Silent Observer

Lately Savanna has been very aware of ALL of my daily actions and habits. I just had to laugh when I was going about my "business" and I witnessed a little girl copying her mommy... so, of course, I had to catch a reinactment on video :)

A "NEW" Addiction

Those who know me are not shocked to see me with my drink of choice...Diet Coke. My husband recently nudged me in Sacrament meeting as they were speaking about the "Addiction Recovery Program...RUDE! :) Although lately my choices have shifted...I'm currently obsessed with a VAMPIRE named Edward Cullen. My days & nights have been consumed by these books. If you've read them, you understand. If you have not, YOU MUST!

When I first got wave of all the hoopla about this series I was skeptical. Vampires & werewolves are not my favorite characters in book or film & I only associate with such when my husband forces me too! But I was surprised & hooked within the first few pages--WOW!

*Amber, if you're still undecided I'm getting you them for Christmas...you HAVE to read them!!!!

Trunk-or-Treat

Pure Halloween Excitement!

Saturday was our Wards annual Trunk-or-Treat party. I was excited to see how Savanna would react & she was definitely in element...people, music, candy, etc. I was surprised that she actually let me put her costume on & kept it on! There was a wide variety of costumes, games, and goodies. Savanna even got into the decorating spirit & painter her own pumpkin-Look Out!

She liked making rounds, or rather running in circles around the table...

She LOVED her balloon...maybe this runs in the family???

the ZOO

What girl doesn't like the ZOO? Especially when that ZOO is located in the heart of NYC?? I couldn't pass up the invitation for a wild outdoor adventure in the BIG Apple again could I? In good ol' "spur-of-the-moment" fashion my friend Kim & I along with our pose of children & took to the roads & streets of Manhattan. I must mention that the Tisch Children's Zoo was EXCELLENTLY designed & stocked with critters of ALL kinds...a bit smaller than I expected, but not disappointing. Savanna LOVED the fact that she was able to run loose & was just as entertained by the wild pigeons as with the ZOO animals. She liked to monkeys, polar bear "rawr", & cow the best, but I think another trip to the ZOO is in her future. It was the best she's been in public yet :)

wuzat?

Savanna has learned a new "word" or at least that's what we translate it as. Wuzat=What's that?? Used ALL the time while pointing at EVERYTHING!!

C is for Cookie

I woke up yesterday & decided to be an adventurous mom. What's more adventurous than decorating Halloween cookies with TWO toddlers??? Kim and her pose' came over for some fun in our outdoor playground/amusement park of toys on our deck and, of course, COOKIES :) Savanna found it more entertaining to poke, smash, & taste the cookies rather than frost them...I didn't expect much, but seriously--take a look at Jackson...he dug right in! In the end I had a tired little girl & a plethora of "spooky" cookies to share...well, I did :)

Caution...slippery when wet

Who Knew??

You know the saying "you learn a new thing everyday"? Well, Savanna's been teaching us some new tricks...did you know that a sippy cup ring could fit in the VCR & be removed without it being ruined??? Neither did we!

NYC in a day??

Okay, NOT the whole NYC just what counts...Toys R' Us, Central Park & Celebrities!!! :)

It's sooo close I do NOT know why I don't tackle the Big Apple more often. Savanna LOVES all the excitement & she even took a nap in her stroller (those of you who know Savanna know what a feat this is). Next time I would prefer to with friends & do a LOT more shopping :) I am proud to note that our 1st celebrity sighting was by accident & someone worth mentioning, but first I must set the mood...

It was dark, we were hungry & we were lost! We came out of Central Park by way of Tavern on the Green but didn't feel that was the atmosphere we were looking for (nor did we think they'd let in the stroller of crap!) We checked our subway map & consulted NY'ers & started walking...it was FURTHER that we anticipated, but luckily I had my "manny" with us :) He did a G-R-E-A-T job of entertaining Savanna...or was she entertaining him??? We arrived at the intended entry of the "metro" but didn't see it. BUT we did see a mall & mall=food court :) So we headed that way. Crossing Columbus Circle was an adventure in itself, but we were determined! Just as we approached I noticed "lighting flashes" (paparazzi cameras) & a red carpet set-up. I KNEW that something was going on, but what & who?? We had to cross anyway, so I didn't feel like a little kid in a candy store, but just a curious passerby with camera in hand. Right as we approached security stopped traffic-pedestrian too! A black SUV pulls up & guess who emerged...Nicole Kidman! WOW! She's tall & beautiful! Unfortunately, my pictures didn't turn out, but Margo got quite the footage on video! Turns out that we walked right through the NY Film Festival! But we were still hungry, so we continued into the mall...turns out NO food court, but we did find the subway & made our way back to the car. I must say that this was the most interesting trip to the city yet...we literally got Lost in Yonkers on the way home too!

(In "awe" over the Toys R' Us carousel)

(the infamous Bethesda fountain in Central Park)

(the "manny" who worked miracles)

S.E.R.I.O.U.S.L.Y!

What is with our family & the bug bites??? This past week, as you know, I was attack & almost eaten alive by some very unexpected guests. Before that Chris had a mysterious bite that became rather serious after a "wait & see" period & just this weekend I was in the ER with Savanna & a similar bite on her arm. Hello! You'd think I would have stock invested in Off! or something by now, but I'm not that quick to realise that our family is under attack...both by bugs & multiple ER co-pays (a family doctor has since been located & records are in transit).

Luckily for me, Savanna was intrigued by the ER & I was prepared to stay awhile with food, toys, book, & most importantly the DVD player presenting "Elmo's World". She was a trooper and didn't mutter a sound when the FOUR, yes 4, doctors kept poking & pinching her arm.

She just gave them the look, but I don't think they noticed-I was trying to keep a straight face. She was discharged without a diagnosis, but the bite has since disappeared & I have a medicine cabinet stocked with Lyme disease home tests & creams :) I'm sure there will be more days like this in the future with yard work coming upon us next year & continuous renovations being completed.

Clarification!

I need to clarify that the famous bed bugs DID NOT come from my house, but rather the "nice on the outside" but obviously not so nice on the inside hotel that my Dad stayed in while here on business. I think I should make a call to the manager & see if they'll help swing my medical expenses or else.... :)

Ewe gross! EWE!

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!

Well, mine DID!!

I have been living this last week thinking I had encountered a New England nemisis...poison ivy, when all along I've had little critters biting me. You cannot imagine how completely disgusted I am! I'm the mom who everyday has to take a DEEP breath and calm her obsessive-compulsive desires in order to not have a nervous breakdown due to dirt, dust, and ickiness EVERYWHERE! I am seriously contemplating buying a "new" mattress, sheets, pillows. Everything has been stripped & is currently being decontaminated in the basement (i.e. laundry room). EWE! What a way to start the day.

Fresh Autumn Sights

It's HERE!!!

I am soooo excited that Fall has arrived! I love the Autumn time back here with the beautiful colors & fresh cool air....awe! Now the raking of the leaves is a first for us & quite the monumental task. Chris has decided that it's better to wait until ALL the leaves have fallen & then rake them up. I know Savanna doesn't mind. I personally think she finds it amusing to run through all of them and enjoys the crunching sound they make. She's not to keen on being thrown into the BIG pile, but will get close enough to just rustle the edges with her hands. I on the other hand just enjoy the beauty of it all. I pull over to collect the leaves, slow down to get "just the perfect shot", and make many a U-turn all to the annoyance of my fellow drivers. I just tell myself that it's expected when I'm still driving a car with Mass. plates :)
Today we are (or rather I am) slowly getting out all the "fall/harvest" decorations. I know this time of year is a favorite around our house and I hope to one day have enough loot to clearly show our enthusiasm. I'm not so sure that Chris has the same gameplan, but we have a whole attic calling my name and I cannot disappoint. This being said I should probably get back to work while I still have my freedom...Savanna's sleeping & Chris is in Boston today :) A girl's home is her castle with the little ones away!!
The bottom picture is of our little town center...it's small, yes, but enjoyable none the less.
Happy Harvesting!!