Trick or Treat

When I was a kid we went trick or treating a few times. I don't think we went every year. Maybe we did and I just don't remember but a few times really stick out in my mind. Like the time we went to knock on a door and our hand went right on thru because there was no glass or screen in the door. Or getting all dressed up for the parade and getting a fifty cent coin for making it to the end. Or... ok really those are my only trick or treat memories. (good to know if we miss a few years it doesn't matter cause they won't remember anyway)
Anyway, things have changed. now you have to have a cool outfit and all the right accessories. The most absurd accessory is the trick or treat bag or bucket. You can get them in all kinds of shapes and sizes now with the option to personalize or not. But really all they need is a shopping bag (like the plastic grocery store kind you have a million of) or a pillow case if you are feeling especially earth friendly.
But look how cute these are...

Who could deny their perfect little child of such joy? They need to carry around a bag that is, lets face it, as adorable as they are.

So tonight I made Nick one.

It came out pretty cute. (if I do say so myself) And I now feel bad for all those little kids who will be carrying around dirty old pillowcases or disposable plastic shopping bags.
Amazing how having your own kids changes your views on a lot of things.

My Melodious Mess

I meant to clean my kitchen I honestly did....
So I called my mom; to have her yell at me to do it (I remember from when I was younger that she's so good at that)
She didn't answer.
I tried my sisters; to have them tell me that I just couldn't live this way any longer, it was a disgrace.
They didn't answer their phones.
So I went for a walk with my kids before the sun set.
Then I was going to clean the kitchen, honestly.
But then I ended up cleaning the living room.
I was cleaning the living room; honest.
Then somehow I was doing the chicken dance with Claire and Nick.
They are quite good at it actually. Nick's little singing birdies are SOOO CUTE!

So instead of cleaning my kitchen I was making birdies sing and flap their wings and shake their butts!

Clap-Clap-Clap-Clap

Join Us For Dinner

Our Lives of late have been very 'ordinary'. Not that they weren't ordinary before, just that now we are faced with extra ordinary days. We have nothing to blog about. (that's not true) We have not blogged anything of note for quite some time. (that IS true)
So, we are going to blog about the 'ordinary'.

Dinner.

Almost every family we know has dinner. There are big campaigns across the country pushing family dinner. Reminding us just how important family dinner is. It is so powerful to eat as a family that it has been found in studies to reduce obesity, drug use, teen and unplanned pregnancies and eating disorders. It also boosts self-esteem and school grades.

So mix up something good tonight and join us for dinner. As a family.

UGH!

---SIGH----
the biggest, longest, most air ever released at one time;
--SIGH--
an attempt to release some of the tension built up;
-SIGH-
a last ditch effort to pull it all together and move forward
SIGH
the kiss of death to my day.

A Great Fall Day

Today started a bit stressfully with Jury Duty. That meant that I had to empty my purse. As you can pretty much deduce from reading this blog I don't get out much (read: at all). So going out sans kids meant that I had to dig out a real bag as opposed to my diaper bag; which I take everywhere much to the shock of my mother-in-law who offered me a handbag to borrow for my sister's wedding. I told her I'd just have the diaper bag. Her look was like ice water after the hot tub... it's been a while since diaper bags for her.
ANYWAY
I had to empty out my purse (yes I own about one that is presentable). This is the contents. It made me giggle so I took a picture for you so you could giggle too.

It includes some Swedish fish that were stuck to the lining (that are from the Lamaze class Jim and I took together for Nick), Nick's hospital band (how long were those fish in there?), kids sunscreen and of course a measuring tape (that made me feel close to my mom) and some other randomness.
After all that work of putting away (mostly throwing away) the contents of my purse. I re-packed it for jury duty. An ipad, iphone, summer reading book, and birth certificates for both of our kids.
Jim and I drove in together this morning which was nice.
It took me all of 20 min to get out of jury duty (and probably 10 of those were waiting at security)
I came home to my sweeties and then Jimmy surprised us by taking a half day!
We made spaghetti squash casserole! YUMMY! So good and even better the next day as left overs.

A Sense of Accomplishment

I feel the need to share what I did today.
I outfitted my kids for winter. (both of them)
I racked up a total of $110 and paid $32!
(that's $78 saved!)
I get warm fuzzies and the kids stay warm but hopefully not fuzzy. :)

Nick at New Heights

As you all know, Nick likes to climb on things. Anything really. Now he has discovered steps. Like using one thing to help him get onto something higher; easier and with more consistency. He likes this Fisher Price chair, you know the yellow ones; cause it's light, and sturdy. He's into things I never thought he would be into. And he loves, loves, LOVES the silverware drawer, and the computer. He figured out the other day how to take the keys off the keyboard. (thankfully he only takes off the 'option' and 'control' keys and I have two) I feel the need to document it because I know no one will believe me when I tell them about his problem solving skills or his strength and agility. So take a look yourself.
(Insert Video of Nick carrying chair out of my room where I hide it, across the living room and into the kitchen to the silverware drawer where he then navigates it around to figure out how to get into the drawer while one the chair. Blogger apparently deems this unacceptable for viewing and will not load it)

(BOO)

What can I do? does the chair have to go? He likes it so much I wish it wasn't so potentially dangerous.

Date Night

The kids are asleep.
it's only 8:30!!!
they put themselves to sleep.
did I mention; it's only 8:30!!!
The house is clean.
So far a great date night.
If only my date were here :(
Alas, he is food shopping.
Maybe he'll bring home something yummy to eat. :)
Date night is great.

How Long till this Feels like Family?

This past weekend my littlest sister got married. To a guy she adores more than anything I have ever seen her adore, (perhaps even more than sharpie markers and ductape). It was a magical day, watching them make that commitment to one another and more interestingly and impressive, watching them navigate the union of their two families for one day, bringing together two visions (or more) of the way the day should go; and they did it with grace. Bravo! Ami and Mark, Bravo!

It got my wheels turning, about family, extended family, pseudofamily and my own family. It was so nice to see my family. To spend time with them and remember that I am loved unconditionally, something I forget a lot these days. It was good to get hugs, kisses, cuddles and even the jabs were welcomed.
In laws aren't like that. If there's one thing about marriage that I have found it's that even though your 'new' family likes you, accepts you, welcomes you, they'll never replace or replicate your 'real' family. Their hugs will never make you melt as much as the ones your dad gives you, their jabs will always make you think twice, and their kisses will always feel foreign. At least this is what my limited observations have made me conclude. Perhaps as time lapses the lines will blur, perhaps my own family is so close they defy the norm, perhaps I am just having an especially melancholy day. But this weekend made me think, When will this start to feel like family? and Why is Christmas so far away?