The Simple Things

Halloween 2009 Recap

It's over...phew! This week was crazy! From Halloween parties, to last minute sewing of cloaks, to making my costume and "discussing" why Den Farlow wouldn't dress up this year...I'm all worn out!
Here's a look at the past week:
 
The girls were all Princesses this year. So cute. Except that it was 34 degrees and windy on Beggars Night! So, two days before, I decided that I had to do something drastic. It's against everything I believe in to let kids trick-or-treat in their jackets. It covers up their costume and totally ruins everything. So...I whipped up three of these little things:
 
Coordinating fleece lined cloaks. 
 
They were darling...and oh-so-snuggly.
 
I thought they looked like the fairies from Sleeping Beauty, but other people (den farlow) might have mentioned something about the "grand wizard" from the KKK. unbelievable. 

It was seriously too cold to trick-or-treat, so we came home, changed into our snugglies, turned on the fire and watched the new Tinkerbell movie. Perfect.
 
Ever vigilant, E was on door patrol. I wonder how much made it into her tummy. Judging by the wrappers on the stairs, I would guess quite a bit! 
The next night was the ward Trunk-or-Treat. This was a blast (and much warmer!). 
 
Here's Emmie and her BFF William. They are too darling. Is it too early to start praying that she will marry William?? he's just such a darling boy!!! :) 

Here's my get-up for the ward party.
 
I'm the wicked witch to my girls Princesses. We tried to get Den Farlow to be the Handsome Prince, but he was having none of it. I've spent the past week going to bed mad at him for being such a dou...well, you know. I guess Halloween isn't for everyone. 

Thankfully I have GREAT girlfriends! We had so much fun making our skirts and cute costumes! 
 
The tights and shoes were my favorite! 
 
And I have to throw a picture of our friends Kelly and Julie...
 
I love that Julie rocked a lip ring at a ward party. Perfect! 

It was a great Halloween, but now it's time to really focus on what matters...CHRISTMAS! 
BREAK OUT THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!! It's time to Deck the Halls! 

Spooky Gourmet Club...

I love Halloween. Its all sorts of fun for me. This year I'm totally into it...including meal times.
Beginning on Sunday, we've had spooky dinners each night.
Here's what was on our menu:
 
Sunday night: Bagel Mummy Pizzas. 
The girls loved this. They eached worked on their own. It was brilliantly easy and fun for all. 


Monday night we made these favorite little Mummy Dogs*. 
 
Mousey Meat Loaves were on the menu for Tuesday, but I ended up dealing with an obnoxious 5 year old instead of making a spooky dinner. 
 
This Meatball snake is always a huge hit. Perfect for lunch or dinner!
 


Tonight was my crowning jewel...Wormy Burgers*. 
Oh gross. Sliced hot dogs tossed in BBQ sauce on a roll. 
The girls almost couldn't eat it because they thought it was so gross! But once they tried it, they LOVED it!! 
And here was dessert: 

Wormy Apple Bake. mmm...so good! 

I may not be able to keep my kitchen clean, but at least I have fun getting it dirty!!!

*pictures from here. and here.

All in a day's work...

 
The floor!

A cleaned, vacuumed floor!
 
ooh! The top of my nightstand! I forgot what that looked like!

It's amazing what a little public humiliation will get you to do!
 

Now Hiring...

Wanted: Household Assistant**

Immediate opening for household assistant. Job duties include (but are not limited to)...

Cleaning up this hole.
 
I'm speechless.

Oh my.

Applicant must be willing to wash, transfer, fold and put away laundry. Because I hate it. (obviously) Other duties include picking up the hud that accumulates around my house. Crawl under crib to find wayward bottles. Take said bottles and run through dishwasher. (instead of just tossing them in the trash). Make healthy meals and snacks for family of 5. Round up glasses that CEO of house has left scattered all over the house. Unload dishwasher (i don't mind loading it, i'm just above unloading). Mop floors weekly. Clean out the dump that is the minivan.  (it may be beyond saving) Other ad-hoc projects as I deem necessary (aka anything I can't be bothered to do)

Benefits include: my companionship and keen sense of humor throughout the day. Three darling girls to make more work for you. Sexy and funny husband who will leave said cups throughout the house for you to find. Hours of trashy tv to watch at night...if your responsibilities are done. Football on the weekends.

Pay will be commesurate on how many craft projects I can get done with all this free time. Applicant interviews/auditions will begin tomorrow morning...starting on the pit that is my room.

**See also: Maid, Wife, Servant, etc.

Oh my Goodness...it's love!

Check this out...
 
felt playhouse front.

the side.

the back...with garden.

This is probably the cutest thing I've ever seen. Seriously, if this isn't love at first sight, I don't know what is.
Go check it all out here. It's ambitious, but I must make one of these for my girls for Christmas.
I better start now, because this mother is no joke!!

*all pictures from www.handmadebyjill.blogspot.com

Is it too early???

So last night I casually suggested to my mom that i had some possible Christmas gift ideas that I was going to send her. She replied..."uh...better wait until AFTER Halloween". I'm not sure I agree with that! It's never to early to start getting Christmas presents!
Last year I failed to make "The List" and ended up with this from Den Farlow:

The Meat Thermometer.
It was a disaster. So, this year, I'm not taking chances. I am making sure that my list is throrough and complete. This is NOT the official list...just the beginning.
Here are some things I am needing in my life:

It gets COLD here in the midwest. These would be the perfect winter boot. Find them here.

One of my FAVORITE tv shows is out on DVD:
 
I love Ally McBeal! It reminds me of college, falling in love and being newly married. The whole series...all seasons are together in a box set! YAY!!! 


A breadmaker. Den Farlow's mother gave me one for our first Christmas. I loved it! Unfortunately, it did not make the move to NYC due to space issues. There's been a void in my life since then. However, I don't have a particular kind in mind. Anyone have one that they love???

I've never owned a Food Processor, which I believe is a tragedy. Think of the homemade salsa, guac, etc. I could make with this! Again, having never owned one, I'm not sure which is best. Any ideas?  


 I love The Pioneer Woman. I especially love her "how-to" recipes. This book is HIGH on my list. I'm sure I can use the above two gifts with it!! 

I realize it's not even Halloween yet, but is anyone else thinking about Christmas? What's on your list???
 

The Battle...

Last night E made her way into our bed. After being kicked in the kidneys for the 10th time, I stomped out of bed and said, "I will be in HER bed, since I don't fit in here!".
Friends, that was the best choice I've ever made.
You see, Emilie has these chamois sheets on her bed:

I don't know if the picture even does them justice. They are divine. Like slipping into a little piece of heaven. I don't know why I even put up a fight when she wants to sleep in our bed. From now on, she can have it. I wonder how long it will take her to retreat back to her bed. I give her one night of the "Den Farlow Symphony" before she comes crawling back.
I also wonder if Den Farlow would mind if we got the Hot Pink Chamois sheets in a queen size???

Preschool Field Trip

Claire missed the cut-off for preschool by two months. So, we started a little "Joy School/Preschool" for her and 4 of her little friends! It's been so much fun and they LOVE it.
Today we went on our first preschool field trip. Since the letter of the week was "F", we went to a "Farm". Okay, it was an apple orchard, but that's close enough!
 
Grace really thinks she's one of the "big kids" and must do everything everyone else does! 

In the corn pool...
 
 
 
 
Claire was not too sure of the slide.

This was her face each time. It cracked me up!

The girls loved the "Little Pig Houses"...

Okay, who am I kidding...we ALL loved the Little Pig Houses!!

Cute Grace.
It was a fabulous morning. Days like this make me so grateful that I'm able to stay home with my girls. Days like today make it totally worth it!

And for some viewing enjoyment, here's a cute video of Grace being a goat:

 

 

Why I'm a Show Pony

This Saturday was family pictures. I love Family Pictures. In fact, I've been living for them for the past two weeks.
The biggest part is not the location, or the weather. No...for me it's all about the outfits.
Thankfully, everything came together beautifully! We went down to the Bridges of Madison County. It was a little chilly, but that ain't no thang!
Unfortunately, i think I need to readjust my expectations of family pictures when there is a 21 month involved. G was never still for a moment! Oh well...that perfectly sums up life right now!
Here's a sneak peek...

*there are too many to post here. But, I have some favorites on my Facebook account. If we're "friends" go check them out! 

Photos by Lori Collett Photography. 
 

It's Halloween...it's Halloween...

My decorations have been up since September 24th. it's never too early to start decorating. Here's a peek at some of my favorites:

Here's my front door. Note...I cannot even keep "Hardy Mums" alive.
This year I made a fun garland for around the front door.
 
 

And gracing my door is my beloved PBK wreath:

Isn't it spooky? 

 I made this little haunted village out of those birdhouses at the craft store.

I think they're pretty cute!

  
I really want to do this to my door: 

But Den Farlow would probably kill me. I wonder what he would do if I did it anyway??? hmmm...