Pumpkin Carving Party

We hosted a BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) pumpkin carving party.  We sent bat shaped invitations with finger cut-out’s to double as finger puppets.  Moms & Dads were invited to bring their little ghouls and ride their broomsticks on over.

For decorations we wrapped Tootsie Pops with tissues, wrapped with a ribbon and tied to sticks I found in the yard.

  

Doughnut holes with fake spiders created a squeamish setting

Even super heroes like to carve pumpkins!

A bowl of fake teeth helped those who didn’t have a costume get into the spirit.

Guest were asked to ‘pick their poison.’  The bar was stocked with ‘bat juice’ (juice boxes) and ‘witches brew’ (spiked apple cider).  I wrapped juice boxes with white electrical tape and added eyes to turn them into ghosts.

A rare October snow storm moved the pumpkin carving indoors.  Drop clothes were put down to catch stray pumpkin guts.

…and then of course, to add to the spooky ambience the power went out just as the food was served.  Good timing!  Nothing spookier than a dozen hungry toddlers {shudder}.
 

Summer Break

We haven’t done a house project since June and haven’t done a major renovation since we finished the Master Bathroom in May.  What the heck have I been doing all summer?  Sitting on the couch eating bon-bons watching Phelps, Bolt and The Bachelorette?  Um, maybe a little.  Don’t judge me.  Mostly though we decided to slow down and savor the summer while the boys are so little.

There were trips to the lake:

Afternoons spent picking flowers:

Trips to the beach:

Fishing:

           

Humidity induced curls:

Nose crinkling smiles:

Picnics outdoors:

Sneaking up and splashing your unsuspecting brother:

  

 

Afternoons at the pool:

Swinging:

First tree climbs:

Hikes with family:

Learning to walk:

Scooter rides:

Wagon rides:

I wish I could bottle the smell of little boys in the summertime; sunscreen, dirt and grass as well as the perfect sounds of their giggles, splashes in the pool and squeals as they chase lightening bugs on summer nights.  How did I get so lucky as to have these lovable, sweet, messy, funny Martin Men in my life?  There is simply nothing better than family and I am so blessed with mine :)

Phillies Phanatic Cupcakes

Our oldest turned 4 yesterday.  I’ve always heard the days can at times feel like years but the years will feel like a day.  So true.  It seems like yesterday that we were pacing our living room at 3 AM watching the Olympics live because we had an infant who did not like to sleep on his back.  Sigh. 

Now’s he’s a very active 4 year old who loves the Phillies so after I gained some confidence with our middle child’s Elmo cupcakes I thought I’d give the Phillies mascot, the Phanatic, a shot for his birthday party.  Hmmm.  About 15 hours before his birthday party I stood in my kitchen, ingredients in hand, wondering what I was thinking.  Cupcakes of this?

Pushing on.  The most distinctive part of the Phantic is his snout so I figured that had to be very pronounced.  I sprayed large marshmallows green with Wilton Color Mist.  Using Betty Crocker icing that comes in a can with the decorating tips built in I covered the cupcake in green frosting.  To make the eyes I cut a mini marshmallow in half and used the tips of chocolate chips for the eye balls.  I swear they were easier than the look and Matthew loved them!

Go Phils!

Summer Organization

This is what my deck usually looks like most summer evenings.  Swim trunks hanging off furniture, getting the cushions soaked, and towels, hung over the deck railing and eventually falling into the mulch below.  I’m not complaining about the sight of little boy swim trunks because seriously there is nothing cuter but…
              

…extra laundry does make me angry.

3 messy boys + 1 blank wall = an idea:

A set of hooks and  buckets for life jackets, water shoes and pool toys.  I found the buckets at my 2nd home (the paint isle at Home Depot of course).

                                      

                      

Happy summer!

Warming Up A Cool Room

I love our new master bath floor:

      

It is a huge improvement over this mess:

The downside of marble is that it is inherently cool, slippery and stains.  I found our solution to all 3 with the West Elm Ikat Links Rug.

                              

I like that it adds a little edge to a very traditional room.

Much better.