I don't really have anything exciting to blog about today, which is obvious by what I am about to share:  

On Thursdays I don't have to work at my job that gives me a paycheck, instead I work at home, at my job that pays me with hugs and snuggles!  It's a nice break in the workweek and allows me to catch up on laundry...oh!..and spend some quality time with Gracie and Jacob.  

Anyway, on said day, around lunchtime, I was nursing Jacob in the recliner when Gracie suddenly hops off the couch where we were watching Barefoot Contessa (my favorite cooking program) and happily exclaims that she will make her own lunch today!!  It wasn't a question, it was a statement!  "Oh........Okay?" I say, looking at her rather skeptically.  Need I remind my readers that her second given name is Messy Bessy, and as I have just finished cleaning the house,

 I am not that thrilled to have my hard work so quickly undone.  But she informed me in four year old - know it all - fashion, that she will make herself a sandwich, and my job will just be to tell her what order stuff goes on.  I couldn't deny her attempt at independence, so I gave her my blessing....besides, it meant I didn't have to get up!  She did a pretty good job, I thought.  Her menu included a mayonnaise sandwich that had a little bit of turkey, cheese and salami, avacado, and Hot Cheetos.   As always, her eyes are much bigger than her stomach, but don't worry, like a good mom, I made her sit there until she ate it all!  Just kidding...but she did have the leftovers for snack later.  How exciting was that?!?!

Halloween

Halloween was pretty uneventful at the Wallace house, thankfully.  Halloween is not one of my favorite "holidays".  Growing up, I was not allowed to participate in Halloween traditions because my parents were pretty adamant about it being "Satan's Holiday".   So, I'm not sure I can relate to the excitement it holds for Gracie now.  Oh well, it's just another reason to take pictures of my cute kids!

We did dress up as a family.  Mike and I hadn't planned on it, but he decided on the way home from work to surprise Gracie.  He stopped at Target and bought a Darth Vadar costume. Notice how the kids are looking at him, they're not quite sure why Darth has taken Daddy's place in our family picture!

 I had a Little Red Riding Hood costume in the garage I had bought for a Halloween party Mike and I went to a couple of years ago, "pre-kids".     Good thing the material was stretchy!....I think I've gained about 15 pounds since then!  Little Red Riding Hood liked the muffins she was bringing little 'ol Granny...a little too much!

Gracie dressed up as Hannah Montana..notice the wig?  She had worn it a couple of times prior to last night, and when it was time to dress up for "reals" it was way crazy!  It's like Barbie hair...there's NO combing it!

Jacob was our sad little tiger.  He had a hard time...Mike, I mean, Darth Vadar, scared the poo out of him.  Jacob much preferred the pretty lady in the red cape! By the end of the night, he did finally get used to Darth, and wouldn't cry every time he looked at him. Needless to say, Jacob spent the night in our bed, so he wouldn't have any nightmares (wink-wink!).  

We didn't have as many trick-or-treaters as we thought, so we have a lot of candy left over.  We just need to make sure Little Red Riding Hood doesn't sneak any, because I don't think that material will stretch much more!

Age Appropriate Foods for Dinner

May I offer some very useful information I learned today?  

It is not a good idea to feed couscous to a four year old girl whose nickname is Messy Bessy, and a one year old boy, just learning to feed himself.  It does not have a happy ending for Mom.  Sorry, no pictures...I couldn't believe the mess, and just stood there stunned for about five minutes.  By the time I came to, the one year old was begging to be saved from his mess in his highchair and Messy Bessy was asking for more - which I promptly answered "NO!".   I had to send them both to their room so I could get my bearings and decide where to begin the cleanup.  I did have to laugh though; as I watched the one year old walk down the hallway, there was a trail of couscous falling out of his pant leg.   Aaah, dinnertime....remember, it's one of my favorite times of the day!

Gracie's preschool went to the local pumpkin patch last week.  Jacob and I cheauffeured and tagged along.  It was fun watching her run around the ENTIRE pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin!  She finally found one and Jacob got booted out of the stroller for the pumpkin to have the seat of honor!   We went on a hay ride, toured the corn maze, and all in all, had a great morning!  

The Mean Reds

Do you ever have days when you're afraid of the world and what it has in store for you?   I'm not just talking about having a little trepidation, I'm talking anxiety, fear, looking-over-your-shoulder type of days.  Yesterday was like that for me.  In one of my favorite movies, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Holly Golightly explains it as having "the mean reds.  You're scared, but you don't know what you're scared of."  Maybe the cause was everyone talking about the gloom-and-doom with the economy and loosing jobs, or fear I am going to make another huge mistake at work (see previous blog) as we are preparing an expensive estimate for a customer.  I couldn't really put my finger on what was causing my anxiety yesterday, but hopefully a good night's sleep was the cure.  

Girls do crazy things!

Gracie and I had fun together the other day by putting makeup on each other.  I think she needs to consider a different career.  Admittedly these aren't the best pictures of me, but sometimes you have to take one for the team.  Jacob narrowly escaped being subjected to our craziness - he just wouldn't hold still!

Fall Festival

Today was a great day!  Last night Gracie had two little friends spend the night - which was a blast.  We decorated little pumpkins with glitter, and ate pizza and ice cream.  We woke up early this morning to get ready for the Fall Festival Parade in Exeter.  Gracie was so excited because she was riding on a float for her dance company in the parade.  She was so stinkin' cute!  Even though it was really cold in the morning we all had fun.  These are pictures of her on the float.  The two little girls to the right are Ariel and Alli - her slumber party friends.