Happy Halloween

Oh my, I have the best friends! No really. Every week I leave PB & J day with a big smile thanking God for putting these amazing mamas in my path. All the mamas are kind, loving, truly interested in each other's crazy weeks and above all head over heels for their little ones. Today was no different, we partied like rock stars! Nicole P. was a fantastic host with the cutest decorations. Lunch was more like a spooktacular feast and the pin the mouth on the pumpkin game was a hit. Every little kiddo was decked out head to toe in an adorable costume; we had Donald Driver, Yoda, Mario, a few dinosauers, owls and much more. After 2 hours we packed up the costumes, goody bags and cameras with whiny tired kiddos in toe.
Enjoy the pics, enjoy the holiday weekend and enjoy being a mama.

Our attempt at a group photo

Yoda & Donald Driver
Hoot Hoot

Halloween Feast

Ready to eat

Playroom disaster

Gavin pinning a mouth on

Trex & Nathan deciding where it should go

Halloween Party

Our PB & J Day Halloween party is tomorrow!!! Can't wait, lots of yummy treats and little ones in costumes. We will be at the Paczesny house, hope to see you there!

4409 Elgar Lane, Madison

When it Rains, It Pours

Isn't it funny how life occurs in seasons and when it's busy season it sure is busy season. People often say "when it rains, it pours" referring to challenging times but for me it happens during good times too. Life is so super crazy, all extremely good fantastic things but all at once. My sister is getting married on Saturday, yeah! I am the matron of honor, my husband a groomsman and my two little ones ring bearers. We will be away from home all weekend shuttling the kids here and there trying to keep up the energy and enjoy all the moments.

It is also Halloween week and oh what a PB & J Day party we have planned! It will be spookarrific, lots of kiddos dressed up and mamas taking pictures.

An out of this world opportunity has popped up for my Poplin business and you will soon see my products in a store (more details to come). On top of it all our little Peepers turns 1 soon. Lots of "night owl" party planning taking place in the wee hours of the morning.

It sure is pouring around here but I wouldn't have it any other way. See you Thursday!!!

(despite crabby boys, tired mommy and daddy we got out the pumpkins and did some serious carving!)

The Great Outdoors

Well today may have been our last outdoor PB & J Day adventure for a while but it was a good one! All boys again but that's ok, we love our boys. We walked through the center with leaves crunching under our feet, a light breeze and little boys running ahead to see all the animals. They fed the deer leaves, watched the river otter swim and smelled the super smelly skunk. After we walked the trails it was back to my house for a cozy indoor lunch. Not much eating took place but lots of playing and chatting, perfect!

What if...

What is your biggest fear? The thing you just would not be able to get over, would not be able to get out of bed and move on if it occurred? This was the topic at Bible study tonight and what a topic it is. We live in a culture obsessed with fear, we live everyday fearing something. But what is the one fear that gets you deep down, makes your stomach ache and heart race. What if you could live a life set free from that fear?

You can.

With God, truly trusting God with all fears will set you free.

Going to bed praying about my fear and for the courage to trust God with all I got. Night Night.

Giveaway Winner... #3... Jenna Vander Velde, congrats!

Giveaway

Giveaway this week is from Fat Cat Beads. Very pretty earrings for a very lucky mama!!! Comment on this post telling me your favorite accessory (earrings, shoes, scarves, etc) or become a follower of this blog. Winner will be chosen tonight- earrings delivered tomorrow at PB & J!

See you all tomorrow- Mackenzie Center in Poynette. Forecast looks sunny and in the 60's.

Directions:

- Take Hwy 51 north to Hwy 22

- Continue on Hwy 22

-Turn left onto CS

-Turn left into Mackenzie Center- parking lot on your right

We will meet in the parking lot at 10:15.

Enjoy your Tuesday!!!

Regroup

Some days are filled with down to the minute plans, over flowing diaper bags and trunks that look like we packed for a month. I love to be busy, on the go, always doing something and that is the kind of weekend we had. The 3rd annual fall fest at my in-laws was splendid, terrific weather, wagons lined with hay for the bumpy yet fun ride to the pumpkin patch, 6 crock pots lined up letting keeping squash soup, chili and much more warm, a dessert table to die for including Aunt Jane's famous brownies and 8 grandkids all together again. It was one of those days you just hate to see end and although you know you should go home and crawl into your chilled bed you instead hang by the campfire for just a bit longer. All us mamas laughed, shared stories, kissed chubby little cheeks and teared up when "see ya later" time came all too fast. It was exhausting yet energizing.

Other days are filled with heaps of socks to fold, a sink piled with dishes, a 2 year old lying on the floor already looking to nap time (it is only 8:30am) and well everyone still in their pj's with no plans of dressing. I am learning to embrace this balance. We can't be on the go everyday, some days need to be "home" days, where we don't leave our property (well maybe a quick trip to the post office or grocery store) but days for us to regroup, catch our bearings and just enjoy home. I am going to be content with my "home" day this lazy Monday, maybe some cleaning will get done, maybe not but we will lounge.

See you all this Wednesday, giveaway to come tomorrow!!!

Way Cool

Best Buddies

Pace loved the water!

Chicken coop was a big hit
Oh what fun!
The Children's Museum was so cool today! There were many unique exhibits, the creativity was amazing. We were filled with little boys today and boy did they enjoy. The water area, lego display and chicken coop were among the favs. However Nicole P. and I decided you really need one adult per child, her and I left exhausted! It's a lot of work trying to play with, keep track of and document the fun for two little boys on your own. Sorry didn't capture any pics of baby Caleb:(

There is also an event page for our Halloween Party, check it out on our facebook page- PB & J.

See you next week!

Hands on Fun

Madison Children's Musuem here we come!!! We are set to explore the new museum and have lots of fun this Friday October 15th. Meet in the lobby around 10:15, we will plan to eat at Bean Sprouts or another nearby restaurant (open to suggestions). Can't wait to play!

Staying Strong

Isn't it funny how such a little, innocent person can challenge us so immensely? How can a sweet cheeked, jabber box of a newly two year old cause me to enter a war, a battle over something as simple as sleep? Why do little souls hate sleeping? I would jump for joy and run like the wind to my bed if someone told me to go sleep. Oh what a grand day that would be for this mama but for my little one being asked to snuggle in bed, lay still and close his little peepers is a dreaded request.

My now "big boy" loves his new bed at night, when it is dark and Luna is shining brightly but during the afternoon when he can see his toys and hear his always energized baby brother playing downstairs my big boy struggles. Like most two year olds he requires sleep, he needs that nap and all my mommy senses agree but oh it doesn't make it easier. Today was a battle, he cried, called my name, used his sweet small voice to bargain with me saying, "i not tired, all done, little bit over" and it tugged at my heat. I love my little one more than anything and don't like to see him sad but the nap was necessary especially if we were going to make it to see 7pm all in one piece. So I pulled it together, walked downstairs and prayed for peace. Prayed God would help calm him, reassure him his mommy loves him and didn't abandon him.

6 minutes and 18 seconds later he was quiet, no more banging on the gate, no more bargaining just quiet. I carefully tiptoed up the stairs to find my stubborn tiny soul curled up snoring away. Yes, just what we needed.



Stay strong mamas! See you all Friday.

It Was Dreamy

The dream park was down right dreamy today. Sunny skies and kiddos running, laughing and loving life. Sometimes parks can be stressful, chasing kids, worrying about them going too high, running in front of swings or scraping knees but not today it was just fun. We enjoyed the cool play structures, our adventurous little souls and of course mommy chatter. Gavin did however manage to step in goose poop but his mama laughed it off like a trooper! Can't wait to see what next week holds.

Gavin trying to push Brady

Jenna lovin' on Pacey

More love for Pace

Watching the geese

Mia the model

Hang on!

Chillin'

Dream Bigger

So on the Sun Prairie Dream Park website it said it was closed through this Wednesday for repairs but then would open today. I drove by at lunch just to be sure. Well... it is still closed! I don't want to chance it for tomorrow and we get there and not be able to play.

SO we are going to dream bigger and head to the Monona Dream Park!

It is located across from the Monona Community Center- 1011 Nichols Rd. in Winnequah park.

See you tomorrow around 10:15!

Dream Big

We are headed to the Sun Prairie Dream Park this Friday October 8th. The park has been closed this past week for maintenance so it should be all spiffed up and ready for us! Pack a picnic lunch and get ready to enjoy some gorgeous fall weather.

See you there!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

October is here... pumpkins line front porches, the buzz of Halloween costumes in the air, glass jars filled with candy corn and mamas with pumpkin spice lattes in hand. With each new season comes a refueling, an energy that feels amazing. My energy is different in fall than summer, I crave creative moments and mornings sipping hot cider. I don't hesitate to take on projects like making 2 owl costumes for my littles or putting together favor bags for my sis' wedding. The coziness of this season warms my heart!

Every week PB & J Day is like my pumpkin spice latte, warm, comforting and simply enjoyable. I am inspired each week by my friends, these moms who love their littles unconditionally. The upcoming weeks hold a trip to the new children's museum, dream park, halloween party and open gym in DeForest starts November 1st- yeah!!!

Zoo Wonderful

PB & J Day at the zoo was wonderful today! We saw a lot of animals, even the otters and lions! The kiddos loved running around, copying everything each other said and making animal noises. All of us mamas chatted and chased the little ones. The park play area was not crowded and no lines for the train, so nice!

Brady & all his static

Trexen scared of the train he normally loves???

Nathan all smiles

Little Joeys

Trex & Gabe trying to pet the "mini deer"

Princess Hallie