Thursday Threads

Each week I will post my outfits! I'm currently using a capsule wardrobe. I started my fall capsule and hope to try new outfits!

*Don't mind the children, pets, dirty mirror, or junk in the photo. This is real life :)*

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up, The Mummy Chronicles, Shoes To Shiraz,  

[SQT] Minimalism

1. I recently joined a Facebook group that's centered around minimalism and motherhood. I've always been one to want "stuff", decorative pieces, photos, shelves, throw pillows, anything to fill it up. Both of my parents have hoarding tendencies so I think it was jut ingrained in me. We've moved so many times in the past six years, and we've moved all of this stuff with us. Majority of it was yard sale or Goodwill finds. Once we had two babies seventeen months apart, I put all of it away. I didn't want to constantly fight with them over touching some random ceramic thing. I told myself, "I will get all my pretty things out in a few years when they're older." But you know what? It's so refreshing to not have so much "stuff" out. I don't have to worry about it, or clean it, or store it. 

2. Finley and Oliver have been sick all week. No one has been sleeping well and it's been a total drain. I came down with something yesterday and I'm pretty miserable today. Of course, I have a million things to do so I'm just going to have to suffer through.

3. Thanksgiving is next week. NEXT WEEK!!! This year has flown by. It still feels like it should be summer. The warmer weather isn't helping either, Isn't it normally snowing by now? Yesterday it was in the 70's. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving but this is the first year in a while that I'm not pregnant or nursing, so I'm going to have to chill out on the extra helpings.

4. Since Thanksgiving is next week, that means Christmas is what? Five weeks away? Have you started shopping?! I've gotten a jump start on the children's Christmas. I think we're going to try a different approach this year. Something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. Then Santa gets a few things plus stockings, Our kids really don't need anything, I don't see the point in wasting money on a ton of toys they're not going to play with, We have an entire playroom and they play with the same things over and over.

5. Jordan turns THIRTY this year!!! I'm throwing him a party today. I had grand plans for it, but this week has gotten away from me. At this point, I just hope to feed everyone and then go lay down. Nah, lol, it's going to be fun. I've never thrown a grown up only party before. At first I was like, "I need a theme, and a fun cake, oh and streamers and balloons!" Then I realized Jordan would kill me if I did all that. 

6. I got nothing else. I'm too tired and sick.

7. And I've got so much to do today..... :(


Linking up with Kelly, Tif, Andrea 

Thursday Threads

Each week I will post my outfits! I'm currently using a capsule wardrobe. I started my fall capsule and hope to try new outfits!

*Don't mind the children, pets, dirty mirror, or junk in the photo. This is real life :)*

Linked : A Labour of Life , The Pleated Poppy, Tucker Up

Girl Scout Meeting #11

Meeting eleven was actually a field trip! We took a walk to a local polling place on election day! We luckily live in a small town so we were able to walk from the school to the municipal building in about twenty minutes. This was a multi level trip that finished up "I Promised A Girl Scout I Would Vote" and also Celebrate Community Legacy badge for brownies.

BROWNIE

Celebrate Community Legacy badge

Step 1 - Explore Community Symbols

On our way to the polling center the girls were tasked with calling out when they'd spot an American flag. They yelled out "flag, flag!". Our numbers were a little off but I think we spotted around seven flags on the way. 

Step 2 - Sing Together

While walking the girls sang whatever patriotic songs they could think of. They knew a little bit of "America The Beautiful", and "You're A Grand Old Flag". They also went on to sing a few Christmas carols, ha ha.

Step 3 - Follow The Parade

Most of the girls completed this step last month. We were in a community parade. For those that missed it, I will teach them to march at our next meeting!

Step 4 - Be A Landmark Detective

The original school in our town was destroyed by a tornado in 1986. There is a landmark that happened to be on our way to the municipal building! We stopped and the girls took turns reading about the tornado. The moms also told stories about where they were when the school was destroyed.

Step 5 - Join A Ceremony Or Celebration

Once we arrived at the polling location the girls cheered on voters! They had signs and handed out candy. We also gave thank you cards to the poll workers. Of course, it started to rain so we were all soaked! We were not allowed to get within 50 feet of the entrance so we were just standing in the rain for about fifteen minutes. 

The field trip was a lot of fun. I'm glad the girls got to see democracy in action. 

[SQT] A Sad Time To Be An American

1. There is so much I'd like to say regarding the outcome of Tuesday's election. But I'm not. I'm grieving in my own way. I'm ashamed of America and ashamed that so many, personal friends and family included, voted for that horrid man. Who knew there was so much hatred and bigotry left in this country. I have three beautiful children that will not learn behavior like that at home. I was very saddened by the sheer number of small children, first, second, third graders, who loudly proclaimed they hated Hillary Clinton. Don't spout your evil to your children. Give them the chance to be decent human beings.

2. We took our girl scout group to a local polling center on election day. I really wanted them to be a part of the day a woman broke the glass ceiling.... It was a good learning experience either way. They were part of history, whether good or bad. They passed out candy to people waiting in line, made thank you cards for poll workers and clapped and thanked people for their vote. It was cold and rainy but those girls stood out there with smiles on their faces.

3. MOVING ON! I hosted my first LuLaRoe party. It was good! I walked away with a few pieces and even snagged a pair of black leggings. I've been on a bit of a leggings kick. I've sworn against them for all these years, but I can't deny the comfort level.

4. I got my first pair of high waisted jeans. Game changer! I had a Kohl's gift card so I picked something from there. I went with Lauren Conrad High Waisted Jeggings in dark wash. They were on sale when I got them! I think I'm going to order them in black when they go on sale again.

5. I'm itching to get our Christmas stuff out. We normally wait until after Thanksgiving but I just don't want to this year. Honestly, the whole meaning behind Thanksgiving is lost. We're fighting with the Native Americans still to this day. It seems pointless to celebrate a farce. Also, you can still be thankful and have Christmas stuff around. 

6. I rescued a kitten on Monday. I noticed this tiny little kitten across the street from our house. It was limping and walking back and forth on the sidewalk. I watched for a while to see if it would leave, or it's mother would come. After about forty minutes I got out our cat carrier and walked over to it. This poor little kitten's eyes were matted shut and it was sneezing. I loved on it a bit and put it in the carrier. I figured I'd take it to a local shelter, no problem. Get it home, give it food and water and put it in our bathroom. I called shelter after shelter and none would take it. I got a hold of an awesome lady who fosters animals and she agreed to take it if I could get the ACA to give it medical attention. They agreed and I dropped it off there. This little baby had an eye infection, upper respiratory infection and a fractured back foot. It's on medication now and is doing better!

7. Oliver is starting to take steps!!! He's not very good at it but he's learning. He normally takes two steps and then lunges into my arms but sometimes I can get him to take up to five steps. Won't be long now.

Linking up with Kelly, Tif, Andrea  

Thursday Threads

Each week I will post my outfits! I'm currently using a capsule wardrobe. I started my fall capsule and hope to try new outfits!

*Don't mind the children, pets, dirty mirror, or junk in the photo. This is real life :)*

Linked : Color and Grace, Pleated Poppy , A Labour of Life 

Girl Scout Meeting #10

Meeting ten was a fun one because we got to celebrate Juliette Gordon Low's birthday! We have about thirteen new girls so majority of them had never heard of her. I haven't really taken much time with her history. We've always had so many girls and they're still pretty young. Maybe next year we'll get more into it. 

GS Way Legacy badge

Step 1 - Sing Everywhere

We all got in a circle and did the Hokey Pokey! That dance is so tiring! All the girls were short of breath, and so was I. I talked to the girls about how singing songs is a girl scout tradition and asked them to think of other times we've sang together. The most memorable was our camp last year with older scouts.

Step 2 - Celebrate JGL's Birthday

Each year the girls are given a cupcake with a candle. We sing happy birthday and blow out candles. 

Step 3 - Share Sisterhood

For this step the girls all worked together on a mural. We have over twenty girls so it was a very full and colorful mural! This also went toward our Painter Legacy badge. 

Step 4 - Leave a Place Better Than You Found It.

All the girls pitched in and cleaned up our meeting spot. They always do a good job with this. We had a lot of trash during this meeting so it was a bit more work.

Step 5 - Enjoy Girl Scout Traditions

We finally got around to doing a Friendship Circle!!! I've wanted to do one since the start of the year but we've always ran out of time. 

No photos for this meeting. I am the worst at remembering! 

[SQT] Halloweekend

1. I took all three kids Trick or Treating by myself! I felt a bit like Super Mom. The kids all did wonderfully so that helped. Story and Finley held hands and walked while I pushed Oliver in the stroller.

2. I'm pretty sure this is the last year I'll be able to get all of them in matching costumes. Story really wants to pick her own, and they always involve some character. Finley is all about princesses but she really wanted to go as Spider-Girl. She had a wig but took it off after the first stop. Story was Maleficent, Finley was Sleeping Beauty, and Oliver was Prince Phillip. I'm pretty proud of his costume. I made it :) Story's turned out really well too (didn't make it) but Finley's was pretty lame. I originally ordered her a toddler 3t costume but it was so, so, so, big! I didn't have time to return that and order a baby (!!!) costume. We settled on a tutu Sleeping Beauty version from Party City. 

3. Monday was my birthday! We had a family get together on Sunday. We went out for sushi and hibachi and then back to Grandma's for homemade gluten free key lime pie! Yum Yum! I forgot how much I like key lime pie. I received some awesome gifts and can't wait for everything to arrive this week!

4. I got a gift card to Mindy Mae's Market! Woo-hoo! I really want this dress but it's out of stock right now. I saved a bit of my gift card in hope it becomes available again soon. I did order this double hooded sweatshirt in navy and this floral shirt in navy. I guess I'm on a navy kick! If you follow along with my Thursday Threads you'll notice I wear a lot of neutrals and navy is a big part of it. I also got a Kohl's gift card. I don't shop there very often. I'm not sure why. Maybe because it's a separate store and I'd have to make a separate trip? Anyway, they have cute clothes and great deals! I've wanted these shoes for ever now and finally ordered a pair! I also ordered a pair of jeggings that were on major mark down and a handful of other things. Here's hoping everything fits! I order most of my stuff online and I swear I have to return 90% of it. I'm still trying to figure out my post-partum body.

5. Speaking of post-partum, I went bra shopping yesterday. TMI? Just skip this part. I only remember being fitted once before, and that was in high school. But after two babies in two years and breastfeeding both, nothing I had fit. I went in wearing a 34A and walked out in a 32DD! I went to Dillard's and was pleasantly surprised at the whole experience. The sales associate was friendly and helpful, even with both babies (toddlers?) crying and fussing. She took the time to explain why things fit the way they did, how my shape affected the type of bra, and brought out several options. I landed on the Natori Hidden Glamour. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was the one. k, no more bra talks LOL.

6. I found this article through Facebook and found it to be fitting. I've really been feeling the weight of motherhood lately. We're going through a trying season of life and I'm getting tired. We're hopefully nearing the end.

7. There's a lot going on here at The Pike Five! I've gotten the hang of this whole blogging experience, again. In addition to SQT, I've also started Thursday Threads and posts about our Girl Scout meetings! 

Linking up with Kelly and byBMG

Thursday Threads

Each week I will post my outfits! I'm currently using a capsule wardrobe. I started my fall capsule and hope to try new outfits!

*Don't mind the children, pets, dirty mirror, or junk in the photo. This is real life :)*

Linked Tucker Up and The Pleated Poppy 

Girl Scout Meeting #9

We are participating in the GSCI patch program "I Promised A Girl Scout I Would Vote". Meeting nine focused on steps one and two. I think the parents and I were more excited about this patch program than the girls, haha. I'm glad that GSCI offered it though. I think it's important to teach the girls early on about voting, women's rights, and democracy. We had a guest speaker from Indiana Kid's Election. She was great with the girls and really got them to open up and participate. 

I Promised A Girl Scout I Would Vote

Step 1 - The Election Process 

Ashley taught the girls about who was eligible to vote, how to register, and what the voting process looks like, She also talked about how voting has changed to include women and minorities.

Step 2 - Who Represents Me?

When asked, "who is running for President?" all the hands went up! It was amazing to see how these little minds had already been shaped and formed opinions. We live in a dominant Republican state but there were a few girls who respected both candidates. They wanted to know if Ashley had voted, and more importantly, who she had voted for. She thankfully didn't divulge all the information. 

Step 3 - Get The Word Out

We sent home baggies with voter buttons and instructions. The girls are to encourage five adults to vote on election day.

We will complete steps four and five at our next field trip! We are visiting a local polling station on election day. The girls made thank you cards and will hand them out to poll workers. They also made signs and will cheer on voters!