November 24, 2006

Halloween 2006

We like to carve pumpkins for FHE the Monday before Halloween. When I say "we" I mean "Jay." He is the artist.

I like to have a theme for Halloween. Last year it was "Peter Pan." This year it was "The Wizard of Oz." I tried to get Jay to dress as the Tin Man, but I struck out.
I was up until 3:00 the morning before Halloween, making Mary's costume. I swore I would never make a Halloween costume, but I finally gave in when I couldn't find a decent Dorothy costume for sale. Even the expensive ones were ugly. But I swear I will never do it again. (Yeah, right.) Since I was going to all that trouble, I made it really big so she can wear it again.... every year. I really hate to sew.


Collin's costume was easy. With the exception of the hat, which I made the night before, I threw it all together a few minutes before we headed out the door for trick-or-treating.... Jay's sweatshirt turned inside out, the pants from last year's Peter Pan costume, some short lengths of tan yarn attached to elastic to go around his wrists and ankles, some rope from the junk cupboard, a scrap piece of fabric wrapped around his head and pinned under his chin, and brown lipstick on his nose. He looked great!

Jack's was the easiest of all.... I borrowed it from my mother-in-law's stash!

I'm Thankful For....

November 22, 2006

It's beginning to look a lot like....


Early this morning, Jack and I were taking a moment to cuddle before we started our day. Jay had left for work, and Collin and Mary were still sleeping, so it was quiet... perfect for a little toddler talk. I said, "Jack, Santa Claus is coming soon." His eyes got big, and he said, "Christmas?" "Oh yes, and he will bring you presents." Silence. I tried to imagine a 2-year-old's vision of Christmas. Then Jack let out a loud, "Ho, ho, ho!" I laughed and asked, "Is that what Santa Claus says?" "Yep," came the reply. Then, in my best Santa voice, I called, "Merry Christmas!" Jack giggled, and repeated the phrase... or so I thought until he followed up with "Jacky Christmas!" Nope, he doesn't get it.