staycation

fall break is known as staycation at our house. we consider it super convenient that in the middle of josh's busy season we all get a week off of school. this year was no different. josh's schedule was so crazy that it felt like we needed this break more than ever. it didn't help that miller would prefer if school wasn't five consecutive days in a row. so, as fall break approached, we began counting down the days and planning what we would do to enjoy them. 

we began by visiting the scarecrow exhibit at lichterman nature center.

while we were there, we decided to wander around some of the trails, too.

we were graciously treated to this event by meme and papaw who happened to have a membership to the center, so it was nice for everyone to be able to go at their own pace.

we also visited the corn maze with friends one night, but because most of the little ones were non-cooperative, this is the only picture. these two love to run through the maze and try to figure out the clues, but spencer had a tough time navigating it this year due to the uneven terrain after it rained.

and, a fall break favorite, the pumpkin patch . . .

 this year, we let each child pick two pumpkins, one to carve and one to paint.

 as usual, it took a lot of searching to find just the right one. spencer wasn't sure she wanted any of them.

 we had to make the rule that you had to be able to carry it yourself.

 miller found lots of pumpkins that he thought might be the one.

 rolling is not the same as carrying. we're just sayin'.

 oh, wait, i can take home this little pumpkin. it's so cute.

 spencer picked one. so we chose a second one for her because she would have been more sad if she didn't get to paint or have one carved.

 tiny pumpkins were popular at our house this year. that worked for me though . . . less to clean out.

 the biggest pumpkin we took home.

the first ever annual pumpkin patch picture where everyone is looking and no one is crying!

now, that is more like it!

a super hero halloween

josh said he was shocked when i agreed to purchasing three costumes this halloween. i was SHOCKED i paid that much for costumes. never again, people. well, let's say i don't plan on doing it again. we may have a new rule next year . . . it has to be something that can be made by mommy or created by stuff we already own. at least they looked cute. and, they loved them. what more could i ask for?

scrappy leaf garland

i know this is totally random because i never posted it, so i will back date it and pretend like it is september for the next five minutes. pretend with me, please. 

i made this little leaf garland from fabric scraps and i thought i would make a quick tutorial just in case anyone else wanted to make one to. (hint: it helps if you post it during the appropriate season ;)

first, cut a leaf template from a random scrap of paper. then, cut two matching fabric leaves and one slightly smaller leaf from stabilizer for each leaf you plan to make.

next, sandwich a stabilizer leaf between each fabric leaf wrong sides together . . . like so.

then, using contrasting thread (if you choose), sew around the leaf about 1/4 inch from the edge and then part way up the center creating a leaf-like look.

your finished leaf should look like this.

next, i pinked the edges of my leaf for some interest, but it is totally not necessary.

 then, using my handy dandy crop-a-dile, i punched a hole about 3/8 inch from one pointed end.

finally, i strung twine through the end of each leaf and tied a knot randomly spacing as i went.

 isn't it pretty? i love scrappy projects!

lastly, find the perfect place to hang your scrappy leaf garland and admire it daily until christmas forces you to take it down.