BOO!! Halloween 2012

Such a fun Halloween this year. Grandpa Dave and Grandma Lil were here to enjoy a spooky time with us. We found a few fun festivals in the area and also had some great friends over and good eats on Halloween Night. We may have had the most happening house in the Neighborhood!

The boys have been really into playing with their castle and knights. I think they battle dragons and pretend giant bugs are attacking the kingdom everyday. (Xzavier's imagination is reaching new heights these days and Lennox follows right behind in everything he does. ) So I found it fitting that they be Knights, me a Princess and Nixon the Dragon. Luckily I was able to find all the pieces to their costumes at the dollar store then bought a piece of fabric for their gown and cape. I think Nixon's costume cost as much as the boys and mine combined. I cant stand the price of costumes these days. Growing up we never bought a full costume, maybe some pieces here and there but that's about it so I just cant see spending a ton on one night.

Grandpa Dave the Pirate at Joann's getting Supplies and watching Nixon.

Baby Dragon

  Off to the Halloween Festival!

Pumpkin Carving!!

I was actually really impress with our final product. Who Needs Stencils?!!

Of course the night wasn't complete with out a pumpkin balancing contest.

Like Father, Like Son!

X had great Balance!

The Dragon Costume was a hit at Dads Office Party

Xzavier Designed a Creative Pumpkin :)

Lennox had three Cookies! He should have dressed up like Piglet!

The Whole Fam at Dad's Office Party

Trick Or Treat

Thank you Froila and Emily for Helping take the kids around the Neighborhood.

At the end of a long day Xzavier decided to lounge in our Bush!

Diaper and Towel Cakes

A number of years ago I found a creative way to give a gift. I always loved making special, unique, personal gifts for people on special occasions. I used to make baskets with personal touches to accent the occasion and person. For example for a friends wedding shower I put together a kitchen basket with a bunch of seasons, towels, and utensils and a cookbook. For my cousins Grad Party I made a popcorn bucket, basket with microwaveable popcorn, different popcorn salt flavors and a few movies.
I soon got bored with baskets and after receiving a Diaper Cake from my Friend Christa I found a new love. Check out her Blog with the Diaper Cakes She's Made also, They are Amazing.

Here are all the Diaper and Towel Cakes that I've made. I hope to make many more...

A Small Diaper Cake for a friend at work:

Under the Sea Diaper Cake Theme for Mandi's Shower:

Pink and Brown Diaper Cake for Jenn:

 Pizza Themed gift made for my Aunt to give at a wedding shower;
             I shipped this to my aunt after putting it together and she also added a Pizza Pan underneath.

Towel Cake for my Sister's Peacock Themed Wedding Shower:

Kids Mini Pizza

I've decided that I'm going to start cooking with the kids more and get them involved in the food buying and preparation. I have been reading a lot about this helping then to be more well rounded when it comes to eating and trying different foods. It makes sense but lets cross our fingers that it works...

First cooking class - Mini Pizza

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Refrigerated Biscuits (8)
4 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Any Pizza Toppings
        Pepperoni  Onion
        Ham           Peppers
        Sausage      Mushrooms
        Etc...
3 Cups Tomato Sauce
2 Cups Flour

Sprinkle some four on your work surface so the dough doesn't stick
Lay out one Biscuit and press out until desired thickness is achieved.
Spread on Sauce
Sprinkle with toppings
Finish by topping with Mozzarella Cheese.

Place pizzas on a floured baking sheet
Bake on 375 for 10-15 mins depending on thickness, the bottom should be golden brown and the cheese melted and bubbly.
Let stand a 5 mins

Liam had fun, sprinkling the cheese was his favorite.

Lennox ate more while making his pizza then I've ever seen, even at dinner.

This was right up Xzavier's ally, He loves cooking and loves pizza.

and Nixon was a good quiet baby, taking it all in.

I would say our first cooking class was a success!

Although Xzavier and I were the only ones to eat the final product. They Were Yummy!

Harry Potter Party

This last weekend my family and I attended a Harry Potter 'Dress Up' Party. It was so much fun, I love themed parties. The boys were so excited. Xzavier was Draco Malfoy, Lennox was Harry Potter, Trevor was Ron Weasley and I was the fortune-telling Teacher Sybill Patricia Trelawney. Even Nixon had a black onesie with a Hogwarts Uniform Tie. Fun was had by all. 

Thank you so much Foila and Emily for putting on a great party and for all your hard work on the boys outfits and the decor in your house. You really made us feel like we were at Hogwarts. Even the candles were floating on the ceiling!

The Best Family Photo Ever!

Everyone was so amazed at how good Nixon was all night. Everyone passed him around and held him then he sat nicely in his seat for the rest of the night... We are lucky to have always had easy going babies.

I was so happy and shocked at how long the glasses lasted but I tried to put them on him the next day and he threw a tantrum... oh well!

Xzavier had so much fun. He was telling everyone "I'm Draco Malfoy." Then he would use his wand to turn you into a frog.
Emily was a great Dolores Umbridge. Too Funny!

The party was not complete without a spell fight with Harry Potter (Froila).

Paper Bag Puppets

I remember making these fun puppets when I was young. They really help Xzavier's imagination. He comes up with great stories and gives the rest of us a puppet show at the end of the table or over the back of the couch. Hopefully I can build him a puppet show stage... That's something that's been on the list for a while now. (the list that never gets shorter).

Take a simple brown (lunch) bag,
some construction paper for mouth,
a puff ball for nose,
googly eyes,
and an old ribbon for a tie.
You can also add hair using (separated) pieces of yarn.

The Finished Product.

And Nixon Slept