pumpkins

This past Saturday we headed over to our local Lowe's Foods for free pumpkins + painting.  We did this last year too and loved it. Plus who doesn't love not having to pay $12+ dollars for a pumpkin!

Lily decided to paint Easter eggs on hers.  

(Whose kid is this? Don't ask, I don't know why.)

Ella painted blue lines on hers.  

#babyB drew with markers and applied stickers.  

#babyS just drank her bottle.

Then Sunday afternoon we decided to carve #babyB's pumpkin (he said it was okay).  We had fun with the whole process, including roasting the seeds and eating them all up. 

Our pumpkin 

Who knows, we may decide to carve another one this weekend.

Aaaarrrrgh!

This morning was Grandparent's Day at Lily's school.  There was a pirate themed program and this is "Pirate Lily." Aaaarrrrgh!

Lily also had a Charlotte's Web project due this week.  It was a diorama of Zuckerman's Farm. She had so much fun creating it. Lily loves art projects, crafts and drawing.

PUMPKIN baked oatmeal

We love pumpkin at our house.  However, we are not pumpkin fanatics.  I am fine ordering brewed coffee and not a pumpkin spice latte.  I can easily pass this season's pumpkin spice cheerios, pumpkin spice chex and every other pumpkin flavored specialty in the grocery aisles.  NOW, there are a few pumpkin recipes that I can not pass up and this is one of them.  We love our usual baked oatmeal.  Last year I had an opened can of pumpkin and decided to sub the applesauce with pumpkin.  It was life changing.  It's so so good.  

Earlier this week we had pumpkin waffles for breakfast.  Another recipe you MUST MAKE this week. Since Hurricane Matthew arrived today, I am trying to use up opened things in my fridge and bake a few yummy options just in case we lose power today. So, I used up my open can of pumpkin, threw in some dark chocolate chips, sliced up a banana on top and slid it in the oven. The house smelled amazing & breakfast was so tasty. The kids gobble this up.

Go ahead & whip this up today and then use the rest of the can for pumpkin waffles tomorrow.  Your family will thank you!

Baked PUMPKIN Oatmeal

Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup PUMPKIN 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 cups oats 2 eggs 1 cup milk 2 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon

Additional add in's before baking: Pecans Chocolate Chips Sliced Banana on top

Directions: In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350F for 40 minutes.

Other PUMPKIN recipes that our family loves!

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Bars

#babyS - 10 months

Current Stats: 18 lb. 2 oz. & 27.3" long
This happy and smiley girl is 10 months old.
She loves table food.
She is currently working on tooth #8.
She is pulling up on everything and walking around things. 
Daddy is trying to get her to walk, much to mommy's dismay.