Missing The Trolley

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One of my favorite things about Fall is getting to ride the Haunted Trolley. I have to skip it this year, cause I’m due in a few weeks, but I hope that we can take all of the kiddos for the Christmas Trolley Tour.

Riding the Haunted Trolley is way too much fun! All of the tours are after dark, and you even get cookies and usually Hot Chocolate before the tour begins. You ride for about an hour, and learn all about the local “haunted” places, and you usually get to see some pretty cool Halloween decorations too. The boy’s love it, and I do too! It has been a family tradition of ours for about 3 years now, and I’m really sad that we won’t be on the Trolley this year.

What are some of your favorite local Autumn Traditions?

Oct 11

4:45 a.m. Is So Not My Friend

I’ve noticed this alarming trend lately around my house, with no alarm clock needed. My kids have this uncanny ability to wake up at 4:45 a.m., and not go back to sleep, and I’m not too happy about it… I’ve been retraining my sleepy mind to wake up around 5:45 a.m., but this 4:45 a.m. business has got to go! I’m so tired, I’ve lost count on exactly which day in succession that it is that my kids feel the need to be up that early, and wow I’m exhausted…

Last night they were both up through the night, Thade with allergies, and Dylan with 2 evil molars, me with butt-cramps from this little girl that can’t get here soon enough. So I think I clocked in 3 hours of sleep, and then I heard Thade at 4:45 a.m. up, coughing, and trying his best to wake up his brother. I gave up, and brought Thade downstairs where he could make some noise, and the rest of the house could sleep. Dylan was up right at 7:00 a.m., and my lucky hubby is still snoozing. My head is stinging from the lack of sleep, and it is only going to get worse as the month progresses into the next.

So I’m going to be bad today, and enjoy a big cup of coffee chased with a Cherry Pepsi, and try my best to keep my eyes open…

Oct 10

Dude Food

Although desserts are my very favorite thing to make, occasionally I have to make a meal that is just for the guy’s.

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Since I have 3 of them in the house, I though I would share a few of their favorite Dude Food meals.

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Grilled Hot Dogs are one of their favorites. I grill mine indoors on a grill pan, mostly because I shouldn’t be trusted with a outdoor grill and fire. They taste just as good, and clean up is really easy too.

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Homemade Pizza is always a favorite of the boy’s.

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I make the dough fresh by using the bread-maker, and I like to see what is in the pantry for toppings. Dylan loves cheese, Thade loves pepperoni, James likes Chicken and Black Olives. I can’t eat any of it though, cause the little girl isn’t a fan. BBQ beef is also really tasty on homemade pizza.

I also love to serve meals “buffet style”. I set out a few platters, and everyone can make their own plate of their favorite foods.

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When I’ve got the coupons, I make an appetizer buffet. Take a look at the freezer section of your favorite store, and look for some good deals. I usually pick up 3-4 items, and call it good. The appetizer buffet is always different, but a big hit with the family. It is also super fast too.

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The Nacho Bar is one thing that you will see on my monthly dinner menu at least once or twice a month. It is super simple, and guy’s love it. Everyone makes their own Nachos, and no complaints even out of my pickiest eater.

Lastly our newest family favorite… Breakfast for dinner.

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Usually Breakfast for dinner night falls on a Friday, and every week it is something different. Bacon and pancakes are some of their favorites. I like biscuit sandwiches, and cinnamon rolls too.

Dude food nights are definitely fun, I wonder if I can convince the guy’s to have a vegetarian Nico’s favorite meal night…

Oct 8

Making Memories

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Occasionally mommy-guilt will kick in, and I feel bad that we don’t take many vacations… I have kids that love to go places, but not necessarily travel, and then there is me with a gigantic fear of flying, so that is a mess all together. Just because we don’t travel far doesn’t mean that we are lacking in family memories.

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Take the time to make every outing a mini-vacation. I like to treat the kids to a special treat while waiting for Dad at the airport, or try a new restaurant on the drive back home.

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Day vacations are one of my very favorites. You travel just long enough for the kids to get tired of being in the car, but you get far enough away from home that you miss it.

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Keep an eye out for local events to take the kiddos too. Many of them won’t cost you a penny, and the kiddos have fun too.

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Don’t forget to keep your camera ready to get all of those memory making photos too. I keep mine in the diaper bag (with extra batteries) at all times.

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Let’s be honest though… Getting the kiddos to school on time is an adventure all by itself. I won’t even mention taking a toddler grocery shopping, that is another adventure.