Aloha November

In some states, people are starting to
slip into parkas and sip on hot cider. 

And in others, people are still wearing tanks

and fancying themselves with flowers.

Halloween

There was a great debate between two 10-year-old girls that tagged along in our trick-or-treating troop.  In between chants of  "trick-or-treat" and sprinting to the next sugar-giving house they quarreled back and forth.  The hot topic: Was the cute little girl dressed as a tomato or was she a strawberry? 

They didn't know I was listening. 

The clown was sure she was picked right off a tomato vine.  Yet, the geisha girl was positive she was a member of the fruit family.

Before I jump into this sparring match and announce a winner, let's back up.

When our friends invited us over to partake in their neighborhood pre-Halloween party, I jumped at the invite.  It's always better to have a dress rehearsal before the big show.  You just never know if there's going to be a wardrobe malfunction or if the costume itself is going to be irresistible to the palate.

Although the script for the big show only painted scenes of running from house to house in pursuit of delicious goods and a haunted house in someone's garage before intermission, we decided a pony ride during dress rehearsal would help show the costume's versatility and the main character's willingness to do things whilst in costume.

And I gotta say, costume + pony = A cushiony success.

The dress rehearsal went off without a hitch.

No one got dirty, hat stayed on, there weren't any definite bite marks left on the foliage, tights went to bed that night snagless and, most importantly, the main character seemed tickled by all the attention her audience gave her.  She was a hit.

Day of the big show. 

The lights are dimming as the show is getting ready to begin.  The audience has taken their seats behind closed doors, waiting anxiously to applaud as the characters appear yelling out "Trick-or-treat!!"  Giddiness and a fever to go, go, go runs rampant through the veins of those who are in character. 

There's also a state of confusion for the newest members of the Halloween production.  They know little of what is to come once the curtains are drawn and the show begins, but they gather that the theme of the night is CANDY.

And then, just like that, the show has begun. 

And the littlest of the littles takes off with the rest of the chorus line and plays her part with the utmost perfection.

Standing ovation from some. 

Oohs and Awws from most. 

A star to say the least.

And now back to the great debate between the geisha and clown.  

You say tomato. 

I say berry cute strawberry.

Or should I say starberry.

Weekend Fun 101

Please take out a clean piece of paper and a number two pencil because it's time for a pop quiz.

You'll have five minutes to review the pictures below and then answer the following question:

Where did Brandon and Michelle take Kennedy last weekend?

A.  To an amusement park.

B.  To the pumpkin patch.

C.  To the AZ State Fair.

D.  All of the above.

{I'd say the death grip on Brandon's shirt reveals her true feelings}

{My camera couldn't keep up with these speedy little oinkers during the pig race; hence, the reason for only one little bacon butt.  Poor little red didn't fare so well.}

All right.  Time's up.   Pencils down. 

I'm sure the suspense is killing you,

so get the red pens out and let's find out your fate in Weekend Fun 101.

For those of you who circled A.,

EEEEEEEEE.  Wrong answer.

For those who circled C. or D.,

Double EEEEEEEE.

The correct answer is B. To the pumpkin patch.

Apparently, these days pumpkin patches aren't all about picking out a pumpkin and hayrack rides.  I think we were at the patch for a good three hours before we even happened upon some pumpkins, and by that time, I forgot all about capturing that precious moment when Kennedy picks out which little orange guy gets to come home with us. 

I did, however, manage to take pictures of piggy bum.  Mom of the year. 

Wallpaper and a Wink

Thanks again to my mom and her lovely assistant for transforming our living room wall into something more grand and lovable.  This room is a work in progress, and I'll be so happy when it's finally done. 

It's gettin' there...

And I leave you with said lovely assistant giving y'all a wink. 

Yes, looks more like a "say cheese" face, but I assure you this is a bona fide wink in Kennedy's book.

All in a day's work

Nonnie isn't your typical grandma.  Sure, she'll smother you with kisses and presents, but in between cuddling sessions and shopping for frilly outfits, she puts you to work. 

Today's project: wallpapering.   

 However, ask for a wallpaper roller and you might get a tape measure with this inexperienced assistant.

But ask for some wallpaper and ye shall receive.

And because Nonnie abides by all the child labor laws, she did allow for a quick break.

And soon after Nonnie and her assistant finished their project, it was time to punch the time card and head to happy hour.

First up, a chalktini.

Feeling the effects of the chalktini perhaps, Kennedy dropped the serious face and actually smiled twice in the presence of a camera.

 And instead of a Blue Moon to close out happy hour with, Kennedy opted to drink in a full moon.

Chalkboard table and chairs

I bought this naked table at Jo Ann's about six months ago.  I had every intention of putting some clothes on it (aka paint), but the heat and assembly kept me at bay.  With the weather cooling down and Nurse Nonnie doing all the assembly work required, I had no excuse but to get the paint brushes out.   And I'm so glad I did because my vision for it actually worked out and it's Kennedy approved.   

In its birthday suit: 

All dressed:

 

The flower accessories are actually garden kneeling pads from the dollar bin at Target.

Let's Talk (Again)

Flagstaff:   I'm scrambling to get caught up on all of our doings, goings and everything in between.  So, I guess I'll start with our trip up north since it seems like this little adventure happened eons ago. 

There's an outdoorsman that lives deep inside me and every year during the fall equinox, she digs herself closer to the surface until she can't take it anymore and things like bonfires and tents must be put on the calendar or a feeling of self imploding is sure to come.  However, I married a city mouse and we all know that city mice would rather stick closer to skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of city life.  But lucky for me, my city mouse likes to rough it in the name of love.    And by roughing it, that means we rented a cabin with running water, satellite t.v., a dishwasher and plenty of neighbor doors to pound on in case a bear lured too close to our beautiful set up.

While up north, we paid a visit to a reindeer farm, played at the park, blew bubbles on the deck, had some home cooked meals and really didn't do much of anything but enjoy our view and the weather. 

Sure, there wasn't a tent or a bonfire (fire hazard was on red alert due to the dryness in the area, but us girls came close to talking the boys into being rebels with a cause and getting our s'more on), but the weekend did prove to be a success and the outdoorsman in me has since fallen silent, with a smile on her face of course. 

Depantsing:  Yes, that time has come.  The time when a young fledgling first learns that their diaper isn't a permanent fixture on their body and is, in fact, quite easily removable.  This was the first time Kennedy depantsed herself and then delivered her diaper to me, all proud of course.  I reached for the camera to document her proud moment and then caught her getting camera shy.  Turns out she just wanted a little privacy while she did her business next to the refrigerator.  And, no, it's not so cute anymore.

Chocolate:  God love her, she's just like her mama.  Be it m&m's or chocolate chip cookies, the girl has a soft spot for chocolate too.  And she's not afraid to show it.

Man, I love this girl:  She can make me want to throw myself on the ground and beat my legs against the floor all in the name of not getting my way too, but more than anything else, she makes me miss her when she's napping and makes my stitches hurt from all the laughing she causes.

Universal sign:  This is Kennedy's universal sign for "Did you hear that bird," "Did you hear that dog bark," "Did you hear that plane," "Did you hear that motorcycle," "Did you hear the air conditioner turn on,"  "Did you hear me toot?"  You get the picture.

Watering the plants:  Little green thumb here is a good little mama to her plant babies.  She waters them on a daily basis and is always eager to quench their thirst, even if they are desert plants.

Dressing herself:  If she's not depantsing herself, then she's trying to dress herself.  However, she's always fully dressed when she tries to add another outfit into the mix.  And she hasn't quite grasped how to get things on properly, like feet in first not head.

Chalk:  Kennedy's not the only one who likes to apply chalk to thy face.  It seems Marley found it to be the perfect shade of pink to bring out the color in her eyes.

Yellow Lightning:  Now that the weather has begun to cooperate, the return of Yellow Lightning was in order.  And it's only fitting that little K.D. looks more like a little J.D. (Joe Dirt) with her mullet blowing in the wind on this Carney ride.