Fall is knocking on our door!

Texas is still getting up there in the temperatures but our mornings have really started to cool down. Thankfully, it does not feel like you are walking into the gates of hell as soon as you open the front door. Don't get me wrong! I LOVE Texas summers and I will take them over snow any day but it is quite nice to see the season change. Of course, boots, bonfires, and yummy pumpkin desserts are great perks as well!!

Our house is wearing it's fall decor proudly!

I think I still need a rug for the front door but I can't find anything I like.


Since making the silhouette pillow, I have been going pillow crazy now that I know how easy it is.
The hanging wreath idea came from Martha Stewart Magazine. Although instead of real pumpkins, I hallowed out foam ones and used battery operated tea lights instead of real candles.

For the monogrammed pumpkin, I just bought a Funkin (pumkin that you can carve) from our local craft store and carved out our name. Which by the way I am so glad it is only 4 letters ;). The pumpkin and the hanging wreath both light up so it is very pretty at night.

The fall banner literally cost me $1.50 because I already owned the stencils, paint and leaves.
There are so many ways you can decorate a burlap banner!
I didn't do this but I would suggest to sew around your cut edges.
We have been in a drought so I was 100% sure that it wouldn't unravel. Since putting up...2 storms! Eric says it is our good luck charm.

Of course, this little one sees the camera and begs for me to take her picture.
She cracks me up with her poses!

Fall Craft

Even though it is still feeling a lot like summer here in Texas. We wanted to get a jump on some fall crafts. This came out of Family Fun magazine and it was super easy. The kids painted a fall tree with fingerprint leaves!

Can you tell that I ran out of paper plates. Foil saved the day!

I just asked them to stand next together. Gracie demanded that
Ethan put his arm around her so that they could be super close!

If you look close Gracie even painted a flying squirrel on her paper. HA!

Day at the Zoo

I asked Gracie to smile for the grizzly bear. This is what she came up with.
With a smile like that he may attack us!

Lexie looking at the fishes

Ahhh... nice sisterly picture turns into "Mom, you do see she is trying to pull my hair."

Most chaotic time of the day- Bath Time!!!

Buddy Bracelet

I was starting to feel bad that I was making all of these adorable items for Gracie and Lexie but not Ethan. Of course Ethan has never said anything to the effect of being left out, but as soon as I asked him if he wanted me to make him something, his face lit up. I saw this bracelet that could easily be unisex. I thought it would be cool that he and I could wear them both because we are buddies! Eric thinks they are a little too girly. Which means the next time I see a big, burly biker whose hair is braided, I am going to ask him to explain to my hubby that braids are not just for girls. Then I will gladly point Eric out!

Incredibly Easy Bracelet Link

Very happy to report that one bracelet only me cost me about $0.85 cents to make. I already owned the snaps and snap tool! I think I am going to make others that are different colors.

Fall T-ball

It was a tough choice for Ethan on what activity he wanted to play during the fall season. He was really stuck between soccer and t-ball. He decided on t-ball and I think he is enjoying it more than last year. It is noticeable that he is understanding that the whole team needs to work together to make outs.

Scoping up a ball.

Here he is throwing to Josh who was on third base. They were able to tag that player out.
Great teamwork!

While their brothers play t-ball, the girls were kept busy with electronic devices!

Happy Grandparents Day

Even though our little ones live far away from their grandparents, they talk about them constantly. They love bringing up special memories and making gifts to send to them. They also love talking about their great-grandparents. Ethan understands why they are called great-grandparents but Gracie just thinks she has a lot of grandparents that are just great. I love how close they are to their grandparents and great grandparents, so I wanted to make them a really special gift this year for grandparents day.

I fell in love with silhouette pillows while searching the web and knew they would be the perfect gift. I was a little weary about making them though because I wasn't sure how they would turn out. However, I found a really great deal on fabric so I decided to take the leap. I am so glad I did because I LOVE them. They are very cute and surprisingly easy so I was able to make 6 just in time to mail them out.

Here are the websites that provided me with the inspiration- pillow cover and silhouette.

Diet Coke & Mentos

Once Ethan saw this experiment demonstrated at our local children's museum, he was hooked. After the non-stop begging we decided to try it out for ourselves.

Mischievous Lexie

This video is not shot in the best of light but the kids were having so much fun playing, or I should say goofing off that I had to catch it on video. Ethan, Gracie and I were Fishing for Letters when things started to get wacky. Unbeknownst to us, Lexie had her own plans and totally took advantage of us being distracted.

As I was videotaping, I heard some ruckus coming from the dining room. She had found our hidden crayola canvas, pulled it down, ripped the paper off of it and proceeded to pull the crayon drippings off of the canvas. She still puts up a fight when she has to pick up her own food but has NO problem whatsoever about picking off melted crayon. What is up with that?

We have a CRAWLER!!!

Our little girl is now officially crawling. We are so excited to see her reach this milestone. She continues to surprise us and we are more than thrilled at her progress. I really wish I would run into her NICU doctor. I have something I need to shove in his face!

Lexie's Latest Achievement.

Just in case you have not already seen this on Facebook. Here is Lexie pulling herself up!

1st Day of Preschool

Today was Gracie's 1st day of Preschool. She goes 2 days a week for a couple of hours. She was so excited that she was going to to be able to join in on all this back to school excitement. As soon as we walked in the door, she placed her backpack and lunch box in her cubby, and then ran off to play with the other kids. I had to hunt her down to give her a kiss goodbye.

When I picked her up later she was as happy as can be but the first thing out of her mouth was "My teacher didn't yell at me today" RIGHT in front of the teacher. This is the first day she has had the teacher and I completely trust Ms. Marciella but Gracie has been paying very close attention to the questions that I ask Ethan. Ever since Ethan was in this preschool I would always ask, "Did you have a good day, What did you do?...etc" but I would sometimes throw in ,"Did your teacher yell today?" Don't judge! I want to know every detail about what is going on when I am not there. I remember having a few teachers that would of been better boot camp instructors than teachers. Well, of course the teacher gave me the oddest look and I had to come up with something quick so I just said, "Her crazy brother putting ideas into her head". I guess at least she knows that my children tell me everything.

Our Kindergartner

Got the sign from Pinny!

Yes, he has replaced me with another woman and, yes, she is younger.
Ms. Gomez (red shirt) is really sweet though!

Today was a HUGE day because our Ethan joined the ranks with all the other 5 year olds and started his first day of school. He was so excited the night before that he made sure to set his own alarm clock. I am convinced he thought I would purposefully sleep in so we would delay the inevitable. Despite my secret plan he woke up with a smile on his face and eager to start this new chapter. I was getting a little teary eyed but was keeping it under control. However, I knew that was not going to last when Gracie asked " Ethan, are you going to miss me? Because I am going to miss you this much (arms spreading wide)". Ethan replied with "Yeah, I am going to miss you that much too". Talk about tear jerking sibling love! Shed a little bit of tears during breakfast but I had composed myself by the time we left the house. As we pulled up I started telling Ethan "It's not too late buddy. We can go back home and you can learn at Mommy's school" He just laughs at my nervousness and says, "I am ready for this school, Mom". He walked right into the cafeteria, said hello to his teacher, and took his seat next to his future classmates. There was this energy of excitement and apprehension as I watched dear friends hold it in while cheering their little ones on. I was starting to feel more confident and at ease with the situation. Well, that was until his teacher asked them all to stand up, get in line, and say goodbye to their parents. I really wanted to say, Okay, I have had enough of this game. Time to go home Ethan but I just blew him a kiss and said "Have a good day, I love you. " Many of the parents followed to the classroom but by that point I KNEW (tears flowing) it was time to leave. Gracie and I kept pretty busy the whole day so by 2:45 we were ready to go and get him. As soon as he was in the car, Gracie and I asked him about 100 questions but just like a typical boy he only replied with,"I had fun!".

He has been exclusively mine (yes, Eric's too, but really mine) for the last 5 years. I have been his teacher, friend, nurse, judge, playmate and most importantly his protector. I will still continue to fill those roles but now I will forever be sharing him with someone else. He will have to handle hateful disputes on his own, learn to tell the difference between a true buddy and one who is only looking for an accomplice. He will learn through teasing that boys are not supposed to cry where as cheered on when trying out a new trick/jump that can easily break bones. He may even learn more than what I think is appropriate for a 5 year old. However, I pray that this year will treat him kind and only enhance his love for learning. It will make this momma's heart happy.

Walking to his classroom

Back to School Bash

Now that school is on the horizon, our playgroup reveled in all of the excitement by throwing a Back to School Bash. Since I am the event coordinator I got to plan it! YEAH for me!! I had so much fun searching Pinny (my nickname for Pinterest) for inspiration. There are some talented people out there and I have no shame in trying to copy them ;) Despite it being a scorcher, we met at the local burger joint where the kids can pretty much run wild. I kept it simple for the sake of a budget and because I was transporting everything as well as all of my "normal" luggage to the restaurant. I think it turned out quite cute and I am so excited for the children. Whether they will be going to the nearest Mothers' Day Out or starting the 5th grade, the first day of school is always filled with excitement. Watching them grow and widen the independence gap can be enlightening as well as daunting. Please keep me in your thoughts on Monday as I send off my oldest baby to Kindergarten. {GULP}

The banner was made using flashcards that spell out "Back to School', the canvas art is made of melted crayons, the Pencil Favors are actually Rolos and Hershey kisses
and the wreath was made using rulers.

I made the cake and yes, I know the pencil is bigger than the cake.
It was yummy though!

I had to keep the candy cool so that is why the
glass looks like it just came out of an ice chest.

I had fun making this ruler wreath!
Here is the Ruler link! 

Ethan and Max enjoying some kickball!

Lexie enjoying the fake grass.

Lexie and Amelia

Rayven and Lexie

Marlissa and I
We are hoping our kiddos; Ethan and Ellie cross paths again in the future. Fingers crossed!

Group shot.....

...which turns into a 'who can scream the loudest' game. Lexie's favorite!

Me, Amanda, and Erica

Shelley, Amy, and I

Caryn, me, and Katie... oh and Jet!

I had to include some of the mommas who make living in San Antonio so much more fun!
I recently saw this quote on pinny and instantly thought of all of my friends near and far ;)

My friends remind me, by their very steadfastness, that truth, beauty, and goodness exist in the world, and that, no matter what, there are and always will be people loving people through thick and thin.