{Five on Friday // Room Mom // Gilmore Girls // Halloween Costume Party}

Happy Friday friends!! Time for Five on Friday.

{O N E} In case you missed it...posts from this week:

Monday >> Pumpkin Patchin'
Tuesday >> Pumpkins and Friday Night Lights
Wednesday >> Instagram Round-up
Thursday >> Our favorite devotional


{T W O} Mason's teacher asked me to be the room mom for this year. To say that I am excited is an understatement. I love planning and organizing parties! Our first party is next Friday for their "Fall" party! But since there is no one in Mason's class that doesn't celebrate Halloween we totally get to go with the Halloween theme. Yeah! I've already bought all of the plates, napkins and decorations. I also made goodie bags and Halloween s'mores for teachers and staff. I'll post more on this later.


{T H R E E} I have been binge watching Gilmore Girls!! I know, I know. I am probably the only person on earth that didn't watch this series when it was on TV. I have always wanted to, but always forget about it. However, the other day I heard that they may be bringing it back so it reminded me to watch it. And? I am totally and complete loving it. I loved the mom on Parenthood and I love her even more in Gilmore Girls.

{source}

{F O U R} We've been invited to a Halloween Party where costumes are mandatory!! Nathan and I have been searching Pinterest for some quick and easy DIY costumes. I think I have mine narrowed down to two, but welcome any and all suggestions if you have any!!!

Rosie the Riveter:

source

Or

LumberJane:

source

{F I V E} And while we are talking about Halloween Parties...don't forget to come link up with us after Halloween!



What are your plans for the weekend? It's supposed to be a rainy one for us. Bleh. We'll be spending some time on the couch with Netflix. I am thinking Halloween movies & pajamas and pizza night! We've also got to work on our costumes.

Have a great weekend!!

{Duck Commander Devotions for Kids}

Earlier this year I went on a mission to find a kids devotional that Mason would love and understand. I wanted one that would engage him and keep his attention all the while teaching him about Jesus. I researched different ones for weeks before deciding on Duck Commander Devotions for Kids. It's perfect and Mason and I have loved it. It's everything I had dreamed of in a devotion and more. Each devotion starts with a scripture, then tells a story about someone in the Robertson family that pertains to the lesson and then closes with a prayer. As a bonus there is an "action" for each lesson which is an activity or craft. Mason and I haven't gotten to do any of the actions because we read the devotional at night just before bed.

Mason and I finished the devotional in a quarter of the time that we probably should have. He loved the devotions and each night would ask for "just one more" a few times each night. So instead of reading one each night we would read 3 or 4. He would ask me the title for the next one and then say, "Oh yeah Mama we need to read that one" and who was I to tell him no? And he says that we always "leave the best for last" meaning his devotional. We read a lot of books each night, but always save our devotional for last.

I do suggest one thing - at one point in the devotional there is a story about "obeying" and then close to that one is a devotion on "grace"...if you have a smart kid like I have then do not read these on the same night!!! haha.

Also, I've had friends ask me if you need to be familiar with the whole Duck Dynasty and their crew to read this devotional and the answer is no. Not at all. The devotions are real life lessons that anyone can relate to.


We love this one so much that we have actually started re-reading the devotional and plan to go back and complete the actions too. It's that amazing.

This is post is in no way, shape or form sponsored, just wanted to share something that we love so much with all of you. If you're looking for a devotional for a young child I cannot recommend this one enough.

Also, do you have a kids devotional that you love? I've tried to find another one similar to this and I just can't find one. I've searched everywhere, but cannot find one with a similar structure. I bought a Boys devotional, but it hasn't engaged Mason yet. I think it's for older boys.

{Instagram Round-up}

Instagram is my jam. Its by far my favorite form of social media. I guess its because I am obsessed with photographs and love getting to peek inside other peoples lives. And I think my favorite time on IG is Fall & the holidays. Feeds are so pretty at this time of year. Anyhow, time for a good ol' Instagram Round-up. Just some of the things I've been posting on Instagram lately.

October is one of my favorite months!!!!

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 1, 2015 at 8:14am PDT

#masonlane is pretending to be a super hero named Mooseboy. His superpower is turning into a ball. Oh how I love him. ❥

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 1, 2015 at 4:08pm PDT

Lovin this view!!!!

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 2, 2015 at 5:32pm PDT

Another beautiful sunset over Lake Somerville!

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 3, 2015 at 5:19pm PDT

Mason and I decorated foam pumpkins tonight! #happyfallyall #ItsABeautifulFall #halloween #pumpkin

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 4, 2015 at 4:59pm PDT

We found cozy Halloween socks at Target today!! Loved spending the day with my little man!! #ItsABeautifulFall #PeopleArentSocks #SOCKTOBER

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 5, 2015 at 4:47pm PDT

More of my Target finds today. #lordthankyoufortarget 🙌🏽

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 5, 2015 at 8:14pm PDT

#widn tagged by @lizbir and @smithamy91909 (earlier) || watching this sweet boy play! Love to hear his imagination run wild. I tag @ashleawithana3 @robots_and_ribbons @everythingshunkydorey @scx11 what are you ladies up to?

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 7, 2015 at 4:41pm PDT

#masonlane and I at the park for our Nature Scavenger Hunt! #ItsABeautifulFall #happyfallyall

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 12, 2015 at 4:24pm PDT

Most go on hiatus when they have nothing to post. For me it happens when I have too much to share. I always seem to take more photos in the Fall & Winter months and then I get overwhelmed (in the best way). I love this time of year. #ItsABeautifulFall #happyfallyall

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 14, 2015 at 6:28pm PDT

As always, #mainstayfarm did not disappoint! We ❥ this place!! #masonlane

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 17, 2015 at 12:55pm PDT

Coolest pumpkin patch ever! #masonlane

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 17, 2015 at 1:40pm PDT

From the pumpkin patch to the trunk or treat with this little police officer! #masonlane

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 17, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

These boys have my heart! #masonlane #mainstayfarm #ItsABeautifulFall #happyfallyall

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 18, 2015 at 5:06pm PDT

All about the pumpkin patch on the blog today!! #masonlane #ItsABeautifulFall #happyfallyall #cdtohalloween15 #mainstayfarm

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 19, 2015 at 11:36am PDT

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall. F. Scott Fitzgerald

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 20, 2015 at 6:37pm PDT

#happyfallyall #ItsABeautifulFall

A photo posted by >>> Crystal <<< (@hallaroundtexas) on Oct 21, 2015 at 6:35am PDT

Do you IG? Do we follow each other?

{Fall Bucketlist Update // Pumpkins & Friday Night Lights}

We have been checking things off of our 2015 Fall Bucketlist like a boss! Last Friday we took Mason to his town's Homecoming Football game. We went with our good friends, the Rochelle's. I think the boys had a blast, but started to get bored by halftime. For me, it brought back so many memories. Being a cheerleader, Friday Night Lights were my life for all of my high school career. And if I said I didn't miss it, I would be lying. But, I am so thankful and happy I get to do this with my family now.


We had fun! And Mason got to see our Vice Principal {who he adores} that recently got transferred to the Intermediate.

And another thing we checked off the list is buying pumpkins! This is one of my favorite things to do each Fall. I always go for the different looking pumpkins. I like different colored ones and ones with a big funky stem. Mason goes for the smaller pie pumpkins, but he too likes a good stemmed-pumpkin. Not gonna lie - picking out pumpkins this year was kind of frustrating. About a month ago I started seeing pumpkins at our local Walmart and HEB. I didn't buy any because I thought it was too early. That was my first mistake because those babies sold like gold. Our Walmart has only a tiny bin of them left and they are all of the wart-filled pumpkins that no one wanted. And HEB is the same way. Thankfully we found some at a town over at the Brookshires. Mason, of course, picked out a pie pumpkin with a good stem and I got a big jack-o-lantern and a white pumpkin. And then when we were at the pumpkin patch this weekend Mason picked out two tiny little pumpkins and I got a funky green colored pumpkin. LOVE!!


Have you bought pumpkins this year? Do you normally decorate them or carve them?


2015 Fall Bucketlist Update {those that have been done have been updated with the link to the post}:

+ make s'mores or the s'mores dip
+ make a fall wreath
+ decorate the porch
+ make fall crafts 
+ take Mason on a nature scavenger hunt
+ go geocaching around our town
+ buy pumpkins
+ decorate & carve pumpkins
+ have a Halloween movie night {most likely Hocus Pocus} with themed foods
+ find Mase Halloween pajamas
+ go to Mainstay Farms/Pumpkin patch
+ make a thankful jar with Mason
+ take Fall pictures
+ have a playdate with friends
+ go to the zoo
+ go camping in a tent
+ go to Round Top, TX for Texas Antiques weekend
+ stay in a cabin somewhere
+ follow a Fall photo project
+ go on a hayride
+ go to the Texas State Fair
+ visit the Farmer's Market
+ take Mason trick or treating

+ Boo a friend
+ roast marshmallows
+ bake Halloween cookies
+ buy a few 'fall' wardrobe staples
+ go to a football game
+ nacho bar for a football game watching night

{The Pumpkin Patch & Costume Party Link-up Announcement}

A couple of years ago we found the amazingness that is Mainstay Farms!! We go there twice a year; for the pumpkin days and for Christmas tree season. We finally made it out for our annual trip for pumpkin days. We just love that place and have a complete blast there. You could literally spend an entire day here playing. There is so much to do; pedal cars, a chalk car you can write on, a huge sand digging pit, a barn full of haybales the kids can climb on, duck races, tractor hayrides, jumping pillow, three story tree-house, a superchute slide, lavitan swings, train rides and so much more.

This year some of the family had other engagements so it was just Nathan, Mason, Nana {Nate's mom} and I. We were one of the first groups in line, so Mason pretty much had his pick of what he wanted to do first. He went straight to the ziplining!! He loves that thing!

We did everything on the bottom level {including face painting} and then headed up the hill via a hayride where we spent another couple of hours.



So much fun! And that sign above is so true. Home is so boring compared to this magical place!


***ANNOUNCEMENT***



I am joining in with these amazing ladies;  Meghan, Jess, Stephanie,Jessica, & Jennifer for a Halloween/Costume party & recap. The link-up will go live on Monday, November the 2nd. Come join us and tell us all about your Halloween costumes and festivities! All we ask if for you to share the party image (right click and save the photo above) and tag one of the hosts in your post. For those of you who aren't bloggers, you can join in on the fun, too! Share your photos on social media and use the hashtag COSTUMEPTY15 so we can see your photos, too!


2015 Fall Bucketlist Update {those that have been done have been updated with the link to the post}:

+ make s'mores or the s'mores dip
+ make a fall wreath
+ decorate the porch
+ make fall crafts 
+ take Mason on a nature scavenger hunt
+ go geocaching around our town
+ buy pumpkins
+ decorate & carve pumpkins
+ have a Halloween movie night {most likely Hocus Pocus} with themed foods
+ find Mase Halloween pajamas
+ go to Mainstay Farms/Pumpkin patch
+ make a thankful jar with Mason
+ take Fall pictures
+ have a playdate with friends
+ go to the zoo
+ go camping in a tent
+ go to Round Top, TX for Texas Antiques weekend
+ stay in a cabin somewhere
+ follow a Fall photo project
+ go on a hayride
+ go to the Texas State Fair
+ visit the Farmer's Market
+ take Mason trick or treating

+ Boo a friend
+ roast marshmallows
+ bake Halloween cookies
+ buy a few 'fall' wardrobe staples
+ go to a football game
+ nacho bar for a football game watching night