Happy Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!

Tonight, my 2 little goblins will be dressing up and embarking on their first "real" trick-or-treating adventure. Pics of that tomorrow. In the meantime, let's look at the adventures that they experienced as we brought Halloween festivities to their preschool.

No festival is complete without a petting zoo. The Alpaca was the hit of the day. It towered over the kids. Big A thought this chicken was a little more interesting. She really enjoyed picking it up and carrying it around. We've now dubbed her "The Chicken Whisperer".

Little A kept a watchful eye on the Alpaca.

The bunnies were also a big hit. Big A is convinced that she's going to hide one in her coat to bring home later.

Little A was a little less enthralled with the bunnies.

Next, was the pumpkin patch that the volunteers created. Kids love hay and pumpkins. Little A staked her claim next to the pumpkin she wanted to bring home.

Little A is cold, but excited nonetheless to have picked out her very special pumpkin.

Then, it was Big A's class who took their turn at the patch. They first listened to a story before they descended upon the gourds. This group was a little rougher with the pumpkins. much to the teachers chagrin.

Big A poses with "Ms. Pumpkin" and her chosen pumpkin to bring home.

The girls then hit the playground for some energy burning after a festive party full of tricks and treats. We all had a ball! This is probably my 2nd favorite activity that the girls' school does every year. My first favorite is the Milk & Cookies with Santa. Imagine that.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

I'm in a funk today.

What do you see when YOU look in the mirror? Is it the same thing that you see when you look at a picture of yourself?

I was talking with a friend recently about how those 2 images present very different people to my eye. When I look in the mirror, I don't see the fat girl with unruly hair and skin that needs nourishing. I see the 17 year old version of myself who was rockin' the Banana Republic skinny jeans and cream colored cable-knit sweater like a runway model. Who was also a size 6. I'm not a size 6 now.

However, when I look in at pictures of myself, I'm reminded of why I HATE to be photographed. I will run in the opposite direction upon seeing the lens of a camera. And I've not enjoyed being photographed for many years, but it's gotten worse over the last few years. I see the overweight girl with the unruly hair and the Rosacea red face. I don't like that girl. I mean, she's perfectly nice and all and way cool, but I can't stand to look at her. Because she's not me.

I spent most of my school years worrying incessantly that I looked like my mother. She's been obese for as long as I can remember. I was convinced that I looked just like her back then. Isn't it amazing how distorted the image of yourself can be? Back then, there were at least 16 sizes between she & I. Now, the gap is much closer and it scares me.

I'm just wondering 2 things today.
1. Why don't I see the same "me" in the mirror that I see in pictures?
2. What is it going to take to get me to get this weight off for good and keep me "on the wagon" of weight loss? And will it happen already!

Ok, pity party over with. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Monday Morning Eye Candy

Welcome to Monday Morning Eye Candy! This week's installment is brought to you by the letter C. These Cuties put me into Cougar status because they're all younger than me. (Some WAY more than others) So, without further ado, let's check out these young hotties in order from oldest to youngest.

Milo Ventimiglia (Age 31) - Found him on Gilmore Girls. Can currently be ogled on Heroes.

Justin Timberlake (Age 27) - Singer, Dancer, Actor, Hottie.

Elijah Wood (Age 27) - Frodo from Lord of the Rings. Cutest.Hobbit.Ever.

Emile Hirsch (Age 23) - Fabulous actor. You MUST see Into the Wild.

Zac Efron (Age 21) - Is it wrong that this HSM star makes me long for high school for all the WRONG reasons? Swoon.

Alright, that's it for this week. After that last pic, I need to get a cold rag myself. Enjoy. I'll be right back here for you next week.

Spot's Sunday Entertainment Roundup

Sorry for the hiatus last week. Now that life has returned to "normal" around here, I can get back to all things entertainment. So let's dish.

The Movie Roundup

The Queen - I had been wanting to see this flick for a while. In my continuing obsession of all things British, I had great interest in getting some perspective on what the Queen is like and how she handled the whole death of Diana situation. Helen Mirren proves yet again why she is one amazing actress. It's an interesting film if you like historically based pieces.

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of the Low Price - People have been begging me for years to stop shopping at Wal-Mart and I've used at least a dozen excuses as to why I can't. After seeing this documentary, I can honestly say, that my trip there last week was the last. Ever.

The T.V. Roundup

Iconoclasts - Can I just say AGAIN how much I love having digital cable? This show appears on the Sundance Channel. It's an informal interview show where 2 celebrities talk with each other and attempt to break down the stereotypes that surround them in the media. It sounds cliche, but it's a good show. And sometimes the guests are outstanding! Just this week, guests have included Stella McCartney and Desmond Tutu.

Criminal Minds - I think I only know 1 person (besides hubby & I) that watch this show. I've been watching it since day 1 and LOVE IT. It stars Thomas Gibson (aka Greg from Dharma & Greg) who is super cute. The stories are well-written and it's psychological drama at it's finest. Meaning, you get the mind games and scare factor without the gore. I can't take the gore. Check it out on Wednesday nights on CBS.

The Book Roundup

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield - I just started reading this and it's wonderful. It's a memoir about love and loss and music is at the heart of it. This was another book recommended by my personal librarian, Kat. She's not led me astray yet.

Corn Maze Crazed

This month has been full of wonderful Fall activities. Today's stop is at the Corn Maze. It was about an hour drive from my house, so the girls took this opportunity to catch a few zzz's before the fun began.

We congregated in front of some lovely Fall decor for a quick group shot.
Next stop...Cow Train ride. Each of the cars had a "cow" name. My favorite was Flossie.
When the Cow Train came back into the station, the passengers disembarked and then we head into the maze. Here's Daddy and Big A.
Little A & I are braving the corn as well. I have to note that Big A said I looked like a zebra in that shirt. Hmm. Remind me to toss that shirt when I get home.
I gave Little A a ride at one point. Those little legs were no match for the corn maze.
The kids were gazing out into the vast rows of corn that made up the maze. The adults were a little dismayed as well.

After finally finding our way out, we visited the goat walk. The kids loved this. The human kids that is.

Big A fell in love with this calf. She was pretty cute. And Big A had a nice smile too.
Little A & I had fun on the hayride. That is when she wasn't jumping around and throwing hay at us.
Hubby enjoyed this break. Isn't he cute? Hands off ladies.
My token Fall Mums shot. I was pretty proud of how this turned out. I heart Fall.

Friday's Foto Finish Fiesta

These are my little dress up divas. They like to put as many things on from our dress up box as they can. I see 2 budding fashionistas here.

For more foto fun, please check out Candid Carrie who lovingly hosts this fine fiesta every Friday!

Bicycle...bicycle...BICYCLE!

So, the big gift request for the birthday this year was a bicycle. Big A was ready to upgrade from her big wheel. After every gift that she opening at her celebrations, she continually reminded us that "it's not the bike that I really want". So, after her party last weekend, my father-in-law took her to the store and let her pick out her new bike.

Here she is, all smiles, with her new bike

So, we headed to a large empty parking lot, which provided the perfect training ground for a new rider. Daddy gives some instructions.
Little A happily took over the captain position of the big wheel
Daddy shows us the WRONG way to man the big wheel. At least he's wearing a helmet.
Big A rides around with her Pappy
Little A enjoys some time on the swings

This capped off the birthday celebrations for this year. No more birthday talk until next April. Now THAT'S something to celebrate!

Is That All There Is?

Oh, to have the complicated life of a 4 year old. As I said last week, Big A had a big birthday and it seemed like the celebration lasted for days and days. It seemed like no matter what we presented her with, she wanted something different. Something more. Good grief, the entitlement has already started. However, you'll have to come back tomorrow to see what it is she wanted that she ended up getting. In the meantime, here are a few pics of the celebration that I especially love.

Here she is getting her annual birthday flowers from Daddy. This is a tradition that I really love.

This girl loves to play dress up. She got a new purse and gloves that she's been wearing non-stop.
Here's the birthday cake that I made for her. See, I can actually bake something without burning it.
At her big party, she was surrounded by friends who gave her lots more princess dress up stuff. The house is now teeming with feather boas and tiaras.
And her friends look on as she examines a new Cinderella figurine set that she can't wait to tear into.
All in all, we had lots of fun and it was definitely a momentous birthday. However, with the opening of each present, she kept saying one thing over and over. "But it isn't the _____ that I wanted."

Conspiracy Theory

I hate this time of year. Halloween I mean. This holiday is a fat girl's worst nightmare. Make that a fat girl, with a ferocious sweet tooth's, worst nightmare.

I'm innocently cruising my neighborhood Target last week, when I had to hit the candy section to pick up some sweets for a certain girl's birthday goody bags. And then, I begin to hear it. Taunting me from the shelf across the aisle.

In this box, resides 22 of my favorite Hershey candy bars. FULL SIZE BARS. Heaven help me. My thighs will never forgive me.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Fall in the South is my favorite time of year. The weather can be a bit unpredictable (cold mornings and VERY hot afternoons), but there's nothing prettier. The changing leaves crown the surrounding mountains and it looks like the landscape melts right into the clouds. It's absolute heaven. Days like this make for a great trip to the pumpkin patch!

First, we must call in reinforcements. The pumpkin patch is better when shared with good friends.

Little A was having entirely too much fun on the hayride.

The big girls set off to find us some prime pumpkins. These things were HUGE!

Little A tried REALLY hard to lift one.

So many pumpkins, so little time.

Little A goes for the more traditional variety.

Big A chooses something a little more exotic. This pumpkin is actually blue.

The guys round up the kids so we can pay for our goodies and head home.

Big A was very excited to pick out our first Thanksgiving decoration.

Pause for a quick family photo

Back in the car for the beautiful ride home. Big A enjoys a fresh picked apple.

Little A catches some zzz's after a long and wonderful Fall outing