Happy Halloween!

We had a SpOoKy Halloween weekend together! We had something planned every night this weekend, so I thought one big post about our weekend would be best!

Before Tae Kwan Do on Friday evening, we went to the store and picked out our pumpkins (and it was slim pick 'ums, won't do that again). Afterward, we headed home to start carving! The kids drew faces on their little pumpkins that we didn't carve and then got down and dirty gutting the big ones out! Kyan loved this part and did a great job getting everything outta them! I picked out the seeds amongst the slime (they are my favorite part of the whole messy process)!And what would be pumpkin carving without a little crack?!

Our creations!

Then on Saturday, after dance class (if you haven't seen Lola shaking her groove thing to the Monster Mash yet, click here, it is too cute) and an afternoon of hanging out at the house, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's church for their annual "Trunk or Treat"! It was as fun as we remembered it (only this time it seemed better planned and the carnival/chili cook off was outside - so much more room)! I wish I would have taken a picture of the pots of chili, there had to have been at least 40 of them, and the two that I tried were delicious! It was nice to get to spend time with them, as it seems like we haven't seen them in forever!

Here is Kyan and Lola right before we left the house!

Playing games and "trunk-or-treating"!
For those that don't know what "trunk-or-treat" is, members of the church line up their cars in the parking lot, trunks pointing out, decorating them up nice and festive, and pass out candy to the kids that attend! It is so creative and such a safe way to have the kids trick or treat!

And Kyan, he is so protective over his little sister. It was pretty busy and while standing in line, he put his little hands on her shoulders and made sure that she was able to keep her place in line! It was a heart melting moment for a mama to watch.

Now, for Halloween! Our morning started off with a visit from Grandma Donna! Chad went to the Cardinals game while I stayed home with the kids (something about it being Halloween and it being one of my favorite holidays made me wanna watch it on the big screen today). The kids and I went to Michael's craft store to get supplies for the next wreath I have cooking up in my head (I think I am crafting tomorrow with my neighbor Karen - if you are reading, hi! Yes, I am talking about you - who brought her girlfriends over to see the current wreath on the door! They all loved it and it made me feel proud! She wants to make one for fall too, think we might be crafting tomorrow! Anyone else in?!) A little nap for Lola and then it was time to head out to walk around the neighborhood (which Lola wasn't really having, come our third night of busy Halloween "stuff" she was pretty much done, but made it down the street and back) as soon as daddy got home!
Usually Kyan likes to go and get MORE candy and will stay out longer with daddy, but this year, it was all about passing it out! Both kids had a blast with this part of the night and I think might have preferred it over knocking on all the doors!

And when neighbor Ella and her girlfriend came over, I was officially off candy duty! The three of them took over!
I am so happy to live in such a safe neighborhood! The kids were running in and out of our house and the neighbors house all night! At one point, I walked inside and Chad asked if it was okay that they were all upstairs playing?! Almost as soon as he asked they were all next door! It makes me that much more motivated to try to start up the Pink Flamingo Fridays (more on that later)!

Hope everyone had as great of a weekend as we did!

Happy Halloween from The Roseland Family to yours!

The Monster Mash

This morning, Lola got to get dressed up in her kitty costume for dance class (her dance teacher wanted to see everyone's costumes this weekend) and she was so excited to show it off!

A few weeks ago, when they played The Monster Mash during class, Lola clutched my mom and refused to go back in the room. She stated that the music was "too scary"! She even skipped the following week, because she was too afraid. Carmen's mommy, Kristen, suggested to the teacher last week that if she skipped the word monster, Lola would probably do just fine - so she tried it and waaahlaaa! Since then, she is in love with the song and can bust a move like no other! Everyone can say monster too!

Check her out, doing The Mash!

Just For One Day!

Wanna know a secret?

Ok, lean a little bit closer to the screen and I will tell you...

I skipped school today!
No one was sick (although I did have a doctor's appointment later in the afternoon), I didn't clean the house a lick, Lola went to daycare and Kyan went to school.
I took the day for - ME! I don't think that I have done such a thing prior to having children, all of earned leave has either been used for maternity leave or to take care of a sick child, never to take care of me!

So you wanna know what I did?
*Slept in an extra hour.
*Walked Kyan to school while Lola rode in the stroller - a first ever and let me tell you this was a highlight!
*Sent pictures off to the Queen of Hope pageant coordinator - long overdue.
*One hour combo massage - could have been longer but I had a date with Kyan (keep reading).
*Lunch alone, the silence was golden.
*Volunteered in Kyan's classroom today during his Pumpkin/Fall Celebration!

I wasn't expecting to take the day off, so when I did, I emailed Kyan's teacher to see if it was too late to come in and help with the party?! Being a teacher, these times are few and far between that I actually get to go into my own kid's class, so it was perfect that they just happened to have something going on the day I had off! She emailed me back right away and told me that I could float (and take pictures for her!). I didn't say anything to Kyan about possibly going in, just in case she was swamped with parents and I wasn't going to be able to go, so he was so surprised when he realized I was there! In fact, I walked into the room, talked to his teacher and crouched down beside him before he knew I was there! He was that focused on making his Candy Corn Man!

During their celebration, the kids made Candy Corn Men, Pumpkins (both the inside and outside of one), decorated their own cupcake, Bracelets, and went Pumpkin Bowling!

And we even snuck in a picture together!

Kyan's class!

I had so much fun today and it just solidified the fact that I want to be a stay at home mommy (or have a job where I can be flexible with my schedule). It was wonderful to be able to volunteer in Kyan's classroom. He talks about the other moms that go in and help (either in the class or at lunch) and today I got to be one of those moms, even if it was just for one day...

Today was the best day.

A Surprise Tonight!

Tonight Kyan tested for his next belt in Tae Kwan Do, white with a black stripe, we knew that was happening.

What we didn't know is that part of his testing would be to break his first wooden board!

It was so cool to watch him! Tae Kwan Do is very serious and they don't let the crazy mommies in there (eh hmmm...not me of course, I would not be one of those) with their cameras (or without their cameras for that matter), so a picture of him at home with his broken board will have to do! We are very proud of our very strong and focused 5 year old!

School Picture Time

Kyan's Kindergarten Picture
The second I saw him in this picture, I asked myself where my little boy went? I think he looks so grown up, like at least 8 or something!

Kindergarten is going very well and he is off to a very successful start! Kyan looks forward to learning how to read in class so that he can read books and the words on the screen when he plays his video games (so he doesn't have to ask daddy)! He counts to 100 like a madman and loves every second of class time! He rides the bus to my school after his school get out (it is almost an hour earlier release than mine), but craves to be a parent pick up and gets excited when daddy has a day off! He continues to do Tae Kwan Do three times a week and is testing for his white belt with a black stripe on Thursday!

Pumpkin Patch 2010

Tonight we brought the kiddos to Tolmachoff-Farms!
Oh, how they LOVE this place!

We met several of our friends there too! The Keilmans, The Garretts, and the Creels! I wish the adults could have socialized more, but the place was the busiest that it has ever been, so other than a few conversations, the time was spent chasing the kids around...

And petting the cute little piggy...

And checkin' out the baby chicks!

And playing with this crazy water thing, and hangin' from a rope, and sliding down the slide (about 100 times all by herself) and petting more baby chicks...

And feeding all the animals in the petting zoo...
And riding the Ladybug Cars...

And hanging out with our best friend forever...
And posing for silly pictures with each other...

And trying to get the perfect shot of all four girls together (which happens hardly ever, Christmas for sure, we are lucky if the four of them are ever in the same spot)...
And let me tell you that this was hysterical! I can only imagine what was going on in their little heads as either a mommy or a daddy of one of these little ladies is below snapping away, calling attention to smile and look at a certain camera. You can definitely see the personalities shining through!

Another great year at the pumpkin patch!

Happy Anniversay, Boo

I remember our wedding day like it was yesterday...so why can't I ever remember the number of years we have been married?! Last year I thought we were on 7 and you corrected me and this year I thought we were on 8, again, you corrected me! Then you teased me that the boy shouldn't be the one remembering this kinda stuff, it should be me! Makes me giggle just thinking about it! I got it this year, watch and see!

I stuck to the traditional gift of wool, giving Chad a new wool (well, 57% at least) jacket, while he broke the rules and got me a platinum wedding band! My ring is platinum, but we have just had a white gold band to go with it, and you know how those fade. I haven't worn it in ages, so hubs did it right and went platinum this year! I feel spoiled and very ok with him breaking the rules.

However, there is one thing that we do on our anniversary (I know I have talked about it before, but feel like I should say it again) that is more meaningful than any "thing" you can buy. Our letters. Chad's sister (to her I am forever grateful) gave us advice that she was given, write letters to each other on our wedding night, after all is said and done; expressing our feelings about the day, each other, etc. and then seal them up and stick them away until our one year anniversary and open them up then. Then on each anniversary from that point on, you get to open up a new letter, written the year before and write one for the future. They are the most incredible, emotional, beautiful, reminder of our love for each other. I wouldn't trade them for the world and am so thankful that we actually took the time to start this! I love our anniversary for this simple reason alone.

If you aren't married yet, take my advice and DO THIS on your wedding night, if you are married, START THIS, it isn't ever too late! You won't be sorry!

To my husband, happy 7th year anniversary! I love you!

Linking up with Giggles, Glitz & Glam and talking about Wedding Bliss!

A Conversation with Kyan

Kyan - Mommy, when you are a girl you have babies in your belly and it hurts!

Me - Yes, Kyan. When you have a baby in your belly it sometimes hurts.

Kyan - You mean only some girls bellies hurt?

Me- No. All girls that have babies in their bellies it hurts.

Kyan - Well, I am a boy and I won't have a baby in my belly so my belly won't hurt. And daddy is a boy so he won't have a baby in his belly either, so it won't hurt. But Lola is a girl and when she has a baby in her belly it is going to hurt. I am glad I am a boy.

***Then that was it. End of story (but I will say this isn't the first mention of girls having babies in their bellies?!).

Then about two seconds later he says:

Kyan - You have to love someone to be married to them right?

Me - Yes. You should love someone before you marry them.

Kyan - Do I have to marry my sister?

Me - No, you can't marry your sister, even though you love her!

Kyan - Ok, so I don't have to marry sister! I can't marry her, I have to find someone that I love! We have to get married like you and daddy. Then the girl will have a baby and it will hurt.

***Glad we cleared that up! Such questions for a five year old, can't imagine what they are going to be like when he is 16!?

We Are Ready for Halloween!

At the Roseland house, we are READY for Halloween! This is the most decorating that I have ever done, and it still really isn't that much, but I love seeing the house all festive and I know the kids do too!

So, want a little tour of the decor? If so keep reading, there is even a how to on making your own Halloween wreath for your front door!

THE FRONT ENTRANCE GATE:
Kyan loves the spider webs! They took forever to put up and the wind has had its way with them, I am hoping that they hold up until the 31st!

THE FRONT DOOR:
I slaved over this wreath, those flowers took FOREVER to make, but I LOVE the result! I am sad that it only gets to stay up for two short weeks, but excited to have made my first wreath for the front door! My mom kept telling me to buy something already, but I kept saying that I was going to make my own, as I was inspired by so many similar wreaths out there in blogland!
Finally, today I finished and here is what it looks like:
Super easy to make, yet so time consuming!
My first attempt with the flowers was with felt, but I hated it! So off I went to buy fabric and what a difference it made!

HOW TO:
So, here is where the how to comes in. Thanks to this little man, my photographer Kyan, I can show you how to make those pretty little flowers!

1. Cut your fabric into about inch and a half strips. Make them as long or short as you want, but I recommend making different sizes.
2. Hot glue the strip together, so you have the fabric displayed on both sides, better for rolling.

3. Roll the strip about 1/4 of the way down and then start twisting and turning the fabric around each other, gluing when needed to hold your flower together, until the flower is finished!
4. Repeat as needed (think I made close to 50?)!
5. Hot glue flowers onto wreath.
6. Add in tarantula looking feathers as needed.

I wasn't sure where to put the letter R and originally wanted to include it somehow on the actual wreath, but decided at the last minute to put it in the middle of the wreath, where I think it fit rather nicely. To make this part, I did something very similar in this post. The difference was that I used craft paint instead of spray paint to do the black around the R and I used paper instead of fabric (which I think is easier).

Ready for the Trick-or-Treaters!

Onto the inside of the house (even though I could stand outside that front door and look at it all day long)!

THE KITCHEN

THE ENTRY

LITTLE DETAILS:
I only really decorated my downstairs, so here are pictures of just about everything Halloween in our house, from the kitchen to the dining room to the bathroom to the living room!

I hope to make more decor next year! I love reading others blogs and seeing what they do to decorate!


BOO!
Now, onto "BOOing"! Do you BOO? Another thing I have seen all over blogland and I love the idea! What a great little thing to do to the neighbors! I was hoping to be the first to BOO someone, but the neighbors beat us to it! I came home on Thursday night to discover that we got BOO'd! Kyan was super excited to tell me all about it and even more excited to put his BOO buckets together!

We had plans to BOO our next door neighbor with three kids and the neighbor two doors down, whose granddaughter lives with them, only to discover that the first of the two houses had already been BOO'd (I think that is who BOO'd us)! So, neighbors way down the street just put up scary decor outside and Kyan wanted to get them! When we got to the door, I had to help him drop the bucket, ring the bell and RUN! Lola was with us, along with lots of neighbor kids who wanted to check out what we were doing, so it worked out kinda perfect! There were so many people around they weren't sure who BOO'd them, but I heard them open the door and yell, "Mom, we got BOO'd!" It was perfect!

We displayed our BOO's in picture frames outside, next to the pumpkins. That way the neighbors know we've already been BOO'd, and to move along to another house that hasn't!

Want to start a BOO in your neighborhood?
Click here for the printable that I used to spread the word!


That's it, we are ready for Halloween! Are you? Do you do anything special?