Mastering the straw skills

We have been encouraging Jake to use a straw lately; however, he has much more fun pulling the straws out of the cups and playing with them instead of actually using them the drink from the cup. Tonight while we were at the store I found new cups with straws. We bought them and Jake used the straw immediately without trying to pull the straw out.

After dinner I noticed that Jake has acquired one of my quirks. He is a straw chewer! Like mother, like son!



I'm so proud!

Channeling Laura Ingalls Wilder

I have learned that the home decor I spoke about a few days ago is called Primitive decorating. And how I love it! Here is the entire collection of "primitive" decor in our home. You've gotta start somewhere! :)



This is the window which has been a part of my home for the past 4 years, conveniently purchased at the same craft monstrosity as the one I purchased these lovely framed primitive pieces of artwork this past weekend.



And finally, here are the two together, on the wall of our dining room. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to take the picture without showing the mess that is our dining room table!



Welcome to the primitive dining area, don't look too close or you'll see the modern day conveniences.

The cutest monkey around!

As I promised, here are pictures of the early Trick or Treating from Saturday night. I would have had these up yesterday, but Blogger was not cooperating. Jake was not as thrilled with the adorable monkey costume as I was. This was likely due to the 80 degree temperature and the fleece Halloween costume. This does not make for a good combination! Due to the crankiness which ensued during Trick or Treating we skipped the hayride.

Oh, the aching feet...but it was worth it!

This morning my mom, aunts, cousins and I all went to a craft fair. Each year our family pilgrimages to the craft monstrosity and we all purchase large amounts of gifts and craft decor for our homes. Here are my purchases from today's pilgrimage:



I have a new decorating passion (which apparently most of America does too since it is was EVERYWHERE today), it's rustic. I love antiques, but haven't ever purchased many. I have an old window which hangs in my dining room. I love it! My husband is not a big fan and likes to make fun of the window. Well, as you can see, there are new "rustic" purchases. On the far right, there are two pictures. I LOVE them. They were all over the craft monstrosity today and I was a major fan.

I also purchased some fall decor, which my home is desperately in need of. Don't you just LOVE the pumpkin on the left. Or the pilgrims? So cute! The snowman teapot is for our interim babysitter as as "thank you" for putting up with the crying, screaming and gnashing of teeth, which she has endured. SSSHHHH! Don't tell her!

Thanks to my dad for watching the rambunctious redheaded 2 year old while we shopped this morning. I believe they both had an enjoyable time.

Currently the house is quiet as napping ensues all around me. We have lots of plans this evening such as early trick or treating for family members and a possible hayride with other family. Of course, pictures will be included, which I am certain each and every one of you are sitting on the edge for your seats for.

Check this out!

As is usual, when I'm off work for a few days it is very busy when I get back, which causes my brain to shut down once I get home and makes for difficulty in being creative when it's time to blog.

Since my creativity is limited right now here are some links for you to check out.

First is my new BFF, Liz. Liz is a working mother of a nearly 2 year old boy, who, conveniently is lives near me! How exciting! We've been emailing back and forth lately and I've declared she's my new BFF! I hope she agrees...if not, then I'll just be an embarrassed, but at least no one can see my face change shades! :)

Second is the perhaps the best love story I have heard EVER. Ree at Confessions of a Pioneer Woman is telling the story of falling in love with her husband. Oh, it's better than any fiction story I've ever read!

Third is Crystal at Money Saving Mom. I have a new addiction, reading her blog! As you may have recognized in the past, I love figuring out ways to save money and Crystal has some great ideas!

Happy reading! Jake and I are traveling west to visit my family for the weekend so the posting may be scarce, but I have a few fun ones in mind and I plan to pack the digital camera cord so be prepared for some pictures! :)

Why is the "blogger's block" only happening for the title?

I accomplished my list of activities for the day, so I guess you could say it has been a good day. I am still in my pajamas and despite the bath I gave Jake this morning, his hair is sticking to his head (putting fruit in your hair during lunch does that). Needless to say, my chores for the day are not over, nor are they ever when you're a mother.

Tomorrow it is back to the routine of our typical daily lives, which includes me going back to work. It's always so difficult to come back after being off for a few days. I know my calendar is jammed full tomorrow and I have items due within days of getting back, so I am sure I'll be nicely stressed tomorrow at this time.

But I'll try to forget about that for now and continue on about my evening in denial that in 12 hours I'll be traveling to the workplace.

10 minutes of thinking and still no title comes to mind...

The events we accomplished today were as follows:

-- Got out of bed around 8:40 a.m. (hallelujah!)
-- Ate breakfast
-- Showered
-- Took Jake to show him off at work
-- Jake and I went to library for his first visit (after all, books are his favorite toys). He loved it. We participated in storytime as well.
-- Got lunch
-- Came home
-- Nap time (for Jake, not me)
-- Supper
-- Bedtime

Tomorrow's events are to:
-- Clean my bedroom, including changing sheets
-- Vacuum ENTIRE house]
-- Organize Jake's closet
-- Laundry

I think that will keep me busy for my last day off. I hope I will be motivated to accomplish the list.

By the way, Jake is doing fabulous, until it's time for the diaper change. Then the wrestling match occurs.