Happy Halloween!

Sara hopped out of bed this morning in anticipation of The Big Day!  She was so excited for Audrey to come over, and she had the plans down to a tee.  As she told me in the car, "First we'll eat dinner, then put on our costumes, then trick-or-treat."  With each step, her voice grew increasingly more high-pitched.

Here are Sara and Audrey, ready to trick-or-treat!

 When they came back, Steve was holding this adorable ISU cheerleading outfit.  Our Cyclone neighbors down the street have a daughter who is a little older than Sara, and they passed this down to her.  Sara told me, "Now I'm ready to be a cheerleader!"  Looks like next year's costume might be ready to go.

After she was done trick-or-treating, Sara had fun passing out candy to other kids who came to our door.  She's now in bed ... it's all over just as quickly as it starts, but it has sure been a good celebration this year.  Happy Halloween!

"I got a rock."

By the time it's all said and done, as far as Sara is concerned, Halloween will have lasted an entire month.  Between all the decorations that have been at school (not to mention two separate parties there), the daily dress-up time in her costume, and watching such classics as "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", Sara is beyond ready for the big night! 

Today we carved pumpkins, and Sara's attention to the activity lasted about as long as it took me to take this picture.

 Here are our finished products.  If you know anything about the artistic abilities (or inabilities) of the members of this family, you can probably guess who carved each pumpkin.  (Hint: it took me less time to do two than it took Steve to do one.)

 Tomorrow night, Audrey's family is coming over for dinner and trick-or-treat.  Sara has been talking about it nonstop.  We're going to have pizza and Rice Krispie treats before the dads and girls take to the streets for candy.  Amy and I will stay here to visit and pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Sara helped me make the "Rice Christmas" treats this afternoon.  Although she helped dump in and stir the marshmallows and Rice Krispies, she was most excited about being in charge of the sprinkles. 

  In case you're following Sara's sprinkling endeavors, you'll note that she's made quite a bit of progress since last February.

We're looking forward to enjoying a fun Halloween evening.  How are you going to celebrate?

Book Talk

Between my fall TV commitments (I've already dropped one of my shows), the distraction of play-off baseball (which ended in heartbreak last night), and lots of very busy days over the past couple of months, my reading has taken a hit.  I have a stack of books waiting to be cracked open, and just two, featured here, that I've finished recently.

Shortly after movie previews started showing for One Day, I picked up the book by David Nicholls.  It took me some time to get used to the author's writing style and British humor, but virtually no time at all to find myself wrapped up in the story.  The story of Emma and Dexter begins on July 15th, 1988, as they are preparing to leave college and begin their separate lives.  Over the next twenty years, we are given snapshots of their relationship on this same day, July 15th.  The two travel different paths and, throughout their lives, experience successes and failures, love and heartbreak.  Still, in one form or another, Emma and Dexter remain constant in one another's lives, and are ultimately forced to come to terms with how crucial one day can be.  I really loved this book, and look forward to seeing the movie.

Our latest book club selection was The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht.  My interest in this book, even before it was chosen for book club, was less about the story itself and more about the fact that the author is 26 years-old.  Her talent for writing and storytelling can be easily compared to that of those who wrote the greatest classics.  This is the story of Natalia, a doctor in a Balkan country, and her grandfather.  Natalia is on a mission with a life-long friend to provide medical care for children at an orphanage.  During her visit, she learns of her grandfather's death and is troubled by many of the circumstances surrounding it.  Natalia sets out for answers, finding many within her memories - those of time with her grandfather and of the secrets he shared with her.  The story is intricate and complicated, and requires a certain level of commitment on the part of the reader.  Even after rereading multiple parts, I'm still not sure I "get it" all, but I was captivated by the story and am a little sad it's over.

Next up for book club is The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.  My copy is on its way in the mail, so in the meantime I plan to start The Dive From Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer.  I've never read one of her books, but have wanted to for some time after hearing excellent reviews.

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”
Mark Twain

Almost Wordless Wednesday

 Halloween 2011, Part I

 ready for the party at her school on Tuesday night

A Day at Home

This girl is ready to trick-or-treat!  She's been practicing all day in an attempt to hoard as many mini bags of Skittles as possible.  It's working, by the way.

My district is off for a "fall holiday" today, and, thankfully, I didn't even have the option of working since the power in my building has been off for maintenance all day.  Yesterday the thought that there's no greater feeling on a Sunday than knowing work isn't waiting on Monday occurred to me on more than one occasion.  When Sara woke up this morning, I asked what she wanted to do today.  She said, "Just have a good day with Mommy."  Could I possibly love anyone more?

I had been wanting to check out the new Wylie Rec Center for a while now (and had been making plenty of excuses not to), so this morning I decided it was time to quit thinking about it and just do it.  The center is super affordable and really nice, equipped with cardio machines, weights, a track, and a basketball court.  They also offer a variety of classes.  I hadn't been in a gym since Sara was born, and it felt so good to complete a real workout.  Sara had a great time playing in the childcare center, and was none too happy to see me when it was time to leave.  We headed to the grocery store to stock up for the week.  I bought the first round of Halloween candy, but since Steve never seems to think I buy enough, I know he'll probably go later in the week for more.  (Steve believes in giving every kid fistfuls of candy, so if he stuck to the chincy-yet-mostly-accepted one piece per kid rule, he probably wouldn't have to buy more at the last minute.  But we have gone back and forth on this every Halloween we've celebrated together, and since it's likely not changing, it has just become an understood practice in our home.)

I happened upon skinnytaste.com over the weekend, and it's chock-full of delicious recipes.  I think some of the desserts look amazing, especially these pumpkin cookies.  I might try them next weekend, and then leave three here and take the rest to school.  Tonight I'm going to make this Pasta Fagioli.  I couldn't find the right type of pasta, so I'm going to substitute some whole wheat elbows instead.  Most of the recipes on the site seem fairly simple (she has a lot of crock pot meals), and the ingredients seem to be - for the most part - items you're likely to keep on hand.  Take a look; I know you'll find some great new recipes!

Yesterday afternoon, Steve's friend, Jerrod, called with a free ticket to last night's World Series game.  Don't we all wish we had such a friend?!  I am so glad Steve got to experience the WS excitement at the ballpark in person.  I was also glad that, since Steve was at the game, I was able to watch "Desperate Housewives" in real time and text details back and forth with my sis.  Just keepin' it real.  Game #5 is tonight ... Go Rangers!

Fair Day

This morning we headed out to enjoy a day at the State Fair of Texas, which ends tomorrow.  Upon arriving, I realized that the batteries in my camera had died, and by the time I found a place to by some later in the day, we'd already hit most of the highlights.  So instead of showing you about our day, I'll have to tell you about it.

Sara recently learned about dinosaurs in school, and was looking forward to a T-Rex exhibit that's part of the science museum (which also happens to be part of the state fair park).  She referred to the exhibit as "the classroom" and has asked more than a few times since leaving if we can go back.  Maybe Sara will learn to love science in a way I never did.

Steve finally fulfilled his childhood dream of winning a toddler-size plush Batman on the midway.  He's so proud, in fact, that he posted a picture of his winnings on Facebook.  If you see anything in the picture you just can't live without, let me know.  All items free to a good home.  Or any home besides ours.  Sara played the duck pond game and won a green plastic sword, about which she was very excited.  She also rode a horse names Goliath on the "Makey-Round" and a pretty awesome red sparkly four-wheeler that went round-and-round in circles.

We ate Fletcher's Corny Dogs, chicken fried bacon (seemed like a good idea in the moment, something all state fair goers understand), and a gyro.  In addition to her hot dog, Sara also had some pink cotton candy, which should come as no surprise to you if you read my post about our trip to the MN State Fair over Labor Day weekend.  We also enjoyed watching a variety of dancers on International Boulevard, including American cloggers and a Hungarian dance group.

I've met more than a few people who despise the fair; no amount of coaxing could get them to attend.  But I come from a family of fair lovers, and luckily I married one (a fair lover, not a family member).  The past couple of years I've been lucky enough to make it to the MN and the TX state fairs, and it never gets old.  I have always loved the food, the festivities, and definitely the people-watching.  Lately, though, it's the Sara-watching that has become the highlight.  Excitement is magnified through her eyes.

Now it's time for some more World Series Baseball.  Go Rangers!

Wordless Wednesday: Lookout Edition