Why I haven't been posting much....

Char getting fitted for Halloween. Mason looks thrilled that it isn't him....yet. James thought this was all good comedy.

 I have been in Halloween costume mode for the last little while. Last year I didn't have Char's costume done until Halloween day and that was cutting it entirely too close for comfort! This year, I sneak off to my craft room whenever I get the chance (not nearly enough) to work on our big night. 

As you can see, Char really appreciate my efforts:

 This little owl needs a beak....and some personality.

As mad as my little owl friend was in these pictures, I really don't feel any sort of guilt since, isn't this why I have children anyway? I figure that looking cute on Halloween is their way of saying thank you for a years worth of good mothering. Three cheers to me!

At least McCabe agrees.

Everyday's a Holiday

Mason, taking a break from being a skeleton superduper. Note the broken clothes hanger. The part around his waist helps him fly and the hook in his hand helps fight off the bad guys.

When I was little, my mom sewed me a dress that I ended up wearing nearly every day. I was so proud of that little number and was completely shocked when it got "lost in the wash." Once I got older and started sewing, I wondered how my mom could part with one of her own creations no matter how stained and ripped it became. Now I know. I made Mason some skeleton pajamas for Halloween and he was such a fan that he wore them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Valentines day as well. In fact, he wears them as often as he possibly can (as you can see in the pictures on this blog, that is a lot). He has now outgrown them and they are faded and worn and not nearly as cute. We'll see how much longer this little diddy gets to stay around. Those washers and dryers can be pretty tricky sometimes. :) 

Valentine's Day Part One

Cupid was nice to me this year. Even though my valentine had to work, I got to spend the weekend with another cutie instead. I have been super eager and excited to bake with little Mason for Valentine's day. For some reason, I built it up to be this magical experience where he would lovingly pat the dough, roll it out with me, cut out the heart shapes and decorate away. I even went so far as to make two matching V-day aprons (out of the cutest vintage-looking fabric)so that we could celebrate in style. The reality was that he almost broke the mixer and then ate about a dozen cookies worth of dough while I frantically tried to roll it out and pop it in the oven. Happily, he did end up wearing his little chef outfit the entire time, so that warmed my little heart.

My little sous chef. Sometimes I wonder if Mason wishes I had a girl first so that I could get all my dress-up needs out of my system.

This little porker ate SO much cookie dough! I don't even like the raw eggie junk. The more he would eat, and I would try to take away, the more he feverishly started trying to eat any and everything he could get his little plump fists on! The flour, the measuring cup, the cookie cutter. He was an eating machine!

Here is my matching apron. A little less macho, a little more frilly.

Christmas Stockings!

My wonderful Aunt Chris made Christmas stockings for my mother's ENTIRE side of the family when we were all younger. Now that the family tree has grown so large, my sister and I thought that we would take over for our own individual families. What fun!

The one in the middle is my own from babyhood. Don't you like the demi-wreath?! I thought it brought some holiday cheer. Thanks Martha!

James grew up with the traditional red fuzzy stockings and had a hard time saying good-bye to his Christmas favorite. We compromised with my Aunt's pattern and his classic colors.

Mason's.

Photo Shoot

My sister, Ari, was nice enough to take pictures of my little fella all dressed up for the ghoulish holiday. What a treat! I thought they turned out so well. She is amazing.

Here Comes Halloween...

I have always been a big fan of Halloween. Some of you may know that I think about the great candy day all year long and plan my costumes WAY in advance. Now that I'm a mom, I don't really plan my own costume, but Mason's. Poor chap. Ever since I saw a Saturday Night Live clip with Chris Farley dressed as a big round pumpkin, I have wanted to do that costume. So, now my little man is helping me live vicariously because this year he is going to brave the streets in the plumpest pumpkin costume yet! My sister, Aria, and I have been getting together and making our little babies costumes for the big day and it has been so fun. She is going to dress little Sydney up as a little pea pod (so cute). At any rate, we still have a little way to go, but here are some shots for the meantime. Sorry this is so early but I am just so excited for this blessed day!

Aria and her little pea shell

Mason trying on the long johns I made him to go underneath his pumpkin. We found a women's shirt at DI that was the perfect colored stripes so I hacked away at it until it did the trick...sort of. Mason's head proved to be a little larger than I expected. D'oh!

My little squash!

Cute little chap.