Happy Halloween from KSL, Kitniss, Harry, & a Hamburger

{KSL Fun}

Had a great time with Elvis (Andrew Whittenberg), Mireda (Lori Prichard), Harry (Ethan), Kitniss (Yours Truly), and a hamburger (our friend Noah!) Wishing you a safe and fun Halloween! 

+Emily Ashby

DIY Halloween Decor (That You'll Want To Bring Out Each Year!)

{DIY Simple, Easy, & Smart}
When Aidan (6) is begging to decorate for Halloween you know you'd better have something to pull out of the storage!  If there's one thing I've learned about crafting over the years its that I don't want to make it if I don't want to keep it!  Paper pumpkins just don't stand the test of time like things made of glass or metal.

Some moms just make crafts to share time with their kids. I say if you're going to craft make something that you'll want to bring out every year! Instead of making paper or pipe cleaner decorations that you'll just throw away try these  little Halloween decor ideas that the boys and I whipped up last week.  I'll be sharing them on KUTV Ch2 at 12:40 today if you want to see them in action!

Glowing Glass Decor

These are made out of old glass jars or small vases you can pick up at Joann's.  You paint them and turn them into pumpkins, ghosts, or night creatures! Once they are painted you can put a candle in them and watch them glow!

Watch out for these two in a dark alley! :)

Tin Can Mummy

These are simple decorations that are perfect for the teacher or any counter top! Made out of empty tin cans you simply wrap with can with white paper, then wrap it with toilet paper, add eyes, and off you go!

Chalk Pumpkins

With a bit a chalk board paint you can make any pumpkin have a different face everyday! Spray the pumpkin and then let the kids go crazy!

For the compete "how to" you can visit my post on Chalkboard Pumpkin Halloween DIY! 

Spooky Wreath

This one is great for the older kids who like to use spray paint!  Just spray an old wreath black and add a few creatures to dangle from the middle. Simple & spooky!

To see this one complete you'll have to check out 2News at Noon today! ;) 

And there you have it! The next rainy day you have find a few tin cans and glass jars around the house and go it! You'll enjoy them for years to come...

XOXO

Emily

+Emily Ashby

Halloween Mobile Tree via Aidan {TTT}

{Find a Stick}
For this "Toad's Tuesday Treasure" you'll need a good stick finder. This can be you or you can recruit someone a little closer to the ground to do your dirty work.   {Aidan (4) hopped off the bus and found this great stick which is how this all got started!}

You will need a stick that looks somewhat like this...

Then just stick your stick in a tin can and surround it with tissue paper. ;) This will keep your stick tree from falling over.  You could also use vase as a container or beans, rice, sand, or whatever you have around to keep that stick from going anywhere!

Now you'll need some festive Halloween friends. I just used the felt cutouts from a Joann's kit I got, but if you just want to make them theses are super simple.  And to make it easier for you I traced these so you can download and print them out (below)...I'm sure Joann's wouldn't mind. You can't really copyright pumpkins and bats. :)

 

Aidan and I whipped this up in no time!  I love that we can just swap out the ornaments/mobile pieces with leaves, acorns, and turkeys for thanksgiving!  Yes, another fun fall afternoon activity.:)

 

{Chalkboard Pumpkin}
And if you don't feel like making a "mobile" but want to get into the pumpkin type festivities...

or just grab those school pictures you just got back and try one of these!

So much to do, so little time!

{Fall Pictures}
I wanted to test out our neighbors awesome yard to see how it would be for some holiday picture taking.   There is nothing like asking someone to walk around their yard.  After we left I had to re-assure them that I don't always yell at the people I'm taking pictures of...I just had a few special customers...with my same last name.:)

So here's a sneak peek at my neighbors super cool yard {Thank-you Ryan and Juli. :)} & a preview of what will be coming with your holiday well-wishes.   Maybe you'll get a few ideas for your own fall photo shoot! {You know its coming!}

Love, Toady

Why I Love 1st Grade

{A Few Reasons}

Super cute treats. Oh, and that you get to have treats.

Posing for a class picture with your teacher is cool, and so is making funny faces. 

You LOVE your teachers. (And we love both of ours! Ms. Snow (above) is our language arts and Lee-Lau-Shure (below) is our Math and Mandarin!)

You can pull any costume off...and look SUPER CUTE!

You don't have to follow a tutorial you found on a creative blog to make a cool craft!

You're an All-Star to everyone! 

Anyone want to head back to the 1st grade?:)  Well, I guess that's why they have "mom" helpers.  They think its so we can help out the teachers, but now you know why I really do it!

{Ninja + Pirate = Ashby Halloween}
No Halloween pictures.  Nope, I didn't take any pictures on Halloween...did I brake some sort of mommy code? Well, just picture Ethan in his Harry Potter costume and Pirate Aidan shouting "trick or treat" from the car as Ethan and I went a knockin' and you'll have a mental picture of our Halloween.

No homemade costumes.  I know! The boys went straight for our dress up box in the closet and that was it! Although I did make the Harry Potter's scar on Ethan's forehead. (And just so you know I had to re-do it because I did it "wrong".  I guess I'd better stick to sewing!) 

However, in my lack of picture-taking defense I did take a few of the boys at the Neighborhood Halloween Party they had at the church last week...

 

And there you have it. 

What a funny American tradition.  Did you run with a pillowcase from house to house and get a big stash?  Or at least get some good treats from someone who did...I hope so! 

And even though 1st grade was long ago, I hope you enjoyed Halloween like you were 7 yesterday.

Love, Toad

Make A Broom!

{A Witch Craft ;)}

We are in preparation mode.  The theme for this year's birthday party: Harry Potter.

The budget: Not so much.

The good news: When you're turning 7 all that matters is having fun. :)

{The Broomstick}

Whether you're a witch that needs a new flying machine, or a muggle looking for some holiday decor this is a simple, fast, fabulous little craft. 

Now go for a little walk and start collecting some sticks!:)

TahDah! 

And if you are so inclined, grab your wand...

and off you go!

{Its here!}

Don't worry, more Harry Potter, and fall fun will be coming...but I had to share one last thing with you:

And the winner of a Camera Coat giveaway is the Rafahi Family! Congrats! 

And wish us luck with the party this weekend! Have you guys have a great weekend.

XOXO

Toady;)