Kid Friendly Halloween Movies

It's amazing how many scary movies I am unable to watch this Halloween season.I made an attempt at watching Sleepy Hollow a few nights ago, but my son heard the horse nay... intrigued, he sat up... then he saw the scary sharpened teeth of Christopher Walken. Yeah, my son could be traumatized for life. Just another example of how having a Nineteen month old will change your life.

So, it's basically a PG rated Halloween movie season for this house. But don't be too disappointed, there are some great movies that are kid friendly. This is what we have been watching.

Apollo's favorites are:

Halloween Paper Printables

I know it's just the beginning of October, but I am ready to start celebrating the Halloween holiday!  Everything you need for Halloween fun.

Free Printables

Hope you Enjoy!

Who says dolls are just for girls? Check out these Halloween paper dolls.

Download

 

 Download

Need a quick disquise?

Halloween Mask Download

Hours of fun!

Finger Puppet Download

Who doesn't love beverage labels?

Download Labels

Planning a party?

Chalkboard Party Download

I Spy Download

 Frame it!

Download if you Dare!

DIY: Travel Around the World -Kids Crafts

Just for fun.

My son is constantly looking for new places to play with his car. 

This is my attempt to keep matchbox cars out of our gas heater, kitchen cabinets, dining room seats... You get the picture.


I wanted to be able to use this as a teaching tool in the future (if it will stay intact long enough)

I was thinking about what the themes could be...

Neighbourhoods
Great Cities
Countryside showing different Animals
Under the Sea Environments
Famous Castles

Apollo is just 18 months old, but I'm sure this would be a fun activity to do with older kids.

Cardboard Box (this one was 11" x 13")
Craft Paint
Cost $0.00

Just disassemble a cardboard box and paint away!
I taped the corners for extra stability.

To a New Year and Old Memories...

As some of you may know, my father, was a pretty unique man. What he lacked in height, he made up with a big smile and humor. 

During the Jewish holidays, I think of him often. We were very close... He taught me many of life's lessons. Possibly, one of the most important memories I have of him, is what he told me about God. I was a teenager at the time and struggling with some of the ideals of Christianity. I chose not to go to church that Sunday. My dad and I were sitting on the dock off our backyard and looking for manatees. He knew I was upset. My father told me that God is everywhere. That I didn't have to go to church or synagogue to be with Him. The important thing was to have a relationship with Him. To do right by Him. To fear Him and love Him. 

I do not pretend to be Jewish. My blood is Apache. But I will be teaching my son what my dad taught me about God (less the fear Him part). And I will continue to honor my father during the Jewish high holidays. 

Many of his other "lessons" were much funnier. Usually, one liners. 

Here are some of my faves. 

Warning: some of the may be crude... But effective....

1. "Tell them to got shit in your hat"

My ultimate favorite. As the story goes... He received a phone call from my sister's preschool principle because she repeated this.... Whoever it was, I'm sure they deserved it.

2. "Worry about yourself" 

This works in many ways. Don't get into other people's business and problems. Or it can be used to imply that you or another person needs to get their shit together before having an opinion.

3. "Everyone's a professor" 

Another way to say they're a know-it-all

4. "Big shot" 

Either to say someone is a punk... Or to remind you that you're getting to big for your britches.

5. "Yeah, and if your mother had balls - she'd be your father"

There are no excuses... There are no ifs.

6. "Take it for what it's worth"

As in who are you dealing with? Are they respectable, educated, honorable? Or just another dumbass.

This is also used when giving advice - interchangeable with "take it or leave it".

7. "It all comes out in the wash"

My father's take on Karma.

8. "I've already forgotten what you haven't learned yet"

You're not so smart... Or you still have a lot to learn.

9. "Do you know what a mensch is"?

This was my dads way of reminding me that I was deserving of a good man. I remember him telling me if I would be embarrassed to introduce a boy to my family - then he's not for me, period.

10. "You're  a Gratenstein"

Don't forget who you are, where you come from. And be proud of who you are. It instantly gave me strength. I still hear his voice telling me this sternly when I need to hear it.

Top 5 Renovation Realities

It seems like I've been working on this house forever. Then I am reminded I have only been living here for 10 months. There are days that I feel so overwhelmed with all the projects going on at once. I have to decided what I am going to do based on my son's mood. Some days he's clingy, so I might work on the dining room walls. If he's easily entertained I can move onto bigger projects. It can be challenging, but I try to keep in mind that there is no impending due date. It'll get done, when it gets done.

Here's what I've learned so far:

Top 5 Renovation Realities

1. Don't wear flip flops.
Luckily, I didn't have to learn this by getting injured. But I did wear flip flops one day and my feet got so dirty and they hurt! Wear supportive shoes at least, a thick sole if you are working around nails.

2. Have the right tools.
Ok, so I have to admit I still don't know the names of half the tools I use. I just tell Brandon what I want to work on and he gives me what I need. But having the correct tools make a project go along much quicker and more importantly, cause as little damage as possible.

3. Sweat ain't nothing but a thing.
Honey, your days of being a princess is over. You're going to sweat and stink... deal with it. Bandanna's are great to catch the dripping sweat. Rinse it out in cold water and put it back on to help keep you cool.

4. Clean up.
I might be tired and stinky, but trust me - if it was you - you're going to be happy the next day when you wake up and there's not complete chaos waiting for you. Yes, things will still be unsettling for sure, I mean half the walls have wallpaper and half don't.... could be worse!

5. I did it!
The amazing sense of satisfaction after you completed a project is immeasurable! Not only did I learn a new skill, but I can stand back and know that I made this happen. I created something beautiful from 40 year old, triple painted walls and carpet that disintegrated in our hands!

10 Reasons why I LOVE living in Union, South Carolina

When we decided to move to Union, South Carolina everyone was asking "why Union"? Even people in Union where asking us "why Union"?

So here are my top 10 reasons why I am so happy with our decision:

1. First thing people say - "it's in the middle of nowhere". Yes, it seems like it's in the middle of nowhere... but, it's actually a perfect place to be if you like taking day trips. Just a little over an hour and you are in Greenville, SC or Charlotte, NC. Add a few more hours and you can hit Columbia, Charleston or the S Carolina Beaches... Want to go the other direction? Asheville, NC and Lake Lure are not too far away.

2. There is a walkway from the sidewalk to the front porch. Not just the main drive, but a separate pathway. Each and every home in my neighborhood.... it's so very Southern, and inviting. I know this seems silly, but they didn't have that where I grew up.

3. The front yards of the houses are well manicured and full of blooming trees and flowers. Apollo and I love strolling and looking at the variety of flowers and herbs. (This statement does not pertain to my home... it's in "transition") :/

4. Whether I am pushing the stroller on Main Street or to the Park, people smile and nod - and get this, some actually stop and say hello!

5. Miss Betty Jackson, the nicest lady at the Farmer's Market (and possibly in town). Forget about the delicious produce she sells - She also teaches my son, Apollo how to count from 1 to 10. She even brought us some yummy, juicy Strawberries from her garden. We just love her!

6. You know your neighbors here. When we moved in, one of our neighbors gave us the BEST Chocolate Cake I have ever eaten. Yes, I did eat half of it all by myself! We have bonfires and BBQ, play with the kids... it awesome.

7. Did I mention there's a Farmer's Market? Fresh produce and nuts are just a short walk away. Awesome!

8. We have cool events. Downtown might seem sleepy, but it's host to parades and events all year long. You can see some pics in some of my prior blog posts.


9. Union is rich in history. Union was  temporarily the State Capitol during the Civil War. Union also has not one, but two battlegrounds from the Revolutionary War.  Don't get more American than that... Check out the museum on Main Street for a closer look. http://www.unioncountymuseum.com/

10. Our home. When we saw this fixer-upper we fell in love immediately. A historical home with so much potential, big enough for our hobbies, work and play. It may look a little rough right now, but make no mistake - this is my dream home!

 xoxo, 

Lauren 

Grumpy Old Men - Cyclist...

For those of you who have known me a while, you know that I am a letter writer. Something goes down - I'm gonna write them a letter! Today, while our Mommies group strolled the Swamp Rabbit Trail with our strollers and children in hand we were treated poorly by many bicyclists. Well, since I have no one in particular to give a letter to... so here is my rant. Right back at you grumpy old men!



Dear Grumpy Old Men Cyclist,

I think it's awesome that have outlived my Grandparents and are healthy enough to ride bicycles. You should be so proud of yourselves. I expected you to be peddling with big smiles on your face while thanking the Lord that your joints are still able to move with such fluidity. How wrong I was....

Instead, I see nothing but grumpy faces and frowns. You choose to use the lips you should be thanking the Lord with to spit nasty words to ladies with children and babies. Not very Southern Gentlemanly, if you ask me....

I understand that as a cyclist you are in limbo. Only riding on two wheels instead of four... Not a pedestrian.... You had to fight for your rights to own a small peice of the road, I get it. I know it's a confusing place to be so you resort to road rage. You mumble and shout like you're in your car on the highway, but let me remind you - we can hear you! There are no windows to roll up and your rude remarks are showered upon our ears. So let me make some suggestions:

1) Invest in a horn or bicycle bell and use that. I'm sure if we hear a bell behind us we will move over - we're Mommies, not morons.

2) Give us a break! I mean, for some of us this was our first time in the trail. I didn't come with a Grumpy Old Man rule book.

3) Lastly, have some respect! We are the women who are raising the next generation. No, it's not a glamorous job, but it's an important one.

So get over yourself, then get over to the left. Trust me, you don't want a swarm of pissed off Mommies jogging after you!

Most Sincerely,

Lauren, et al.

PS. Other than the Grumpy Old Men, we had a wonderful time on the Swamp Rabbit Trail and the Swamp Rabbit Cafe!!

http://www.greenvillesc.gov/parksrec/trails/SwampRabbitMap.aspx
http://swamprabbitcafe.com/