Today I almost fell over from excitement when I saw a TON of Halloween decorations at Pier 1 Imports that I *NEEDED! Seriously, there was even a Halloween tree with ornaments! I told myself that FIRST I need to get past “Back to School” before I’ll allow myself to think about anything Halloween. (I have little pep talks like that with myself all the time) Then I started looking back on some of last year’s Halloween party pics and I really just can’t wait!
Last year, I ordered these adorable shirts from https://www.facebook.com/sweetmadys for the kids. The girl’s version had a cute little witch on it and the boy’s version a Frankenstein. The shirts are personalized with their names. I was tempted to order myself one! Go check out her page!
Year: 2013
I’m Craving Apple Pie Pops!
I’m not sure if it’s because today seemed kind of like the beginning of fall, even though I know it’s not, or what is going on but I’ve had the biggest craving for apple pie pops all day! They’re like little heavenly pockets of apple, in an adorable little crust and served on a stick!
I actually made these back in May after I saw a post on http://aimeebroussard.com/tag/pie-pops/! Mine came out nowhere NEAR as adorbs as hers did, but it was my first attempt, so perhaps my next batch will turn out cuter than these did. Regardless, they tasted yummy and I sure wish I had some right now!
I can only imagine how difficult it must be when you’re 8 and your mom hands you one of these but says NOT to eat it! Does she seriously expect you to just pose with it a whole bunch of times and NOT bite into it? Poor Emi! She’s such a good sport. Just look at those pleading eyes!
Getting Ready for Back to School
I feel like summer has just flown by and little by little I’ve been getting ready to go back to school.
For me, there are 2 kinds of “going back to school”. First, I have to go back to my own first grade classroom. A couple of weeks after that, I have to get ready for Emi’s first day of school!
The first day of school for Emi is kind of a big deal around here. (I’m sure no one is surprised, right?)
I start “hoarding” things for her 1st day of school breakfast, as early as June! I stick them in cupboards, closets, and in the back of my car! I don’t think I even sleep the night before her first day because I’m so busy setting everything up just perfectly, like I’m throwing some big party or something! I’m pretty sure Emi is just excited to see donuts sitting at the table each year.
Earlier today, I was looking back through my pictures from what I did last year and I just can’t believe it’s been almost a year since Emi started 2nd grade!
On the More Serious Side
I’ve recently come to learn that a friend of a friend’s daughter has been diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic (M3) Leukemia. Her name is “JoJo” and she’s the same age as my own daughter. When I look at her pictures now, I just see someone who looks like she’d be one of Emi’s friends, an adorable, regular little girl who probably likes doing crafts, having sleepovers & watching Disney shows like “Austin & Ally”. I also see someone who, at the age of 8, is about to take the hardest journey of her life, along with her entire family and all of her friends! Currently, she’s receiving treatment at CHOC in Orange, California.
Yesterday, Jojo pulled this lock of her own hair out (it didn’t seem to be that difficult) and made this mustache with it, jokingly. I know that she was kidding around and actually doing so in good spirits, but it still tugged on my heart strings to see it and read about it. I do know that her hair isn’t the most important part here, her health is!
It’s hard for me to keep reading about her journey, but I also can’t stop. I can’t help but want to do something to help. Jojo has made “a wish” for her own Macbook, which is the least she should have to keep her occupied with all of the time she’s going to be spending in bed and getting treatments, etc.
Many friends and family are pulling together to raise money, in order to make Jojo’s wish come true, as well as raise money for CHOC hospital’s Oncology unit.
Cynthia Briggeman is a stylist for Stella & Dot who has so generously donated 100% of her commissions from this online trunk show towards Jojo’s wish. There are some adorable bracelets that look like this, within the latest collection, but check out the trunk show and see if YOU like anything!
And Sometimes I’m a Swim Mommy!
I’m a cheer mom. I’m a tae kwon do mom. I’m a soccer mom. Sometimes I’m a swim mom…like today! Today was Emi’s last swim meet of this summer’s swim team season!
She placed 1st in 25 freestyle 2nd in 50 freestyle and 2nd in 25 backstroke
and this was out of 5 teams!
One of the things I admire most about Emi is that she’s not afraid to do things like this…athletic things
! I could NEVER swim the way she does, let alone compete in swim meets! Although she comes across as fearless, she does actually get nervous sometimes. Personally, I think I’d be “over it” just when someone asked me to put on one of those swim caps!!! (I’m just being honest here)
Ultimately, I not only want her to do things I never did as a child, but also to SUCCEED at those things! So far, I’d say it’s going pretty well! 🙂
Downtown Disney Meet and Greet With Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell!
I’m in Love…with an App!
The following pics are just some very basic examples of what you can do with this app. However, there is SO much more to it!
Monkey Bread: a 4th of July Tradition
If spray painting is wrong, then baby I don’t ever wanna be right!
This morning I was staring at this sad little silver(ish) cake stand I’ve had sitting in the middle of our kitchen table, which holds random stuff. I actually bought 2 of these on clearance at Target last year after Christmas, so I decided to give this one a mini makeover!