Ahhhhhhhhhh, FINALLY!
The day is soon upon us when we, The Kerkan Family, shall take our very first family vacation!We planned this back in June when my husband found out for sure when his vacation days would be, and I can remember thinking this day would surly never come, the day we'd be all packed and on our way to.......DISNEY WORLD!
We had always said we'd go when our daughter turned 4 and could appreciate the whole experience. Well, she's 3 1/2, so we didn't quite last that long, but still! I believe this is going to be a week of fun and adventures for all involved.It will start tomorrow (or today, since by the time I post this, it will be Friday) with a drive to Pittsburgh to meet up with my husband's parents and little sister. We plan on staying the night and waking up inhumanely early to brave The Strip District and eat at a restaurant that serves an amazing breakfast.
So good in fact, that it was featured on Man Vs. Food, though the name of the place escapes me as of now.
All I know is that when I heard about it, I couldn't believe that I'd lived in Pittsburgh for 6 years and had never heard of nor been to this fabulous place, but not as surprised and blown away to learn that my husband who lived his ENTIRE life there had never been! Then, sometime in the early afternoon, we will depart on the grueling drive to Florida.I already know this is going to be interesting.
20 hours in a car with a 3 and 7 year old will be a challenge. But, thanks to Pinterest, I found a few ideas for keeping kids entertained on the road. I just hope they sleep and don't fight for the majority of the ride...is that wishful thinking?This week certainly was a crazy one, with all the packing and cleaning I've done. I feel kind of like Superwoman, but to a slightly lesser degree. I must say, though, nothing feels better than sitting in my spotlessly clean room, on clean sheets, with a fluffy, clean smelling comforter, knowing when I wake up early, I only have a few things to do, and then it's relaxation city!I will admit, however, if it weren't for the fact that different family members will be taking turns spending the night with Grandma and sleeping in our room, it probably wouldn't be this way.I had enlisted the help of organizing and packing last night from my cousin, Abbey, and when she walked in my room, the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh wow, did you guys decide to decorate your room to look like a crack house?" Ha ha ha!! It was a nightmare.
I had three suitcases on the floor, the bed was striped down to the mattress because I was washing the bedding, and there were clothes spilling out of every corner, creating an unsightly scene. Good thing I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a complete and total scatter brain, and was going a little crazy running around trying to get things together, and the end result was just...a hot mess!But, it's all good now.
I got everything packed, made lists on my phone (with an awesome app called Cozi!), and even made a really awesome "in the car survival bag", complete with a mini grab bag for rest stops. (containing hand sanitizer, flushable wipes, and a little bag of quarters and dollar bills for my daughter to pick a treat from the vending machines!)So, here's hoping it all goes well!
So good in fact, that it was featured on Man Vs. Food, though the name of the place escapes me as of now.
All I know is that when I heard about it, I couldn't believe that I'd lived in Pittsburgh for 6 years and had never heard of nor been to this fabulous place, but not as surprised and blown away to learn that my husband who lived his ENTIRE life there had never been! Then, sometime in the early afternoon, we will depart on the grueling drive to Florida.I already know this is going to be interesting.
20 hours in a car with a 3 and 7 year old will be a challenge. But, thanks to Pinterest, I found a few ideas for keeping kids entertained on the road. I just hope they sleep and don't fight for the majority of the ride...is that wishful thinking?This week certainly was a crazy one, with all the packing and cleaning I've done. I feel kind of like Superwoman, but to a slightly lesser degree. I must say, though, nothing feels better than sitting in my spotlessly clean room, on clean sheets, with a fluffy, clean smelling comforter, knowing when I wake up early, I only have a few things to do, and then it's relaxation city!I will admit, however, if it weren't for the fact that different family members will be taking turns spending the night with Grandma and sleeping in our room, it probably wouldn't be this way.I had enlisted the help of organizing and packing last night from my cousin, Abbey, and when she walked in my room, the first words out of her mouth were, "Oh wow, did you guys decide to decorate your room to look like a crack house?" Ha ha ha!! It was a nightmare.
I had three suitcases on the floor, the bed was striped down to the mattress because I was washing the bedding, and there were clothes spilling out of every corner, creating an unsightly scene. Good thing I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a complete and total scatter brain, and was going a little crazy running around trying to get things together, and the end result was just...a hot mess!But, it's all good now.
I got everything packed, made lists on my phone (with an awesome app called Cozi!), and even made a really awesome "in the car survival bag", complete with a mini grab bag for rest stops. (containing hand sanitizer, flushable wipes, and a little bag of quarters and dollar bills for my daughter to pick a treat from the vending machines!)So, here's hoping it all goes well!
And as you know, yesterday was Halloween, as well as trick or treating for us. We had a blast!
My daughter dressed up as a Steampunk-esque version of Alice from Alice in Wonderland, a costume that was my brain-child, and was executed quite perfectly by my mother, since I cannot sew to save my life.
I did add on all the little details myself, but without my mom, none of it would have happened.
Sadly, I didn't get to take many pictures, because by the time we got back, miss Alice was so very tired that she didn't want to pose for me.
She just slumped down in a chair and wanted to change out of her costume and take a nap.
I did manage to snap a few pictures (though not very good quality, since, afterall, the only camera I have right now is on my iPhone), but REALLYY hope to get a few more, since I love this costume! She got many compliments on it!
In fact, the very first house we went to said she had "the best costume of the entire night!" I guess when you put a lot of effort into actually making something yourself (or having your mom make it, whatever) instead of going out and buying one that EVERYONE and their brother is going to have, people recognize and appreciate it.
I am a firm believer in non-store bought costumes. Not that I would NEVER buy a costume from the store, but as a kid, my mom always made our costumes, and I just think there's something special about home-made Halloween costumes.
My daughter dressed up as a Steampunk-esque version of Alice from Alice in Wonderland, a costume that was my brain-child, and was executed quite perfectly by my mother, since I cannot sew to save my life.
I did add on all the little details myself, but without my mom, none of it would have happened.
Sadly, I didn't get to take many pictures, because by the time we got back, miss Alice was so very tired that she didn't want to pose for me.
She just slumped down in a chair and wanted to change out of her costume and take a nap.
I did manage to snap a few pictures (though not very good quality, since, afterall, the only camera I have right now is on my iPhone), but REALLYY hope to get a few more, since I love this costume! She got many compliments on it!
In fact, the very first house we went to said she had "the best costume of the entire night!" I guess when you put a lot of effort into actually making something yourself (or having your mom make it, whatever) instead of going out and buying one that EVERYONE and their brother is going to have, people recognize and appreciate it.
I am a firm believer in non-store bought costumes. Not that I would NEVER buy a costume from the store, but as a kid, my mom always made our costumes, and I just think there's something special about home-made Halloween costumes.
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| Miss Alice. Once again, not best quality with lighting, etc. |
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| When I was still working on adding details... |
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| More details on her gloves and over coat. |
All in all, this was pretty simple to make. She already had the fancy blue dress, the turtle neck, and the black sweater we used as her over coat. I bought some brown, leathery looking fabric from Joanns for the pockets, a white lacey tank top from Goodwill for the lace on the collar and her "apron", and a few little Wonderland themed charms/gears/clock faces from Hobby Lobby.
The little top hat was made by my mom out of foam, and I put the details on it (which I didn't get a good picture of yet, but once I do, I'll do another post!) I had originally wanted a little tea cup to be her hat, but had trouble finding something for it. I love the way the hat turned out, though, so no regrets!
As with all the costumes I dream up, there were sooo many more things I would have loved to do, but didn't have the time, and also, a 3 year old could care less about the little details, haha!
Welp, the hour is getting late, and I must be off to the land of sleep. I'll be back later with hopefully more pictures of her costume, and of course of our trip!!
Until then, dream big and drink coffee (or tea!)
~Marinda
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