We Don't Need More Sugar....

But, these cookies are kind of a tradition in our house.

Having a birthday just days before Halloween meant that I had the best birthday parties growing up. (Thanks Mom & Dad.) They were always good old-fashioned costume parties. A dear family friend always made me whatever kind of cake I wanted. If we were lucky she threw in some of these cookies too. Something amazing happens when you mix peanut butter cookies, frosting & candy corn! Mmmmmmm!

Here's to another year of special traditions!

This Weekend Actually Happenend

I took a solo flight to Chicago. I stayed with dear friends in their apartment downtown. I ate out almost every day. I got a massage. I got a manicure. I got a facial. I got my hair styled. I took a nap. I took a bath. Thanks Todd & Ina - this is a birthday I won't soon forget. Thanks for the break, dear husband. I won't begrudge you your days of hunting now!

Shopping at Trader Joe's

Miss Ayla

Mister Tavis

Princess

I've always kinda discouraged some of Ayla's more girly tendencies. However, I do believe the princess phase is here to stay!

Ayla's Insight

The other morning at breakfast I asked Ayla what makes her the most happy. Her response was, "God does, He does not make me sad, only Ayla makes me sad."

I'm glad we have kids to make things so clear for us.

Blah!

Is anyone else tired of this gray, rainy weather? I feel so blah & unmotivated. I've been awake 3 1/2 hours & I've only just now finished breakfast. My good intentions of accomplishing lots were sucked up into the bleak atmosphere. Ayla is begging me to go to the Y, so perhaps after I work out for the first time in 5 days I'll get my groove back. Wish me luck!

No School Yesterday or Today

It's amazing the difference one child can make in your household. It's amazing how quickly I adjusted to having just one child at home every day. With Micah home these past two days everything is magnified. Our household has been louder, messier, more hilarious, more devastating, weirder, more imaginative & better somehow.

I love to spy on kids. They are so funny & strange.

I have no idea what they were pretending here, but it involved a sleeping bag, a scarf & some of the cushions from our couch. It was also very loud & uproariously funny.

Confession Time

When I'm on the phone my kids can get away with murder. They will invariably ferret out any junk food in the house. They could come to me asking to eat an entire bag of marshmallows & I will nod my head & wave them away. I'm feeling a bit guilty. Does anyone else have a confession that will make me feel better?

What A Mess!!

Convention was over 4 days ago & my van still looks like this. Every part of my van looks like this. My bedroom & laundry room aren't much better.

If that's the case, why am I sitting here in blog land? How come I'm not cleaning & doing laundry?

This is why. I have 2 munchkins wandering around the house undoing everything I've already done. That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

Fall Has Arrived