Happy Halloween!

It's a good thing that I took my kiddos pictures in their costumes the first day I finished making them. Because after one picture session in the hay, one school carnival including hot dogs with ketchup and very sticky cotton candy, one pre-school party, two trunk r treats, one that served taco soup, and one dance class party, the costumes have seen better days. They are sticky, messy, ooey gooey. But STILL SO DARN CUTE!

Here's to everyone having a safe and fun Halloween!

Sirri, the ice cream cone
Connor the road

Meg, the dalmation puppy

Adorable pregnant Aunt Kimmy dressed as a twinner ice cream cone with Sirri. Sirri thinks it is so cool that Kimmy is the same as her. She tells all her friends that Kimmy is an ice cream cone too. "Strawberry, like me."

I think this is the most adorable pregnancy costume. It ALMOST makes me want to have another baby!!!

Where Did All My Pants Go?

The other day I had to give a presentation in an education class that I am taking. (I have to earn six credits every five years to keep my teaching credential current.) Someday I would like to teach in this district that is offering the class. So, in an attempt to impress the superintendent and principals taking the class with me, I figured that I would dress up a bit. Opening my closet to scavenge up something other than my usual Old Navy Perfect T and jeans, I was sorely disappointed and I am sure that you will all be shocked and amazed by my next sentence. I DO NOT own a pair of black pants, khaki paints, dress pants, slacks, NOTHING! Jeans it is and only two pairs of those to boot. Yes, it is true. I only own two pairs of pants (not counting my workout or lounge clothes.) One pair of jeans that are my "good jeans" and one other that I rarely wear.

So, why do I tell this story? Well, it illustrates very clearly (much too clearly, since it is a little embarrassing to admit I only own two pants) three points about myself. And since this is my "journal" I'm boring you with the gritty details of my life.

Point One: Simple. That is me. I dress simple, I decorate simple, I live by a routine because it makes things simple, I own two church outfits so Sunday mornings are simple, I own very few shirts, my hair is crazy/messy but very easy, meaning...simple, the only jewelry I wear are earrings , when I scrapbook my pagers are very, you guessed it, simple, I own one set of eyeshadow, I don't create hectic schedules for myself or my children, I own one pair each of black and brown everyday shoes, church shoes, and flip flops and two pairs of tennis shoes because that is simple. I am just plain simple. Most of the time I like my life this way. I feel in control. And I like to feel in control. But then there are the days when I would like to step it up a bit. But sometimes that is hard to do. It is hard to come out of my simple shell and shine a bit. I don't always like being "simple girl." My sisters are great examples to me. They are so cute, stylish, fun. They wear bangly bracelets and red shoes and gold jackets and purple eyeshadow. It is only because of them that I own more than one pair of earrings. (I used to own one pair and never took them out. Even to sleep.) So, what is a simple girl to do?


Point Two: Because I am simple, I have this tendency to want to get rid of stuff. Lots of stuff. I go to the D.I. quite frequently. In fact, I have been there twice in the last week. Truly. I love it. There is something empowering about dejunking and throwing stuff out. It is a strange kind of natural high for me. Crazy, I know. I even have friends that will call me when they are trying to "clean house" because they know that I will be able to convince them to throw away the baby shower cards they received when their babies were born ten years ago. Most people wonder , "but what if you need that someday?". Very rarely do I have garbage can regret. I can only think of one instance. This garbage can victim I actually miss and it can not be replaced. And I know when I tell you what it is, you will all shudder at the horror. No, I did not throw out my wedding album, BUT I did throw away my junior high and high school year books. Bad. I know. We just had my class reunion and it caused me to miss those books. I'm quickly recovering though and probably won't miss them again until the next reunion and then when my kids get big enough to ask about them. Sad really. So, I guess that is where all my pants went. As soon as something doesn't fit. Out the door they go. Really, who needs pants that don't fit anymore lying around? (All the pants in question were actually too big, hence throwing them out. And even my good jeans are getting saggy in the rump area. There is one ray of sunshine in my pantless turmoil!)

The caption on this picture said that this is a donation bag from the 40's. Very cool.

Now, one last thing. I know that you are all going to tell me that this poor Idaho girl needs to go shopping. One little trip to the mall and SIMPLE would be out the door and the pants issue would be solved. That is true. VERY TRUE. But that brings us to the final point: I don't enjoy shopping. This tends to be a problem when point 2 is that I love to throw things out, but point 3 is that I never replace them due to my inability to shop. Definitely a conflict of interest! Actually shopping for myself makes me VERY anxious. It is really hard for me to buy anything for myself. I know, it is pathetic and ridiculous but it is the truth. It's been nerve racking for me, for as long as I can remember so I'm guessing that may never change. Sad.

So, there you go. Simple, shopping hater, garbage can lover, pantless me!

Point number four just came to me. I probably need therapy!

I don't know who this guy is...but I feel his pain.

HONESTLY....

Can you tell what these are OR did I just confuse all the neighbors?

Thanks for Our Cute Outfits Grandma!

We LOVE You!

And no worries...Connor's will fit next year!

A What?

I love Halloween. I haven't always. I of course loved the candy but I don't really remember any of my costumes or planning for weeks ahead of time what I wanted to be.

But, now that I have kids I can not wait for the end of August to come because I allow myself to start daydreaming about what cute something I want to create for my kiddos. (I'm not looking forward to the day when my kids pick their own costumes. I like how it works out now. I choose, then through conversation lead them to believe that they chose for themselves! Every one is happy! And the kids are CUTE not scary. Please don't ever choose to be satan Connor.)

The funny thing is, I must have silly taste in costumes because whenever I decide what my kids are going to be and I share it with others, I always get, "hmmmm. That will be interesting." or, "how do you plan on making that?" or, "I've never heard of anyone being that before."

And this year is no different.

The other day I went to the fabric store to get all my supplies. As I was buying brown vinyl this is the conversation I had with the "fabric cutter lady."

Her: "What is the brown vinyl for?" (Brown vinyl is probably not a real hot seller!)
Me: "For my daughter's Halloween costume. She is going to be an ice cream cone."
Her: "An ice cream cone. hmmm. I've helped people with a lot of costumes but never an ice cream cone. People sure come up with crazy things." (see I told you people say, "hmmmm.")
Me: "Well, if you think that is funny, my son plans on being a road."
Her: "A road? Who would think to be a road?"
Me: "My three year old."

So, if you're intrigued as well...pictures to come soon.

Here are some pictures of years past.

Sirri, the Rainbow Fish

Connor the Puppy Dog. (No one thought that was weird.)
Oh, I miss his chub!!!

Sirri and Connor as ducks!

Rock 'n' Roll

Isn't the singer, Jewel, supposedly LDS? So, I've heard.

Well, she might want to beware. Sirri just may give her a run for her money in the next few years.

Check out my little rocker who is still a Sunbeam at heart!

I'm So Sorry I Spoiled Your Breakfast

Yesterday before heading home from Boise my Pappa and Grandma Weldon took my sisters and I out for breakfast. I had a great omelette, hash browns, and sour dough toast. My grandma was proud of me for my choice in toast. We used to complain about her sour dough pancakes as kids. I'm really growing up!!!

Breakfast was good and the company was better. It was a lovely time for everyone, except the old man sitting at the table behind us. I think I ruined his breakfast.

Picture this: Old man, long grungy hair, dirty baseball cap, few teeth, faded red and blue plaid shirt, dirt colored blue jeans . You get the picture, I am sure.

And now here is our conversation as I was walking out of the restaurant:Old Man: Excuse me.
Me: Yes?
Old Man: Would you like my daughter's phone number? She is a hairdresser. You would have to go to California.
Me: That is okay. I get my hair done in Rexburg.
Old Man: Well, I don't like it.
Me: That's okay,I do.
Old Man: Were you drunk when you did it? You look like a crazy lady!

No hard feelings. I'm still laughing!