UPDATED - A Treat for YOU on Halloween & SMILE awards too!)

I've had Halloween coming out of my ears this week! Getting costumes together, spider-themed storytimes, baking witch hat cupcakes (thanks for the idea, Diana!), Abby's preschool party, Family Movie Night/Costume Parade at the library, and another special Halloween storytime this morning...Whew! And now I'm trying to get my house somewhat presentable and DECORATED before trick-or-treating tonight. But I thought it might be fun to leave a little treat for YOU, my bloggin' friends, this Halloween!

TRICK OR TREAT!

I know...not quite as good as a handful of chocolate, but it's gotta be a close second. Who doesn't LOVE receiving a blog award????

A few weeks ago, Kalisha and Reneca over at Mommy Lounge presented this award to me. I was beyond excited! And, of course, I've been meaning to spread the love. Honestly, I have yet to come across a blog that I didn't like. The cute pictures, the hilarious stories, your honesty, creativity, the cute layouts, fun carnivals, the advice and encouragement...so if you are reading this right now, snatch this bloggy award up! From me to you!

*******STAY TUNED! I'll be passing on another award hopefully this weekend. Laural (currently known as Mamasphere for just a little while longer...) bestowed this awesome award upon me:

Here are the characteristics of the SMILE Award:

~You must display a cheerful attitude.
~You must show love to others.
~You must make mistakes.
~You must learn from others.
~You must be a positive contributor to blogging.
~You must love life.
~You must love kids.

Here are the rules for the Smile Award:

~You must link back to the award creator. (I'm sorry! The address is too small on the award. I can't quite make it out. Anyone else have better eyesight than me?)
~You must post the rules if you are a recipient.
~You must choose 5 people to pass the award to. (On my TO-DO list for this weekend! It's so hard to choose!)
~You must fit the characteristics of the award.
~You must post the characteristics of the recipient of the award.
~You must create a post sharing your win with others.
~You must thank the giver of the award...

Thank you, thank you, Laural! This award really brightened my day. I admit, when I first read the characteristics, I wasn't in the best mood, and I thought...ME??? Cheerful? Are you sure? haha! :)

Linky love coming soon!

Happy Halloween!
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(Updated 11/1) Okay! This was harder than I thought! Especially since so many of you gals have already received this award. You guys are just too awesome. So I thought I'd try to spread the love a little further and pass this award to a few deserving gals who aren't sporting this "bloggy bling" on their sidebars quite yet.

1)Elizabeth @ The Mommy...etc - Honestly, I've only visited her blog a few times, but I plan to visit more! She's a girl after my own heart...an aspiring water, a new mom, her daughter is named after my favorite flower, and she just posted the cutest pictures of a SPOOKTACULAR Storytime they went to. (You know how I love storytimes!)

2)Cecily @ My Chaos My Bliss - Okay, I've said this before, and I'm saying it again...you have to see this gal's pictures, especially the ones she takes of her kids. The love she has for her children is so evident through her pictures and her writing.

3)Robin @ A Day In The Life - This gal loves life. She has a great smile, loads of talent, and is one tough cookie. She's been through some crazy ordeals lately such as enduring a burst appendix for THREE months and she didn't even know it! Talk about "Grin and Bear it!" She loves her nieces and nephews to bits and has a mother's heart. I know she and her husband Matt will be wonderful parents, hopefully soon!

4)Kalisha and Reneca @ Mommy Lounge - I really can't believe this ladies haven't received this award already. They are always posting great ideas to encourage moms to pamper themselves a bit, make life a little easier, and they post the cutest stories about their kiddos.

5) Kristen @ Loving Our Simple Life - The name of her blog says it all, doesn't it? She's a camera happy mama...just like me, although her pictures are much better than mine. (I really should take a class.) I was especially touched by this post. I've been thinking a lot about that lately too. There's an awesome new CD by Hilary Weeks called "If I Only Had Today" that I've been meaning to post about... The inspirational lyrics go right along with her thoughtful post.

So, there you have it...WHEW!!! I promise to post the lyrics to that song very soon. Right now, I need to go help my hubby with dinner.

Yes, he's making dinner tonight.

Now that's definitely something that makes me smile! :)

Pickin' Pumpkins!!!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

A couple weekends ago, Pat and I took the kids pumpkin pickin' for the very first time. Strangely enough, I don't recall ever going as a kid. (Am I the only one?) I remember picking out the biggest pumpkins we could at the grocery store. All these years, I never knew I was missing out the hayrides, the search for that perfect pumpkin, pulling with all your might until it pops off the vine, and then seeing how many Daddy can manage to carry out to the car. haha :) The kids were too cute out there in the pumpkin patch. I just had to share the pics!





Noah stayed in one place just long enough for me to snap this attempt at a posed pic with Abby. He was all over the place! Even with all those pumpkins surrounding him, he was more interested in throwing rocks in a puddle he found next to one of the irrigation lines. Silly kid...just gotta love it.

Can't Seem to "Tackle it" Tuesday - HELP!

As you've probably guessed from my post title today, things have been a little crazy around here. Hence, I haven't posted anything in a week, my house looks like a tornado touched ground, and I feel slightly guilty for blogging right now instead of planning my storytimes and seminary lesson for tomorrow. But I'm justifying it due to the fact that I need some type of Organizational/Time Management INTERVENTION and any tips you could offer me would be GREATLY appreciated.

I used to consider myself an organized person being a school teacher and all. My classroom was tidy and I knew exactly where everything was...even with 24 students. I had daily lesson plans. I knew exactly what time the kids would go to art, eat lunch, play outside, etc...

Fast forward to the PRESENT! I only have two kids and my house looks like a war zone. My husband's schedule is completely unpredictable these days so I never know whether he's coming or going. I'm waking up BEFORE the crack of dawn to teach seminary (an early morning Sunday School class for high schoolers)and praying that I can get out the door without the kids waking up. (Yesterday was the FIRST time, they both stayed asleep...it was a miracle! Of course, they were up again today.) I'm rushing back home to get Abby ready for preschool and myself ready for storytime 2-3 days a week. I have an all-day conference tomorrow, another meeting on Thursday night, a Teen-Read week library activity on Friday night, etc... etc....etc...

I'm hesitant to even post this seeing how there are so many of you out there who have a much heavier load than I do. I guess that's why I'm seeking out your expert advice. I've read articles, visited FLY Lady, etc...but I would just LOVE to hear some tips from you ladies who are in the trenches along with me.

For starters - Do you schedule your housework? plan your meals a week in advance? have a certain day that you run errands?

Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

I wish!!!

Thanks in advance for your tips. I need all the help I can get!

*Now if you'd like to read about SUCCESSFUL tackles, click here. :)

Better Late Than Never, SITStas!

So in case you haven't heard, the SITS Blogathon is going on right now! If you've never visited this site, you've got to check it out.

Not only is it decked out in pink and leopard print, it's a great way to find "saucy" bloggers and for them to find you. And as the button says, this site is all about supporting your SITStas by leaving a little comment love.

I'm still fairly new to the SITStahood and haven't made roll call as often as I'd like to, but here are a few saucy blogs that I've come across in this great, big blogosphere...

The Most Important Work (Jen was the one that told me about SITS. Thanks, Jen. Be sure to check out the pics of the awesome Carnival b'day party she just threw for her daughter. Too cool!)

The Pink Teapot (A classy blog about simple ettiquette with an even classier playlist! Louis Armstrong, Harry Connick Jr, Ella Fitzgerald...I love it!)

My Chaos, My Bliss (I admit, I found Cecily before finding SITS, but I had to link her. Have you SEEN her photos? I only wish I could take pictures like that.)

Mamasphere (Laural was one of the first SITS girls to routinely leave comments on my blog and that was even before I joined the SITStahood...And she is HILARIOUS! This post is a crack-up. Yes, it was that funny, I went back through her archives to find it.haha)

Oh! The SITS girls just posted a really cool necklace....I'm hope I'm not too late to enter!

Happy blogging, SITStas! I can't wait to "meet" more of you. :)

Children's Books on the Brain....

Guess who has a new book out?

Only my most FAVORITE children's author & illustator...

Mr. David Shannon. (well known for his clever & colorful DAVID books. If you have never read these, you've got to pick one up. Love them!)

All you moms out there tripping over obstacle courses of tonka trucks and mega blocks will definitely appreciate this new book...


Click here for more details and reviews. There's even an interview with the author himself.

I started laughing just seeing the book's cover on the display wall at Barnes & Noble. We are in need of a major "Too Many Toys" intervention in this house...especially with Christmas around the corner.

Enough about me and my giddiness for children's books....

What is your (or your kiddo's) favorite children's book and/or author & illustrator???

I just have to know! (Maybe I'll use it in one of my library story times.)

I Have to Accept It...

I know. I know.

It's FALL.

I have been in denial.

I'm just not ready to let summer go yet.

Mostly because I had great expectations for this past summer (aka - wanted to spend a week at the beach) and they just didn't materialize.

But I have to let it go. (It's October for heaven's sake. I had to turn my heater on this morning...so depressing.)

Time to switch gears and stop moping.

Time to focus on all the fun FALL festivities.

Maybe take a day trip to the apple orchard like last year...






Awwww...isn't she a cutie? We had such a great time. Abby still talks about it. And I'm sure that Noah will enjoy it even more this year. (I'm sure I'll be chasing him all over the orchard.)

Okay...I'm feeling better. Maybe even a little excited...especially if I can try one of those apple cider doughnuts. They smelled SOOOO good when we were there last year, but the line was so long. Here's hoping! :)

Happy Fall!


Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Sincerely Fro' Me To You - 90210 revisited

I can't believe I'm posting this.

There are so many reasons why I shouldn't...

the HUGE glasses...

the cropped bangs...

the untamed Brooke Shields eyebrows...

But I'm doing it anyway 'cuz with all the crazy stuff going on in the world, we could all use a laugh.
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Yup! That's me...right next to Jason Priestly aka "Brandon Walsh". I was a fan.(wasn't everybody?) This picture was taken on my 15th birthday, and yes, this poster hung on my wall until I graduated from high school.

When I heard that a NEW 90210 was coming back to TV with a few cast members from the original show, I admit, my interest was peaked. I've seen a couple previews and clips from the new series, but Kelly & Brenda just weren't my favorite characters. Now if they bring back Jason Priestly, I may have to DVR it once in awhile.


Need a laugh? Click here!

WW - Kisses for Mama

Kisses for Abby (1 year)


Kisses for Noah (1 year)

For more WW memories, click here!