Sunday, October 30, 2011

Stuff

I don't want yall to get too excited and plan your day around it, but there's a good chance that I'll be posting twice today.

I know.  It's almost too much to think about.

A few things this morning.

1.  Question -What is the scariest movie ever? 

For me, it's The Strangers. Seriously freaked out by this one.


It's plausible. It's a psychological mind game.  It's horrifying.

The music added so much. Not your usual creepy Nightmare on Elm street type, but folk music instead.  Played often and without expectation.

A home invasion by some messed up folks. 

2. Meow Meow dressed up for Halloween this year.

Sleepy head Laine gave it her all.


3. I'm 'catering' my first Mom's Little Secrets gig today.  Halloween party food.  No, I'm not a chef or cook or baker by any stretch of the imagination.  But, I can follow a recipe and set up a pretty presentation.  Pictures to come. 

4.  While sitting for the Dabidge boys, we made these Halloween foot print ghosts. Carter made a set at age 1, which is good because his foot wouldn't even fit on the paper this year.

Jack has some serious Flintstone feet.  For real, yall.

Look.


5.  Blake did face painting yesterday while I was out shopping for my event today.

This picture scares me.

Pay no attention to the blue crime scene fingerprints in the back.  From Coco's visit.  No explanation necessary.


6. Today is going to be busy, folks.

CCD

Sierra's Halloween Birthday Party

Legoland Brick or Treat Party

Pumpkin Carving

Seed Roasting

Blake is pretty much about to cry with excitement in anticipation of all the fun he's going to have today.

You're welcome, babe!

Happy Hallow's Eve, folks.  Back soon.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Week With 6 Kids

I'm on night 6 of damage Davidge control.

It's been exhausting, fun, educational, inspiring, frustrating, stressful, exciting, and filled with laughter.

I love these kids.

We stayed on Camp Pendleton, where the Davidges live.  Jack and Lainey have spent all of their time here and Carter has returned with Dad most nights.  They've enjoyed some 'big boy' time watching the Rangers in the World Series, otherwise.

Fun Fact:  My grandfather was a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals for 25 years and Blake's grandfather played baseball for the New York Giants.  They very likely knew of each other, if not more.  So cool to think about.

Back to the "Dabidge boys" as our kids call them.

Holly threw me right into the fire with a Saturday morning 8:30am flag football game for 2 of the boys.





The littlest Dabidge kept busy on the track while his brothers played.

Cheerleaders!  So cute.


Total clowns.


Pumpkin Patch visit came next. 

Jack and Austin are closest in age and are t.r.o.u.b.l.e. together.

More trouble.






Blake braved the hay ride.  Such a good sport.


Bates Nut Farm is a very popular patch in our area.  About 30 miles inland, east of Escondido, I believe.  Hot that day......94 degrees.  Not good for a pumpkin patch visit.

Someone please tell me this group got paid to wear these and were somehow part of the event.

Saw some farm animals.  And, Lainey's polka dotted booty sticking out of her skirt.



Here is a nice screen shot of our week. 

Something chaotic about to happen.
Carter laughing at the whole thing.
Laine, clueless.
Austin going in for the kill.
Jack screaming.

Welcome to my world.

Slumber party.

I don't even remember what we watched.  It's all a blur.



Each night included laying out all the boys' clothes, shoes, backpacks, etc.  Lunches were made.  Everything was in place. 

I didn't know how else to run this show!


Here is what our morning looks like.

Getting these goons to school is no easy task.

Our princess loving daughter turned into a boy this week. 

Two weeks ago:


Two days ago:

I never thought I would say or think this, but I miss my little princess.



Every morning started with wake up, breakfast, getting dressed and then coloring.  I loved watching Austin and Jack work together.

We did our best to keep our sanity.


We multi-tasked.


We had a blast.

Mom and Dad called.  Kiddos were thrilled to hear their voices.


Normal life resumes Friday morning.
Well, as 'normal' as we can do life.
Hope your days have been as adventurous as ours!


Monday, October 24, 2011

Julian + More Scoop

Took the punks out for some country lovin' in Julian, California.  It's about an hour away, at 4,000 feet altitude and absolutely gorgeous.  It has 4 seasons, including snow and tons of charm.

Picked apples at Raven Hill Orchard.









Then, we walked along Main Street.  Reminds me of a ski town.  Bustling with people.....all anxious for a taste of fall instead of coastal beach life.




There are several side streets and places to get lost in.  Many darling little stores to spend lots of money in.

I kind of want to move here just so I can say I go to this super deluxe fitness center.  Seriously.  How cute is that?  Lifetime, you got nothing on Julian Fitness Center.

Found lots of treasures in here for my biz, Mom's Little Secrets.

Julian is famous for Mom's Pies.  I'm not a pie person.  But, I hear they're fabulous.


60 miles from home!

I shopped while Blake took the kids in this soda fountain. 

Do you know how fun it is to shop "in the name of work"? 


Our bounty.

Biddy apples.  Perfect to use for school lunches.  You know, for normal kids.  Not Jack - please don't tell him apples grow on trees.  I'm hoping he forgets all about this day and will continue with applesauce. 

What kind of mother hides the nutrition and goodness in food to keep her kids eating it?!

Me.


My sweet friend, Nicky, from Deglazing sent the Starnes kiddos this darling book for the approaching holiday season.

I'm so grateful to have met her!  She has fantastic recipes and really spells everything out for you.  Love.


Sweet Laine is so anxious to grow up.  Here is her "homework" she worked so diligently on while the boys did theirs.

Makes me smile and want to cry all at the same time.  Her little hands were worn out!

Been practicing my cake pops.  These were pecan praline with vanilla cream cheese frosting, coated in almond bark and a drop of chocolate.  Yum.

Finally, yall have to check out this Plum District (think Groupon and Social Living) deal.  Love, love, love her stuff.  I'm a huge fan of snail mail and this makes it oh so pretty.

Link here.

Promise you'll love it.


Off to decompress after a long day with kiddos.  I'm saving all of my Davidge pics for one post.  And, there are some good ones.

Princess Laine has been turned into a tom boy with 4 boys near her age egging her on.  She donned a wrestling mask, gun and "ninoculars" while playing 'guns'.

Blake asked her if she was part of the mafia.

"I fink so."

Later!