Embracing Life

When I saw that Sara and Jamie posted about doing a Halloween swap, I was all over it! If you read this blog, you know I love all things Halloween. Jamie of This is Me; consequently had my name, and I was lucky enough to get not one, but two packages in the mail! The first was filled with lots of fun stuff (including shredded nail polish and fun nail art, as well as a Cadberry screme egg that didn't last very long after this shot was taken!) Keith claimed the candy corn, although I did get a few pieces before he ran off with the bag. ;) And the second envelope had these super cool masks that the kids cannot wait to decorate! (Pictures with children coming this weekend!) Thank you Jamie for all this Halloween fun!

We live in a town with a fairly large Spanish-speaking community. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. On Sunday, we were at a pumpkin festival and on a hayride. Another family, who was only speaking Spanish, was on the other side of the wagon. As we were getting off, Keira announced loudly - "Mommy! Those people are speaking Spanish!" The family laughed. Connor got really excited. "I can speak Spanish too! Uno, dos, tres...." All the way to trece (13). The dad laughed and told him he spoke Spanish well. Yes it was cute. But yes, I was still embarrassed. ;)

I love love love Halloween. It's my favorite holiday. So much so that I had a Halloween wedding (actually the day before Halloween thanks to the Catholic church's rule of no Sunday weddings).  The video above is the bride and groom I received for a shower gift. They held a prominent place on the cake table, ready to dance and sing for whomever chose to press the button. As I was getting out my Halloween decor on Saturday, Keith surprised me with an early anniversary present.  He remarked later that I did not say thank you. However, I thought that squealing with delight, clapping my hands and jumping up and down (yes I am a dork), is even better than saying 'thank you'. I guess not. So THANK YOU KEITH (even though you rarely read my blog).

Last Friday, I did something I never thought I'd ever do. I left my family and boarded a plane, bound for the east coast to meet people I had never met before.  They weren't strangers, but before this, we had never spoken in person.  7-ish years ago, we met through Babycenter's birth boards when we were pregnant/caring for infants.  We moved eventually from BBC over to Facebook, where we continued to share our lives with each other.  Now our '06 babies are no longer babies, but kindergarteners and 1st graders.   Yes, traveling halfway across the U.S. was a little scary to not know what they would think of me when they 'met' me or wondering just how comfortable it might be when you have 6 women in one hotel room (we had two rooms, but we spent most of the time chit-chatting in one).  But once I met them, it wasn't weird at all.   But here is the thing. Our entire weekend revolved around walking, eating, laughing, and talking. It was wonder...

I will be hosting a virtual Halloween party on October 27.  Also please visit A Fanciful Twist for more information  and links to other spooky parties!

One of the things I love about autumn is pumpkin everything.  I can't help it.  Keith bought me some pumpkin creamer for my coffee,  which I love. I got back late Sunday night from a refreshing weekend away,  then ended up working 12 1/2 hours (there was a big event).  This morning I was exhausted.     But pumpkin-flavored coffee,  plus my favorite Halloween mug made this morning bearable.