A night out

It started at about 6:30.

I wasn't leaving until 7:30.

What started you ask?

The hysterical crying from this little cutie.

Last night I went out with a fabulous bunch of women to see the movie "The Help".  We had a wonderful time.

And while I was waiting to get picked up (and while hiding from Smiley, who was NOT feeling so Smiley)  Sassy shot a few pictures of me.

(And no, I wasn't doing any reading ~ there was someone who wanted to get caught up on the Twilight series and I just happen to have the books)

Anyway, it was a fun, much needed night out.  I haven't read the book "The Help" but after seeing the movie, I would like to.  It was a good movie, sad and uplifting all at once.

And, in case you were wondering..... Smiley didn't cry the entire time I was gone :)  Wonder how traumatized she's going to be when she finds out I'm going to be gone ALL weekend!  Yikes!

Brown,Orange and Yellows ~ with a hint of coffee

It's beginning to look a lot like fall around here!

Actually, it has for a month now, but I'm finally just getting around to telling you about it :)

I don't really go to crazy.  Just some touches here and there.  Simple and not too busy.

First up, our entry.

WELCOME!

Branches (can you tell what I used for filler?)

And a few leaves tied onto an empty frame with some clear fishing line.

Next, our Mantel.

A few fall leaf branches (same filler as in the entryway), our family pic and a reminder to "be thankful"

I have a string of white christmas lights (that I leave there all year long) behind the picture to help illuminate the dark corner.

And the other side of the room, with the awkward light. 

A few fall photo frames and a small wreath:

Now come along with me.  Down

to

the

basement......

For more branches.

These are branches that had fallen from a tree at the park behind our house.  And one morning when I was taking our dog

for a walk, I ended up back at home with an armful of branches :)

But this time for filler, I used some fake fall leaves (I have plenty of these ~ leftover from our wedding decor..........12 years ago)

Our media center:

And do you see the "little fall decor" labeled piece?  Well, I was inspired by pinterest.  This was what I saw:

(Image via Pinterest)

This was my version:

Ok, not quite as cool, but I didn't feel like digging for a bigger vase, besides, my favorite one broke. :(

BUT.... I still like the simplicity of it and the small pop of fall colors it provides.

Well, there you have it  ~ a bit of fall from my house.

Oh, and that filler coffee beans.  Let me tell you, my house smelt so yummy for so long.  But, I do love the smell of coffee!  This was a inexpensive filler and like I said before I loved walking through the entryway just so I could get a whiff :)

So, do tell.... are you still in fall mode, or have you, like all of the stores, switched over to Christmas?

Saying Goodbye

This little stinker has been crawling out of her crib for a long time.

She is so tall ~ greater than 97th percentile for height.  She just turned three and often gets mistaken for a 4 year old.  I mean, this little girl has been able to just swing her leg over the top of the crib and slide on down to get out for-ever.

I took these pictures last March ~ she was moving fast, and my little point and shoot couldn't keep up, but you get the point:

Not too long after that, we decided to put a toddler bed in her room.  I admit, I was sad.  I sat in her room, holding her, rocking her, taking in her sounds, her scents and her size.

You see, to some people it may just be a crib.  But to me, to me it's the end of a chapter.  Kind of like a chapter in a book that is so good, interesting and comforting that you just don't want it to end.  One that you will remember, but can not relive.  Sure there are more chapters to write, but this is one I will always cherish.  The memories of my babies all snuggled up with their "blankies", "snuggles", and toys.

We put the toddler bed in her room, but left her crib in as well.  We wanted her to be able to transition to the toddler bed (even though it is the same size as a crib) on her own terms.  In the beginning she thought the toddler bed was fun, but wanted nothing to do with sleeping in it.  Then she moved on to going back and forth between the two.  And in the end, she was still going back and forth, but sleeping more often in her toddler bed.

Finally, Smiley and I decided the other day that it was time to say goodbye.  Goodbye to the crib that held all three of my babies.  Goodbye to the security of 4 sides.  And goodbye to being a baby.

She was excited and quite the little helper when it came time to take it down.  We embraced the moment together.

But when it was down. She asked me to put it back together "downstairs".

 We didn't.  And I am happy to report that she has adjusted very well, and so have I.  :)

Now go

embrace the camera and savor the memories you are making

even if they aren't your favorite ones ('cause they're all important)  ☺

We made it

Ahh.... Halloween is over.

We made it.

Hubby and I made it through a couple of adult parties

We made it to the corn maze (where Smiley thought we were hunting for pheasants) 

where besides the maze itself there is:

A Corn Pit

Pedal Car Racing

Pumpkin shaped bounce house

Cut outs

Potato Slinging

And also where we nabbed the perfect pumpkins.

To carve 

(Action has never liked the feel of "pumpkin guts", Smiley wasn't so sure at first, but by the end,
I couldn't get her out of the "guts" bowl!)

And enjoy

We made it through a spooky dinner consisting of:

Menu:

We made it through a night of

Princesses, gypsies, and "scary guys"

And enjoyed a little self induced sugar coma.

Did you all make it?