Today I Did The Halloween Thing.

Hubster and I dressed the girls up at 5pm this evening for trick-or-treating in town.  As long as I can remember they close down the main street in the middle of town and all the merchants pass out goodies.  When Halloween falls on a Sunday, they do it on Saturday.  I'm glad they do because to me Halloween and the Lord's Day/Sabbath/Sunday just don't mix.  Anyways, we only went for a little bit because it was getting dark and because Ash didn't need a bunch of candy she can't eat anyways.  No soy or dairy, remember?  And funny!  Her favorite treat was the apple she got.  She couldn't even wait until we were done to fish it out of her bag and start munching.  She loooooooooooves apples. 

Then we went to a party done by the members of our church.  It was a harvest/barn/costume party.  There was a chili cook-off and lots of apple desserts.  There was square dancing and, sad, Tony refused to dance.  They had a table set up for the kids to decorate little pumpkins.  Ash thought hers was an apple and tried to eat it.  Haha!  She really enjoyed herself.  She's quite the little dancer.  I've got to get her into some mommy and me dance classes soon.  She's been dancing since she was quite little and could bob and weave her upper body. 

Britt liked the bread and being passed around to various admirers.  But mostly she just hated her hat.  I never did get it taken it, but adding a beanie underneath really helped.  I only made her wear it for trick-or-treating and then she got to just sport the cute beanie. 

They never look in the same direction.  Gotta love Britt's pointed toes.

They were copying me.  I was shaking a jingle ball in an attempt to get a little cooperation.

So, just in case you can't tell: Ash went as a butterfly and Britt was a flower.   I convinced Tony to wear all black and I wore all white.  Originally we were going to be salt and pepper, but Hubby declined painting a P on his face.  So, I decided we could be Black and White - Opposites that Attract.  That's what I told people anyways.  Only to find out that the Mr. was telling everyone that I was an angel and he was a devil's advocate.  Niiiice.  **rolling my eyes** Not too far from the truth though.  :D 

So there you have it.  Hope everyone had a nice evening and be safe tomorrow! 

Today I Caught My Daughter With My Camera.

But not before she snapped a shot of her most favorite body parts - her FEET!

**laugh**

Why her favorite?  Well, because she has a major love for shoes. 

Matter of fact, "shoe" was her first word.

Actually, maybe she was trying to take a picture of my sparkly flats.

They are cute shoes and she often "borrows" them.

Or maybe this photo wasn't supposed to be about shoes or feet at all. 

Maybe she was attempting to take her doll's picture. 

That lace is the bottom of the doll's dress.

Oh but look!  The doll's shoes made it into the photo too! 

Wanna know what I think? 

I think she was just pushing all the cool buttons on my camera.

Today I Went To A Vampire Party.

Ok.  Technically I co-hosted this party.  I financed most of it and cooked a lot of it.  My sisters and I put it on for the rest of our families.  And it was soooooooo much fun.  And it's not exactly over since everyone 13 and older is watching Nosferatu now. 

My sister Rachel made some bat mobiles.  Too cute.  We found the bat template here.  That mobiles were made with embroidery hoops, thread, paper bats and ribbon.

Our beautifully set table.  Molly, Kate and I worked together on this one.

My name card is held by plastic vampire teeth.  Haha!

We did a display of everyone with vampire fangs. 

Everyone dressed in black and gave themselves a pallor and red lips. 

I made everyone sit still for a group pic before eating.

One of my little brothers eating the french bread Molly made and the garlic soup I made.  That soup was soooooooooooo good.  I kind of made it up.  We also had salad with red dressing, pomegranate ginger ale, and roast with carrots and red potatoes. 

After dinner we played games.

We played pin the stake on the vampire.

And we played bobbing for donuts.  I don't really know what this game is called!  Eat the donut off a string?

Beethoven had fun and so did the rest of us!

Molly won by eating the whole donut off the string with her hands behind her back!

Fail!  This is the chocolate cake that was supposed to have red sprinkle bats on top.  It didn't work out quite like I wanted it to.  But that's ok.  We didn't even eat it because we'd had too many sweets.  A nice, nutritious breakfast, right?

I got most of my inspiration from my October All You magazine. 



Today I Read Dracula.

Three of my sisters, one brother, and I have a book club.  We're currently reading Dracula by Bram Stoker.  I love all the awesome big words.  We don't use so many words in our everyday language like they did over a century ago, and I think that's sad.  As for the book itself - my opinion is that it's not written all that well.  It's also pretty creepy.  I guess I wasn't expecting that!  Don't know why.  Haha!  It's an interesting story to say the least.  We're going to have a vampire themed party tomorrow night.  Stay tuned!

Today I Made A Cheerios Trail.

I was cleaning in the living room and Britt was in my room playing with her toys.  I didn't want to pick her up to move her to where I was, because when I put her down she howls.  So I thought I'd use her green puffs and make a trail for her to follow, like Hansel and Gretel.  I didn't fully expect her to really go along with my plan, but she DID!  Heehee.  She ate her way into the living room and I got a kick out of it. 

This brings to mind a quote. 

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”  -- Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today I Went To Signing Time Class With My Girls.

Ash, Britt, and I go to a musical sign language class and have a ton of fun.  It's put on by the Seattle Parks Department and held at a community center.  Tony and I introduced Ash to sign language when she was a year because she was showing a lot of frustration over not being able communicate with us.  We used the Baby Signing Time dvds and she fell in love pretty quickly.

At our signing time classes we sing songs and sign the words and dance around. Mostly it's just us mommies doing all the singing and signing, but the kids are taking it all in and Ash signs at home, even if she doesn't sign much at class. Ash is the oldest and Britt is the youngest. And I'm the only one with two kids in the class. It's pretty fun!  My sister, Molly, came with me today and took pictures!  Yay!

Ash enjoying the big room.

Britt on the drum.

Ash dancing with scarves.  As you can see from the reflection, Britt and I were dancing with her.

Britt-Britt is waving and of course I am just so impressed at her smarts.

Listening to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" in song and sign.  No, that's not a real spider on the floor.  It's a Halloween ring someone dropped.

What does it mean that Ash likes to wander around and do her own thing a bit more than participating in class?

I love this one the most.  You can see Ash, Molly, and Britt.  So cute.  Ash is off on her own - taking up all the empty space and Britt is next to everyone else.  Though, right after this was taken, Britt crawled over to Ash.  She was following her sister!  She's starting to do that more and more often.  :)

Today I Got A Package In The Mail.

It was a giveaway I won from Jenny at Full of Craft.  I follow her blog and it's so fun!  She's got quite the talent and her ideas are fresh and original. 

Here's what I won:

Just in time for Halloween!  She hand made the stamps for these cards.  Mad skills, huh?  Love them.

And these!  Perfect for a Seattle dweller, like myself.  The clouds are too cute and they were made from business envelopes.  **impressed**  What a great way to recycle! 

I'm so thrilled.  Thanks Jenny!!!!

Today I Cared For A Sad, Teething Baby.

Poor Britt-Britt.  She's getting MORE teeth!  She's drooling, cranky, got a runny/stuffy nose, sleeping more (yay!), and biting me more (not yay).  She's taking up more of my time now but since she's growing up so fast (at 7 months tomorrow, already sitting up, crawling and pulling herself up on furniture!), I'm going to just enjoy cuddling her more while I can.  :D

Sweet baby Britt with her Nana (my mum).

Today I Painted A Dresser.

Blah.  I found what I thought was the perfect replacement dresser we got rid of during our move.  I wanted a short, wide one.  I found it on Craigslist near where Hubster works.  It's 70" long!  Yay!  Lots of spacious drawers!  I asked the woman selling it if it was solid wood and she said it was.  So, I send Tony to check it out and see if all the drawers worked.  They do.  He bought it and brought it to our house and it's NOT solid wood.  It's solid pressed wood with a fake paper covering.  You know, that stuff that looks like wood, until someone peels the paper off.  Which it had many peeled spots.  I knew it probably wouldn't paint well.  And it didn't.  It seems to be like that nail polish I had as a kid that I'd paint on my nails and then peel right off.  **sigh**  One more coat to go.  And we'll be using it until I find a real solid wood dresser that is short and wide.  Sheesh. 

Here's what it looked liked when I started painting it.

 

Today I Took The Truck To The Shop.

My husband let my dad use his truck to get gravel this morning.  That means that Tony took my car to get to work. 

Boo. 

Oh well, what's one day, right?  Dad informed me, before he left, that the driver's side door wouldn't close. 

That door has been a bit difficult to close for a while now.  So, I had to take it to the shop this afternoon.  It's gonna need a new latch. 

That will leave us with minus $250. 

And when we want to part with another $250 we need to get the pins and bindings (or whatever they're called) replaced as well.  One thing at a time though.

And the parts won't arrive until Friday. 

So - I get to look forward to trading vehicles again in 3 days.  I wouldn't mind, but I can't take both babies anywhere in the truck.  Only one or the other.  Kind of a nuisance. 

At least they did a temporary fix on the door and it now opens and closes.  And it will be nice to not have to slam that door to get it to stay shut.

(source)

Today I Washed The Costumes.

I was hoping the girls would keep their Halloween outfits pristine during our outing to Zoo Boo on Saturday. Wishful thinking!  So - I decided to get them cleaned up in preparation for the other fun things we've got planned: 1 or 2 parties, a possible jack-o-lantern hunt (like the Easter egg hunt, only Halloween-y and at night), and the town will be blocking off traffic to let the kids trick or treat to all the merchants in town on the 30th.  These are the plans.  I hope we do at least one of them so I can get some good pics of the girls in their costumes.  Like, sitting on the sofa photos.  :)

Anyways, here are the pictures we took on the weekend.  It wasn't exactly the trip I had planned.  I had envisioned us going to all the fun projects and animal shows the zoo had set up.  But, in the end (and beginning) we decided to just go with what Ash wanted.  And what Ash wanted was to run around, looking through each glass and set of bars.  That's all.  So, we did.  And she loved it.  I would like to say Britt loved it too.  But that would be a lie.  Britt prefers being at home with as little people to compete with for her mother's attention as possible.  It's a good thing that Britt is the second child.  She wouldn't have moved over to make room for a sibling as gracefully as Ash did. 

Before we left the zoo we hit up the food court for lunch, which is why I had to do laundry today.  :D

Here is how the antennae worked out.  I was/am very pleased.

On our way in.  The butterfly and her flower.  Teehee.

Sweet little Britt.  Her head gear is too big.  I kinda rolled it back at the top to help it fit better.  If I make it a priority, I may try to take it in a bit before the next festivity.

Ash, watching the polar bears swimming around.  She was just eatin' it up and takin' it in!

Butterfly under water.  Watching the seals.

The only picture we took of an animal without one of our kids also in the shot.  Ash was quite mesmerized by this Arctic fox.  It is very pretty.

This is how to keep a baby happy when you forget to bring any toys.

Saying bye to the peacock on our way out.

That's it.  So cute, right?

Today I Made Antennae.

I wanted to show you the finished product but the paint still isn't dry.  **pout**  But, I figured I might as well share my excitement.  Yesterday I found everything else I needed for Ash's costume except the antennae!  I looked everywhere!  How come no one sells them? 

I decided to just make some.  I totally lucked out!  That does mean I got lucky, right?  Anyways, I found everything I needed when the girls and I took a stroller walk around town.  Oh, and this isn't a tutorial.  It's a story with lots of pictures. 

Here we have all my pieces.  Styrofoam balls, Halloween headband, black paint, and pipe cleaners. 

I decided to attack the headband right away.  It was reduced price, the shop owner said, because the little monster/spider didn't light up like it was supposed to.  Before I ripped it apart I pressed the little guy and, sad, it worked!  Oh well. 

The eeek was only glued on and stitched in a couple spots.  Easy-peasy. 

I was a little stumped by the weird wires that were left, but I pulled and twisted at them for a little bit and then they were free! Yay!

At that point the headband was looking rather sorry.  Luckily it was quite effortless to move the knit around...

...and voila!  Hidden seam!  Pardon the poorly focused picture.  My camera thought my hand was the main point of the shot.  Cool though, right?

Next was the styrofoam balls' turn.  I decided to paint four even though I only need two.  Best to be prepared for everything, I'd say. 

Beautiful, aren't they?  They look like black meatballs.  Well, that's it!  If I have time tomorrow, I'll letcha all see the finally product on Ash's cute, little head.  I don't normally post on weekends, but maybe I'll just do Monday's post two days early!  :)

Today I Went To The Mall.

We're going to Zoo Boo this weekend, so I needed to get the last bits and pieces of the girls' Halloween costumes.  It took way too long.  And Britt protested most of the time.  I had to hold her and push Ash in the double seated stroller with one hand.  Very tiring.  Britt-Britt is obviously NOT a shopper.  Ash is.  One outta two ain't bad!  I guess. 

Anyways, I ran all over the mall, checking out Crazy 8, Gymboree, The Children's Place, & Gap.  I ended up getting the sweater at Target.  Love the Cherokee brand and then legging and tights were picked up at H&M.  This was my first time going to H&M.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but is most of their stuff made really cheaply?  I wasn't super impressed.  

So here's what I got.  I'll give you the whole picture, of the girls in their costumes, next week.  Maybe.  If you're lucky.  :) 

Today I Got An Award!

Well, technically I received this award on Monday, but I discovered it today.  **big grin**  A huge thank you to Mrs. K of Learn(ing) to Enjoy the Rain for giving me the Versatile Blogger Award.  Woot!

The rules for winning this award:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2.  Share 7 things about yourself.

3.  Pass the award along to 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and you think are fabulous.


4.  Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award.
 
 
Seven Things About Me -
 
1.  I like to cook.  But rarely the same thing twice.
 
2.  I loooove dolls and want to collect them.  All of them!
 
3.  I want to be more crafty.  I have stacks of started projects and really need/want to finish them.
 
4.  I have a really cute, little family.  One husband and two daughters.
 
5.  I was born in Alaska. 
 
6.  I got E.Coli as a young child from medium rare hamburger.
 
7.  I have a major sugar addiction.  Have to have sweets EVERYDAY.  Help me please!
 
 
Fifteen Bloggers I Feel Highly Deserve The Versatile Blogger Award (not in any particular order) -
 
1.  Boss Sanders...staying crazy in a sane world
 
2.  the pASHin
 
3.  Land of Misfit Toyz
 
4.  If life was like a cupcake...
 
5.  A Feathered Nest
 
6.  Yours, Mine, and Ours*
 
7.  My Magic Mom
 
8.  smashed peas and carrots
 
9.  by hand at home
 
10.  Made By Bedtime Tales
 
11.  Little Apartment on the Prairie
 
12.  Flying Giggles and Lollipops
 
13.  Courageous Mother
 
14.  Full of Craft
 
15.  Thalita Dol
 
There you go!  Y'all are AWESOME!  Only wish there weren't only 15 slots.

Today I Read A Book.

As the oldest of many kids, I've read lots of stories.  I used to loooooooooooooooove going to the library and picking a huge stack of books for myself and another separate, equally large, pile of books to read to my younger siblings.  I've worked in libraries and schools most of my career years.  You'd think I'd be reading up a storm with my own two girls.  As pitiful as it sounds, my goal is to read them at least one book a day.  And sometimes I don't even make that goal.  But, it's important.  It really is.  Studies show that kids who are read to do better with language over all.  Speaking, reading, writing, you name it.  Ash loves books.  She loves for me to read to her.  I'm sure Britt will too when she overcomes her insane desire to chew on everything she can get her paws on.  Anyways, here are some of my favorite picture books.  What are yours?

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear.

All of Baby Nose to Toes

Jamberry

The Story About Ping

Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes

Little Fur Family

Seriously, there are sooooooooo many more (like, thousands) that I'd like to list, but I decided to just go with the ones that popped into my head first. 

And don't forget that sometimes it's all about the fun place in which you choose to curl up with that book.

Ash got her book reading bucket here.