BOO TO YOU.

I know I'm a day early, but we're leaving on a jet plane for warmer weather in a few hours, and in case I don't get a chance to say it tomorrow, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I've been going a million miles an hour all day. Why is it that no matter how prepared you are, there is still so much to do last minute? Sure, if I left my house a mess most of the stress would be taken away, but who wants to come home to a messy house? Not me. And holy Hannah, why do we have so much stuff?! Really, that thought has been rattling around in my brain all day. We tried to pack light, but when you go to a tropical island, I mean truly an island, as in we have to take a ferry to get there and the only thing you can drive is a golf cart, I've gotta be prepared for everything. Yikes!

Anyhow, once we board the plane I'll relax and hopefully things will be smooth sailing from there. Back to my post...yes...Boo to you! Hope you have a fabulous Halloween!

Nurse Nugget

Cutest cow ever.

Uh, not great, I know. Taking a nice picture of two kids is nearly impossible.

Last night we had our annual pumpkin carving fun. And if these pumpkins look different than the ones pictured here, that's because they are. Our pumpkins were stolen from our front steps not once, but twice! The first time someone just swiped Brother's baby pumpkin, but the second time some little hoodlums got all three. The only one that survived the raids was Nick's big one. All was good though as my sweet friend Shari let us come out to her family's pumpkin wagon and pick out new pumpkins for free. What a thoughtful friend. Now that they're carved and we're heading out of town, the hoodlums would actually be doing me a favor if they came back again. Just saying.

Nugget's pumpkin and a baby one for Brother.

All on her own, Nugget brought me this picture from one of her books, and said she wanted her pumpkin to look like this. You got it sister.

There he goes swiping things again. He had a ball playing with the newspaper which we had laid out on the table to catch our mess.

And in other, totally unrelated, news....look what the little man learned how to do this weekend.

Ahh, there's that darn pink Nuk again. I really should just throw them away so I won't have to be embarrassed every time I post a picture where he has one! Note to self, go stock up on BLUE Nuks.

No, no, no, he didn't learn how to climb out. At least not yet. But he did learn to pull himself up, in his crib of all places. The only problem is, he doesn't know how to get himself down, so he just stands there and cries until you come rescue him. Cute, but not so fun in the middle of the night!

Gotta run, stay tuned for posts from the island this week!

WHY I DO WHAT I DO.

The difference is jaw dropping unbelievable, and pretty much sums up why I make my own baby food.

Homemade baby food peas on the left, store bought on the right.

Now just a disclaimer, I don't judge or think any less of you if you don't make your own baby food. Brother has eaten it when we've been away from home, and Nugget had a good share of it too. I have the time to do it and it's something I enjoy. But like staying home full time or nursing your baby, it's not for everyone and I understand that.

But in case you're interested, all I did was buy a steamer bag of frozen sweet peas and  microwaved them. Then I pureed them in a mini food processor (a blender works too) with some water, and wa-la! There you have it. Easy peasy. (Yes, pun intended.)

I get most of my recipes from this book, which you can find here.

Now you know!

BORN WITH IT.

Today was a big day for us. Both of my kids had their first haircuts. We've put Nugget's off for a looong time, although it's needed a good trim for a looong time. It just seemed like the longer we waited, the harder it was to cut the cord and do it. Nick likes to call her Earth Mama, and it sort of became an unspoken contest to see just how long we could wait it out. I knew the time was nearing, as Brother's hair was just about in his eyes and I knew he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer either. I actually lined up cuts for both of them with my friend Micki a few weeks ago, but then chickened out and cancelled. But I ran in to her at the grocery store yesterday, and she said she had some free time today if I wanted mine colored before we leave for Florida, which I was all about. Then I figured I might as well do the kids now too, since she was already coming over. So, with a giant leap of faith, we proceeded. And now that that's out of the way, look how cute and grown up they look!

Brother went first....and wasn't afraid in the least.

Before.

During.

and After.



Can we just say HANDSOME? Seriously, how cute is this little man? He looks so much older already. I know his haircut was pretty necessary, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I'm a little sad that the hair he was born with is gone. When I nursed him to sleep for his nap today, it was weird to run my hands through his hair and have it be gone. And I miss the little flipped out curls over his ears too...but it will all grow back. Right? Please tell me it will grow back!

And now for Nugget's turn...

Before.

Like she's Cousin It or something, I only took a before picture from behind, because that was the area needing attention. It was very scraggly and stringy towards the bottom.

During.

This is where I almost cried. Talk about being born with this hair...sister's had this hair for 3 years and 2 months. I have touched it, washed it, brushed it and braided it too many times to count. This was the first little spout of hair that I scooped up into the most adorable pony tail atop her head, and squeezed into the two tiniest pigtails ever. Micki was going to straighten it first to ensure an even cut, but I asked her not too, because I wanted to save those precious baby locks just as they were.

and After.

Of course I couldn't let this milestone pass without saving the locks for their baby books...

Nugget's is the blond, Brother's is the brown.

The kids did awesome, and just to toot my own horn, Micki said Brother was the easiest first hair cut she's ever given to a baby. Awww. We just love her. She's been doing my hair for about five years now. After I went to her the first time back when she worked at Cole's, I came home happy and pleased, which never happens. Cutting my hair always seems to be a traumatic experience. But Micki gets me and my thick, wavy hair. When I came home after that first hair cut, Nick said 'You're not crying. I don't care what she costs, you'll never go to anyone else!' So true. And I am so happy for Micki that she is FINALLY opening her own salon in her home! Yay! I know she's gonna do great and be so successful. If you're in my area and want her info, let me know.

Happy Thursday!

SPECIAL DATE.

We've been looking forward to this all week. One-on-one time with my girl is hard to come by these days, and I must admit, it makes me feel really guilty. I mean, she had me all to herself for two and half years, then wham, just like that those precious moments were replaced with lots of just a minutes, hold ons, and I'll be there when I cans. I know that the gift of siblings is one of the best things I can give her, but I still want her to feel special, know that she is important, and see just how very much I love her and enjoy her company. So when an opportunity presents itself, we jump all over it.

I know I've said it before, but like a broken record, I'll say it again. I love living in a small town. If you would have asked me that six years ago you would have gotten a dramatically different response, and an ear full of reasons why (mainly there is NO Target! How does one survive? Seriously, Target trips are planned out and eagerly anticipated!). But now that I'm a Mama, I can't even imagine raising my kids in a big city. Yes, there are many conveniences that I sometimes secretly wish for, but in my heart I just know that this is where we are meant to be. Once I established myself here, met friends and made myself known, this place truly became my forever home. And I'm so glad it's her home. And I hope and pray that when she is grown, she will choose to live here and raise her own family here as well.

Ok, getting back on track....reason #386 why I love living in a small town? Community events. And no, I really don't have 385 previously stated reasons, but maybe I should try to make such a list someday. One of the local preschools hosted a Halloween craft night, and invited all preschool aged children in the community. Of course not all came, but it's just down the road from our house so we signed on up!

Yes, it is cold outside, but it seems silly and wasteful to drive two blocks down the road.

Sister thought is was awesome to walk in the dark.

She's happiest when she's creating.

Words can't even describe how much I loved tonight, having an opportunity to focus on just her. No just a minutes, hold ons, or I'll be there when I cans. Tonight all those were replaced with 'Sure, let's do it!' And judging by her wide eyes and happy smiles, I know that she felt special, knew she was important, and saw just how very much I love her and enjoy her company.

CUTE KIDS.

It was Halloween week at school, which meant the kids were to come to class in their costumes. How adorable. Have a look...

Brother's Baby Class

Back row (L to R): Noah, Hayden, Lukas, Henry

Front row: Shelby, Brother, Ella, Henry

Nugget's apprehension was out in full force today. When she's in familiar surroundings with people she knows, she's totally fine. But having a crowd of ten moms and three teachers all pointing cameras at her sent her over the edge. So I kindly let all the other moms snap away, without us in the picture, then at the end I hopped in with her and had Ms. Mary take a quick picture. I really wanted to capture the memory of how cute she and all her friends looked, but its kinda weird having a picture with your kid MIA. I hope she can laugh at this picture someday, or maybe I scarred her for life. Who knows.

Back row (L to R): Walker, Sky, Hunter, Giovanni (standing), Miss Britt, Charlie, myself and Nugget

Front row: Mac, Maddie, Kate and Carolyn.

The parents and I were laughing at Miss Britt's costume....she is a spunky young gal and dressed as an 80's chick. The kids were probably thinking 'wtf? We've never seen that before!' Ha! She claims she's saving her 'real' costume, a ballerina, for the community preschool party they are hosting on Friday. We shall see...anyhow, she's a hoot and we love her.

SNIPPETS.

You gotta love life when it looks like this...

Doing the 'Bean Bag Boogie' at dance.

And it looks like Nugget started a little leg warmer trend at dance too.
But today she's the one in the green skirt and knee high socks.

Just love her to pieces.

Pulled out some old toys, but the kids think they're new!

Nugs has been busy perfecting her happy people. I love them.

We call him the 'Swiper'. I was munching on this apple when Brother spotted it and went nuts.
He just had to have it!

Busted my kids having some good old fashioned fun with a basket full of paper marked for recycling, and the plastic bags that the newspapers come in. Don't worry, there was no suffocation risk imposed, as this was cleary supervised.

Brother thought this was the most hilarious thing he has ever gotten into.

The more Brother giggled, the more Sister shook her bag like crazy.

The more she shook, the harder he giggled!

There it is. That precious little bond again.

Nugget and her baby sporting headbands made by Mama.

Nugget enjoying a little pumpkin painting fun.

Your day can't go wrong when it starts like this. Coffee and a pumpkin pie playdoh donut made by the lovely Miss Nugget.

We had a fun filled day at the zoo, just the three of us.

We started our weekend by cozying up in bed.

We celebrated Halloween a little early with a trick-or-treating event at our local grocery store.

Brother the cow.

And little Nurse Nugget. Watch out, she's a sassy one!

And last but not least...

We spent today doing some much needed yard work. But who says it's all work and no play?

Nugget thought it was a hoot to ride in Daddy's truck and take the leaves to the city compost site.

Playing in the leaves in the back of the truck was really as much fun as it looks.

And I know because I tried it myself!

Hmmm, how much blue can a little boy wear? We thought we'd try it and see.

This makes me happy, our little pumpkin family at home on our front steps.

Looking forward to a busy week ahead, especially as we prepare to spend some time in our happy place...North Captiva Island!