Massachusetts

Every time the seasons change from Summer to Fall here in Charlotte, my mind always wonders to how beautiful it must be in New England by now.  The trees are probably just about finished changing color, the old New England homes are all decorated for the season.  There are pumpkin stands at every corner.  The weather is probably perfect.  Crisp in the evenings and cool enough during the day you can already sport your new fall boots and that cute long sleeve T you bought on clearance (this is my vision, work with me).

Ever since the first time my family took Adam to visit Massachusetts he has said "Let's move".  I always kind of thought the idea was crazy but lately I have been thinking about how much fun it would be to take off on this adventure and move 600 miles away and experience something totally different with my hubby.  I think about how much fun it would be for Aidan to see all the seasons.  I love the idea of being snowed in.  My only request is that we are within twenty minutes of the city.  For Sox games and aquarium trips with the Kid(s).  

So we're going to talk about it a little more.  We are probably a few years away from making a concrete decision but at least we can say it's on the table now.   I get a little excited just thinking about it.  Well more than anything I think I get a little excited about decorating an old salt box and home made ice cream stands and summering in Maine.  

You could all come to visit.

Pumpkin Patch

I have been working so hard to create traditions around our house for Aidan.  I've also been working hard to make sure they are traditions that will be fun for a number of years and not lame traditions that I have to beg everyone to participate in. I don't know how long this one will last but we made our 4th annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch this year. 

Honestly, I have to tell you, it was the best year thus far because for the first time, Aidan knew what was going on and he was wicked excited to be riding on a trailer filled with hay, to a never ending field of orange pumpkin goodness. 

It was a little weird trying to celebrate the on set of the fall in almost 80 degree weather but we did our best and a good time was had by this little family of three.  We took the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch and the boys took off and I tried to keep up while snapping pictures to capture our family memories.  They picked the three prettiest pumpkins in the that patch {if I do say so myself} we stopped off to pet a few common farm animals and then hopped the hay ride back to the front of the farm where we forced Aidan to take pictures in front of the best pumpkin display on the side of any North Carolina highway. Just like we do every year. 

Here are the pictures to prove it all...lots of them.

Waiting on the tractor to pick us up for the hay ride

 Ready to go

 Happy

 and their off

 "How about this one"

 "Get this one Daddy"

 Pumpkins for miles {it seemed}

 Our pumpkin stash

 Cutie

 At this point Aidan was saying to me "Come on Mommy, catch up"

 Little petting zoo

 Bunnies

 Waiting for the tractor to come back and get us

 This is the main house on Carrigan Farms. As far as I know the family lives there currently.

 More pumpkins

 We call this picture the compromising position picture.  At this point Aidan was actually stuck in a split and started to cry.  I was dying laughing.

Happy Fall Y'all

Love,





Not Really a Conversation With a Three Year Old...But Sort Of

I went grocery shopping the other day and bought a ton of fruit.

Me: Adam, can you seriously believe Aidan ate two of the bananas and two of the apples tonight? 

Adam: Are you complaining about his healthy eating habits?

Me:  No, I am complaining that he ate that in 30 minutes right before dinner and I couldn't stop him.  Then he didn't eat dinner. 

Adam: Have you tried hiding the fruit instead of leaving out in the fruit bowl on the island.

Me: Great idea. I've got the perfect place.  I'll put it all in the microwave, he will never find it there.


Next morning. We are laying in bed, I hear Aidan get up and head to the kitchen.  I'm listening. Open fridge. Grab milk I made for him for this a.m.  Close fridge.  Hear his little mitts feeling around the top of the island for fruit (you know cause he can't see up there).  Silence for a minute. 

Aidan: (screaming) MOMMY!!!! DADDY!!!! Someone hid our fruit in the microwave.  Don't worry, I found it.

Adam: Good one.

Me: Damn it.

Show Us Your Life-Offices

This week at Kelly's Korner we are showing off our offices.  Except I don't have an office.  When Adam and I moved in here and we were unaware of the fact that we were just months away from growing a baby we had an office.  It was my least favorite room in our house.  It was smack dab between our kitchen and the hallway leading to our bedrooms/bedroom and so people saw it all the time.  I tried to paint it this fabulous blue color and it turned out terribly.  The desk was cheap and there was tons of random paper everywhere.  Bad DIY bulletin boards leftover from high school hung on the walls and there was a Pottery Barn sofa that we just kind of stuffed in there because we didn't want to part with it but was way too big for the room.  It got to the point where I couldn't stand to go in there anymore.   I totally transformed it in to a guest/playroom for Aidan this year but that is for another post.

THIS POST is to show you some ideas of have about making a small closet office or taking some space from my laundry room to put a teeny desk and some storage shelves.  I have come to the conclusion that I do need somewhere to store our important paperwork for the house and it would be to my advantage to have a quiet area where I can pay bills, blog, write Thank You notes and whatever else I want to do in that space.  So here are some ideas of what I am thinking.  And I will probably literally go through every other post in hopes that I find some great ideas.

Ok I LOVE this.  I don't have any closets this big in my house {downfall of OLD home} and I would never take the door off because then Aidan could get to my stuff.  BUT the small desk and cute chair, printer cart and blue and white storage is dreamy.  Adam has promised a cute pendant light just like this one if I can find a closet to transform. 

via http://www.mustknowhow.com/

This is probably more practical for my house.  Right now our closet in the playroom has that white closet organization system that everyone has.  There is a shelf that is about counter height that I could easily have a piece of wood or cut to put over it so my things wouldn't fall through the cracks.  I could paint the wood or cover it in a fun fabric and then put glass on it {too much work?}.   Anyways I could find an old counterstool and paint it really cute.  Then just use baskets to get organized and slide them right in to the already existing shelving. 

 via http://www.smallspacestyle.blogspot.com/

This would be the laundry room option.  I don't have this much space but this is pretty close to the color I am getting ready to repaint the laundry room and I know for sure I want a white desk with a file cabinet

to store my important stuff.

  

via http://www.thepurplepea.net/

Ok, I am off to look for more ideas! Thanks for stopping by!



Happy Anniversary To My Man

Adam,
  Today is the anniversary of the day you blessed me immensly by making me your wife.  It was such an amazing day, wasn't it? A beautiful wedding. I would have married you in the mud, in jeans, with no make up on. I just wanted to be yours so bad.

  When you asked me to marry you, I remember staring at that BIG ring in that little box and my life was flashing before my eyes.   I was seeing scenes from my childhood, a little freckle faced girl, dancing around dreaming about the man she would marry and suddenly I was just thanking God it was you.   Thanking Him for sending me such a strong, understanding, HANDSOME {who are we kidding you are the hottest man alive} giving, loving, loyal man.  Then I thanked him twice for letting us create our sweet Aidan together.

  You have changed my life. When I look at you, I can't believe I got so lucky. I love you more every time I lay eyes on you.  I am still excited everytime I hear your voice on the other end of the line, when you walk through the front door from work, when we reach a milestone in our relationship together. 
  If I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing.  Not a thing.  It all brought me to you.  Thank you for loving me and for being the man I always dreamt about.   Happy Anniversary Baby!!

My Love Always, April



Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Dracula

A few weeks ago, Adam took our Fall decorations and Halloween decorations out of the attic for me.  Among these things is a mini stuffed Dracula that talks when approached.  Aidan was terrified of this guy last year!  This year I was determined to get it through his head that Dracula wasn't real. That he is just a stuffed vampire that talks because he has batteries in his bum.

Well it worked and he's no longer scared.  As a matter of fact, he wants to hang out with Dracula all the time.  Last night, he tucked Dracula in to bed in the playroom.  I mean there have to be kids weirder than mine out there. Right?  He even asked to have his picture taken with him the other day.  Of course I obliged.

Loving This Salad

I know I haven't told you girls, but I started Weight Watchers three weeks ago. I have already lost 10 lbs. I am pretty proud of myself but I don't want to talk about it too much because that's usually when I stop doing it.  My goal is to loose at least 35lbs by Christmas. I don't know if that's even possible with Thanksgiving in between now and then but pray for me, I want to loose this weight.  After Christmas I plan to keep on loosing I just want to set small goals.

I have been making this salad at home and it's sooo good I wanted to do a post about it.  It's a big deal to make something I love because I am so picky and I hate my own cooking.  This was a big accomplishment for me to make something I want to eat all the time! Haha. 

My Little Salad Recipe:

Spring Mix ( I buy the stuff you scoop yourself but they sell it in plastic containers and that's really good too) as much or as little as you  like. 
1/2 Pear, sliced
1/3 c Craisins
1/4 c Blue Cheese Crumbles
2 Tbs. Maple Grove Farms Fat Free Poppy seed Dressing
Weight Watchers Points=7

I promise you it is absolutely delish!