Cookie Time

I'm playing catch-up. Mike installed a different computer but things are getting back to normal in the "office."

Last week, I hit Wally World for some leftover Halloween bargains. One of the things I picked up was a cookie kit. I wasn't counting on the cookies tasting great, although they weren't bad. Jack loves to cook in the kitchen, whether helping mommy stir cupcake mix or just watching things cook. So, I thought he would probably love the opportunity to be creative and enjoy some yum yums too.Icing.Lick.Repeat.We had a lot of fun and enjoyed our delightfully scary snack.

More Halloween Pictures

Some additional Halloween snapshots as seen from mom's awesome camera.Don't worry. That's makeup, not jaundice under my eyes.Everyone in the family lovingly joked that Garrett could have dressed as Frankenstein because of his scar, but my cute little nephew went as a cheetah.Little Mermaid Meaghan.Again, the cutest bumble bee EVER. He's starting to get the whole "Say cheese!" cheesey smile thing.

Happy Halloween!

I had high hopes today. This is the best time of year to be a kid. Free candy at Halloween, family get-togethers at Thanksgiving time and Jesus and Santa at Christmas. That little kid inside of me is just bursting to get out.I was really excited about decorating the house until I went to Wally World this morning and discovered that all their Halloween decorations were gone. Oh, you could still get costumes and the like, but fake tombstones, etc. were gone. Hello - it's still Halloween and they were already putting out their Christmas stuff. That will learn me next year. I'm always waiting for the day after Halloween sale. Well, apparently, you gotta go the day before.Anyway, I did find a cobweb and had already bought a ghost and cat sign years before so I made the house as mildly scary as possible.Jack's first trick-or-treat tonight!I had a lot of fun walking with our neighbors. They grilled hot dogs and their parents were there. One of their moms kept asking silly Halloween riddles. I'm horrible with riddles but it was so much fun. I would have loved to hang out with them more."Silly momma."(Trying to scarf down the last hot dog Jack and I shared so we could get down to serious Trick or Treating business.) Mike stayed behind and handed out candy.Some fun decorations from around the neighborhood.We did a pretty good job covering the subdivision. I grew up in a small town so you had to drive a few miles to gather a good booty. I think subdivisions were created for Halloween.

The cutest bumble bee ever!For the record, I've only stolen two pieces of candy from Jack's bucket, actually gum. And he just swallows gum so it's a good thing mom is intervening. Mike scolded me, but really, I put a lot of hard work into tonight. During the second half of our outing, I became Jack's personal assistant, so don't I deserve my share? 10%?I hope you had a fun Halloween!

Missing My Boy

Jack had a fever yesterday so I stayed home with him and we had a great time although I was also feeling a little under the weather. We spent a lot of time snuggling and playing. Even when he's sick, you can't keep Jack down.

Grandma came up this morning to watch Jack, then decided to take him home. Mean ol' Grandma. That means I'm missing my little man tonight. He's staying the night at Grandma and Grandpa's house. I know they're spoiling him rotten. And I've tried to convince myself that this is a good thing. Mike and I can have a romantic evening, meaning he'll bring take-out and a movie home. But I'm fighting the urge to go get my boy.1,000,001 cute Jack moment (because there are so many): While getting Jack dressed this morning, he was looking at an alphabet book so I started singing the alphabet song. Then I said, "Can you try, Jack?" And he said, "I can," then tried to sing along with me.

It's these little moments that all add up and make me miss him so much!

My Generous Boy

A child is a wonderful blend of nature and nurture. With Jack, I often wonder, did he get that from his birth mom, his birth father? I generally don't take credit for his behavior except when he's acting goofy and then I think, that's my boy.

Jack has a tender heart. And he's often very generous, often looking out for me. (What a lucky momma!) When he does this, I credit his birth mom because I've seen the loving way she looks after her family and their needs. I have two examples of Jack's generosity today.

First, when Mike kissed Jack goodbye this morning, he turned my face towards Mike and said, "Momma's turn."

Second...Mike bought Dippin' Dots ice cream at the university volleyball game tonight. Although Mike always shares with me, I often don't take as much as the boys because I want Jack to enjoy it. Well, when Mike offered Jack ice cream, my little man said, "Momma's turn."

My heart sighed in happiness. I love that little munchkin!

Trick or Treat!

I took Jack to a Costume Party this morning. It was a great way to get him used to his costume for a short period of time. He was buzzing with excitement as a bumble bee.Look at that little stinger!We had fun as we colored,decorated our Trick or Treat bag, Trick or Treated in the Parks and Recreation building,played Ghost BINGO and enjoyed cookies and punch.I wonder who had more fun: Jack or mommy?

Pumpkin Carving

Less than a week before Halloween. What's a girl to do? Well, if she has a two-year-old monkey, she decides to carve a pumpkin to start creating those childhood memories. Awe....Let me start by saying that I haven't carved a pumpkin since I was in grade school or high school. My mom didn't mess with it. I recall carving a pumpkin once, probably because we bugged mom enough to buy one.I forgot how much work it takes to carve a pumpkin. I asked Jack what design he wanted. First, he said a cat, then he said a monster. The monster looked way too difficult for my amateur skills.So, after 1.5 hours, here goes!Not too bad, eh?