Happy Halloween

(this photo idea was totally his idea--cracks me up!)

I am sorry for the lack of posts lately--but with one of my very favorite times of the year going on I have been happily very busy!   Not to mention it was my sweet heart's birthday this weekend too! 

 Fun times:)

 I am off to a spooky story time at the library with my little pumpkin Cannon!

I hope you have a delightfully spooky, sweet and safe Halloween!

A Birthday at the Beach

Bridger turned 6 while we were at the beach--just like last year at Hilton Head and just like last year the day started out with everybody singing 'Happy Birthday' to our boy just as soon as he was awake:)

Then we took off for an early morning shell finding walk on the shore BUT

not before a stop at the local Piggly Wiggly (yes that really is a grocery store chain here in the South and the only one on Edisto Island) for some donuts and cinnamon rolls (our Birthday Boy's favorites)!

And the shell seeking expedition begins:)

Success:)

The Birthday Boy and brothers

We had a miniature golf course at the resort that we stayed at and Bridger LOVED it!!

After the beach and opening his presents this was his next birthday request!

The whole trip he was constantly wanting to go play this course!  Luckily it was just across the road from our unit and right next to the jungle gym, so we were happy to oblige him:)

Brad told him he would get $5 for a hole in one and guess what?!

Bridger got 4--he was $20 richer by the end of that round!

We could not believe it!   I think we have a golfer on our hands!

How I love this sweet boy and can hardly believe that he is already 6!

Crazy, I tell you!

Some fun Bridger facts:
*He was by far our biggest boy at birth (almost 10 pounds!!)

*He is also by far our pickiest eater (yes he inspired this post here)

*He can ride a two wheeler like nobody's business (without training wheels--for over a year now)

*He is VERY fast and athletic

*He  LOVES playing football and soccer and wrestling with his brothers--let me tell you he is TOUGH!

*He LOVES green smoothies and requests them everyday (it is the only thing that I don't have to require him to eat at meals)

*He is very very good on the computer and Wii--he is electronically talented:)

*He is not a loud child, but he can talk your ear off--we love it!

*He loves going to school each day with Coleman--I love to see that look of pride when he proudly tells me about his day and shows me the contents of his backpack.

*He may be big and tough around his brothers but he still loves to be tucked in every night with his two special blankees that he has had since he was born:)

After his requested dinner of pizza we served up Oreo ice cream in mugs!

He decided that we would postpone the requested football cake until we got home:)

Our 6 year old Birthday Boy

Getting so big...

but not too big to still snuggle up with his Momma (&and those blankees:) to watch a movie! 

 Thank heavens!

Fall Beach Trip 2011 part I

I have about a GAZILLION pictures from our trip to Edisto Island, South Carolina.

It was a wonderful trip!

I love time on the sea shore and so do these boys of mine:)

Here is just the first day in the sand...more to come!

Sand in our Toes

Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Melanie on Pinterest

We are at the beach and LOVIN' it! I think the beach is the perfect vacation for our boys.  They are happy for hours on end with just the sea and sand...oh and some food of course:)  Those boys of mine are always hungry!
 Can't wait to share some fabulous pictures from Edisto Island, SC when I get home--since I forgot my camera cord-darn it!

What a time we have had... including PILES (literaly piles) of shells on the beach, hot tubbing in the pouring rain, an alligator sitting in a puddle right in front of us and breakfast at the delicious Sea Cow Cafe--mmmm:)

Yes it has been an adventure!!

Hope you are having a great week!

DIY: Halloween "BOO" Banner

Here is what you need to create a 'BOO' Halloween Banner:

*Cardboard letters (Purchased for $1.50 each at Craft Store)

*1-2 rolls of Black Tulle (Craft Store $3.00--I used a little more than one)

*Various orange and black ribbon (Craft store from $1-$3 each--they are often on sale for 1/2 off at Hobby Lobby)

*A drill (3/4 inch--I think:)

*Glue--I used a glue gun--but forgot to add it to the items for the picture

Directions:
1.  Drill two holes in each letter, big enough for threading your ribbon through.
2.  Thread your ribbon through the holes.
3.  Using a dap of glue (I used a glue gun) to attach tulle, wrap letters until the are completely black and you can not longer see the cardboard.
4.  Cut pieces of ribbon and tulle and tie onto ends of banner for added decoration.
5.  Hang on mantel or wherever you choose

**FYI the letters are kind of heavy and I did not want to put a big nail in my mantel, so I used these 3M hooks.  I found them at Home Depot for $2.99 and they don't damage the surface!  When you want to remove them you simply pull a tab and they release!  Cool, huh!

See--pretty easy, huh?!

Happy Halloween my friends!

Well I am off to pack!  Next week is fall break, so we are taking the boys to South Carolina for a few days on the beach!  We had so much fun last year at Hilton Head that I think we are making it a fall break tradition!  This year though we are going to Edisto--have you ever heard of it?  We decided to give it a try because we own some weeks each year in a time share and they have a resort there.

I hope it is as great as Hilton Head (I LOVED that place)!  We'll see:)

Hope you all have a happy weekend! 

October Lovin' at our House

I am lovin' these slightly cool October mornings.  I pulled out the boys winter clothes, but haven't convinced them to give up the shorts quite yet.

Notice how Coleman has 2 backpacks?

 This morning was one of those moments that made my Mother heart happy:)

Bridger was in charge of snack time for his kindergarten class today--so I put a very large bag of animal crackers in his backpack.  I was worried that it would be too heavy for him. Coleman heard me talking and gallantly insisted on carrying it for his little brother! 

 That little act of kindness MADE MY DAY!  Coleman has sweetly taken extra good care of our new little kindergartner boy. I am lovin'that--it makes up for some of the obnoxious teasing that this cute 9 year olds finds so hilarious:)

 Front porch autumn blooms are getting full!  We are going to add some pumpkins soon:)

 I made this 'Boo' banner this year.  It was really easy and fun to make.  In case you are in need of some Halloween decor, I will show you how I did it tomorrow.

Great finds the day after Halloween at TJ Maxx and Target:)

 I love this little saying.  Isn't true?  Home Is Where our Story Begins. 

It is such  a good reminder for me.

I want so much to create the beginnings of a beautiful happy story for my boys in this home. 

 Making good memories and traditions that will bring happiness and warmth throughout their lives, especially during those challenging times that we all struggle through at one time or another. 

That is the reason I put so much into every holiday and season
.

 I hope my children will always enjoy and celebrate life finding joy in the simple things.   

PS

I was just thinking about a dear friend who did not come from a happy home.  Her parents were divorced, unhappy and things were tough--but she has seriously overcome the not so great beginning of her story. Although she can not rewrite the past, she has chosen to let it go and create a happy life for herself and and her family now.  I just thought I would add that thought--I am so inspired with people like that--who choose to be happy no matter what life hands them. 

We always have that choice--what a blessing!

Winner

The winner of the awesome IHeart Organizing Family Binder Kit is...

#45 (according to Random.org)

who is Mindy Halladay!  Congratulations Mindy!  Email me at melandboys@gmail.com :)

I wish I had one for all of you that entered!  You can order the whole kit or the individual forms you think you would use most here at IHeart Organizing Etsy Shop.  Jenn the shop owner is so sweet and easy to work with--you will love her and her work!  She also has a blog full of great ideas here.

In the comments, I noticed a BIG interest in the meal planning printable, so I wanted to remind you that you can download one here for free at my other blog The Sisters Cafe:) 

Organized Hall Closet and Giveaway

Happy Monday Everyone:)

Did you have a nice weekend? We had a Friday off and I have to say I really love 3 day weekends! Today is the last day for the IHeart Organizing Personalized Family Binder Printable Kit--to enter go here. It will help keep your life in order and family organized!  

 Trust me--it is a great product!

  Here is one of the 30 printables included:

 I meant to post more organizational tips and ideas last week--but I got busy being a Momma--which of course, trumps blogging:)   But, on the last day of the giveaway I thought I would share with you a quick project I tackled awhile back--THE HALL CLOSET.

  I unfortunately forget about this space in the hallway and since the majority of my family is old enough to help with laundry (but obviously can't fold sheets--yikes) , get their own band aids, sunscreen etc, this closet gets trashed very easily. When I opened the door ready to bring some organization to this area, I had to laugh because it was in BAD shape--total chaos in there. I decided I needed to take a 'before' picture' to illustrate to my family the DON"Ts when I am teaching them how to maintain the order:)

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I tossed some junk, divided items into bins, used these handy labels again,( laminated and attached with zip ties) and folded sheets.

This closet did not take me long and I am happy to report that it still looks like this 3 weeks later.  I have found that my family will keep things in order when their is organization with everything having a spot and the expectations are clear on upkeep:)

Now go and organize something!  Do it in baby steps, one drawer at a time and pretty soon your whole house will be in order!  And--you will love it:)