"I need candy"

That's Kendyll's nice way of saying "trick or treat".  We walk up to our neighbor's house and after I said "what do you say guys" she responds -- while looking at my neighbor -- "I NEED CANDY".  Fantastic.





Every other year B&K have been alive, the weather has been WARM and Trick or Treating has been on the 31st.  Of course this year -- the year we actually planned to take them ToT -- it is 40-some degrees outside and the beggar's night is on a fricken Thursday.  THREE DAYS BEFORE THE 31st!!!  Arg!

Sadly, Tim is in Turkey this week for work.  We invited Nana & Papa over to help hand out candy and then we headed to their house after ToTing a bit in our 'hood.    First we skyped with Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle Mark a bit so they could see the costumes.




Then we got ready to head out.  I am super, uber proud of their costumes.  For many reasons (if I do toot my own horn for a sec) -- a) because I actually carried through on a project, b) because I think they look better than the expensive costumes that inspired them and c) because I think they were the cutest, most original costumes I saw all night, if I do say so myself.  ;)  You can find my tutorial on the costumes here.









In the end, B&K had a fabulous time on their first trick-or-treat experience.  They did -- most of the time -- say the right things and most importantly lots of unprompted "thank you"s.  Now I'm watching my favorite holiday special (Charlie Brown - or Charlie Brownie, as B would say).  I'm DVRing it, so I can't wait to watch it tomorrow night with B&K.  Happy Halloween everyone!
 

Good Report

As I was cleaning out B&K's backpacks from school today (yes, they actually went to school yesterday  and I'm just now getting around to this), I noticed they each had a little note in their bags.  It was their first "Report Card"  (actually called "Good for You!").  So cute!

Bennett:

Bennett really looks forward to big muscle {this is where they go play outside or inside on the playground}.  He loves to go down all of the slides!  He is very pleasant to have in class and is really great at following directions. 

Kendyll:

Kendyll loves to make crafts.  She does really well during circle time and love stories!  She is a pleasure to have in our class.

Hmm, guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree in the crafty department, eh?  :)

It is amazing what they come home with.  I'm starting to become overwhelmed with all of the little craft items and projects they work on at school {and I'm totally open to display/organization/preservation tips!!}.  I'm not going to keep everything but I do want to keep some of it.  For now.



Tis the season for greetings!

Yep, that's right.  I'm already thinking Holiday Cards.  Every year I love looking through the designs -- especially the new options.  I am a huge fan of Shutterfly for gifts such as  books and calendars and they also have some of my very favorite cards.    We ordered our holiday cards from Shutterfly last year as well and had a great experience -- many, many layouts and sizes to choose from, very user friendly site to work with and super fast shipping.  Oh and the quality is amazing as well!

While looking through the fabulous selection of holiday cards for 2010, several pop out at me.   My current fav is the Initially Chick Green card.  I love the pop of green and the option to include six photos.  With two kiddos (and a dog) we need to ensure proper exposure of all of our family members!   A close 2nd is the Pretty Package holiday card -- I'm a fan of simplicity as well.    And since life always seems to get so hectic during this time of year, I'm seriously contemplating getting some matching address labels as well! 

Shutterfly is offering 20% off all holiday cards right now!  Check it out here: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery

Have fun with your holiday card shopping!  I can't wait to start getting cards in the mail (I love "good" mail!). :)

Time Flies

Yeah, I realize that isn't a new concept.  I received some pictures from our wicked awesome nanny Ashley this week that caused me to really realize how much time is flying! 

Here is one of my favorite B&K pics from their first fall (8 months old)




And here are some adorable pictures Ashley took of them last fall (20 months old)






And here is this year's version (2.5 yrs old)







Yikes.  Who are these big kids?

so.very.tired

I don't even know where to begin.  I am *that* exhausted!!

B&K went to stay with Nana & Papa for the weekend (well, originally Nana & Papa asked if B&K could come over Friday and somehow Tim & I stretched it to the weekend. Niiiice!).   This weekend was also the semi-annual CMOTC consignment sale.  And unlike the Spring sale when I had "eColi", Tim was in Germany & I didn't sell, I was in FULL shopping & selling mode this time!  Friday I worked set-up, sold my items and shopped then proceeded to head out with some of my bestest friends.  That alone was exhausting.  But then Saturday Tim & I spent the morning shopping cars (I get to turn in my bitchen Pacifica this winter -- YIPPEE!!) and then I drug Tim to help me get my un-sold stuff from the sale.  We watched OSU lose (darn!) at a party Saturday night.  Then on Sunday we went to our new "Giant Eagle on Crack" - as I like to call it - just before we met everyone up for brunch.  Then later in the day we went to the big fall festival in our town.  Whew!  No wonder I feel like a zombie today!

On our walk to the Fall Fest



Big slide!!







I have a bunch of pictures from B&K's trip to Leeds farm . . . but those will have to wait until another time.  Work is crazy this week and I have a gazillion projects going on at home.  But I promise to get caught up soon!

As if I don't have a lot going on already . . .

You may recall from this post and this post that I like to get my craft on.  Since the focus of this blog is B&K (as their baby/childhood blog), my friend Jenn & I have decided to launch our own space to chat about our crafty inspirations.  You know -- because two MoMs who work full-time and get to negotiate with 2.5 yr old toddlers have all kinds of free time to craft.  Heh. 

So check us out here:






And while you are there you may notice that I have also launched a little site to sell some of the knit goodies I've been making.  Again, in my "free" time.  I'll be adding stuff there as I can. 



I will be posting one more crafty thing here though . . . I'm 95% sure I'm making B&K's Halloween costumes this year.  So stay tuned for that . . .

Wow, we DO get away a lot, huh?

Yeah, I know I'm lucky.  Not only am I blessed with a funny-smart-cool husband and wicked genius-adorable children, but I also have AMAZING family who come help out whenever needed (or more like wanted). 

Tim & I were out of town again last weekend (and before you go there . . . we won't have the kids again next weekend, either.  Sure, go ahead - hate me).  As Tim put it to some of our friends on Saturday -- for two people who never wanted children, we're pretty lucky to still live a shred of our old lives whenever we want.  Not that we don't love B&K to pieces - AND WE DO! - but it is nice to get a sanity break {often}, especially as we are barely surviving the horrid toddler years.

It had been 2 years since we went back to South Bend for a ND game.  TWO YEARS!  And my how the campus has changed!!   We had an amazing weather weekend to be there . . . in the 80s!!!  And the best part of all -- Notre Dame won!!!

B&K held down the fort at home with Grandma & Grandpa Z.  And they had a blast.  HUGE thanks to G&G for come down - again - to hang with B&K.

I promise new pics of B&K soon (you know, when they actually sit still for a second).  In the meantime, here are a few from our tailgate:

Me & Tim



Nana & Papa



Me & Tim's mom Debbie, who was celebrated NINE years as a breast cancer survivor last weekend.  We love you, Nana Debbie!!