Last weekend

We did make it to Arundel Mills last weekend for the kids to have their Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown pics done. J got to hit the Lego Store, and T & Molly picked the Disney Store. It was great spending the time with John and doing fun things with the kids! Now this weekend's plans of hitting a farm for fall festivities is kaput with Hurricane Sandy, but we can still gut and carve our pumpkins. Least we got to do something fall related!

Family Coat of Arms - Crest

Showcasing the family Coat of Arms was a fad over a decade ago. I'm sure there was a kiosk in every mall around the holidays selling these. It always bugged me that my maiden name didn't have one that could be found. Sheesh, look up may last name and everyone listed is at the furthest relation a 3rd cousin. Literally, anyone with the name is a close relative, it is that rare. My sister-in-law posted her family's coat of arms, so I decided to look up my "new" name (as new as a decade can be.) It was confusing at first, because there seemed to be many to choose from. Then I started looking into each a little more closely, and I took out the ones that weren't directly related to Spain, and the ones left over were very similar. They all seem to have the same basis, maybe just more modern of with a little more flourish. So, I will discuss with hubby as to which is his favorite (as if he really cares) and I will have to frame the "best." Here is a sampling of what I found. I'm partial to the last one on the right.

T is 3!

I can't believe that T is 3 today! Time has flown, and it is bittersweet! Each age is so special, and there are blessings in each moment you get to spend with your kids, but while looking forward to the next year, you still mourn the ones that have already passed. I will never be able to express the love I have for this child! He is so articulate, I know, most would say 2nd child syndrome, he only picks it up from the older kids, but mommy prefers to believe he is exceptionally smart. He is a little smart-aleck though, that's a given for this house, same with a temper, but I still say it means he will stand for his beliefs as he gets older, he won't be a push-over and hopefully a leader instead of a follower. T is a bundle of energy, and stubborn as the day is long. Guess that is a given for our family as well. He loves giving hugs and kisses, and the amount of  times he says "I Love You" during the day is wonderful! So many comment on the mischief in his smiles, and like any other aspect of his personality, it definitely shines through. He is so expressive, he will probably never be a great poker player. Like J did, he loves The Wiggles, but he also loves Mickey Mouse, and won't let us forget that we told him he will meet him next year. Unlike his older brothers, he loves playing cars and is enamored with animal and dinosaur figures, even stuffed animals. No matter what, he is a completely unique person in his own right and we are blessed to share his life with him!

Color your own plates

This is another Pinterest find, something I figured the kids would enjoy doing. All it takes is plates from the Dollar Tree and a pack of colorful Sharpies. So for 3 plates it cost about $12, and I still have all the pens to use in the future. The kids colored to their own abandon. J's bottom right is of characters from Mortal Kombat, T's on the bottom left is fireworks, and Molly's at the top is her name (and if you look to the top right of her name, it does look like a good hearted attempt, even if it is up-side down.) The directions were simply to bake in the over for 30 minutes at 300 degrees. I did put it in the over while heating, and I left them in the oven to cool down. I was thinking they might be more likely to break with sudden changes in temp (that would be my luck) but also afterwards it kept anxious and excited little hands from touching them while still hot. I think we will do some mugs for Christmas presents and "stuff" with special tea of coffee!

Blur Photo Backgrounds

I have photo software to manually do this, but it requires "cutting" with my mouse. Not an easy feat with little ones in my lap, looking over my shoulder to see what I am doing, swinging the computer armoire doors, or playing with the rolling keyboard stand. Instagram is great, if I am on my ipod, and if I don't mind having lower resolution. So, I started searching and found tiltshiftmaker.com - LOVE! The first picture is the edited copy, also with colors enhanced, the second photo is the original. You can create an account to save and share your pictures together, or just create them to download individually. So, maybe getting that fancier camera can hold off for awhile ;)

A year of ours

Yesterday was the year anniversary of T becoming our son in every sense of the word. I can never explain the wave of love that overcomes me when I look at him! Love our littlest guy, I can't imagine my life without him! I remember telling a former coworker not long before he was placed with us that I knew my child was out there waiting for me. I couldn't have asked for more (especially since I got 2 great sons in a matter of months!)We are so blessed to have him in our lives, and I still will never forget all those that had a hand in helping to make our family. I hope social workers understand just how special their jobs are to all the families they help, be it reunification, kinship, foster care or adoption.

Bass Pro Shop - Charlie Brown Halloween

October 19, 2012 - October 31, 2012
Great Pumpkin Halloween Event

Join us at Bass Pro Shops Arundel Mills for the "It's The Great Pumpkin" Halloween Event for fun family activities and crafts.
Photos with PEANUTS GANG - 5-8 pm weekdays & 12-5 pm weekends.

 

We did this last year - http://katscredence.blogspot.com/2011/10/charlie-brown.html - and the kids are already asking to go again!

Support your local artisans

A friend started a Facebook group a year ago for fellow artists/crafters in our area, and with the holidays coming up it bears to remember to spend local! Many artists/crafters are stay-at-home moms (like myself) or retirees, doing what they love, not for much of a profit. Keep your money local, and give a one-of-a-kind gift!


Our local group:


 https://www.facebook.com/groups/326177430759257/



My own contribution:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.443931002317232&type=1