Minnie Mouse Mobile

So awhile back I saw on Pinterest a picture of a Minnie Mouse mobile. So in no way shape or form is this my idea, but I thought I would share how we made ours just because I could only find pictures..not tutorials. 

I think the hardest part about this project was finding a cozy coupe that did not have eyes!!! All the new models have eyes and I just really didn't want that. So after about 4 months I found one for $5 and I snatched it up. 

First we taped the little car up dividing it into two parts. We spray painted the bottom half white using a plastic, kid friendly spray paint. While it was drying I cut out circles using painters tape and when it was done drying I added the circles wherever I wanted along the bottom. Next came the coat of red spray paint over the white... After that had dried we covered the bottom half with old towels and spray painted the top half black. 

My husband cut two circles out of a piece of plywood and the a bow shape. We spray painted both and he nail gunned them together.Then he screwed brackets into the top of the car and then bracketed the ears in. I added the white dots and voila! A Minnie Mouse Mobile! So easy and cheap and so much cuter than a regular old car...and Little Miss loves it! 

Fall Firsts...

We've had quite a few of our fall firsts around these parts...Little Miss got her first car, first trips to the Pumpkin Farm for the season, first fall crafts and treats and first fall hikes. And of course for Little Sis all of these are her VERY first. Love this time of year! Happy fall y'all! 

The weekend I gave away my kid's toys....

So this weekend I gave away my kids toys.. sounds a little drastic I know, but it's true and probably not as drastic as it sounds. It all started about a month ago. I have been on a major downsize kick... we had a garage sale and then I have been getting rid of ALOT of my clothes...actually over half of them. So last month Mister was being super stubborn about cleaning his room. As in whine and complain about it and spend the ENTIRE evening picking it up. It boggled my mind because he really only had a few toys that he played with..how could his whole room be covered in things? So one night in a desperate state I set the timer and told him whatever was not cleaned up in 10 minutes would be put in a garbage bag and he could earn it back. 10 minutes went by, nothing had been touched and I filled a garbage bag full of stuff... a couple weeks went by and guess what? He didn't once ask for any of those toys. He didn't even miss them! That's when I decided I was going to get rid of it all. 

I watched my kiddos for a couple of weeks to see what they really played with and then yesterday afternoon I went in with two bags. One for trash and one for give away. And that was that.  My girls now have one castle, their kitchen, one small basket of baby toys/stuffed animals and their shopping cart. Mister now has his race cars, his tracks up high in his closet, his little tool set, a football and train table/castle. That's it. I know that as soon as Sis is a little older I will be able to get rid of that basket of baby toys and they will each get to keep a doll and a stuffed animal. 

Maybe this sounds mean, but I really don't think it was. I was tired of spending so much time in a mess or cleaning up. My kids have been BLESSED beyond measure and that is exactly how I want them to feel... blessed not entitled. We explained to them where their other toys were going and there were a few complaints, not going to lie but they did end up understanding. Their toys went to a family in need and now I think they are able to enjoy the toys they do have even more. 

So that's that. Yay for clean rooms, happy kids and happy mama's! 

Meal Plan Monday

(teriyaki salmon, homeade rice a roni, grilled veggies and salad)

Happy day that it is finally September. I was in a food rut this summer... and even though it's not technically fall there is the promise of fall with the hints of the leaves turning colors, the cool evenings and mornings and the pumpkin fields growing at the Pumpkin Farm. And that has put me in a cooking mood! Here is a look at our meals this week:

Sunday: white bean chicken chili, cornbread, fried okra

Monday: Balsamic and brown sugar crock pot pork sirloin, red mashed potatoes, stuffing and roasted asparagus

Tuesday: Spanish Veggie Casserole

Wednesday: Crockpot Veggie Spagetti with Italian Sausages

Thursday: Beef Stroganoff, Broccoli and Balsamic roasted cauliflower

Friday: Lemon roasted chicken, brushetta, green beans

I thought I would share Tuesday and Wednesday's recipes as well.

For the Veggie Casserole I just chop up and saute any veggies I have in a pan with garlic, onion and olive oil, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Then I mix in 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice and pour it in a 9x13 pan. I top it with black beans,  cooked cubed chicken and cheese and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly. I add a layer of tortilla chips and green onions then bake for about 5 minutes. I serve it with avocado. Super easy and yummy! 

For my veggie tomato sauce I just do a can of diced tomatoes and tomato paste and then add fresh garlic, zucchini  carrots, mushrooms, basil, onion and tomatoes. I cook it in the crockpot on low for 3-4 hours.. so yummy and an easy way to eat your veggies. 

Happy Eating! 

Little bit of this...little bit of that..

Some scenes from our days.. 

My peanut is a crawling machine I took the wipes away from her the other day, which upset her, so she was on a mission to get them back. She crawled through the coffee table, to the basket, found the wipes, opened them and got one out. Hmmm.... 

It was also her half birthday so of course we had a half cake... 

Game day faces ready... 

Cubbies started... 

Yes God did make Larry the Cable Guy... 

Stinker! 

First lego creation.. 

Sweet sisters..

Oh how I love this tiny girl! 

My latest favorite snack... 

Isn't she so tiny in her high chair?!? I have to stuff her in there... she is 12 pounds but eats like a champ.. 

Mister painting his race car.. love him. 

First Day of Preschool

Mister's first day of preschool was today. What a milestone. Ack. I was a nervous wreck for him. He wasn't nervous at all. Just really, really excited.

P is for preschool! 

My handsome little guy with his new "pack pack". 

Didn't I just bring him through this door as a newborn?!?!? 

Sitting at his spot. 

Last week we had a "Meet the teacher" day in his class. Here is he all ready. 

And our little gift for his teacher. I always said I would spoil my kiddos teachers because I know first hand how hard they work and how much effort they put into school.

 And so it begins...