Words for Wednesday...One month from today...

...we'll be back at Disney for a nice long weekend. Perfect. Looking forward to spending the day at the Magic Kingdom and going wherever the kids want to go. No plans, low key. Currently AG's plans include: the cars (aka Tomorrowland Speedway with Andy), the new Dumbo, the Tea Cups, it's a small world, and Peter Pan. He said Avi-Kate's list just includes Winnie-the-Pooh. Ha. Now if the next few weeks will fly by. And speaking of flying...I found both kids Halloween costumes yesterday online. Tinkerbell and Peter Pan should be arriving shortly. I managed to find both with shipping for $37. I was pretty pleased with that price. Everything is set I need to tweak a few things but otherwise we are ready to go and all that stands in our way is the next few weeks, Mtn. Day festivities, and packing. Here's some past pictures...

 AG having a good cry with Donald.

 Andy and I on the new and improved Dumbo.

 Hallelujah! The wildest ride in the west is done being refurbished and I'm not pregnant! Looking forward to riding it for the first time since 2003. 

 AG may or may not be experiencing Splash for the first time. :)

 Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirates life for me!

 Wishes and Hallowishes will be enjoyed.

 Dumbo is even better at night.

 Animal Kingdom fun.

Daybook...Septmeber 11th.

Whew...the week is off and running. Anyone else feel like life is moving fast these days? Maybe it's just me. Anyways, here's a daybook entry for this week/today.

Outside my window: Overcast and mild temperatures. Hallelujah! It seems to finally be cooling off around here and for that we are all grateful. I'm so ready for fall/winter weather because we didn't have any this past year.

I'm thinking: About my to do list that seems a mile long this week. I had several good weeks of getting the house in order/keeping it that way when AG started school and then we went out of town for Labor Day. Anyways, I'm making headway and tackling some projects. Although, some days it feels like I'm spinning my wheels and going nowhere. I'm also thinking about our Disney trip that is (thankfully!) only a month a way.  We are so ready to be back there...to have a few days of uninterrupted, quality family time. We've started picking up things we need for the trip and I've started stashing it in Avi-Kate's room. It'll be here before we know it and for that I'm very grateful.

I'm wondering: About a lot of things right now. Milling over lots of possibilities for lots of different things. I'm in a very contemplative mood. 

I'm praying: For Andy...he's away on a business trip. Praying for safe travels and a successful trip.

I'm thankful: For peace. The last few years have been rough as a friend and I have been shouldering some pretty tough stuff for someone. And at the moment I don't necessarily agree with how things are but I have peace because I know that without a shadow of a doubt that we've done all that has been asked of us. And on a different note I'm thankful for all that lost their lives on 9/11 and those that have sacrificed for the war on terror. It amazes me to think that it has been 11 years since that day. On one hand it seems like so long ago and on the other hand I can still remember every. single. thing about that day. 

I'm hearing: The tv in the background and AG's lullaby cd in the distance.

From the Kitchen: Not much this week. The last few weeks I've been working on stock piling stuff in to the freezer so that we can start using freezer meals some nights a week. This week I'm not doing any freezer cooking. Although, there was a sale on Stouffer's entrees this week at Kroger and I happened to pick a few of those up. They come in quite handy as we head in to this busy season. I like having a few stashed away as back-ups. 

I'm reading: Sigh. Nothing at the moment. I need to put something on my kindle but I haven't...needs to be a priority and it just hasn't been lately. I've been so wrapped up in life and everything that I haven't read anything in weeks. Guess I need to put that on my To Do list. :)

One of my favorite things: The new fall candles I picked up yesterday with a $10 off coupon I had for Bath and Body Works. (Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin and Leaves) Have I mentioned that I love this time of year?!

I'm creating: Actually, I just finished a burlap wreath for Ginny last week and I started on it's twin aka my wreath. At the moment I haven't gotten very far and then I ended up finding red and black burlap in stock when I was at Hobby Lobby the other day...so of course I bought some. I think I may stop the chocolate brown burlap wreath for the moment and work on a UGA themed one. And then finish the other one for Thanksgiving. I also started a project last year for the kids making some glass luminaries that are pumpkins and ghosts but I never finished in time. (Life with a new baby.) So, I packed everything up and I am determined to get them done this year. I'll post pictures when I finish.

Around the house: Trying to get the house back in order! Andy built an AMAZING corn hole set and has had a painting station set up in the front of the house. He just finished and so my goal is to get everything cleaned up. I need to take pictures of the set and post it here. I'm really impressed with how they turned out.

A few plans for the week: Kindermusik tomorrow for AKs and soccer practice for AG on Friday. My ladies bible study that meets twice a month starts back tomorrow night and I have girls night with the college girls on Thursday. Saturday we'll be in Athens for the game that evening. I'm excited for our first night game of the year. Actually, the Dawgs have back to back home games that are night games these next two weeks. Wahoo! This week is Florida Atlantic and next week is Vandy. The Vanderbilt game should be a good game and intense...last year's game in Nashville didn't end well with the coaches and players getting riled up after the game. So, we'll see how the rematch goes this year. 

A picture thought that I'm sharing: Next week our dear friend, Michael, will be in town for a few nights. We are so excited to see him and catch up. He graduated this summer from his graduate program at USC and is currently planning to stay out in LA. He's home for the month doing some business work and seeing family/friends. AG got really excited and was talking a mile a minute on the phone the other day when Michael called to finalize our plans. Here's a few pictures from our last visit last Christmas.

 

Fall Planning/To Do

Years ago I stumbled upon a blog by a mom in Massachusetts and I was instantly taken with her writing style. Here I am several years later still reading and enjoying her daily musings. Weeks ago I made a mental note to go flip back in Dawn's archives to find a 'Fall Checklist' that she had posted a few years back. Yesterday, I started flipping back and had to stop to attend to the kids. I made a note to come back to it when I had a few minutes uninterrupted. ;) Ha, uninterrupted time...what is that?!?! Anyways, today I happened to check her blog only to find out that she decided to repost that list from a few years back. Perfect timing! If you want to see Dawn's list click here. Below is my list that I've tweaked to fit my needs. A few things have been changed and several things added...projects I've already started will have notes in red. In no particular order here we go:

* Launder down comforter, autumn duvet and shams. Pulled out the fall/winter bedding for the master bedroom today and started washing it. Putting it on the bed tomorrow since I always change our sheets on Fridays. I love having a clean bed heading in to the weekend. 

* Buy new flannel sheets, Christmas sheets for the kids beds. Waiting on a good sale...hopefully, in the next few weeks. We had worn out all our other sheets and so it's time for some new ones. Plus, I'd love to get some Christmas themed sheets for the kids.

* Review housekeeping routines; adjust as necessary.

* Check on snow gear: boots, jackets, pants, hats, gloves, etc. If anybody needs new things, purchase or order them now. (Not a huge priority but it doesn’t hurt to have stuff on hand in case we get snow.)

* Same goes for winter pajamas and slippers.

* Tweak the menu plan to reflect the season - heartier meals, fall fruits and veggies.

* Schedule a work-in-the-yard Saturday to rake, clean up garden debris, store outdoor furniture, etc. Might have to be little by little due to the craziness that is football season...should be done by Mtn. Day Weekend.

* Plant spring bulbs (snowdrops, crocus, daffodils, tulips) before the ground freezes.

* Plan a fall foliage jaunt for one Sunday afternoon to Berry.

* Prepare homemade cocoa mix, mulling spice bundles and replenish tea drawer as necessary.

* Visit the farmers market for autumn keepers: apples, onions, potatoes, squash. Berry usually has one in the fall.

* Plan Fall Break Trip. Planned...Disney for at least 4 nights possibly 5.

* Schedule cars for regular maintenance. Acadia is due for a tune-up...will be done before we head to Disney in a few weeks.

* Plan out football game weekend plans for UGA homegames. Finalized for the most part.

* Plan a night to visit the county fair. Coosa Valley Fair runs October 2-6 this year.

* Stop by Starbucks for a fall treat. :)

* Head to Starbucks the week before Thanksgiving to buy 2012 Holiday ornaments.

* Put away summer outside activities. (Pool, water table, etc. Winterize sandbox)

* Inventory craft supplies and note what needs replenishing. (Keep in mind holiday projects with the kids and long dark winter days ahead.)

* Stock up on cold and flu season necessaries: vitamins/supplements, herbal teas, honey drops, medicines.

* Make birdfeeders with the kids to hang in the tree out back so they can watch the birds from the big window in the den.

* Arrange fall mums, asters and pumpkins around front steps. Needs to be done before Mtn. Day Weekend.

* Begin a holiday planner - assemble Thanksgiving and Christmas lists, etc.

* Fall family picture session. Planned and booked with Carrie Jo.

* Fresh pinestraw for the outside beds.

* Launder cozy throw blankets; store in large basket handy to gathering areas.

* Set out fall book baskets. Pulled these out today and began brainstorming where I want them to go this year.

* Set out autumn decor including table linens, candles, garlands and candles with seasonal filler. Started working on this last week...pictures to come.

* Decide on Halloween costumes early, allow for any orders/delivery time. AG has requested Peter Pan and Tinker Bell for this year...I'm just waiting to find a good sale but in reality I need to order them and soon. We leave for Disney in a month and they get to trick or treat while we are there.

* Set up a gratitude tree ahead of Thanksgiving. Been mulling how I want to do it this year...still thinking this one out. 

* Make and freeze pie crusts and sugar cookie dough for the holidays.

* Buy Christmas stamps at the end of October.

* Fall toys rotated out of the attic.

* Find a skinny, pre-lit alpine tree for our Jesse Tree ornaments. Must have by Thanksgiving so that we can start when return from Disney on time.

* Start decorating for Christmas before we head to the farm for Thanksgiving since we will be gone to Disney on vacation. Crazy but necessary this year. It won't be all done but there is a huge chunk that I can start on before we leave. That way when we return we can get our tree and do the outside that first weekend back. 

* Visit Bath and Body Works to get hand soaps for all the sinks and a fall candle. Hand soaps purchased already and put out. Candles I've been waiting till September because I have a coupon. :)

* Inventory food and organize the freezer. Done. 

* Map out fall semester Family Dinners with the college family. Done and I've already got tentative dates for a few of them. 

* Prepare for Mtn. Day Weekend (Berry’s Homecoming of sorts.) Mtn. Day plans are in full swing since it is a month away! We are hosting a party here on that Saturday night...I'm really excited about all the people coming up/back this year. Should be a great weekend.

* Make pumpkin seeds after carving pumpkins in late October.

Labor Day Weekend Roundup...

We headed to the farm for the long weekend and it was glorious! The kids wasted no time making themselves right at home. On Saturday we left the kids and went to the classic city, Athens, for the day to see the Dawgs home opener. UGA did something new this year called the Game Ball Relay to deliver the game ball for the start of the game. It started 24 hours earlier at the Shepherd Spinal Center and made it's way from Atlanta to Athens. Vince Dooley ran it in to the stadium and then handed it off to Alison Schmitt. I was super excited to see her on the field since we watched all of her races in London just a few short weeks ago. I'm glad she returned for her senior year in Athens...and I'd love it if Missy Franklin found her way to Athens next year. Enough of that tangent...back to the game. The Dawgs played Buffalo and won by three touchdowns. It was great to be back in Athens watching football. I'm really looking forward to the next few months...now to get the rest of my outfits together for the season. Yes, if you've never experienced a football game in the SEC you are probably scratching your head as to why I'm concerned with my wardrobe. I guess it's just part of being in the south but most people dress up for games...yes, I wore a new sundress to the game that I bought specifically to be a game day dress. I've been dressing up for games since I started going to games. It's just what we do. Need more info click here. Thankfully, one can never have too much red and black in her wardrobe. ;) After the game we headed back to the farm. The kids had a great day with Nanny. The next day our friends, the Hornsbys, drove over from Macon and spent the day with us. AG loved showing Emma the farm and swimming all afternoon with his best friend. We were planning to have a cookout at the pool that evening but a storm rolled in and we ended up having it inside instead. Later that evening AG enjoyed watching Chipper Jones hit a walk-off homer to beat the Phillies in the 9th inning. He went bananas and the family members watching the game were so tickled watching AG. Monday, we laid around and did some projects. That afternoon we did one last swim before getting everything packed back up. We ended up leaving some of our stuff at the farm since we plan to go back in three weeks. AG was beside himself because he didn't want to leave the farm. He even woke up the next morning asking if it was time to go back. We love the farm. Being down there for the weekend was a great way to say goodbye to summer and welcome in the start of fall. Did anyone else do anything fun for Labor Day Weekend?

Early Morning Birthday Parties.

 Hello, Athens...I've missed you.

 Vince Dooley and Schmitty on the field. 

 Helping Nanny make brownies.

 So excited to see his best friend.

 Love these two. AG was holding her hand and showing her around. 

 Swimming the afternoon away. Annie was loving life in the pool. 

Wordless Wednesday...Park Fun Edition.

Ready for College Football...

College football. If you live in the south it's really a way of life and the Edwards household is no exception. Thankfully, I love college football just as much as my husband and look forward to watching football all weekend long in the fall. And now that we are season ticket holders I enjoy spending several Saturdays in the fall on a date with my sweet husband in Athens. Anyways, to kick off the return of college football Chick-fil-A hosted a Father/Son night. Andy took AG and he had an absolute ball. He came home with a football game and a new cow for his collection of 'moo-cows'. He also was not happy about having to take off his 'eye black' for bed. We promised him we'd get him some more for football season with special supers G's on it. Anyways, here's a few pictures after they got home. I'm so grateful for Andy and the relationship he is building with our son. Little things like this matter and have a lasting impression even at this tender age. 

Well, we are off to the farm for the weekend. I'm looking forward to being with family for the weekend at one of our favorite places. On Saturday, Andy and I are going to drive to Athens for the game and leave the kids with Nanny for a half day. Then on Sunday the Hornsbys are driving over from Macon for the day. We are excited to show them the farm and have a day to relax together. Andy's sister, Caroline, and her family will also be driving over from Macon that day. Should be a fun day and I am sure the kids will have a blast swimming and visiting the cows. I know AG will sleep like a rock that night. :) Happy Labor Day Weekend to all. Can't believe August has come and gone...this year is just flying by. 

Welcome Back and Family Dinner.

The start of a new school year means the return of Family Dinner. This year we had a request for southern comfort food for our welcome back dinner. Thankfully, the deli at Kroger helped me out and fried up a large batch of chicken so I didn't have to. We also surprised Emily by singing happy birthday to her a few days early. She started laughing when she realized that the only candles I had were Toy Story themed. Oh, life with small kids. ;) It was so nice to be all back together and catch up. We are really looking forward to the year ahead and all that we have planned. Girls Night resumes tonight, the guys are doing a fantasy football league this fall, and we already have plans for a big Mtn. Day party in a few weeks with current students and returning alumni. Here's to a great year and here are a few pictures from the other night.