so long, fall

 I realize that fall doesn't officially end for another 21 days or so, but once Thanksgiving is over, fall might as well be too.  December just doesn't sound or feel like a fall month.  

So here's my official "So long" salute to the season that brought us...

*a beautiful all-kid-made leaf centerpiece*

 *cute brown corduroy outfits*

 I guess it also brought us the big scab under Millie's nose... aka "Millie's face meets the sidewalk."  Ow.

*special moments shared with family*

 *an endless supply of leaves*

 *a fun daddy who rakes up all the leaves, just to let the kids scatter them all about again*

*a Thanksgiving Dinner with loved ones*

*a grandpa who hides around corners scaring kids and tickling them relentlessly*

*a grandma who plays soccer with the young'uns until she's plum out of breath*

"Run, Nana, Run!"

 Addie reminding Nana of the rules of soccer.

 *precious time spent with cousins*

There you have it.  My fall wrap-up.  Now our tree is up and Christmas music is playing.  As much as I hate to admit it, snow will soon be falling and temperatures will be plummeting.  Time to usher in winter!

Hope you all had a lovely fall!

a late orchard post

Sorry, these pics are from last month, but I just couldn't go without documenting our family's trip to the orchard this fall!

It was such a beautiful day in mid-October.  We really couldn't have asked for better weather.

The kids got their hand at milking a life-like cow.

 We even got to watch a super cool science show inside the barn.  Didn't get pictures of the actual show, but there were explosions and fire and everything!

This is Addie's best smile.  :)

 Launching apples.

Working together to find their way through the hay maze.

Poor Tate.  He just couldn't get a foothold on the jumping pillow.

Maybe next year, little buddy.

Taking a hayride out to the pumpkin patch.

Our lil' pumpkins.

Riding back with our goods.

Little pig, little pig, let me in!

Enjoying a tea party with the Mad Hatter.

Looking forward to seeing you again next year, Center Grove!

easy breezy crafty lanterns

Yesterday we were in desperate need for a fun, easy craft.  So, I scoured my Family Fun magazine and found this little ditty.

So easy.  And the kids love it because it's messy, but little do they know it's a "contained" messy.

First, get some glass jars.

Then tear up tissue paper into 1-2 inch strips (or if you have older kids, they could handle even smaller strips).

Fill a bowl with white glue (we used Elmer's).

Let the kiddos paint the outside of the jar with the glue.

 Then just start sticking on the tissue paper.

Even my little 2-year old can do it.

If the glue starts to dry, just paint some more on.  No biggie.

Addie made hers when she came home from school.

While the glue dries, run out to your local Dollar Tree and pick up a 3-pack of battery-operated tea lights.  (Or pick up two packs just incase you get a dud.)

Then plop the the candles in the jars and watch them light up the night.

Guaranteed to light up some little faces too!