Gorgeous

Today was as beautiful inside as it was outside. Do you know those days where you don't have a care in the world? Well, my day wasn't carefree, but my worries were "in check" if you will, and I was semi-productive. David had FOP meetings through the day so it was just me and the chittlins. I scurried to Wally world before David left for his meetings, just to get diapers, cat food, and some of the cheaper dry goods vs. say cereal at the grocery store where the price is hiked up $2-3. I bought the kids a cinnamon roll and bear claw, something I do about 3-4 times a year. Came home, fed them breakfast, everyone got dressed and headed to the Y, where I take my kickboxing class, that I absolutely love, and really deserves it's own post one day.
Talk about a total body workout, that is as fun as it is good for you. Sometimes I think Cindy, the instructor picks on me, she really pushes me. Today over her microphone she commented, "somebody came to work hard today", and I did! I was punching the bag across the room, and my arms were on fire.
After kickboxing, I treated the kids at the coffee shop. I only go to the coffee shop on the days that David works all day and it is just me and the kids. I justify needing the caffeine, and Joe really loves sitting on the stool at the bar. Joe likes the Italian soda and I usually partake in the Blushing Zebra.
We took our treats to the grocery store, where the kids were so good. Joe just walked along with the cart and Charlotte sitting inside. Of course, he was handsy, but I tried to keep him busy looking for items on the list. Then I locked my keys and the kids in the car, had a brief, "oh my Lord" moment then Joseph willingly climbed to the front of the car, and unlocked it.
We came home, fixed turkey sandwiches, and I labored over a pot roast. David came home early from his meetings, which was a nice surprise. I folded some laundry, started packing a suitcase, because the kids and I are staying at my mom's tonight, so she can watch the kids tomorrow while David and I work.
The kids went down for naps. David and I snoozed in the chair and couch, respectively, and I elevated my left foot. My heel hurts like the dickens. The pain is a cross between a bruise feeling and a burn. Does anyone know what this might be? Is it plantar fascitis (help with spelling)?
Now I need to finish packing up the car, and the kids. The pot roast smells awesome through the house. Since being on the Total Money Makeover, I haven't bought any candles. I have found myself baking and cooking to make the house smell good. Pot roast canlde anyone?
Anyway, today was just one of those perfect days. Life is good! Then I work tomorrow...hehehehe!

Amnesia

I don't know if I can remember everything we've been doing but I do know that about 8:30 every night I am pretty tired.
Here we are at Kerby Farms pumpkin patch for the preschool Fall party.

Language Lane was supposed to have a costume party down the main street in Bonner, but it rained the whole day. So they improvised and held other activities at the school. The program and parade were sweet and charming none the less.

Joseph taking his turn and telling everyone he was a "police oppicer"

Patiently waiting for a cookie.

Eating a cookie. Do you find my narration helpful?

The future chicken coop. To be expanded upon at a later date.

David and I have started the Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover, and have been at it about a month and a half. Although it seems longer. So Christmas shopping, and the holiday season ought to be fun this year. This year I might actually budget and follow a plan more closely. I refuse to "get behind" this year because of Christmas. The pressure to spend and give useless gifts is unbelievable and ruins Christmas for me. I always feel so guilty. Arghhhhhhhhhhh. But not this year. It's going to be simple. Right, simple?

MIA on Halloween

This year I worked Halloween. Of course I didn't want to work, but neither did the twenty other mom's who worked Halloween, so I didn't attempt to take PTO. Luckily David took off the day, and was able to participate in the festivities.

Now, I am almost didn't want to post about Halloween. I had a costume for Charlotte, that a friend loaned me and used for her little girl a two years ago. Well, being the organized mom that you all know I am, I never put the costume on Charlotte until Halloween night. Surprise, surprise, the costume didn't fit, as evidenced by the pictures below. So to appease me, David poured Charlotte into the jumpsuit for picture sake, but obviously wouldn't keep her in it all night. The poor guy called me at work to warn me that it didn't fit, and she wouldn't be able to wear it. She is supposed to be a prisoner.

And Joseph is a cop. I have never seen such a happy policeman. By the way, I must give credit where credit is due. The big brother/cop and little sister/inmate costumes and idea were Josie O's idea. I am just a copycat.

Now this picture breaks my heart, because I wasted a perfect opportunity and once in a lifetime chance to do something cute with Charlotte. She will never be this age again. She looks so pitiful in the background at the door watching her brother enjoy the Halloween night and the attention. Meanwhile she stares longingly outside. One day she will look at this picture and think, my mama didn't love me.

Look at the small pumpkin. I botched cutting the top off and decided to make him into a pirate. Are you jealous of my creativity? Yup, I thought so.

So Sowwy...

I want to apologize to anyone who still reads this blog. I want to say I am sorry, sorry for leaving up a picture of Kraft macaroni cheese for as long as I did. When I posted that silly post, I thought to myself, oh it won't be up that long, I'll post something cute of the kids later today or maybe the next. But oh no, I think it has been a week now. So right after I pop some kettle korn and pick Joe up from preschool, I will come back and post something else. Anything but mac n'n cheese.

the Health Conscious Mother

I felt guilty about eating Kraft macaroni and cheese. So being the health focused (or lazy, you choose) mother that I am, I added chopped raw spinach. Get out your recipe cards!

Recently

Obviously, these pictures were not taken today, today was too cold, windy and wet, but about two to three weeks ago. Since then Charlotte has started walking. I purposefully took these of her outside because a) for once she didn't have food in her hair b) I have only half the pictures of her that I have of Joe, and she is growing soooo fast. She is sweet, loving, affectionate, assertive, sassy, innocently ornery and loves her mom, dad and big brother.

70% of the time it is entertaining to watch them play together. Really, Joseph plays in an organized manner and Charlotte mimics and plays around Joseph. Surprisingly, the majority of the time Joseph takes the initiative and includes her in his play and/or narrates for her, explaining what he is doing. Oh yeah, the other 30% of playtime, he is taking away whatever toy she is playing with, and she starts squawking and raising a raucous.

Pumpkin Eater

In the midst of my pumpkin cooking frenzy this morning, Joseph calls me outside to look at the leaf he found in the yard. I just thought this picture was funny.
The real reason I am posting is because I want to share my new favorite cooking or baking blog. Has anyone visited Joy the Baker?

I have always thought Kettle Korn was a big mystery and could only be eaten at carnivals, ball games and the City Market. Well, not any more my friends. Joy has shown me the way to homemade Kettle Korn and it is tried and true.

These here heavenly pumpkin spice pancakes are to die for. I finally made them this morning, and I was not disappointed. I even made two batches, which I usually do not do.

I don't know if she goes into homemade whip cream. Probably somewhere on her site, but I haven't found it. But just a quick tutorial for those of you who have never made it and want to give it a go.

Homemade whipping cream

1cup of heavy whipping cream

1-3tablespoons of white sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

Beat on a high speed with a whisking attachment for about 5 minutes, until stiff peaks start to form. Now, you can spice up your cream, add some vanilla extract, or I have used cinnamon, and I have used pupmkin pie spice. David really liked the pumpkin spice cream, but lately I have just opted for 1 tablespoon of sugar - just enough to lightly sweeten.

So check out Joy's blog. I think she'll have lots of holiday inspiration.