making a haul

As most of you know, or don't know, or have forgotten, Halloween is pretty big in Hershey. We didn't go to the town parade, because it was freezing, and even got rescheduled to another day. Which also the outlet stores Halloween Egg Hunt also got postponed until today. Which is actually our "Halloween". Our town or area goes on the Thursday before Halloween. I have heard that it is to help keep kids safer, keep the sickos away, and cut down on partying, I guess. So, we started it off by hitting up the outlets. There wasn't as many people this year, and I think because it got moved to a different day, and that day was our trick-or-treating day. So there was a ton of candy!! There is a picture at the end that will show the "mound". But I was getting Jaedon all prepped to get excited and just go out there and get as much stuff as he could. Well, he did get excited, and ran out right away, but as soon as kids surrounded him on both sides, he was done. SO, sadly to say, I was one of those parents that was out there picking up the candy for my kid. But Jaedon wasn't picking it up, so I guess that evened things out. ALSO, since I was "helping" Jaedon pick up the candy, I didn't get any of Livy on her first Halloween Egg Hunt.

Then we were off to knock on doors! Here is the "mound"!

And here is the onesie of the cowgirl boots and tutu I said in the last post that I would add. I added some bows to the ladybug onesie, and I think it made it super cute!

So here was my first attempt at applique...it went all right. Jon didn't like this idea of a fish. He said it's a "dead" fish. I thought it looked really cute, and Jaedon said that he wanted a fish, instead of a frog. My friend Linds, was my first customer, and wanted a giraffe applique. So I had to do the bird and fish as practice, since I have never done it before. But I think it turned out really cute! :)

"bang" of a day

I think I may be going through somewhat of a mid-life crisis...or something like that. Why, you ask? Well, I have just been going crazy if I am not doing something lately, mainly something crafty. Ever since I made Livy's ladybug costume, I have had this desire to make all this "stuff", which I will show later. But to go back to my mid-life crisis...Sunday while taking a shower I thought that I need to cut my bangs, or make bangs. Well, I got this idea, and as soon as I got out of the shower, I did it! This is what happened:

So Jon was getting the kids fed and ready for church, while I was "taking" my time. And finally he came in to see what was going on, and his reaction was priceless. He just stood there poking his head around the door with a huge smile on his face, but at the same time a look of "you are crazy!" There was some silence for quite a while, and then he finally said, "You sure are spontaneous!" Yes, yes I am.

Then when people comment on my hair, or "bangs", I just laugh at them. (They are good comments, but I laugh because I know the history behind them). But then my laughter usually makes them wonder why I am laughing, so I have to explain the whole ordeal to them.

So onto the craft portion that I mentioned earlier. I got many comments from Livy's costume that I should sell those and go into the business. So this may have just fed and started the desire, but I thought, "Hey, I totally could do this." So I have been looking into selling some stuff, and I have been making things, but most of them are for presents, and to give people an idea. So here is a question to all of you out there: Would you buy this!? And what would you pay for it?

Would buy a knotted tutu? or would you rather have one that is sewn?

I am going to put bows on the sleeves for the ladybug, just haven't gotten to it yet. And of course a red and black tutu to go with.

I thought this could be for a girl or boy. Of course for a girl I would put bows on the sleeve and make a brown and white tutu. But Jon told me it looks too masculine. What do you think? I am actually doing a onesies right now with pink cowgirl boots, and a pink and white tutu. I will have to add it here tomorrow.

For the onesies, I am thinking like 8-9 dollars, and the tutu's around 15-20 dollars. The bows I haven't really calculated out, but probably around $3-5.

I get so gun-ho some days about doing it, and then other days, I think, "Will people actually buy this? Will I make money?, Or just have to give stuff away as presents?" So you can see my dilemma. Which is why I am asking you, if you would buy it and would you spend the money for it. Of course on the onesies, I could do any animal, bug, monster, reptile..., you get the point. But I am also going to do some applique ones, which I just bought some material for and think they will be very cute. Those ones, may have to be a little more though. But not too much. So, am I crazy for thinking and wanting to start this kind of thing up? :) I know a lot of questions, but any suggestions are welcomed.

ghostly fun...and an artist

On Sunday I decided to make some ghost pancakes. I got the idea from the very creative Mandy Heaston. You can check her blog out here: http://gourmetmomonthego.blogspot.com/Jaedon loved the idea of having ghost pancakes..., maybe I should try being more creative with our meals. But they turned out pretty good I thought.

Jaedon has become quite the artist lately as well. He has been drawing "funny faces".

Those big things on the sides, are ears!

The daddy...

the mommy...

and the baby.

a shout out...and fondue

The finishing touch on Livy's Halloween costume is complete. My friend Jenni makes these very cute beaded socks. You can check out her blog and Etsy shop here: http://simplebeans.blogspot.com/ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6075376 Since I couldn't find any polka dot or striped tights, we went for these very cute socks! Thank you to Miss Jenni for spending the time to making these cute little things and to complete Liv's ensemble!

Then, the other day we tried out the fondue! Didn't go as well as we planned, but it was still pretty good. And Jaedon loved it!

4 of the 4th

This is an easy tag that all can do in no time. All you have to do is go to your pictures and in the 4th folder, pick the 4th picture, and then tag 4 people. (I actually only had 2 pictures in my 4th folder and they both were they same. But it is one dang good lookin' picture! ;) I tag Mary, Rachel, my mother, and Rainee (But of course whoever else would like to do it as well.)

Risser Farm

We went to Risser Farms this morning with some friends and their preschool group. I was excited to go because I had been telling Jon that I wanted to go on a hayride with the kids. So when the opportunity presented itself, we went for it. Jaedon was pretty excited too when I said we were going on a hayride. I am not sure though if he knew what it was, because we have never been on one before. But either way he was excited. Here they all are getting some instructions and a little demonstration of all different kinds of pumpkins. We then went for a little walk through the corn maze.

Then onto the hayride! Livy didn't want to sit still for very long though.

But luckily halfway through we got to get out and pick a pumpkin. And Jaedon can't wait to show his pumpkin to Jon.

After the hayride they have some of their homemade apple cider for us all to drink. Unfortunately, by this time the wind had picked up and it was getting pretty cold. In this picture Jaedon is rubbing his hands and saying, "It's COLD!!"

not in the house

So, I got my trisuit in the mail today, (THANK YOU, THANK YOU Dad!!), and was trying it on to make sure it fit all right. And Jaedon was sitting there, and so I was being silly, and was running in place in slow motion, and then Jaedon looked up at me and smiled and said, "No..., not in the house."

Just to help give you a visual. I know, I know, not the visual you really wanted though. :)

And this trisuit will come in handy so I won't have to get any of this again!

This also reminds me of when I finished my triathlon and Jaedon and I were walking around waiting for everyone to get done. And he was getting hungry and really wanted to go to a McDonald's that they saw as they were coming in. Well, Jaedon kept saying over and over, "I wanna go to McDonald's!" I was starting to get in the "zone him out" phase, because he just kept saying it over and over. But then he finally said, "Hey, are you listenin' to me!!? I WANNA GO TO MCDONALD'S!!!"

Then just today he went running into the bathroom, and while running was yelling to tell me he needed to go potty. But he got in there, closed the door, and there was some silence for a little bit and then I hear, "OH MAN!!".... "You gotta be kiddin' me!!" I figured maybe he didn't quite make it to the toilet in time, so I asked what was the matter, and he just laughs and says, "You gotta be kiddin' me!" The things kids will say...

Hersheypark in the Dark!

This morning I have the privilege of being Mr. Mom. Mel's out trying to sell away at a garage sale, so I get to hold down the fort while she's gone. I was just sitting here thinking about what Mel would do if she were here and I was overcome with inspiration. BLOG!!! So I thought I would give it a shot. We did have a grand time at Hersheypark last night. With Halloween just around the corner, Hersheypark converted from its regular family friendly atmosphere to a ghoulishly frightening theme park. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but the kids did get to dress up, do some trick or treating, and go on some fun rides.

Our cool pirate and pretty ladybug all ready to go to Hersheypark. Of course everyone loved Livy's cute costume. Mel did a super job! A fierce pirate and his booty. Arrgh! Livy's on the lookout for more candy! Having some fun on the mini scrambler. Of course a pirate needs to ride his rocking pirate ship. Our trip wouldn't have been complete without a picture next to the giant pumpkin!