83% Texan

I may be biased, but I think he's the cutest darn cowboy I've ever laid eyes on! (and I'm not really into cowboys). As you all know I was looking to go the easy route this Halloween, so The Snack happened to have these itty bitty Wranglers in his wardrobe which, in my non-cowboy-loving opinion, could be worn for nothing but a costume! So the inspiration finally did come, I just had to search a bit for it. I even found The Dad-n's cowboy belt buckle (a gift from an outside source...obviously!) which was super large on The Snack, and perfect for a real rodeo cowboy! Yes those boots are real snake skin (borrowed of course). And the bandanna is real....uhmmm girls camp issue? Ok, so we didn't go fully Texas here, but we sure tried. Actually my husband always says that percentage wise The Snack is more Texan than anything else...Yikes! I think it's starting to show because he's actually a little obsessed with cowboys these days (somehow I took out a cowboy book as well as a cowboy Bob the Builder video from the Library as a fluke recently, and now The Snack just can't get enough cowboy...hence the PJ's pic...he loves the look...day or night!) And it sure seems to work as far as winning over the ladies, you can see he caught himself a couple of cowgirls here

The Dad-n and I even had some fun this year. Our friends had their annual Halloween costume party, so I wrestled The Dad-n into a costume (he HATES dressing up, but finally agreed to think of something and settled on a masking tape mummy) I went as a pirate because my other choices according the the flier from the party store were; half naked hooker, half naked waitress, half naked nurse, or half naked Gypsy. We ended up winning this apple eating contest...which I guess proves we're either good kissers, or good at biting each others heads off! All in all, it was a fun filled Halloween. I think year 2 is the best for trick or treating...The Snack actually recognized this year that it was candy everyone was giving him, but now can't understand how it is possible that it is "all gone" as I keep telling him when he begs for it!

Well, now I'm off to search the candy bag for chocolate...Twix if I'm lucky...So I'm curious...what candy are you stealing from your kids stash this year?

Uhhh...I've been slacking for a bit...

I was tagged with this cute little guy a while ago, but I've been all-computered-out for a bit. So I'm back now. And since he's a candy corn (can't stand to eat these things actually) I thought he should just be a little Halloween post. Thanks for the tag Shaka...now I'll go work on the other tag you sent me!

Pumpkins and hayrides and bounce house backflips, oh my!

We finally did it! We pretended it's autumn (we're in Texas). And we took a trip to the pumpkin patch with our playgroup friends. It was great! Being from New England I was a bit bummed that it was like nearly 90 degrees and MUGGY (no sweaters or fall foliage) but we tolerated it and everyone had a blast.

There were pumpkins galore, and all sorts of festive decorations, but really the best part of this trip was that I learned I have a secret knack for gymnastics! At the bottom of this bouncy slide thing I went to sit down and somehow my butt connected with nothing but air, and I did a total back flip, completely by accident...and landed on my feet on the ground four feet below! I absolutely thought I was going to die the whole way down (it's amazing how many things can pass through your mind in 3 seconds). Once my friends determined I was ok we all cracked up. Of course the woman in charge came over and reprimanded me for fooling around and I'm like, "Oh no, I really don't have that kind of talent! That was a total accident." I don't think she believed me! Oh how I wish it had been caught on camera. I'm sure it was worthy of a win on Funniest Home Videos!!!

Celebrities...

Ok, so this is totally random...and I'm not a big celebrities person or anything, but I love, love, love the new Macy's ads! (Not really a Macy's girl either, I kinda like to get the Maxx for the minimum price if you know what I mean). But whenever these ads come on I smile. I even call my husband into the room to watch. I think it's so intriguing to see celebrities outside their "element." Marketing genius. My favorite ones are with Martha Stewart. Something about this somewhat serious lady being kinda silly really gets to me. Anyway, if you haven't seen them, you can check one out here.

A little Halloween help please!

I'm at a loss for what I want The Snack to be for Halloween this year. Last year I made him this Leprechaun costume - I did it completely from my head...no pattern, just made it up as I went along. Needless to say, it was quite a challenge, and took a bit of time....so I don't think I'll go that route this year...unless I can think really fast!

So I need ideas! I'm just not getting any inspiration. I'm sure if he were old enough to choose, he'd want to be Spiderman or something, but I'm going to avoid that route a long as I'm still making the choices!

Anyone got any fun ideas?

Poop.

Ok...so NOT a picture worthy post. We visited friends this past weekend, and they have a boy about the same age as The Snack, who is potty training. Well...it got a little quiet so I sent Dad-n to check it out. He came back looking green. "Poop" was all he could say. The other boy had let one slide right onto the floor and was playing in it! Fortunately The Snack only had a little tiny bit on his foot. Oh boy. But of course we didn't learn our lesson! Yes...it happened again! This time we weren't so fortunate. The Snack comes to me with what looks like chocolate on his hands (and I soon noticed everywhere else). My friend and I both go "oh that isn't..." Yeah, it was. I should have just asked for a hose this time! I just hope and pray that The Snack doesn't get any ideas!!!!!!

a gift for myself...

Ok....so I know at least laina knows this about me...I can't resist red and orange. I bought this funky chunky watch from the museum gift shop for myself...for my b-day. How could I not? So, it's super hard to match, but it's worth it to me!

So....tell me, what's your funky treasure?

Inevitable...

Some people call it Murphy's law, and it doesn't matter what you call it...it happens! So one day my mom is commenting to me about always keeping a change of clothing in the car for my son. I think to myself, "yeah, that's smart, but I've never ended up needing it sooo..."

Ok, so then THE VERY NEXT DAY we're down at the art museum, and it has this incredible reflecting pool almost surrounding the whole building (like a magnet for The Snack). We've been there several times before, and Snack likes to look at the water and be close to the water...but this time was different...


He goes around the corner and my mom is following him and suddenly....SPLASH! So...did she push him in to prove her point or what!? ;) (LOL) Moms...go figure...are they always right? I like to think I am!

The Snack attempts to dry off after his little dip

A visit from Mom...

A little lovin' for Gramma from The Snack (what else can bring out sweetness like a promise of candy?!)

So, nothing will pull you away from the real world better than a visit from family. Yes, that's where this slacker blogger has been...cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, and then playing, playing, playing (why is it that we think even the crack between the fridge and the counter needs to be cleaned before your mom spends the week?)

It was a great visit. One of my sisters came too (one of four...yes four...where are the rest of you?!) We hardly had a days rest I'd planned so many things (go figure, Texas can be fun)! But next time I'll be sure to plan some down time...everyone needs a nap occasionally...not just cranky two year olds!

A few pics of our adventures...we saw the crazy-awesome long horn cattle at the Fort Worth Stockyards, caught the rodeo too (uhhmm...insane!). We visited the Zoo, and the Train Museum, and for the Dad-n's sake we caught the Ron Mueck show at The Modern (wayyyyyy cool, and totally freaky real).

Zions Canyon

Ok...so I've been a little busy, and I know you're all totally over my trip to Utah by now, but I still gotta share one of my favorite parts of the trip!

The one BIG thing the Dad-n really wanted to do while we were in Utah is visit Zions National Park. Now...I didn't really care one way or another if we did this or not, except that I did want him to have his fun (despite the hassle I thought it would be with hours of driving and finding a place to stay etc.) Well, the last weekend we were there we worked it into our schedule and boy I'm glad that we did! I loved it! We took auntie Jessica with us, and my friend Mary (not pictured...she's like SUPER hiker woman...every pic with her in it she's like 100yards away just waiting for us to get movin'!)

There were many spectacular views, but the best part was the River walk. It's like 2 miles up river and you walk through the water the whole time. It's all sand or smooth rocks, so I went it barefoot, but many people wore shoes. It was crazy but fun, and we even took a break to take a dip...fully clothed! Such a fun adventure and The Snack thought it was totally wild too!