Halloween highlights.

I did add something to the brownies...just not bugs or quarters.

One word:
Di-vine

Rarrrr!

If I had one wish, we'd all be at Grandma Hallstrom's tonight.

I'm considering baking spiders and quarters into some brownies just for old time sake.

Wanna come over?

Happy Halloween!

Dental Skills.

Not everyone can make themselves a pair of real fangs.

I knew dental school was going to pay off.

Yesterday....

...was a good day for photos. Here are my three favorites:

Mckinlay drew on the couch with a BIC pen yesterday. So she went to time out. After time out, I took her over to her mess to show her what she did...after we were done talking she went in the other room and grabbed a baby wipe.

I love this picture because it shows two things:
A) I truly believe a baby wipe is the best cleaning tool. Ever. Kitchen table dirty? Wipe. Floor needs to be mopped? One wipe under each foot. Haven't used a mop since Mckinlay was born. I could go on and on, but maybe I should stop because I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed about that or not.
B) Mckinlay is really learning! It's so cute seeing her do things that Ty and I do. But we do draw the line when she asks to help "wipe" when we use the bathroom. Silly girl.

We went to Halloween story time at Ginger's and decided to sport last year's costume just for kicks. Remember the sucker/Kit Kat incident last year?

Guess I never washed it. But who is really surprised? This is when I like to throw in "You knew what I was when you picked me up."

After naps, we had the rest of the day with nothing to do. I decided it would be a good time to try this "microwave-cake-in-a-mug" recipe I found. Sounds too good to be true, right?
It was.

MAYBE it would be good if you cooked it a little less. And doused it in cream. And hot fudge. So disappointing. But probably for the best, because if we could make yummy cake any time we had an afternoon with nothing to do:
T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

Happy Halloweek!

When Happy Jo was here, we took Mckinlay to Mt. Auburn for another Halloween photo shoot (Can you believe how much she has changed in the last year? Crazy, I know.). In honor of "Halloweek," I thought I'd post a few of my favorites. I wish I could post them all, but believe me, we took way too many pictures. And since this is her Halloween costume, this is only the beginning of the pictures that will be posted of her in it. Heaven forbid I over do it on the li'l witch photos.

Enjoy!

"Broadway here I come!"

A new tradition:

We watched Robin Hood.
I think this is the best tradition yet.

Bibbity Boppity Boo!

Girl's got it right.
Suede snow boots are much more practical than glass slippers.

(This was Mckinlay's prize for 3 days with no accidents.
Thanks Happy Jo.)

just call her...

Someone keeps stealing my applesauce apples.

Go Crimson!

Yesterday was Allston/Brighton Day at the Harvard Football Stadium--meaning we got free tickets to the game and had a free lunch before hand.

Don't we look Harvard-y in our Harvard garb?
It was super cold and it didn't help that we were sitting on 100 year old concrete. But it only made it that much more enjoyable. The stadium is small and you could really see the game since you were sitting so close.

I'm sure the team appreciated our cheering section, as the game was less than crowded. Thanks guys, for making it a fun outing! (Sorry Melissa, I didn't mean to cut off your face. Oops.)

And thank you inventor of the "Pottette". We couldn't have done it with out you.

"Mommy's Wowed..."

"I'm a big girl now!"

Mckinlay and I have spent the past 3 days at home potty training.
(Hence the reason for the towel sitting.)

Day 1:
Super excited about her new "big girl pants."
(Thanks "Happy" for making her so happy!)

Day 2:
Queen of the potty

Day 3:
Rockin' the "Melmo" pants.

I have heard rave reviews about this 3 day potty training method. A woman who calls herself the "Potty Training Queen" published an ebook about her methods (a friend sent it to me, but I believe you can get it here.). In a nut shell, you stay home for 3 days, cut out anything in your regular routine that would distract you from giving full attention to your child, throw away all the diapers in the house, follow your child around, give them LOTS of liquids and fibrous foods...all the while using a lot of positive reinforcement, trust, and rewards. It worked really well with Mckinlay and her personality.

Before starting, I thought I was going to go crazy by the end of day 3, but it has actually been, dare I say, a fun experience. Not the cleaning up "peepee" part, but spending so much one on one time with the little girlins (correct me, the big girlins) without other distractions. (But let the record show, if I never color another picture of Elmo again in my life, I'm completely fine with that.) And who can help but be excited by her face every time she heard the "peepee" or "poopoos" fall into the toilet!? As part of the training, she wore only a t-shirt and her big girl pants. Ty and I just couldn't get enough of her walking around on her tip toes with her little wedgied bum. So. Darn. Cute.

I'm so proud of how quickly she has taken to using the toilet. Knock on wood. Who knows what will happen as the novelty wears off, but if anything we're off to a great start.

A week with Happy and Papa

We were lucky enough to have "Happy" and "Papa" come out to visit us last week.
Here are some highlights:

Mr. Bartley's followed by Sacco's Bowl Haven.
"Uncle Bill" came along too. He was a really bad influence.
(The next morning Mckinlay woke up asking for "Happy," "Papa" and "Bill.")
We kayaked the Charles.
Mckinlay almost went overboard several times,
but somehow still managed to keep drier than these two.
(Aren't my parents the cutest!?)
We toured Fenway Park.
(Apparently someone didn't read the sign.)
We donuted and took a hay ride at Wilson Farms.
Mom and I made the cutest little witch costume. Ever.
(There will be plenty more pictures to come.)

And we ate, shopped, played, visited and ate some more. Thanks for the marvy week mom and dad. I don't know about you, but we're tired. Having fun is exhausting!!

"yuckies"

"Stir Them In My Witches Brew..."

Breezy and Mom, you may be the only other people who remember this song. I've had this in my head for days.



Oh Mr. Hartley.
Best. Music. Teacher. Ever.

Enjoy!

A fall day.

A hay ride

+

giant pumpkins

+
your bff
= a perfect fall morning.

Oh. And did I mention there were apple cider donuts involved!? 'Cause there was.

And serenading.