Operation Christmas Child

As a service project the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at church decided to participate in Operation Christmas Child. This program sends shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene items, toys, candy, etc. to extremely needy children in third world countries.

This was a great experience for my 3-year old Caleb. At first it was difficult for him to understand why we were buying toys for a little boy that wasn't him! Eventually he began to understand the concept and even picked out a Spiderman watch to send to the "African big boy!" Too cute! This holiday season is the toughest holiday season ever for us financially. I still feel that doing things to help others that aren't as blessed is a must though.

It's not too late to participate (the drive is November 16-23), if you're interested you can head to their website at:

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php

I know that area Chick Fil A's are even giving free chicken sandwiches for delivering the shoeboxes!

Pizza Meatloaf

Pizza Meatloaf (Taken from my favorite recipe website cooks.com)

1 1/2-2 lb. ground chuck
1 c. bread or cracker crumbs
1 onion, diced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. oregano
1 c. milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese1 green pepper, diced
Mix all together.

TOPPING:
1 can or sm. jar pizza sauce
MushroomsMozzarella cheese

Bake meatloaf at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 20 minutes before done top with pizza sauce, mushrooms and cheese. Bake 20 minutes until cheese is melted.

What's on Your Bucket List?

Last month I finally got around to watching "The Bucket List" for the first time (I know, I'm way behind the times). I loved it and it left me wanting to make my own list! Jason and I recently discussed our bucket lists. From doing a mission trip in a third world country (maybe doing some teaching since it is what I am good at), to seeing the Christmas tree in New York City, to seeing my kids graduate from college my list is pretty full! I also mentioned how much I would love to meet the cast of my favorite television show "Ace of Cakes!" Little did I know that I would be checking this item off my list so soon!

Last week I was playing around on the Charm City Cakes website (www.charmcitycakes.com) and I clicked on the "events" link and saw that they would be signing their new book "Ace of Cakes: Inside the World of Charm City Cakes" at a bookstore in Baltimore! I freaked!

Tonight we went to the book signing and it did not dissapoint! All of the cake makers were friendly and allowed us to take pictures (Jon & Kate Gosselin wouldn't let us!). There were people that came from Louisiana and California just for the book signing, apparently I'm not the only cake nut! I didn't even mind standing in the rain for over an hour!

I told Mary Alice about my bucket list and she gave me a high five! She was just like she is on television in person, I love her!!! I didn't say much to Geof as I was nervous that Jason would call me out on my crush in front of him!

And the greatest moment of all... I met the Ace of Cakes himself, Duff Goldman! I was more excited than a 12 year old girl at a Jonas Brother concert! I may even put this on our Christmas card!

As you can see I had a great time! I hope you get to check some items of your list soon too!

Trunk or Treat!

This year we are hoping to start a new Halloween tradition! After having our family over for our yearly Halloween party, we are headed over to church for "Trunk or Treat." We will be decorating our trunk and handing out candy. There are also going to be free games and a free moonbounce. Apparently it's a pretty big event as we have been told to bring candy for 300 trick or treaters! I am very excited! If you live in White Marsh or nearby and would like to come, check out the CCC website for more information: http://www.communitycc.net/

Chapel Hill Nursery

Those of you who know me well know that my favorite season is fall and my favorite holiday/day of the year is October 31st! There's something special about this time of year that I struggle to put into words. From the red, orange, and yellow leaves (beautiful even as they are dying), to the crisp air, to the fragrances in the air, I can't get enough!

Part of our fall traditions include visits to local pumpkin farms for some "agritainment." This weekend we ventured to Chapel Hill Nursery in Perry Hall. Much more affordable (than Webers, sorry Webers!) and less crowded, I am glad we went even if it was drizzling on and off. We enjoyed a hayride through the "scary" woods (this is the best local hayride as far as I am concerned), farm animals (my personal favorite were the newborn baby pigs), a petting zoo, and little train ride. Below are some pictures of our fun!

Caleb and Blake ready to head out to the farm. Caleb wore his "trick or treat" shirt. Caleb wore his pumpkin hat, "too cute to scare" shirt, and Halloween socks.

Caleb in the petting zoo. There were goats, gigantic bunnies, chickens, and baby pigs (although they were impossible to pet).

The gang on the little train ride.

Hailey (Caleb's daycare friend), Caleb, Hanna (my niece), and Blake.

My boys on the hayride, Mom Mom Carr is in the background

Blake enjoying his first hayride.

Chapel Hill Nursery is located at 4350 Chapel Hill Road in Perry Hall, MD. Their phone number is (410) 256-5335. Tickets are $2 a piece or 12 for $20. Each ride/event costs 1 ticket. We bought $20 worth and didn't use all of them.

Blake Feeding Himself for the First Time!

Fun Weekend :)

We are finishing up a fun 3 day weekend today!

On Saturday we spent 4 consecutive hours with no television and it was spectacular! We did play doh, fingerpainting, coloring, board games, and puzzles. Blake even semi participated from his high chair. He seemed happy just watching his big brother play.

On Sunday Caleb went with his Uncle Allen to the Renaissance Festival. It was pirate weekend and he got into the spirit! It was a big deal for me to let him go somewhere like this without me. I was so worried that he would get lost! In the end he had a great time and there were no big problems. He was so tired and dirty that he tried to climb into bed in his birthday suit after his shower. I should let him go out like this more often!

While Caleb was at the Festival, Daddy went to Dover to see the Nascar race with my Dad and brother. This left an entire day for Mommy and Blake to be together, it was wonderful. We went to church in the morning (he wore the adorable "I Drool" outfit above) and then spent the afternoon playing, snuggling, and napping.

Today we are off of school for Yom Kippur. Caleb and Blake are starting to "play" together. It's interesting to say the least! Caleb is still very territorial and gets upset when Blake touches his things. We have a lot to learn, but have made so much progress!