Halloween Hoopla!

It's no secret how much we love Halloween in our home,

so with the big day about a month away,

I jumped at the chance to bring out the goods.

Hold on for picture overload!

The mantle.

I changed it up a bit from last year.

And without the lights:

This spooky guy is new.

I kinda like him.

Especially since he was only $3.97 at Walmart.

I bought these spiders at World Market and added the little witch hats.

I made these after work today.

Spray paint, spray adhesive and glitter

Easy.

Remember these from last year?

They have lights inside of them that flicker at night.

I did make new tags this year.

I heart Halloween colors.

Another little witch hat on the spider.

I couldn't resist.

Esmeralda is a new addition to our Halloween stash.

She's awesome.

Can you spot the Halloween surprise on the gallery wall?

Here it is. =)

Just a little something.

Pardon the picture quality.

Creepy friends are the best.

They make life more fun.

The bar needed a little love too.

Isn't he cute =)

The kitchen

What?!

You didn't know ghosts like wine?

And what would Halloween be without an ode to Poe?

Annnnnnnnnnnd done!

Only 35 more days!

Linked up at

Real Quick

Real quick, friends.

Just 3 little pieces of info to share.

*Have I mentioned lately how much I love my new job?

I do.

I have made so many new friends

and some that know someone that I know and visa versa.

It really is a small world, and I love it.

I have never worked in school where everyone is so welcoming

and where there is so much community involvement.

Today my principal asked me if I was up for a few more long term

substitute jobs this year.

Yes, please.

Yay!

Basically, I'm teaching all year.

I'm a happy girl!

* I added a few more things to the gallery wall.

Can you tell?

My favorite?

The one below.

It's an early anniversary present.

Love what it says.

* See these little guys?

I made them.

I'll show you where they're going soon.

Did you realize Halloween is only 41 days away?

That's it.

Have a great week!!

The Latest

Hello, friends!

Life has been busy here lately.

I'm writing while dinner is being cooked on the grill,

so let's get right down to business.

Here's the latest happenings at casa de Soladay.

*This past week was homecoming here in big P.

The entire school district celebrated .

The entire town celebrated.

Even the boys' orthodontist decorated their office in green and white.

I love living here.

It still has that small town feel.

Wednesday night was the homecoming parade,

so we ventured out with the rest of the community to watch.

The homecoming court

and the varsity football team

It brought back lots of memories from when I was in high school.

A long time ago.

Almost 20 years in fact.

*Austin made the freshman baseball team,

and they had their first off season game at home on Saturday.

Check out the facilities below.

The field is turf.

Certainly a step up from my high school.

Oh, and the basketball gym has stadium seating and a huge jumbo tron.

Seriously!?

These kids have know idea how good they have it.

*I did a little more fall decorating this weekend.

Next weekend is when I bring out the Halloween stash.

Cannot wait.

For now I'll settle for fall.

Recognize the candle, Carrie?

* I also started working on a new gallery wall.

It's just a start.

The carpet isn't really this ugly.

I have a few more ideas for later, but for now, it is what it is.

You likey?

I found the "Family Rules" sign at Walmart of all places.

*The littlest things make me happy,

like this organizer I found up in New York while staying with Carol.

Each of the younger boys has their own slot where all their homework,

notes from school, mail {like Carter's Highlights magazine and the latest Halloween costume catalogue} etc. is neatly organized instead of in random piles all over the kitchen counter.

Love.

*Trysten had his first basketball game of the season this weekend.

His teammates call him Little Dirk.

He loves it.

We're so happy that T has finally found something that he loves to do.

He scored about 10 points!

Way to go Trysten!

Annnnnnnnnd done.

Not a very exciting post, but it's all I have!

Have a great week!!

Weekend Recap

I was feeling a little under the weather this weekend,

so Ryan and I spent a lot of kidd-free time around the house.

After such a busy week,

a slow paced couple of days was just what the doctor ordered!

Lots of time was spent out on the patio...with our puppies of course.

 Ryan grilled some tilapia for us on Saturday night.

Yum.

 We were teased all weekend long with beautiful fall-like weather.

And............it's gone.

Just like that.

We are supposed to be back over 100 degrees this week.

Seriously?

 Despite the rising temps,

I put out some of our fall decor.

 Soon this will be filled with pumpkins.

Can't wait!

 Remember these guys from last year?

Just a few hints of the upcoming seasonal changes.

I'm so ready for fall.

To me, it's all about college football, cooler weather, pumpkins, Halloween, back to school.

Awesome.

Speaking of back to school,

I started my new job this past week as an art teacher.

I LOVE IT!!

It is so much fun!

I am loving being back in the classroom with all the kids.

I had no idea how much I missed teaching,

and it all came back to me as if I had never stopped.

Here's to week #2!!!

I cannot end this post without mentioning the significance of today.

It's been 10 years since 9/11.

10 years.

It's hard to believe.

The elementary school where I work held a special assembly on Friday

honoring those who lost their lives that day.

It was extrememely touching.

The Teenager and I spent about an hour on Thursday night

watching videos on Youtube of 9-11 newcast compilations covering the tragedy

as well as videos captured by people who lived near Ground Zero.

It took me back to that day

and reminded me of just how horrific it was...is.

My thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to the families

who lost their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters...

It is hard to wrap my head around the fact there

are such evil people living on the same planet as us

that knowingly set out to destroy so many lives.

It's heartbreaking.

On a positive note...

This day has special meaning to Ryan and I because it's the 5th anniversary of our first date!

Dorky.

I know.

Our lives, and the lives of our children, changed forever 5 years ago.

I am forever grateful that fate brought us together.

Have a great weeks, my friends!!

Fifteen...

Fifteen years old...

Where has time gone?

My first born.

My first experience as a mother.

I was so young...

I read every book.

I asked every question.

I researched.

I took classes.

I took on motherhood without looking back.

I was determined to give you everything you deserved.

Everything I received as a child.

Despite the obstacles,

I finished college and walked across that stage

while you, only 3 months old, lay sleeping in the audience.

I was so proud to be your mother.

Now our relationship is changing.

You're entering a whole new chapter in your life.

One day soon,

I will no longer be the apple of your eye.

Some other little girl will take my place.

It's my job to let you grow up,

but you'll always be my little boy.

You'll always be part of me.

I love you, Austin.

I am so proud to be your mother.

Happy birthday...

Labor Day Family Weekend

Hello, friends!

What a beautiful Labor Day weekend with our whole family together.

Life is good around our home these days.

We celebrated Carter, Ryan and Austin's birthdays

with my whole family on Saturday over at Carol's house.

Yes, you heard correctly.

Carol is back in Prosper for good!

We are thrilled, and the boys are enjoying hopping on the golf cart for a quick visit with Grandma.

It's good stuff.

It's also nice to have Carol living back in "The Prosper House" as it was nicknamed.

It's a special place.

Lots of wonderful memories have taken place within its wrought iron gates.

Ryan set up the bounce house,

horse shoes, and brought multiple basketballs for the kids to shoot hoops with.

Carol's yard is a boy's playground with more than enough room to run around like crazy.

Kites were flown:

Golf cart rides were taken:

Fun was had by all in the bounce house:

My boys LOVE their "girl" cousins.

Carter keeps asking me if he can have a baby sister.

Ummmmmmm...no.

Card tricks were performed:

And then they all passed out.

Sweet boys.

Flash forward to Labor Day.

This is were we have spent most of the day...even as I type...because the weather is gorgeous.

Ryan and I have walked the dogs with the kids,

taken the boys on cruises around the hood in the cart,

ate lunch...and dinner soon...on the patio,

simply enjoying the company of our whole crew together.

Doesn't get any better.

Oh, actually it will when the ribs Ryan is cooking are done.

Happy Labor Day, friends!