Walking the Line - Keeping Your Balance

As a mom, a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter, an employee, a board member, a volunteer, etc...I often struggle with striking a balance amongst it all. I want to make sure everyone is happy, even if my sleep levels aren't!!
I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator as well, and although I recently pondered letting go of this one extra thing in my life, I just love it too much. So - I still have to manager to work the occasional workshop in the mix as well. This weekend, I did a fun little Halloween Treats workshop for kids. It was just another reminder of how glad I am that I have decided to find time to keep this in my life. We made three treat holders and the kids had a blast!

#1 - Frankie

This guy was so much fun. It's 3 top notes (two in Old Olive and one in Basic Black) along with a few punched circles and a little creative license. Put a treat back in the middle and what a great treat holder for the little guy in your life!



#2 - Double Envelope

Wow! This was SO easy. NO ADHESIVE NEEDED! You start with an 8x8 square, do some magic scoring and folding and you have it. Hold together with some ribbon, add a little tag and stuff it with some chocolate. What kid wouldn't love this!! If you want actual directions, let me know!









#3 - Bag 'em and Tag 'em

Again - a super quick and simple treat for school or the office! I used the tags that come in the kit in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. (the bags were used on Frankie). Then I just stapled them to some filled treat bags and adorned with some ribbon. The googly eyes are what makes these so fun!
So...amongst soccer and a downline meeting and life with 3 dogs, two cats and the kids, I did manage to have a lot of fun and know at least one of these ideas will get used in my own child's classroom. Again - if you want more instructions or need supplies, just let me know. So much to do, so little time. Glad I find time for a few "me" things in life!
Have a great day!
Katy

South Dakota - I think so!

We recently took a trip to South Dakota. One of those "Bucket List" trips that I never thought we'd get around to, but decided on a whim to make happen. I am so glad we did. The memories. The sites. The time together. This mom will cherish it forever! First stop - The Corn Palace

Although a quick stop, and one that we were told is somewhat a waste of time - we stopped and enjoyed. This year the theme was sports and I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the images made from corn. We spent the rest of the day on the road. Man...is South Dakota a wide state. Lots of driving. Miles and miles of driving. We stayed at a quaint little place called Mountain View and have no complaints. It's not at all what we had imagined based off the website, but were quite pleased. While out west, we started the trip with a drive through Custer. Wow - am I glad this made it on to our itinerary. Make the time. Drive the loop. Get out of the car and enjoy nature!

As we came out of Custer, we were able to gaze upon our next stop, which was Mt. Rushmore. We stayed for the night lighting and it was really quite amazing. Spend some time here, learning all there is to learn. Walk the path up closer to the faces. Let the kids do the Jr. Ranger program. Heck - you might learn something yourself!

The next day we did something called the Alpine Slide. Holy fun people! I wasn't thrilled with the ride up, I hate heights and honestly wanted to cry the whole way up. BUT...the view up top is AMAZING. And the ride down - as fun as you'll have it be. The whole family took the ride down, some did it twice, and one did it three times!! After this, we hit Bear Country. Again - a nice drive and some quality time in the car. Great photo ops!!! Then off to Crazy Horse. Wow...just wow!! Go there, and really think about when this monument will be complete.

Again - the night lazer show - totally worth the stay!!! One the was out of the Black Hills, we decided to walk Deadwood. You know - for a mostly free experience, it was worth the time and fun bits of history. Be sure to head out to the cemetery...the view at the look out is well worth the walk!

Our next destination was Wall Drug. No my favorite stop - but so much to see and kinda do. The kids enjoyed the break from the car and of course there were more photo ops for the camera carrying mom. The Badlands - that's what I was looking forward to....

I could have spent endless days here. The views were amazing. The rocks were amazing. The views were amazing. The climbing was fun. The views were amazing. The wildlife was close at hand. The views were amazing. I think you get the picture though.

These guys were everywhere - and truly a blast to watch!! We stayed at a place called Circle View Ranch - and I could not give it enough stars if I tried. The people were friendly. The place was a amazing. It's kid friendly. The food was great. Just can't say enough about the place! So...Overall our South Dakota trip was worth every gallon of gas and every dime spent. I will reflect on it fondly for years and am glad I got to experience it with my kids. A family vacation that gets two thumbs up from this mom.

Oh My - It's Been a Long Time

Yes - It's been a long time! A very long time. But...I really desire to start sharing and journaling and writing again. So I hope to be back more often and with much to share.

Until I have time to sit and write - please know we're still here and kicking! And it looks like the background I last had on my blog is a nice way to start back with a nice fall pix!

Peek at the Pumpkins

Just thought I would share pix of our pumpkins. Better late than never I guess!!!

Flu Flu stay away....

Oh have we been sick. Seems like forever since I've been able to sit at the computer and compose a thought.

Last week, I went down on Tues with fever and body aches. And OHHHH were the aches painful!!! Thought I could go to work, but I was ever so wrong and ended up coming home and sleeping for almost 4 hours. That is unheard of for me!! Got up for a few hours, then back to bed. Weds, I thought life might go on other than a sore throat and sleepies. Then Maxx went down. He had one heck of a fever from Weds through Saturday. On Thurs night, we both ended up with a stomach bug that made rest seem impossible and the night went on forever. By Sat things were looking up for the two of us, but by Sat night Mik went down with a fever and Chaela followed the next day. They both seem to have had short lived fevers, but have lingering coughs that keep the whole house up at night. And today - ALL four of us are sniffing and coughing. AHHHH - is there no end.

For the most part - I can't complain. No one was miserable for long. And although different symptoms have lingered, none have been unmanageable. I guess I should be thankful this is all behind us before the holidays!! Here's praying that the flu has made it's way through and won't be back this season!!

Oh - the colors of Fall....

Just for Pete Wilson

A special post for the Snuggie fan I know you are

https://www.thesnuggiefordogs.com/

First HS dance

High School days have officially began. How do I know this you might ask? I know this as a result of dress shopping. That's right - dress shopping. We had to go dress shopping for a homecoming dance dress.

Back in my day - you know the day....when everyone one walked to school and played outside with little to no fear, the day when we wore red high-tops and tight rolled jeans - homecoming was just an event with a dance that we all dressed up for. I'm talking a nice shirt or sweater and a skirt. No dress shopping. No shoe shopping. Just grab the nicest thing you have in your closet or from a friends closet. Oh - not anymore though.

These days....the girls were looking for dresses a month ahead and dress shopping started weeks ahead. Crazy!!! Anyway - the girls all looked nice and had a great time and the pictures below show off their pretty dresses and accessories! I have to admit it was fun watching them all fly through after the game and get changed and back out the door for the dance. I heard lots of "will you help me with this zipper" and "what color glitter should I wear" and "ah - I can't walk in these shoes" and "who turned the flat iron off". Fun times.....

This was the first group that came to the house right after half time


Chaela and her friend


The girls


Jen came through a bit later after the game

A Parade in Honor of our Kids...

I have to give our small midwest town credit in that they are very community minded. Each year, we have a parade, in Sept, honoring the youth of our community. Kids march, walk, ride bikes and scooters, make floats, the bands march, the boy scouts and girl scout groups are there and the kid clubs from all around the county participate. Kiwanis coordinate and organize the whole thing and make it even better with a pancake tent and all day events. Here are some pix of the kids in the parade this year....















The best part about this year is that I actually got to watch!!! Normally I am driving for a float or riding on a float or the likes. This year, I got to watch and see my kids IN the parade and take all the pictures I wanted to!! Ahhhh - how sweet it was!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

Ok - maybe not the most wonderful, but certainly the most busy. And the most beautiful. And the most unpredictable with regards to weather. (and even that might not make the most list here in the midwest - spring is pretty unruly at times). It is my most favorite time of the year for sure!!!

It's soccer season!!! And this year we have ....

Not one....


Not two....


But three....


soccer players.

And not only do we have three soccer players, but now we have two soccer coaches. Oh how I have not missed the days of peewee soccer. But, honestly, so few have the patience to work with this insanely hive-like group of kids. Once a week for 45 minutes is manageable.

So, once again, we hit the roads on the weekends, we practice most every night, and we do it all for the love of soccer.