Get out & Vote!!

It is that time again and whatever your values and beliefs make your vote count. I personally try not to go into all of the issues especially with people because they can be downright mean and hurtful if you do not have the same beliefs and feelings as them. The only way for your voice to be heard whether it is local or national is to vote for who you believe is the right choice. It is your job to educate yourself on the issues and the candidates not what everyone else is saying or telling you. Yes you can receive information from the media but you must be diligent on researching the issues and candidates yourself not whether your democrat or republican and just voting with your party lines. Because I have to say they may not be the right choice for the job. Just make sure to have your voice be heard because one way or another our country is in for a change regardless of who is our next President.

Halloween Update...

Halloween was a busy day or late afternoon/evening for us. Our first mission was to hit downtown for their annual Boologah with all of the businesses assembled from 4-6p.m. Yes a little early for trick-or-treating but the high school had a game in town Friday night and they wanted everyone to be able to participate and still go to the game. We have yet to make one, maybe next year when the boys will be able to sit through part of a game. After downtown the boys took off their costumes so we could go eat dinner and we were off to Mimi & Papa's neighborhood in Broken Arrow. We only did two streets but that was plenty and definitely a lot of walking for two little guys especially Nic, (I took the stroller just in case because that boy is way to heavy to carry any distance). After we got home the boys were off to bed although I don't know how with all of the suckers they had that evening but they must have been completely worn out because they were asleep pretty quick once they were settled. Once asleep I dumped their buckets out into a paper grocery bag and it was almost half way full of candy. Who will be eating most of it, that's right, mom and dad!

And we are off, holding hands and crossing the street to start our evening.

Nemo and Lightening McQueen, what a pair those two make.

Our first stop and what do we get, that's right suckers and the very first one's of the evening.

Notice suckers already in mouth, very hard to say trick or treat when you are already eating something.

Taking a quick picture at Mimi & Papa's before we head out into their neighborhood.

One of our first stops that evening, what little gentlemen saying Thank You every time.

Eli wanted to take a picture by the big pumpkin before we went inside for the evening.

The boys sure had fun during our outings and I can't wait for next year. This is definitely my favorite time of the year.

Our Pumpkin Patch Visit

Costume Parade at School

At school on Thursday, Eli's class had a costume parade for about 15 minutes before they got their day started. (They also invited the siblings to join in.) Let me tell you it was the cutest thing watching these 3 and 4 year old walking around the gym and those pumpkins on the table are the ones they that helped carve on Tuesday. I have to admit I was a little surprised to not see very many parents there, a few were just dropping them off and leaving, but maybe they can't be late for work. All of the children had a blast and that is what counts.

Getting these two to pose together is not the easiest thing to do anymore. Eli a.k.a. Lightening McQueen sure loves his costume and Nic a.k.a Nemo just had alot of fun.

By now everyone was tired of posing for pictures and ready to play.

It is definitely hard to get a group shot, but don't they all look cute dressed up.

Looks like these four may be up for some fun.

What would you do?

This morning I showed up to pick Eli up from preschool, as I am pulling up the kids are walking back into the building from outside. I notice Eli walking with his teacher and another little girl, but yet he is not wearing his coat. So hear in lies the question, "why is my son not wearing his coat when all of the other children are?" Obviously they were coming from the playground, me personally I thought it was a little chilly to be outside but that's just me. The teachers were wearing their coats, so it only makes since to put coats on everyone, right? Maybe this is just me being over protective, but I don't think so. When my car is telling me that it is 50 degrees outside you better believe there will be coats/jackets involved. Not only that, every single child's face was red and their poor little noses were running from the cold air. I can understand wanting the kids to go outside and play but be a little reasonable. They do have a very big gymnasium and all you have to do is walk across the hall from their classroom. Doug's right though, I don't know the whole situation and shouldn't jump to conclusions, but when he has a coat and everyone is wearing theirs, Hello common since people. And if he didn't want to wear his coat the teachers should tell them they will not be joining the class outside and will stay inside with the director. I don't think that is to much to ask, is it? I am not quite sure how to handle this, it upsets me that he didn't have a coat on when everyone else did and it was chilly outside. I told Eli if he doesn't want to wear is coat from now on he will be staying inside with the director and not going outside to play with his friends. I am not quite sure how to broach the subject with his teacher though. I don't want to seem overbearing but when your are wearing your coat please put one on my child. I don't want this to cause him to be left out, which it shouldn't, but common sense should be used especially by the teachers. These children are only 3 and 4 years old sometimes you have to make the decision for them regardless of what they say. I don't think I am overreacting, it actually still makes me a little mad just sitting here typing this. Maybe this is all for nothing and I just needed to get it off my chest but they always say a mother know best and I know what is best for my child.

A few b-day pics to share

We celebrated my birthday once Doug got home from work last night, Eli could hardly contain himself all day, you could tell he wanted to tell me what they had gotten me. We had a relaxing dinner, I made lasagna my favorite, I used the oven ready noodles cuts down on time and is just as delicious. The boys gave me a precious moments figurine, I love them and have a huge collection. Doug and I went up to the Precious Moments chapel, quite a few years ago, and if you have never been you should make the drive, it is just gorgeous up there. We also used precious moments throughout our wedding because I love them so much. We are going to go pick out a camera, actually I think the Sunday ads from the paper made the decision for me. Circuit city is running a great special and who could pass it up. In the package they are offering you get the Sony 10 Mega pixel DSLR, the Compact 75-300mm Lens, a carrying case & spare battery for a great price with a $280 savings. So now I am going to go look at it and see how well I like it, hopefully it will be exactly what I am looking for. My birthday was fantastic thanks to all three of my boys, who knows what I would do without you. Love you guys!!!

Eli decided to climb into Nic's crib before breakfast yesterday morning (I just had to put their Halloween pajamas on them, they are too cute!)

Smiling for Daddy on Mommy's birthday.

They decided I needed help opening my cards, thanks boys!

A very beautiful cake, almost to good to eat, I said almost, it is chocolate you know.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

I just received an email from my mother-in-law containing this recipe, thank you very much you know I love chocolate. You better believe I will be trying this on a cold night, especially as soon as we run out of birthday cake. I looked up a few pictures of it that people had posted and it looks absolutely delicious, now all you need to do is add a scoop of ice cream, whip cream or some melted chocolate over the top (if anyone has ever tried chocolate lava cake then they know what I am talking about). Of course it looks like enough for two, so share with your spouse if you are in the mood to share, if not I am sure they will not get between you and your chocolate they should know better.


5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar 2
tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to feel slightly more virtuous). And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world ? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night!

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

For anyone who has little girls needs to check out this blog, you will totally fall in love with everything she makes. Each week she gives away an outfit that she had made and now she is opening an online store. Congrats to her and good luck.

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Another year goes by and now I am 29!!!

It's official, another year has passed and I am definitely starting to feel older (never thought I would say that!). I overheard Doug telling Eli how old I was going to be and the way he repeated it, "twenty-niiiiiiine", like that was extremely old. Although I tell everyone it is just another day, you do actually feel somewhat different once you start to think about it and in one year I will be hitting the big 3-0, yikes! Yes, I know it isn't old but to women there is just something about that number that makes you go, what a minute where had time gone. It doesn't seem that long ago that I had just had Eli and we were going out to eat at Outback Steakhouse for my 25th. Time seems to be flying by and you just get caught up in everyday life and don't really have a chance to sit back and enjoy everything that is happening. My mother-in-law keeps telling me I should write a book because she loves to read what I write, who knows one of these days maybe I will. As I was uploading these pictures Eli wanted to know why Nic was playing with a Mickey Mouse cake I had to explain that was mommy and at first I don't think he believed me, that little Turkey.

This is a picture of me at @ 2 1/2, as Doug says you can tell I am being ornery or up to something.

And I thought I would throw one in of me on my 1st Birthday, (who knew Mickey Mouse would still be so popular now). Love the retro high chair, don't see those to often anymore.

Random things

Delivered the pies this morning to pumpkin patch and of course the boys did not what to leave. On our walk back to the car, Nicolas decided to had by the car next to us so that he didn't have to get into his car seat. In which a crying battle ensued because I just crashed his world by not letting him play with the pumpkins. We are planning on going Monday afternoon so that Dad can be there also and I will be able to take pictures and not run after them the whole time. Will less likely be as crowed as it is today. I am supposed to meet Doug after dinner in Owasso so he can take the boys, I know it has something to do with my birthday, he can't do anything without me finding out seeing as I am the one with the boys all of the time. Eli doesn't quite know how to not tell about a gift, but that's what happens when kids are involved they loving telling you everything. I have been looking on-line at GAP, Old Navy and Gymboree to find us all something that will match a little, we are having family pictures taken Thursday and I am really excited about this. We have always done them at Sears but this year I found a photographer from Adair, I believe, she was really nice and according to the weather it will be fantastic, definitely great for our outdoor pics.

I am still looking at cameras, thanks for the suggestions Melinda, I like reading the customer reviews at Best Buy what people say about electronics is how I base some of my decisions. I figure if a person took the time to review their purchase to help another person with their buying, why not, that what it is there for anyway. Maybe I am a little picky but I like to research and then check it out for myself, just like any major purchase someone would make.

I still haven't decided about taking Eli to his preschool anniversary party yet, it is tomorrow. They have had the children practicing a song that they are supposed to be singing during the service at the church that runs the preschool. Something inside of me is telling me he would be the only one there for the service, none of the other parents have really been to involved in anything so far, maybe it is me but I think is a little weird. I like knowing what my child is learning that is the teacher and mom speaking together on this though. I take him into his class on the mornings he has school and get out of my car to pick him up. Everyone else drops them off and lets the teacher put them in their car seats and off they go. Who knows maybe it's me but I love talking to him about his morning on the way to the car and he shows me everything he made, but many of the others parents probably have to go to work and there have been a few grandparents dropping off and picking up. Every person's situation and circumstances are different, to each his own, right? I'll talk to Doug this evening and see what he thinks, I may not decide until in the morning. I just hate springing something new on the boys, a completely different church, classroom and teacher than they are used to, even if it is for only one day.