Category Archives: holiday

Looking Ahead to Your Teenage Years {Halloween}

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Dear Rylee,

We had so much fun the other night. It was so amazing to watch you be so brave and walk up the steps of those houses that were dimly lit with eerie music playing. You have grown so much since last year yet; you are still filled with the wonder of it all and still so innocent.

There will come a time when you’ll want to venture out and trick-or-treat with your friends. Believe me when I say that I’m ok with that…but convincing your father may be a different story. I’m guessing that day will come sooner than we’d like, but when it does, I want you to remember a few things…

If you’re going to go out trick-or-treating, no matter how old you are, you will be dressing up. End of story. It doesn’t have to be some big fancy, expensive costume, but seriously…put a little bit of effort into it.

Contrary to popular belief, Halloween is not just an excuse for girls to dress likes hoochies and get away with it. Seriously. Plus, it’s the end of October…it’s going to be cold out…bring a sweater! If you must, at least save that for your college years when you’re over 18 and out of the house.

If you’re going to go out trick-or-treating, you better not think you’re “too cool” to actually say “trick-or-treat”. None of this knocking on the door and just holding out your bag business…that’s not gonna fly.

After you knock on the door, in your costume, say “trick-or-treat” and get your candy? The words “thank you” {or some variation of} better come out of your mouth. I don’t care how much of a hurry you’re in to get to the next house, those people didn’t have to spend who-knows-how-much-money to buy candy for total strangers and you need to appreciate it.

Be mindful of the little kids, because it’s really for them, not you. Be mindful of the adults taking the little kids around from house to house. If they’re trying to drive down the road, just get out of the way, you are not “holier than though” or owed anything. Be respectful. Watch your language.

I sum all this up with 3 words: don’t be an asshole. 

Hugs & Kisses,

Mama

P.S. These words of wisdom, go right along with the first “looking ahead to your teenage years” letter I wrote you. Trust me, as you grow, there will be more.

The cutest wicked witch you ever did see.

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When all the other little girls are fairy princesses, kitty-cats and other pink fro-froo things, there’s my girl in all black, dressed as a witch.

She decided all on her own that she wanted to be a witch for Halloween. Where that request came from is still a mystery to me, but my girl owned it!

Ry’s school was throwing a party in the morning and since Monday’s aren’t one of her normal “school” days, I took the morning off so she could go. She had a blast. They listened to a Halloween story, ate snacks, played outside, then did a costume parade where all the 3 & 4 year olds trick-or-treated the other classrooms up and down the hall. It was cute. And loud. Oh, holy hell was it loud. I’ll tell you what, there is a reason I’m not an early-childood educator.

After the party, I dropped Ry off at her grandma & papa’s house where she spent the afternoon while I went to work {exhausted and with a headache, by the way}. After work I scooped up Ry and we raced home to meet Andy, grab some stuff and hop back in the car and over to the home of one of Ry’s friends from school. They’re best little buddies, those two, so we all had dinner, then did our trick-or-treating together.

Rylee had a great time! I was a little bit concerned since she’s pretty timid and especially considering Disney movies scare the day lights out of her. But, she was a trooper. There were a couple of “spooky” houses, but we just reminded her that it was all pretend and she went right up and got her candy.

As we were walking, she shook her little pumpkin and with a high-pitched voice and giant grin on her face, said “Oh, it’s getting really full!”

Holding my hand when things got “spooky”.

Hittin’ the streets with Daddy!
{Andy dressed up for work and Ry requested he leave his costume on. What a sweet Daddy.}

 Enjoying her one piece of candy for the night from her loot. She chose mini charleston chews. A girl after my own heart.

All-in-all,  Ry not bringing home a SINGLE Butterfinger, we had a tantrum-free night and fun was had by all!

How what your Halloween?

 

Happy Hallow…Christmas? Wait…what?

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Yea, yea, I know it’s Halloween today, but guess what? You’re not going to get any Halloween photos of Ry until tomorrow so I figured I’d take today to go over something else…list CHRISTMAS!

I love, love, LOVE the prep of Christmas…goes right along with my type-A personality, no?

When it comes to Christmas, I have two main rules…

#1. No Christmas music until AFTER Thanksgiving.

#2. Our Christmas cards MUST say “Merry Christmas”. None of this “Happy Holidays” crap.

Last year, we got our Christmas cards through Shutter Fly. Well technically, last year we did Thanksgiving cards, but either way, we were super happy with them. Good turnaround time, great quality. I’ve never had an issue with Shutter Fly so I knew we’d be going back to them this year!

They’ve got some great choices…

I’m sure you can tell that I’m a fan of the more simple cards…but they have cards that will fit EVERYONE’S style!

Now, the question is, which one do we choose? I’m thinking if we had more than just Rylee the first couple of cards with lots of spots for photos would be good. But I guess it’s just going to depend on that photo(s) we end up going with! You’ll just have to wait and see ! :)

Oh, and they have calendars and photo gifts too! I’ve always loved the idea of the photo calendars…one of these years I’ll get around to actually making one.

Crap, now I’m all sorts of ready for Christmas and it’s only Halloween.

Are you going to be sending out Christmas cards this year?

Disclosure: Shutter Fly compensated me for this post, but all opinions are my own!

The ghost of Halloween Past

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Holy crap, I can’t believe I’m about to share this photo on the interwebs. The ONLY reason I have this photo digitally is because a few months back we were having a slide show at my dad’s house {SLIDE SHOWS, do you remember slides?!} and this photo was so epically embarrassing, I had to take a photo. There were lots more that also involved my sisters, but I figured I’d just stick with my own embarrassment today. {Kristen & Kelli, you’re welcome}

Anyway, when Suzanne & Amy talked about hosting a vintage Halloween link up, this was not the image I had in mind. My mom made me fantastic costumes growing up…I was an orange crayola crayon one year, “Jasmine” in pink, Betty Rubble and the list goes on and on. Oh, I was even a troll doll once…you remember TROLL DOLLS!? Crap, my mom even made my halloween costume this year. She’s pretty much amazing.

This year, 1993 to be exact, my mom didn’t make my costume. She was pregnant with my little brother at the time. I’m pretty sure I had just found out. Which it why, as the youngest of 3 kids, I chose to be a BABY for Halloween. Obviously. It makes perfect sense. And I clearly wasn’t afraid of being knocked off of my “I’m the youngest and can do no wrong” pedestal.

You guys? Did you notice I’m even wearing a REAL diaper!

And that haircut? Yea…you guys remember Francis from Swiss Family Robinson? Welp, the entire time I had this haircut, that’s what my sisters called me.

{Thanks for that mom.}

{And would you believe now my sisters are 2 of my best friends!?}

Have any Vintage Halloween photos to share? You should link up with us!

A picture perfect weekend

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As Ry squeezed my shoulder, requesting “1 more minute” last night at bedtime, I settled back in and reflected on our weekend.

A slight smile came across my face and a relaxed, happy sigh escaped.

The weekend started out with Rylee and I heading into town to pick up my brother and hit up the Farmer’s Market, a park and the grocery store. Andy helped his dad with a shelving project in his garage. Later that night, we met Andy in town and headed over to my aunt’s house for a family dinner. Sunday, Andy mowed down the weeds the lawn. We spent some great time with family, laughing a lot and eating really good food {don’t worry, the recipe will be here later in the week!}. We picked a lot of blackberries. We played donkey balls ladder ball. On Monday, after everyone left, Andy, Rylee and I went for one last Summer ride in the Cruiser.

It was relaxed.

It really was picture perfect.

But, instead of rushing for the camera to capture that moment at “just the right time” I didn’t even break out the camera. I found myself leaving my phone in the house. I just enjoyed our last days of Summer. As a family. And it was perfect.

What about you? How was your holiday weekend?

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While you’re here…you should click on over to an awesome new blog called “Liberating Working Moms” and check out my guest post! It’s about that dreaded “mom guilt” so many moms feel when going to work…or should I say, my lack of guilt. It felt good to get it out in the open!