Wednesday 31 October 2012

Halloween 2012

Yup.  That was fun!

Despite the arrival of the not-so-Frankenstormish-Hurricane-Sandy, and the drab rain that sleeted through the UX today- Halloween didn't disappoint!  Rowan has been talking about tonight for 2 weeks...dressing up in his costume, having a Halloween party with his friends at school, making a Haunted House, carving pumpkins, and telling his sister all about Trick or Treating.  He.  Was.  Pumped. 

...and then it came (ready or not...I won the award for procrastination this year, picking up the last of the Halloween candy at about 3pm this afternoon!).  He was literally shaking with excitement, and popped out of bed this morning at 6:20am.  Funny enough- we didn't think Miss G would get as "into it" as she did this year, but one mention of the word "costume", and she was off like a hat to find her stuff.  Sweet.  Nothing like the energy of 2 kiddies to get into the spirit!

At Rowan's request, I made his Peter Pan costume (which, ironically, was often mistaken as Robin Hood...both characters do sorta wear the same stuff, only Robin Hood would have had a bow & arrow instead of a dagger...mental note for next year!).  Given I only taught myself how to sew a few weeks ago, I'm pretty stinkin' chuffed at how it turned out:
(OMG!  i hate that blogger automatically rotates my pics!)
Georgia was going as a super-cute owl costume...also homemade...but made it super warm in case we had a freezing cold Halloween night. So, Rowan got his wish, and had his little Tinkerbell sidekick for G's daytime costume at daycare (super sweet!  and thanks to Team Laba for the hand-me-down!):


Here's Georgia in her night costume- my sweet little owl:


I totally bootlegged the idea off a blogger's site (thanks to Lindsey from The Martin Family Times!), and I love, love how it turned out!  So easy...used a Poncho pattern that my Mom had from when we were kids instead of a cape- which proved to be much warmer (and more appropriate) for Ontario October weather!

Pumpkins turned out super cute, and got tons of raves from all the trick or treaters that came to the door:


(do I need to admit my Pinterest addiction here?  ...and subsequent idea steal for the Cookie Monster Pumpkin?  I can claim creative licence for the Elmo version!)  Ironically, I just went out to douse the lights in the pumpkins, and somehow all the cookies have disappears- must have been some hungry kiddies!

Finally, the family pic:


Happy Halloween Everyone!


Sunday 7 October 2012

They are (always) listening...

I read this today, and it hit me that I am too often not giving my kids the full attention they deserve.  I'm reminding myself to pick at least one of these each day- put a stop to "life" for a few minutes each day, and revel in my beautiful babes...

{19 Things we should say to our Children}1. I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.

All you need is... (edit)

2. You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!

Is anybody up there?

3. It’s all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.

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4. You’ve made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It’s all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.

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5. You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn’t easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.

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6. I’m sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.

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7. You can change your mind. It’s good to decide, but it is also fine to change.

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8. What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!

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9. That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!

Sheriff ²

10. I have a surprise for you. It’s not your birthday. It’s for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.

"It's for you."

11. I can wait. We have time. You don’t have to hurry this time.

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12. What would you like to do? It’s your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It’s important to follow your special interests.

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13. Tell me about it. I’d like to hear more. And then what happened? I’ll listen.

Charlie

14. I’m right here. I won’t leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.

Global Village

15. Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?

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16. I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!

my girl...

17. Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let’s see. I’ll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.

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18. I’ll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I’m glad to help since you asked.

Making cinnamon rolls with Grandma...

19. What do you wish for? Even if it’s not yet time for birthday candles and we don’t have a wishbone, it’s still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

The best place to seek God is in the garden.