Pumpkin Picking!!

The last couple of days we've spent as a family. Yesterday included pumpkin picking! It really is so nice to spend time as a family.
We went to one of our local farms that we've taken V to for the last few years. Usually we feed the animals, pick the pumpkins and have some icecream. This year we didn't do the ice cream because there were 3 school field trips.
We picked our pumpkins, V picked a $4 pumpkin, Hubs and I picked a $5 pumpkin and we picked a couple gourds and a small pumpkin for painting. We're planning on carving Ariel and Sophia the First.

For pumpkin seeds I usually do garlic and lemon.

What are your fall activities?

16 Days of Halloween Crafts!

Each day, starting today, I'm going to do a halloween craft with my almost 5 year old daughter!

Today's activity we're going to do make a Pumpkin with paper links as a countdown to Halloween.

Each day I will post the pictures in the new page "halloween"

Other activities we'll be doing:

1. Jack-O-Lanterns on construction paper.
2. Tissue Paper Ghosts
3. Hooty Owl
4. Scary Pom Pom Bats
5. Milk Jug Ghosts
6. Paper Plate Ghosts
7. Egg Carton Bats
8. Mickeys Pumpkin Patch
9. Paper Plate Jack-o-Lantern
10. Monster Cup
11. Felt Pumpkins...great for traveling!
12. Foot Ghosts
13. Face off
14. Pumpkin and bat wreath
15 Black cat mask


If you know some other activities, please comment what you'll be doing! We're off on our way to make our pumpkin link!

Creating a Routine

Every child needs a solid routine. Something that gives them a structured schedule of what to expect. When children have this, their behavior tends to run smoother. The key is to not overwhelm them, because that will end in the opposite effect.

In our house we have a routine for V and a partial routine for R. R is only 9 months old, so there are days his schedule varies based on a number of factors, like teething. Which is currently taking place (we've sprouted tooth number 8)

Our Routine looks like this:

7am wake up. My daughter has a clock in her room to tell time (it's NOT digital. V knows her numbers, but she needs to be able to tell time both ways.) So she is not allowed to come into my room until the clock has the little hand on 7 and big hand on 12.
7am-8am: Most of the time, this time is spent in my bedroom. She'll play in front of the mirror, on my phone, or just lay in bed with me. It all depends on if R is awake yet. He usually wakes at 8.
8/830.: Breakfast. Breakfast includes cereal/toast and fruit. Sometimes eggs.
From then until R's first nap at 10, we do free play.

10am or whenever Rs first nap is (no later than 11) We watch a movie and eat snack.

12: Lunch
After lunch we go outside for a bit and then come in when R is ready for his second nap.
R naps and I do a few learning activities with V.
When he wakes up, there's more free play.
3/330: Snack time. V eats her snack faster than R so after snack V and I do a creative activity. (Keep posted for our halloween activities.
Finally, more free play.
6/630pm is dinner time.
730 is bed.


So my question, what is your routine like?

Selling Childrens Items

I decided back in February that I was going to make cloth diapers for my son and after a lot of research, tons of information and some tax money, I went for it!!

Well that "little idea" has cost me more money that I could have ever imagined because NOW I know what co-ops are, I'm apart of MANY groups on Facebook that sell supplies or fabric, and I absolutely love to sew for my kids!

Upon my searches I figured "wow! I can make this into a business!" and so I did!

or so I thought...

Instead! I found a group on Facebook called "CD Compliance" a group DEDICATED to helping those of us "naive think we can do whatever we want people", and REALLY getting them (us) to think and even a bit...ok a LOT discouraged) After reading about the permanent or temporary tags, the woven or satin, the care and fabric, certificates required for testing...testing on my OWN... I thought "Holy crap! Is this what I want to do!?"

Of course the answer was yes.

So I got my tags, I got my labels. And away I went!
www.facebook.com/mojofamily


For those who don't know, CPSIA passed a law that helps protect children under 12 from hazards. This means that all products must be tracked to ensure the safety and to be recalled if needed. (Like the drop-side cribs). This is NOT a nuisance! This is to protect our children!

Below I added my first creations:

My very first attempt

Minnie Mouse dress I made for my daughter

First "real" diaper

Ribbon Blanket for my son

Of course my husband loves comics....

This was also made for my son... but my niece basically stole it ;) (shes 2 weeks younger)

Some of my favorite diapers

Also a favorite, sorry for the sideways shot! 

Getting back

Well it's been 3 months since I've written. R is 6 months old today. He's growing up so big! I feel like time is flying. Maybe it's because I'm not having any more after R, but he's sitting up and starting to crawl. My little baby is becoming a person :(

It's moments like that that get me to thinking. Over the last 3 months I haven't been able to do the exercises because of my back and neck. I keep hurting them lol. Eventually it will get better though. But it's times like these when I look at myself and think, if I plan on living a long healthy life with my babes, then I need to lose weight. Healthy and Fast.
So on to searching how I plan to lose weight and get healthy for my kids. My goal: to lose 50 pounds by December.

Gripe water vs tummy soother

So there I am in rite aid after sharing a long and great afternoon celebrating the fact that my father will be 50 on Monday, (HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!) My son had been upset for the good majority of the day. Which wasn't surprising after our night yesterday.
Let me give you a little insight. My son doesn't cry unless hes hungry or alone/wants to be picked up. Rarely crys. Ever. Last night he was wailing out crys of pain, tears coming down his eyes, the look of pure agony and selflessness, as well as the look of MOMMY FIX THIS! My poor baby! :( So who do you call when you know your baby has a gas bubble that won't come out? Your mum!
My mum had also never heard him cry like this and it was also heart wrenching to her. But alas, mother knows best. She told me to put a heating bad between us and it'll help. Lo and behold... IT DID!
So we were hoping that'd be the end of it.

Nope.

All today we was whiney and uncomfortable. I knew about gripe water from a friend of mine when her baby was born. She talked highly about it. Not really caring back then because it was after I was told I couldn't have any more children, I just brushed it off. Well today I went to the store to get some.

Here I am. Pharmecy closed. Four different options in front of me. Name Brand Gripe Water. Or with flavor. Gentle Naturals Tummy Soothers and Little Remedies. Well the Little Remedies didn't have what I was looking for. So it was between these two brands. Of course I'm looking at price (Gripe: 12.50 Soothers: 6) I'm looking at active and other ingredients. I'm looking at what it helps. So I said you know what, buy both, try the cheaper one, if we don't like it, I'll bring it back.

Let me tell you. Within 2 minutes I saw a HUGE difference! It was like a miracle for babies! The Soothers does contain Fructose and isn't organic and vegan friendly like gripe water is. But honestly, for a $6 difference that works exactly the same, a little sugar won't kill him from time to time. And if he's happier for it, then my sanity is also happier!

Anyway, so far after 1 try I can't talk about this product enough and NO I'm not endorsed to say anything of this. It's my personal opinion.

To end this: Happy Birthday on Monday Daddy!

Birthday Party!

Today starts my first day as part of the $20 a day challenge. So far not so good. But I do have a couple people interested in my stockpile, which is nice. So we'll see how that turns out.

We're moving at the end of the month to a place thats almost triple the size of our location here. I had been worried about where I was going to have my almost 4 year olds birthday party. Now I can have it at the new house!

We're doing a Brave and Tangled main theme because she wants to be Rapunzel for Halloween. But will have other princess items and crafts. I truly am excited to see how all of this will come together. The movie comes out on November 13th and her birthday party is the 18th, so it'll work out perfect.

I have a board on pinterest with some ideas of what I'm going to do, there will be a post when the time comes of pictures and ways to put a Princess party together.

I also had Grand Jury today, we go once a week or every other week. If it wasn't a waste of my time, its actually pretty cool! Real life Law & Order!

Well that is all for today.




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