We take Halloween very seriously around here. Costumes are planned months in advance {and then completed days before the event}.

Pumpkins are brainstormed for weeks {and then carved the night before}.

One thing is for sure though, you can’t plan how fun the night actually is.

Especially when our city and neighboring cities plan trick or treating on different nights, so we can actually enjoy the day twice.

Halloween. It’s Serious Business.

This post is proudly linked up with Parenting BY Dummies, Seven Clown Circus, Supermom, Better in Bulk, A Beautiful Mess, Live and Laugh…Out Loud.

Halloween is Serious Business is a post from: Alli 'n Son

I was never the kind to make new years resolutions. I kind of figured, what was the point? You make these big, grandiose resolutions and follow through with them for for like, 2 weeks. You make them because it’s the thing to do, not because you are dedicated to making a change in your life.

Last year I made a short term resolution. It was the 30-day No Sweets Challenge. 30 days with no desserts, chocolate, or any kind of extra sweets. Including fruit snacks. It was tough, but I did it. I was hoping that the detox would remind me that I don’t need to eat this stuff every day. But, after the 30 days, I pretty much went back to my same old ways. Boo.

This year, I’m making a resolution again. Only it’s more of a life resolution. Not something that I expect to master or reach in a specific amount of time. Because this is something that will take practice. It’s something that I’ll forgot to do often. It’s something that may include a lifetime of work.

I want to be more present in the moment.

I can’t tell you how many days of the week that I fill with stuff, just so I’m not stuck at home with a 2.5 year old, bored out of our minds. If we don’t have plans with friends I make sure that we have errands to run. Sometimes we spend the day baking and cooking. Or I should say I spend the day baking and cooking while trying my best not to be annoyed with a little boy who keeps demanding my attention.

I want to be content spending a day at home, stuck inside, playing puzzles. Ignoring the dishes in the sink {okay, who are we kidding, I do that anyway}. I want to take the time to read more books to my son, not just the book before bedtime. I want to enjoy the moments of just being a mom, with my son, at this age. Because he won’t be this age for longer than today.

Even on the rare occasions that we do spend a morning or an entire day at home, my mind is always racing, planning the next day or meal. Thinking about all of the things that need to be done during nap time. Counting down the minutes until nap time. I’m not present. I’m not paying attention to what is happening at the moment. And I’m missing out on the beauty of the little moments.

I already see that childhood is fleeting. I can barely recall a time when the kiddo was so young that I had to carry him every where. Now I cringe each time he asks me to pick him up. All 30 pounds of him. But in just a short amount of time, he won’t even want a hug from me, let alone allow me to pick him up.

I worry that if I don’t take the time to slow down and enjoy the moments, that I’ll regret it years from now. Just like I worried that if I stayed a working mom, I would regret it. I don’t want to have regrets about things like this. The things that I can control if I just take a second and stop. Look around and erase my mind. And come back to the moment, whether it’s doing puzzles, coloring, singing in the car or getting off the couch for the um-teenth time to fetch a book from the kiddos bedroom. A book that he can very well get for himself. But he craves doing things together with me, even if it’s something as simple as walking to his room. I think that I can manage to get my lazy butt off the couch long enough to fulfill this need for him. Before he realizes that he doesn’t in fact need me.

This isn’t going to be easy. It’s so ingrained in me to always be looking forward and planning. To constantly be striving for the next thing. To be yearning for something more or something new. It’s going to take constant reminders and readjustments. I know that I won’t accomplish it in one year. Or even in my lifetime. But I’m going to work towards living in the moment because at least I tried. At least I’ll be enjoying more of life now, instead of worrying about life in the future.

Do you have any New Years resolutions?

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

2011 Resolution is a post from: Alli 'n Son

It’s Christmas Eve, and if you are stopping by my blog, I’d encourage you to just go, step away from the computer and spend the time with your family. Yes, even if they are driving you crazy. Set aside differences. Ignore whining and fighting. Watch a Christmas show or favorite movie, everyone bundled together on the couch, hot chocolate {or wine} in hand. Just enjoy being. Together.

Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays. And all that Jazz.

“Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.”

~ Oren Arnold

Comments are closed so you can spend time with your family instead.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Christmas Eve is a post from: Alli 'n Son

This time of year it seems that just about every organization out there is in need of money or donations, and that everyone opens their hearts just a little more and finds ways to help out. It’s amazing really. The smallest donations can make a world of difference.

Today I want to introduce you to another organization that is looking for kind hearts and donations. The Fresh Air Fund. This not-for-profit has been providing free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities since 1877. That is a long time. Each summer thousands of children have the opportunity to visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program, or they can attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps.

The Fresh Air Fun web site explains it best:

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open, outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.

Planning is under way for 2011 and The Fresh Air Fund could use some help reaching their goals. As you are going through your holiday planning and gift giving, please consider a donation. Here’s a small example of even the smallest donation will be used:

• Just $10 will send one child on a bus ride to his or her Friendly Town host family.
• $24 provides a child with a week of swimming lessons.
• $42 provides a day of Career Awareness classes.
• A gift of $50 can fund a camp counselor for a day.
• If you can give as much as $91, you provide a child at camp with meals for a week.

Happy holidays to your family and loved ones. Please take a moment to be thankful for everything that you have in life, and give back to those who need it.

I was not paid to write about the Fresh Air Fund, but I was approached to help spread the word. Which I gladly did.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

A Time For Giving: The Fresh Air Fund is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Right about now I should be enjoying a cappuccino at my favorite French pasty shop at Pikes Place, Seattle. Instead, I’m at home with inches of snow, waiting for the next storm to hit. Life just isn’t fair. I had the best guest bloggers lined up while I’m away, most of which will be postponed until I’m actually traveling in early January. But this just couldn’t wait. Please welcome Maria Rainier, she’s sharing some fantastic holiday crafts for kids.

As a mom, there’s no better way to pass along family traditions than with fun holiday crafts. No matter how old your children are, most crafts are simple, affordable and easy to create. Here are my ten favorite holiday crafts. They’re sure to get everyone in your family into the holiday spirit!

Jingle Door Hanger

These festive door hangers are a great activity for kids of all ages. All you’ll need are metal jingle bells, wire, curling ribbon and a small metal key ring. Start by cutting your wire about 10 inches, using pliers wrap one end of the wire around the key ring, string jingle bells onto the wire, and form a secure loop at the end. Attach ribbon to the bottom loop for a festive finish and hang on your door!

Reindeer Ears

This is a fun way to capture your child’s hand and footprints while making festive holiday decorations. Start by tracing your child’s handprints and shoeprint on a piece of brown construction paper. Cut out. Glue the hand prints to the shoeprint, so they serve as antlers. Add some plastic eyes and a red pom pom for the nose and you’re done!

Pine Cone Christmas Tree

Gather dry pine cones from your neighborhood or buy at a local craft store. Paint the cone with glue and sprinkle on green glitter. Top with a paper star and add sequins and tinsel after it dries. Add a pipe cleaner tie to the top and hang on the tree!

Candy Cane Mouse

All you need for this craft is red and green felt, plastic eyes, a pom pom and a candy cane. Cut the red felt into the shape of a large teardrop. Add the pom pom nose to the tip of the red tear drop and glue the eyes above it. Cut out ears with the green felt and glue to the bottom of the red felt so they peek out. Tape the straight end of candy cane to the bottom of the red felt and you’re done!

New Year’s Ball

Take a 2″ foam ball and poke a pipe cleaner into the center. Bend the end of the pipe cleaner to create a loop for hanging. Use glue to attach sequins to the ball, starting with the top and working down. Let dry and hang.

Angel Place Cards

Fold a paper napkin in the shape of a fan. Turn a paper cup upside down and place the fan napkin on the top (bottom) of cup. Push the stick end of a lollypop through the napkin and cup to secure. Make a halo out of a chenille stem, attach to the angel’s head and push through the lollypop hole. Add guest’s name on the cup.

Pom Pom Snowman

Sew or glue together 3 while pom poms in 2 sizes: 1.5 inches and 1 inch. Cut out a hat using black felt and glue or sew on to top. Glue small orange felt triangle for the nose and add dots of black paint for the face and buttons. Tie a yarn around the neck for a scarf.

Santa’s Elves

Wrap construction paper into round tubes and tape to secure. Add faces with cut out pieces of construction paper and cotton balls for the beards. They make a great table topper!

Candy Countdown

Take wrapped candies and twist them into pieces of festive ribbon, Combine until your chain has enough candies for the entire month of December. Hang garland from the mantle or doorknob.

Popcorn Ball Ornaments

Take a small popcorn ball and poke a small hole in the top. Snap the end off of a mini candy cane to and gently press the sharp end of the cane into the popcorn ball so there is a loop at the top. Use frosting as glue to add M&Ms and colored sugar designs.

Handprint Santa Cards

Have your child place their hand in white paint and then press on green construction paper to make a handprint. Turn upside down so fingers look like Santa’s beard. Add red construction paper hat, plastic eyes and a red pom pom for the nose.

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education, where recently she’s been researching different msw degree programs and blogging about student life. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

10 Holiday Craft Ideas for Kids is a post from: Alli 'n Son

My belly is overflowing and my mind is slowing down. I’m about 30 seconds from closing my eyes and drifting off to a heavy, heavy sleep. Yes, the food coma.

Wake me on Saturday. Not a second earlier.

I spent the day with my family. My sisters, their husbands and kids. My mom and her boyfriend. A pug {not ours} and two cats. Surprises that turned out not to be surprises. It was a wonderful day.

And a wonderful evening, as the kiddo was asleep in the car before we arrived home. Thank you no-nap time.

I only grabbed my camera for a few minutes. Sometimes you just can’t be in the moment with a camera attached to your face. But I managed to capture a few moments worth showcasing.

I hope that you and your family, friends and loved ones enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. That it is the start to a wonderful holiday season. And that you sleep the sleep of too much food and wonderful company.

Shhhhh…don’t wake me, I’m already sleeping.

P.S. It’s Friday, which means I need some new blogs to read over the weekend. Leave a link in the comments with your best blog of the week and I’ll pop over and visit.

This post is proudly linked up with Give Me Your Best Shot, Photo Story Friday, Macro Friday, Finer Things Friday.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Please Don't Wake Me…I'm Sleeping is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Three years ago Dad-oo and I woke up early, packed the two of us and the two dogs in the car and headed out of the city. We drove 1.5 hours and arrived at the door of my youngest sister. We were late. But when aren’t we?

It was freezing cold outside. I was moody. I didn’t feel well. I was 5 months pregnant.

We piled out of the car and unloaded our loot. Caramel apple pie. Pumpkin pie {see, I always bring dessert}. Bag for overnight. One pug. Two pugs.

Then I sat my pregnant butt down and didn’t move the rest of the evening.

Well, that’s not really true. I remember searching my sister’s fridge for cheese. I had to have cheese. She didn’t have any. I remember pigging out on various pre-dinner snacks. Chex mix {my middle sister always brings Chex mix}. Chips and dip of some sort. And chocolate. Although there’s a chance the chocolate wasn’t part of the snacks. I may or may not have stolen it.

But you can’t blame me, I was pregnant. The baby needed cheese and chocolate. Sometimes at the same time.

I remember gathering around a crowded table in a small dining room. Me and Dad-oo. My sisters and their husbands. My mom and her boyfriend. I remember enjoying way too much food. And then eating way too much dessert. Two pies. Two slices. Because really how can you eat just one?

I mean, really. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without two slices of pie.

After we were all stuffed to the brink of explosion we all curled up on the couch. Considered braving the local outlet store who’s sales started at midnight. Then realized that we were smarter than that {two years later, we did brave the stores at midnight. Never. Again.}

Sitting on the couch, convinced that I would never move again, even if another pie magically appeared {OK, yes I would have moved for the pie} there was a twitching in my belly. Little flutters from the inside, which felt like soft pitter patters on the outside. Eagerly I pressed my mom and sisters to my swollen belly, hoping that they could catch the movements. I don’t think that my sister’s could. Although I do remember my mom sitting with her hand on my belly for some time. Either she could feel or, of she just liked the warmth my pregnant body emitted.

Three years ago it was the first Thanksgiving that one of us, me or my sisters, was pregnant. Three years ago I was brewing the kiddo, who entered our lives a mere 4 months later. Right on his due date.

Three years ago my family was growing.

This year there will be three kids, all over the age of one. This year will be filled with kids walking and running. Chasing cats. Talking and singing and screaming {can we say no naps on Thanksgiving?}. This year my sister is the one expecting, due in January.

This year I’ll be hoping that my time is coming.

It will. I know that it will.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory?

This post is proudly linked up with Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop.

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Thanksgiving Past is a post from: Alli 'n Son

I vowed not to send out Christmas cards this year. The expense. The time to write out all of the cards. The pressure to send them out before Christmas. It just didn’t seem worth the effort.

And then I thought of all of the fridges across the country, naked, because I didn’t send out holiday cards. I’m not gonna lie, it made me kind of sad.

Yes, I’m doing it again this year. Sending out holiday cards to everyone we love. People nearby. People far away. But always people that hold special places in our hearts.

The past few years I’ve designed my own Christmas cards, and used a blank template when order them. But this year, since photography has a bigger place in my life than design does, I’m using a standard template. Yes, I kind of feel like a sell out. But this way I can let the photos shine. I’m thinking that this is the photo card template that I’ll go with.

What do you think?

Are you a blogger? You can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly too. Stop by to find out how.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Merry Holiday Cards is a post from: Alli 'n Son

I love creating new memories with the kiddo. Not just because it stirs up memories of my past, but because I get to be a kid again. Only now, no one can tell me that I have to stop eating candy.

Except I have to be the one to enforce the rules now. Not sure if that’s a fair trade.

Anyway, we some how ended up with the best day for Trick or Treating. It was a balmy 45º {actually very warm for this time of the year} and sunny. No snow. No winter jackets stuffed under costumes. Just layers of clothes to protect against the chill in the air. It was perfect.

The kiddo eagerly wore his costume. Actually, Sunday was the third time that he wore it last week. He just may request to wear it for the rest of his life.

He’s also been carrying around a Bret Farve figure {from back in his Packer days} that Dad-oo dug out of the basement this weekend. The funniest thing, is that the first thin the kiddo did when he picked up the figure, was to twist one of his ankles around. Try to play with that Bret!

Dad-oo and I had a blast taking turns walking the kiddo from door to door, coaching him to say “Trick or Treat” as we approached. We succeeded only about 13% of the time. The rest of the time, he just went “maa, maaaa” as the candy was dumped into his pumpkin.

But at the end of the night, he made quite the haul. After one hour going door to door and two grandparent visits, his pumpkin was overflowing with sweet, chocolatey goodness. And a few of those nasty orange and black candies. You know the ones I’m talking about it?

Thank goodness Dad-oo won’t turn down candy, so they won’t go to waste. Although I’m not sure if throwing away nasty-ass candy counts as wasting.

All in all it was an evening filled with sugary goodness, sprints around the room in sugar-induced hysteria, a lot of fun and hopefully a memory or two that will travel with the kiddo as he gets older.

How was your Halloween?

This post is proudly linked up with The SITS Girls Halloween event.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Halloween Present is a post from: Alli 'n Son

I’d like to say that I’m one of those super crafty moms, with projects galore lined up for each day of the week. I’d like to say that our walls are lined with projects that we’ve created. I’d like to say that I’ve thrown away more projects than I can count because we create too many to keep.

But I’m not. I do the bare minimum. But we do go to many crafting events. So that makes up for it. I think.

Every once in a while I’m inspired and we pull out the construction paper, glue and scissors and get our creative groove on. Sometimes I surprise myself and we come up with something note-worthy.

Like these Halloween spiders, now hanging from a photo in the living room, watching or every move. Or at least that’s what Dad-oo thinks, he swears they are plotting against him.

Anyway, this is what we created.

I know, I was impressed too. Best of all, they are super easy to make, and the clean up is minimal.

If you need a last minute Halloween project, to fill in the hours until Trick or Treating, pop on over to Blissfully Domestic for full instructions on how to create the creepy, crawly spiders.

What fun Halloween projects did you make?

This post is proudly linked to The SITS Girls Halloween weekend link up.

This post is proudly linked up to Mondays: Mouthwatering Mondays, Made By You Monday, Mingle Monday, The Girl Creative Tuesdays: Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It's a Blog Party, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On Wednesdays: Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, This Chick Cooks Thursdays: It's a Keeper Thursdays, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursdays, Chic & Crafty Party, Transformation Thursday Fridays: I'm Loving It, Foodie Friday, Simply Designing, Show and Tell Friday Saturdays: Sweets for a Saturday, Positively Splendid, Saturday Nite Special Sundays: Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sundae Scoop Party

Crafting it up, Halloween Style is a post from: Alli 'n Son