And Now We are Eight.

Honey comes to town each year for Emma's birthday. It is a beloved tradition, enhanced this year by the sojourn to the American Girl Store for shopping and lunch! Emma got Elizabeth from Honey and Buzzy for her birthday and Samantha got a much needed hair-do.

I love Emma's happiness as seen in these pictures.

I just can't believe how big she is. How old she is. How lanky, slender and tall she is. Bill and I have about 10 heart attacks a week just looking at her. How did this happen?

Sunday was her birthday, and most of the day was centered around her first performance for the Dance Company. She may not be the most "precisional instrument of speed and aromatics" but one thing is for certain. She LOVES being on stage.

That's a good thing, right?

Not that either Bill nor I get that.

Or Bo.

We're just too shy and retiring.

No imitations, movie quotes and showtunes for us, no way.

Welcome to your eight year, Emkins.

We think you are just great. <3

Scaaareeee.

I was nervously chuckling, and backpedalling.

Emma was whimpering and hiding in another room.

Bo was screaming bloody murder and bracing himself inside the closet.

And Avalon was grabbing his nose.

Boo!

Most years, I am a super lame mom, and

a) don't let my kids touch the big pumpkin that I dished out 5 gigantor dollars for

and

b) buy them the teeny tiny punkins and hand them a sharpie, cause all that gutting and cutting is just a pain in the you know what.

Stupid food network pumpkin carving challenge. Got us all en fuego.

This minnie o lantern is not a result of canine adoration. It is merely proof that I will ALWAYS try to do the different and unusual, but only if it's fast and easy. Less time wasted if it turns out to be a dismal failure (which is 98% of the time.) If I post it on the blog, I kinda like it.

Also, pumpkin carving is way less of a drag when your son is old enough to do his own. Except the gutting. He couldn't stomach the pumpkin innards. His says Bo and has a lightning bolt under the O. Just in case you were wondering what kind of delinquent defacement I allowed my gangsta son to perform. Nothing says gangsta like "Mama, I. really. can't. stand. the. squishy. *shiver* feeling. of. the. ug. inside. of. oooooh. this. pumpkin."

Happy Halloween!

Bo decided to be the SCARIEST THING for Halloween

according to the media at least....

Sweet Girl

When I was little and sick,

I stayed in bed.

I got lots of drinks in bed.

I was served soup and toast with a dishcloth as a napkin/place mat in bed.

I read books.

I slept.

If I was feeling better, I would get to lay on the couch in the afternoons and watch TV.

My mom took loving, attentive care of me.

This is what Emma will do today.

And I remember who comforted me, and what made me feel better,

and we will see if we can beat this thing quickly.

Serious Question.

Ignore the creepy pearlescent bluish eyes and tell me truly:

Am I certifiable?

Even if I can justify it, does that still make it ok to knit candy corn scarves for your dog?

Yes, it was quick and I had the yarn, and it was much cheaper than buying the tacky halloween fleece that the kids wanted to get her,

but really.

I'm torn between

Totally cute, I'm gonna get an etsy site and start mass producing

and

I'm officially the Target Lady. I think I'll perm my hair, start painting sad clowns and cover every surface of my house with crocheted nasties.

Cards

Some little fall cards with the MM Autumn Splendor line. Isn't it lovely?