Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, Had A Wife And Couldn't Keep Her A.K.A. This title is irrelevant aside from the mention of pumpkins

Mmm...pumpkin pickin'--one of those quintessentially Fall outings that make this time of year so special! We were lucky enough to be able to go to J's Farm today to pick with some of our friends, Miss Brie, Ellie and Anna!!

Maeve was mad I was taking her picture in the glaring sun--Sorry M! I feel that I must share, because sadly it's not visible in this picture, Maeve's shirt had pumpkins embroidered on it and said, "Pumpkin Picking." Which of course was more of a description pertaining to what I was doing as she was just riding in the baby carrier (nearly breaking my back with her big girl heaviness).
This is the kind of picture you get when you point the camera and shoot without looking through the viewfinder =)
Pumpkins galore!
She spotted it! The Perfect Pumpkin!
For super stinkin' cute pumpkin pickin' pictures click here!

(pumpkin pickin' pictures--say that five times fast!)

Indecision 2008: Update

The day, the big day is drawing near...

Guess who still hasn't decided WHERE the girls' "Almost Birthday" Party will be?

Yep. That's right...it's me.

But I am making progress!

Food: brunchy type and the theme is pink... Check!

Drink: pink juice boxes and pink lemonade... Check!

Tableware: Pink...Check!

Balloons: Pink again, will pick up the morning of the affair... Check!

Activities: Dress up, Bubbles (BIG bubbles..I wonder if I can make them pink?), Bouncer thingy, two easy crafts, I should talk my BIL's Girl, Ali, into teaching a dance lesson--but the boys might stage a rebellion as this party is already very pink! =) Check!

Birthday Outfits: Well, you've already seen, that's a Check!

Two Cute Birthday Girls: Check!

RSVP's: Check!

Out of State Relatives: Granny of the North and Cousin Claire Check!

Now, if only the weather would cooperate and I could have the "event' outside...time will tell!

The Maintenance Man Moron

The M.M. has struck again!

He came on Friday to "fix" the ceiling--

I expected him to sand the joint compound and paint over it--easy right?

{I'm pretty sure Maeve could have done it}

However, after 30 minutes in the bathroom (which had to be 30 minutes in the middle of nap time, even though I asked him politely to come ANY OTHER TIME OF THE DAY) he came out and said:

"Well, I'm done. The paint doesn't match. I don't know what to tell you--you can look at it if you want."

With fear and trembling I headed to the bathroom to see that:

a. he hadn't sanded the seam properly--it was still bumpy and funky and raised

b. he had painted over the matte white bathroom ceiling paint with BRIGHT WHITE HIGH GLOSS

c. had painted some of the cream colored flat paint walls with the same BRIGHT WHITE HIGH GLOSS

I walked calmly back out to the living room and politely declared...

"Well, it's quite noticeably different."

His reply?

"Well, I don't know what to tell you, at least it looks better, right?"

What a special guy--

I asked him to leave and have decided to live with as opposed to ever seeing his face again.

The End.

The Gifting Granny and Pop-Pop of the East STRIKE AGAIN!

Seriously Granny? Cutest Stuff Ever! The outfit on the right for Maeve!

Matching coats for the girls!

Super fun brown cord dress with matching shirt for Amelie!

And some other super cute stuff I couldn't find pictures of (think black and white dresses, black boots and brown ugg type boots for Amels).

Granny and Pop-pop ROCK!

And for some more super cute clothes--check out this website!

http://www.miniboden.com/

Six Unspectacular Things

My friend, Charity, tagged me with a challenge to delineate "Six Unspectacular Things" about me! Well, that shouldn't be hard, I find that most everything about me is unspectacular =) Ha!

1. I make all the beds in my house every. single. day. and even though NO ONE ever sees them made, it makes me feel happy.

2. Paper products inspire, within my heart, a desperate longing to get back into the classroom.

3. I pluck my eyebrows every day (otherwise I'd look like Chewbacca).

4. I want to have two more children with equally rare/unusual names as my first two (the names must be unusual merely for the fact that it would be sad if one could find their name on a key chain, mug, pencil at a store and the others couldn't--I'm all about fairness in life).

5. Paradise on earth, for me, is located in upstate NY.

6. I am counting down the minutes until I can start working on my Master's Degree in Library Science.

I'm not sure who to tag, so if you decide to do it, drop me a comment =) I love a good meme!

The Art Of Embellishment

Remember that Birthday Party we have coming up and all of my angst and indecision?

Well, as you know, I have taken care of the most important detail--the outfits--which I just put the finishing touches on today--
Presenting plain white t shirts and the art of embellishment:

Amelie's cupcake shirt with coordinating pink tutu
Maeve's cupcake shirt with coordinating trimmed tshirt and jeans
I love a little embellishment, I think it makes the world a happier place.

Will Work For Food Cheesecake

I gave my friend, Amy, a blog re-design and in return was treated to a lovely afternoon of appetizers, cheesecake, shopping and chit-chat--I could get used to this treatment!

Thanks so much Amy! Off to eat the rest of my Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake...*drool* =)

*Tom-A-toe*Tom-AH-toe* A.K.A. Gender Bender

Amelie has been interested recently in what makes a girl a girl and what makes a boy, a boy. (This curiosity has laid the groundwork for some very interesting conversations.)

The other day we were watching Ellen, and Dolly Parton was the guest.

--Now, if you know me, you know I LOVE Dolly, so I had to watch!

Dolly came out and is um, very feminine and flashy, right? and Ellen, is very low-key--here is

Amelie's synopsis--

"Hey Mama, Dolly really likes skirts AND she has big hair. She has a pretty dress, she's fancy."

"Who's that boy there next to her?"

Ha! Isn't it interesting how at a very young age she has already assumed that all girls must wear girly things and look girly and have long hair--tonight she was really thrown for a loop when we were watching a snippet of Willy Wonka

(Johnny Depp version, he's so yummy)

and she wouldn't believe us that Willy is indeed a boy--

"Well, Mama, he's got too much hair for a boy!"

I told her someday she would like boys with long hair =)

Kids Say The Darndest Things (Only At Applebees Apparently)

We were sitting down for half price appetizers at Applebees (WOOT!) and Amelie came up with a couple of doozies (i don't think that this is a real word =) that made me practically fall off my bench seat:

Amelie says, "Sometimes I cry out to God to bring me some candy!"

Amelie says, "Sometimes poop comes out hard."

Wow. The end.

2 Happy Meals--Both For Girls Please!

The other day I was feeling a little lazy about making lunch and as we were already out and about I decided to stop at McDonald's for Happy Meals.

Mc Donald's definitely isn't my favorite fast food place, but it was the only thing on the way home so we made a stop.

Lately, when we get Happy Meal's we're always asked whether or not it's for a girl or boy--so I told the man we wanted two girl Happy Meal's.

Imagine my surprise when I pulled out our Girl Wizard Of Oz themed Happy Meal Toys and saw:

Amelie's cute little flower munchkin

and my scary

FLYING MONKEY DEMON!

For girls? Right.....

The Funniest Thing I Have Read Today (Well, it IS only 6 in the morning...)

p.s.--although this article contains simplistic if-then logic, now that i know s.p. is a staunch advocate of bf i can't help but like her more, lactating ladies unite! or something like that...

Take Your Breast Fed Child to Work Day October 20; Support Sarah Palin
by O
Sarah Palin has opened up the workplace to all mothers and all babies.
Palin, as governor of Alaska, took at least two of her children to work and breast-fed them while at work.
Mothers and babies belong together.
Sarah Palin and John McCain recognize the need for mothers and babies to be together. Mrs. Palin obviously believes mothers at work should still be allowed to care for their babies and children, including breast feeding a baby at work.
The Republican party is the party of family values. They do not want to separate mother from baby.

Take your breast fed baby to work on Monday, October 20, 2008.
You won't have any legal issues. There are no laws preventing mothers from taking breast-fed babies to work.
If your employer questions your decision, you need to point out the example of Sarah Palin. Ms. Palin was Governor of Alaska but she knew a mother should be allowed to take her baby to work. And to breast feed that baby at work. Now Ms. Palin is the Vice President nominee for the Republican Party. If your boss is upset, please point out there are no laws prohibiting you from breast feeding your child at work. Sarah Palin and the Republican Party believe in the family and family values. Sarah Palin has provided the example for all employers by breast feeding her children at work.
If Sarah Palin can do it in the governor's office, shouldn't all women be able to do it in any workplace?
Take your breast-fed baby to work Monday, October 20.

Undecided

I'm in the midst of planning a par-tay for the girls and their impending birth anniversaries and I find myself indecisive.

Very indecisive.

The party is a week away and I still have no idea where I'm hosting it.

The party is a week away and I still have no idea what activities I want to plan.

The party is a week away and I still have no idea what I want to feed the people who come.

The party is a week away and I haven't bought any decorations, favors, cake fixings etc.

{The party is a week away and not all of you have r.s.v.p.'ed =)}

The party is a week away, but one thing I know for certain....

and that my friends,

is

what

the girls

will

wear.

At least all of the important details are taken care of =)

For some stinkin' cute pictures...

Click Here!

Mr. Wonderful's Halloween Costume Vote

Mr. Wonderful as "The Man In The Yellow Hat"
Amelie as "Curious George"Maeve as a "Banana"

Two Silly Sisters Sweetly Soundly Sleeping

It's a miracle! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The Stinkin' Funniest Costume I Have Ever Seen

Mama Mia!

Smells Like B.O.

Overblown

Big Government Supporter

Amateur

Malevolent toward the Unborn

Antagonistic towards Conservatives

How in the world will I ever decide?

Why We Have More Pictures Of Maeve Than Of Amelie

Third

Time's
A Charm!

De-licious Dish{es}

Shelly just...

...bought an inflatable castle bouncer for the girls' "Almost Birthday" party....WOOT! and Yay for Amazon, the ability to sell textbooks and then buy fun things for "free!"!

Happy Happy Happy Birthday Madre and Padre!

I'm beyond thankful that many (many, many, many) moons ago that you were born and ever so much more thankful that God saw fit to give me ya'll as parents.

Happy Birthday (and many more) to you both!

God bless you and keep you safe in your many adventures together!
All our love to you both today and always!

Oh Man, PBS--I Heart You!

Just watching PBS with the Beacon and this cooking show

called "BBQ University" just came on.

The host is really serious about BBQ--instead of Earth he calls the world, Planet BBQ!

hahahahahahaha

oh man. HA!

That's What Wonder-full Grandparents Are For

A Huge THANK YOU to G and P of the East--

They treated us to a super fun and fabulous morning at Chuck E Cheese--

We feel so special when ya'll are around!

--Thanks so much for being the best part of living in New Jersey--

We LOVE YOU!

Such Sweetly Smiling Sisters Surround Shelly

Summer Shelly Winter Shelly

My Favorites

My Favorite Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XT Baby

My Favorite Dessert: Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory

My Favorite Children's Store I Can't Afford: Baby Gap

My Favorite Children's Store I CAN Afford: Target

My Favorite Author(s):Tolstoy, C.S. Lewis, Jane Austen, Gail Carson Levine

My Favorite Book: The Word of God, Anna Karenina

My Favorite Husband: Mr. Wonderful (So glad he's finally home)

The End....(for now)

Drab and Dreary, Weak and Weary

What a long long long couple of days (and NIGHTS) it has been without my husband.

My beautiful babies plumb suck the life right out of me!

Our days have gone fairly smoothly--but the witching hours of 5-7 are killin' me!

Luckily, I got a little pick me up from Bible study today-I'm so thankful that it finally started back up at church again--I'm so far from where I should be spiritually-

-I'm thankful for God's reminders and gentle proddings that push me back in the proper direction.

-I'm thankful for His people who never cease to encourage me.

-I'm so thankful that my girls are sleeping so I can spend some quiet time reading the Word.

-I'm so thankful that my other half comes home tomorrow-

-I have a terrible time functioning without him

(it's a symbiotic relationship I say)

Goodnight, and have a pleasant tomorrow!

Maeve--The 10 Month Old Cleaning Genius *Wonder* Child Extraordinaire

Today as Amelie was building towers and pyramids and castles, Maeve decided to have a little fun of her own--"Wonder-style" --she started cleaning up ALL of the blocks! I knew she had to be our child when at 10 months, she couldn't help but compulsively clean up the toys =) See her here, in action!

I've Got My Love(s) To Keep Me Warm

I Want My Husband Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My husband's "wonderful" high school goes on a stinkin' two night camping extravaganza every single year. Bleck. This is the week and he just left and I'm already sad!

(I know, it's only two nights but it's two nights too many!)

I hate being alone--it's my numero uno phobia/annoyance

in life

(right next to chickens of course)

Seriously, can't live without the guy. Especially since this is the week that I have to supervise the idiot repair man AND the fire inspector (who called me sweetie pie last year).

I love you honey, come back soon and save me. And another thing. You owe me!

Amelie Says AND I've Got The Big Girl Birthday Party Blues

Amelie went to her first big girl birthday party today

(i.e. without me).

When I was explaining to her that she was going to stay at the party without me she said:

"But Mama, you have to go to the party!!"

"Why Amelie? You'll be fine! You'll have fun!"

"I know that Mama, but how will I get there? I can't drive and I don't know the way to her white house!"

At least I know I'll be useful in the chauffeur department

(for a while anyways =)

Handyman's *{Not So Special}* Special

The "Fix" Part 1

Really?!??!?!??!?!?!?????????????!??!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????!?!?!?!

When It Rains It Pours (Even In The Bathroom)

T'was a minute before church when all through the house

not a creature was stirring (i don't think blogging counts)

I was dressed up and coiffed and ready for church

{Maeve's nap schedule had left me home in a lurch}

Maeve Beacon was nestled all snug in her bed

while visions of Mum Mum's danced in her head

When what to my wondering ears did resound

but a splish and a splash

--sounded like rain coming down--

Away to the bathroom I flew like a flash

tore open the door and heard a great smash!

It was the ceiling.

Apparently showers in my neighbors apartment now lead to a Niagara Falls reenactment in my house.

The maintenance man says, "Oh a little tape will fix that."

That HOLE in my ceiling? AND THE WATER COMING DOWN IN SHEETS?!?!

He used DUCT tape to "SEAL" my neighbor's shower...

"That'll hold until tomorrow...."

Right....right....right....

The End.

Ah...SNL

Because It's Hillary-arious

An Apple A Day {Will Send You To Debter's Prison}

I had the bright idea today to take my family apple picking

(I'm dying to make homemade applesauce!!)

Upon looking up the prices I saw that not only did you have to pay to ride out to the apple field, you also had to pay $1.49 a pound for apples!

A pound of apples is like 3 of the things! Yikes! You can buy 3 pounds of apples at Wegmans for $3 and all you have to do is slide the bag into your cart!

In NY my Madre paid .50 cents a pound to pick her own...

The moral of the story is--don't pick your own apples in South Jersey.

Here's another picture you might enjoy--while searching for apple pictures on the web this is one that came up! Yikes!

My Vice President Is Hotter Than Yours: A.K.A. I can't believe somebody made this on photoshop! Ha!

Cause I Like It

Go Read This

Pretty Please =)

Seen On The Way Home From Dance Class

A Woman on the back of a motorcycle...

filing and painting her nails!?!

Wow.

*Sigh...

It's impossible to entertain a toddling baby during dance class.

I must say, though, that it is an excellent workout for me.

The end.