Owl Costume

Happy Halloween!

My talented mom made this totally adorable owl costume for my youngest son.  Its so cute.  I'm not sure how much he will wear it today but he's growing to like it a little more each day so by next year, he'll love it, right?

This fleece costume is so cute and able to be worn often because of its easy to wear pattern.  I plan to use it for my little guy again next year and maybe if another little child enters this family he/she can use it...not to mention friends who might like to borrow it.

Or...

I may have convinced my mom to make a few and sell them for next year...don't you think she should?!!

"Hoot, Hoot!"

Speaking of Holiday Cards...

I love this tip from Aby at Simplify 101.  Her Creative Organizing blog is giving me lots inspiration to organize my home (now could someone else just give me the ambition??)!


With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to create a seasonal mini zone or two. Here’s a mini zone idea to whet your organizing appetite:  create a holiday card sending mini zone.

Image from Simplify 101

First, find a festive container such as a metal bucket or wicker basket. Next, gather your card sending supplies such as printed address labels, stamps, cards and your favorite writing pen, and stow them in your container. Now you have everything you need to send out your cards in one handy, portable mini zone. Guess what this means? You can get started on sending cards early in the season, and work on the task in little bits of time instead of in tackling this job in one frantic rush at the end of the season!


Thanks, Aby!

Holiday Cards

Can you believe it??  The holidays are just around the corner.  I don't know what got into me, but I already ordered and received our Christmas cards.  Tiny Prints had a great deal when all their new holiday collection came out, so I couldn't resist.  They still have an offer for 25% early bird orders (through tomorrow, 10/28).  I used our fab photos from Brisham Photography for our card and I'm happy with the high quality product from Tiny Prints.  Springing for a card this nice can't be done every year since its a bit pricey, but here are some great places to find fun holiday cards:

Shutterfly

Snapfish

Sam's Club - amazing prices on holiday photo cards (so cheap!).

Minted - I am new to minted, but hello: adorable!

Visit some sights and sign up for email alerts on sales and specials for holiday cards - there are sure to be plenty of ways to save on your holiday cards!  I also often google search for "[shutterfly/tinyprints/snapfish] coupon code" and see what kind of deal I can find...there's always something!

Happy Holidaycard Hunting!

Last week...

This was last week.

In Mexico.

Hmmm...seems like a lifetime ago already.  Funny how vacations far away quickly feel like a distant past.  Vacation was so great.  

Tomorrow will be great, too.

I'll just keep telling myself that.

Great Time-Saving Tips

ID Mommy: ID Mommy Tips: Little Time Savers That Add Up!!: "Little things add up!! If you don't believe me, try having one or two m&m's. Once you realize you've finished the bag, turn it over and re..."

Quick Dinner Tonight

So...tonight we needed a quick fix dinner and Pepperoni Pasta is just the thing for this family!  This recipe can be altered so many ways, depending what you have on hand at home.  Add vegetables, chicken, or different cheese for variety.  Its so easy I often make prepare while the kids are eating breakfast or lunch, then keep in the fridge until dinner.  It makes a solid 8 x 13 pan...leftovers are goooood.

1 box of penne pasta (or any version of your favorite whole grain pasta, of course)
1 jar pasta sauce (your favorite!)
1 bag of fine shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package of turkey pepperoni

Cook noodles.  Chop pepperoni into small pieces.  Combine cooked noodles, chopped pepperoni, pasta sauce and half bag of mozzarella into bowl and mix well.  Pour into baking pan and top with remaining mozzarella.  Cook at 350 for 15-20 minutes.  Enjoy!

*Thanks to Jessica for turning me on to this go-to recipe!

I'm Proud.

Last week my husband ran the Twin Cities Marathon.  

Fast.  

He was awesome and he made us all so proud.

Spray Painting

I love spray painting because its cheap and easy.  You can makeover just about anything with a fresh coat of paint.

Here you can see Centsational Girl's video with spray painting tips!

Easy, right?!  Let the makeovers begin!