Lil' Pumpkin

The traditional Halloween post would include something spooky or gross, but I'm choosing to defy tradition.  How could I possibly even think about scary and slimy when I've been oohing over this sweet little pumpkin?

Happy non-spooky Halloween!

Far Too Long

I've been without an internet connection at home for over a week.  That makes for a L.O.N.G week for someone with Facebook, Google, and blogging addictions.  This cold turkey, unexpected absence from the online world definitely confirmed that my love and need to be connected far exceeds the boundaries of healthy web use as evidenced by
a)  me running to my husband when he arrived home from work...not to give him a welcoming kiss but rather to snag his iPhone for some email and Facebook time.
b)  the text conversation between my husband and me last week while he was out of town:
                   Me:  need internet!! (I rarely use multiple exclamation points.  This was serious.)
                   Steve:  Take kids to mcdonalds w a playland
                   Me:  might have to for dessert :) was gonna call mahoney
                            to see if they have wifi,  but cant google their #. 
                            how did the human race survive before google (B.G.)
c)  trying to get online with my iPod in every public place that I visited. (Geez, with all of these Apple product references, it's rather surprising that I didn't opt for the Mac, huh?)

I do not deny that I have a problem, but I'm not above rationalizing or normalizing my behavior just like any good addict would do.  I'm not the only one with such a problem.  Remember how the world almost came to a screeching halt when the Blackberrys didn't work a couple of weeks ago?  See, it's not just me.  Everyone's doing it.

Regardless, late this evening, I was reunited with my dearly beloved Internet connection.  With E in bed and the boys snuggling on the chair watching the seventh game of the World Series, I settled in on the couch with my computer resting on my lap.  As my dopamine level was quickly rising from my first real fix in over a week, J decided it was time to snuggle with me...

J:  I want to lay by Mommy on the couch now.
Me:  Okay.  (Eyes still fixated on the glowing computer screen.)
Steve:  Are you sure?  Remember...
J:  I know.  She's falling in love with the Internet.

Yep, I definitely have a problem.  Perhaps it's time to set some time limits.  Ya, I'll do that...starting tomorrow.

A Photography Lesson

Group shots are challenging.

What's for Breakfast?

(In honor of your months of lactating loyalty to your Medela monster, this one is for you, Lisa!)
My conversation with E as she was carefully tucking her Baby Shelly into bed for the night...

Me:  Does your baby sleep all night?

E:  Ya, she wakes up at 6:30. 

Me:  Then what?

E:  She eats breakfast.

Me:  What does she eat? 

E:  Tomatoes.  And she drinks some milk.

Me:  Does she have a bottle?

E:  No, I pump my boobies and then I give the milk to her.

Pretty, Pretty Grandpa

J had quite the following of fans for his last flag football game of the season.  I think it’s safe to say that the Colts peaked a couple of games ago, but J still thoroughly enjoyed game six.  I also think that both sets of his grandparents, Uncle T, and K liked the entertainment that a group of spazzes easily distractable five and six-year-olds can offer while on the field.

After the game we headed to J and E's favorite restaurant, Red Robin, to celebrate Grandpa B's upcoming birthday and embarrass him by asking the staff to sing him birthday wishes.

My conversation with my dad after we left...

My dad:  Thanks, Kate.  That was kind of embarrassing.

Me:  You know what's more embarrassing?  Having your picture of you playing Pretty, Pretty Princess on the blog.  Now that's embarrassing.

Happy birthday, Princess Grandpa!

I Couldn't Have Asked for Anything Better

Mild weather,

lovely lighting,

fantastic location,

 a greatly appreciated and organized assistant,

and a strikingly beautiful subject...

it just doesn't get better than that.

Heartwarming

Father-son interactions can be so tender and heartwarming,



but not as heartwarming as a flying monkey terrorizing small children.

I mean, really, what's not heartwarming about nightmare ridden children?

Beyond Cake and Decorations

A third birthday party just isn't about tasty rainbow cakes and entertaining decorations.

It's also about friends, family, fun and...

(Dorothy and the tin man)

(the tin man and a little flying monkey)

(Glinda the Good Witch)

(the cowardly lion)

(talking apple tree and a castle guard)

(a lollipop kid)

a flying monkey.

(Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  Christmas card!)