Speed Bump

It's fall - sweater weather, pumpkins, falling leaves, hot cider, and Halloween. I love it all. With kids, this time of year means we have to start thinking and planning Halloween costumes (and allow for Charlie's last minute change in plans), make a trip to a pumpkin patch, and do something special to mark the season. I've written here before about how I'm craft-deficient, but I am also stubborn and foolishly optimistic when it comes to making things, always hoping my inner Martha Stuart will finally and at long last appear. This always leads me to take on some craft/baking endeavor with the kids that always fall short of my expectations, looks terrible, makes a huge mess, and leaves everyone in tears - including me. But not this year. This year I have looooow expectations and nothing is getting me down. I now know to plan the activity in advance, have things assembled for the kids to quickly jump in, and that after 15 minutes (if I'm lucky) I will be fin...

As promised last week , here is the run down on our dyeing eggs-travaganza! Since we're getting ready to put our house on the market, Ryan had the brilliant idea to take the dyeing outside. It was a beautiful evening, so we set up our egg dyeing station in the grass, Mom and Dad opened up a beer, and Charlie and Dad got to work. Izzy came to check out the action, but since I wouldn't let her touch and tip over the bowls full of food coloring, she soon lost interest. Our high tech set up. These plastic bowls were left over from the kit I bought last year. If only I had saved that little wire egg holder thingy... Izzy and Roxie were bored with the egg dyeing. Roaming around the yard chewing on grass and sticks was much more fun. So proud to be walking! (on a side note, nice unintentional picture of our house in the background. Will this be our last Easter in this house? Sniff.) Check out how well Dad is supervising in the background. That's ...

I love this picture of Charlie from Easter last year - laughing at Roxie in her bunny ears. I'll see if I can get Roxie to don the ears again this year. I know I won't be able to get Charlie to settle for craisins in his eggs again. It's jelly bellies and chocolate eggs or bust! Our days for coloring eggs are dwindling - Easter weekend is almost upon us. We dyed eggs last year without much fan fare. Some people really get into their egg dyeing creations ( this is SO not Martha). I would like to try some of the many creative egg decorating ideas out there someday ( here , here and here  are a few ideas, if you feel so inclined): Image credits: Pinterest *Ah Pinterest, I love you and I hate you. You give me ideas, and you make me feel inadequate. This post nails it! Mabye when the kids are a little older and will be able to appreciate it, we will attempt something mildly creative. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. I refuse to feel ...