A Sister and a Brother

No pictures...just tales from after school.  It was windy and rainy this afternoon and I was so close to suggesting a movie or computer time when we got home.  Instead, I thought I'm going to keep the kids busy with other things and we aren't going to watch any TV.  Typically during the week the kids watch about 30 minutes in the morning during breakfast while Andy and I are getting ready...and that's about it.  We may watch a 30 minute show when we get home but I try not to do that unless the kids aren't feeling well.  Today's agenda...cookies and writing mail...we didn't even get to the apple tree painting project I had for the kids.  We'll save that for the next rainy day.

When we got home the kids wanted to make pumpkin cookies.  No...they weren't what you might say homemade...they were that kind that came in a bag that you add butter, water, and egg to.  It was just a quick little recipe that we whipped up together.  They suggest serving them with cream cheese frosting, but we just ate them plain.

Who would have thought that laundry baskets would be such a hit.  We have tons of laundry baskets around the house...most filled with clean clothes because I'm avoiding the task of putting them away.  Ava picked a pink tall one and Isaiah picked the tall blue one.  At first they pretended they were rocks and turtles and the basket was their shell.  That was about a 15 minute activity until it turned into attempts to jump off the laundry baskets.  I suggested that we use the little slots in the side and pretend that each basket was a mailbox and the kids could write back and forth to each other.  That was a hit!  The kids got out random pieces of colored paper and I found some left over birthday invitations and thank you cards.  For over an hour the kids colored cards, wrote little notes to each other, and mailed away!  Andy was at a JV football game and they even made little cards for Daddy and put them on our bed.

The reason I share this "mail story" was because of the things that Isaiah was saying to Ava.  Let me tell you...these two have their moments when they fight like cats and dogs over silly things and irritate each other to no end...but today was different.  Isaiah was saying the sweetest things to Ava and it brought a tear to my eye because words and actions really do show how much you love someone. 

Ava asked, "Isaiah, what's this card say?"
Isaiah replied with, "It says I love you very, very much and I like to play with you."  Ava smiled at me after he said that. 
Then she said, "Isaiah, what's this one say?"
He said, "Um, it says I love you very, very much and I love doing everything with you.  You are my friend."  Does that not make your heart melt?  Ava then walked over to him, gave him the biggest hug and kissed him on the cheek. 

I thought Andy and I were crazy to have our kids so close together but these little things make me so glad that we did. 

My Three Happy's
1) Watching Ava dig through her toy box and find "Isabelle."  A doll she named after her cousin.  This doll came with a bottle and when you feed her she makes a drinking sound.  When she's done she does a little burp and then falls asleep.   After she found "Isabelle" she said, "Mommy, she's hungry!  She hasn't eaten in years."
2) Isaiah and Andy playing football in his room before bed.  I put Ava to bed tonight and I'm not sure exactly what was going on in there...but I do know I heard lots of laughter.  Isaiah did pop his head in Ava's room and say, "Daddy isn't playing football long enough."  I guess they had a few more minutes because he returned to his room and the laughter started again.
3) Fall TV shows!  I LOVE the shows that are on...let's see where do I start...
        Desperate Housewives, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory, Mike and Molly (if it's still on...I haven't seen previews for this season yet), American Pickers, and Modern Family.  Good thing we have DVR to record all these shows so we can watch them later. 

A House That's Ready for Fall

If you would ask me what my favorite time of the year is I may say Christmas or I may say fall.  I absolutely love the sights and sounds of Christmas along with the gazillion decorations I get out every year.  It's such a magical time of year.  But fall is also a time that I love.  You've got the smells of pumpkin, spices, apple cider, burning leaves, you see dried cornstalks, leaves changing color and beginning to fall, Halloween, and the amazing weather.  Who doesn't love wearing jeans and a cozy sweatshirt.  The other day I took a few pictures around the house of some areas that I really add lots of decoration too.  I didn't include the 10+ pumpkins that are randomly placed around the house.  I need to take some outdoor photos too, but I'll wait until we visit Uncle Alan and Aunt Karen's farm to pick pumpkins and gourds.  In the meantime here are a few snapshots of the house...

Last year I took this old buffet piece that my parents used to have in their house.  As you know I really love incorporating "old" with "new" and this looks really cute in our dining room.  Andy's grandpa had these cute vintage jars that I added leaves to on the top shelf.  Do you have a Scentsy warmers?  That's the thing in the middle.  You've got to get one if you don't.  It melts fragrance bars and the best part is that if it spills it won't burn you...a nice alternative to candles if you have little ones.  My new Scentsy fall scents should be in next week...I'm really excited to try a new one I got called "Pumpkin Roll."

This little shelf is an orange crate that is turned right side up.  The sides of this thing are so neat...I need to take a picture of that to show later too.  This was another find that Andy's grandparents gave us...same with the old bucket underneath.  I think I'm going to fill this with Indian corn or gourds when we get some.

Love this mirror...an Ankeny craft show find a few years ago.  It's hard to see but has the "beat up" black look to it.  I always add a few tasteful tidbits of Halloween.  I'm not into the witches, vampires, and ghost kinds of decorations.  But the cute little sign the the word "Spooky" works for me!

No my table is not this cleaned off now...are you kidding?  I always just add a very simple white pumpkin, some leaves and two candles every year.  I used to add WAY more but I like the "not to cluttered" look better.

I bought these twisted wire candle holders way back before we had kids and I like putting them out for Halloween.  Isaiah likes seeing all the words that say "Boo" around the house because he thinks that they are saying his nickname.

I made this wreath many years ago too...it's becoming a little shabby and needs some love for next fall, but I like how it looks above the fireplace.

Blumsters is a little shop in Huxley (a town 5 miles from our house) that sells unique items.  I got these boxes there a few years ago.  One says "Happy Halloween" and the other says "Boo."  They look cute on the fireplace with a few random leaves placed around.

The next few pictures are a bit random but cute enough that I had to throw them in!

My class in school has been learning about insects.  One of our latest projects was to construct an insect using a variety of candy, pretzels, marshmallows,etc.  I use this fun lesson to review the body parts of an insect and I love seeing how differently the kids create their little critters.  A lot of what I do in my room at school..craft wise...I bring home to my own kids.  On Thursday after school we got out some leftover candy and pretzels that I had and we did a little mini lesson at home about how insects have three body parts, two eyes, etc.  The kids used frosting to construct their insects and had a lot of fun with it.

Isaiah has really started to show us his natural smile.  Sometimes we get squinty eyes...but I'm seeing more and more of this cute face from him.  He reminds me SOOOO much of Ava when she was this age.  Their faces are identical!

Isaiah's creation...I helped him a little bit...but he did most of the frosting and placement of the pieces.

Who doesn't love licking the knife when using frosting!

Ava's insect that she made with no help...notice the big gumdrops that represent the "compound eyes."

I have another post that I need to publish soon that talks about the gingerbread play dough and gingerbread cookies we made last weekend.  This was a picture of the kids last Thursday playing outside with the gingerbread play dough and various other play dough tools.  I'm not kidding...but these kids played straight for an hour.  I mowed the back yard for Andy and then joined in the fun with them. 

We made a trip to Target the other day...imagine that.  I bought way more than needed...you know things like random Halloween supplies, crafts, and of course we made a trip to the "Dollar Section."  I'm so glad that the kids are just as excited to pick out three things from this area as they are to get a new toy.  Anyway...back to why we took this picture.  When we were getting out of the car Ava said, "Mommy do you have your camera in your purse?"  I said, "Yeah, I think I do."  She said, "Oh good, now you can take our picture by the big red ball."  Apparently she's been waiting for this moment to pose in front of the "red ball" that is located at the front of Target. 

My Three Happy's:

1) Getting my first GIANT pumpkin at Sam's Club today.  It was only $8.50 and it is HUGE!  We'll be getting some from Uncle Alan and Aunt Karen's farm soon, but Sam's Club always these enormous pumpkins every year and I just have to have one.  It's sitting on our haystack out front.

2) The 10 new stuffed animals in our house...more clutter...but the kids love them.  Andy's Dad and Mom hid them throughout their house outside.  They live in the country and the kids call it the "jungle."  These animals were hidden in trees, bushes, you name it.  We drove around on the golf cart...well I pushed the gas petal...the kids basically drove...and collected these fun animals.  The kids insisted we take them ALL home.  Next time they want to take them back out and have Grandpa and Grandma hide them again or as Isaiah said, "Grandpa can just buy new ones to hide."  The look on their faces while doing this was priceless!

3) Ballard Homecoming this Friday.  I've mentioned before that I LOVE the small town atmosphere.  Most of the businesses on Main Street are all painted up and decorated.  I wonder if we'll get toilet paper all over our trees again like last year...that's what you get when your husband is a coach.  Ava and Isaiah get a kick out of it.  Ava already asked if tomorrow would be Friday. 

Have a super week!

Happy B-day Jody!

Better late than never...right?  Aunt Jody (Andy's sister) and her boyfriend Tim both celebrated their birthdays this past week.  We took some pictures at Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's house last Sunday and some from El Azteca...the best Mexican restaurant in Ames if you ask my opinion.  Happy birthday you two!

Last Sunday we celebrated Jody and Tim's b-days at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Jody's cake was a homemade angel food cake made by Janet and Tim's was a homemade pumpkin pie made by Grandma Richardson.  Both were delicious!  Ava and Isaiah loved blowing the candles out...and Isaiah LOVES Tim.  

One, two, three...blow!

On Tuesday night we all met at El Azteca for Jody's b-day.  Here is a picture of the cute couple Jody and Tim.  He is SOOO good to Jody!

Grandpa, Ava, Grandma, and Isaiah...closing his eyes...but still a cute picture.

Aunt Jody and Boo

Someone was happy to be sitting in Aunt Jody's lap...maybe it had something to do with the birthday ice cream dessert that was coming soon.

Isaiah loves his Aunt Jody!

At El Azetca they make you wear a huge sombrero and you have your choice of a tequila shot or a yummy fried ice cream dessert.  The workers gather around and sing Happy Birthday.  It was fun to watch.

...especially the part where they took a blob of ice cream and whipped cream and put it on Jody's face.

The guys were singing Happy Birthday

Jody with her messy face!

Isaiah digging in!

Ava helped too!

Happy B-day guys!  We love you!

My Three Happy's:

1) Going with Aunt Jody to a parade in Marshalltown today.  They even had a tow truck that was decorated EXACTLY like Tow Mater from the Cars movie!

2) Our friends Lindsey and Donald are moving into a new house just two blocks from us!  I'm so excited to have them in Slater now!

3) Movie night with Andy...he's waiting so I better get downstairs!  Happy Saturday!

Out With the Old...and in With the Older

I'd have these pictures sitting in my camera for quite some time and I have been excited to show everyone my new treasures!  As you may know, I love incorporating "the old" with "the new."  I love seeing little vintage pieces placed randomly around the house.  The stories behind each piece makes them unique in their own way and to think that someone years ago was using them in their home somewhere makes it very special to me.

Andy's Grandparents, Lowell and Doris Richardson, have what some might call a "Picker's Dream" in their home.  I love watching The American Pickers and about a month ago I felt like I was doing what they do...picking.  Andy's grandpa has a shed out back filled with really cool stuff and we haven't even looked yet in their basement...but apparently there are some neat things down there as well. 

Here are some pictures of what I found...all of these pieces have been added to our already existing collection of furniture.  Wait till you see my favorites!

I LOVE this basket!  It's perfect in our family room downstairs for blankets.  It reminds me of something that is sold at Pottery Barn. 

Wooden crates...I can't seem to get enough of these.  I already have a couple in our family room upstairs. 

I really like this vintage chair.  The dark wood matches the color scheme around our house.  Believe it or not this chair looks pretty nice mixed in with our new kitchen set but right now I just have it tucked in a cozy corner in our dining room to pull up for extra seating.  I love thinking about who could have sat in this chair.

MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!  Andy's grandpa was ready to throw this thing away.  It was in pretty bad shape...paint chipped off, it was wobbly, and pretty dirty when we found it.  There was something about it that I loved and I went back and forth about taking it.  Andy finally just threw it in the back of the trunk...just in case.  After a little furniture oil spray and few minor fixes...here you have it.  How cute is this?!  I love the chipped paint look.  We added a few metal containers we got too and another smaller wooden crate underneath.  This sits under the stairs in our family room.

This worn-looking red shelf is pretty cool too.  Andy and I have been wanting to add a small piece of furniture to our bathroom downstairs...this was perfect.  We have it sitting against the wall when you come in.  It's perfect to house soaps, magazines, extra toilet paper, and Andy's shaving supplies.  This was tucked away in the shed too...a buried treasure in my opinion!

...and that's not all.  I wish I would have snapped a few pictures of the other things.  We took a cute little mini desk that we use for the laptop (it could also serve as an nightstand), an old worn bench that we have outside on our front porch that we have our fall mums next to, and an old metal creamer ( I have some of the cornstalks from our garden gathered in that next to our front door...pictures of fall coming soon). 

My Three Happy's:

1) Seeing all these pieces add character to our house...thanks Grandpa and Grandma

2) It's Saturday!  You have no idea how much I appreciate the weekends.

3) I've been up since 5:30 with Isaiah...he has a little tummy bug...hopefully it goes away today.  I love cuddling with him...just the two of us!

A Tisket a Tasket...Picking Apples in a Basket

Wow!  Has it seriously been over a week and a half since I've posted anything new?  I say this every year but I swear that each year that I've taught goes by faster and faster.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that our little ones are growing up right before our eyes too!  I wish I could slow them down...each day is a new journey for us...and yesterday that journey led us to Center Grove Apple Orchard. 

This is an awesome orchard that is only 15 minutes from our  house.  I bought season passes for the kids and myself (it's cheaper than going twice) so now we can go whenever we want as many times as we'd like.  There are TONS of things to do there and they have the cutest shop filled with anything apple you'd want to buy...apple pancake mix, Carmel apples, apple cider slushies, apple donuts, apple butter...you name it, they make it.  If you click on the link "Apples, Hay, and Corn...Oh My" you will be able to see a new slide show of all the things we did.  I put a few pictures below but I took a total of 70 pictures yesterday...it's so much easier to fit them all into a slide show!  We were there for 2 1/2 hours and the kids were beyond exhausted when we got home...but loved every minute.  Ava already asked to go back tomorrow...I think we'll avoid the CRAZY weekends and enjoy the 15 or less people that come during the week after school.

Apples, Hay, and Corn...Oh My

Mommy and her loves at the entrance to the orchard.  A kind worker asked if I would like him to take our picture.  It seems like I hardly take any of myself with the kids! 

Two little goofballs pretending to be farmers

The corn pool they have is SOOOOO much fun!

The kids love playing in the Three Little Pigs' houses

Milking "Molly Moo"

These slides are awesome...you ride down on old potato sacks.  Isaiah went in my lap at first, but once he saw brave Ava, he wanted to try it by himself too.  From that point on he wanted to go all by himself!

Typically they have tractors that take you to the actual apple orchard...but not during the week.  It was a hike but the kids wanted to do it.  Along the way they have cute little scenes like this one to stop and take pictures at.

A job well done...a bag filled with fresh picked apples!

Now these pictures below are from tonight.  Daddy was at a football game.  The kids and I got to cooking some yummy apple crisp.  They're excited for Daddy to get home and try it.

Isaiah using the apple peeler

The kids LOVE this thing!

Adding the apples to the pan...the kids helped me grease it with spray.  Let's just say there was a little oil flying through the air at times.  But they got the job done!

Mixing up the yummies: oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg

Crumbling it onto the apples...it sure smelled like fall in our house tonight!

My Three Happy's:

1) Watching both my kids drift off to sleep tonight.  They are beyond precious!

2) Catching up on the blog

3) Getting my haystack from Flowerama to decorate the front of the house.  This is always so cute when we get pumpkins and gourds!  I'll have to post some pictures of the house decorated for fall!  Happy weekend!

Birthday Wishes for a Special Daddy

Andy is officially 32 today!  We've had a total of three birthday celebrations...one at my parents house for Andy and my sister (she turned the big 30), one at Andy's Grandparent's house, and one tonight at Hickory Park with Andy's parents, Jody, and her boyfriend Tim.  As tradition would have it, the Hickory Park crew  all gathered around us and sang their special birthday song. 

I think Ava and Isaiah were even more excited for Andy's birthday than he was.  They both picked out cards that they wanted for him, helped him unwrap presents, blew out candles, and ate the cake and ice cream that we've had 3 nights in a row!  How lucky are we!

Aunt Jody, Andy, Ava, and Isaiah blowing out the candles at Andy's Grandparent's house (they got him a Cyclone colored cake...just another reminder of the awesome game we all witnessed on Saturday).

Daddy and his loves

Ava and Isaiah were helping Andy unwrap presents at my parents house on Saturday night.

One happy helper

Make a wish Daddy!

Our little family

Smiles for Daddy

What is a Daddy?

A Daddy is someone who we can call a hero, someone who loves us no matter what, someone who teaches us how to throw a football and swing a baseball bat, someone who dances with his little girl like she's the most beautiful princess in the world, someone you can admire because he does such great things, someone who smiles and laughs...just because, someone who LOVES to make pancakes on Saturday, someone who teaches, reads stories, and shows interest in everything his children do, someone who cares about the little things his kids have to say, someone who enjoys bike rides, walks to the park, and just being with his kids...a Daddy is you!

What is a husband?

A husband is someone who understands, someone who is patient, someone who does little things "just to make his wife happy,"someone who loves and continues to love no matter what, someone who is always there to listen, someone who is my best friend, someone to confide in and trust, someone who makes his wife feel loved and important, someone who make us all feel safe, someone who gives little hugs and kisses throughout the day...just because, someone who can make you smile or laugh at the drop of a hat, someone who can cheer you up when you've had a tough day, someone who takes the time to show that he cares, someone who loves and takes care of his family...and that is you!

Happy Birthday Andy!  We love you more than you'll ever know!

My Three Happy's:

1) Celebrating Andy's birthday with family this weekend and tonight.  We're so fortunate that we live close to both our our families and can do things like this.

2) GO CYCLONES!  What an amazing game...triple overtime!  Andy and I had tickets in the 2nd row near the endzone...and this was the endzone where all the action was...amazing tickets and the most exciting game I think I've ever been to!

3) The cornstalks from our garden that are now golden brown and are now displayed on our lightpost out front and by our front door and the gorgeous orange mums that I buy every year...true signs of fall!