It's creeping up!!

Look up! Did you notice the new blog header? I was going to wait to change my blog on the 1st of October, but I just couldn't stop myself. This weekend, I'm going to start hauling out the orange Halloween crates. I think my sunroom tree is getting the first make-over.

Remember these orange containers that I found at the Dollar Tree?

I'm just getting warmed up, but look at the potential!

The boo and skull graphics are free downloads from Paper Glitter which I embellished with black crepe paper ruffles. I then hot glued some rick rack around the edge and added a bow on the handle. I always enjoy her free printable downloads but if you haven't browsed her kits, you really should.

She even offers tips on her website. These straw accents are just done with punching two holes in circle tags. Easy peasy!

Adding googly eyes ...VERY FUN!

The complete Halloween party kit includes everything you see below. I've used Paper Glitter for Emma's birthday party, as well as Josie's birthday party, and her kits never disappoint.

Happy Crafting!!
Happy Hauntings!!



I'm so ready for the weekend!!

Happy Mid Autumn Moon Festival!

Josie brought sugar cookies and mini battery operated lanterns to preschool today.

The cookies were a huge hit. Next year I think I'm going to order a moon cake mold from Pearl River and use short bread cookie dough.

We went out to dinner this evening with a colleague from Chris's school. The kids had a ball together. I'm sure you aren't surprised to read that Emma and Josie are insisting that they need a baby brother now.

Wishing you a fun filled time with family and friends!

Celebrating Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

For my adoptive blogging friends, I'm wondering how you will be celebrating Mid-Autumn Moon Festival? I tried to get a group of adoptive families together, but our schedules are just too crazy to coordinate right now. Love ya, friends!! I hope we can connect at our upcoming Halloween party.

I'm definitely going to borrow some ideas from this blog for Josie's preschool class. I am also planning on sending this book to school with Josie.

Because moon cakes are an acquired taste (and that's being polite) I'm sending sugar cookies with Josie to preschool.

You can find a moon cake and tea coloring page here. I picked up red paper lanterns at our local dollar store and had Josie decorate them with gold star stickers and tissue paper streamers. Any chance to use scissors, stickers and tape makes her very happy.

I added Chinese take-out containers to our garland.

We're going back to our favorite local Chinese restaurant Wednesday night to celebrate.

Here's a short video that talks about moon cakes and lanterns.



Wishing your family a Happy Moon Festival!

Potter Party

Our nephew (Liam) had a Harry Potter birthday over the weekend and my mother put together amazing invitations and hand-sewn robes.

Josie, Carson, Liam & Emma

As you can imagine, Chris had several Harry Potter items to loan for the birthday festivities. He even became Dumbledore for the day.




The kids made wands with wooden dowel rods and pipe cleaners. This was a popular activity at last year's Halloween party.

Dumbledore taught a "defense against the dark arts" class.

We dined on wizard hats and pumpkin ice cream.
The broom bags are lunch sacks filled with candy.

The punch was orange sherbet, ginger ale and sprite.

The kids had a scavenger hunt for golden snitches that were strategically placed throughout the yard.

Playing quidditch with soccer balls and gold spray painted hula hoops.

It was a lovely 10th birthday party. It's also a sneak peek at some of the things we hope to do at our upcoming Halloween party.

Friday's Big Announcement

Happy Friday!

just popping in for a quick hello
and a little surprise,
one I've been really excited to share with you!

First. It's not another adoption.
(although our agency is sharing SN lists again and we're sooo tempted)

Our big news...drum roll...

Emma is going to be in the musical Aladdin...squeal!!

It's a real musical with costumes, make up and design sets. She auditioned a few weeks ago and then was called back for a second audition and we've been waiting to hear the official casting news. Practice doesn't start until December and performance dates are February 24,25,26 2011. We're so proud. She's so brave.

Way to go, EMMA!!