A favorite tradition: The Pumpkin Patch

**Updated: apparently I have pregnancy brain (I love being able to blame things on  my unborn child)...This actually  makes the FOURTH year that Cindi and Cass have taken pictures of our crew in the pumpkin patch- meaning that no one else has ever taken pictures of Lou OR Cbug in the patch.  Just thought that was noteworthy.

I'm sure many of you share my insistence on taking pumpkin patch pictures each year...its a wonderful tradition. 

but JUST taking pumpkin patch pictures is not what makes this every-October-event a favorite tradition of mine. 

 MY favorite part is the official "photographers". 

For three years the amazing Cindi/Cassidy duo (HOW DOES CINDI ALWAYS AVOID HAVING HER PICTURE TAKEN) has shown great patience, shared lots of laughs, chased my rascals, and helped pose the posse all over the pumpkin patch

...and did I mention patience?

I'm not sure anyone else could handle it, and I'm not sure with all the distractions the pumpkin patch entails, my three would cooperate with anyone else.  They love these two friends-turned-photographers and are therefore willing to cooperate (as best as can be expected from little ones who spy  a tractor, popcorn, a corn maze, other children having fun, wagons to pull, etc).

After three years of pumpkin patch together I KNOW that... 

No one else has ever taken Lou's picture with these icons of fall. In all her princess glory. 

(she hates the camera...can't you tell?

No one else could quite understand (and capture the fact) that this IS Cbug.

And no one else could understand the essential nature of nurturing KJ while treating him like the BIG 5-year-old that he is.

 So, I hope it is a tradition that continues for many years of fall. 

Amidst this craziness, though, I did think that maybe next year it would be easier to just throw a bunch of pumpkins out into our front yard and take pictures there with our crew of FOUR adorable punkins! 

 I can hardly even imagine that scene...but I know if anyone can capture it, it will be these two that love us enough to just maybe be crazy enough to try!

ABL

My very first Barbie Party

I didn't think it could get much better than last year's Batman party...but it did. Oh WOW, it did.

My kids, the boys especially, are at an age where you simply can't turn to the next age WITHOUT having a party. They don't necessarily think you need a lot of guests, presents, or a big to-do, but you NEED to have a party. With a theme.

A regular conversation at our house is "whose birthday is next?" and we have to run down the list of family birthdays. When the boys realized that mine was next and coming soon (ie MONTHS ago), they started planning my party. Like last year, I decided to totally let them have free reign. For quite a while it was to be a Spiderman theme, but just a couple of weeks ago, my logical 5-year-old declared "Guys, Mom would probably like something girly. Maybe it should be Barbie instead."  And from then on, Barbie it was.

If you've known me for long you realize the irony of this selection.  The humor in the fact that Spiderman might actually HAVE been a more accurate theme choice.  I'm very certain, in my entire life of birthday parties, I NEVER chose Barbie.  I barely even owned any of the dolls. AND I'm 100% sure I've never had a high-heeled anything atop my cake.  But, I love the fact that my sweet children decided that since Barbie is pink and I am a girl, I would LOVE this Barbie party.  And they were right.  I loved going all-out-pink and celebrating with some of my favorite little people.

For your Barbie party (per KJ)...

You need PINK.

Lots of pink.

So, we started with a pink cake (which equaled strawberry cake...YUM).

Then you need to get some pink Barbie decorations. Have you seen Barbie decorations lately?  Not your momma's Barbie.  The glam, the sparkles, the HIGH.HEELED.SHOES (ok, maybe that part has not changed much).  This may be the first...and last...Barbie party at our house.  Where was the "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" party decor section?

For a little MORE pink, you need some pink balloons and streamers, in varying shades of pink.  By this point I was starting to channel my inner Shelby "my colours are blush and bashful, one is a much deeper shade than the other".  I just dished out tape and let the kids stick streamers around the kitchen to their little hearts' content.  This was a much better alternative in my mind to Cbug's suggestion that we "paint the ceiling pink". Um. No.

And last, but certainly not least...we needed something PINK to drink.  And what's a party without Kool-Aid.  This would make approximately two times that I have prepared this drink for my children. 

I know, so deprived.

And there ya have it.  A Barbie party fit for a queen...or maybe just fit for an indulgent Momma who thinks it is awesome that her children wanted to make her day special. 

Thanks little ones. You always know how to make a girl feel loved. 
I can't wait to see what next year's theme is.

ABL

MMM: Pumpkin People

Another fun Monday activity with my three little amigos- this week we made "pumpkin people".

This is our second year to decorate pumpkins WITHOUT carving them.  This way they can do it themselves

(and may or may not be because I have no interest in putting my hands in that slime)

I will admit that I did have to constantly repeat to myself, "these are their pumpkins, these are their pumpkins" to keep myself from doing it for them or correcting things like uneven eyes or out-of-season stickers.  I know that completely SHOCKS you.

You will also be completely shocked to know that I took an over-abundance of pictures during this little activity.  It was just so much fun to see them create.  So, as a balance, I'll try to limit the number of accompanying words (I know, I already failed).

So, to make pumpkin people...

First you cut some arms and legs.

Then fold 'em.

And attach them.

Next, you make the faces.  This was actually Cbug's idea all by himself.  He figured out how to make eyes and a mouth and his big brother copied him.  I was pretty proud of our "middlest" who usually chooses to just do whatever big brother is doing.

Next, the hair (Cbug's went for some "highlights")

Then, the stickers.

Oh my, the stickers.

This was pretty much the only part that the little Princess was interested in.  So, I just let her "sticker" to her hearts' content.  And, as I mentioned, the kiddos were not concerned at all about the "seasons" of their stickers.  So we had snowmen, valentines and shamrocks all attached to our pumpkin people.  KJ did try to make a connection to fall with his shamrocks.  He said that he was making "falling leaves" going down the back of his pumpkin person.  Ok.  I'll buy that.

As Lou applied stickers above, she had her tongue out to concentrate.  A trait that runs in the family, apparently.

And the finished pumpkin people.  On their own, they each ended up making their people primarily out of their favorite colors which sure helped me in keeping them straight as to whose-was-whose.  Thanks, guys!

So, here is our little lineup of pumpkins.

Cbug's

KJ's

(which he says is a ninja)

and Lou's

Um, and in case the "we stayed in our pajamas all day" wasn't proof enough that just because we have MMM does NOT make it a perfect Monday....

Yeah, this is the darling princess after she had to be excused from the table for screaming at me about her abilities to use the scissors ALL.BY.HUH-SEF.  Herself cannot even open and close them on her own, but she was determined and I was in.the.way. 

So, yeah.  There was some of that kind of fun, too.  I mean, just in case you needed to a little reality check about our house!

Hope you are finding ways to make the "Mondays" in your life full of good memories that far outweigh the bad!

ABL

Gifts for the Person who has Everything

This post could otherwise be called "When someone famous beats you to it..."
I promise I had this in the works before this post by Rachel Held Evans, a speaker and writer I've really come to admire in the last few months.  If you follow her blog, I'm pretty sure you know she'll blow this poor attempt out of the water, so be watching there for more ideas. 

This is not a wish-list, although some of these items are things I WOULD love.
But, I've already told you all I want from you for MY birthday
(Have I already mentioned that there is a 5K this Saturday? AND that our family will be participating? AND that you can help me celebrate my birthday?? ...just checking.)

Nope.  This actually is all about gifts for others.
Christmas is approaching. 
If you weren't aware, every store in town is making sure you know.
I'm pretty sure they started the "spirit" around the 4th of July this year.  CRAZY I tell ya, just crazy.  But, for a few people I shop for, its good to have some extra time to be thinking about the gift.  I'm sure you have them in your life, too...the ones who have EVERYTHING.  They either have everything because when the newest something-or-other that they like comes out, they buy it.  OR they have everything because when the newest something-or-other comes out they really couldn't care less.  Either way, in their minds (and mine) they have everything.

So, what to do?

This year, I've already been thinking about this and I need your help with the details.  I LOVE the idea of gifts that give more than just what is wrapped under the tree.  The gifts that pay something forward to someone else.  The gifts that help those who truly don't have everything- maybe even those who have nothing.  This doesn't mean that your gift receiver doesn't get anything, it just means that for what you spend on the gift, someone else (who really needs it) benefits as well.

Here are a few examples:
an obvious one:
TOMS

 -Shoes that pledge to give a pair for every pair purchased.  You buy a pair for someone you love and in return someone without shoes might receive their very first pair.

-Here's the thing, did you know that TOMS also does eyewear? 

Yep, give a super cool pair of sunglasses for a gift and someone else receives the gift of SIGHT.  How cool is that?

one that I've blogged about before:

Hill Country Hill Tribers

Beautiful hand-made jewelry, bags, even bibs for babies.  I love that through this beautiful wearable art you help refugee families form community, make a place for themselves in a new culture, and you participate in making a real difference in the lives of these artists.

I love this piece:

a brand new one to me:
Hello Somebody
Simply put, the mission statement reads:
"Hello Somebody exists to feed and educate children, by providing an avenue of knowledge, in order to break the cycle of poverty and hunger within their generation"
I can definitely get on board with that...and with cool products like these watches it makes a great gift, too.

Moms making a difference:

147 Million Orphans

I love that these products not only give back to children through proceeds, but also through the story they tell when you wear them.  There is literally something for everyone, from exercise gear to youth shirts to these fun baseball shirts:

Stocking stuffers:

Bread for a Hungry World

Gift Catalog

Ok, this one is a little different.  I don't think you should give Uncle Joe an ACTUAL goat.  But, RRL and I have done this the last several years as great stocking stuffers...give a goat (or chickens, or doctor's visit, or milk to an entire class) and help a family by providing the means to a more self-sufficient life.  The organization will print a certificate for you to "give" which explains the gift and the benefit to others.  Take one look at the gift catalog, that compares how big of a difference your gift-giving-money can make, and I don't doubt you'll be convicted.

I'm not necessarily advocating all of these organizations.  Some I know and love deeply based on the hearts of those at the lead, some I'm only just learning about.  The point is this: This Christmas, look for gifts that give more.  Look for gifts that make a difference.  They are out there.  What have you found? I'd love some other ideas!

ABL

REWIND and what is next

I posted "Rewind" posts yesterday and today, but backdated them to put them in proper chronological order.

Here are the links:
Summer Spectacular

MMM: Marshmallow repeat

And while you are here, don't forget about the HUGE birthday bash, right here on this little piece of the web.  ALL WEEK LONG we are raising money for Teen Lifeline.  Our efforts will culminate by participating in a 5K on Saturday.  Read more here.

I'm trying to make my comeback by blogging everyday this week.  Watch for this fun, coming your way soon:

MMM: Pumpkin People

Gifts for the person who has everything

Always Meant to Be: a letter to BL4

ABL

YOU are invited...a birthday celebration!

I know, I know.
I took a break.
We'll call it "a-growing-a-baby-in-my-belly" break.
Otherwise referred to as a "the smallest member of our family zapped my energy supply" break.
I've had babies before, you would think I would remember the days of exhaustion.
I didn't.

So, here I am.
Attempting a little come back.
And not a moment too soon, because I REALLY need your help.
Would you help me celebrate?
And in the process, would you help me help the teenagers of North Tarrant County and surrounding areas?

You see, Saturday is my Birthday.
I'm not a huge Birthday person.
I like to have my birthday remembered by those closest to me.
And I'll admit, facebook birthday's are fun.
But the idea of being sung to in a restaurant, or otherwise having lots of attention called to me...
not my favorite.
But this year I really want to have a HUGE party.  Right here. On the web.

Because Saturday just happens to also be a big day for my very favorite non-profit organization.
Saturday is the TL5K.
Teen Lifeline is the non-profit organization that RRL helped start several years ago.
Its an amazing organization working hard to make a difference in the lives of teenagers in our area.

This 5K is one of only two big annual fundraising opportunities for Teen Lifelilne.

And its on my birthday.
I'll be running. And celebrating.
This would be the BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER if even just a few of you who read this blog would consider celebrating this birthday with me by donating to this great cause. 
We can celebrate all week. Starting RIGHT NOW!

So, if you wanna join the party...
Read up on the goals and mission of Teen Lifeline by visiting lifelivedbetter.org
Then, if you would like to support our family in our goal to raise money
and more importantly, support families all around our area as they seek solutions for their teenagers....
Please visit our website for the event, check out our family page, and join the PARTY!

Here's the link to the party:
http://championevents.donordrive.com/participant/teamlewis

No donation is too small in this effort to reach hurting teens.

If you have a teenager,
know a teenager,
or have small children you fear may someday turn into teenagers (trust me, they all will)...
I have no doubt you'll understand the value of Teen Lifeline!

Thanks for celebrating with me!
ABL

REWIND: Coming Home

This was our 10th reunion year for our alma mater. 

I'm so glad we got to be a part of Homecoming.

As corny as it may be, driving up to campus always does feel a bit like coming home.  As you catch the first glimpse of home over the hill, I always get so excited and a bit nostalgic.  There are so many memories packed into my four years living there.  In some ways, so much of the rest of my life began there. 

Friendships that would last  a lifetime, meeting my future husband, starting a career under the direction of men and women who believed in ministry in the workplace.

 It all began there.

Like any time you come home after growing older, things change. 

In many ways, change is for the better. 

Like the fact that all of the Moms of these kids used to be able to squeeze into one car to go eat dinner together.  Now, to share a meal we would need an entourage of mini-vans and SUVs to get this rowdy crew together (and we were even missing a few by this point).

But one of the things I love most about homecoming is seeing others I love enjoying "home" just as much as we once did.  And little ones I love who already can't wait until they make memories of their own one day.

 It is always such a blessing to come Home!

ABL