InstaNovember

December 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I realized two things today: I don’t really share a lot of my Instagram photos on here. Also, I haven’t posted in a week and the kids get off the bus in a few minutes, so if I don’t post something right this minute it’s probably not going to happen. And just like that Instapost was born! So starting this month I’ll round up my favorite Instagram pictures from the month before and give you a little peek into where we’ve been and what we’ve been up to.

NovInstagram

1. We were waiting in the car while Mike checked on a job site when I realized we were surrounded by birds. No matter where I go or how old I am, I think I will always be a little obsessed with birds.

2. My friend Tamre surprised the kids with some Butterbeer, which quickly turned into a valuable lesson on how to open beer bottles. I’m thrilled, because now when I ask Eli to “beer me,” he can bring me a nice, cold open one.

3. I spent a Sunday afternoon making a double batch of The Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls to give out over the holidays. I had to work at The Container Store later that evening and a co-worker actually sniffed me and said I smelled amazing. Apparently butter and cinnamon sugar is my signature fragrance.

4. My sister and I had a blast attending the Indianapolis Colts Women’s 201 clinic. Here I am, getting comfy on the practice field. If only I really were 30.

5. I had a writing assignment in Chicago, so I surprised Elena, picking her up from school early for an overnight in the city. We had so much fun, just the two of us. It makes me want to travel the world with this girl.

6. Mike, Elena and I saw Wicked together for the first time. It had been years since I’d seen a Broadway show (last one was The Lion King), and now I’m itching to see more. We loved it.

7. Once Halloween was over I gave the kids permission to destroy the pumpkins. First they threw them out of a second floor window, then Eli rolled them into the woods for some good ol’ therapeutic pumpkin smashing.

If you’re not already following me on Instagram already, please do! You can find me there as (duh) AngieSix.

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Filed Under: Photography, The Family Six

She’s Ours

December 3, 2013 by 4 Comments

When it comes to Black Friday, I am firmly planted in the No Thank You camp. I much prefer my sleep and pajamas to doorbusters and deals. Mike and I are in agreement on this, and he even commented he’d pay twice as much for something if it meant he could avoid the whole scenario. Elena, on the other hand, loves the idea of it. She has dreams of jostling her way through Target and Best Buy, giddily spending our money. Sadly, she was born into the wrong family.

This year, yet again, she asked if we would take her shopping on Black Friday. Only this time around, she had her heart set on one thing: a one-day only deal at Guitar Center for a $25 ukulele. And so it was for a tiny stringed instrument that we broke our ban on Black Friday. I mean, how can you say no when your kid wants a musical instrument that costs less than a pizza and beer?

Elena and her ukulele3

She set her alarm, lest there be a run on ukuleles in Akron, Ohio. Thankfully, Ohio shoppers had other things on their lists, and the ukulele was hers.

Since then she’s been playing it nearly non-stop. More specifically, she’s been trying to master one song (Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours”) non-stop. I used to have to tell her to put down the iPod, now it’s “That’s enough ukulele for now, don’t you think?” Before you get all judgey, why don’t you try a 5-hour car ride with the same song on ukulele repeat? Or perhaps a little more ukulele at 9:30 p.m. when little brother is trying to fall asleep across the hall?

Still, other than the few times we’re not, we’re pretty thrilled that Elena is choosing the ukulele over selfies and Taco Bell runs for now (don’t rule out selfies with the ukulele, though). Just when we think we’re about to lose her to boy bands and texting for good, she whips out a ukulele or the Math Bowl permission slip and reminds us that she’s her very own quirky person. She’ll tiptoe through the tulips to the beat of her own tiny guitar, thank you very much.

Elena's ukulele

And that’s worth more to me than 100 ukuleles at full price.

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Filed Under: Kids, The Family Six

Holidays on the Prairie {Conner Prairie Ticket Giveaway}

November 29, 2013 by

One of the greatest perks of living where I do is that I’m just minutes away from Conner Prairie Interactive History Park. It’s been a part of my life since I was a girl, and it’s such a joy for me to make new memories there with my kids all year long.

I have to admit, though, that of all the seasons of wonderful things to do at Conner Prairie, the holidays are my favorite time of year to visit. There’s just something about it around Christmas that makes it super special. I love the feeling of going back to a time when the holidays were simpler, and feeling that simplicity in my bones – even if it’s just for a few hours.

Holidays at Conner Prairie

I love the snow falling softly on the historic grounds.

Holiday Adventure Conner Prairie3

I love the sound of real sleigh bells.

Gingerbread Cookies Conner Prairie

I love the smell of gingerbread, from a recipe that’s stood the test of time.

Gingerbread Village Conner Prairie

There are so many wonderful activities you can participate in over the holidays, including Outdoor Holiday Adventure, Conner Prairie by Candlelight, Breakfast or Dinner with Santa, Winter Fun Days, and (our favorite) Gingerbread Village. We make good use of our membership all year long, but it gets a lot of use in December and January!

Because I want you to make your own Conner Prairie holiday memories with your family, I’m giving away a Family 4-pack of tickets to Conner Prairie that are good for either the Outdoor Holiday Adventure (December 7, 14 and 21) or Winter Fun Days (December 27- January 5). Here’s what you need to do to enter:

  1. Leave a comment telling me either what you’re most excited to do at Conner Prairie or your favorite holiday Conner Prairie memory.
  2. For additional entries, tweet and/or share this giveaway on Twitter and/or Facebook.  Leave a comment below telling me you did so.  Please note, a tweet or Facebook share counts as one entry.  If you choose to do both, leave 2 separate comments so both of your shares count as an entry!

The giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.  Winner will be notified via email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  Winner will receive 4 tickets to Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, good for admission to either the Outdoor Holiday Adventure or Winter Fun Days.  Good luck and thanks for reading!

This post is not sponsored by Conner Prairie.  I received complimentary tickets for attending an event and wanted to share them with you!

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Filed Under: Local Fun, Reviews & Giveaways
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