30 Things to do this Fall!

Happy Friday!  While it's technically still summer, and we haven't even had our first day of school over here, I can't help but switch my focus to Fall!  So this holiday weekend, I plan to give Summer a proper send off, and then it's on to one of my favorite seasons!  I am so excited to spend September, October, and November doing all the fun things Fall has to offer.  I can't wait for the weather to change and wear a jacket in the morning when the air is crisp.  I'm looking forward to taking long walks and watching the leaves on the trees change colors.  While I'm not a fan of the PSL, I am a huge fan of picking apples and pumpkins at the local farm and plan to fully embrace all the fall holidays!  And while I'm sure there are at least 100 fun things to do in the Fall, here are my top 30... 

What are you looking forward to most this Fall???

Summer Bucket List

Happy Memorial Day!  While we were supposed to be kicking off the unofficial start to Summer in Montreal, that trip will have to be rescheduled since Noah got sick.  Noah was diagnosed with the coxsackie virus earlier last week, and while he has been feeling and acting fine, we didn't want to risk infecting anyone (or get dirty looks from strangers).  So while our weekend was more low key than originally planned, it gave me some time to think about what I want to do as a family this summer!  I have so many ideas and think that at Noah's age (3.5), there's great potential to have our best summer yet!  

While this bucket list was made with our family in mind, it list can easily be adapted for anyone.  A mixture of excursions, outdoor (and indoor) activities, as well as some adult only fun (hello cocktails!).  

What do you have planned for the summer???

Fall 2015 Bucket List

Happy Labor Day!  Chris has been home since Thursday, and we've been going non-stop all weekend.  I'll be sharing lots of recaps starting tomorrow.  In the meantime, I wanted to share our "Fall 2015 Bucket List"!  Since Labor Day is so late this year (the latest it can be), I feel like we need to jump right into fall immediately!  We've had a taste of some cooler temps, but it was short lived.  I'm hoping that in the next few weeks we get some real nice fall weather!  I'm picturing layers, some ankle booties, and nice long walks out in nature.  We have a lot of fun activities planned for the next three months... I hope we can fit everything in!

What do you have planned to do this Fall?

Spring Bucket List - How did we do???

This Spring, I made a bucket list of activities that I wanted to do as a family.  I have to say that we were super successful!  Here's a video recapping everything we did :)

Summer Bucket List | It's The Little Things

While the first day of Summer isn't for another few weeks, I always consider Memorial Day to kick off Summer! So since Summer has unofficially commenced, here is my family bucket list!  Like last year, we have a few trips planned as well as some fun activities to do at home.  This will be our first full summer in the house and I'm so excited to spend the majority of our time outside!  

What do you have planned this Summer?

Spring Bucket List

I am really looking forward to Spring!  Looking back at pictures from last year, it makes me super excited to be outside with just a light jacket on... or even just short sleeves!  

Even though I am making monthly goals for myself, I still like creating a family bucket list every once in a while.  While the winter has been a rough one, Spring inevitably always comes, even if it is later than we'd like.  With the warmer weather comes a list of fun activities that I'd like to do with Noah.  After being stuck inside for so long, a lot of what I have in mind will be done outside!  We have a weekend away planned, a few day trips, and some simple activities to do at home.  

Do you have anything fun planned this Spring???

Countdown to Christmas Recap

Can you believe Christmas is over?  I hope everyone had a great day with their loved ones!  While our plans ended up changing a little, I think Noah had a fantastic Christmas this year.  We got to see both families and Noah got to play with his cousins!  I will be back on Monday sharing a full recap of our Christmas this year.  In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to recap how we spent the Christmas season.  In case you missed it, at the beginning of the month, I shared our December Bucket List.  Here's how we did (in pictures)...

"decorate the tree" | "hang stockings on the mantel" | "put lights up outside"
"send Christmas cards and display the ones we receive"

"read a new Christmas book for our 25 Days of Books" | "wear new Christmas pajamas!"

"visit Santa at the mall" | "go on the Santa Train"

"visit Rockefeller tree" | "drive around looking at Christmas lights"

"Christmas wreath craft" | "Christmas tree craft" | "gingerbread craft" | "color a Christmas picture"

"host Christmas breakfast with friends"

"do a Christmas themed photo shoot" | "buy gifts for kids in need"


"bake and decorate cookies" | "enjoy hot chocolate/chocolate milk and donuts"


"watch Elmo's Christmas Countdown" | "sing songs and act out nativity" |
"make Christmas music playlist and sing along"

"set a festive table" | "host Christmas dinner"

The only things we didn't end up doing was "go to church music program" and the "act out the nativity" part.  Honestly, I'm impressed we were able to do so many of the things on the list... it made for a super fun December!

December Bucket List/Christmas Advent

It's officially December 1st!  Do you know what that means???  It means the Christmas season has officially begun (well I guess it began in stores months ago!).  Christmas really is my favorite holiday!  As a result I like to celebrate all month long, starting the day after Thanksgiving (sometimes earlier).  Ever since having Noah, I'm even more excited to fill the month with fun festive activities.  It's so much fun to experience the holiday season through a child's eyes!  Since I plan to make the most of Christmas, I came up with this bucket list of sorts this year.  It includes both big and small activities for us to do as a family.   Throughout the month I will be posting about some of these activities.  Hopefully it gives you some ideas of things you can do with your family :)  

In addition to our family bucket list, we will also be doing an Advent Calendar with Noah this year.  My mom got it for us from Pottery Barn Kids last year, but we felt Noah wasn't old enough yet.  This year I think he will definitely get into it.  We will be filling it with a few ornaments, Christmas socks, matchbox cars, stickers, and candy.  On some days, the item in the pocket will correspond to the activity we are doing that day.  For instance, we got him a train ornament.  He will get that on the day we are doing the Santa Train.  We also plan to do the 25 Days of Christmas Books again, but more on that another day.  

advent calendar

^^^ you can see here that I purposefully hung it higher than Noah can reach.  I don't want him getting in the pockets before hand.  I also plan to move his bookcase over here for the month of December, since it's current spot is where we will put our Christmas tree.  

What holiday traditions do you have as a family?  

25 Things to do this Fall!

I know Fall doesn't technically start until later this month, but I always viewed Labor Day as the official end of summer.  And let's just say that I am super excited for Fall!  I love the crisper weather, all the outdoor activities, and I feel like it's the start of a lot of fun holidays to celebrate as a family.  Noah is at a super fun age now where he actually participates in the activities instead of just observing.  I want to make the most of our Fall and do a lot of fun things.   A few of these things are specific to our family and our plans, but most could apply to anyone.  We've actually already done two things on this list... apple picking and playing corn hole!  Hopefully I've given you some ideas how you can make this season more memorable :)

What are some of your Fall traditions?  Do you create a "bucket list" or just live spontaneously?

Summer Bucket List

I am very excited for this summer.  We are moving in a few weeks and I am so excited for more space, a backyard, and a playground and pool in our neighborhood.   I'm also looking forward to a summer where Noah can do a lot more now that he's more active.  

December/Christmas Bucket List

With December almost here, I can't help but have Christmas on the brain!  Last year we were just getting used to life with a newborn, so it wasn't a typical holiday season in our little household.  I have so many things that I want to do this year, especially now that Noah is a little older.

1.  Take Noah to see Santa.  A photographer we used in the past is offering a deal where Santa is coming to visit and you get 2 pictures on a CD.  So we plan to do that as well as take Noah to the traditional mall Santa.

2.  Decorate the tree.  We only put up a little (less than 3 feet tall) fake tree in our apartment, but we plan to help my parents' decorate their tree Thanksgiving weekend.

It's nice we are able to help decorate both sets of grandparents' trees!

3.  Hang and stuff stockings.  I actually think this year will be pretty easy to fill Noah's stocking.  Lots of toys and items for 1 year olds are the perfect size for stockings :)



4.  Bake cookies.  Every year I make Angeletti cookies.

5.  Go to the MOMS Club Cookie Exchange.  This will be my first time going to a cookie exchange party, and I have to say I'm really looking forward to it!



6.  Take Noah on the Santa Train!  Not sure what it exactly entails, other than Santa... on a train, but I expect it will be fun.

7.  Send out Christmas Cards and display the ones we receive.  We've already ordered our cards, so we plan to send them right after Thanksgiving.  In previous years we displayed our cards on a card holder we got from Pottery Barn.  But once Noah started crawling, he was drawn to it and tried pulling it down, so we took it off the wall.  This year I think I will clear off my bulletin board and display the cards there.

8.  Decorate the apartment (Noah proof style).  I'm kind of limited in how I can decorate since Noah gets into everything!  I figure I will put my Nativity figurines up high on a shelf, put dishcloths up in the kitchen, and maybe even hang some christmas lights around the apartment where Noah can't reach.  I'm also tempted to make this felt tree for him, though I might not be crafty enough for it!

9.  Make a Christmas Music Playlist to play in the car and around the apartment!

10.  Do a Christmas themed photo shoot with Noah.  I'm thinking Santa hat, Christmas lights, and a tree in the background!

11.  Go to the Rockefeller Tree in NYC!



12.  Buy a read Christmas books.  I'd love to start the tradition of opening a new Christmas book each night to read, but we may have to grow our collection over a few years rather than buying 25 books all this year!

13.  Watch a Christmas movie.  Haven't decided whether to watch Elf, Love Actually, Home Alone, or one of the many other classics.

14.  Get a "Christmas" manicure and pedicure.

15.  Take a Freel family photo wearing the matching red plaid scarves my mom got us.

16.  Have Noah wear Christmas PJs ALL month long!

17.  Plan the MOMS Club Christmas Party :)

18. Make personalized gifts from Noah to give to our family.

19.  Go to the Green in town to see the tree and all the lights.

20.  Shop for a child or family in need.

21.  Act out the nativity with Noah and my niece and nephews... a Freel Family Tradition!

22.  Decorate sugar cookies with my niece and nephews.



23. Watch Elmo's Countdown to Christmas on Christmas Eve!

24.  Make handprint ornaments like these.

25.  Take a "cousins" picture on Christmas Eve in their matching PJs!

Travel Bucket List

Even though Chris and I don't have any big vacations planned in the near future, it doesn't stop me from thinking of all the places I want to visit!  I've already done a decent amount of travel through Europe and now that we have Noah, I think it would be easier and a lot of fun to really explore the United States and Canada!

1.  San Diego.  I went there on a business trip in 2011, but didn't really get to enjoy it at all since I was in an office building the whole time.  I think it's somewhere all of us can have fun.  When Noah's a little older, I think he'd really enjoy the zoo, Sea World, and even Lego Land.  And of course Chris and I will love sightseeing and going to the beach.

2.  Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver.  I've been to Vancouver before, but never been to Seattle or Portland.  I'm not sure if it makes sense to do all 3 in one vacation, I guess it will depend how long we would go for.  My half sister lives in Vancouver, so it would be fun to visit her as well.  I've heard so many good things about all these cities and can't wait to enjoy all the amazing food as well!

3.  Chicago.  We were planning to go this past Spring for my brother's graduation from Northwestern, but it didn't happen.  I've always wanted to go and from reading Natasha's post, I think it would be totally doable with a baby!

4.  San Francisco.  Chris and I spent 4 days here in the Fall of 2011, and I've wanted to go back ever since!  I absolutely loved the city and this time I would love to take a day trip to Napa.  Last time we spent 2 days driving down the PCH and spent one night in Monterey.  Next time we go, I'd love to take more time and explore the small towns more!

5.  Austin.  I really haven't done any traveling in the South, but I'm excited to start!  I've heard so many great things about Austin, but mostly about the food and music scene!

6.  New Orleans.  Chris went for a bachelor party, but I haven't been yet.  I think it's a recurring theme, but I would love to eat my way through this city and really just enjoy that easy lifestyle.

 

7.  Nashville.  I am a country music fan, so this is definitely a must!  I knew I had to go after reading Katie's blog post!



8. Savannah.  While this isn't a sightseeing packed vacation, I'd love to go and just relax.   A little side trip to Hilton Head would be nice too!



9. Disney World.  Once you have a kid (and even before), Disney World automatically makes the short list.  I think we will wait until Noah is a little older so that he will really enjoy and appreciate it!



10. Hawaii.   No list would be complete without Hawaii.  I think it's pretty self explanatory why I want to go!



And since we don't really plan on doing a big vacation in the next year, I've started thinking of places we can go to for a long weekend.  Our two top destinations are Boston and Baltimore.  I went to Boston to check out colleges, but I've never really done the touristy thing.  I can't wait to explore both of these cities as a family.





Happy Travels!

Fall Bucket List

Fall is officially here and I'm so excited!  I don't feel like I really got to enjoy fall last year.  I was out on disability, feeling huge and in pain, and didn't get to really do much.  And I just think adding a baby to anything makes it that much more fun!  Here are a few things that I want to do this fall!

1.  Go to Alstede Farms and pick some fruit and pumpkins!  

2.  With the cooler temperatures, I want to take some long walks and go to more playgrounds with Noah.  I know that this weather won't last long, and soon enough we will be confined to our small apartment.  

3.  Now that Noah is eating more real food, I want our whole family to eat healthier!  I want to add some more new and healthy recipes to our dinner rotation (recipes welcome and wanted!).  I also want to eat more fruit... Noah loves sharing with me!  Along with this new healthy lifestyle, I want to make an effort to eat more dinners at our kitchen table with Noah.  

4.  Since Noah is at an age where he's happy to be in his stroller and loves to look around and observe the world, I think this is the perfect time for us to do some day trips.  Chris and I want to go back to NYC, but this time spend the day in Central Park.  I also want to take a trip down to my alma mater... University of Delaware.  Chris has never been and it's really a beautiful campus... especially in the fall. And since I lived nearby (from 1990-1994), I'd love to show Chris (and Noah) my old house and town.

  

5.  I already take a lot of pictures, but since we only plan to stay in this apartment for another year, I want to start taking more pictures of our home to remember it by!  This is where we brought Noah home from the hospital and where he will have had most of his firsts!  So in years to come, I'd love to look back and remember all the details (even the messy ones) of our first home.  

6.  Noah's 1st Birthday is going to be here before we know it.  So a big goal of mine this fall to is plan a kick-butt party!  I plan to share some details and some DIY projects I have planned and then have the final reveal after his party!  

7.  And finally, no fall would be complete without decorating and carving some pumpkins.  This year I will learn from my mistakes and not carve my pumpkins too early.  Two years ago we carved a pumpkin in early October and it got all disgusting and had little bugs living in it.  Obviously we had to throw it out before Halloween.  

Summer 2013 Bucket List

I have a list of things that I'd love to do this summer.  Some are fun while others are just things we should do.  There really isn't an order to this, so it's just kind of as I think of them.

1.  Take Noah to the zoo.  I'm aware that he might not be of the age to get excited about the animals, but he does love to look at things and observe.  I also think it's just a nice place to go walk around for the afternoon.

2.  Go to NYC for the day.  I want to take a walk on the highline, maybe go to the swings at a playground, eat some yummy food, and just enjoy the day as a family together.

3.  Continue to take lots of walks around Morristown.  I want to try different routes, explore different side streets, and maybe even go to some new parks that I've never been to and walk some trails.

4.  Take Noah to the playground with Chris more.  We've only been once so far with Chris, and while I know I'll go a lot with his playgroups, I want Chris to enjoy it as well.

5.  Spend afternoons and weekends at the pool.  I want Noah to be a water baby and I envision naps in his stroller in the shade with his stroller fan blowing on him while I read a book getting a tan.  Too good to be true, I guess we will see :)  Along with this are the swim lessons we are going to sign Noah up for.  He will take them with Chris on Saturday mornings, and I will be there taking hundreds of pictures each class!

6.  Explore new foods.  He's already tried watermelon (though didn't swallow it) and frozen yogurt.  I want Noah to try a popsicle, preferably outside where he can get as messy as he wants :)  I too want to try some new restaurants.  Noah is so good at going places, so we should really take advantage of this now while he still loves sitting in his stroller or high chair.  Soon enough he will want to run around the restaurants and we won't want to take him!

7.  Possibly a trip to Newport with the cousins?  I think it would be fun to go for a couple of days and see how crazy it can be to chase around 4 kids!

8.  Find a system to organize all of Noah's toys.  We always knew it would become a challenge since we live in a smallish 2 bedroom apartment.  I'm thinking a couple more expedit bookshelves and a ton of baskets might at least conceal the toys when he's not playing with them.  It's all about the illusion of neatness.

9.  Go to the beach.  Chris and I didn't do this last year and I was kind of bummed about it.  I didn't have the easiest pregnancy and sitting in a car and then the hot sun didn't really sound appealing, but isn't the beach what summer is really about?  The Flinns are renting a condo at LBI for a week in July and if the weather is nice we plan to go down for a day.  We got a little beach tent for Noah and now just need to get some chairs for us.

10.  And finally, spend lots of time with family and friends.  We have already started to make some plans for friends to come visit us, trying to set up some dinner plans (some without Noah even), and I want Noah to spend lots of time with his grandparents and uncles.

I totally think that this list is doable and will make for a really fun summer!  I can't believe that by the end of the summer Noah will be 10 months old... going way too fast!