Trunk-or-Treat

Although I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's blogs about their various trunk-or-treats, I must say I am SO glad that ours is over. I did not take one picture and I did not relax for one minute of the activity. I have learned that planning an activity vs. attending/participating in an activity has a few big differences. I am so glad that all of you had fun at your t-or-t's and I hope that people had fun at ours. (Don't forget to thank those in charge, although it's not a lot of work, it is, too)
Now I am just worried...will people be mad we ran out of hot dogs and chips and talk about poor planning? (It was a chili cook-off, the hot dogs were provided as a convience for those who don't eat chili) Will they think the costume parade was dumb? (I learned that we should play some creepy music in the background for effect) Will they want to burn me at the stake for buying yucky cakes? (Hey, I figured a place called "The Cakery" would make delicious cakes...man, I miss my mom!)
So, accept my rant. Brennan seemed to have a great time at our ward's Halloween Activity. I always like to nit-pick things to death after the fact. You know that hindsight is 20-20...next year the t-or-t should be awesome, cause I'll have that 20-20 vision for the activity...Maybe I'll even take a picture or two next time...

Oh, I can't wait until Halloween night...Brennan taught Jackson how to trick-or-treat "right"...it's gonna be hilarious!

Trick or Treating at Omaha Children's Museum

Thursday afternoon we met up with our friends, Andrea, Braden, and Ariel for some fun and treats. We went to the OCM (which is awesome by the way!), where Whole Foods was going to do a "healthy t-or-t". We went early so the boys could play and the mom's could relax as the kids wore themselves out. There was a lot to do, and I do believe we did just about everything. Brennan says his favorite part was the "not so scary" haunted house. I think that was my favorite part, too.
I think that when our zoo pass expires that we will get a OCM pass instead.

Let the trick-or-treating begin!!!

Thank goodness for Brennan's mind

Saturday Bart went to get his hair cut and we tagged along to get some lunch afterwards.
As we were leaving the salon, I told Brennan, "You know, LSU lost last week. Isn't that sad?"
He tells us, "I'm gonna put my mind to it and make sure those LSU boys win."
Well, I guess he succeeded. Now, if he'd just put his mind to cleaning his toy room...


Oh, and what a flippin' amazing touchdown pass! I literally covered my eyes, but peaked at the last second (seriously, the last second!)

My Craft Fair Name

What do you think of "Something Extra" or "Borders and Bows" (b/c a picture frame is like a border, Bart reasoned.)

Help!

Help Wanted: I am entering a fund raiser/holiday fair that my MOM group is sponsoring. I am making hand painted picture frames that can be personalized on site, hair bows (mostly the korky kind), and handmade cards.
I need help coming up with a cute/witty name for my 'business'. Most of the other vendors are consultants for groups like Pampered Chef and Mary Kay. They don't need a hook...I DO!
So, my request is simple, help me come up with a great name that is spunky, makes you say, "Man, what does she have that I need?!?", and is overall amazing. (Another vendor who makes handcrafted jewelry is called B. Accesorized. I think her first name starts with a B.)

If I select your name to use as my own, I may just have to give you a treat!

For His Own Good

I am sitting here, listening.
Listening to Jackson cry his little head off.
Doesn't he realize that a nap is for his own good? That if he doesn't go to sleep, he will be very cranky when we have to drop Brennan off at preschool? He still needs two naps, even if he is 18 months old...it just makes everyone have a better day. Believe me, we've skipped nap time and it has not been pretty.
So, why is he crying?
Shut your eyes and go to sleep.
Okay, think sleepy thoughts for Jackson.

More Like Aunt Jeni Than We Thought

Brennan used to look exactly like his Aunt Jeni during a certain phase of his babyhood. I realized today that each of my children shared other things that are like Aunt Jeni as well.

• Jackson loves to eat dips...Jeni did as a child as well. At Wendy's today, Jackson was using his french fry as a spoon to eat ketchup.
  
• Brennan loves to listen to Golden Country...so does Aunt Jeni!
• Both boys have to go to bed early or they are total cranks...you guessed it...Aunt Jeni was like that as a child as well.

Those are just a few things that my boys have in common with their Aunt Jeni. Thanks for being such an (good or bad?) influence on the boys.

The Great Pumpkin Road Rally

Jessica and Kasey...Road Rally Masters

My tiny hamburger and giant onion rings...a victory supper from Don and Millie's...pretty yummy (esp. late at night)!

My friend Kasey told me about the Corvette Club Road Rally a few months ago. This Saturday (as LSU battled Kentucky to the bitter end), she and I had a blast as we drove all over Nebraska and Iowa on a quest to win the trophy.
I had never heard of a Road Rally before, so it was a lot of fun to participate and learn at the same time. Basically, you are given a set of about 400 clues with some questions thrown in. The clues lead you around town as you search for the answers to the questions on billboards and store signs. The clues lead you to a final destination where there is a party and the awards are given out. It is a fun way for the Corvette Club to raise $$$ for themselves and some charity, too.
I was a little apprehensive about the rally at first...it was pouring down rain, but the more we drove around, the more excited I got to finish 'first'. The rules are too complicated (to me) to explain it all exactly to you, but let's just say, I really think Kasey and I won...we didn't stick around to find out, though, so I am hoping the old guy will call tomorrow with the good news.

Oh, and Kasey, I still think the lady at the toll bridge knew who Mr. Ed was...crazy old coot! (Not me, I just ran up to the toll bridge after we'd paid and driven off, knocked on her window, and asked nicely "Who is Mr. Ed?" So, not me...toll bridge lady...she's crazy!!!!)

Rednecks

I received this from one of my mom's great friends, Janet. She is always good for a laugh, and this was no exception.


>Dearest Daughter,
>
>I'm writing this slow because I know you can't read fast. We don't live
>where we did when you left home.
>
>Your dad read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles of
>your home, so we moved.
>
>I won't be able to send you the address because the last Arkansas family
>that lived here took the house
>
>numbers when they moved so they wouldn't have to change their address.
>
>This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. I'm not sure about
>it.
>
>I put a load of clothes in and pulled the chain. We haven't seen them since.
>
>The weather isn't bad here. It only rained twice last week; the first time
>for three days and the second time for four days.
>
>About that coat, you wanted me to send; your Uncle Billy Bob said it would
>be too heavy to send in the mail with
>
>the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.
>
>Bubba locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because
>it took him two hours to get me and your father out.
>
>Your sister had a baby this morning, but I haven't found out what it is yet
>so I don't know if you are an aunt or uncle.
>
>Uncle Bobby Ray fell into a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull
>him out but he fought them off and drowned.
>
>We had him cremated. He burned for three days.
>
>Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pickup truck. Butch was
>driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety
>
>Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned because they couldn't
>get the tailgate down!
>
>There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much out of the normal has
>happened.
>
>Your Favorite Aunt,
>
>Mom

Another Toy Recall

Pumpking Painting at the Park and Flu Shots

Pumpkin Artists at the Park

Jackson by Brennan's pumpkin

Silly Boys!

This is my 101st post! Congratulations to me.

Yesterday was Pumpkin Painting day! Brennan picked out two of the biggest pumpkins he could find at Wal-Mart for this activity for himself and his friend. He, Conner (his buddy from church and preschool), and Jackson got to paint pumpkins as part of an activity with MOMS. They all had a blast. There were about 15 kids there (give or take a few) and they all got along great, played together as if they were best buddies, and made some great pumpkin masterpieces.

Today was Jackson's 18 month check-up and flu shot day! I thought Brennan would have to come back tomorrow for the "clinic" they do, but the nurse went ahead and got him today. Because he was a "big boy" (I don't know that he actually qualified to be called that, but still...) he and Jackson got to go to Chuck E. Cheese to play and they got to eat inside McDonald's. Hope the shots were worth it!
Jackson's stats: 27.8 lbs, 34.5 in.

Tiger Bait

Well, my husband is just as superstitious as the next LSU fan, so when he couldn't find his white LSU trucker hat Saturday evening, he started to get nervous. This is the exact same hat that he lost in 2003 when we played Florida. He had worn this hat for every other game, and we won every other game.
Anyways, this hat, along with all his "gris-gris" from his mother, were unaccounted for. The "gris-gris" have been missing all season, so Bart believes even when they are unpacked, they should stay out of sight for now. As Bart watched the first half and reviewed it play by play with Will G., he could hardly stand it.
However, a very through search of his laundry basket (on his honey-do list) revealed the missing hat.
Once he put the missing hat on his head, things started looking up for LSU.

See, it's the important things, like hats and tee-shirts, of LSU's loyal fans, that win the games...not skill or luck.

Just remember this the next time your other half is frantic because his favorite team is about to play and he can't find his lucky underwear, or avocado seed, or false teeth...whatever it is, because it is important for the survival of the team.

Just Some Pictures.

A Pirate's Life for Me!

The All Boys Play Date (before Brennan developed a fever...hope nobody gets sick!)

See, I'm not sick Mommy.

Picture taken by Brennan at the zoo today. (Refer to comment below by Brennan)

Brennan "kicked out" of preschool

Brennan informed us today that he was "kicked out" of preschool Friday. Well, if he keeps having a potty mouth like he had at the zoo today, I don't doubt that he will be kicked out. (at zoo: "Oh, crap! Jackson didn't say 'cheese'." as B took J picture.) However, Brennan (AKA "Stewie" from the Family Guy) was not kicked out of school, as he told us today, he was sent home because he developed a fever while at preschool. He got pretty upset with his teacher when she dropped him off at the nurse's station and told him to wait for his mommy. He did not see the need to go home, and was rather upset (fever or feelings, you decide) about having to leave, even when I got there.
Anyways, I just thought it was funny that Brennan thought he was "kicked out" of school.
Oh, and he's fine now, we even went to the zoo for a bit.

I love a rainy day

I love to wake up to a darker than normal room in the morning and realize it is raining. Bart is a bit "under the weather", so the alarm didn't go off as usual & I wasn't jarred out of sleep. Since it is dark outside, Brennan and Jackson slept in, and I was able to lay in the bed for a few peaceful minutes, enjoying the sound of rain and thunder.
Now we're up (well, 3 out of 4) and taking it slow...slowly taking a bath, slowly eating breakfast, you get the point.

Will this leisurely feel last all day?
That would be nice.

Oh, and I found some super cute rain boots at Marshall's yesterday for a fraction of the price...I guess this means I need to go and get those red polka-dotted cuties!