Visit to Knoebels

Seriously....this is one of the best amusement parks....ever! Knoebels!!!
If you live within the vicinity of Pennsylvania..it is worth the day trip or you can stay at one of their cottages. Or you can camp here too. We go here every year. Sometimes twice a year. Thankfully, we have family the is 20 minutes from the park and we just stay at their house.

A rainbow pose!

On the "Kiddie Whip". She was scared to go on this last year but smiled and gave me a thumbs up while riding it this year.

Here comes the W-H-I-P!!

Here are the go carts for little kids. I wouldn't want to be the attendant to this ride. He was a little uptight..but I can see why. Kids at this age cannot drive. Hannah spent most of the time riding in a circle but she got stuck so he had to get her unstuck.. While he was getting her unstuck another child would ram into his legs. Constant ramming at the legs. Poor guy!

My dad, her Pap Pap, went with Hannah on this really really wet ride. It about a 50 foot drop. I heard her scream from where I took the picture....which was far. But she loved it! So, you get wet going down it and then you stand on the bridge over head and get more wet!

Pretty Cool, huh!?

This a train that takes through the back of Knoebels and into the mountain/wooded area. Love it!

A ball pit. I didn't think about it till now. I would be surprised if they cleaned it. Maybe they do, I am not sure. Never mind, I don't want to think about it.

Just a random statue by the river. I thought he would make a fine picture!

DC Visit

My dad and step-mom came for a visit this past week and we went to Washinton, D.C.. The weather was p-e-r-f-e-c-t! Not hot at all and beautiful blue skies! We, my immediate family, don't take advantage of D.C. like we should. We said that there is so much to do, even tons of free stuff, that is would take weeks to see it all.

My dad is a super big military guy and it was so nice to be able to go here with him and kind of see it through his eyes and appreciate the military memorials. It gives you greater respect when you know that he fought in a war and what it means to him and so many others. I wish I would have taken a picture of the sign at this memorial. The Korean War Memorial. It said, "Freedom is Not Free". So true. Hundreds of thousands died so we could live in this "free" country.

The National Monument. I had never walked up to it all of the times that I visited D.C. It is HUGE!

The Lincoln Memorial. It is HUGE too. Just look at how small my 5-year-old daughter is compared to it!

The World War II Memorial. The really neat thing about these war memorials, is the respect that is given by the people that are there. There is a quiet when you walk into it that is so peaceful and allows such reflection. (A little challenging with little ones for it to be quiet but I felt it.) This is my dad and step-mom. Isn't this a sweet picture?

This is us standing in front of The White House. All four of us...one in the belly, though! We don't usually have family pictures together because I am the one taking the pictures. But my dad takes good pictures. So, I trusted him with my camera! lol. :-)

Mason Jar Madness

I am on a Mason jar kick these days. I am getting about 10 of them this week and I have been thinking about ways to use them! We really need "mood" lighting outside in our back yard. I didn't realize how dark it was until we were making S'mores with my dad and step-mom and the fire pit was starting to go out and I couldn't see them at all. The only other light that we have is the big spot light. Anyway, I am very excited to do something with the jars that are being so kindly donated to me by a friend! Now I need to figure out which style I like best for our yard! Fun Fun!! :-)

Mason Jar Pendant Lights

Soap Dispenser
(with tutorial)

Mason Jar Lantern for Outdoors (with tutorial)



Pottery barn Inspired Ladder Lantern

Fort Kit Tutorial

supply list:

• sheets (2 twin flat sheets)
• clothes pins
• clamps
• rope
• flashlight/headlamp
• suction cups
• adult t-shirt (for the ties)
• bags (or fabric for making them) for the accessories and the kit

I found this kit while visiting Pinterest tonight and had to share. I think that this would make a great personalized gift for a birthday party or Christmas present. I found it on Saltwater-Kids website where she had more tutorials. So, check it out.

Here is her breakdown for what she paid:

Thrift Store:
2 sheets - $1.25/each
pillowcase (for the bag lining & accessory bag) - $.50
Dollar Store:
clothes pins, clamps, and rope ($1/each)
Home Depot:
flashlight & suction cups - $2/each
My Stash:
The bag and ties were made from thrifted fabric & shirt in my stash - free!

........that comes to $10.00!

She originally got it from a blog called Bloom. Or if you don't want to make your own....Amazon has it for twice the amount.

Right Brained Child

I am blessed with being able to use both sides of my brain. I am a Professional Organizer and can really help people to be more organized. But there is the other side of my brain that gets me into trouble. I love being creative. I tend to lean towards the unstructured spontaneous side of life. I need to be more structured and plan things.

But on most days, this is how I feel...especially today:

Fun Creative Kid Ideas

I have spent WAYYYYYY too many hours on Pinterest. Why did I go there? It's never ending but oh so much fun to look at and get creative ideas. That is why I made a post on Creative Kid Ideas.

ENJOY!!!!!

Would love to make this for the little baby girl coming in September!!
Found this at Two Peas in a Bucket.

Colored Bubble Painting. Hannah would SO love to make this. Especially since she loves blowing bubbles with her milk. Found it at Meet the Dubiens.

This is something that Hannah and I could make for the baby's room. it is SO child friendly but it doesn't look like a child made it. Found it at Meet The Dubiens.

This is Sidewalk Chalk Paint. I found it at the Idea Room.

And these cute little grassy heads are found at the Family Fun Magazine website!!

Baby Girl Nursery Ideas

I just love all of the colors in this pictures...
Although there is lots of blue it still screams girlie to me.

I'm not sure where this one came from but it is still cute.

Whimsical and Airy

Whimsical and Asian Inspired

Wouldn't these be fun to have Pom Poms hanging from the ceiling? What girl wouldn't like them? I might have to make some for Hannah as well!

S'More Time!

It's that time of year for us. We bought a fire put for our back yard and put it to good use. We had S'Mores!! It was both Hannah and I second time having them. I lived in Florida for most of life and the last thing that you wanted to do was sit in front of a fire in 90 degree weather, so I guess that is why I had never had a S'More until last year. Crazy, huh?

(I sure wish that Blogger wouldn't distort my pictures. I promise, they come out so much better than what is shown. If anyone has any tips on posting quality pictures on Blogger, I would love to know.)

Carrot Muffins

I SOOO wanted something sweet tonight but I didn't want to eat just plain chocolate chips or just candy. So, I decided to bake Carrot Muffins with mini chocolate chips. For the first time.

Previously about a year or so ago, I was not a baker. I am a cooker. There is so much more freedom when you making meals. You can add stuff or omit stuff. You can get creative and make up your own meals. I have even stumbled upon a meal by just taking the first steps in starting a meal. I started out going in one direction in a meal and turning it into something else. And making it delicious!!

BUT...baking. It is difficult, for me, because you can't stray too far from the recipe. You have to pretty much use exacts. I..don't...like...exacts! But I am learning that it will come out better if I follow the recipe.
............................................................................................................
For this Carrot Muffin recipe, I only strayed by added a little bit more Soy Milk because it was so dry. And added the milk proved to be a good decision.

2 cups of flour
1/2 cup dry sweetner
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 medium carrots, grated
3/4 cup soy milk (I probably put in 1 full cup)
egg replacer, equal to two eggs
1/4 melted margarine
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients (Flour, dry sweetner, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon) then add the wet ingredients (carrots, soy milk, egg replacer, margarine). Mix and then bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. (I did it for 13 minutes because I have a gas oven.)
..........................................................................................................................

I drizzled cookie icing on the top just so my family would definitely help me to eat all 24 muffins. I doubled the recipe because it said it only made six muffins. Well, doubling got me 24.

Royal Paper Towel Family

Here is the beginning of our Royal Paper Towel Roll Family. Introducing the King and Queen. Kids will soon follow!