Closing Out September

Not too much to report here over the last couple days, just a few odds and ends to finish up the month. Can you believe it's almost October already? Bring on the moldy pumpkins, sweaty Halloween costumes, and everyone pretending fall exists here in Florida. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I went to Ohio a couple of falls ago, and it was not the pretty colors and nice weather I remembered. Instead I got rainy, muddy, and gross. I am hoping for a slightly different experience when Peyton and I head north in November, but it might be a little too late- we'll see, I guess. 

Anyway, Saturday night Hayden and I worked on making the One Night: Ultimate Werewolf game we've played with Clint and Jess. We printed out some pictures, cut them out, glued them to index cards and laminated them. We added the tokens and the directions and then downloaded the free companion app. I'm sure we broke some copywrite laws, but now we totally have the game! It didn't cost us anything, and Hayden loves projects so he was more than happy to help (in fact, it was his idea!) 

Sunday morning Asa and I went out to pick up some Disney Infinity characters, since Target had them buy two, get one free. The boys were  pretty excited about it. Little do they know we also got some and put them away for Christmas. My box of Christmas presents is pretty full and we still have just under two months to go- not bad! 

Sunday also was our first football Sunday at home just the five of us. Since we had so much leftover from last week, we decided to go with a nacho bar again. 

And then the Bucs game started, it went well.. and then it didn't at all. 

And then it did! The Bucs won in fantastical fashion! Like, needed a touchdown with a minute left, went down the field and scored with seven seconds left- fantastical fashion. 

So then the eat and drink our feelings pie and rum turned into celebratory pie and rum! 

Also, Sophie and Dipper are like best friends these days. 

For some reason he enjoys chewing on her ear, and Sophie doesn't seem to mind. 

Meanwhile, these two were buddy-buddy. 

Monday Calib was not feeling school work, and he bought the first ever 'Ditch Day' card. His work gets absorbed into the later part of the week (minus reading and daily things like his board), and he gets a day off --- for the low cost of a whole lotta points! Nobody has ever bought one before. 

Meanwhile Hayden and Peyton worked away. They've done an awesome job on their work the last two days! 

(Notice Dipper helping Peyton out there)

Asa also had to go into work on Monday, it was rainy and stormy. Poor Sophie doesn't do too well when Asa isn't here. She crawled behind the library book basket under the end table in the living room. (Speaking of storms that's like all it's been doing lately-- SOOO much rain!) 

I had a couple couponing trips this week that were awesome. I'm going to keep track of all my receipts in October and tally up the saved and spent amounts. But this one was the ultimate stacks. Target had some great deals with ice cream on sale for $3 a gallon, but if you bought two you got free chocolate syrup. Eggos were on sale for $2 (I've never actually eaten these but Asa and Calib fight over them for late night snacks). If you bought three you got free syrup. 

But then I had a weird combo coupon of $2 off one ice cream and one eggo. I printed out four of them (essentially making the eggo's free), then from earlier in the week I had two free $5 gift cards from other purchases. Using those, my total came to $2. How crazy is that? Not the healthiest food in the world, but the boys eat pretty well balanced meals, so I let them splurge on snacks. 

Asa also finally got his free Red Robin gift card for his team winning some competition for the month. He called me to invite me out to dinner, but he's coming down with something and it was pouring down rain, so I suggested since it was on his way home, he could pick it up and we'd have 'date night' at home. Our dinner came out to a whopping $3.52 at Red Robin.  I was going to take a picture of the burgers and fries, but I forgot- so you get the recipet instead. 

Since October starts tomorrow, I got the October board up- we're filled with LOTS of fun activities. We have lessons by Dad, Science Project Week, Grandma visiting, Super Saturday, Aquarium classes, tons of library events, a couple build n grows, some field trips, and the end of October/beginning of November will see the MUCH anticipated Harry Potter week. 

I also had some great finds on teachers pay teachers today (awesome website, you should check it out if you're looking for worksheets) 

And my new hair clippers arrived. Our old ones gave out between haircuts, and poor Hayden and Peyton are in desperate need of one! 

That's it for September- lets bring on October! 

Next Up: A possible Disney trip, but we'll see if the weather cooperates. We've also got Science Project Week on tap! 

Traveling the World in Search of the Right Hat

We're back down to just the five of us at chateau Waterstraut. It was super fun to have James visit, but now it's time to get back to normal. Well, for a couple weeks anyway, until we have another visitor. 

Before James left though, we had one awesome grown-up Disney day planned. We left the house a little after 9, and arrived at Epcot in good time. When we arrived James realized he had forgotten his hat, and so we searched the world in the hopes of finding the perfect one. 

Fun, but no. 

Better- but still no. 

No way. (Notice how James didn't even try the beer hat on) 

Not exactly what we're looking for. 

I now realize I should have taken many more pictures of our hat mission. (Think barrettes in France, rice hat in China, and moose hat in Canada)

We came up empty, though. The result: a sun burnt forehead for James. 

But, it was not for nothing. We did also travel the world in search of all the best food and wine festival offerings. 

We had the VERY gummy grilled cheese in Greece. (It's topped with pistachio's and honey--YUM!) 

One of our favorites: the Boeuf Bourguignon in France. 

I wasn't a fan of the Crispy Pork Belly in Brazil, but Asa and James enjoyed it. 

The Poa de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread) and Cocada (Brazilian Coconut Candy) were pretty yummy though.

Belgium is the land of waffles- we went with the Potato and Leek Waffle with Braised Beef. 

One of Asa's favorite was the Teriyaki Gyoza Bun in Japan. 

Though he wasn't a fan of the Carrot Cake with Craisins and Cream Cheese Icing, but it was one of my favorites. 

In Italy we split the Chicken Marsala. 

I was a little nervous about the pierogies in Poland topped with sour cream, but they were actually pretty tasty. 

Africa has something new on their menu this year- Bobotie. I actually made this two summers ago during South Africa day. It wasn't amazing, but the other Africa dish is too spicy for me. 

Having enjoyed the steamed bun in Japan, Asa opted for the Mongolian Beef in a steamed bun with chili mayo. It was also really good. Meanwhile, James ordered some pot stickers. 

We stopped in Norway for some school bread. 

And to ride the Maelstrom one last time. 

It's closing (next week, I believe- maybe two weeks-- but soon!), and turning into a Frozen ride. Everyone get ready for the Norway pavilion to get a whole lot more crowded. 

 

Having heard the Farm Fresh booth had a great Pepper Bacon Hash- we gave it a go. Asa loved it, but it was too spicy for me (even with the pickled jalapenos on the side) 

We were all getting pretty full, but we did have room for a few deserts. We had the Pavlova (a crispy meringue shell with fresh berries and vanilla custard) in Australia. 

And the Cranachan (whipped cream with raspberries and toasted oats) in Scotland. 

We ended the day very full but wanting to try the Tostones (fried green plantains with mayo ketchup) in Puerto Rico. They were a disappointment though, I wouldn't recommend them. 

After we traveled the world, we headed off to Test Track. 

And made what ended up being the fastest car of the day (it was a 96 power!) 

We stopped by the Club Cool for the international line up of pop/soda/whatever you call it.

Then we rode figment, and headed over to the Magic Kingdom. After hitting the laugh floor we had to wait in the stand-by line for the new Snow White Mine Train. On the upside, we finally got to see all the cool stuff in the cues. 

And it was totally worth the wait! 

We used some fast passes on Space Mountain, and visited the Hall of Presidents before heading home. 

Friday I had lots of errands to run in the morning, I left the boys their checklists and headed out for a really good couponing trip to Target. I spent $40 and saved nearly $80. Asa and James got to hang out before Calib, Hayden and I took James to the airport. They wanted to tag along because I had to make a costco trip on the way home and they wanted the smoothies. 

Also, big news on Friday: our new dryer arrived! It's nothing fancy, and I hate the fact that I spent $500 on something I had a week previously, but now we own a dryer instead of using the one that came with the house (and we likely would have had to buy one when we moved anyway) It looks the same, but how can you not take a picture of a big purchase like that? 

This morning I got up and took Hayden out to his build n grow class. 

Today he built a fire truck, without ANY help from me. I was trying to tell him how great it was that he didn't need my help for anything, and he said 'Don't worry mom, I still need you to drive me to my build n grow classes'. Too funny. 

We stopped by Publix on our way home and he was super helpful with my coupons. He kept his Lowe's apron on and put them in his front apron pocket to help me out. He got his free cookie and picked up a free coloring book (isn't Publix the best?!)

After we came home, had lunch, and did some school work, I took Peyton out to the tween craft at the library. Today's craft was duct tape bags. 

I think he made a pretty cool one. 

On the way home I spoiled him with happy hour at Sonic (you can't beat $2 for a lemonberry slushie and some tater tots). 

That's all I've got, I guess I can't put off that giant pile of laundry that needs folding for any longer. I'm totally excited to hang out in my PJ's tomorrow (after sleeping in with Asa!), have a nacho bar, and watch football all day. I have nothing else planned, and it sounds pretty glorious.

Next Up: We're gearing up for Science Project Week, so if anyone has any good ideas of suggestions, I'm all ears!