In What Language Does White Puppy=Black Cat?

Two months ago, while I was looking at Halloween costumes on-line, Annabelle spied a very nice looking plush white puppy costume. Since I refused to believe that she really wanted to be a puppy, I neglected to order said costume. One month ago, while still looking for costumes on-line, Annabelle spied that same white puppy costume and again, requested to be a puppy. Maybe it was her half-hearted plea, or general lack of enthusiasm, but for some reason I ignored her request, all the while believing that there was a much greater costume out there meant for Annabelle. What it was, I had no idea.

Flash forward to four days before Halloween: Still no costume. Annabelle still insists on being a puppy. I finally believe that she really wants to be a puppy... Now, to find a costume. I check back in on original white puppy: They can ship today... great! It can be here in 24 hours... even better! They only have it available in size 6-9 months... not so good. Crap.

Ready to pay a premium for overnight delivery, I search everywhere on the World Wide Web only to find that there are no puppy costumes available in her size... Anywhere. Who knew that there would be such a rush on puppy costumes this year? On-line shopping is no longer an option at this point. Time to brave the (gasp) malls...

Ten stores and two days later we come up empty and I am beginning to wonder if I should nominate myself for "Worst Mother of the Year". Is there not one puppy costume in sizes 2T-4T left in this world? What to do? I remember seeing plenty of adorable little puppy costumes in size 12-24 months, maybe I can squeeze her into one of those? So I actually drag my tired and hungry children back to the mall and then literally try to squeeze my almost 3 year old into a costume sized for an infant. Attention: Worst Mother of the Year awards committee, I'm over here!

Time for a new approach. I decide that I need to convince Annabelle that she does NOT want to be a puppy. I remember the black cat costume which Annabelle had showed a brief interest in (for about 2 seconds) while we were at one of the many Halloween stores... It was the last one left in the store, and it was in her size. Hopefully it would still be there.

With a bit of strategic convincing, which involved a lot of bribery and slanderous remarks about puppies, and a lucky break that the costume was still there a day later, Annabelle agreed to go as a black cat.

And what an adorable little black cat she was!

Jack HATED being in his costume.

He cried... And cried... AND CRIED!!! Until he was allowed to take it off.Even after we removed his costume Jack was still very upset, possibly traumatized? He never made it off of the circle. He was taken in the house to hang with Nana and missed out on all of the 'trick or treating'. Poor boy. Next year I'll let him choose his own costume rather than giving him his sister's hand me down. And I'll make sure I get him whatever he wants... well in advance!

Annabelle ended up going 'trick-or-treating' with all of her little neighbor friends. She had a blast and got tons of candy (for Mommy & Daddy). Annabelle was labelled "Cat Burglar" as she kept running into people's houses and coming out with extra loot! Luckily our neighbors' knew mostly everyone at every house we went to.HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Fall

Little Miss Mannequin

Thank You

Dear Annabelle and Jack,
Thank you for listening to my sleep request. Although we didn't quite make it back to the summer hours, everyone did manage to sleep through until about 7:30am without a midnight rave party. Much appreciated.

Love you both,
Mommy

A Letter To My People

Dear Annabelle and Jack,
In case you did not receive the memo, I just wanted to inform you that your Mommy really likes to sleep. That is to say that the hours between 7:30pm and 7:30am are intended for sleeping, your sleeping. My sleeping occurs a little bit later than that and is equally necessary, as Mommy gets very grouchy if she does not get enough sleep. She also get very large black circles under her eyes, and just in case you were wondering, black circles are not in fashion (at my age).

Furthermore, I would like to inquire as to what all of this late night crib partying is all about... Waking at 1am, three nights in a row, is not acceptable. Neither is the 2 hour sing song fest that follows, which, for some unknown reason, your father seems to be immune to hearing. I understand that you are both being all cute and playful, but really, couldn't you be all cute and playful during the designated waking hours (that would be 7:30am-7:30pm, in case you didn't receive THAT memo either) instead of whiny little temper tantrum throwing freaks? Yes Annabelle, I'm referring to you and the stunts you pulled today. I'm just saying, Mommy really needs her sleep sweetie.

So please, in the future, if you are going to wake in the middle of the night, keep the noise level down to a minimum. Also, as an added request, could we get back to the summer hours of sleeping in until 9am or so? Thanks.

Love,
Mommy

Monkey See, Monkey Do

That Jack Henry. There he goes, instigating mischief again.

He looks so innocent. Sweet little Jack, sat on top of the coffee table with his crayons. How cute, I thought. How could I possibly discipline him? Instead, I'll take a picture.

Later that evening... I left the room to get him a drink and returned, only to find him standing on top of the side table. But he looks so adorable in those pajamas, I thought. How could I possibly be mad at him when he looks so very squishable? I know, I'll take a picture.

The next day... Sweet innocent little Jack, sat on his little chair, eating his lollipop. How cute he is... I'll take his picture.

Two seconds later... She won't stop me, I'm too cute... I imagine to be what he is thinking.

He is right. I don't stop him. I watch him climb on top of the table while I take another picture.

Two seconds after that... Hey, look what Jack is doing! That looks like fun, maybe I'll try too. Jack, you always have the best ideas!

We can even hang out here for a while, Mom won't do anything... We're too adorable. She'll just keep taking our picture.

Two seconds after that... I take them off of the table. Then it's as if Annabelle uses her telepathic powers to communicate this: Hey Jack, follow me. I have a great idea...

Let's pull those little chairs over near the t.v. and climb on top of them, so we can dance, and touch stuff that we're not supposed to! Don't worry, we won't get in trouble. Mom is too busy taking pictures!

*The Monkeys have since been banned from using the little chairs, as they have become the stepping stools to mischief.

I Love, You, You, You!!

Jack and Annabelle's little friend Mark came over for a play date today... As he was leaving he pointed to Annabelle and said "I love you, you, you!" It was a first for both of them.

These pictures were taken this past Tuesday, after we dragged Mark to Annabelle's gymnastics class. I love how they are both, coincidentally, wearing shirts with the number ten!

Spoooooky

Yesterday we put up a few decorations in an attempt to Spookify the front of the house for Halloween. Annabelle had a great time "helping" put up the spider's web and flying bat, but mostly she enjoyed setting up the tomb stones. She spent an awful long time playing with that mound of dirt... I'm not quite sure what (or who) she buried there!

This morning, as the kids were outside playing, I was looking at the front of the house and thinking that it wasn't spooky enough. We could possibly use a few more decorations... A ghost, maybe a skeleton. Then I snapped this picture of Jack. Creeeeeepy.

Quote Of The Day

Nick and I were getting ready to go to my cousin's wedding... After seeing me all dressed up Annabelle asked: "Mommy, Are you a princess?"

Neighborhood Crime Watch

Hey Jack, do you see what's going on over there?
I think someone might be in trouble!!

This looks like a job for...
Binky Girl!

super crime fighter extraordinaire