10 Halloween Costumes for Couples & Families...and a sneak peek at our costumes for this year!

     My husband and I have been married for 8 years now and we have had a blast dressing in matching Halloween costumes every year!  Here are ALL of our Halloween costumes over the years.  Watch our family grow through Halloween fun!

2006 - PIRATES: The Captain & Pirate's Wench
     We volunteered at my preschool carnival to make and distribute cotton candy.  The kids loved the pirate talk. Aaaarrrrgggg!!

2007 - FAMOUS COUPLES: Darth Vader & Padme
     Romance + the Dark Side = quality entertainment!

2008 - SPORTS: Football Player & Hockey Player
     Sports are timeless and usually pretty easy DIY costumes.  Daniel and I both had ice hockey gear already, so he dressed as a hockey player and I used my hockey pads and got a cheap jersey and helmet to complete my football player costume.

2009 - STAR WARS: Darth Vader & Yoda
     Star Wars is another classic theme.  I chose to dress up as Yoda because I was pregnant at the time and preferred to wear a comfortable robe and cloak over my big baby belly.

2010 - SCI-FI: Men In Black & Alien Baby
     These were my favorite halloween costumes! Very original and super cheap.  Daniel and I dressed in our black suit apparel to be Men In Black.  I dressed my baby girl in all lime green clothes and sewed on black felt pieces to her beanie to create the alien face.  This one was a huge hit!

2010 - THE 80s: Punk Rockers
     We were invited to a pre-Halloween gathering and I wanted to keep our Men In Black costumes secret, so we all whipped out our rock band gear and dressed up like 80s punk rockers.  80s is always a fun option.  Neon, layers, belts, and headbands. Fun!

2011 - FAIRY TALES: Little Red Riding Hood, Grannie, & The Big Bad Wolf
     Fairy Tales are so adorable and when I pictured my girl in that sweet little red hood, I was hooked!

2012 - DISNEY: Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Mother Gothel, & Pascal

     My daughter chose to be Rapunzel, so naturally I made sure the rest of the family matched.  I had my second baby just a few weeks prior so she was tiny and perfect as pascal.  I actually purchased a lizard costume from a pet store for $10 and strapped it on my baby's back. It worked out well. Haha!

2013 - CLASSIC TV SHOWS: Punky Brewster, Brandon, Henry, & Cherie
     My child hood hero was Punky Brewster, so I was thrilled when my daughter asked to be Punky for Halloween.  We have the DVDs so even though Marley is about 30 years removed from that time, she is still a Punky fan.  I dressed as her best friend Cherie.  My husband was Henry, and Dylan dressed up as Brandon the dog. I think these costumes took the most effort to piece together.  My mom sewed the Punky vest for my daughter.  And I had to search far and wide for the perfect golden retriever costume and Henry's hat.  It was a lot of work but was also a big hit.  It even landed Marley on the news for original costumes in Hollywood.  Also, we were recently notified that Soleil Moon Frye (the real Punky Brewster) had seen our family costumes and really liked them.  I was quite flattered that she took the time to see them and comment on them.

And this year...*drum roll please*... we've decided to dress as...

2014 - PATRIOTIC AMERICAN SYMBOLS: The Statue of Liberty, Uncle Sam, & 2 Rosie Riveters
     We already had made Marley's costume for a 4th of July Show she was in this past summer. She loved being the Statue of Liberty, so we decided to re-use it and have the rest of our family dress to match.  We bought Uncle Sam's Wig and Goatee Set, and White Top Hat (I had to add the blue strip and stars from construction paper) on Amazon.com, and the polka dot wire headbands we found on eBay.  We are so excited about our costumes this year.  God Bless America!

     

Why Homeschooling Is Awesome: Reason #3 - Learning Becomes Contagious (MOTIVATIONAL MONDAYS)

Welcome to Motivational Mondays!  I am inviting all bloggers to link-up with me and share your motivational posts for moms/parents and homeschoolers.  I think reading supportive and encouraging words is a perfect way to start off your week.  
*Please remember: Prior to adding your link, you must review the link-up guidelines here.
Thanks for stopping by!
 
     When your primary directive is to learn, education becomes part of your family culture.

     I have been researching curriculums and programs for years.  It made my head spin and I became overwhelmed with all the options!  At first I was frustrated and close to giving up on the homeschooling idea. But then I realized that there are unlimited educational resources all around us.  This is a great thing!  The possibilities are limitless.  Sharing this with my husband, allowed him to start looking at everything as an educational opportunity.

     For example: While walking into Home Depot on a Saturday morning, my husband noticed the free children's workshop taking place.  He said, "Hey, I should do this with the kids and start them on early homeschool wood-shop."  I was so incredibly proud of my husband!  He is excited to take part in the teaching opportunities.  Just the idea of homeschool has put us both in the frame of mind to seek out knowledge and education wherever it is offered.

     Marley catches on to learning opportunities very quickly and often takes them further than I intended.  When I start asking her to observe something and ask her questions about it, she begins to make observations on her own!  She even starts to ask me questions to help me learn.  I love it! It becomes an innate desire to ask and learn.

     I have already witnessed how homeschooling can have a wonderful impact on younger siblings.  Marley's little sister Dylan copies almost everything Marley does.  Dylan is only 2 years old and she enjoys learning her alphabet, numbers, colors, and shapes.  She hears Marley answer questions and Dylan starts to answer them also.  She is enjoying our "school time" because we all engage in the activities together.  She always wants to be involved in the activities, even tracing and writing. Dylan says "I want it too." "I help too." "I know it too." It is so precious.  Watching her older sister really encourages her to participate in the ongoing learning in our home.

     We have watched less television and become less concerned with things in life that seem insignificant. We have read more books, done more scripture study, and engaged in more memorable experiences together. The overall perspective in our home has become about exploring possibilities and seizing learning opportunities. And the journey has just begun.  We are excited!

An InLinkz Link-up

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip (includes FREE educational worksheet "Pumpkin Investigation Report")

     Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch was adventurous this year.  I say "adventurous" because we had a very giddy daddy, an energetic 4 year old, a rambunctious 2 year old, and a VERY pregnant mommy.  It was fun, but when we arrived home I was extremely ready for a nap.  There was so much to do and see!

     It has been our tradition the past few years to go to Tanaka Farms.  It is the largest pumpkin patch in all of Orange County and they have so many activities!

     *Wagon Rides
   
     *Kids Tractor Course
   
     *Carnival Games
   
     *Pumpkin Cannon (our favorite!)

     *Corn Maze
(The corn maze was actually a lot more fun than I thought it would be.  Marley was excited about "exploring" the maze.  We split up into two groups (Me and Dylan, Marley and daddy) to see who could arrive at the center of the maze first.  Dylan and I got there first so I was happy to catch Marley's face on camera when she found the center.  She was so happy to have completed the maze.  On the way out she explained to me that she found her way through the maze by looking at footprints in the dirt and trying to follow our tracks.  Um, brilliant!  I was very proud of her tracking skills. ;)


   



     *Pick Your Own Pumpkin
(We picked out a family pumpkin to carve and the girls each got to pick a small pumpkin to decorate.  I made sure to take pictures of the pumpkin's weight to help complete the pumpkin worksheet later at home.)

     I have attached my FREE printable worksheet to enhance the pumpkin picking experience and add some educational value.  I call it the Pumpkin Investigation Report. 

Skeleton Lesson Plan for Preschool (includes links to FREE printables, instructions, and videos)

     We are continuing with our Halloween theme for October, and next week we are studying SKELETONS!
     I am aware that some people are following my theme schedule for the year, so I have decided to post my lesson plans the weekend prior, so that anyone who is following along can have time to prep.  If anyone is interested in following a more detailed step-by-step schedule, here is the link to my Daily PreK Schedule.  I was able to do one activity this week with Marley as a fun preview to what we will be learning about next week.  

This is an outline of my Skeleton theme curriculum for the week:  

PICTURE BOOKS:

- Skeleton Hiccups 

- The Skeleton Inside You
- Skelly the Skeleton Girl
- The Skeleton in the Closet

EDUCATIONAL BOOKS:

- Bones: Skeletons and How They Work

- DK Eyewitness Books: Skeleton

- Scholastic Reader Level 2: Skeletons

WORKSHEETS:

- Build a Skeleton  

- Cutting Practice   

ART/CRAFT PROJECTS:
- Q-tip Skeleton
- Q-tip Hand Bones

VIDEOS:

- Schoolhouse Rock: Them Not-So-Dry Bones

- Silly Symphony: The Skeleton Dance

- Animated Skeleton Video for Kids 

GAMES/ACTIVITIES:

- Skeleton Game 

- Why We Have Bones (Option 1) (Option 2) 

- Make Your Own X-Ray

     I taped together two long strips of butcher paper and had Marley lay down so that I could trace her body.  I then drew in with pencil the major bones of the skeletal system.  I let her use a black marker to trace the bones.  Then I labeled the basic bones.  I did not ask her to copy the words, but she wanted to do it.  So she ended up writing the words below my labels.  It makes me so happy that she is always enthusiastic to do more work than I ask of her. :)

Why Homeschooling Is Awesome: Reason #2 - The Teacher-Student Relationship Can't Be Beat

     There is not a teacher on this earth that loves my kids more than I do.  When I first gave birth and looked into my baby's eyes, I knew that I would devote my life to her.  I knew I would do all I could to ensure her safety and happiness.  That sweet angelic gaze solidified my dedication as a mother.  The mother-child bond is the greatest miracle of life.  This is why I firmly believe that a loving mother is blessed with an inspired ability to make the right choices for her child.
     As mothers we usually see our children as pinnacles of perfection.  They are the cutest.  They are the sweetest.  They are the smartest.  This has nothing to do with comparison to the rest of the children in the world.  It has nothing to do with accomplishments.  Parents are supposed to believe that their children are perfect.  By doing so, we are able to give them the support and encouragement they need to achieve their dreams.  Through this unconditional love, our children are able to experience Christ-like love.  There is no better way of providing a path to success for our children.
     It is through lots of questions, research, and prayer that I realized parents are teachers by nature.  An accredited credential does not make someone a better teacher.  It is dedication and care that makes a good teacher.  I've had a handful of teachers that genuinely cared for their students.  They were my favorite teachers.  They were fabulous!  They were the ones that really made a difference. Those teachers made an effort to get to know their students individually.  They were able to facilitate a pleasant learning environment and encourage academic excellence.  When I think of those teachers, I am reminded of how much I love my kids and want to provide the best for them.
     When I seek spiritual comfort, I am assured that I have the ability to provide amazing opportunities for my children to thrive intellectually...because I am their mother and because I love them.

     "My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.  All I am I owe to my mother.  I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." - George Washington

     "I just owe almost everything to my father [and] it's passionately interesting for me that the things that I learned in a small town, in a very modest home, are just the things that I believe have won the election." 

- Margaret Thatcher

     "Mama was my greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness.  If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love." - Stevie Wonder

     "My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me." - Jim Valvano

     "My mother was a reader, and she read to us.  She read us Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when I was six and my brother was eight; I never forgot it." - Stephen King

      

Why Homeschooling Is Awesome: Reason #1 - More Family Time! (MOTIVATIONAL MONDAYS)

Welcome to Motivational Mondays!  I'm kicking it off with a series called "Why Homeschooling Is Awesome."  I think reading supportive and encouraging words is a perfect way to start off your week.  Please feel free to leave a comment with more reasons you love to homeschool. Thanks for stopping by!

     I love my family, as I'm sure most people do.  When I think of all the extra time I will get to spend with my kids while homeschooling, I feel nervous, scared, exhausted, but also very excited! I can't wait to log those hours of interaction and getting to know my children.  I have some guesses as to what they will like to do and the types of personalities they will have, but I know that they will surprise me.  It makes me happy to know that I will get to see, first hand, how they develop and grow into little people.  I also feel it is a great way to maintain the importance of our family unit.

     I know a mother that chose to take her children out of school because she felt she didn't know them as well as she did before.  She said when they got home from school, she would ask them what they did or learned, and they responded with bland and vague responses.  She didn't like that she was losing a bond with her kids.  She said that specifically, she was struggling with communicating with her pre-teen daughter.  They did not have a bad relationship, but it wasn't as loving and close.  This mother told me that only a few months after homeschooling her children, she was talking regularly with her daughter again and that the bonds between the siblings were much stronger.  I was quite inspired by her story.
     Don't get me wrong. I know there will be times that we drive each other crazy.  Hey, it already happens now (and they are only 2 and 4 years old!). Haha.  But I know in my heart that the extra time we will spend together will nurture our individual relationships and will be a great blessing in the end.

     "In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

*Disclaimer: I am not implying in any way that homeschool is superior to public school or any other method of education.  Each child is different and parents have differing circumstances.  I believe parents are entitled to make choices for their children without disdainful judgement or hurtful criticism.  The purpose of this series is to motivate and encourage other homeschoolers or parents thinking of homeschooling.

   

Chick-Fil-A Backstage Tour: Field Trip to "Eat Mor Chikin"

     Did you know that most Chick-Fil-A locations offer a free "Backstage Tour" of their facility?  We are frequent customers at Chick-Fil-A, so I always have my ear open for special deals and opportunities.

     The tour details vary depending on the location, but generally they will take your group behind the counter and into the kitchen.  The tour guide will show you how the food is stored, prepared, packaged, and distributed.  You may even get a history lesson on the origin of Chick-Fil-A and it's founder, who passed away this past September.  RIP Samuel Truett Cathy.

     I immediately thought it would be a great homeschool field trip, so I invited our local homeschool support group and we arranged a group tour.
     I found the tour to be appropriate for all ages.  Our homeschool group consisted of moms and kids, ages ranging from toddlers to teens.  The tour guide was very accommodating and adapted the tour to match our early learners' comprehension.  Our tour was about 20 mins in length, but I was told that depending on the group the tour can last from 15 mins to 40 mins.  Babies needed to be held and the young kids were told to keep their hands in their pockets or at their sides, for safety reasons.  Chick-Fil-A hats were distributed to all the kids and the adults got to wear "Backstage Passes" to authenticate the experience.  No photography is allowed during the tour.  The employees were very friendly and gladly answered all of our questions.  At the end of our tour we all received a complimentary ice cream cone! This was a big score for the kids!...Okay, okay, I was excited about ice cream too! ;)

     We all had fun and it was a unique experience for our sweet little homeschool students.  They all walked away from the tour feeling at home at Chick-Fil-A and quite knowledgable about the procedures.  Marley was very excited to tell her daddy about how the ice machine works and how the soda gets to the front counter.  I love how the little things fascinate our little ones.  It was an adventurous and delicious excursion for all of us.

HOW TO RESERVE A TOUR:
     It's so easy! Just call your local Chick-Fil-A location and ask them if they offer the "Backstage Tour."  They will most likely say yes or refer you to a nearby location where it is offered.  You can then ask questions about what dates and times the tours are available.  My local Chick-Fil-A offered the tour pretty much any weekday between 10am and noon or 2pm and 4pm, in order to avoid the times of heavy traffic.  They referred me to the local marketing manager and gave me her email address so that I could confirm a day and time for my group.  I was told that a group larger than 7 or 8 people would be split into smaller groups due to limited space.  Our group had 15 people, so we went in two groups.  It did take the marketing manager a few days to respond, so I would try to plan it a couple weeks ahead of time.  And you should be all set!
     Enjoy and "Eat Mor Chikin!"
 

     If you know of any other unique places that offer tours or accommodate small group field trips, PLEASE COMMENT and let me know! I would love to visit other places and see what is offered in the educational sense.

*I did NOT get paid or sponsored in any way to write this post. I just really like Chick-Fil-A.