Homemade Halloween Costumes Part 2

Well we finished L's costume. L wanted to be a spartan from his HALO game. He had shown us this little tiny picture when we started so we did the best we could, until yesterday. He was trying to explain how something was suppose to look, I wasn't understanding so I googled it! Now I totally see what his vision was all along. Here is the image I found yesterday...

Image from Halos-Finest.com

Dundundada....Our version for L....

Complete with "Plasma Weapon"

Making our little directors' vision come to life is definitely a finer thing!

Join everyone over at Amy's for a look at the Finer Things Friday posts!

Have a happy and SAFE Halloween!

Until next time,

Homemade Halloween Costumes

I decided that this year I would go back to my old ways and make the boys' Halloween costumes. It all began with a Pottery Barn Kids catalog and a $59 plus shipping kick in the pants.

Image from Pottery Barn Kids

There was no way I wanted to pay that much for a costume that might not even fit my 7 year old. So off to Joann's we went with pictures in hand and confidence that we could make L and N's costumes for way less than the PB Kids inspiration. We came home with less than $50 in materials for both boys' costumes! K jumped in to help with the designs, we had to make everything with only the pictures as guides.

So here is the big reveal...our very own SHARK!

His costume from the front.

Side View (I moved is dorsal fin after this picture, it was too low for him!)

Showing off the head his daddy made for him.

L's costume is getting some last minute touch ups...that kid is a detail freak (I mean that is a loving Mom way). So I'll get pictures up when he is done with his creation.

Working together to make the costumes was definitely a finer thing...saving a lot of money was just the bonus!

Head on over to Amy's for Finer Things Friday to see what good things are going on in everyone's lives.

Until next time,

Ghosts, Goblins, Bats, Oh My!

K, N, and I went out window shopping on Saturday and N spotted some Halloween shaped pasta. It wasn't too expensive so I decided to get a package. Then my mind went to work like it does when I get a little inspiration. A full fledged Halloween themed dinner was in the works.

Here's what we started with...

Add a little of Mom being silly and here's what you get on you plate...(red sauce was served too, but picky eater doesn't like it on his pasta)

I busted out a couple Halloween cookie cutters and a couple of cresent rolls cans we got on with a coupon deal at Costco. Wa la... ghost and pumpkin rolls to go with our Halloween pasta dinner! It was fun getting the boys into the meal by making the silly rolls.

It wasn't on my menu plan, but getting a chance to be silly with a meal works for me!

Join everyone over at We are THAT Family to see what works for them!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

We've been busy working this weekend, now the Halloween costumes are FINISHED! K and I had a lot of fun getting them together. My sewing machine was smokin'! I'll post about that later this week!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash), and Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Strawberry Bread (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Chicken and Beef Kabobs, Peppers, Onions

Monday- Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Salad

Tuesday- Fried Chicken, Red Potatoes, Broccoli, Salad

Wednesday- Beef Stew, Rolls

Thursday- YOYO Night

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Hamburgers, Fries, Salad, Candied Apples

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie.

Until next time,

Hospitality

We have had a wave of visitors over the past couple of weekends, which has been wonderful! I am so grateful that we are able to keep in touch with old friends and out of town family. I am even more grateful that we have a nice place for them to come over and hang out with a full pantry, so I can cook for these unexpected guests! I know we are blessed to have what we have, but sharing it is what really reminds me of how far we've come as a family.

I always wanted my home to look like a "Better Homes and Gardens" pictorial, but with 3 boys and a limited budget my ideals have had to change. My home now feels like a family and there are plenty of chairs to pull up in my beloved kitchen. It has become a gathering place and I am so much more happy with that than I would ever be with the picture perfect "Better Homes" model. We live here and it shows, although sometimes I wish it didn't show so much!

So if you're ever out my way drop me a line. You might see toys and Legos strewn about, but you will feel the warmth that has enveloped our family's home. Our house is a house of hospitality and that is worth more than all the Pottery Barn dreams in the world!

You should head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers to see what everyone else is grateful for on this Gratituesday!

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

Well after two weekends straight of unexpected guests I finally am feeling like I have my act together enough to get my blogging back on the list. I haven't strayed away from my menu planning (that helped a lot with extra people around here), I just couldn't get around to sharing with everyone! Our friends that visited this weekend stopped by to go out to breakfast this morning, instead I made one of my big batches of french toast and we stayed home to eat. I love having people over and cooking for them!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash), and Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash), Strawberry Bread (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday-Crispy Lemon Chicken, Basmuti Steamed Rice, French Green Beans

Monday- Tacos, K's Refried Beans, Salad

Tuesday-Spaghetti, Italian Sausage, Bread, Salad

Wednesday- Hamburgers, Veggies, Salad

Thursday- Fajitas, Round Steak, Bell Peppers, Onions

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Chicken and Beef Kabobs, Peppers, Onions, Zucchini

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie!

Until next time,

TGIF

This has been a long week! I have been busy catching up on the things I put off while visiting with my aunt last weekend, keeping up with planning at school, finishing a project for a pregnant friend, and all the other things mommies do every week. So today I really am grateful it is Friday and I might get to slow down and breathe. It really is a simple thing, but to me the simplest pleasures usually are the finer things in life!

Join everyone over at Amy's for Finer Things Friday!

Until next time,

Surprise Visitor

Last night I came downstairs to a beeping phone (it really is incessant). I listen to the message on my phone, it is from my favorite aunt in the world. She is in town for the weekend for barrel racing! What a wonderful surprise! She said she was so proud of herself because she came all by herself (well except for her horse and dog). She has come a long way since we unexpectedly lost my uncle about 21 months ago, she has gotten her spirit back and it is so great to see!

We are all looking forward to seeing her and being able to take the monkeys to watch her race. She really is amazing and I love watching her tear up an arena! I hope she can come over to the house too so we can all just hang out!

So on this Finer Things Friday I am so happy that our friends and family know it is absolutely okay with us to make surprise visits! I am looking forward to a great weekend!

Head on over to Amy's to see what everyone else is celebrating this week.

Until next time,

Enough

Today I am grateful that I have enough of everything I pretty much need in my life right now. There is a blessing I have heard over the years and it seems fitting at this busy time of my life, so here it is...

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

-Bob Perks

In this season of my life I am busy, busy, busy, so when I can just sit and listen to my boys or enjoy our meal I know all of the busyness is worth it! We have what we need in our lives right now, even if I am overwhelmed or frustrated more often than I would like to admit. Our family is thriving during a time that could be very stressful and for that I am grateful.

So today I wish all of you enough!

Head on over to Laura's at Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday to see more blessings that are happening for everyone else.

Until next time,

Menu Plan for the Week

Our Fall weather is here! I'm hoping we can enjoy some outdoor fun with our bikes now that we can be outside again!

Here's what we have planned for our meals this week.

Breakfasts- oatmeal, cereal, french toast (freezer stash), pancakes (freezer stash), and Banana Nut Muffins (freezer stash).

Lunches- ham sandwiches, PB & J sandwiches, plums and apples, carrots with ranch, leftovers

Dinners-

Sunday- Tri Tip, Broccoli, Noodles

Monday- Fettucini Alfredo, Chicken Breasts, Broccoli

Tuesday-Breakfast for Dinner- French Toast, Bacon, Hash Browns

Wednesday- Tacos, K's Refried Beans, Salad

Thursday- YOYO (You're On Your Own) aka leftovers

Friday- Homemade Pizza Night

Saturday- Chicken Salad Wraps, Salad

Well that's it... If you need more menu ideas you should head on over to Laura's at Organizing Junkie to see hundreds of menu ideas. Have a great week!

Until next time,

Light Bulb Moments

As you already know I am struggling with my class this year. I talked about it in this post. Anyway fast forward a few weeks and I am happy to say I see lots of little light bulbs going on all over my classroom. We have gotten into all of our routines so I am able to see my small groups a lot more often now.

Image from www.streeteditors.com

It is amazing to me, no matter how many times I see it, when a student uses something you taught them to help themselves. One of my struggling readers was trying to decode a word. You should have seen her face when she knew exactly what sound that "g" was going to make! Her eyes lit up and her confidence clicked up a few notches! That my friends is definitely a finer thing for any teacher!

Join Amy for Finer Things Friday to see what everyone is celebrating this week.

Until next time,