Halloween Crafts and Cookies

We had Tran and Nicholas over on Monday to craft and bake some cookies. We missed you Chris, Zach, and Reece! If you'd like to check out the pics from our fun-filled day you can take a peek at them here. Thanks for spending the day with us Robinson's! It was super fun!

Labor of Love

Unfortunately my love of Halloween brings out the little neurotic freak in me. So, when I decided to make some homemade Halloween treats for Hanna's playgroup it was no surprise that I was up until 2:30 making sure all was perfect. The black eyes on my white chocolate ghosts had to be just right as well as the precious little triangular candy corns. As exhausted as I was at 2:30am I went and got the camera to take pictures. I wasn't about to let my efforts go unseen. So, after my futile attempts to make Hanna's pumpkin costume (see previous blog) this is what I did.........

These are the cupcakes I made for Hanna's class at school that kept me up until 1:30am the night following my candy caper.

Happy "Hallowing" Everyone!

Halloween is without a doubt one of my favorite holidays. It has been ever since I was a wee one. My sister and I would celebrate it all month long by drawing haunted houses with lift-the-flap doors with a ghost or goblin waiting on the other side. So, when the big day finally arrived we would climb the walls with great anticipation. We tricked and treated the old fashioned way since we didn't live in a subdivision. Mom would drive us around town and we would jump in and out of the van, yes a van, as fast as we could running up to each door to see what new treat awaited us. So, no doubt I try to influence Hanna as much as possible with all my own "loves" as a child. I think she is slowly coming around and has been asking all week, "Is Hallowing comeen over tonight?"

I decided to try and make her costume myself this year. She wanted to be a pumpkin, how hard could that be I asked. Well, late Tuesday night I got the answer loud and clear. Around 10pm Jason could see that my pumpkin making skills were lacking and he got out of bed and got dressed and drove back to Wal-Mart (we had been there just a few hours previous) and bought a pre-made pumpkin costume for Hanna since I needed it by the next morning. But I was determined to finish what I started as the vision in my head was so cute and perfect. When he returned with the pumpkin to see that I was still hard at work he thought about having me commited for insanity. Proud of my handy-work I made Hanna try it on the next morning. It was a little sad to say the least; crooked smile, uneven, uncomfortable. Jason's pumpkin is now ahead and in the lead. So, I swallow my pride and put the "other" pumpkin on her and see that it's much less frightening than mine and lots more comfortable.

So, a big thank you goes out to you Jason for trudging out to Wal-Mart at 11pm to buy probably the last pumpkin they had. Hanna will be forever grateful that when she's a teenager she won't have to say, "Do you remember that one Halloween that Mom made we wear that hideous pumpkin she made?"

Delaney's Day

On Saturday Hanna and I went to her friend Delaney's 3rd birthday party. It was a Princess themed party complete with a royal castle birthday cake fit for a queen. All the party goers came dressed in a princess dress and oddly enough were all different. Attending were Cinderella (Anslee), Snow White (Hanna), Sleeping Beauty (Bella), Ariel (Brett), a flower fairy (Olivia), and the birthday girl was Tinkerbell. There was but one little man at this fun and frilly princess ball and that was our Prince Zack. The girls decorated their own princess hat and dressed a foam doll and played lots of fun games. We had a great time and left with our bellies full and a goody bag stuffed to the brim. Thank you for a great party Erin and Delaney!

Baby Phat

Now, I am usually not one to distribute nudes of my precious children but these were too irresistible. I was in the midst of changing Haley's diaper and putting on pj's when she just took off like a lightning bolt. She was having so much fun exploring her bedroom in the buff that I went with it. What kind of parent would I be if I didn't indulge in my daughter's need to feel free every once in awhile. I'm sure she'll be thanking me one day for posting her dimply little behind on the internet.

Haunted Cookie House

Bart and Raven came over for dinner on Tuesday night and brought Hanna a gingerbread house kit, except it was for Halloween. I've seen these in the store but never actually thought about buying one. Boy did Hanna love it; chocolate, candies, cookies, icing; need I say more. For some reason she liked the black icing and according to Raven, had no real flavor to it. You could really get creative and construct a killer haunted house but I hasten to say that ours probably won't be pictured in the Halloween section of the next Martha Stewart Living. Maybe we'll get better with each passing year but more importantly, it was fun to try! One thing is for certain, it did looked haunted.

New Jammies

Aunt Heather brought new jammies for the girls. Hanna loves her pink piggies and Haley loves her "heart beeps" as Hanna calls them. They are so cute and cozy in them and I love the footed jammies so much. Wish they made them for adults! And thank you for all our wonderful treats and gifts from Hungary. Haley looks about as big as Hanna does!

Aunt Heather and Uncle Marco

We flew Heather in to watch the girls while we were in S.C. and Marco took off work to come with her. I was so glad that he came along to keep Heather company and to help out. It's a job looking after two little ones when you're not used to it.

They flew in on a Tuesday night so fortunately we were able to hang with them a few days and even go out for dinner and drinks one night (thanks Raven!). They took them to the park, took Hanna to her gymnastics class, and watched movies and played all weekend. The girls behaved really well seeing how they LOVE "Header" and "Mawco". We couldn't thank them enough for taking the time off to come spend with us and our little girls. We had so much fun and hope you all did as well. Thank you Heather and Marco!!

Surprise!

OCTOBER 18, 2008

Jason and I flew to Spartanburg, SC for his sister Lisa's 40th birthday party. It was at the Marriott in downtown Spartanburg. Cliff started planning the surprise party a year ago and kept it from her for that long! She was definitely surprised to see a whole room full of family and friends when she thought it would just be the two of them for dinner. After the tears and greeting everybody Cliff started the string of speeches. There were some funny ones and some sad but it was fun to hear about stories from Lisa's past and childhood. We enjoyed visiting with family and getting to see our nieces and nephews. After the party we went up to the presidential suite and partied some more with Cliff and Lisa's friends, Jason's Mom and her husband Richard, and Mark and Cathy. It was a quick trip but we wouldn't have missed Lisa's big surprise for nothing!

Under the Table

One of Haley's favorite things to do is crawl under the table and just stand there. It's easier for her when the chairs are all pulled out but it doesn't stop her from getting under there. She gets stuck under there sometimes and can't get out, bumping her little head as she goes. I'll get her out and she turns and heads right back for it. Sometimes while we're eating dinner if she's already eaten and is in the floor playing, she crawls under and looks up at us and watches us eat. It's like she's a puppy anticipating any fallen crumbs.

LEGOS

HIS & HERS: Life-Size Replica in LEGO® Bricks

Now, it may not be as expensive as your Globetrotting Experience Tran, but I would personally prefer to see myself as a lego statue than hone my basketball skills. Who wouldn't? Compared to the trotters this self-indulgence costs a mere $60,000.

Pumpkin Patch

Sunday October 12

Despite the fact that Jason was in bed with a fever and chills most of the day Saturday, he took one for the team and joined us for a fun family day. We drove to Southwest City, MO to the Right Choices Corn Maze/Pumpkin Farm. First,we walked through the maze which was pretty neat and a little creepy at the same time. As we walked into the entrance of the maze I had a feeling of deja vu, like maybe I'd seen this in a horror flick once. Does "Children of the Corn" ring a bell? It didn't take us very long as we whizzed through. Hanna kept saying, "Yet's get outta he-ya." After that we had a couple hotdogs and climbed into the hay wagon for a good 'ole hay ride.

There was a platform in the middle of the corn maze so you could see where you were. They gave us a pamphlet that had different sets of questions and answers for different chapters. You had to choose the "right" answer and go left or right depending on what it said; hence the name, "Right Choices Maze." I figured that out all on my own. They had a couple slides set up going down hill and amazingly Hanna wanted to slide down them AND by herself. She kept saying, "I'm a do it again." I wanted Hanna to ride the cow train but we'd already been there for a couple hours and I didn't want to push Jason to the point of total misery. I had a great time and I think Jason enjoyed himself as much as he could but the whole reason for going was for the girls. Hanna loved the "punkin" patch and Haley liked the hay, so that's really all that counts.

Gyn-Nats-Tix

On Saturday mornings Jason takes Hanna to The Little Gym for gymnastics. She just loves it and enjoys her alone time with Daddy. Haley and I tagged along with them today so I could take some pictures. She is really getting better at trying new stuff. Of course, she likes to run and play and do her own thing sometimes. The best part about the class is that she does have some freedom to do her own thing. It was so cute watching them play together. Jason really does a better job with her out there than I would. He has A LOT more patience than I do. She wakes up on Saturday mornings and asks about Gynatstix. It's so cute how she says it and I think I nailed the spelling.


Hanna got to demonstrate one of the exercises for the day. She loves getting to do that. If she watches the other kids do it first sometimes she won't even try it. She's so funny.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

As a Mom I feel slightly obligated to share some of my fave things. So I have compiled a list of such with an explanation for why they are indeed favorites. At the moment these are the things that I cannot live without.

These are in no particular order.

• Nutella- This nutty choco-la-tey spread could definitely take the place of peanut butter in my book. I love it on toast with sliced strawberries. Heated ever so slightly and drizzled over berries is another favorite. Even digging in for a heaping spoonful when you're craving something sweet seems far better than the alternative and healthier. Hazelnuts have protein, right? You can usually find it hanging out at the end of the peanut butter and jelly aisle. Try some and let your imagination go wild.


• Face Primer- I am all about anything that is going to diminish the look of pores. This silky concoction seems to glide over your face effortlessly filling in those unwanted "dimples" leaving a smooth canvas. You can cover your entire face after moisturizing and wear alone or under make-up. I am a fan of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer but I'm sure there are a plethora of primers out there that are easily comparable. What pores?


• Peppermint Altoids- Not called the curiously strong mint for nothing these little babies pack a punch. I keep them in my purse for emergencies like when I'm on my way to MDO with morning/coffee breathe and I realize that a toothbrush did not make it into my mouth that morning. They seem to work better than any other mint. One goes a long way!


• Downy Wrinkle Release- Now, as some of you may or may not know, I get a strange sense of satisfaction from ironing even the tiniest of clothing and to have them all hung up neatly in a row is euphoric to say the least. Add another baby to the mix and my love affair with the iron, well, not so much. Admit it, there are times when your laundry doesn't make it out of the basket for days and there are the trusty old lounge pants that you just can't justify lugging out the iron for but you still don't want to look like you just rolled out of bed. I was skeptical but after misting on this starch like spray to even the most wrinkly clothes and within a matter of seconds the wrinkles are gone, I was a believer! Just mist it on, smooth with your hands if you want and start stacking. The weight of the clothes seems to work just as an iron would. Sure, you will still have to use the iron on occassion for those stubborn pleats but for times sake and the fact that you are decreasing your chances of burning yourself or others, wrinkle release is a great alternative.


• Premium Cracker Minis- We are a big fan of saltines here at the Kaiser house. And by "we" I mean Jason. He can eat a whole sleeve within a matter of seconds even after the heartiest of meals, so I strive to keep a box or two in the pantry at all times cause they disappear fast! Hanna hasn't fallen far from the apple tree as she seems to share the love of crackers with her Daddy. Premium minis are the "mini" version of these square snacks. I send them for Hanna in her lunch because they are just her size and you can pop them right in your mouth. I like them for the obvious reason, they're just so darn cute! And I can have as many as I want and not worry about diminishing Jason's saltine supply. I am eating some right now. So, Jason, back away from the minis.....they're mine.


• Twilight: The Series- I am always up for a good juicy read and not since Phillipa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl have I been so entranced with a series. I got so wrapped up in the story that my household chores started to suffer. Again, another reason to have Downy Wrinkle Release on hand. Now, I didn't neglect my motherly duties only reading little snippets here and there and during naptime but I seemed to whiz through the four part series with great speed. I just couldn't put it down because page after page I kept wanting more. It may not be your kind of novel being that it centers around the life of a vampire with a few werewolves thrown in but there is a sweet romance between vampire and human that you can't help get caught up in. My only complaint is that I read them too fast but I have comfort in the fact that I will read them again and I get to see the first book come to life in the movie theater on November 21st! I feel it would be an injustice to Edward and Bella if I did not mention Twilight in my "favorites" list.


• Special K Protein Water Mix- Found in the juice/drink aisle at the grocery store, these little packets spice up your water bottle quite nicely and they add a little nourishment and 5g of protein. One little packet has only 30 calories and boasts a hefty 5g of fiber. I need all the help I can get in the fiber department. I like strawberry kiwi, pink lemonade, and surprisingly the iced tea isn't too bad. Just open, sprinkle in your water bottle and give a good shake. It's a great accompaniment to that string of cheese you grab on your way out the door.


• Suave Kids Detangling Spray- I don't know what we would do without this jewel of an invention. During the night while Hanna sleeps, she gets a visit from the hair fairy. She weaves a nest of destruction in the back of Hanna's head that only a magic wand could untangle. Alas, just a few squirts of this fruity liquid seems to do the trick. It sprays more evenly than others I've tried and leaves Hanna's hair smelling so sweet all day long. My favorite is the double dutch apple but whatever floats your boat. It sure beats sticking their head under a faucet!

Well, that about wraps up my list of favorites for now. I will be adding new ones as I discover them. Please feel free to send any of your little secrets my way. Mom to Mom, we need to help each other out as much as we can. Thank you for your support.

Chick-fil-A Lunch

My friend Erin and I met at Chickfila for lunch today after dragging our poor daughters through Hobby Lobby. Not to say they didn't enjoy themselves immensely, leaving a trail of destruction down every aisle. This may have led to our decision to throw Hanna and Delaney in a booth alone so we could enjoy lunch sans our two exuberant but adorable girls. So far so good. As I am happily snapping pics I am unaware that Haley has successfully reached her full jar of baby carrots, so there is a HUGE glob of orange on the table, all over her hands, on the highchair, and smeared across her face while she is happily chewing on her spoon. She is all cleaned up and now Hanna is standing up in the booth and won't sit down. So I tell her to sit down and finish her lunch and she says, "No Mommy I'm poopin," and really loud I might add. So, off to the bathroom to change her and wash hands. Of course, she has to dip her clean, rinsed hands in the dirty soapy suds in the sink while I'm tearing off a paper towel so I have to rinse them off again. I mean, really. I all I want to do is go sit down and eat my nuggets and fries. Back in the booth, we are now kicking the wall (which I'm sure the people on the other side thoroughly enjoyed) and sliding back and forth across the table. I think there was a quiet round of applause as we exited the Rogers Chick-fil-a leaving it a tad messier than was previously. As relieved as we were to be out of there, I'm sure we'll be right back in a couple of weeks. Could it be due to short term memory loss, insanity or just our daily struggle at even the smallest amount of adult time? I'd say a little of all three.