Ketchup and Mustard?

Halloween is approaching... and we are still costume-less over here. These were some photos last year... Bailey was Gabriella (HS Musical... that was so 5 years ago), Davis was The Hulk (obviously), I was a pregnant skeleton, and Mikey.... was a WT hunter? 

We need help over here... send your ideas for the girls. Davis will be a "How to Train your Dragon." 

I'm leaning towards this for Taytum... http://www.spirithalloween.com/product/baby-hot-dog-bunting-infant-costume/

and this for me... might be kinda fun now that it's not a uniform! What do you think? Maybe I could convince Bailey and Mike to be ketchup and mustard? I doubt it...

CLub Penguin Party!

My oldest daughter Bailey turned 7 last week. We celebrated Club Penguin style. When the kids arrived, they all made name tags with their new alias. We then split in to teams and completed several challenges such as... The Puffle shuffle, Puffle Launch, Dance Contest, Photo Gallery, and more. The dance contest was the highlight of the party for me. Then the kids battled to break the pinata, and we finished it off with Penguin cupcakes and presents!

Bryce, Bailey, and Olivia

Kylynn, Bailey, and Mia

Dance Party

Some photos from the Gallery

7 years in pictures... and the penguin cookie party favors

The Penguin Cupcakes

 Can't believe she is 7!

Me and my Taters!

Got red.... pants?

Did I mention that while in Paris, it was Fashion Week? There was one trend that did not to go unnoticed! Everywhere we went in London and Paris, we saw

red pants. My friend and I were determined to find a pair of our own... and then be brave enough to try to pull them off. Since I am not the biggest fashion diva on the block-- this is big for me. Real big. I finally found a pair... wish me luck.

(Clearly I didn't have my hubby photographer, so you get this awesome cell phone pic).

Portobello Road

I recently returned from a fabulous trip to London and Paris, in celebration of my 10 year wedding Anniversary. The last 10 years have flown by, and well, 3 kids, several jobs, and a dog later, I'd say we deserved it. We went with some great friends, and I'm sure I will have plenty of pics and topics to be posting about.

One of my favorite places was Portobello  Road, in Notting Hill. Maybe it's my obsession with Julia Roberts (Sorry Papa Kearns), or my sheer love for the movie Notting Hill, that makes this place so magical to me. Where else can you dine on a Nutella and Banana Crepe, while buying scarfs that cost merely a pound? The storybook views, ice CREAM over fresh berries, and houses all colors of the rainbow- Notting Hill is just like the movies. Should you ever venture to London, Portobello road is not to be missed.

Stay tuned for more London fabulousness... This is us at Kensington Palace, the former residence of the Late Princess Diana, who I may or may not be completely obsessed with. Maybe... I did cartwheels in Kensington Park... 

Thanks be to my number 1 fan (my hubby) for documenting our trip with his great pictures.

Create your own chaos

With school back in session, I am loving the new schedule with the kids. B and D, my 2 oldest are enjoying 1st grade and Preschool. It is nice to have some 1 on 1 time with little Ms. T. I have never been able to be home with my baby, so this is a real treat. I love to just play on the floor with her, and watch her roll over, and over, until she has reached the toy she wants.

I have also loved the windows of free time that present themselves. I used to work full time outside the home, as a Regional Manager for a quick service restaurant. I didn't realize until I left, the chaos that was my head... all the time. There was never really a "balance" met, just a compromise to deal with never being 100% at everything. The piles of laundry, the mounting emails and reports to follow up on, it never ended. I  am loving this new season of my life; to be able to create my own chaos! I am finally able to find the time to play on the floor and do a puzzle without the mounting pressure of everything else that needs to get done. There are still tasks and laundry piling up, but it's my time line now.

Love that.
-Ashley

I mean who doesn't want to snuggle this all day long?

New Fabrics!

 

Here are some of the darling new Belly Buddy's! These are great for baby shower gifts, when you are buying for a new mom, or a mom with multiple children. You can purchase them on Etsy, just search "Belly Buddy."

Introducing Belly Buddy!

 Belly Buddies!

 The Belly Buddy in Action

Belly Buddy's #1 fan!

Ms. T's headband was designed by Banner Boutique