Pinterest Weekly: Shoe Poms

     Usually, my Pinterest projects come from seeing something cool on Pinterest and wanting to try it out. This week, I went in search of something that I needed to make: shoe poms (which are simply little poms that go on a cheerleader's shoes). I also needed to make matching ponytail holders. I had considered making Pony-Os, but wanted something that matched the poms more. After searching Pinterest, I found several. One can be found here, another here. They're all pretty much the same, but they overestimate the dexterity of these sisters. Somewhere between step one and two, something went amok.

     So, my sister and I sat down and figured out a different way. Our league has the kids wear a lot of pink in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So, we started with two different pinks and white yarn.

     After much trial and error, we discovered that using forty (40) four inch (4") pieces of yarn would work best for each our our poms. Each cheerleader was going to need four poms. One for each shoe and then two for the ponytail holder (to make it a little bigger). We used tiny ponytail holders (not the plastic disposable ones) and six inches of yarn to make the shoe poms and regular black ponytail holders and 8 inches of yarn to make the pony poms.

All of the materials needed to complete one set
of shoe and pony poms

     Next, we simply tied the 6" pieces of yarn around the small pony tail holders.

     Then, we stacked the 40 pieces of yarn for each pom. We stacked and tied them one at a time. I'd also recommend doing this in a place with no ceiling fan (or turning the fan off). We randomly stacked them so that none of the colors would be clumped together.

Stacking yarm

     The last step to completing the shoe poms is tying the yarn/pony combo around the center. After it's tied, give it a little shake and it should fluff right up. We didn't even need to trim the ends of the center yarn. Repeat for the second shoe pom.

Tied in the center

     The only thing left to do is put them on your shoes. We unlaced the entire shoe and put it on the shoes lace that goes through the very last eyelet. However, you could tie them into the bow if you didn't want to unlace the shoes. 

Poms on the shoes

     Now for the pony pom. It's the same basic principle. However, we aren't going to start by tying the extra yarn to the ponytail holder. First stack your yarn. Then, take the 8" piece of yarn and tie it around the center.

Pony pom tied in the center

     Complete both poms. Once both are complete, use a knot to tie the first one to the ponytail holder. Half knot the second to the ponytail holder. Slide it as close to the first as possible and then complete the knot. You may have to trim the ends of your 8" yarn pieces. After you do that, give the pony pom a shake.

Both poms tied to the ponytail holder

     Now, your pony poms are ready to be worn!

Leg Warmers from Little Lady & Me Giveaway

     I live in South Texas. To say that high school football is a "big deal" would be an understatement. When the season ends in December, everyone is already talking about next August. Because of this, I am always looking for cute things for my girls to wear to the games. When I saw that Little Lady & Me had football leg warmers, I knew that we had to get them.

     Seriously, what pint-sized football fan wouldn't want these adorable leg warmers? What I love about them is that when it's comfortable outside, she can wear them with shorts or her cheerleading uniform. Or, when it gets colder, she'll be able to wear them over long johns or cotton tights.

     You can order leg warmers from Little Lady & Me by visiting her facebook page. If you mention that you heard about them on Life in Texas, you'll get them for the discounted price of $8 a pair. An additional discount will be given for ordering multiple pairs. 

     One lucky Life in Texas winner will also win a pair of leg warmers (style and design subject to availability). Just use the rafflecopter form below to be entered to win. Please note that liking Little Lady & Me on facebook is a mandatory entry. Good luck!

***Check our Facebook page for information on bonus entries***

a Rafflecopter giveaway

South Texas MAiZE

    
     The South Texas MAiZE is a 7 acre maze carved into stalks that tower over your head! An all outdoor, fall recreational activity appropriate for folks of all ages. In addition to the maze enjoy our hayride, the children's play area, the mini-mind maze and UNLIMITED jumping on our 2 a'maze'ing Corn Poppers! Extra fees apply to the Corn Cannon and our NEW Cow Train. Pick that perfect fall pumpkin during the month of Oct. from our pumpkin patch. Come to Hondo and see why getting lost means finding fun!  My Readers GET HALF OFF ADMISSION TO THE  SOUTH TEXAS MAIZE - Click and Print coupon - http://www.sanantoniokidsguide.com/coupon.php?bid=10868&dealid=983

9/11 Memorial

     I have been hesitant to write about my trip to the 9/11 Memorial. The main reason is that I find the best way to describe it is "tragically beautiful". Have you ever been to a place that's so beautiful, yet so tragic, that you want to smile and cry at the same time? That was the 9/11 Memorial, for me. To so many, this place reminds them of all of the Americans that have died as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001, both on that day and because of the war that followed. But, it's more than that. It's a representation of how our entire country came together after this act of terror. I think that's what makes it beautiful. Anyway, keep an open mind and I hope you enjoy the photos.

Flags of the United States of American and 9/11 Memorial
in front of 1WTC

     If you're going to be in New York City, this is one place that you really don't want to miss. Tickets are free (although you can make a donation), but you have to reserve them in advance. Out of all of the touristy places that we went while there, this is the only one that I would  definitely visit again. You can reserve tickets and get other visitor information here.

The South Pool

     The South Pool is peaceful. Most of the people stay along the 2 edges nearest to the entrance. This picture is taken from the opposite corner.

The North Pool

     The North Pool seems to have a bit of a temper. In case you can't tell from the picture, this is the wall of water that headed towards us as we approached the North Pool. If you want to get close to it, I suggest a poncho or taking a change of clothes (although the closest public restroom is blocks away). I don't know if it's because of how they're rebuilding the World Trade Center (maybe the air flows differently than when the pools were first built), but walls of water come out of all sides of the North Pool. There is no way to see it without getting wet.

North Pool

     After we retreated to safety to check our electronics that were now wet, we saw this man heading towards the North Pool. See how high that water is going? It was making beautiful rainbows, but we were quite chilly after that.

Survivor Tree

     The Survivor Tree is amazing. It is a callery pear tree that was in the plaza of the World Trade Center. It was discovered and removed from the rubble in October of 2001. When it was found, it was only 8 feet tall and appeared mostly lifeless. It was taken to a nursery in the Bronx where it was nursed back to health. It stood almost 30 feet tall when it was returned to Ground Zero and was placed in the Memorial in December of 2010.

Pinterest Weekly - Soda Cake

     This weeks Pinterest Weekly inspiration comes from SkinnyTaste.com. My kids have been wanting to make cupcakes for a while and I have wanted to try this since my sister went touring colleges and a guide mentioned it to her. It seems in the last 3 years, the idea has become very widespread (even Weight Watchers!).

     On SkinnyTaste.com, they used a chocolate cake mix and a diet soda. Of course, I couldn't just follow directions. While we were at the store, Thing 2 asked for "purple Sprite" (better know as grape soda). I don't know why, but in that moment, I thought that the grape soda would be cool for a soda cake. So, we headed home with a white cake mix and grape soda.

The only ingredients we used.

     I was surprised at how easily the soda and cake mix mixed together. I didn't think that the batter would be that light and fluffy. I did not add any egg whites and the batter was still about normal cake batter consistency.

Doesn't that look yummy?

     We cooked the cupcakes according to the chart on the box. I usually set them for the middle of the time given and they come out perfect. For these, they needed to go the entire time. When they were done, we topped them with cream cheese frosting.

Purple Cupcakes

     They weren't as purple as I would have liked. But, that problem could be easily fixed with a small amount of food coloring. The kids didn't care that they weren't incredibly purple and they loved the taste. All in all, it was a pretty easy, kid friendly way to make cupcakes.

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