Breakfast with the Princesses

I was told by a good friend of mine that Breakfast with the Disney Princesses was a MUST for any little princess in the making! So we made reservations (harder than it sounds - trust me!) Our breakfast reservations were at Epcot at the Norway House. Upon our arrival we waited til they announced our royal name and led us in to take our picture with Belle from Beauty and Beast. After eating our breakfast buffet, they announced it was time from the Walk of the Princesses. We took Merritt up to greet Cinderella, not fully knowing what was going to happen. Merritt has never been a fan of large stuffed characters. Merritt took Cinderella's hand and off they went (Merritt was supposed to grab the hand of the next little princess behind her but she wanted Cinderella all to herself!) They walked around the restaurant and Merritt couldn't take her eyes off of her. After the walk, we waited as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Ariel came by our table. Each princess took the time to talk to Merritt and pose for a picture. Merritt's face was filled with an excitement and the purest joy I have ever seen, as she talked with each princess. {I even got a little emotional and a few happy tears were shed I have to admit.} As each princess left, Merritt made sure to give them a hug and tell them 'Thank you!' We were lucky enough to still be around when the next 'Walk with the Princesses' was announced. Merritt ran up to Cinderella, took her hand, {and the next little princess behind her this time}, and with the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face, they walked around the restaurant.

Her new favorite word is Princess and we definitely have a little princess walking around on Halloween!

Merritt Island, Florida

Being an avid House Hunters watcher, I see lots of couples choose their dream houses. One night, pretty soon after giving birth to my sweet Merritt, I watched a couple choose between 3 houses on Merritt Island. I always thought it would be cool to go visit and to take Merritt to see her name everywhere!

Merritt Island was about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying so we drove down to see the island with the most beautiful name!

We stopped every time we saw Merritt's name - I am pretty sure there were many calls to the local sheriff's office to report our crazy driving, sudden stops, and quick U-turns. Home of the Merritt Island Mustangs! My mom mailed a package from the Merritt Island Post Office with all the things she wasn't able to pack in her suitcase. This way to paradise!

While touring the island we found out that Merritt Island is the location of the Johnson Space Center where the shuttles take off!

Orlando Pool Time

One day on our trip to Orlando we relaxed and enjoyed the pools at the resort we were staying at. All the pools were heated so we could go swimming any time of day! Here is the bathing beauty enjoying a snack between pool hopping. Merritt found her favorite pool the first night we arrived. She loved splashing in the water! One night with my dad, he even got her to blow bubbles and kick her feet in the water. While hanging out, Merritt meet a very cute 3 year old named Cole from Colorado. She enjoyed his company but her heart never strayed from her Texas boys. Merritt loved playing hide-and-go seek behind all the lush tropical plants around the resort. Merritt enjoyed lunch afterwards on our condo balcony overlooking the pond. The weather was so perfect we ate every meal outside!

Pick a Pumpkin!

I have gone Halloween craft crazy! I saw the pumpkin below and knew I wanted to try it {but of course I had to make it more 'edgy'}. I also loved the uniqueness of the pumpkin material - a dryer hose! A while back, we had a dryer malfunction.... and then we got a new dryer. One of the things we tried to fix it was a new dryer hose and since then an unused dryer hose has been sitting in our garage. So when I saw the above picture, I was super excited! The dryer hose I used is a little different. It has more ridges but I love it because it was free {kind of}. I stretched out the hose and curved it to make a circle. Then I cut the hose and tried to figure out how to connect the 2 sides. {This project almost ended here. I became a frustrated and teary-eyed because I originally was trying to tuck one side into the other and the foil kept collapsing, then I had a talk with myself and calmed myself down while standing in my craft closet, then all of a sudden I saw the hot glue!} I hot glued the sides together and then spray painted my soon to be pumpkin, orange. I was able to make 3 pumpkins from the dryer hose :) Lastly I added cinnamon sticks to make the stem and green ribbon to complete my pumpkin! The funnest part was when I gave one to my dear friend, Delia, she had sooooo many guesses as to what I used to make the pumpkin ~ When I gave it to her I made sure to tell her that I couldn't have PICKED a better person to look after Merritt while I am at school!

Trick or Trick!

It's no TRICK! This wreath is a real TREAT!

Supplies:

~ Wreath {$ Store}

~ Black gloss spray paint

~ Lollipops {$ Store}

~ Kleenex

~ Ribbon

~ Sharpie marker

First I spray painted the wreath black {a little tip - I took the price tag off but I left the plastic loop that the tag came on. You can use it to hang the wreath}

Next I went back to my elementary school days - wait, I teach 2nd grade - I am already there! I wrap the lollipop with Kleenex and tied it with a ribbon to make the ghosts. I made each ghost a spooky face with the Sharpie marker.

Then, I stuck the ghosts in the weave of the wreath.

Last, I added the Trick or Treat glitter foam words in the wreath {from $ Store}.

Happy Trick or Treating my friends!!

Daisy Doodle Crochet

I LOVE finding adorable products for Merritt and I didn't have to look very far this time.... My sweet friend Jenn is an awesome crocheter {is that a word?!}. Anyways, she has recently started her own company, Daisy Doodle Crochet! Check out her blog and right she is doing a giveaway for the Pumpkin hats below. To enter go to her Facebook page, Daisy Doodle Crochet and hit *Like* or leave comment! Good Luck!

4 Halloween Crafts before October... Halloween Advent Calendar

I saw this idea on Oopsey Daisy and just had to try it for Merritt! It turned out so cute and I hope she can enjoy it for years to come. First, the supply list:

~ Medal cookie sheet

~ Scrapbook paper {2 sheets of the background and 1 sheet for the lines to make the boxes for the calendar - you can see that I started another advent calendar for Christmas too}

~ Mod Podge and sponge brush

~ Precut circle magnets

~ Glass marbles

~ Circle numbers {you can download from Oopsey Daisy's website for free} I cut out the numbers, mod podged the back of the glass marble and then put the magnet on the back. I mod podged the scrapbook down and then put a coat on top. I cut the checkerboard strips and mod podged them to make the boxes for the calendar. I wanted to add a border around the edges, so I found a perfect checkerboard print ribbon! I hot-glued the border and then added a cute bow in the corner. I used a plate stand to set it on but you could also hot glue a loop on the back to hang it.

Now all it needs is some candy {but I am having trouble thinking of a 'healthy' candy that I can add to the calendar! Also, knowing my daughter, if I put the candy for the whole month on it, she won't understand the concept of 'one a day'!} If you can think of any candy/snack I could double-stick tape to the calendar - PLEASE let me know!

For now it is an adorable calendar on a shelf in her room :)

Hook'em Horns

This past weekend the Edges went on a road trip to Houston to watch the Texas Longhorn season opener against Rice University {Merritt's GG's Alma Mater}. It was Merritt's 1st Texas football game and we are hoping she enjoyed it so much she decides she wants to go to Texas! {Honestly, I don't know if she has a choice with 2 Texas Exes for parents!}

Here we are tailgating before the game. Merritt loved people watching! We have been trying to get her to say Hook'em Horns but it comes out more like 'can of corn.'

Here is Garrett Gilbert, who we are hoping lead us to the promise land of Arizona in early January!

Yay! The Longhorns won.

We enjoyed seeing all of our friends and are so happy that Merritt had a great time {and all the boys were so nice to let her relax on the washer boards while they played}. Can't wait til this Saturday when Merritt will take her first steps into DKR stadium!!

4 Halloween Crafts before October...

While looking through some of my favorite DIY craft blogs, I saw 4 projects that I HAD TO to add to my Never Gonna Get Any Shorter Because I LOVE Craft Blogs! To Do list {Also on that To Do list is to find a shorter name for my To Do list}.

Project 1: Halloween Luminaries

Supply List:

~ 2 Clear cylinder vases from Dollar Tree {$1 each}

~ White tissue paper cut into strips varying in width and length {free - already had, if you don't have pick some up while at the Dollar Tree}

~ Mod Podge {free - already had, around $7 at Hobby Lobby or Micheal's but make sure you take a 40% off coupon if you need to buy}

~ Sponge Brush {free - already had, around $2 for 6 brushes at craft store - don't forget your coupon for this one too}

~ Silhouettes of Halloween shapes {You can print these out from your computer, use a cricut, draw and paint if you are talented, use vinyl, or buy from craft store. I bought felt/foamy shapes from Hobby Lobby, in the kids project aisle $1.99.}

~ LED flickering tea lights {you can use candle tea lights but we choose to be a candle-free house, $2.99 for 2}

Step 1: Use the brush to apply Mod Podge in sections directly onto vase. No need to be perfect {Can you believe I just said that!}, the strips should overlap. Complete 'mummy-fying' both vases.

Step 2: Add Halloween silhouettes. If you use paper silhouettes, mod podge over them. If you take the easy way like me, peel away backing and place felt silhouettes in desired location. {I am currently looking for a cat that I can add to the vase with bats, but the one I found wasn't in proportion.}

Step 3: Add tea lights.

Step 4: Put in window or add to mantle for a Spook-tacular decoration!

Start to finish 30 minutes! What do you think?

Original Idea comes from Me and My Bucket Blog that was featured on Tip Junkie

Fantasy Football

It's Texas, It's August, which means it's FOOTBALL TIME!

We had our Fantasy Football Draft Party this week. Everyone came over with their computers, magazines, highlighters, and pens ready to draft the best dream team ever! We all had our own system to create/draft our teams. As defending champion of the league I feel confident that I will repeat and make everyone get on their knees bowing down to the Fantasy Football Queen. I told everyone they could make their checks out to: Jennie ' The Winner' Edge.

As everyone entered, they drew a card for draft position and who do you think got the 1st pick? ME! And of course I took my boy, the star of my team, the great running back Chris Johnson of the Titans. Being the first to pick is great because you get the first pick, but unfortunately it also means there are 27 other picks before you get to make your next pick. {That's when I decided I would take pics and create a blog post about our evening.}

Wish me luck {even though it really isn't necessary because did you the picture of the players who are the Go Around the Pile team?!?}.

Spurs Caravan

Today Beau had an appearance with the Spurs Caravan at an HEB near our house. We went to watch {interrupt} Daddy work. There were Spurs former and current players, dancers, and even the Coyote there to meet and greet with all the fans. We got our picture taken with the 4 NBA Championship trophies which was really cool. There was food, ice cream {which Merritt didn't like because it was 'Too cold, mama!'} and prizes.

I guess I will cheer for the Spurs - when they aren't playing against my favorite team, the Houston Rockets!

Nothing But Love

Merritt has a really cute cousin, Eliza, or as her mom affectionately calls 'The Bean.' This goes back to when they were crazy enough not to find out whether Ellie was going to be a girl or boy - CRAZY RIGHT, so they just called the baby - the bean.

We have gotten the girls together a couple of times this summer and they have enjoyed each other's company. We even got them in the bath together!