Halloweens Past & Present - Part II

So with my last post, I made it pretty clear I think how much I like Halloween.  Okay, okay...I love it.  I think it's safe to say my boys are into it too; their reasons slightly different than mine, however.  I'm hoping as the years go by that my love for the dress up part of it will rub off on them, 'cuz as they get older it's not as easy to force it upon them as I've done in the past...

Every year I like to make a postcard to email out to family and friends.  It's become kind of a tradition around here, at least in my mind.  Here's a few from the past five years:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

My, how they've grown!

Here's hoping everyone has had a happy & safe Halloween night!

Halloweens Past & Present - Part I

I love Halloween.  I always have and I always will.  Loved it as a kid, but what probably really solidified my love for it as an adult was winning a trip to Mexico for 1st prize at a Halloween costume party at a local nightclub with this 'lil number:

This was my cousin & I as Frankenstein and his Bride.  We strapped a mattress to our backs so it looked like we were lying in bed.  This was in 1987, I think.  Needless to say, we had a great time in Mexico!

Seeing as how we did so well with this costume, we did it again the following year, but with some minor improvements:

Oh, and before I go on...in case you were wondering...that's my real hair.  Having a brother as a hairdresser is a wonderful thing, but I'm telling you, that was painful...lots of backcombing involved.  It was worth it though because we won again (and at the same nightclub).  This time it was a cash prize of $750.

So you'd think after two years of the bed costume, we'd have been done with it, right?  Well, no.  I guess it wasn't super creative of us, but once again, we lugged that thing around all night.  But this time we looked like this:

We won $250.  Not bad for three years in a row!  We also had a 'lil tape deck under the sheet and did a lip-sync of (what else?) "I Got You Babe."

Well, the bed was finally retired, but that didn't stop me from dressing up.  The last big thing I did was in 1999, when a girlfriend and I made this:

This one was a lot of fun and needed my friend's boyfriend to transport the beetle to the nightclub in his pickup truck.  What a site we were driving down the street.  Not a huge prize here, but we did each win a cell phone, so not bad.  The big prize went to some people who were obviously in the movie biz.  Kind of unfair, but that's okay because we had so much fun making it.  It was pretty crazy in the club too...we'd be driving dancing around the dance floor and all of a sudden there'd be someone in our backseat!  After that night we took the car over to my nephew's preschool playground and they had something new to play with when the arrived to school the next morning.

These days I'm not doing anything quite as big.  Now it's about the kids and throwing them 'lil Halloween parties.  Although I do still dress up...usually am the only "adult" who does.  Went to my 3-yr-old's preschool party this week and he didn't want to dress up.  A mom said to me "With a mom like you, I wonder why he doesn't want to?"  I dunno.  Maybe I'm stealing his thunder.  But he better get used to it, 'cuz I'm not stopping.

So my latest Halloween goal is not to go to a nightclub and try to win a contest...it's No. 1, to get Hubby to love it as much as I do and, No. 2, throw a house party for adults.

Next year!  I've already warned my husband and thought of our costumes!  Can't wait!

Stay tuned for some pics of my boys...'cuz after all, Halloween is really for the kiddies...yah, right.

He'll Never Catch Me!

As a kid, there was one thing...or one person in particular that scared the poop out of me!  Not literally, but then again, my memory is not the best.  

Anyways, I'd long since forgotten about this person...banished him to the dark recesses of my mind until one day about two years ago when the memories of my childhood fear of this person all came rushing back.  I shudder to think of him even now.

It's this dude...

Aaaaack, I still have a hard time looking at him.  Do you recognize him?  He's the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  Is he not the scariest-looking character you've ever seen?

Here's another chilling look at him...

Ooooh, I hope I don't have nightmares about him tonight.  I'm seriously disturbed by him even as an adult.  This dude prances around in a colourful coat, waving lolly pops around, luring 'lil children into his cage on wheels.  Oh, and to add to the terror, he also carries a massive hook around with him.  Charming.

I was reminded about him two years ago when I bought the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang dvd for my boys thinking it would be a great family movie and since they were really into musicals at the time, I thought what a score; I'm such a brilliant mommy.  In my head I heard the catchy tune..."Oh, my Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you..."  You know the one.  And who doesn't adore Dick Van Dyke?  I thought, Hey, I watched this as a kid...

Well, lucky for my wee lads we never got to the point in the movie where we're introduced to the Child Catcher.  I just started to feel a bit uneasy...and then all of a sudden it hit me and I think I suddenly decided that we had to go out and get ice cream or candy or whatever...anything to turn this off without too much objection from them.

I'm a little afraid of adding this video, but I'll be brave so you can see what I mean.  (And I won't watch)

So...am I right?  *shudder*

That night I showed it to my husband.  He'd never been subjected to this as a child.  (Lucky bastard)

And then it went into hiding...

I don't remember where I put it...

I hope I never find it...

What a great excuse to never clean out my closets.

Post-It-Note-Tuesday

I'm linking up for the first time with Kristin over at Only Parent Chronicles and her Post-It-Note Tuesday...just getting in under the wire. 

I Know I'm Fun, But This Is Ridiculous!

Okay.  There's something I've been keeping to myself since starting this blog and I can't keep it a secret any longer.

The secret is ...

I'm super cool and super fun and  everyone wants to be around me all the time!

There.  I said it.  What a weight off my mind.

Okay, so it's not everyone.  It's my two boys that want to be with me all the time and want me to play with them all the live long day.  ALL. THE. LIVE. LONG. DAY!

Geesh.

You know how as a kid it was so important to be popular?  If you were with the "cool" crowd, you had it made; if you weren't, how you wished you were.

I think I did okay in the high school popularity poles.  Certainly wasn't the coolest girl, but I don't think I did too bad.  My high school though was pretty cool in itself in that all the different groups sort of hung out together.  The mods hung with the punkers, hung with the stoners, hung with the jocks, hung with the thesbians, etc.  I'd say I had friends in all those groups, but I myself hung out at the "Fame" end of the school...acting, choir, you know the type.  (The "cool" type)

There was a time though that I was super shy.  I had a pretty popular best guy friend and I probably embarrassed him a bit because I was so shy.  I distinctly remember that I felt that my shyness was making me miss out on doing fun things and I was tired of it so I decided right then and there to stop being shy.  (Why I can't do the same with my sweet tooth, I'll never know.)

Ugh.  What's my point?  What am I rambling on about?

Oh yeah.

I'm talking about my 'lil dudes and how they are after me to play with them all day long!!

I don't know what's going on these days, but they are both clamouring after me wanting my attention what seems like 24/7!  They used to play so nicely on their own.  Not sure what's changed.  Well, with Big T it's probably the fact that he's now in Full-Day Kindergarten.  Having been with me all day, every day for close to 5 years and then all of a sudden being away from me from 9-3, I can understand why he wants my constant attention.

So what's Little K's excuse?  Well, I'm super cool and super fun!  I already mentioned that.

It's getting a little out of hand though in the last couple of days.  We've been decorating for Halloween and Big T is totally into it, but Little K could think of better things to do, so we've had some conflict deciding what Mommy is going to do first.  It goes something like this:

Big T:  "Mom, will you put more Halloween stuff up with me?"

Little K:  "Mom, you wanna play boxing with me?"

Big T:  "No, Little K, she's going to play with me.  Come on, Mom!"

Little K:  "Mommy, I need you!"

Big T:  (Getting louder)  "COME ON, MOM!"

Little K:  (Also getting louder)  "I WANT JUICE!"

Big T:  (Really getting into it)  "MOM, COME ON!!!"

Little K:  (He can outdo that)  "I WAAAAANT JUUUUUUIIIICCCCE!!!!"


(sigh)

It's nice to be popular.

A Messy Good Time!

Saturday was my Little K's 3rd birthday.  Awwww, my 'lil sweetie is getting so big.

We had the best party for him.  It was the first party I paid for in the sense of paying for a location and an activity and one that essentially has a time limit on it.  Usually our parties have a start time but not an end time.  The party basically ends whenever the kids start to crash. 

There's something I don't like about these types of parties though and that's that there's a time limit to them so it's becoming the norm that the kids do not open their presents at the party but wait 'til they get home.  I understand the reason for this.  With these time-sensitive parties and how expensive they usually are, you want to spend most of the time on the activity you're paying for.  But my kids (and me too) are disappointed whenever they can't see their friend open the present they got for them.  It's exciting for them to see their friend's reaction.  So at our parties, time limit or not, presents will be opened.  I loved it when I was a kid and I know my kids enjoy it too.

But as usual, I digress.

I want to tell you about the super fun party we had for Little K.

We went to a 4Cats Arts Studio and had a Splattering Party.  As in splattering paint!  It was SO MUCH FUN!!  It was basically an hour of getting completely covered in paint and loving it!  Oh, and making some pretty funky art a la Jackson Pollack. I even made Jackson Pollack-inspired cupcakes!

There's really only one rule at a 4Cats painting party.  The rule is "It's no big deal."  If you get paint on yourself, it's "No Big Deal".  If you get paint on someone else, it's "No Big Deal".  We wore cloths on our heads so that we'd look ridiculous have it close by if we got paint in or around our eyes, but even that is "No

Big Deal", because it all washes away.

This was my kind of party!  And it's not just for kids...you can have an adult party.  My sis-in-law is contemplating a bacherlorette splatter party!  I am so there!

Another great thing is we all painted a large canvas on the floor, which we could then purchase...and we did.

It would be awesome if one day I got compensated for saying how great something is, but for now it's just me sharing how much fun it was because I think everyone should experience the fun and freedom of throwing paint!



Getting To Know Me

I saw this questionnaire on
Theta Mom and 
Mommy Monologues and I've always like these things, haven't done one in forever, so thought I'd join in on the fun!

So if you'd like to get to know me a little better, read on:

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you. Kylie Minogue 

2. What has been your favorite age so far? Hmmm, I believe we get better with age, so I'd say 44.

3. Where did you meet your husband? Online (LavaLife).

4. How many children do you have? Two 'lil men.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people? 12th Grade Musical "Anything Goes".

6. What’s the first thing you notice about your preferred sex? It used to be forearms (wierd, I know), now it's eyes.

7. What really turns you off? Lame excuses.

8. What do you order at Starbucks? Tall 2-pump White Mocha Americano.  But now that I no longer work there and don't get a discount, I'll be having my coffee at home.

9. What is your biggest mistake? Not buying an apartment when I was a court reporter making oodles of money.

10. As a child, what did you want to grow up to be? Famous movie star.

11. Say something totally random about yourself. I love dipping a spoon 1/2 in peanut butter and 1/2 in nutella...heaven!  Oh, and I just realized I look best in pictures lying down...gravity is a wonderful thing!

12. Do you still watch kiddie movies or TV shows? You'd be amazed how much I know about Toopy & Dora...it's kind of sad actually.

13. Did you have braces? Yes, TWICE, thanks to a quack dentist who screwed up my mouth when I was in Grade 7.

14. Favorite Social Network? Facebook and Instagram.  Still getting used to Twitter.

15. What is the most romantic thing someone of the preferred sex has done for you? The video my husband made me for my birthday one year.  It doesn't take much to be romantic in my mind.

16. When do you know when it’s love? When you fart in front of each other and laugh.

17. Do you speak any other languages? I wish!  Any time I'm in a Spanish-speaking country, the locals think I speak Spanish...I keep meaning to learn.

18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon? Yes, but doubt I'd go again.

19. What magazines do you read? British Magazines are the best...I like Hello.

20. What is playing on your iPod right now? It's mostly all 80's music.

21. Have you ever ridden in a limo? No, I don't think that I have.  Wait, yes, I did...I think I did...was in Grade 9 or 10 and was drinking wine in a box at the time, on my way to see The Police in concert.  Good times.  I think.


22. Has anyone you were really close to passed away? Do pets count?

23. Do you watch MTV? No.

24. What’s something that really annoys you? Big burps at a dinner table.


25. Which television show you were sad to say goodbye to?  Seinfeld.  I have a hard time understanding anyone who didn't like it.

26. Can you dance?  In whose opinion?  Mine?  Well, then, yes, I'm amazing.

27. What’s your favorite place in the world? Not one place in particular...on a beautiful beach with my family.

28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room? Yes, but not for myself.  I've been with my son and my mother...both are fine.

29. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be? Princess Diana.

30. If you could change one thing in the world for your child, what would it be? No one in this world should be hungry.  No one in this world should feel alone or judged for the colour of their skin, their sex or who they love.  The world needs changing in these ways and we need to be the change we want to see.  I would change this about the world so my children don't have to experience it in any way or see others experience it.

Okay, so now you know a wee bit more about me.  It's your turn now.  If you’re up for the challenge, ask a question in the comments that you would like to know more about and I’ll do my best to answer it. Or answer these questions on your blog & let me know you did! I'd love to learn more about you too!  And thanks again to Theta Mom for the great questions!

One-Word Wednesday

Things I Used To Take For Granted

I realized the other day as I did something incredibly stupid stepped on my bathroom scale and saw the number had been bumped up yet another couple of knotches, that there were so many things when I was single with no kids that I took for granted.  So. Many. Things.

I'd like to list them here and now.  In no particular order, they are:

1)  A Flat Stomach.  Yep, used to have one.  'Cept I thought it was kinda big.  Oh, so young and naive.

2) A Fast Metabolism.   This one goes along with number 1.  All of a sudden I'm not able to eat whatever I want and my middle keeps widening to a degree that I'm not too fond of.

3) A clean kitchen/living- room/bedroom/bathroom.   Oh, what a silly biatch I was not to really savor the look of a tidy house that didn't have stuff on every surface in every room.  When miniature socks and underwear end up on the top of the kitchen table, I know it's out of control.  And how crazy was I not to really be thankful for a bathroom floor that didn't have a not so mysterious puddle next to the toilet. 

4) Watching grown-up TV.  Now if it doesn't have a rat, a bear, a talking car or a robot in it, I'm not watching.

5) Bubble Baths.  It's a quick shower these days all the while hoping neither of my 'lil angels is getting into something they shouldn't.  Oh, and I used to bathe every morning before work.




But there ARE things I don't take for granted.  And that's the laughter and hugs and kisses and all the FUN I have with my two 'lil lads.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Finding The Happy!

Today I've decided to link up with Jen over at Just Jennifer.  Especially since it's been a crazy hectic week..or month, rather, since the start of Kindergarten and Big T really NOT wanting to go.  His exact words are "It's so boring...the teacher just talks, blah, blah, blah."  Basically this all-day kindergarten that our gov't has implemented is too much for my 'lil guy and a lot of others as I'm finding out through various grapevines. 

But this is the Friday to be grateful and find something positive about this past week and focus on that.  It's actually quite fitting too as we're just at the beginning of our Thanksgiving Day weekend...(in Canada, in case you're saying to yourself "What the...")

Because of Big T's reluctance to go to kindergarten and how genuinely upset he is by it, Hubby & I have decided to implement our own gradual entry to the full day part of it, and so for the time being I will be picking up Big T at noon.  He was this way with the start of preschool and it didn't take long before he was running in without barely a notice to me.  So I know it'll be the same.  You can't force my boy into anything...he digs his heels in deeper than I've ever seen any child do.

I've only picked him up early a couple of days this week and he's already a happier boy.  The first day I picked him up, he was so pleasant with his brother and me.  We had a picnic lunch on our living-room floor; he was willingly sharing with his 'lil bro, but the biggest thing that made me happy was he actually tried a cheese stick.  He didn't like it and gave a shudder, but that's besides the point.  For most this wouldn't be a big deal, but for my Big T, it's huge!  Cheese has basically never passed through this child's lips since birth!  He's not one to try new things (unless it comes in a chip bag) even with the juiciest bribe.  So that afternoon made up for all the whining and crying that occurs on our way to school and also the clinging to me as I'm trying to get his younger brother off to preschool. 

Oh, and the tv's been off more in the afternoons too and we've taken to some major colouring, etc.  What's not to be happy about that?  One less cartoon to listen to makes for one happy mama.

There's actually a lot of things to be grateful for each and every day, but that's my choice for this "Terrific, Grateful & Important Friday". 

Thanks, Jen, for reminding me to find the happy and not to focus on the things that drive me crazy!  'Cuz a crazy mom is just not good for anyone.

"I am absolutely blessed and I'm very grateful for where I am today."
Geri Halliwell