Our Boo-tiful Wagon

October 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Remember that ultra cute, very dandy, and super fun wagon that we took on our fall outing last week?

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Yep.  That’s the one!

The baby is also ultra cute, very dandy, and super fun if I do say so myself.  *wink*

(He has some teeth coming in and is constantly feeling with his tongue and sticking it out for pictures.)

Isn’t the wagon just so charming?  Our kids simply love this wagon.

The charm is all in that happy face.

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My kiddos were invited to decorate the Cozy Coupe Wagon just to show how perfect it is for the trick-or-treating adventures and it is perfect.  I mean seriously… why walk from house to house when you can ride in style?  And decorating your own ride for the big All Hallows’ Eve???  Even better!

My kids really got into the decorating process.  It brought out their creativity and we were able to discuss our plans for the wagon weeks in advance.  This family activity has made this year’s Halloween festivities that much more memorable for us so I highly recommend.  Ready to see what my kiddos did to their new wagon?  Here you go:

Little Tikes sent them the wagon, I gave them the supplies, and they got to work.

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Didn’t they do such a boo-tiful job?

Of course in addition to the decorating…

We just had to put our new friend in costume.

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After all… Those Cozy Coupe eyes were just screaming to be a ghost.

Do you have any other ideas of how we could have dressed Cozy?

Thanks to Little Tikes we are all ready for trick-or-treating.  Are you?  It will be here before you know it.

The countdown is on.

Bring on October 31st!

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Do you stay in your own neighborhood for trick-or-treating?

Or do you go all over town?

 

Have a very safe and Happy Halloween!

I did receive the Cozy Coupe wagon from Little Tikes to bring you this posting.  However, all opinions are strictly my own.

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Fall is dandy.

October 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment

It really is.  Dandy.  Fall is.  I love this time of year.  Absolutely love it.  I think that I’ve always been a fan of fall.  There’s just something about this time of year that draws me in.  It reminds me of things.  For starters it tells me that everything is going to be okay and eventually will become anew.  After a very long, hot summer the temperatures will start to drop, brilliant colors will form on my favorite trees, leaves will begin to fall, snow will eventually cleanse, and then spring will burst forth The newness happens all because of fall.  All because of it.  Without fall we would miss out on so much!  (If you’ve never experienced a Midwest fall then I highly recommend it.  Visit a place that has a real and true fall just once.  You will see exactly what I’m talking about.  The beauty of it all.  Truly breathtaking.)

Everything about this season for me is a memory.  My childhood is a big part of this memory.  I remember going with my grandparents to stomp through piles of leaves in the parks near Jefferson Barracks.  We would leave the pathways to find the biggest clusters of leaves.  The crispness in the air was often filled with silence that was then broken by our feet crunching through the giant, untouched leaves.  My grandparents would positively glow at the happiness that I expressed on our leaf walks.  I knew that they were happy and, as their only granddaughter, I reveled in the attention.  The walks were filled with love.  They taught me the joy that is leaf stomping and I can never look at falling leaves in the same way again because of it.

This year the change of season has taken on new meaning for me.  My feelings toward fall are now bitter sweet.  Seven years ago next month my grandfather (the inspiration for the dandy blog) passed away while raking leaves.  In a strange way it was almost meant to happen that way.  Despite the fact that I was thousands of miles away when it happened… It happened while he was doing something that was so closely connected to me.  Something that tied us together.  Maybe that sounds silly, but it has become a comfort to me.  We lost my grandmother earlier this year.  I’ll forever miss our walks together in the fall.

Despite the sadness that I feel this time of year I can still feel the joy of the season.  I’ll always have the wonderful memories and I’ve come to love sharing this season with my own family.  Spending time out in the fall weather with my husband and children, teaching them about the dandiness that is leaf walks, and taking part in all the fun of the season.  There truly is so much to enjoy this time of year.  Last weekend we found ourselves at a corn maze with friends.  Always a fall gem.  It has become a tradition for us to go to this specific maze.  Our dandy kids had a great time while building their own fall memories and I was able to reflect on all the many reasons why I love this time of year.

A dandy fall to all!

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Little Tikes recently gave my family the gift of the Cozy Coupe Wagon.  It’s perfect for all of your fall outings.  Stay tuned for the Halloween review. 

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O Eclectic Tannenbaum in July

June 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I call Christmas in July!  After all July 1st is tomorrow and it’s my blog, so I can do that.  Right?  Right?  *wink*  Plus, you all know that I LOVE Christmas.  It’s by far my most favorite holiday.  I do also really like Halloween, but I’m pretty sure you know that already, too.  There’s just something about the Christmas season.  All the Christmas decorations, Christmas smells, and ChristmasLightsEtc.com sales this month.  What’s not to love?  Anyway, today you are in for a real treat.  Are you ready for it?  I’ve decided that I’m going to share with you a part of my life that I’ve never done before.  I’m going to share with you something from my family blog.  A hush falls over the crowd and then…  The crowd goes wild!  Some of you may not know this about me, but before this blog I was actually already a blogger.  I had a little family blog that I maintained while we were living in San Antonio, Texas.  Far away from family and friends.  I should specify that I mean prior friends.  We did make friends in San Antonio.  I’m not that anti social.  *wink*  We lived in SA for 6 years.  I started a blog to share our lives and growing family with loved ones who lived elsewhere.  My very first blog posting was on April 8, 2008.  This was exactly 6 days before Banjo was born.  So I have been blogging for quite the long while.  For my Christmas in July special I’ve decided to share with you an excerpt from my little blog.   And here it is…

Monday, December 1, 2008

O Eclectic Tannenbaum – I love Christmas ornaments!! I’ve always been fascinated by the way the glass ones glint and reflect the lights. My mom was always one of the room-mothers when I was in elementary and she would give out these great handmade ornaments at the class Christmas party. I have one creative mother! However, why is the grass always greener…or in this case someone else’s Christmas tree always greener? I will admit that while I was growing up there were some years I envied others’ Christmas trees. They were all fancy and put together right out of a decorator’s magazine. Our tree was always quite eclectic. We put our school made ornaments on the tree no matter how they looked! 

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My brother and I even had our own box of ornaments to place on the tree. These were random ornaments we had collected over the years; first Christmas, special ornaments, gift ornaments, etc. We had so much fun picking just the right branches to hang our ornaments! Looking back I wonder why I ever had Christmas tree envy??? We had a great tree and a great family tradition! One that I will always remember and hold close to my heart. My parents made sure that it was about us feeling special and included around the holidays. And the tree itself displayed how we had grown over the years. I’m so thankful to my parents for instilling in me these valuable traditions and for giving me the type of tree that I want my own children to have!

A Smith Family Christmas Tree
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Our tree has also become very eclectic. Anyone who comes over around the holidays will find that I just love Christmas ornaments in all their randomness! When Audi and I got married my mom sent us my ornament box. Every year we have even gotten more memory making ornaments as gifts from people; our first Christmas married, in our new home, etc. I can’t wait for Banjo to one day bring home his beautiful school made ornaments and store them away in his very own box! We also started our own tradition of collecting ornaments from the various places we have vacationed. It is fun to decorate the tree together every year and remember what we have done and where we have been throughout the years.
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*The End*
These days our Christmas tree still looks exactly the same.  With the exception of the additions of new ornaments from new travels and ornaments that Banjo has made.  Yay!  My wish came true!  I’ll have to share those with you sometime.  We’ve also embarked on the adventures of decorating the outside of the house.  I guess that comes from living in a more established neighborhood with children around.  Plus, we have to compete with all the St. Louis neighborhood light displays.  Not really, but we can try.  Or rather… dream, right?!  We still need to perfect getting the light strands to the top of the columns:
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That will come with time I’m sure.
Despite our failed column lights attempt…
We are so very grateful to finally live in a neighborhood that has a Christmas tradition of its own.
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Luminaries line our street every year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
*This post was brought to you by MBN. All of the thoughts were completely my own.
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Tinkerbell Costumes {Review}

June 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment

All the world’s a stage. At least in Ruby’s world it is.  She loves to dress up and do performances.  The girl dances.  She sings.  Shouts out phrases from her favorites cartoons.  All in front of an audience.  In fact our back patio is often transformed into her own personal stage.  We have a short, decorative wall just beyond our patio.  It separates the patio space from the flower bed.  Ruby climbs up onto that short wall (she learned this from her older brother) and puts on quite the show.  Notice that I keep emphasizing that it’s a short wall.  *wink*    It is.  A very short wall.  No  worries about injuries resulting from the very short wall.  Whew.  Glad I got that out of the way.  *wink* Again.

And here is Ruby performing in Tinkerbell’s Disney debut!

tink4 See what I mean?  The girl even knows when to take a bow.

Definitely thinking we need to start saving for dance lessons now!

Even the back of this Tinkerbell costume is spectacular.

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As you can see Ruby also just plays dress up as the little fairy:

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Yep, she’s definitely a costume fanatic.

Sometimes costumes for toddlers are difficult to find, but not at Costume Supercenter.  This dandy shop sent our Ruby the Tinkerbell costume and she has been playing dress up in it a lot.  Ruby loves Tinkerbell.  Obviously.

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There are so many different costumes to choose from.  Several Tinkerbells, but also other toddler favorites:  Superheroes, animals, and a variety of cartoon characters.  It’s never too early to start shopping for Halloween, so be sure to take a look at all that Costume Supercenter has to offer.

We sure do love our little Tink.

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*This posting and review are sponsored by CostumeSupercenter.com, but all opinions are strictly my own.

 

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October, I miss you.

November 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Here’s a last look at October.  Glorious October.

I really do kind of miss October.  There’s just something about that month that gets me every time.  Maybe… Because of all the great fall family activities.  Or maybe…  Because of all the pumpkins, ghosts, and goblins.  The fall decor?  I certainly love that part of it!  Sure fall carries into November, but is it the same?  I mean it’s November.  😉

Here’s looking to the month that’s all about Thanksgiving and all that I am truly thankful for.  It’s another holiday month to spend with my family.  A time to reflect on my many, many blessings.  November, I welcome you and I’m grateful for you.

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Spidey and the Peacock

November 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Hello dandy friends!  Consider yourself very, very lucky.  I’ve stepped away from the candy bowl long enough to give you an account of our Halloween festivities.  😉

This year Banjo was really into the idea of begging for candy around the neighborhood.  We humored his interest with the typical parental candy fee for taking him.  “One for you.  Two for me.”  🙂

Of course he went as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

And what Spidey is complete without his loyal sidekick…

None other than the Pretty Peacock.

They were quite the hit of the block.

                             

Notice the missing peacock headpiece?  It didn’t survive the attempt to be eaten by Ruby.  *sigh*  Oh, well.  I think she’s cute enough to pull off the costume without the hair feathers.  🙂

Goodbye October.  Hello November!

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Costume Express {Review}

October 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We had our very first trick or treater on Thursday.  My little niece.  A little early, but she likes to be prompt.  You know to make sure she doesn’t miss a single house.  She arrived wearing the most adorable Little Red Riding Hood costume that I ever did see!

Isn’t she just the cutest???

Costume Express sent the costume over to my house and I knew that it was just perfect for this little reviewer.  She’s darling, so everyone is going to want to bail on their previous costume idea and go with this one.  Am I right?  It’s super cute, super great quality, and super unique design.  You can’t beat that!  Well, now…  What day is it already???  You better hurry, because the 31st is almost here!  Halloween is in T-3 days!  Have you got your Little Red Riding Hood costume yet???  There’s still time to get your costume if you order right now through Costume Express!  You have until October 29th at 2:59pm CDT to be exact.

At Costume Express all the members of your family can get in on the action with the other characters:

    

Or isn’t this a cute family theme?

 All can be found at Costume Express, so you better get ordering!  🙂

 

*This posting was sponsored by Costume Express, but all views and opinions are strictly my own.

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Pumpkin Design Lady

October 26, 2012 by 1 Comment

My mom is an amazing woman. I love her to bits! She’s a bank manager and works hard at everything she does. Mom is also quite crafty and creative. I just might have to have her guest on the blog sometime. 😉 Anyway, this year all the bank branches are participating in a fun contest for Halloween. Each branch had their employees decorate pumpkins. They decided to utilize social media (Facebook to be exact) to spread the word about the amazing creations. Because we all know that social media is where it’s at. 😉 The winning employees get lunch provided to them by the bank. I really want my mom and her girls to win. They deserve it. And they made some pretty dandy pumpkins! Super cute:

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Don’t you think?

Vote for them, will you? All you have to do is click on the links below (the names of the two pumpkins) and then like those photos on Facebook. It’s that easy. I’ll be sure to let you know in a follow up posting who won. Thanks friends and have a dandy weekend!

Vote for Suzy Teller

Vote for the Go Green Pumpkin

Feel free to vote for both. 😉

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A Room With A View

October 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Here I sit on the floor in our family room while the kiddos play nearby.

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I heart the colors of fall!

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Cheesecloth Ghosts

October 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

When Audi was a young’un in Sugar House, Utah he enjoyed making cheesecloth ghosts with his family.  I had never heard of such a thing.  So over the weekend we had a grand time reliving Audi’s childhood and creating some Halloween decor that our house has been lacking.  These ghosts are really fun and easy to make.  Plus, we had practically all the necessities to make them (except for the cheesecloth) right here in the house!  Meaning these guys are super friendly on the decorating budget!  Casper was a friendly ghost, right?

Here’s what we did in pictures:

  

 

You can seriously use anything to create your ghost form.  Balloons, bottles, plastic forks for the arms, etc.  We used aluminum foil for the head and attached with duct tape.  Doesn’t duct tape have just so many uses???  Then drape your form with the cheesecloth.  And then… As you can see we used spray Mod Podge, because that’s what I had in my craft room.  Spray starch or hair spray would also work just fine.   Just spray all over and let dry.  Then repeat once the first application is dry.  After your ghost is completely dry you can carefully remove the form and you are left with a ghostly apparition that stands up all on his own!

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