Our Five Ring Circus: Fall Favorites

Monday, November 11, 2019

Fall Favorites

Parenting Blog

It's nearing the middle of November, and while everyone else seems to have decorated for Christmas already, I'm still fully embracing Fall! If there's anything having five children has taught me, it's to quit rushing things, and enjoy the moment. I love everything about the holiday season, from Halloween to New Year's Day, but I'm still enjoying pumpkins, Fall decor, and our Thankful Tree! And on Thanksgiving night, you will find all of us in Christmas pajamas!


If you read my last post from last month, you already know that life has been very chaotic around here. I just haven't had time to blog, and I had to fight through the guilt and realize that I would get back to it when I had a chance. Life has changed even more since I wrote that post three weeks ago. I now have a teenager at home with me every single day, doing cyber school. I'll share more details on the why and how soon. It's still very new to us!

Currently, my nap-protester is actually sleeping, my sick self is stuck on the couch trying to get rest, and my kids are off school for the next two days. It's surprisingly calm in my home for 8 PM on a Sunday night. It's the perfect time to share a few of my favorite things this Fall!
*Some of the items mentioned below were gifted or given free for review. I only share the gifted products that I absolutely love and would honestly recommend!

PinkBlush 


I shared my excitement over this adorable floral sweatshirt from PinkBlush before Fall even started, and it has been a wardrobe staple, especially now that it's officially sweater weather! It's comfortable, flattering on all body types, and it's versatile.

In early Fall, I paired it with leggings and flats. Now that the weather is cooler, I wear it with jeggings and booties, or leggings and tall boots. Every time I wear it, I get a lot of compliments! Make sure you check them out - they sell maternity and women's clothing, and they have so many cute items. (Similar style here.)

PinkBlush clothing

Fall Rug


Funny story - I spotted a rug while I was shopping at Adi in September, and I really liked it, but didn't NEED it.  I walked through the store, then decided I wanted it. When I walked back to the shelf, they were gone. I was bummed, but moved on. In October, I took my mom shopping, and we stopped at the Aldi closest to her house. I was grabbing a bag of Halloween candy, and spotted the rug stashed beside a box of candy. It came home with me, and I just love it in front of my fireplace! (Coen does, too!)

Lifestyle Photography


oogiebear


Unfortunately, the germs come with back to school and Fall weather. We've been lucky, other than a few very short-lived mild colds, but the oogiebear is one of our favorite new tools for babies and toddlers. I even use it on Liam, because he has tiny ear canals. It's a small, dual-sided tool that safely scoops out boogies and ear wax out of tiny noses and ears!

oogiebear

best baby products

baby blog


Seasonal Playhouse

I started decorating the kids' playhouse for each season, and they love it! Plus, it looks extra cute in our backyard!

Big Family Blog

Pittsburgh Blog

Buddy Bib


The Buddy Bib is another new item that I love for Coen. It's a cute 3-in-1 teething/sensory bandanna bib that has a cute crinkly animal attached to it with a teething ring. The teething ring can easily be swapped for a pacifier, and the animal comes off the bib, and can be attached to wrists, car seats or strollers. Plus, buffalo plaid!!! I can't get enough of it!

Buddy Bib

Baby Photography

Baby Products

Fall Photography

Best Baby Products

Baby Blog


Fall Goodies from CVS


CVS is my go to for medicine, vitamins, and self-care items! I received a Fall box from CVS with back to school goodies, just in time for that busy first month of the school year. Here's what was in it:

  • Gold Emblem Abound Organic Strawberry Soft Baked Breakfast Bars - These are tasty, full of good stuff, and a great on-the-go snack! (I eat breakfast in my car several mornings a week!)
  • Gold Emblem Abound Organic Banana - I love bananas, but I was thrown off a bit by the brown color. They were really tasty though!
  • Gold Emblem Apple Cinnamon Granola Snack Mix - This is SO good! Do yourself a favor and pick up a bag. It kind of tastes like a Thanksgiving dessert with cranberries, cinnamon peanuts, yogurt-covered raisins, honey cashews, almonds, and apple granola!
  • A CVS pop socket - I tossed this in my bag, and ended up giving it to my daughter for her iPod. She was very grateful!
  • Vitamin C dietary supplement from CVS Health - We have been using these over the weekend. I ended up getting a cold, so I'm boosting my vitamin C, and my husband is using it to try to prevent a cold. They are in convenient travel-friendly packets, and mix easily into water. 
  • CVS Health Children's Ibuprofen - We don't give medicine to our kids unless absolutely necessary, but it's a staple in our home. It came in handy recently when Lily had a really bad headache that had her in tears. 
  • CVS Health Antibacterial Bandages - We go through bandages quickly, and my kids loved the emoji designs!
CVS Health

Lantern


This is another Fall find from Aldi. It was a perfect fit for my kitchen decor, and it's now a centerpiece on my kitchen table! I couldn't pass it up for $6.99!

Home Decor Blog


Abby & Finn


I never used a diaper delivery service with any of my older kids, so I was eager to try it. I got the cutest diapers delivered to my doorstep from Abby & Finn. We got the diapers and wipes bundle, which is 3 big bags of diapers and 4 packs of wipes. The products are hypoallergenic, gentle, eco-friendly, and affordable. The diapers worked great for Coen, and I loved the fact that I could order different sizes in our bundle. Plus, for every monthly box purchased, they give 30 diapers to families in need!

Diaper Delivery Service

Abby & Finn Diaper Delivery


Bissell ICONpet Pro Cordless Vacuum 


I didn't think it was possible to love a vacuum, but I do! I received the Bissell ICONpet Pro in exchange for a written review on the website, and it's seriously amazing! It easily converts from a cordless stick vacuum to a handheld vacuum, and comes with a bunch of tools - my favorite is the crevice tool, because I can use it to clean between the seats in my SUV.

We have an English Mastiff who sheds so much (seriously, I pick up hair the size of a chihuahua at least once a day)  in the Spring and Fall, and this vacuum sucks the hair right up. The canister pops right off and empties easily into the garbage. I love the bright LED lights that allow me to vacuum in the dark, but my favorite thing is the Wall Mount and Charging Station. It attaches to the wall, the four extra tools click into it easily for storage, and the power cord runs up to it. When I slide the vacuum onto the wall mount, it immediately starts charging!

At least once a day, I say I love my vacuum, and my kids and husband make fun of me for it! Next step? Trying a robotic vacuum!

English Mastiff

Bissell ICONpet Pro Cordless Vacuum


Pact Apparel Pajamas


I just got sleepers for Coen and pajamas for Liam from Pact Apparel, and I love them! The company makes organic cotton fair trade clothing for the entire family. I was so impressed by the quality of the pajamas - they are super soft and thick. I loved them so much on my sweet boys, and I want to get myself some pajamas and underwear from them!

Pact Apparel

Down syndrome

The Lucky Few

Kids Fashion Blog

Down syndrome blogs

If you want to smile, swipe until the end of the pictures on Instagram to watch two of the sweetest videos of Liam with Coen! 

Sadie


Shortly after Grant and I were engaged, we ended up adopting four cats. We adopted one from the Humane Society, and shortly after, we found three sick, stray kittens. We love animals, but it was a lot, especially with four kids! We gave them a good home, but after our last cat passed away, we decided not to get another one. WELL...Lexie had been asking for a cat for years, and my sister's cat had three adorable kittens. We were at her house for a party a few weeks ago, and my girls fell in love with them. I was on board as long as they were responsible for the cat's daily care, but Grant said no.

My smart and special Lexie refused to give up. She gave Grant a very well-written argument about why she would be a good cat owner and how our family would benefit from having a cat. He couldn't argue with anything she wrote, so he said yes. The kids were so excited, and we brought Sadie home the day before Halloween. She is absolutely spoiled, and Lexie and Lily take great care of her!

Pet Blog


Fall Pictures


I absolutely love taking pictures, and I've been having so much fun now that I have a very willing model! I have so many favorites that I think I'm going to have to print out pictures for our gallery wall every season now. I'm considering taking a photoshop class, but those magical pictures that you see on Instagram are like a work of art. I still prefer natural photography with just a few tweaks like cropping and removing a blemish or two. I think those photoshopped photos are gorgeous, but I just want to capture the moment!

Baby Photography

Mom Blog

Like I said before, can you tell who cooperates for photos the most?!? 

I hope you are all enjoying the Fall season, and have a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving! Share something that you are loving in the comments below!

Fall Favorites - Big Family Blog - Down syndrome Blog - Pittsburgh Blog - Parenting Blog


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Coming up: 

Halloween Recap, A Trip to the Pumpkin Patch, A Week in the Life, Life with Down syndrome, What It's Like To Raise Five Kids In Every Stage Of Development, Why We Chose Cyber School For Our Teenager, Big Family Breakfasts, and more!

3 comments:

  1. So many fun and cute things! I love the lantern, and that cat! Adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your kitty is so cute! And your boys look adorable in their matching green pajamas.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aw, your new cat is adorable, and I'm glad the girls are taking care of her well. I just got a cat too - but he's four. Love all these photos. Coen is adorable and definitely a good model for you.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete

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