Hooooo Dat?

There is a FABULOUS contest going on over at SITS right now to win a Canon Rebel T2i. Saturday we were supposed to link a blog with pictures and the theme of Halloweens past. Today, we are supposed to show something crafty we made for Halloween and tomorrow, we will link up what our kids dressed as this year.

Friday, while my daughter was wearing her costume and enjoying a Halloween party at pre-school, my son was costume-less and enjoying a Fall Festival. His school opted out of Halloween celebrations a few years ago because they didn't like excluding the children that didn't celebrate Halloween. That meant, no more character days or costume parades and absolutely none of the cupcakes, cookies, candies or decorations could having anything to do with Halloween. We got a very specific letter regarding what was and was not allowed. Only fall and harvest-themed items. In addition, the letter explained that each grade was tasked with bringing a specific item. Second grade was awarded the cupcakes.

I had tons of ideas for cute Halloween cupcakes, but was really struggling with fall. I pondered it for a bit- What makes me think of fall? Leaves, scarecrows, owls, harvest moons and, ahem, HALLOWEEN! I let the last one go and then turned to my best friend for ideas- Google.

After looking at page after page of cupcakes, here is what I finally decided to make. I think they are adorable!

"Whooooooo's not a Halloween cupcake? We are, that's WHOOOOO!" [ba-dum-bump]

Because of peanut allergies in the school, everything had to be checked for peanut contamination labels. I used a cake mix and frosting that were peanut-free, the Oreos are peanut-free and the original idea called for M&M's for eyes and a cashew for the nose, so I substituted Skittles for both.

Now, whooooo's the cutest cupcake ever?

Alright, WISE GUY, I'm looking at you!

I don't give a hoot what you think, stop your screeching or I'm crying fowl.

Alright.. you can quit cringing, I'm done.

Slacker

This year has really thrown me off my game. I feel like I am perpetually behind and running around like a chicken with my head cut off whereas normally I am on top of things. It is a combination of both of my kids being in school and now having functions, permission slips, information forms, required meetings AND my husband's night schedule that has him either home and occupying me during the day OR home and sleeping requiring me to either be very quiet around the house or be out of the house all day. How's THAT for a run-on sentence? I won't be correcting it, because the chaos and lack of organization in that sentence accurately reflects the same in my life right now.

Normally this time of year, I have whipped up awesome Halloween crafts, cards, projects, treats and costumes but I have accomplished NOTHING this year. Nada. I am thankful that I somehow managed to delegate the kids' costumes to other people, because I don't know that I would have done it had the responsibility fallen to me. And that is so not me. I hate feeling like this.

The last crafty thing I accomplished was Zoe's Ice Cream Parlour birthday party in August. For today's Mama Kat's Workshop, one of the prompts was to "show us something you've created for Halloween" and I am going to link up this post from Halloween last year. I just wanted to have an explanation in case someone followed the link and then landed on my current posts.

If you have been with me for awhile, I apologize for the repeat, but if you are new.. enjoy!

Hopefully I will get my groove back soon. Has anyone seen it?

Fall

I grew up on the gulf coast where we didn't have seasons. It was hot, hotter and football weather (which is jacket weather in southeast Texas, but still short-sleeved weather further north). I once saw a "travel Texas" ad in Texas Monthly that said, "Sure we have winter in Texas! Last year, it was on a Tuesday." I think that about sums it up.

So, when we landed in New Jersey ten years ago, I was plunged right into winter without getting to experience fall first. I hate cold weather and I hate snow. I was miserable. But the following autumn, I was amazed. And right then and there, I fell in love with New Jersey. Don't get me wrong, when winter rolls around, I still have a love/hate relationship with the area, but I can honestly say that three out of the four seasons, I love it here!

Fall is hands down, my favorite! Such beautiful colors!

[Arney's Mount Friends Meeting House (Quakers) near Juliustown, NJ -date on bldg is 1775]

[Kirby's Mill- near Medford, NJ]

**this is being linked to Wordful Wednesday hosted by Dumb Mom at parenting BY dummies.

Sisterhood of the Expanding Pants

Back in 2005, I bought what will probably go down in history as my favorite pair of jeans. Ever. Yes, it really was THAT dramatic. I got them at American Eagle and they fit perfectly, were comfortable and I looked great in them. I loved them so much that I wore them to their death.

Five years is a long time to withstand what I put those jeans through. About a year and a half ago, they developed a hole in the knee. That just made them even more awesome and I continued to wear them. About six months ago, the denim around the back pocket started wearing really thin. They made it a few more months until they broke down and the pocket and the pants began parting like the Red Sea. It was time to let them go. I mourned their passing by wearing yoga pants- defiant at buying a new pair of awesome jeans for fear it would disrespect the memory of the AE jeans.

I believe I am beginning to heal, because deep within my soul, stirs the desire for a new pair of fabulous jeans. The desire comes and goes but tonight, when a covert Halloween costume mission brought me to the mall, I finally felt I was ready. I walked into American Eagle.

Lining the wall were various washes and cuts of "skinny jeans." I began to pout.

"Can I help you?" the skinny, young sales girl that was probably in middle school when I bought my last pair of AE jeans asked.

"Um, er, I'm just looking at the jeans."

[sweet smile]

"Any ones in particular?"

"No, I'm just looking right now, thanks."

I scan the wall in front of me and see that they are all skinny jeans. I walk to the next wall which is displaying "slim boot cut jeans".

"Hi there! Is there anything particular you are looking for?" another slightly-older but still twenty-something salesgirl asked.

"Well, yes. I had a pair of AE jeans that I wore until they literally came apart at the seams and I was looking for another pair. They were not skinny jeans. They were just regular jeans."

"Well by 'regular jeans' I'm not sure what you mean because they all have a name. Were they perhaps The Boyfriend Jean?"

[blank stare]

" I don't know what they were called. They had a classic fit, snug in the thighs, mid-rise and slight boot cut."

"Ohhhhhh..... how long ago was this? Because we had the original but have discontinued making them. I suggest you try these slim jeans, though. Don't let the name 'slim' scare you. They fit really well."

I grabbed two different sizes in that pair and proceeded to the dressing room to try them on. I will spare you the details, but one pair did fit. They even looked pretty good with my longer tee. That is, until, I had to bend or squat at which point anyone within twenty feet of me would get way more than they bargained for in the form of a clear view of all that God gave me. In other words, they were pretty low-rise. And, when you are a mom, bending and squatting tends to come up on occasion.

I walked out of the dressing room where older (and by older I mean this one was possibly of drinking age, but still far younger than myself) salesgirl was waiting on me with a hopeful look. I shook my head and told her the rise was too low. She took the jeans and said, " Those are the highest rise we have..."

[WOW]

"... Perhaps you can try The Gap. They still carry their classic jean."

Embarrassed, I walked out making a bee-line for the mall exit with no intention of stopping by The Gap or any other store.

As I headed out of the store, I heard salesgirl #1- the younger one- say, "Sorry about that. Have a great night!" chirpily. I glanced over my shoulder at her to bid her farewell, and I noticed she had that look on her face.

Pity.

She was smiling, but it was a pity smile. She was pitying me for having that awkward mom shape and for walking my old, uncool badonk-a-donk into her store.

I hurried out the nearest exit to my awaiting mini-van, cranked up the Springsteen and made a mental note that perhaps I should be on the lookout for these...

{Saturday Night Live Mom Jeans}

...and that in the future, I should remember that, from this day forward, AE is dead to me.

Wordful Wednesday- Bringing Da Halloween

If you know me, you know when it comes to Halloween, I like to bring it!

It all started innocently enough, when Noah was only 14 months old and we were pondering what costume to get for him for Halloween that would incorporate a stroller since he wasn't walking very well yet. We were strolling through IKEA, as we often did back in those simpler days, and passed a cute little tin garbage can and I off-handedly said, " How cute! We could make Noah Oscar the Grouch and roll him around in that can!" And the lightbulb went off and the wheels started turning.


We took him to the Halloween party at the base indoor pool that year and he won first prize. And that was it... we were bitten by the bug. We had to represent and defend our title.

So, the Halloween when Noah was two, his favorite character was Bob the Builder. So, I set out to make him a costume that was awesome and unlike any Bob the Builder costume you can buy.


So I had to make it more about the accessory than the outfit. He wouldn't put on his hard hat for the picture, so it is sitting on Scoop. But, alas, we did not win the costume contest at the pool this year. And I was out for blood. By golly, I would WIN IT next year.. I mean HE would win it next year. Ahem.... **blushing**

So, when Noah was three, it was just weeks before Halloween and I was feeling the pressure. I had no grand revelations. Nothing was jumping out at me. So, we made a visit to the Halloween store and I saw the cutest little top hat.. and thought of Moneybags from Monopoly, and VOILA!




He won the contest at the pool that year. WOOT!

So, when Noah was four, Zoe had just entered our lives two months earlier. I now had TWO children to worry about. Noah discovered Legos that year and his favorite color was blue.



And Zoe was only two months old, so she had no opinion on what she wore and I needed something that could just BE.


And much to Noah's chagrin, Zoe won the costume contest that year.

The following year, when Noah was five and Zoe was 14 months, Noah was still holding a grudge for losing the costume contest the previous year and insisted on a store-bought Darth Vader costume. I complied.



Then,I focused my attention on Zoe. Turns out, the few months prior, she finally started growing hair and it was red!! So, I went with it.


Zoe won the costume contest again at the pool party.

The following year, Noah was still bitter about Zoe winning the contest two years in a row and a little angry at himself for taking himself out of the running the previous year by going with a store-bought costume. I had already decided I wanted Zoe to be a scarecrow and I wanted him to be a crow. He refused. That is, until I found an article on Halloween decorations and showed him a "scary Halloween raven" and convinced him to be a raven. ( to be confused with a crow by everyone else, but that was what I wanted... shhhh.. don't tell him)




The bases had recently merged into one super joint base and we learned that the pool Halloween party had lost its funding, so we attended my husband's squadron party. Zoe won. Noah was mad.

So, this year, Noah has stepped up the competition, but, alas we have no costume contest to attend. The pool will not be funded again this year and my husband's new squadron has their kids' party on a Thursday afternoon at 4pm rather than a Saturday like his previous squadron. Zoe has a soccer game that Thursday afternoon and Noah doesn't even get home from school until 4:05, so we will not be attending the squadron party.

As for the specifics. I got off easy this year. My husband is making Noah's costume ( which is AWESOME and will have to be revealed in a later post because it is not yet finished) and my mother made Zoe's costume. I decided what I wanted Zoe to be and when my mother was visiting in August for Zoe's birthday, we went to pick out a pattern for a dress that looked like I envisioned in my mind. I already had the hat (from THIS prank) and bought the tights.





Now, if I could just find some strawberry-scented body spray to make her smell....

**this post is being linked to Wordful Wednesday hosted by Dumb Mom and is also being linked and entered in Dumb Mom's Happily (un)Haunted Photo Contest ( see how I still found a way to enter a Halloween costume contest? It's a sickness, really.)

**and apparently, when I blog past midnight, I use the word "so" a lot. I could easily just edit this and clean it up. However, I cringe when I read it, so I'm leaving it as is to remind myself if I do happen to blog past midnight, to save it and proofread in the morning BEFORE I publish.

Zen and the Art of Cleaning the Fish Bowl

There are lessons to be learned in everything in life. One just has to pause and look around them for all the wisdom the universe is just waiting to impart through experiences, revelations, intuition and struggles.

For example, let's take my recent experience of cleaning the fishbowl:

Lesson 1- Don't trust adorable little rugrats when they promise and swear with all their allowance, Legos, princesses and candy that they will take care of the fish.

I didn't want the fish. They skeeve me just a little bit and I didn't want to be the one that had to take care of it. But, basic human compassion made me have pity on the poor thing. I feed him at least one meal a day and sometimes two because my responsible offspring forget. When I walk in Noah's room, Phineas (get it? "Fin" for short!) gets very excited to see someone that might throw him a pellet. The poor guy is virtually ignored with only some Lego space ships and a Halloween window cling to keep him company most of the time. Eventually, his water starts to resemble a junior high science experiment and I give in and clean his bowl.

Lesson 2- Regarding self-fulfilling prophecies- if you fret about something enough, you will bring it to fruition.

Reason numero uno for my not wanting to clean the fish bowl is having to scoop Phin out of his bowl with the little net thingie. Those suckers jump and my biggest fear was him jumping out of that net and having to scoop his flopping, writhing body up with my hands. While cleaning the bowl the other day, this very thing happened. Phin- half fish, half kangaroo- bounced his scaly self out of the net and onto my kitchen island where he promptly started flopping around. Luckily I was the only one at home because I may or may not have screamed like a little girl.

Lesson 3- Don't be ashamed to admit when you need help and have the courage to ask for it.

I tried to scream loud enough that a neighbor might hear and come to my assistance. When that didn't work, I asked for Divine intervention. If God wouldn't kill the innocent fish for me, then would He please just strike me down so that I would have an excuse for not picking up the fish. It would all look like some horrible aquatic accident and I would escape being known as a murderer by my children.

Lesson 4- There are some things for which you must forgive yourself and let them go.

I may have hoped, for just a nanosecond, that the dog would swoop in and just eat the fish and I wouldn't have to worry about it.

Lesson 5- When overwhelmed, take a step back, assess the situation and allow your intuition to present you with a solution.

After completely freaking out and losing control of all my senses for a moment, I realized that Phin was flopping on the school lunch menu and was able to pick up the paper menu with the fish on it and plop him back in the water without having to touch him.

Lesson 7- No harm, no foul.

If nobody or nothing was hurt in the process, it is okay to pretend it never happened.

Lesson 8- Adversity builds character.

And vocabulary. I was a pretty colorful character with an even more colorful vocabulary.

Lesson 9- Surviving a traumatic experience makes you aware of your inner-strength.

Shut up. It WAS traumatic. And I'm a freakin' rock.

Lesson 10- Pass on the knowledge. Don't hoard the wisdom, you are meant to go forth and teach what you have learned to others.

And thus, this is my gift to you, young Grasshopper. If you are diligent in your studies and meditation ( or persistent in your refusal to get a fish), you too can be as wise as I am someday.

You're welcome.

The Dark Side of Motherhood- Raising a Girl with Confidence

Jennifer from Momma Made it Look Easy has been writing a series on her blog regarding moxie. It's a very serious subject that hits home for me. I am the mother of a daughter and I want her to grow up to be a strong, confident woman. Jennifer opens the discussion on how to raise a girl/woman like that primarily focusing on setting a good example for our daughters to follow. You can read one of her moxie posts (which includes links to her other ones) here. I strongly suggest you read them. I'll wait.

You back? Great! Moving on...

I think this is something we all struggle with. We want our children to understand boundaries and know their limits. We want them to understand when it is not okay to cross the line, but we don't want to break their spirit in the process and render them unable to take action when action is needed.

If you've been reading my blog for more than two posts, you know my daughter is full of strong-will. And attitude. Right now, it irks me to no end. It tires me and sometimes I think SHE is breaking MY spirit! I have to remember that I am the adult and I have to make her understand who is in charge here and what her boundaries are WITHOUT making her think she always needs to back down when challenged. It's a fine line.

I think what I am trying to say is that I want her to grow up feeling absolutely beautiful (enough to dress like a princess if she likes), yet strong and independent enough to protect herself and her domain (or her side of the galaxy- whichever may apply).

Like this:

When this, umm, Princess Vader? Lady Dark Lord? Queen Sith? appeared in my kitchen, I knew she totally had it.

And I think I want to borrow some of it.

** I am also linking this post with Dumb Mom's Mom Tip Tuesday- my tip? The yin and the yang- how to balance the masculine and the feminine. Okay.. it's a stretch, but she's understanding like that... so if you don't like it, then my tip is to first leave me a comment, and then go away with your critical self.

A Dog, A Medley, Poop and a Favorite Television Show

Since one of the main reasons I started this blog was to document the little things my kids do and say so I don't forget them in the future, I sometimes include posts with random snippets of conversation around our house.

The highlight reel from this week includes:

[Noah talking to his MeMaw on the phone] "We got a dog, she's a boxer!" [pause] "No, she's not white, she's, ummm... [I'm waiting for "tan", "brown", "beige" or even her official color of "fawn"] ... she's hardwood floor color!"

[Zoe was walking through the living room, totally ATE IT- cartoon-style with legs flying in the air- jumped up, brushed herself off, giggled and said,] "I was being on the People Fall Down Show. " [ the name she uses to refer to Wipeout]

[I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth when Noah came in and remarked that I needed to hurry because he had to go poop. I told him I would be done in a second and he was mouthing at me while walking down the hallway. I walked out of the bathroom and yelled,] "NOAH- JUST GO POOP ALREADY AND STOP SASSING ME!" [He continued to sass me and I yelled at him to,] "JUST GO POOP, NOAH!" And I heard Zoe reply with a great deal of attitude herself, "YEAH, Bubba!" [dramatic sigh] "Go poop. You GET a lollipop!" *

And finally, Zoe's, um, creative medley of the songs she's been singing at preschool: [imagine this sung at full volume in the minivan with a captive audience]

"Twinkle, twinkle, traffic light

On the corner shining bright

Red means stop

Green means go.

W-X-Y and Z

Now I know my A-B-C's

Won't my Mo-mmy be so proud of me

I'm squishing up my baby bumble bee

Won't my Mo-mmy be so proud of me.

TA-DA!"

*Zoe is potty trained as far as pee goes, but poop still requires bribery. She gets a lollipop when she goes poop on the potty.