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We tried a new pumpkin craft this year in place of carving. With a 3 year old, 2 year old, a 2 month old and a home that is still not fully moved into, the mess of pumpkin carving was not appealing. But I wanted to do something fun and pumpkin-y with the kids to celebrate the season. 

And, target for the win!!!

I found pumpkin decorating kits for $3 that were so simple and so cute! One was a llama and the other a unicorn! Each kit came with all the supplies which consisted of sticky paper and foam that you just put straight onto the pumpkin. We had small white pumpkins already from a previous project so they ended up being a little small for what the kit called for, but we were still able to make it work! Sophie LOVED it, we were really able to have her take more of the reigns than if carving and she was so proud of how it turned out!

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We got to go to a wedding! A great reason or excuse to dress your kids up, and from my biased opinion, they did look pretty cute! And to make it even sweeter, Garrett was the ring bearer! And it was absolutely priceless! Our first full family wedding, and it was quite a hit! We had a great time, and our kids did too!

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Another check off our bucket list!!

The last time we were at Gammie and Poppa’s house, Sophie LOVED getting to decorate rocks with paint and glitter.

Today, we decided to go on an adventure walk and leave the rocks different places around our route for others to enjoy!

In all honesty, the adventure did not fully go as planned (#momlife) – kids continuing to pick the rocks up after they chose a spot, not being great listeners…However, I decided to look at and focus on the positives.

It was a beautiful, sunny day that we got to enjoy on our walk

I let the kids run free instead of sitting in the stroller which they loved and they were very obedient staying on the sidewalk

I was able to talk to the kids about sharing joy with others even if they didn’t fully understand it

Selah slept in the carrier

We achieved our goal of placing the rocks around our block and hope that others love seeing them on their walks!

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We did it! I love to run… but I don’t make myself commit to certain goals with running much. But this time… my husband and I set a goal, signed up, and did it! And we met our goal of running it in a certain time. Which I wasn’t quite sure we were going to do since we both got the stomach flu a few days before. But we healed up enough to do it. So I got to make a huge check off my bucket list for this one!!!…

We love to play with friends! Especially at fun places like luv2play! It is so fun to be able to watch your kids play with friends but also get to play with them on all the toys. It’s like an adult sized playground too, the slide is super fun. I love when I get to engage with my kids in their world.

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Does hosting bring you joy or stress?

I’m somewhere in the middle of both. Unfortunately, sometimes I convince myself that I’m no good at hosting. So I don’t do it. The truth is, you don’t have to be an expert to open up your home to others. So often I find myself wishing to be invited to fun things. Can you relate? How about instead of wishing for that invite, WE INVITE!! It is such a gift to others to bring people together for fun and connection.

Here are a few tips to throw an un-perfect PERFECT party:

Remember: Your party or gathering does not have to be Pinterest worthy to be fun.

Focus on things that are fun for you. I have a lot of fun finding a theme drink recipe to offer to my guests and like to focus on that.

Keep things minimal. I think some of the anxiety and stress of having a party comes with trying to do too much. That definitely happens to me with decorating. I’m not an expert decorator, but I did have fun for this party because I kept things simple. I found a garland that I liked, then picked the rest of the items I need to match. Matching made everything look cohesive, fun, and simple.

Ask for help. You don’t have to do it all. Having a meal or a party potluck style not only takes all the work off your shoulders, it allows your guests to be involved. You can just be the one offering the space, and everyone can contribute to the fun. This also lets people share their talents with the group – maybe with a signature dish they make, or something fun they add to the theme!

Serve your guests, but also be part of …

Matching outfits bring joy to my life- I just think it’s so fun, probably because it has been ingrained in me since birth!

Our mom was always putting us four girls in matching outfits, usually  ones that she made herself! I don’t make my kids matching outfits but I sure love to find them or find the fabric to have my mom make something (Thanks Gammie :D)! I always think it looks so cute but I also always remember hearing Rachel say years ago,

“ It makes it easier to find your kids when you’re only looking for one outfit!” (GENIUS!)

Sophie LOVES matching with her siblings and cousins too! And it just makes the holiday seasons more fun!

So, this holiday season, wear matching outfits, make new holiday traditions, and allow simple things to bring you joy!

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My oldest is doing gymnastics! Which was a blast our first class! It’s pretty fun, they are learning, having fun, getting instruction from someone else, which the teacher is amazing with kids, and getting to be with friends and cousins. And one of the great perks is if Garrett is with friends that means I am too! So I get to “hang” out with mom friends while they do class! And I say “hang” because it’s really us getting a few words in while we chase around other kids!  But that’s the life as a mom. We do the best we can with whatever time we have!…

My kids love the park! I teach a stroller strides class at a park every Friday and I have really been enjoying slowing down and actually playing with my kids at the park. My little girl just loves the swings and has now a new found love for slides. So while my little boy just runs around like crazy, I get to enjoy my little girl as I follow her around and make sure she doesn’t fall. But it is making me slow down, put my phone away, and enjoy her. And I love it! I’ll swing that cute little girl every day!…