Happy Hallowe'en

This year marked our first "real" Hallowe'en. Last year, I had big plans to dress Bram up and show him off to all the cute kids that came Trick or Treating but whatya you know, that silly, little five month old baby couldn't even stay up for the festivities. And only one group of kids came to our door. I was very sad.

This year, however, he was big enough to participate AND stayed up the whole time! Way to go kiddo!

Since neither Chad nor my parents let us Trick or Treat, it was a whole new experience for us as well. We did not dress up (though next year I might try it!) and since we had been out of town for the better part of last week and weren't sure we'd make it back in time, we didn't have a plan for Abraham. SO we headed to the Dollar Store.

The first plan we came up with was to use a large teddy bear and turn it into "Max" from Where the Wild Things Are but when I started make the costume I realized that we had remembered wrong and Max was a wolf not a bear with a tail. (I know, silly thought. But in my defense, it has been over 10 years since I'd read the book!)

But while at the Dollar Store we passed by the costume section and Bram grabbed a fireman helmet and wore it the whole time! A huge first for him! So after Max fizzled we decided to do a fireman instead. With Duct Tape. The tutorial we used can be found here. But it wouldn't be that hard to do without one.

So here's the boy-- very excited for his first Trick or Treating!


Trying on the costume for size...

I just love this kid so much!


"Daddy, what's going on?"

Virginia Beach Fire Department's little hero...

All the kids we went Trick or Treating with. And yes, there's another fireman! They were a huge hit togther.

He got so tired of walking around that he sat down in the middle of the street!

The Loot! Chad was so surprised at how much candy Bram got. Suprised but enjoying it!

Of course now the reality sets in--we have to/get to eat all the candy now. A week of alternating sugar rush and crashes. And then trying to squeeze into my skinny jeans again. Blah.

Pumpkin Patch Kid

Yesterday was the long awaited day at the Pumpkin Patch! We had so much fun with all the kids and discovering what a hayride was, what pumpkins are, and visiting the animals. The day itself was absolutely perfect. Here area few of the highlights:

Hello Goats!

Making friends with Mr. Scarecrow.


Come play with me little chicken!

He was a little confused as to what the pumpkins were. He would just walk around and sign "what is it?"

I tried so hard to get one of those adorable pictures with the cornstalks and pumpkins but he wouldn't look at me the whole time I was taking pictures!

This was the closest he came to looking and smiling all day. What a serious little guy!

This Week's Best

(This is this week's best picture of Abraham. Love the turned in toes!)

So after compiling this post I've realized something has to change.

I've been wanting to do a link-y post on blog for some time, preferably on a regular basis. I wanted something I could look back on and find some of my favorite posts, from my favorite blogs at any time. But the time involved is WAY more than I'm able to commit to.

Like four hours too long.

I know it will get faster and I'll figure out all kinds of awesome tricks that will shorten the time involved but I know I don't even have the time for the learning curve. Plus, I think it's a bit overwhelming. Just a little bit.

So something is going to change. But I don't know what.

Anyhoo.... Super Fun Links!!!!!

Awesome craftiness-

Ana White/Knock off Wood- She does it again! Picture Ledges, Ladder Shelves and a High Chair, oh my!!!

Cluck, Cluck Sew- A cute chunky fabric watchband tutorial

Grosgain- Thrift Store Thursday and the cute pencil skirt.

How about Orange- Super cute Recycled Paper Flowers! I'll have to use this at Christmas...

Adventures in Dressmaking- How to take in a sweater

Yummy food-

A Year of Crockpotting- Oreo Cheesecake

(in the post she also has a link for Pumpkin Cheesecake in the crockpot. Imagine the thanks at Thanksgiving this year!)

Pioneer Woman- Corn Chowder with Chilis and Stuffed Shells. Need I say more?

Deliciously Organic- I probably won't make this organic but I could not resist Peanut Butter Bread Pudding.

Good Cheap Eats- I've been very lax on my salad intake lately. This looks like a good way to start back up! Orchard Chicken Salad.

Lick the Bowl Good- Mocha Frappe' Pie. Must. make. this.

Simple Bites- Whole wheat buttermilk rolls in a jar!

Bakerella- Can you imagine how fun it would be to go to Cupcake Camp?!

The Nourished Kitchen- I may have to try this: Triple Beet Salad.

Great thoughts-

Life as Mom- Frugal Fridays: Saving my Milk Money.

MADE- Celebrate YELLOW! A sweet mama story about popcorn.

Grocery Shrink- How to have the best pregnancy ever.

The Nester- Make man corner. Brilliant!

Passionate Homemaking- Let your work be your worship.

Simple Mom- What is simple living? Choosing your priorities.

Simple Organic- Staying healthy this winter by eating whole foods and using home remedies .

Small Notebook- The guy/T-shirt connection.

The Lettered Cottage- They've got a new look. Look!

V and Co.- Hello and Goodbye.

A Joke

I know I've been out (as my mother says) "out of commish" for the last week but its been a really busy one and I've barely been on the internet much less been able to write anything. But I had to write this story, before I forget to, for posterity's sake.

What does this....

...have to do with this?


So this past Sunday, we got up a bit late, I had to rush through my shower and instead of blowing my hair dry (or not, as is usually the case) I put in a set of Japanese hair sticks and ran out the door. When we got to church, I went to take Bram out of the car and he started waving his arms and pointing at my head. I signed "what?" to him and asked what he was pointing at. He kept pointing at my head and finally he signed "bunny"!

We laughed and laughed! To him my hairsticks looked like bunny ears! It was his first joke. So cute.

It's back!

It's that time of year again. The days are shorter, the nights are colder, our drinks are pumkpin-ier. Is that a real word? I don't know but in my house it is!

Anyway.... I love the Pumpkin Spice Mocha at Starbuck's. Yes, you heard me right. NOT the Latte' but the Mocha. It's like a decadent creamy pumpkin pie with a chocolate crust. Or Pumpkin Cheesecake with a chocolate espresso sauce drizzled over top. Or heaven in a cup, if you really want to know how I feel about it.

Sooo.... Starbuck's has the delicious, wonderful, nectar of the gods beverages for the very affordable price of...$6.00 a cup. WHAT!?!?!!!! (yes, it the Grande)

That is not in my budget, not even a little bit. So I've been scouring the internet for an alternative I can make at home. So far I've found a few delicious Latte's but still no pumpkin mochas. I guess I could put some chocolate in my homemade latte if I have to.

Here are a few of the yummy Latte' recipes I've found.

Made it in the blender for frothy goodness!
The Kitchn- DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte'

Make it with a homemade vanilla syrup!
Smith Bites- Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte'



The best part of making your cup of loveliness at home? You can stay home a do this....

(did you notice, they're making a list of their dreams...hmmm...)

Ahh... who are we kidding. We'll actually be doing this...

Have a great day!