Shoe Makeover

I have wanted some Halloween heels for few years now. I have also been feeling a bit uncreative lately and I just needed something quick, cheap and easy to knock out so on Savers 50% off day I grabbed these heels for $4.50 and 1/4 yrd of fabric at Jo-Ann's and I set off to make some shoes! 

Last time I did this, I used a black heel, which would have been ideal but they didn't have any that would have made good cover ups. So i just decided to try and paint the heel black, I have no idea how it's going to hold up, but that's the fun of these sorts of things.

then i used my ModgePodge and went to work. These heels are a hidden platform which I liked but the toe had a seam in it which I'm not sure I loved. This time I also used a brand new, super sharp, xacto knife and it made ALL the difference!!! 

 I am so gosh darn in love with them. I did realize that my feet are very swollen so I'm curious if they will fit next year?? If not, I'll have to make them again :)

So fun, so festive!!

Duke's Feild Trip

While at the dinner table Daddy asked if the kids were looking forward to anything this week and Duke said he was excited about his field trip to the pumpkin patch. He then looked at me and asked if I was coming. I hesitated, I hadn't planned on it. I was 37 weeks pregnant and I didn't have a baby sitter for Sprout so he would have to come along. then Duke looked ta me and said "Mama, I really want you to come." so I smiled and said, of course. 

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I was that I went! It was tricky, Sprout was busy and wanted to explore everything but he was a good listener and Duke was thrilled!! 

The kiddos got to pick out some little pumpkins. We all know how much I adore pumpkins!

Mama picked one out too!!

Then we got to play. It was so much fun! I had plans to leave the farm early to make it home for nap time, but both of the boys were in heaven to my plans got put on pause. Present over perfect, but this was perfect too!

Sprout fund hoops and that was where he stayed the rest of the time.

I so adore this boy. He is my goofy, snuggly and loving boy. He has my heart and knows my soul and I am so glad that he asked me to be with him today!! Oh Bear, you are so loved!!

Pumpkin Patch

I absolutely love this time of year. Unfortunately Kansas has been a bit of a pain in the booty. It has rained every weekend this month making all of our festivities hard to come by. Finally we had a sunny day so we headed out to the pumpkin patch. 

I mean it just sets the mood for the season!

And I might have taken 250 pictures!

We like to set up our own little photo area and the kids get into finding the perfect pumpkins to set the scene. this year I was really proud of what we came up with. And here are another 200 pictures ;).

My new mantra is "present over perfect" and it has really changed how I see things. This picture captures the moment with Sprouts tongue out and everything.

Beautiful sweet girl.

Kind, loving boy.

Funny, busy boy.

 Little one I can't wait to meet!

 

Annnnnnd my personal favorite!

I really wish baby boy was here so we could have taken a full family photo in front of this corn. I mean it is just stunning! Totally taking these again next year. 

It was a wonderful day and my heart was so darn happy at the end of it!

E's Book Report

E is such a wonderful student! She loves to come home on Monday and do her homework so it is out of the way and she can focus on other things. She is also very creative and when her teacher gave her a book report that also involved a craft she literally couldn't wait to get started! first she made up a list of supplies and things she would need for her project. We then inventoried the craft room and made up a shopping list. and then every day for the next three days she would ask about every hour if we could go and buy a pumpkin for her to make her project. 

E was to choose and character from a book that she had read and decorate a pumpkin to look like that character. It could be real or fake, and she could use any sort of decorations she liked. E chose Sophie Mouse. She painted a cardboard pumpkin and drew on eyes a nose and mouth with a sharpie. She then came downstairs and said she needed help with the glue. 

She cut out ears and told me where to place them. And I poked the holes for her to position her whiskers and tail. 

She was thrilled with her final product!! 

 I suggested we take a break and work on the report tomorrow. E was insistent that we write out her first draft that day, so we did. She had to write two paragraphs, one about her character and the stories that she is in and one about her pumpkin and the creative process. E did it all and I sat there and added a few suggestions. And the whole time my heart was just exploding! She was so determined and so focused. I was a proud Mama!

 

It was such a fun project to work on together. E took her project to school two weeks before it was due.  I am excited to see what her final grade will be!

Conference

Conference weekend was cold and rainy and just PERFECT! Everyone was snuggled in and had their listening ears on... well mostly. Sprout could not handle the fact that there was candy in front of him and he couldn't eat the entire bowl... so he went to nap a bit early. 

Sunday Conference was a day of FOOD! Daddy kicked us off with hootenany's (a family favorite.) He now makes them in a cupcake tin and everyone loves getting a mini nanny covered in crust!

I started up a batch of cinnamon rolls.

Swoon!

Sunday we decided to go with no candy and we did crackers and fruit instead. E bawled her little eyes out. Poor girl. They so look forward to listening and earning their treats. So instead if they could tell me what the talks were about, I told them I would give them two pieces of candy. They agreed and they found it was harder than they thought.  

 Can you see any children??

 

Oh there they are!!!

And for dinner we had Instant Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots and it was to die for! Such a spiritually and physically filling weekend!!

Potty Training

On August 30th we decided to take the plunge and get Sprout Potty trained. We did the three day naked program and he did really really well. Daddy took of the Monday to help with the potty and Sprout had no accidents. Tuesday however he pooped all over the floor, ran threw it on his way to the potty and there was poop everywhere!! Of course. 

He couldn't quite grasp the concept of going in the potty. He had no problem going once he was there but innitation was just not happening. 

Wednesday, Sprout didn't go in the potty once. I would ask him if he had to go, we'd sit on the potty and he would say he was done... and then he'd pee on the floor. Or poop in the living room, right before Millie was being dropped off. Just when I thought I got it all, I turn the corner and there was another turd. After peeing himself 5 times that day I figured I was safe. Ashley came to pick up Millie and Sprout had been upstairs playing. I called up the stairs and asked him if he had to go potty, his underwear was already wet so I told him to come down stairs.... Little did I know, he had pooped his pants and he started smearing poop down the stairs... into our shag carpet. The only carpet in the house mind you. I may have picked him up and screamed really really loud. 

However with all of the accidents, Sprout has not had a single accident while we have been out and about running errands. He did pee himself when he fell at the park a week ago. And he had a poop incident at yet again another park because he said "Mama no potty here." Poor guy. But with reminding Sprout will go potty and have very few accidents... so we got to go pick out undies! 

It's been a month.... yes, a month and I feel like we have turned a corner. He now initiates most of his own potty breaks. He no longer cries when he has to poop and while I feel like it's been a long road, I think Sprout has done a really really good job! I'm so dang proud of this big boy!! Way to go Sprout!