Halloween 2010

Halloween is undoubtedly my favorite holiday of the year. I love the craziness of it, the costumes, the candy, the small of the fall leaves, all of it. And I disovered this year that my neighborhood is even more awesome than I had suspected. On Halloween, two adjacent neighbors had actual smoke machines. One neighbor even had a dancing and singing skeleton. There I was with my blinking putpose bats and jack-o-lanterns thinking I had it pretty well covered. Nope. I've really got to step it up next year! And this ups the anty for Christmas. I want to go Griswold, so we'll see.

The weekend before Halloween we went to costume party at Jay's. Josh was a wet t-short costume winner. The costume is even more entertaining considering that the party was essentially a children's party. Forgot to mention that detail to Jay. Our Leprechaun/Rainbow costume theme was a hit, but I definitely need to add a pot of gold next year.

On Friday we went to a Halloween party at yet another cool neighbor's house. Their daughter is in Georgia's first grade class and they are becoming fast friends. The kids dressed as Supergirl and Spiderman and had a great time. On Saturday we went tric-or-treating in Mount Wolf. The kids went as Queen and Mr. Skeleton. As much as they liked getting candy, they discovered that they much preferred GIVING it away. Yes, you heard me correctly. At Gigi's house (Chuck's grandma) they helped her give away the treats and decided then and there that on Halloween that's what they wanted to do. So, after the Halloween parade with the drunken crazy woman who got the kids lots of candy and balloons by terrorizing parade participants, we got the candy ready and sat on the porch. The kids spent trick-or-treat night giving away candy and they loved it. They fought a little over whose turn it was to give it away, but they came up with a system. Aunt Mandi came over too, to help. Hughie was particularly proud of our "puking pumkin" and made sure to tell everyone about it. I did take Hughie around a little at the end so we could go around the corner and see the house that everyone was talking about. It was INSANE. I'm talking MONTHS of prep work and thousands of dollars of decor. Loved it and want to marry the man who did it. Apparently he's already married. Hughie did hit a few houses for some candy on the way home. There weren't many kids left, so he made out like a bandit because everyone was throwing in the rest of their bowls. And Hughie didn't quite understand that when people answered their doors and opened them, that it didn't mean he was supposed to go in and make himself at home. He went into three houses like that and it was pretty funny. Who's going to say no to that precious face??

I'm starting to see that Hughie's personality is much like my own. Not shy in the least and a bit crazy. He's such a performer and loves making people laugh. Georgia went to a Princess Party this past weekend and when i dropped her off Hughie begged to come back in his Spiderman costume. He went home, donned the costume and then went back to put on a show for the girls. I wish I would have taped it! Spiderman dancing with the princesses!!

Hayride and Bonfire 2010

So Chuck's parents are awesome. They let me have a Fall Hayride and Bonfire party at their house and went ALL OUT helping me make it special. Big Chuck dug a huge fire pit, prepared the tractor and wagon for the hayride and entertained everyone on the hayrides. Lori was the food master, making all kids of fun Halloween themed yummies and helping me decorate. The weather could not have been better for a fire, s'mores and hot chocolate.

This Year's Halloween Costume Theme

The kids are going as supergirl and spiderman. Originally I wanted to go with a whole family superhero theme, but then decided I wasn't feeling it. But I am feeling this:

Chuck:



Me:



My purse:



Get it? Is it not brilliant?? I cannot wait to see Chuck and his ginger beard in that costume. Pictures coming soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer Fun Photos

Here are some pics from the past few weeks: Hughie eating one of his favorites, canteloupe, drive in movie at Haar's, fun with friends Stella and Ean at a Revs game and bowling with Jayda on a rainy Friday. Georgia starts FIRST GRADE tomorrow! We met her teacher on Friday and have high hopes for a great year.

Are you happy at me?

That's Hughie's favorite inquiry when he does something naughty. "Mommy, are you happy at me or mad at me?" Here's a pic of Hughie at one of his recent swim lessons. And since last week, Hughie has started jumping into the water and swimming about 20 feet with no vest or floaties. Amazing! He loves swimming without his vest because he likes holding his breath, going under water, and scaring the crap out of his mom!

All i want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

Georgia lost both front teeth a few weeks ago and I've been meaning to document it!!

Wow, I am a posting slacker!

Summer seems to be flying by, I can't believe it's August. We've been having a great summer, by most accounts, with lots of time at the pool. We joined Green Valley Pool this summer and have been enjoying a lot of time there! The kids are also taking private swim classes at the YWCA and are making tons of progress. Georgia is doing a pretty solid front crawl and Hughie can jump into the pool and swim about 10 feet without any sort of flotation device. It's amazing to me! We've also gone to Raystown and although it was a really HOT night to go tent camping with two small children and we pretty much didn't get any sleep, we had fun on the lake in the boats, fishing and jet skiing!

And I guess it's time that I officially introduce my boyfriend to the internet. He's that guy that's been lurking in the background of the pics I post here and is actually in my profile pic on my facebook page, which is a big deal! Chuck is a sweet and honest guy who has restored my (horribly damaged) faith in men and has been very patient with me during what has been and CONTINUES to be a very difficult time in my life. He makes me laugh like crazy and in the words of Taylor Swift has a "smile that could light up this whole town." It's certainly been lighting up the West End these past 6 months. ;) And he adores the children, something that comes so easily to him, is so important to me, and I am shocked to have found so soon. I wasn't looking for him, but I am so grateful that found him!

Georgia's First Slumber Party

Georgia really wanted to have a slumber party, so I invited her best friends from school on Friday night. We ate pizza, went to Mimi's to swim, came back and watched Princess and the Frog, went to sleep, got up and ate belgian waffles with whipped cream and strawberries, went swimming at Mimi's again and then came back to our house and crashed hard at nap time!! It was a lot of fun, but Mommy was exhausted. But I can't wait to do it again. :)

Georgia's New Bed

The kids' bedrooms are on the smaller side, but thye have vaulted ceilings. I thought that a loft bed would be a good space maker for Georgia's bedroom. So now she still has a full sized bed, but also a playhouse underneath! So cool.

Georgia's Last Day of Kindergarten

I can't believe that my baby is going into first grade!!

Memorial Day 2010

The big 35

My 35th birthday was a really, really good one! My week started with an amazing birthday dinner made by Chuck, followed by chocolate covered strawberries (hand dipped by Chuck and Hughie), my favorite dessert, and a bouquet of lillies, my favorite flowers. So thoughtful and sweet.

And then there was Alan Jackson. Mark thoughtfully coordinated a "girls night out" for me and Jen in State College, complete with an Alan Jackson concert. We watched the first two acts and then were approached by a man with two front row tickets. Yes, we got the hot chick upgrade. And then I say upgrade, I mean that we had the two seats directly in front of Alan's microphone. It was absolutely insane. There was a whole of row of young girls in hot pants, but we were the ONLY ones who knew all the words to all of the songs. Not sure why that guy picked us, but I'm glad he did. It was definitely the best birthday present EVER. So thanks to Mark and his incentive to get us out of the house!!!

Some pics of our new house

So yes,I had to leave my dream house in Lancaster, but I truly love this house. I love it's curb appeal, the mature landscaping, the great neighborhood, the nearby park and the layout of the house. I'm definitely a fan of the rancher! And this house has a HUGE unfinished walk-out basement, so there's plenty of room to expand. I'd love to put another bedroom, full bath and playroom down there. But, one thing at a time! My neighbors are having a block party in a few weeks and I would LOVE to have been able to get to know everyone better, but I am going to a wedding. I'm sure there will be more opportunities.