Crafting Chronicles: Mummy Cans:

This time of the school year is by far my favorite; Holiday Party Time. Being a room mom or part of my children's school activities and parties has always been my dream. I was a part of Charli's Halloween Party last year when she was at Grace Episcopal where I made some Festive Treats, and I couldn't wait to do it again this year for her and her little school friends! 

So does your child have a Halloween Party tomorrow like mine does? Are you scrambling around to figure out a fun and festive idea for a party favor or goody bag? 

Well, I got you covered! 

Things you'll need:

*Cans (from lunch, dinner, or leftover ones in your recycling bin!)

*Black Spray Paint

*Cheese Cloth (can be found at Home Depot near flooring/tile supplies)

*Glue Gun

*Scissors

*Pliers

*Googly Eyes

I washed and cleaned all the cans, taking off all paper. 

I then used pliers to flatten or break off the sharp piece of metal on the rim from where the lids break off. 

Next, spray paint cans black (inside and out). Let dry.

Cut your cheese cloth into strips (I laid mine all the way out and first cut it in half to give me two equally long pieces. Then cut three strips per piece, giving me 6 strips per package)

Next, put hot glue at the bottom of can to attach the starting point of the cheese cloth.

Start wrapping.

Create opening for mouth by using a drop of hot glue to keep the cheese cloth in place.

Keep wrapping.

Apply your last bit of hot glue at the top of the  can to attach the end of the cheese cloth.

Place googly eyes onto cloth (I also used a tiny drop of hot glue for this as well).

Fill with festive treats.

And voila! 

Mummy Cans! 

I didn't want just candy (they will be getting enough of that this weekend) so I did tootsie pops, halloween fruit snacks, bubbles, straws, pencils, and glow in the dark vampire teeth! 

Happy Crafting! 

Recipe: Caramel Apple Sangria:

Happy Mid-Week or shall we say Wine Down Wednesday!

Are you looking for a little pick-me-up, a festive drink to have while you watch Hocus Pocus tonight, a signature cocktail for your Halloween party this weekend, or maybe just a Fall inspired drink for your Florida/Georgia Tailgate? Whatever the reason (although do we really need one?!) 

I have the drink for you! 

Caramel Apple Sangria

Ingredients:

*1 bottle white wine (I used a Pinot Grigio)

*1 bottle sparkling apple cider

*1 tsp vanilla extract

*1 shot cinnamon whiskey (or Honey Whisky- I used Fireball!)

*1/4 cup caramel syrup (I used just under)

*3-4 apples, cored and chopped

Directions:

Pour apple cider, white wine, whiskey, and vanilla extract into pitcher. Stir in Caramel. Add chopped apples. Pour into serving glass. Enjoy! 

I am sipping on one as I type and let me tell you, it is delicious! 

Cheers! 

Sea & Sky Spectacular- A Jacksonville Air Show:

This past weekend  The Blue Angels made it back to one of their original home bases for the 2015 Jacksonville Air Show. 

If you are from JAX then you know that the Blue Angels fly here every year, switching locations between NAS JAX and Jacksonville Beach. The show this year called for the Beaches and we were so excited to go out and see them perform over the ocean (in my opinion, it's the best way to see it)! 

Charli has had this little Blue Angels stuffed airplane since she was a baby and she was beyond excited to finally see these bad boys in action! 

We ran around like airplanes and played in the sand as we watched the Geico Skytypers (a squadron of six vintage World War II aircrafts) and Fat Albert (a United States Marine Corps C-130T Hercules) take the sky as we waited patiently for the main attraction. 

The Blue Angels!! 

As they took to the sky Charli squealed "Woohoo, Go NAVY!". She and Crew were both in awe and loved watching the planes fly over us!

I was mostly concerned about the noise from the jet engines being too loud for their little ears but thankfully it wasn't TOO bad. Crew of course wouldn't keep his earplugs in (why would he, he's 1...) but Charli wore hers the entire time. There were just a couple of times that the noise startled Crew and had him crying and scared but other than that we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day (except of course to have daddy here) with family and friends!  

Thank you Blue Angels for a Spectacular Show! 

Pumpkin Painting:

Happy Friday & Hello Weekend! 

The weather has been pretty spectacular here (although I still wish it was a little cooler)! We are gearing up for all things Halloween and are so excited for some really fun upcoming events! 

We decided to kick it all off with some pumpkin painting this past week! 

Charli has always been my clean little crafter. She loves sitting right next to me, watching my every move, and loves staying clean while doing it. She has always hated getting her hands dirty with food or paint or really anything (except for if she is actually outside gardening or something). Her teachers and I were actually laughing about that the other day because she is the cleanest in the class when it comes to arts & crafts!

Then it dawned on me, I don't do nearly as many crafts with Crew that I did with Charli and that this was going to be his very first time ever painting. I took his hand in mine and guided the paintbrush to show him what to do. He proceeded to follow by making several strokes on the pumpkin all by himself! Then immediately stuck the paintbrush straight into his mouth! haha. Thankfully this wasn't my first rodeo and I was fully prepared for exactly that to happen! We all stayed clean, there wasn't a single drop of paint anywhere but the pumpkins, and we all had so much fun making more family memories (just really missing Daddy and wishing he could have been here).

 And the finished product... 

They all turned out magnificent and adorn the front porch!  

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! Cheers!

Spooktacular at The Jacksonville Zoo:

Every October the Jacksonville Zoo puts on an event the last couple of weekends leading up to Halloween called Spooktacular (like a Boo at the Zoo). This is something I grew up going to with my mom, brother, and friends and it is something I always wanted to be able to take my children to and this my friends was the year!  

Charli had a little Fall Break this past weekend (off Friday and Monday) and though we didn't go anywhere for it we still managed to do some fun and festive things! We watched special Halloween movies, did all things pumpkin, and the main event... Spooktacular! So on Saturday night my mom, friend, and I packed the kids up and we headed to the Zoo.

They have so many different attractions and things set up. From the Wizard of Oz area, to Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin, Peter Pan, Witches, Scare Zones, and so much more. We saw everything there was to see and a certain little girl even got to ride the Carousel! 

Though Charli is very outgoing and always center of attention, she is still a very reserved and cautious child and I love that about her. She wanted nothing to do with any of the characters that were dressed up taking pictures with every other kid. Her response every single time after I asked if she wanted a picture with someone "uhhhhh no thanks" as she would wave and continue on. Some were a little creepy but some I thought for sure she would love. Nope. The only one she RAN up to was Snow White. That girl and her princesses!

 Thank you Spooktacular for continuing to create memories for my family!