a spooky lunch

I am definitely not a bento box lunch creating Mama.  There are so many cute little lunch ideas for kids on Pinterest, but I just stick with a good or PBJ or Turkey Cheese and Cracker and then throw in all their favorites……..apple sauce, cheese-its, fruit, etc.  They eat it all up so quick and I don't think my boys would really appreciate the time and effort it takes to make cute lunches.  

However, I had seen a lot of super cute ideas on Pinterest for Halloween lunches so I decided to pack a special spooky lunch for the boys today!! It really was so easy to put together and I loved that it was all stuff I already had or stuff I know they will eat! 

Mummy Juice boxes (used bandage tape)

Inspiration

Mummy Dog

Inspiration

Jack-O-Lantern Cutie

Inspiration

Cheese Stick Ghost

Inspiration

Apple Teeth

Inspiration

Frankenstein Applesauce

This was an original idea of mine!! 

I alway put a squeezy pouch in the boys lunches.  When I threw it in I realized the cap looked a lot like the neck bolts on Frankenstein.  To get another one on the other side, I gave the boys an applesauce for snack and saved the top.  I hot glued the top to a puff ball, then I hot glued the puff ball into the bottom part of the applesauce.  I just cut out a green piece of paper the size of the applesauce then decorated him with a permanent marker and google eyes!! I love how he turned out!!

 Rice Crispy Treat with sprinkles on top

 When I picked up Pearson from school, he asked if he could have an even spookier lunch for Thursday.  I just love that he loved it!!!

 Nash couldn't tell me that he loved it, but I know that he did, because he didn't come home with even a crumb in his lunch box.  He loves to eat……it doesn't matter what it looks like!!

 It's so fun being these boy's Mama!!

Thanks for their cute Frankenstein shirts, Lolly!!

a fancy smancy date night

On Saturday, Matt and I were invited to a special event for the hospital he works for here in Tyler. Trinity Mother Frances was celebrating their 20th anniversary since the merge of Trinity Clinics and Mother Frances Hospital.  

 It was a really fun evening.  It was black tie optional, so we got to dress up fancy!  They had lots of yummy hors d'oeuvres like stuffed mushroom, bacon wrapped dates, shrimp cocktail and more.  For dinner we enjoyed pork and beef tenderloin, iceberg wedge salad, roasted root vegetables, gouda mac n cheese, and mashed potato martinis.  It was all so incredibly good.  And the best part was eating it all without having to cut food for little ones!!!  The boys were back home enjoying pizza with the babysitter. 

**On a side note:  Our babysitter is from my hometown.  I used to teach with her Mom.  They moved to Tyler four years ago when her Dad accepted a position as the principal of the High School Pearson will go to here.  They are a sweet family, so it was so nice for us to be able to get a babysitter and know her family and know she is a good girl!!  

We got to enjoy the evening with some of our good friends, The Reinhardts.  Matt knows both Amber and Jason from college.  Jason was the reason Matt even applied for his current job.  It was nice having some friends at the evening's event since I didn't know too many other people.  

I really didn't know what to expect at an event where I wouldn't really know anyone, but I really had a great time.  There was a nice program at the party, so I was able to learn a little history about the hospital.  There was a band that played some really great music, and of course the food was amazing, and the open bar wasn't bad either!!  

I'm proud of the hospital that my husband works at and I look forward to his bright future working at Trinity Mother Frances.  

Happy Birthday Pops!

We went to Dallas this weekend celebrated my Dad's 59th birthday!!

Four months ago, right after my Dad's stroke, we honestly didn't know if we would be celebrating this day.  He has come so far since his stroke.  For years and years and years, my Dad has always told me how proud he is of me, but I today, it's my turn to say how proud I am of him.  He has worked so hard to get to where he is now and he is not stopping yet.  He is determined to had a full recovery.  

The last time our entire family was together (other than in the waiting room after he had his stroke) was back in May for Mother's Day.  It had been way to long since we had all been together.  It was nice to feel like a normal family again.

Happy Birthday Daddy/Pops!! We love you!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Bruno's w/ The Reinhardts

Tuesday: Tex-Mex Fried Rice

Wednesday: Us: Cowboy Cobb Salad Boys: Fall Festival

Thursday: Smothered Pork Chops & Smashed Potatoes

Friday: Rudy's

Saturday Breakfast: Pancakes & Bacon

Saturday Lunch: Sonic Corn Dogs

Saturday Dinner: Chili

Sunday Lunch:  Grilled Cheese & Tomato Basil Soup

Sunday Dinner: Out

ethan's 6th birthday

We celebrated our favorite 6 year old cousin, Ethan, on Sunday at Metroplex Gymnastics.  Pearson ADORES his big cousin.  In a few year they are going to feel like they are practically the same age since they are only 18 months apart, but for now, Pearson looks up to him and wants to do anything Ethan does and be just like him.  

Ethan loves all super heros.  His party was even a Spiderman party.  Pearson hasn't really gotten into super heroes yet, but he saw this shirt at Target and insisted we buy one for him and Ethan because he knew Ethan loves Captain America.  Pearson's is still too big for him but he insisted that he wear it to the party.  When we left the party, Pearson also informed me that he is going to like Spiderman when he turn 6! So sweet! He wants to be just like Ethan!!

 The last time we were at Metroplex, Nash wasn't even walking so he didn't really even play.  He was all over the place this time.  I think his favorite part was the trampolines.  He loved bouncing around!  Sweet Ellie followed him wherever he went! Such a good big cousin!!

Birthday parties where kids can run around and burn a ton of energy are the best!!

I just love watching Pearson explore and be a kid!!

Someone had to always be right by Nash's side because he would have tried to do everything all by himself.  He has no fear!

When it was time to do the zipline, Pearson hopped in line like he was going to go.  I was getting a little nervous because it's a pretty long ways until they get to the pit where they can release.  When it was finally his turn, he chickened out and just went down the slide.  I've never been more proud of my little scaredy-cat!!

While all the kids where on the hipline, Matt and Nash watched them all go across.  Nash was mesmerized by it!

I'm so glad we were able to drive in for such a fun party.  

Pearson had been looking forward to this party for weeks, and it definitely didn't disappoint.  

Happy 6th Birthday Ethan! We love you!!

official soccer mom

I guess I am officially a soccer mom.  Pearson just finished his 1st soccer season and is already asking to play again next season.  I'm so glad he loves it.  I took lots of pictures on his  very last game.

We always get to the games early.  I just love watching Matt play with Pearson.  I always stay home with Nash when Pearson has practice so soccer is Pearson and Daddy's thing.  I love watching them do it together!

He really got the hang of dribbling the ball this season.   

This smile.  This is why I love watching him play!!  

I'm not sure how much long we'll be able to keep Nash in the stroller for Pearson's games.  He wants to be out there playing so bad.  

Most games I would give him snacks the whole first half then let him play on my iPad the second half.  It kept him in the stroller the whole game so I didn't have to chase him around.  

One of the things I love about Upwards soccer is the way its totally focused on Christ.  Praying before the games is such sweet little sight.  

Sometimes sitting on the bench meant watching the game intently.  

Other times it meant being silly with your friends!!

The very last game actually got rained out, but we still had his trophy ceremony and party. It was actually really fun.  They got to run through a tunnel, have their name called out, and get their trophy in from of a big crowd.  Afterwards all the parents chipped in a threw a little party for the kiddos.  We had Chick-fil-A nuggets, grapes, apples, cheese sticks, & cupcakes.

 Pearson with his first trophy.  He was SO excited about it!!

And here's our little soccer star!

Great season Rowdies!!

meal planning monday

Monday: Leftover Tortilla Soup

Tuesday: Crispy Shrimp Pasta, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, & Garlic Knots

Wednesday: Wednesday Night Supper @ FBC South

Thursday: BBQ Pulled Pork Sweet Potatoes

Friday: Margarita Chicken, Street Corn, & Guacamole

Saturday Breakfast: On the Go

Saturday Lunch: BBQ Chicken Pizza

Saturday Dinner: Chicken Pot Pie

Sunday Lunch: Cafe Max Chicken Salad & Chips

Sunday Dinner: Leftovers

to my one and only

To my one and only…..

I love you forever!!

Happy 7th Anniversary!!!

10 on 10 {October 2015}

Our 10th this month was full of lots of fun!! 

We started the morning off with a 9am soccer game.  They don't keep score in Upwards Soccer, but technically they lost.  Oh well, look at that smile on his face!!! He loves playing soccer.  

 After Pearson's soccer game we went home and cleaned up so we could go to a pumpkin patch.  It was a legit pumpkin patch where the pumpkins were still on the vines! It was pretty cool!!

 On our way home we saw that Fresh by Brookeshire's was doing free kid's meals with the purchase of an adult meal, so we decided to stop for lunch.  It beat making sandwiches at home!  It was the perfect day for sitting on a patio!

While we were at Fresh, they were sampling 903 Blonde.  We live in the largest 903 area, but this beer is actually brewed in Sherman (Matt's Hometown).  He had never had it, so he gave it a try and said it was pretty good!

 While the boys were napping, Matt went and changed my oil.  I got our tortilla soup all made up and simmering on the stove while sipping on some sweet tea in my new Pioneer Woman mason jar.  Have you seen all of her beautiful stuff at Wal-Mart? I want it all!!

 We put both of the boys down at 2pm.  Pearson slept until 4:30 and Nash slept past 5pm.  We finally had to wake him up.  I got lots of snuggles from these two little sleepy heads.  

Today was a crazy day, so it was just one of those days I let the dishes pile up all day.  I hate the mess of dirty dishes, but I also hate doing dishes.  Atleast when I let them pile up, I get it all done in one setting!!  Anyone else hate doing dishes??

 Pearson had took a shower with Matt after nap time so Nash got to take a bath all by himself after dinner.  He was in heaven!!  He loved having all the toys to himself.  

 Before bed, the boys always like to have a little wrestle session.  This is what they do when we say give each other hugs and kisses!!

 Matt and I watched a few episodes of Homeland before we called it a night.  

Happy 10th and Happy Fall!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Saturday!!