School Trunk or Treat

Costumes are completed!  We went out last night to show them off.  Park View Elementary had their annual Trunk or Treat.  Last year I had a very upset little girl because her brother had so many people interested in his costume but not hers.  She asked why everyone wanted just his picture.  I told her that “while you are a very pretty witch, Zack’s costume is unique and people were just excited to see something different.”  So when it came time to chose a costume this year, Maddie wanted unique!  Zack knew immediately he wanted to be a wrestler.  He really wanted to go as Ric Flair and I did my costume research I saw that Ric only entered the arena in a feather boa robe and his wrestling undies.  I didn’t want people to think that he was trying to dress up like an old lady with a robe, so we talked him into amore distinguishable  wrestler based on clothes.  We gave options and he chose Macho Man Randy Savage.  Maddie took a lot longer to come up with her costume.  She wanted unique.  So we researched and researched and finally came across something back in Late August that she was happy with.  Her original concept was a weeping angel from Dr. Who, but we didn’t want scary angel, so we changed it to a Guardian Angel Statue.  However, if you ask Maddie what she is, she will simply just say an angel statue.  

Last night they both were a huge hit!!  We had several people asking to get both their pictures.  We had a cop stop Zack so he could get his picture taken with him.  We had several teachers say that they both were amazing.  One of the teachers said “I didn’t think you could top last years, but you did it”.  We also ended up getting lots of praises about how beautiful or how cool their costumes were.  

So close

I am so close to being completed with both Maddie and Zack's costume.  I am officially done with Zack's bottoms and SO close to the top.  I hope to be done by tonight...THEN I can finally work on mine, lol!!  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Dirt in the Skirt

I can cross off Tough Mudder from my "to run" list.  Stacy came up with her friend Josh and we ran as team Dirt in the Skirt.  Of course I made A Legaue of their Own Costumes for the occasion.  It was fun.  It was HARD, but it was fun.  I won't be doing that race again though.  It was very unorganized and for our completetion we only got a headband. Every mud run I have ever ran in, you get a medal, and for the price we paid, we were expecting medals.  I lost my bib in the second obstacle, so I don't have anything to hang on my bib/medal holder.  Oh well.  I will say that the obstacles were tough.  It was a lot of running!!!!  We did the Tough Mudder 1/2, because I didn't want to do the electric shock and ice plunge (which is the Tough Mudder Full).  I did enjoy a few of the obstacles like the Block Ness Monster.  There were a lot of walls to scale and LOTS of mud.  I got hurt right after the first obstacle (I slid down an embankment and a root sliced up the back of my hamstring) so doing the 11 other obstacles and running the next 5 miles was not that comfortable.  Oh to be back in my 20's again, lol!!

Storm Update

Well another game, another win by Storm!  Yesterday they won 13-0.  Zack played Offensive tight end and outside linebacker on D.  The girls did a great job on their halftime dance again!  I would like to report that these sweet boys gave all the girls a rose before the game.  Zack gave Maddie her rose.  So sweet!!

Costume Tease

I have finally gotten a chance to sew Maddie's dress today.  The structure is complete, however there is one major thing I have left to do to it, but can't without revealing the actual costume.  Think you know what it is now?

Storm Update

Today the Rookie Storm returned back in the winner column.  Zack played SO well!!  He ended up playing almost the entire game.  He played the following positions: Defense End, Running Back and Offensive Tight End.  Yes, you read that correctly....he was on the LINE!!  He did great!  He had to go up against boys WAY bigger than him (twice his weight) and he held his own.  He had one play where he blocked for the QB who ran it in for a TD.  They won against the Pirates 18-6.

Maddie did a fantastic job at cheering today.  The girls performed their halftime dance for the first time today.  They were great!!!

Click here to watch Maddie: Rookie Storm Dance

Tough Loss

So, this past weekend Storm received their first loss in three seasons.  It was a very close game.  Both teams traded touchdown after touchdown.  Unfortunately, storm missed their extra point after a touchdown two times. They were down by two with two minutes left. They were able to drive the ball down the field and had 2.4 seconds left on the 17 yard line. They threw the ball into the end zone, but unfortunately did not catch the ball. I think if these two teams played again, then Storm could come out on top. They were to evenly matched teams.  Here is a picture of Maddie giving Zach a hug after the game.

It's Starting

Well, I have to give a HUGE shout out to my dad for letting me borrow a table saw for the next 1-3 months while I work on Christmas gifts.  Today when I had a "free", and when I say free I just mean "kid free" hour, I pulled the saw out and started cutting some scrap wood I had at the house.  Unfortunately, by the time I got the saw dragged out, found an extension cord and all the measuring tools, I was only able to cut 4 boards before time to hit the school pick up line.  I'm happy to report I have all my fingers intact....that was a joke by the way.  I'm so excite to start on tons of projects!!!!

Storm Update

I just realized that I have not posted about Maddie and Zack's football team, Storm.  2 Saturdays they played the best team from Troutman and won 33-7.  Zack played mostly offense at tight end.  Maddie, did great at cheering.

This Saturday, Storm played the other team in the Mooresville league, Lightning.  It was a TOUGH game and VERY evenly matched.  Storm squeaked by 12-6.  Again Zack played Tight End and Maddie did great in cheer!  They are officially 4-0.

Happy birthday

We want to wish Daddy/Hubby a VERY Happy Birthday!  We love you!!!!

Death Warmed Over

Well the Nowell household has not been a fun location this week.  Sunday morning, Zack woke up with the stomach bug.  Mike was out of town and I was VERY grateful that my mom was at my house, because I had to sing a solo at church.  There was no way I could have brought Zack with me.  So she graciously offered to stay at home with him.  Then Monday night around 9pm, poor Maddie came down with the nasty mess.  Then around 11pm, it hit me.  Then around 1am it hit Mike.  We were all so pitiful!!  Since I am the mom, I still had to somehow roll out of bed and change sheets, get Zack to school and try and get better so I could sing at a banquet last night.  Today's tasks are to Clorox and Lysol EVERYTHING!!!!!!

Winner, Winner

On Monday night at practice, Maddie received the spirit stick for Saturday's game.  We are so proud!!  Way to go Maddie!!!

Sneak Peak

Here is Zack trying on his "hair" this weekend.  If you know what Zack is into right now, you can probably guess what he is going to be for Halloween.  The actual clothing I think will give it away.  It will take me a while though to make that!  Can you guess what/who he is going to be?

Game Day Number 2

Yesterday was Storm's 2nd game.  They played the Wildcats from BAYA league.  Zack ended up playing a lot yesterday.  He was played tight end on offense and he played mostly middle linebacker on D.  Storm won 13-0, making us 2-0.  Way to go Storm!!

Halloween costume making

Yes, it is only September.  However, this mom has two kids that have requested some very elaborate costumes, so I have to start early.  Before I know it I will be having to start in December for the next Halloween.  Haha!!

So, I was sworn to secrecy what they will be, but I wanted to share a small hint for Maddie's costume this year.  This is her wig.  I started by unwinding a full speil of yarn and then I sewed it onto old top of Maddie's dance tights to make a wig cap.  Once it was sewn in place, it was time to start braiding and placing onto the mannequin.  I used fabric glue to keep the wig more natural, but I hot glued the bun in place.  Once the glue dried, I also added a hair band.  Then started painting using acrylic paint.  I painted everything a dark grey, then kept getting lighter and lighter to add more depth.  Have any guesses as to what she will be?

Sunday Snapchat Fun

Every Sunday morning while Mike and myself (most mornings Zack too) are doing mic check, Maddie steals my phone to play with Snapchat filters.  What is Snapchat?  It is an app that has ALL kinds of crazy filters that change daily.  It's real purpose was created so you can send pics that get deleted immediately after being sent, but we don't send any pictures and we end up saving a ton when the kids play with the filters. I say a ton for a reason!!!  Once I get my phone back I have deleted upwards of 50 before.  I always end up saving some because they are just so cute!!  Here are a few from the last month or so...

1st official game

Saturday was our first game day.  The kids were VERY lucky to get to have so many visitors!!  We had a surprise visit from Aunt Stacy and the boys due to Hurricane Irma.  Then we had Mamaw and Papaw and Grampy drove in to watch the game.  Storm dominated!!  They won 25-0.  Zack pretty much played defense the entire game.  There were 2 snaps that he played offense but both were to take a knee to end the half and the game.  On defense he played middle linebacker.  I have some video but not sure how to share yet.  I plan to figure that out soon.

While Zack was playing, Maddie was cheering.  She did so well!!!  I have video of a few of her cheers too and plan on posting soon.  Go Storm!!!

Belated Birthday Post

Happy belated birthday to Mamaw!  I won't share her age, because that is "dangerous", but just know that she is one year away from a very BIG number!!  We love you Mamaw!

For her birthday, she and Papaw came up to watch Zack play ball and Maddie cheer.  Stacy and the boys happen to come up because of mandatory evacuations from hurricane Irma, so we had the whole family to go out and celebrate in her honor after the game!  

Hilton Head Fun

This past weekend we squeezed in one more family vacation to close out summer.  We went to Hilton Head Island, one of our favorite beaches, and we went with the Graham family. It was SO good to see them!!!  The kids had a blast playing together and as always, the food was amazing!!!

Cheer Happy

I alluded on Saturday that Maddie is cheering for the same Storm team that Zack is playing football.  So, not only am I a football mom now, but I am also a cheer mom.  This is the first year that Maddie is not doing dance in 5 years.  I want my kids to be happy, but this mom unfortunately just can't do it all.  So she had the choice of something new or dance?  She chose to try cheer.  On Monday during their cheer practice they did their first attempts at stunts.  This girl did an amazing job.  Since she is one of the older girls on this team (this is rookie cheer ages 6-8), she was a base.  Look at the smile that was on her face when she realized she could do this stunt!!  One proud mom here!!  

First Day of Second Grade

It is that time of year again...first day of school!!  Maddie and Zack are all ready for 2nd grade.  They have Mrs. Martin and they are super excited to start the school year.  Notice in the doorway we had a butterfly photobomb us...that has to be good luck, right?  Happy first day Maddie and Zack!!  You two are going to rock it!!  Love you both!!

Boys of Fall

Well, it is official...I am a football mom.  Today there was a Jamboree for all the leagues in the area.  Zack scrimmaged two teams, both who are from the Troutman association.  Zack is playing rookie football for MYA on team Storm. Maddie will be cheering for them on the same cheer team, but since this was a scrimmage, there were no cheerleaders today.  During both games, they play 20 minutes of offense and then 20 minutes of defense, no matter how many downs, touchdowns, etc, during that 20 minute time you keep playing the O or D that you are scheduled to play.  The first team Storm played our team did amazing!!  Zack played for a while on D.  Then on O, he got to carry the ball once, but had a loss of yardage.  Storm dominated!!  They didn't let the other team even gain 10 yards in their 20 min period.   I think we ended up scoring 3 TDs in 20 min.  

The second team Storm played was really good!!!  We struggled to move the ball.  Finally about 15 minutes in we threw a pass for a TD. Mike was out of town so I was texting updates when our team rushed it back to snap another play and of course that is play he got the ball. ( I filmed every play before that one.). I looked up and there he was with the ball.  He ended up running it for 10 yards before he was hit.  He went down hard though.  All the coaches ended up coming on the field to check on him. I had Maddie sobbing hard because she was worried about her brother. (Funny how she only cares if he gets hurt is when she isn't the one inflicting pain.)  I was uncharacteristicly calm.  I kept an eye on what I thought it was, talked Maddie down telling her that in football there will be some hard hits, and also kept texting Mike to keep him in the loop.  I didn't want to go running on the field because I'm trying to walk the line of being a concerned mom and an over protective mom.  He eventually got up and walked back to the bench where we watched 3 coaches tend to him for a while.  He didn't play D during this game because they never put him back in due to his injury.  After the game I went to get him and asked what happened.  He said that they hit him in the ear.  So, the reason for all the coaches on the field was for concussion protocol.  No worries, he's fine and all is well.  His first official game will be September 9th and every Saturday after that until mid November.

Confession Number 1

So, I have a huge confession.  I, April, am a hoarder!  Hahaha, for those that have ever taken one step into my house, you know that right away!  My poor, wonderful husband puts up with it.  I get it honestly, as both of my parents are also hoarders.  Sorry mom and dad for outing you, but I had to blame someone, (insert cute winking emoji here).  

This coming Christmas, my husband will be thanking his lucky stars that he married a hoarder.  Why you may ask???  Well, Maddie, has told me what she wants from Santa.  (Side bar conversation...yes, my kids still believe in Santa.  Yes, I know it is only August.). Mike and I believe that this is probably the last year these two will be believing in the old man in the red suit, so we try to let them have one big gift from the big guy and the other items on their wish list goes to us and the rest of the family.  So just what is Maddie's request this year???  It is an American Girl Doll house.  Now let me just tell you for those not in the know.  American Girl (AG) dolls are very expensive.  Target has their own version which is My Generation (which we love) and even Walmart has their own with My Life dolls and accessories.  This doll house that she wants is NOT small, not by a LONG shot!!  No, no, no.  She wants one with 6 rooms AND a terrace.  Each of these rooms are 2' (yes that is a foot symbol not inches) deep and at least 2' high.  We are looking at a house that will be 6' wide and 6' tall and 2' deep.  MASSIVE!!  Not only does my precious girl want the house, she wants it already decorated.  I started looking at the cost...the smaller ones (not 3 stories tall) are over $300.  That is just for a plane white 4 box house.  Not including the cute and very expensive furniture, and I'm not even looking at the AG namebrand.  The laundry set from Target is $50 and the Kitchen set is $50-80 (not including table and chairs).  So I said to myself, "self, we need to come up with a cheaper solution, but one that Maddie will be ok with."  So I do what I always do when in crisis, I turned to Pinterest!!!  And, thank the Pinterest Crafty gods that there are SEVERAL posts about how to make, decorate and craft AG houses.  Yay!!  So over the next four months I will be sharing a lot of my solutions and my spins on creating AG stuff.  So why is it a good thing I'm a hoarder?  Well, for just one of soon to be many examples, I have lots, I mean LOADS of fabric from projects over the years!!  I have already made bedding for 2 bedrooms from scrap materials I have on hand.  I also plan on making couches and other furniture from all the cardboard and foam boards I save.  So hubby, I'm already saving us  hundreds of $$$!!  Isn't the bedding cute?  One is for a single and the other is for bunk beds.  Lots to come, stay tuned!

Back to Blogging

Well, I am happy to report that Nowell Family is still alive.  I know with the complete lack of posts for over 365 days that you probably thought we were gone, maybe even lost down some black hole.  But, low and behold, we are still kicking.  I completely apologize for the longer than expected sabbatical.  I was thinking today..."you know self, I miss my creative outlet.  I miss sharing my crazy life.  I miss sharing my crazy family."  Now, please do not expect me to be posting daily.  It will NOT happen.  However, I will be sharing some of our family adventures and some of my crafts, or at least I think I will be sharing crafts on this site.  I haven't decided if I should just keep everything in one location, or have multiple blogs.  Let's face it, I'm not the best at keeping up with things and having more than one blog is just exhausting.  So, more than likely, all things will be shared on this location.  For those that come to look for crafts, you will have to suffer through my family drama, adventures, and well, just pure craziness.  For my family that is logging in to read up on M&Z, sorry there will be some boring craft projects that you will have to see.

Now, since I have taken a 2-3 year hiatus...blogger has changed quite a bit.  The app used to be free and I used it to write most of my posts.  It was so much easier that way to share pictures.  I just discovered that it is a paid app now, so I have to decide do I spend the $2.99 to make my life easier?  HAHA!  Yes, I am cheap, but I think I will be ok purchasing it, but just give me a few days/weeks to learn how to use it.  Stay tuned on several things happening with the Nowells!!

Zack at 8

1. What is your favorite color? Light blue
2. What is your favorite toy? my wrestlers

3. What is your favorite fruit? watermelon
4. What is your favorite tv show? Home Improvement
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken Tenders
6. What is your favorite outfit? My sports jerseys
7. What is your favorite game? Candy Land
8. What is your favorite snack? Chips
9. What is your favorite animal? zebra
10. What is your favorite song? 5150
11. What is your favorite book? Mr. Macky is Wacky
12. Who is your best friend? Adam
13. What is your favorite cereal? Cookie Crisps
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play basketball
15. What is your favorite drink?  water
16. What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my pillows
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? cereal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A basketball player

Maddie at 8

1. What is your favorite color? pink
2. What is your favorite toy? puppy that I sleep with

3. What is your favorite fruit? strawberries
4. What is your favorite tv show? My Little Pony
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Pizza Bites
6. What is your favorite outfit? Dress that matches my doll
7. What is your favorite game? Princess Cupcake Game
8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Gummies
9. What is your favorite animal? Cat
10. What is your favorite song? Can't Stop the Feeling
11. What is your favorite book? Owl Diary Books
12. Who is your best friend? Lyla
13. What is your favorite cereal? Fruity Pebbles
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with my friends
15. What is your favorite drink?  Juice
16. What is your favorite holiday? Easter
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Puppy
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? muffins - Chocolate muffins
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Singer