noah who lost his life to cancer, but managed to start an amazing project before he did.  You can read all about it here




{TWO}

Quiche lovers unite! I shared a super easy and yummy recipe yesterday that you have to check out




{THREE}

I've been thinking about Christmas presents already and think we want to get Ella a huge dollhouse. The Elsa Ice Castle from last year is cool and all, but it's made very cheaply. 

I've seen this or this - does anyone have a huge dollhouse like this that they can recommend??

KidKraft Kayla Dollhouse + 10 Pieces of Furniture

KidKraft Annabelle Dollhouse with Furniture



However, girlfriend has her heart set on a skateboard, so maybe the dollhouse isn't the right direction I should be heading, LOL!


{FOUR}

Our house is pretty decked out now with Halloween decorations (hoping to share next week!), the only thing missing is a Halloween wreath for our front door - there are so many cute ones on Pinterest, I'm sure to find some inspiration there! (now if I can just get it done between the 1839 other projects I'm working on)


A collection of 25 Halloween wreaths to inspire you for your Halloween decor! { lilluna.com }:
via


{FIVE}

Favorite deals of the week!

Stock up on this shirt for next summer, it comes in several colors! And it's under $17!

via


This cardigan is super cute and 40% off isn't too shabby either!

via


This scarf isn't on sale but it's so so cute!! And it comes in several colors!

via


Happy Weekend!

Linking up with:


Thursday, September 29, 2016

Spinach, Mushroom & Feta Quiche Cups

Happy Thursday, friends! I'm happy to report I *think* my cold is finally on the mend. Just in time for the weekend :)

Today I'm sharing a super easy & yummy recipe. I am a huge quiche lover but have never attempted to make it at home - until now.

This recipe is originally adapted from here but I changed a few things around.




*This recipe makes 6 quiche cups - just double it to make a full cupcake tray of 12

Ingredients:

2 pieces of bread of your choice (I used wheat)
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
4 oz mushrooms chopped up
1 glove of garlic minced
handful of fresh spinach
2 oz crumbled feta cheese
2 tblsp fresh grated parmesan cheese
pepper to taste


Directions:

Preheat oven to 400

Spray a 6 cupcake holder tin with cooking spray. Take your bread and rip apart pieces to fit in each cup opening.

Take a little spinach and place on top of the bread (I used a few pieces in each)

In a skillet over medium-low heat, saute the mushrooms and garlic in 1 tblsp of olive oil. Once the mushrooms turn brown, spoon some of the mixture over the spinach.  Add some feta on top of that.

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, parmesan cheese and pepper.  Pour over each cup (I filled up to the top)

Bake at 400 for 25 minutes and enjoy!!

I kept these in an airtight container in my fridge for only a couple of days because they were too good to not eat.  (I swear I could have eaten all 6 in one sitting) I'm sure they would stay for at least a few days.



*linking up with Annie


Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Pediatric Cancer Month - Noahs Bandage Project

Today I'm sharing with you a story about a special little boy named Noah.

About a month ago, one of my favorite people in blogland, Brittany, emailed me as well as several other people informing us that September is pediatric cancer month.  Not only is that huge in itself, but Brittany lives next door to a couple who lost their dear son Noah to cancer when he was only 6 years old.  This is something I honestly cannot fathom. 

When the little boy Noah was still here and being treated, he wondered why there weren't any cool band aids at the hospital or doctors offices. He had to be poked and prodded so much that he wanted something cool to show off.

You can read more about Noah and his family here and also watch the youtube video below  - I didn't even know Noah but after learning about him, he touched my heart.  And not to mention, his parents are some amazing people.


       


Brittany asked if we would be interested in sending some band aids to her so she could then pass them along to the hospital (you can't send them direct). Of course I wanted to be a part of something so amazing and off to the store we went.

The kids each picked out a box - Brayden originally had superheros and somehow he ended up with Paw Patrol? I'm blaming it on Avery tossing and taking every box she got her little hands on :)



Monetary donations are also always welcome - the Wilson's are working to increase the lack of funding there is nationwide for pediatric research (only 4% currently!!!).  So far, they have raised $100K and that number continues to grow (donations can be made on their website: www.noahsbandageproject.com)

Another way to help this cause, is to send band aids to the following address, any time of the year 

Noah's Bandage Project
119 N Parker Street Suite 110
Olathe, KS 66061




Let's hope and pray more funding can go towards pediatric cancer, and most importantly, finding cures!

Thank you Brittany, for letting me part of this.  This little boy sure was amazing and I hope what he started will continue on forever.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Babies Don't Keep

You know the saying...babies don't keep. It's oh so true.

Lately, more and more I find myself missing having a newborn around. A tiny little infant with a squishy little face who pretty much only eats, poops and sleeps but does it in the cutest way possible.

Am I crazy for missing having a baby around?? I'm sure others would say yes but I don't think so. I am the type of person who will always miss having babies around.  I would have 10 kids if I knew 1. they would all be healthy 2. I would be ok through all pregnancies and deliveries and 3. we had the money to.

Don't get me wrong, I am LOVING this next season we are in.  With Brayden, it's elementary school, homework, birthday parties with actual friends, tball league and soccer teams.  Being able to have actual real conversations with him and see how much he is learning and thriving is really awesome.

And then there is Ella, who just started preschool. She seems so big to me yet still so little.  I swear, she will forever seem 2 in my eyes.

Thankfully, I still have the best of both worlds because my littlest, Miss A, still depends and needs us for pretty much everything.  But that little one is a baby no more; no, she is now a bossy little person who knows what she wants and when she wants it.  She barely cuddles anymore and is all about getting into trouble with a capital T.

So yes, I am still deep in the throws of motherhood and raising these tiny little people I created, but I miss having a baby around, I really do.

Does this mean we will have another? The sad answer is probably no.  We have not closed the door completely but I think my husband and I both know in our heads that we are done but neither of us can bring ourselves to actually say those words...we.are.done.

What I do know is this, when there is a void in my house when all the kids are in school, I know my Mama heart is going to ache so bad.  I wish this season of our life would last forever, I really would love that.


*linking up with Our Pretty Little Girls

Monday, September 26, 2016

Weekly Recap {9.26.16}

Ah Monday, we meet again. I could have really used another day for the weekend but that's clearly not happening.

I'm still fighting a sickness and really hope it goes away so I don't have to go to the dr. 

Anyway - onto our weekly recap!

We've been reading LOTS of Halloween books, the kids are loving them and so am I :)



We picked Brayden up from school last week when he had a half day and when we were parked in the pick up lane, this girl came and sat up front. She was pretty happy. 



We had more fun in our backyard with the kids roller coaster!




And of course playing bubbles! Avery loves for me make them and her to chase them :)



Brayden's school did a fun night hike and I was so happy we went! It was just me and him but next year I think all of us will go, Avery is just too little for this kind of stuff.

We showed up to his school at 7 and they let us in the gym where they had craft stations set up. Brayden made a pair of glow stick glasses that would help us later on our outside scavenger hunt!



We headed outside after doing all the inside stuff for the scavenger hunt. We were suppose to go to each cone that was set up and look at the constellation picture on it and try and find it in the sky and then write the name down (we had a key with all the names) but it was so cloudy out you couldn't see any stars.  Pretty much this part of the night turned into kids running everywhere with glow sticks and it was awesome. 



Part of our morning routine - get Brayden on the bus then the 4 of us go on a walk/scooter ride



Friday I was lucky enough to go volunteer at Brayden's school! My Mom watched the girls and I went and helped with Hot Lunch.  I was so excited to do Brayden's room (along with several others) and sneak a picture with my boy! Gotta love that he has a mouthful of food!



I took a picture of the milk cart because I just still can't believe my baby is big enough to go to grade school and come out in the hall and get his own milk.  I know it's not a big thing, but I want to remember it!



Friday after school, we all went on another walk/scooter ride and ended up at the park 






We spent Friday eating pizza and watching Hocus Pocus!


Saturday was a busy day - I took Ella to dance then dropped her and Miss A off at Brayden's soccer game with Rick. Then I headed to my cousins wedding venue to check it out for the big day - I am going early with some of my family to help set some stuff up. The place is gorgeous and I'm getting so excited for her!

Later in the day we had Brayden's friend (and our neighbor)'s birthday party. It was a pool party and originally I had no plans to get in but realized I had my bathing suit and the kids wanted me. Thankfully I think no one noticed I didn't shave my legs! Ha




Brayden was obsessed with going down the water slide - he must have done it 20 times!





 

Later that night me and my neighbor put our kids to bed and met up for a drink - I was home by 9:30 and sleeping by 10.

Sunday was my cousins wedding shower! It was so fun and my aunt and cousin (her sister) did such a great job with all the little details! 



I pretty much relaxed the rest of the night since my sickness would seem to get worse, then better then worse then better. As much as I love Fall, I am NOT looking forward to all the sickness that is heading our way. 


I hope you all have a great day!



Friday, September 23, 2016

Friday Favorites {9.23.16}

Happy Friday, Friends!

Wow this week has been crazy/busy! I've been fighting off another sickness as well and really hoping this time it's gone so I can enjoy our weekend.




{ONE} - Fall Bucket List

What better way to kick off the start of Fall than with a Fall Bucket List?! I shared mine yesterday - in case you missed it, here it is again :)







{TWO}- Fall Shows

I'm so excited to have good TV starting again! I dvr'd This is Us Tuesday and finally got around to watching it - I am hooked! 


Image result for this is us


Last night started the new season of How to Get Away with Murder and I have yet to watch but I hear it's so good! Does anyone else watch this show??

Image result for how to get away with murder



{THREE} - This Article

I read this the other day and it was a really good read. If you have boys, I encourage you to read it!

Image result for 10 Golden Rules For Moms Raising Sons
via



Of course number one on my list (and now my kids) is Hocus Pocus. How can it be Fall/Halloween time without this movie?! And of course The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is a must!




 This is one of my favorite shops - I just saw this new top and I so want! How cute?!




{FIVE} - Favorite Pins


Halloween Bingo

Free printable Halloween Bingo cards | Fun family Halloween activity! {OneCreativeMommy.com}:





Perfect Pumpkin Seeds:



Gotta run - today I'm volunteering at Brayden's school for a few hours - I can't wait!


Happy Weekend!






Linking up with:




Thursday, September 22, 2016

Fall Bucket List - 2016

Happy First day of Fall!! The weather is still pretty summer around here and I would so love it if we can stick to the 70's - 80's I'm over you.

What kind of blogger would I be if I didn't share my Fall bucket list?



 Pumpkin Patch

Oh how we love this tradition! We typically go every year with my husbands side and the kids have a ball.  We walk around, let them run and play, eat some yummy lunch, then visit the petting zoo side. Brayden and Ella have attempted the Haunted House in the past, but have always come out crying so I wonder if they'll want to try again this year?

 




Jumping in leaves

The kids always have so much fun with this! Except Avery, she did not care for this last year. I have a feeling things will be different this year!





Halloween - Trick or Treating

How could it be Fall without Halloween! I have never been a huge fan of Halloween in my adult life, but once I had my own kids, my inner child who loved it came back. The costumes, the trick or treating, the class parties, it's all SO fun now!






Have a Bonfire 

We haven't done this in so long, mainly because it's been so hot.  Looking forward to enjoying one in our backyard soon.


Make S'mores

This will hopefully happen the same time as said bonefire!



 Halloween movies

Of course number one on my list (and now my kids) is Hocus Pocus. How can it be Fall/Halloween time without this movie?! And of course The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is a must!


Make Pumpkin Bread

I have yet to make pumpkin bread, ever, so this is more than overdue


 Carve Pumpkins

I just picked up our pumpkins this week because they were an amazing price and figured I should grab some good ones before they're gone.  We love hanging out in our garage or even our driveway with a folding table doing this.  I usually gut them and make seeds and the hubby helps the kiddos out.





Thankful Pumpkin

Last year, I introduced my family to a Thankful Pumpkin.  Starting November 1st, we wrote down on the pumpkin something we were thankful for.  We usually did this during dinner.




Nature Walk/Hike 

We live so close to one of the best nature centers and I'm sure we will make our way there. I would also love to go check out Starved Rock.




I don't think this list is to unattainable :)

What's on your Fall Bucket List?


*linking up with Annie
 
BLOG TEMPLATE BY DESIGNER BLOGS