Boo!

Have a "Boo-tiful" Halloween!!

Cheer, Cheer for Ol Notre Dame

We are off again! This weekend Dan and I are just taking the 2 older kids for a fun weekend. Our first stop is Chicago. We will be in the windy city Friday night, visiting with my brother and sister in law, Mike and Emily (and I can finally give them their wedding present)

Saturday, Dan, Matthew, Mike, and Emily are heading over to South Bend for the ND football game. Dan's sister and her family are also coming down from Michigan to South Bend for the game. Libby and I have a fabulous day planned in Chicago. My first stop is to meet my sweet blogger friend, Heather, for lunch. When I say meet, I mean meet for the very first time!! Heather and I became fast friends because of blogging, we have so much in common. I am so excited (and nervous) to meet her. There was a reason I stumbled upon her blog, became a follower, and hit it off instantly with her. When I think about blogging I think of all the beautiful, smart, and funny friends I have made. My blogging has done nothing but enrich my life, so thank you to all my blogger friends. You all have a special place in my heart. I can't tell you, how reading comments you leave just makes my day!!

After lunch with Heather, Libby and I are making a stop at the American Girl Store and of course Michigan Ave. The boys will be back in the city Saturday night for dinner, then Sunday morning we need to head home early for all the Halloween festivities!!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween and of course beautiful weather Sunday night!!

He Stole My Heart

11 years ago today, this sweet little boy became a part of my life and I have never been the same.I love that even though he is 11, he will still hug me, kiss me and tell me he loves me.

I love that he adores his sisters.

I love how he gets excited when he knows people are coming over to see him, that he will wait on the front porch until they arrive, even the piano teacher.

I love that he is a good friend to everyone.

I love that he has a quirky sense of humor and I love that his teacher this year can recognize and appreciate it.

I love that he can work the coffee machine and he will bring me coffee in bed.

I love that he tells me he is old enough that I don't need to check his homework every night or I don't need to brush his hair.

I love that he makes our family complete.

Happy Birthday!!

The Best of Times

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit some of my college friends for my sweet friend, Jodie's 40th birthday. I landed in Cincinnati Friday morning. Jodie and I spent the day going back to our college, eating lunch at our favorite restaurant and of course doing a little shopping.

It was very strange to be back on my old campus. It looks so different, yet it still felt so familiar. It was bitter sweet to see where I spent 4 very important years of my life.

Friday night we met up with another friend for some munchies and cocktails
then we went back to Jodie's to make the jello shots for the big party on Saturday night
We drank some "Bitch" wine while making the shots

Saturday Jodie and I ran some last minute errands for the party, then went and got make overs at the MAC counter. We ended up looking like drag queens, which was perfect for a costume party
Jodie and I right before the party began. I loved her costume, she looked like a real Vegas showgirl.




Some of my college friends
we drank
we danced
We had the best of times!

I realized how blessed I am to have such great friends whom after 17 years I still love dearly.

Away I go!!

I've got my slutty gypsy costume all packed up!! I'm off to see my college girls! Have a great weekend my friends!!

We Braved The Heat

This past Saturday we loaded up the kids and headed out to the pumpkin patch. We were not expecting the 90 degree heat on Saturday. I like to go to a pumpkin patch in my uggs, sporting a hat, scarf and mittens, sipping on a latte. Instead I found myself, cursing myself ,because I was so hot and way too overdressed.

Despite the heat, the kids had a great time climbing the haystack fort.

while Scarlett and I watched from under the canopy. If she could talk I think she would say, "damn it's hot"
We got lost in a corn maze. Dan and I were making Children of the Corn jokes the entire time, Libby was not happy!!
In the end, despite the heat, we had a fun Saturday.
And we got what we came for, pumpkins!!!

Happy Wednesday!!

Flawless!!

I adore this picture of SJP. She is head to toe in Burberry and I think she looks like perfection!! I am a huge fan of the military inspired look for the fall, but at $1295 just for the jacket, this look can be a little pricey!After searching I found this cute little military jacket for a fraction of the cost.
I know, I know, it is nowhere near the fabulousness that is on Ms. Parker but a trend is a trend and most likely we won't be wearing military in 2011, so I can justify the $78 for this jacket. It really really needs to cool down so I can start wearing all these jackets and boots that are collecting dust in my closet!

Monday, Monday!!

This Friday I am leaving to go out of town to visit my best friend from college, Jodie. She is turning 40 and decided to have a birthday/Halloween costume party. The jury is still out with me on how I feel about a costume party. It has been 5 years since I last got together will all my college friends, I want to look fabulous when I see everyone. Sometimes it is hard to look fab when you are wearing a Barak O'Bama mask or maybe a Snookie wig. On the flip side, I never dress up, it really is fun, plus you can use your costume as your excuse for acting crazy.

My obvious first choice was Lady Gaga. What I realized while searching for her costume is that she is 24, with a personal trainer, and not an ounce of body fat and I am 39 with 3 kids. I mean, my old college boyfriend might be at this party, I can't go running around in this......

or this.......I think I need something with a little more coverage. Don't get me wrong, I will still wear a bikini to the pool, but wearing something the size of a bikini to a party is totally different. I decided I needed to go another route. In my search for a costume this is what I have discovered. If you are 20 or older, every costume is slutty.
slutty nurse
slutty Little Red Riding Hood
the traditional Halloween witch slut
and what is Halloween without the slutty nun.

I started to panic Sunday afternoon, I am on an early morning flight on Friday and time was of the essence. I have a busy week and it is so hard to shop with a toddler. I needed to find something, and I needed it right then. I ended up with......

slutty gypsy.

I have leggings that I am wearing under my costume, Dan informed me when I tried it on that it left little to the imagination, if you know what I mean!! It is actually kind of cute with leggings. Too bad I didn't have this costume on Saturday, I could of worn it out for date night!!

They Had Me at "Hello"

Friday already?

I just have to say the boys I read with yesterday are the cutest, sweetest boys ever!! My heart melted when I walked into the classroom and saw all their smiling faces. I can't wait to get to know each and every one of them.

After 4 consecutive weekends, Dan is finally home. No more trips, no obligations, and he is not working. I cannot wait to finally have a date night with him on Saturday.

Then on Sunday, I am having a "date night" with one of my friends. We are getting facials, grabbing a bite to eat, then seeing a movie. I love it when I have fabulous plans to look forward to!

Have a beautiful weekend my friends!!

A New Adventure

About 10 years ago, my in laws were very involved with the founding of a new school in St. Louis. Loyola AcademyLoyola Academy is a middle school for inner city boys with potential. The Board of Directors will go to inner city schools and seek out boys that have the potential and desire for a better life. The deal with Loyola Academy is that if the boys work to their fullest potential and stay out of trouble, private high school and college will be paid for. My in laws are still extremely involved with the school, but now that the school is established they are more hands on. They will work the library, tutor, process paperwork etc.

I have known for years that my in laws have always hoped that their children would become involved and as passionate about this school as they are. Dan is one of four. His sister lives in Michigan and his brothers live in Chicago and NYC. That leaves me and Dan. This sounds so dismissive when I write this, but Dan really has no time. I, however, do have time. Starting today, every Thursday I will read with/to these boys for 1/2 hour. They have quiet time right before lunch. Many of these boys are below their reading levels and need the one on one time. Loyola Academy does not have the faculty and staff to accommodate every child, so they need volunteers. I am really excited about this. I taught for 6 years before I had children so it will be nice to be back in the classroom. My mother in law assures me that these boys will steal my heart!!

Coincidentally, The Cupcakery, which I just wrote about yesterday, is a few blocks from the school.

On a side note, was anyone else glued to the TV yesterday watching the miners come out one by one? I love how fox and friends told the story of each miner. Did you hear that 1 miner ran 6 miles in the tunnels everyday!! Amazing!!!

Sweet Tooth

There is a place in the Central West End (in STL) where you can get the absolute, hands down, most fabulous, best cupcakes you have ever had in your entire life!! These cupcakes are almost too pretty to eat, but to never try one of these cupcakes is simply tragic. I really don't have that big of a sweet tooth, but whenever I am close to this place, I just have to pop in.
The Cupcakery is where the magic happens.
Right now, through Thanksgiving, you can get the "Pumpkin Harvest" cupcake. Pumpkin spice cake with cinnamon butter cream frosting.
During the summer I like to indulge in "Island Dream" Golden yellow cake with coconut butter cream frosting.
Of course there is always "Double Chocolate" Dark chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream frosting.
And my all time favorite "Confetti." French vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

I just heard a rumor they opened a party room in the back of the shop. I think I might have to go and check it out. And I wonder why I can't lose those last 5 pounds!!!

Splitsville

and another one bites the dust!!

Weekend and Wings

I had a fabulous weekend, despite the fact that I was a single parent again! Friday night I decided to get a sitter and meet one of my friends here....Robust is a very yummy tapas and wine bar. I had some delicious food, a wine flight (or 2) then went home very happy!!

Saturday after soccer games, I spent the better part of the afternoon in the kitchen.
I tried a new recipe from my new blogger friend Jessica. She actually has 2 blogs, they both have become my "go to" for recipes. Everything I have ever made from her blogs have turned out absolutely delicious!! On Saturday I tried a recipe from her kids website, macaroni and cheese. I just love, love, love mac and cheese. I tweaked it a little and "hid" carrots and cauliflower in the mac and cheese, my kids had no idea as they gobbled it up. Thanks Jess!!!

Sunday was beautiful and hot (95, seriously!!) so we went to one of my favorite places in STL, Forest Park. Forest Park is about 5 minutes from our house, it is a beautiful park where you can find the St. Louis Zoo, a golf course, the art and history museums, an outdoor theatre, tennis courts, playgrounds, boating, restaurants, and this weekend "Wings in the City"
Wings in the city is a public art project to benefits families that have terminally ill children. 50 local artists have decorated 50 butterflies that will be placed throughout the city.
Here are the kiddos in front of some of the butterflies. Next year there will be an auction to bid on the butterflies. I am on the "Wings" committee so I wanted to show my support. There was a cocktail party and the first unveiling on Saturday night, but I did not make it
There were many activities and lots of entertainment. The kids got to decorate Krispy Cream donuts.
Even Scarlett had to have one !
Scarlett sat down between 2 strangers and watched the dancers. She did not move from this spot for 30 minutes.
Here is my favorite butterfly. I don't know yet where in St. Louis this butterfly will call home for the next year, but for a mere $5,000 this butterfly can call my backyard home!

TGIF

Friday is here and I for one couldn't be happier!! Do you ever have those weeks where you feel like you just can't get your act together? I had one of those weeks. I am looking forward to a nice and quiet weekend. It's just me and the kids again, but I can't be too mad, Dan is working. Hopefully I can play catch up with all the things I put off this week, including sleep. I hope everyone has a fun and beautiful weekend!!

It's Official...

I am obsessed with boots. These are my latest loves. Aren't they so pretty?Now if only my husband would be home for a weekend and take me out on a date, I might actually have a place to wear them!

The look of fall

I love all the beautiful Fall flowers. Having fresh flowers in your house is such an easy and inexpensive way to put a smile on my face.



I have promised my kids that while they are at school today I will decorate our house for Halloween. This is what I have in mind....
And this is what my kids are thinking.....
Happy Fall!