OMG - How Adorable!!

The above phrase was repeated a gazillion times this evening as this walked around our neighborhood:


Honestly, I didn't think anyone would care that I dressed Elliott up as Raggedy Ann. If anything, I thought someone would make fun of the outfit. Not the case. And while I realize that she's 2 (for 3 more weeks) and everyone who doesn't have a 2-year-old thinks they're adorable, Elliott really did look adorable. Partly because of the costume. But mostly because of her personality. She is very gregarious (when she wants to be), and she loves talking to adults. She asked everyone what their name was, what their pets' names were, and any other question she could think of at that moment. My favorite was/is "What you doin'?"

Elliott's cuteness was only slightly diminished when people saw this toddling towards them:

Janna's bow-legged toddley walk is so stinking cute in normal clothes. In a raggedy costume it's even cuter!! I am keeping these costumes forever simply because of how cute the kids looked tonight. No picture does them justice. Janna was so content to be out and about this evening. She said "Hi dere!" to everyone she saw!

When people were all done gushing over the cuteness of my girls, this stalked up to doors:

Roaring ferociously, of course. Gabriel loves this costume, and I love him in it. He looks so cute!! He wore it last year, and I think he might be disappointed that it's not going to fit him after tonight (he had a hell of a time keeping the bottoms up over his butt because his legs are so long, and his arms are too long for the sleeves). I think I am going to put it away for him to keep. I know that's kind of dumb, but he loves it. It was the first Halloween costume he picked out himself. If nothing else, it can go in the dress-up bin.

Halloween is over. We had a great time partying and crafting and trick-or-treating. Now I have to figure out what to do with all the damned candy. I'm not about to put any of the 39+ pounds that I have lost back on by eating all the chocolate!! Anyone want some??

Responses to Lisha!

1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:19am. The kids let us sleep in!!
2. Diamonds or pearls? I won't lie - I love both!! However, if I had to choose, I'd choose...BOTH!!
3. Last film you saw at the cinema? The Mummy Returns. Yeah, it was that long ago...2001.
4. What is your favorite TV show? It's a tie between The Office and LOST.
5. What do you have for breakfast? Coffee. That's usually all I have.
6. What is your middle name? Jane.
7. What food do you dislike? Pretty much anything with mayonnaise.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I haven't purchased a CD for years. I download music from the internet, and I like a little bit of everything. If you consulted my iPod it would say that the most played songs are by Maroon 5.
9. What kind of car do you drive? Dodge Grand Caravan.
10. Favorite sandwich? Right now I would have to say either a Veggie Delite sub from Subway or a buffalo "chicken" sandwich that I make at home (using a Morning Star Chik Patty).
11. What characteristic do you despise? Stupidity.
12. Favorite item of clothing? Jeans.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? I don't know. Somewhere warm. Possibly without my kids.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? I don't have one.
15. Where would you retire to? Dunno.
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? My own, personal memorable birthday? Would be last year's. Because that was the last one I had. (And because my friends threw me a surprise party!!) Not my own, personal birthday? Janna's.
17. Favorite sport to watch? I don't watch sports. Ever.
18. Farthermost place you are sending this? I'm not sending it...
19. Person you expect to send it back first? Probably no one.
20. When is your birthday? December 14.
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Neither. I'm bitchy all day.
22. What is your shoe size? It depends on the shoe. Sneakers - 9.5, dress shoes - 10.
23. Pets? Kuzcotopia Jane - Crack Kitty.
24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? It's almost bedtime!!! That's pretty exciting!!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? My Mom. And I'm there.
26. How are you today? Fine, just fine.
27. What is your favorite sweets? (Certainly not any sweet made with improper grammar!!) Anywho - I love sweets!! But I don't eat them now...much!! I love peanut butter cups (they MUST be Hershey's) and cookies. I also love apple and pumpkin pies!
28. What is your favorite flower? Lilacs.
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? November 21 - Elliott's 3rd birthday.
30. What is your full name? John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt. Is this name your name, too?
31. What are you listening to right now? The shower - Jon's giving the kiddos their baths!!
32. What was the last thing you ate? A flatbread, crispy crust pizza with cheese, spinach, and black olives.
33. Do you wish on stars? Yep.
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red. Cause I'm awesome like that.
35. How is the weather right now? Kind of shitty. It just got done thundering and lightninging.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My Mommy.
37. Favorite soft drink? Coca-Cola Classic. The best soda in the world!!
38. Favorite restaurant? I don't think I have one. I love Chili's, though!
39. Real hair color? Something close to what it is now. As I get older, it gets darker. So I lighten it.
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies.
41. Summer or winter? Fall??
42. Hugs or kisses? Both!!
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Again, both!!!
44. Coffee or tea? Umm, both?! Coffee in the morning, tea later in the day.
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? I love it when my friends e-mail me.
46. When was the last time you cried? I don't remember.
47. What is under your bed? Dust bunnies, books, pictures, foot spa...probably some other random crap, too.
48. What did you do last night? Entertained Katie.
49. What are you afraid of? Snakes.
50. Salty or sweet? Sweet!!
51. How many keys on your key ring? Not many...maybe 3. The "real" question should be "How many key rings vs. keys are on your key ring?".
52. How many years at your current job? 8...I was a housewife before I had kids, and now I'm a housewife and a SAHM.
53. Favorite day of the week? Thursday. I get to ogle John Krasinski.
54. How many towns have you lived in? 4 towns in 2 states.
55. Do you make friends easily? Yep. I'm very boisterous.
56. How many people will you send this to? Didn't we already cover the fact that I'm not sending this to anyone??
57. How many will respond? Probably none - ya losers!!

I know that I've posted three times today...but I can't help myself. There's just so much useless stuff to blog about today!!

The Playlist...

...is on the side of the blog. Right under the "About Me" section. It's pink. I don't have it turned on to automatic play. Every time I opened this page, the music scared me (I forgot that I had the songs listed, and I wasn't expecting them to play.)!!

Weekly Weigh-In!!

The Week: Not too shabby! I did a pretty great job of keeping my cool - literally and figuratively - all week. I am really trying my hardest not to yell as much (and if you know me at all, then you know that this is going to be very hard for me), and I think that I am doing well. I am always going to be a "yeller", and I embrace that. My parents were (and still are) yellers, so I come by it naturally. My kids are difficult at best, and I deal with them the best way I can. All three thrive on negative attention, so I am trying to be more positive. Wish me luck!!

We had some fun MOMS Club events this week. The horse farm was awesome (did you see my gorgeous girls???), and our Halloween party was the best kid party I have ever been to. It was so relaxed and the kids all had a blast. It was great!!

The weekend has been really quiet. And kind of dreary. It's getting ready to rain (and it rained almost all day yesterday). I love sunny Fall...but I hate rainy Fall. Yesterday was spent running errands...ALONE!! Jonny kept the kiddos, and I went all over getting groceries and a few Christmas presents for the kids (Yes, I am that Mom. I have the Girls done, and Gabriel's stuff has to be ordered.). My pal, Katie came over last night for dinner, and we got to giggle and laugh together. It was really nice.

Today has been spent the same way last Sunday was spent...cleaning. Again, don't get me wrong - I love that my husband has the motivation to clean...that he's willing to clean...that he does a great job cleaning. My complaint is that after his urge is gone, he does "nothing" for months. Yeah he does some dishes and laundry, and I am NOT complaining about the fact that he does something. But I do those things EVERY SINGLE DAY. I guess my whole problem with his cleaning bug is that I am expected to be impressed and grateful that he's done something so wonderful. No one is impressed and/or grateful that I clean every damned day. But I think that I am going to call it quits for the day. I don't know how much more scrubbing my poor hands can handle!

The Weight: Not bad. I stayed the same this week - still 36 pounds down.

I'm Not Much of a Photographer, Either...

Lisha added a really nice picture to her post for today, and claimed that she wasn't much of a photographer. Regardless, the picture was lovely, and she can take pictures of my stuff any day!!

My photography skills are very lacking, but I got this shot on a field trip this week. And I love it. My friend, Keelie pointed out that the sky looks awesome, and the fence stands out in contrast. I like it for those reasons, too. But I also like it because my Girls are in the same stance.

I'm not much of a singer either. And neither are my kids. But that isn't stopping them from belting out some Flobots songs. Loudly. And asking for an entire concert of the favorite songs. I've added a playlist for you listening pleasure. This is what my kids would prefer to listen to. Nasty Mommy that I am, I prefer them to listen to something a little less mature.