Happy Halloween!

We had a fabulous Halloween. It has become a tradition for us to go over to our best friend's house and  have dinner and hand out candy with them. Before we headed over to their house we got to see our neighbors in their costumes and they got to see Maggie all dressed up in her Pumpkin costume.

 This is the candy bag that my cousin made for Maggie. She got candy from our wonderful neighbors. It was so cute how she kept taking it out of the bag and then putting it back in! 

Daddy and Maggie!

After we got to see our neighbors, we packed up our stuff and went over to our friends house! Maggie had so much fun playing with her friend! We sat outside because the weather was so beautiful and handed out candy.

 Little Miss Cinderella! 

 Handing out candy to trick-or-treaters! The girls loved seeing the kids in their costumes. 

 Playing with Aunt Abby! 

 Josh carved this awesome pumpkin! Can you tell what it is? 

 Maggie looks thrilled, doesn't she? It's because we made her sit still for a whole 5 seconds. 

 Waiting for Trick-or-Treaters!

We had some friends stop by! 

What a fun Halloween! We had so much fun. What did you do for Halloween?! 

Halloween Fun!

There is so much going on today in Hampton Roads! There are some fun ways you can celebrate Halloween with your kiddos. Have fun!

Bounceeez
Come dressed in your Halloween costume and get 50% off your admission.

Boo Bash (Not So Scary Halloween Party)
The Lafayette Branch Library is having a costume party and will have spooktacular stories, goodies, games, and more. This is for preschool aged kids from 10:30 - 11:30 AM. This is located at 1610 Cromwell Drive in Norfolk.

Not-So-Scary Halloween for Toddlers
Major Hillard Library is also having a Halloween Party for toddlers. There will be fun Halloween activities. Costumes are welcome. This will take place from 11 AM - 12 PM at 82 N. Old George Washington Hwy. in Chesapeake.

Halloween Costume Party
The Greenbrier Library is having a costume party for the kids. There will be stories, songs, and a costume parade. This is for ages 4 and under. Registration is required. Call 410-7065 to sign your kids up. This will take place from 11:15 AM - 12 PM at 121 Volvo Pkwy. in Chesapeake.

Trick or Treat Spots:
Pembroke Mall Trick or Treat
There will be a mall wide Trick or Treat from 6-8 PM. The Pembroke mall is located at 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd. in Virginia Beach.

Lynnhaven Mall Trick or Treat
Children 12 and under are welcome to trick or treat in their costumes at the stores in the Lynnhaven Mall. Look for the pumpkin decals on the storefront. This will take place from 5-7 PM. The Lynnhaven Mall is located at 701 Lynnhaven Pkwy. in Virginia Beach.

Trunk or Treat 
Central Baptist Church (1200 Hodges Ferry Rd. in Portsmouth) is doing a Trunk or Treat from 6 - 7:30 PM. Join them for food, a bonfire, photo booth, hayrides, and candy!

Malloween at the Gallery at Military Circle
The Gallery at Military Circle (880 North Military Highway in Norfolk) is having trick-or-treating from store to store. Wear your costumes and come out from 6-8 PM.

Mall-O-Ween Treat Night at Greenbrier Mall
Greenbrier Mall is inviting children 1-12 to trick or treat from 6-8 PM. The Greenbrier Mall is located at 101 Greenbrier Pkwy. in Chesapeake.

Be safe out there and have fun!

Happy 60th Uncle Ron!

Today is a special day because it is my Uncle Ron's 60th birthday. He went to be with Jesus five years ago, but there isn't a day that goes by that his family and friends don't miss him. However, we have such joy knowing that this isn't the end and that we will one day see him again.

So here is a little memory lane of my Uncle Ron and the things he loved...

Haha, yes. This was Uncle Ron and Aunt Rhoda's wedding day! Love the hair! Seriously, too funny. Uncle Ron once wrote me an email right after I moved to Virginia telling me that he and Aunt Rhoda met in Virginia, so when I started dating William he said, "See, Virginia really IS for Lovers." :) I have a magnet on my refrigerator now that says "Virginia is for Lovers" and it always reminds me of Uncle Ron and that email. 

Going forward a few years...this was at my house in Florida. And if I remember correctly, this is the year that Bethany introduced me to N'Sync. Haha. But we had such a great time when they came to visit us that year! 

The is Uncle Ron, Aunt Rhoda, and their two daughters (my cousins) Bethany and Brooke. I love this picture- it's so great of everyone and had to include it! 

There was this one Christmas when I was like 8 and we were all in Ohio for the holidays. And it was FREEZING outside. Of course, that's what I remember, right? Anyways, we pretty much stayed at my grandma and grandpa's the whole time because it was so cold and I remember for like 2 days we did a giant puzzle like this one with Uncle Ron. I seriously don't remember much else about that Christmas...just the giant puzzle with a bunch of trees in the picture which made it really difficult to put together because every piece was green. haha. But I love that I have this memory. It's funny because I don't remember any of the gifts I got or any of the food...I just remember the time that Uncle Ron spent with us doing the puzzle. And that was one of the things I loved about him- he always took time to enjoy the little things in life. I need to learn from his example and slow down and just enjoy the little things in life. 

I really don't know where this is, but I am sure my Uncle Ron was just taking in the sights....or bird watching. He loved to bird watch. You know, I never really got into bird watching because to me that is so boring...haha, but again, Uncle Ron took time to stop and enjoy nature. He took time to embrace the things God created...like birds. 

This was in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Every 4th of July my family goes to Fort Wayne for the weekend and we all eat, swim, play games, and just enjoy being with family. The very last 4th of July that Uncle Ron was at I couldn't make it...and it makes me sad that I didn't get to spend that one last time with him. But we will have one awesome 4th of July party in heaven so I have comfort knowing that! 

Couldn't leave out this oldie, but goldie. There really are no words for this one..hahahaha. Love it! 

This is another picture of the Blough family. I love Brooke's face. haha. 

Happy 60th Uncle Ron! We love and miss you...can't wait to see you again one day! 

Enter to win a FREE pass and more to the peace. love. swap event this Saturday!

Hi friends!!

So I have my very first giveaway going on now. If you haven't heard, peace. love. swap is going on THIS Saturday (November 2nd) at Hampton University College, 53 Town Center Drive, Suite 1035 in Virginia Beach. The swap will be from 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM.

So this is how it works:
Clean out your kids closets, drawers, etc. and find items they are no longer using that you would want to swap. Bring what you're done with, then come to the swap and take what you need! You can bring anything from clothes and shoes to bigger items and toys. Anything kid friendly is welcome! They accept maternity, infant, toddler, child, and teen aged things. If you are swapping out clothing, please stick to fall and winter clothing since that is the season we are heading into.

For more information about the peace. love. swap. event, just click here! 

So, now...the giveaway! Drumroll please........

I have been in touch with the girl who is running peace. love. swap. and she is just the nicest person! It sounds like she really has it organized and it is going to be a great event! She has also agreed to giveaway a Free Swap Pass and a peace. love. swap. tote bag (which is a $7 value), PLUS the pass puts the winner in the FRONT OF THE LINE! This is a really great opportunity!

Note: The winner will still need to bring items to contribute to the swap.

So here is how you can enter into this. Simply comment below and let me know you want in on this great giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, feel free to share this with your friends! The more people the merrier! :)

Thanks!

Ending October with some fun events! (10/28 -10/30)

Hi everyone! We are ending October with some fun events! I will have a special Halloween post for all of Thursday's events coming soon. For now, here is Monday-Wednesday!

Monday
Cookies and Storytime 
Ages 0-6 are invited to Green Bean in Virginia Beach (1952 Laskin Rd. Ste 509 at Regency Hilltop Shopping Center) for cookies and storytime at 10:30 AM. Admission is $10 per child (13 months and older) and $5 (13 months and younger). Click here for more details.

Mad Science Mondays
The Lafayette Branch Library in Norfolk is having "Mad Science Mondays" at 4 PM. Kids ages K-5 can have fun making exciting, gooey, hands-on experiments.

Central Library Spooktacular Stories and Fun
All ages are invited for spooktacular stories and fun from 4-5 PM at the Chesapeake Central Library (298 Cedar Rd. in Chesapeake).

Free Zumbatomic Class ages 7-12

The Mambo Room (at 2200 Colonial Ave. in Norfolk) is offering FREE Children's Zumba classes! Head over every Monday from 5:30 - 6:25 PM for a free class! 

Click here for more information.

Bike Nights at Norfolk Botanical Garden

It's bike night again at Norfolk Botanical Garden. From 4-7PM tonight grab your bikes and your kids and head over to 6700 Azalea Gardens Road for Bike Night in the gardens. Regular Admission applies.

Tuesday
Amazing Butterflies 
All week the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center a fun butterfly maze for kids to go through. In this maze, they will learn the stages a caterpillar goes through in order to turn into a butterfly. This is a hands-on life size maze that is open from 9AM - 5PM. Regular admission prices apply.

ABC Art: Art for Preschoolers Ages 3-6
Head over (with your preschooler of course) to the Children's Museum of Virginia for a fun ABC Art class at 10 AM. This class is $50 for Tuesdays from now until November 5th. Hurry and register now by clicking here. 

Infant Massage Classes and Beyond the Delivery
VCE Family Focus is offering a great class to inform new parents about what to expect once you bring your sweet little one home from the hospital. The class and materials are $25. AND childcare is provided for older siblings. This class will take place at St. Mark Lutheran Church at 118 Old York-Hampton Hwy. in Yorktown at 10 AM. 

Little Rockstars Preschool Music Class (Tuesday and Wednesday)
This class for preschoolers happens every week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM and on Fridays at noon. It is $7 per adult & child and $5 per additional child. There are a lot of great reviews about this class- great energy for preschoolers- check it out!! It is at the Farmers Market in Virginia Beach.

Toddler Tuesdays at the Virginia Aquarium
Preschoolers are invited to the Virginia Aquarium at 11 AM & 12:30 PM for story time, songs, and an adventure in the aquarium. Click here for more information. 

Zoo Tales at Norfolk Zoo (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 AM are story time at the the zoo. Enjoy a great book and meet some cool animals! Regular admission applies. 

$1.50 Movie Night at Cinema Cafe

At the Greenbrier and Pembroke locations you can see a movie for only $1.50. What an awesome comparison to the very expensive movies in the regular theater. Plus you can eat lunch or dinner while you watch your movie. 

Click here for the Greenbrier movie schedule.

Click here for the Pembroke movie schedule.

Music Mommy & Me and Baby School (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Babies from birth to age 12 can have fun with music today at the Virginia Beach School of Arts. Try out a class for FREE at 10:00 AM at 3083 Brickhouse Ct. in Virginia Beach. 

Register your child by emailing singsols@yahoo.com. 

We are Young Writers! (Grades 6-8)
The Windsor Woods Area Library is getting ready for National  Novel Writing Month. Come by and learn what you will need to write your own novel. This will take place at 3612 South Plaza Trail in Virginia Beach from 4:30-5:30 PM. 

Mega Monster Getaway
Ages 5-9 are invited for an adventure of shivers and thrills as they learn about legends and creatures through stories, poetry, and crafts. Costumes are optional. This will take place at the Joint Use TCC Library (1700 College Crescent Bldg. in Virginia Beach) from 6-8 PM. 

Lego Night at Cafe Stella

Make it a family night at Cafe Stella! Tuesday nights are Lego Night and your kids will have the opportunity to play with a ton of legos and hang out with other kids while you can enjoy grabbing something to eat. This is happening from 5:30-7:30 PM at 1907 Colonial Ave. in Norfolk.

Wednesday
Healthy Kids Club
For just $3, your child (ages 6-10) can enjoy a fun class where they can learn about making healthy food choices in a fun hands-on way. This will take place at the Whole Foods Market (1800 Laskin Rd. in Virginia Beach). This class begins at 4PM. Register by clicking here.

Music Mommy & Me and Baby School
Ages birth to 3 are invited for a music and fun at the Virginia Beach School of Arts (3083 Brickhouse Court in Virginia Beach) from 9:30 - 10:30 AM. Reservations are required. Please e-mail singsols@yahoo.com to reserve your spot. One free class per child.

Ages 3-36 months are invited to their own class from 10-10:30 AM.

Discovery Days- Wonders of Weather
Kids grades K-3rd can head over to the Bayside Area and Special Services Library (936 Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach) from 3:30 - 4:30 PM for stories, hands-on activities, crafts, and more all weather themed. 

Have fun!

Bootacular!

I want to recommend Bootacular to you! There is one more day to enjoy this fun event! We went today and enjoyed a fun hay bale maze, train ride, bounce house, arts and crafts, games, and more! Kids of all ages would enjoy it, but there is actually a lot more to do for the toddler aged kids.

Here are some fun pictures of us at Bootacular today:

 This is the hay bale maze that the kids went through. The kids had so much fun going through it and at the end they came to a ball pit where they could play. It was really cute!

 This is the ball pit that the kids played in at the end of the hay bale maze. 

 After we did the hay bale maze, there was a little area with Fisher Price and Little Tikes toys for the kids to play in. The kids had a lot of fun! 

Pumpkin butt! 

 Jack is giving Maggie directions before she hits the road! :) 

Everyone took turns looking out the window of the log cabin.

 There was a big pile of hay for the kids to play in too. They had fun throwing it around and rolling in it. 

 There was a really fun bounce house there for the kids to jump in. 

 And a slide on the bounce house for the kids to go down backwards. 

 Or upside down! 

There was a cute train ride for the kids to ride.  

They had a cute area for kids 22 months and under to play. It had a gate all around it and they could just go in there and run and play with toys. Maggie loved running around in there.  

 They also had a tent set up for arts and crafts and face painting. Grant made a Frankenstein! 

And at the end we stopped for a rest and a little snack. 

We had so much fun at Bootacular. This is still going on Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM - . Head over to Red Wing Park (700 Ruffian Road in Virginia Beach) for the fun! 

Ticket Prices are:

Barrels of Fun Train- $2

Spooky Tale Maze- $5

Inflatable Slide- $1 or $5 for unlimited

Tot Haybale Maze- $2 unlimited

Game Tickets- 4 Tickets = $1 (25 cents each)

Attraction Tix- $1 each

Special Passes:

Nightmare Pass- $20 (unlimited)

Free:

Pumpkin Walk

Haybale Fort

Storytime and Crafts

Live Bands

Baby Boo Bungalow

The great thing about Bootacular is that a lot of the proceeds go to charities for children.  

Click here for more information! 

Have fun!