September in Numbers

Hello Monday! Today I'm deviating from our regularly scheduled, I'm linking up with Deena for her Month in Numbers. I love these posts, they're usually totally random numbers that no one cares about but me. But in case you do want to see, my other monthly numbers posts are here.

2 - The age that Mini Fox turned. I can't believe she's two! Here's her Minnie Mouse Party.

24 - The number of selfies I took...that I wanted to share. Actually scratch that, it really was 23, but I couldn't leave it at an odd number, so I added one more.

3 - The number of soccer games we went to, Baby Fox is getting better and better each week!

30 - The number of day we ran our air conditioning, no joke and our electric bill shows us just how much we used it! Arg.

0 - The number of cavities the kids had, yay! Go kids for having great teeth!

Dr. Sara checking his teeth out

 That's the kids dentist, crazy fun right?

She's not so sure, but she sure does love this guy.

1 - The number of blog posts I wrote with my mom. It was so much fun doing something with my mom for just us and no one else...well besides all of you, but you know what I mean. Stay tuned next month for a Fall decorations post.

-1 - The grade that Baby Fox is in...preschool...I wanted to say 2, but I already had a 2, so I went with -1 because next year he starts Kindergarten, so that would be 1...wait, 1st grade would be 1...so this should be a -2...anyway...you get it.

6 - the number of days that I had to occupy the kids all day so Mr. could study. We found some fun things to do.

112 - I think the most liked photo ever on my facebook page...ready to see what it is?

A picture of the train track I built my kids...haha, I guess everyone really likes a good train track build.

6 - I know I have another 6, but this one is totally different. This is how many hair styles I did for my Hair Challenge. I'm pretty proud of myself, and I think I might do a weekly hair challenge starting in January. Just to get myself out of the habit of wearing my hair down every single day.

My favorite one, and one that I have repeated several times.

I think that's all folks. Later this week, I'm going to have a tutorial on how I did the Minnie Mouse tissue paper wreath and the first couple outfits of the Fall Style Me Challenge with Alison from Get Your Pretty on.

Friday Favorites #45

Yay it's Friday! As you read this (probably) they're moving my office...okay who are we kidding I don't have an office I live in cubeland. They're moving me to another location, boo! It's about 15 minutes further from home, double boo. I might have to take another vanpool...which leaves an hour earlier than the one I take...make me have to get up at 3:30am, every morning. I might die if I have to do this. Please keep your fingers crossed that my current van wants to keep me and will work around my new office location. Next week is our trial run and we're going to make a final decision then. But enough about that, onto fun things that happened this week!

Love getting pictures of the kids in the morning. I can't believe she's wearing a headband. She is just too cute for words.

He couldn't be bothered to stop for a picture, he was too busy eating breakfast.

 

 Baby Fox wanted to do silly faces, so I did this...

Then he said, No mommy you have to do it like me...

Then he said no Mommy, your eyes are too open, you have to close them a bit. LOL, ask and you shall receive the most hideous picture of your Mommy ever.

I couldn't imagine a better Dad for the kids. He got so giddy with excitement that he had bought Mini Fox a ridiculous amount of dresses. He took each one out of the box to show me, it was so cute.

speaking of girly things, I think my 2 year old can walk better than me in heels. Okay not really, but she's pretty darn close!

I'm so sad that this guy is retired this week. He was my officemate for 4 years and then we got our own cubes, but we sat right next to each other, and then also my carpool buddy for 4 years. We also happened to move to his city, and he's watched Baby Fox on several occasions for us. I'm super sad that he's leaving, but really happy that we live in the same city and can hopefully get together once in a while.

Kids got to go to Dinseyland this week. This guy tried his first ever corndog and loved it!

When I got home Baby Fox told me he had a corndog and loved it and Mini Fox chimed in. Papa does too! (this is a true statement, I have no idea how she knows this)

Side Note: Baby Fox calls my dad Ampa while Mini Fox has decided to call him Papa, it get confusing what to say at times.

Each of them got to chose one ride, he chose Buzz Light Year, she chose Small World

Ice cream all around before heading home for naps.

Great week for the kids, crazy week for me at work. But better than last week, so I'll take it. Not doing much this weekend, just soccer and my MNO, which I'm really looking forward to. Get to play with my new make-up palette. What are you up to this weekend?

Linking up with Erika, Andrea, and Narci for Friday Favorites, September Farm and The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey, Friday! April and the girls for Five on Friday, and Jennie for Friday Favorites

The Guy Behind the Blog: 2nd Edition

Back again linking up with Betsy for Guys Behind the Blog Q&A. We were supposed to post this on Monday, but I couldn't find the questions until it was posted, so here are Mr's answers 3 days late. Click here for Mr.'s hilarious last months answers.

1 // What's the silliest thing you and your significant other have needed to compromise on?    Sillist thing....hmmm...we don't compromise on a lot do we? All I can think of is...I followed you around for the first few months of marriage and picked things up and then I realized that our stuff was just going to be out. I'm not even sure you noticed (No I didn't). Now I just have my office that is neat.   2 // If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 must haves would you bring with you?   3 must have things....ummm...I would want to have you there (awww), I get you...a really awesome over water cabanna, you know those huts that we stayed in Tahiti...oh a water bungalow. What else do I get...(long pause)..something cool...(longer pause)...he's taking this serious...(still waiting)...now you're with me on the island, now you can help me. (a lot of the guys said firestarter, no that's not big enough, they're thinking too small)...I was thinking personal chef...but then I thought how is he going to get food, then I was thinking Bear Grylls, so he can hunt food, but I don't think I want to hang out with him all the time, so I guess we need a personal chef/survival expert person. Now I got my wife, an over water bungalow and a personal chef/survivalist, I think I'm pretty good. Take that desert island. Two of my three things are people...interesting...  

That was hilarious Mr.

  3 // Talents aside, what is your dream job?    I would be a professional song writer.  

Side note: Mr. does do some song writing on the side. He just wrote my cousins theme song for his podcast. You should check it out. I think I need a theme song. FYI: his theme song arrives in podcast #8, they talk about it at the very beginning. And my cousin and his friend are really funny too, let me know what you think.

4 // What are three things on your bucket list?    I don't have much on my bucket list, I don't think I want to wait around to do things. I don't think I like that, why don't you just do it if you want to do it, I can't really think of anything that I would think of that way...if it's that important just go do it.  

Deep Mr., real deep. But I do agree, if you want to do something, don't wait, just do it.

 

5 // What kind of date is your favorite to go on with your significant other? (Romantic, fun, spontaneous, etc.)

   

 Spontaneous is not an option any more, My favorite date is when we get out of town together for a long weekend, like Santa Barbara or something like that.

 

I agree! When is our next get away?

Also linking up with Amanda, for Thinking Out Loud, Vanessa and Penny for Thinking out Loud, Lulia, Stephanie and Sarah for The Ladies Collective, Annie and Natalie for Thoughts for Thursday and Joey and Kristin for Stuff and Things

What Up Wednesday #3

Today I'm linking up with Mel, Shay and Sheaffer for What's Up Wednesday. I like looking back on these, especially since it's the same questions each month, click here for the past months.

What we're I'm eating:

Well currently I just ate all of these, yummy homemade garlic croutons.  Which went into Meatloaf. But for lunches lately I've been doing a lot of salads, so far I'm enjoying them. I find that if I eat them only 3 times a week that I don't get bored, so that's good.

What I'm Reminiscing About:

How just a year ago she was just learning to walk and talk, and now she's running, jumping (trying to at least) and giving us sentences.

What I'm Loving:

Being able to do French Braids in Mini Fox's hair, it makes me so happy that she finally wants them and will sit (semi) still for them.

What We've Been Up To:

Lot's studying for Mr. and lots of pool time with the kids at the gym. Finally Mini Fox is starting to like the gym! No more tears!

and lots of soccer, Baby Fox is loving it and we couldn't be happier.

What I'm Dreading:

The next few weeks of soccer, not because I don't like watching soccer, but the heat is killing me! So hot!

What I'm Working On:

Can you believe I currently don't have anything I'm working on. I just finished helping my mom with her guest post on The Blended Blog about decorating your mantels.

What I'm Excited About:

Cooler weather and going to the pumpkin patch next year! We're so sad one of our friends can't make it this year, she'll have a two week old, but can't wait to continue the tradition.

What I'm Watching/Reading:

I finally started to read The Husband's Secret (okay, okay I'm on page 9, but still I started!)

So happy that all of the Fall TV is back! We have picked up a couple of shows. So far we started watching Heroes Reborn (we watched the original series for a couple of seasons, but gave up on it when it got weird and really slow) and The Player. Have you heard of it? It's produced by my cousin who does The Blacklist, super good show so far. Although it's only 1 episode in.

This is the description from the website:

From the executive producers of The Blacklist comes the action-packed Las Vegas-set thriller The Player. The series co-stars Wesley Snipes as the pit boss and Charity Wakefield as the dealer for a high-stakes game, where an organization of wealthy individuals gamble on the ability of former military operative turned security expert Philip Winchester ("Strike Back," "Fringe") to stop some of the biggest crimes imaginable from playing out. Can he take them down from the inside and get revenge for the death of his wife, or is it true what they say: The house always wins.

What I'm Listening To:

If I'm being honest I'm listening to the kids watch TV in the background right now. They're watching some mermaid show on Netflix.

What I'm Wearing:

I never showed you guys what I wore to my birthday dinner with Mr. This is the dress I got from Italy when we went there in 2008, yes it might be 8 years old, but I still love it.

This was during hair challenge week.

And what would a photo shoot with Mr. be without a butt shot? Here I was thinking he was taking pictures of my hair.

What I'm Doing This Weekend:

I'm doing a MNO at a benefit dinner for Thomas House, whose mission is to provide a safe, supportive environment and the resources necessary for homeless families with children to remain together while empowering them to become independent and self sufficient.

What I'm Looking Forward To Next Month:

Halloween! Of course, we just got all of our costumes and I'm excited. Sneak peak at the kids, you'll have to wait for Mr. and mine.

What Else Is New:

Not much, Mr. is finally done with round 1 of tests, so we get him for a few more weekends before he's at it again, studying like a madman. I'm so proud of him for going back to school and wanting to further his education.

Also linking up with Tucker Up, Because Shanna Said So,  On Trend Tuesday, Cappuccino and Fashion, Sydney Fashion Hunter, Pampers and Pearls, Happiness at Mid Life, The Pleated Poppy,Shopping My Closet, Get Your Pretty On, Let It Shine, More Pieces of Me,  Pumps and Push-Ups, A Lovely Little Wardrobe

New Decorating Series with My Mom - Today's Topic is Mantels

Welcome if you are here from The Blended Blog! If you are starting here, hope on over to Decorating with Mom: Mantels where my mom talks about how to decorate your mantel for Halloween, but really the same concepts can be applied to any holiday, I'll wait....

Now that you're back, didn't she do such a great job?! Growing up she decorated for every single season/Holiday, including St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's day, you name it she had something up for it. I wish I had that bone in my body, to have an eye like that. To see something in the store and say, hey I know where I can put that!

We incorporated objects of things I had and things we found in the store (Pier One and Home Goods). I didn't really picture document the whole process but I'll talk about it. We found the pumpkin garland at Pier One along with the curtain that we draped over the picture. I'm so glad that my mom talked me into getting that, totally worth it!

We started out by putting the garland on the mantel and trying to put everything in front of it, but found that it wasn't working out when we tried to place anything else, since the pumpkins were so big, we ended up covering how cute the garland was. See in that last picture how there is no room for anything else?

So we decided to change it up a bit and put the garland in the front and everything else behind it. We anchored the garland with some ribbon to the skull and cross bones on either side, and then took one of the "leaves" and put it under the skull and bird to keep the garland in place. Then placed everything behind it. In doing so, we now had a height issue, so we stole all of the kids books within reach and started stuffing them under everything.

I had the trick-or-treat bags (they don't have these specific ones, but they do have some cute ones), the spooky candle holder, ghost plate and the little men in front of the skull and cross bones.

 I think it turned out fantastic. We ended up not using a table runner or anything like that because the garland took up so much space we didn't think it needed it. I think I am going to try and find some flickering battery operated tea lights for the candle tree. Mom decided she wanted to use the rest of the stuff that I had, and we figured the dining room table was the best place for it.

Obviously I need a picture in that frame, yep had the frame out all last year...empty. Sad right?

And then the last touch is the Monster Wreath I made a couple of years ago, I just love this little guy, and the kids love him too. Click here for the easy tutorial on how to do this.

My new decorations sure look WAY better than last years decorations. And I used a lot of the same stuff, goes to show you with just the right finishing pieces can go a long way!

Linking up with That DIY Party, Tweek it Tuesday, Mad Skills Party,  Fabulous Party, Weekend Retreat , Tuesday Talk and Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party, 
and Let's Be Friends Blog Hop