Star Wars Halloween

It was a very happy Star Wars Halloween at the Dimock house.  After seeing an infant Princess Leia costume online, I knew I had no other choice than to make Linus Darth Vader.  Now Linus has very strong opinions these days (I have no idea where he gets this) so I knew it wouldn't be an easy sell.  I had to talk up Darth Vader a lot--how he was a bad guy, lived on a rocketship, and had a light saber.  We even watched Star Wars for pizza/movie night.  I think I had Linus at bad guy.

Linus thoroughly enjoyed our 31 days of Halloween and woke up giddy this morning.  This afternoon we headed out to downtown Ballard to trick or treat at all the shops.  Of course I took a few shots before we left.

Angry Darth Vader

not so angry

Princess Leia tries to take matters into her own hands

there's been a disruption in the force

This girl was made to be Princess Leia

Trick or treating in Ballard did not disappoint.  Great candy, great costumes, fun atmosphere, free cupcake coupons at Cupcake Royale, and hot cider and homemade cookies at the retirement home.  We did run into several Darth Vaders, one large Chewbacca, a couple storm troopers, and two Luke Skywalkers.   Tense moments quickly resolved with candy.  If only the Empire had been so lucky...

After dinner, Dave headed out into the neighborhood with the kids.  I stayed at home reading a book and answering the door.

The Mr. Potato Head vampire  was a big hit with trick or treaters.

Linus insisted on getting his picture taken with me.

 After he completed his own trick or treating, Linus decided he would take over answering the door.  He impressively managed to handle the candy bowl and opening the door at the same time.  In the spirit of Halloween, Linus decided to wear his fangs and growl at the trick or treaters before handing out candy.  He took his job very seriously.

I love how much Linus loves Halloween.  Our mutual affection for the holiday created a lot of bonding moments over the past month.  It was a good Halloween.

Epilogue:   I didn't have the heart to tell Linus that we will be donating a large amount of his candy take to his dentist.  His dentist takes Halloween candy donations and ships them overseas to soldiers.

3 is a Magic Number

Today my first born turned 3.  He was so excited.  All I could think about was that my little baby boy was quickly growing up.  After a month of craziness and many birthday parties, I decided to be a mean mommy and not throw Linus a big party.  Instead we volunteered to host the monthly Dimock clan bake.

I wanted Linus' day to be special. Normally, I like to do presents with cake, but since we had so many people coming over later, I wanted him to have some quality family time in the morning.

He wanted a magnifying glass for doing investigations.

In addition to the magnifying glass, we gave Linus a knight helmet, firefighter felt board, doctor costume, and a red excavator.  He has been talking about getting his own real excavator for months.

Linus wanted to snuggle on the couch and I was happy to oblige.

Birthday boy with excavator

To celebrate his birthday (and try to guarantee an early afternoon nap) we went to the bouncy houses at arena sports and got our jump on.  We then had brunch at Vios cafe.  Linus behaved better at brunch than he has at a restaurant in months.  All morning long Linus wanted me by his side (this never happens), and I soaked up every moment.  I had a blast jumping in the bounce houses.  It made me realize that I need to carve out more one on one time with him.

Hosting the monthly Dimock clan bake involves 11 children age 10 and under and 10 adults (sometimes more).  It's a production, but nothing that Aunt Costco and Uncle Whole Foods can't handle (lots of people have gluten and dairy allergies).

I love my nieces and nephews to pieces.  They are some of the most loving children I have ever met.  There was lots and lots of playing, especially with costumes.  My nine year old niece, Nola, basically took care of Linus all afternoon, playing with him and helping him with non-stop costume changes.  She's a saint.

Here's a few pictures to get a sense of the afternoon.

Eileen and Cousin Abigail both enjoy eating wrapping paper and anything else on the floor.

This piece of red string was especially popular.

Eileen's giving her "blue steel" look

It was a fun and exhausting day.  Linus was overjoyed to share his birthday with his cousins.  I don't know if he could have had any more fun. I'm excited and nervous to see what age 3 holds for us.  I would also like to say that if you have never tried the red velvet cake at Costco, it rivals some of the best I have tasted.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Yesterday we made the requisite visit to the pumpkin patch with our PEPs group.  We were undaunted by the prospect of a rainy morning.

"Tut tut it looks like rain."

We headed out to Oxbow Farm (off Highway 203 in between Carnation and Duvall).  I liked the idea that it was an educational center.  They have a stand at the Ballard Farmer's Market and provide the produce for a lot of local restaurants.

Cutest baby on the farm.

Of course we rode the tractor.

The kids took a spin through the spiral gourd tunnels in the living playground.

Another thing I appreciated about this farm was that it was an actual pumpkin patch with vines on the ground.  I've been to other  patches where a bunch of pumpkins have just been dropped in an open space of mud.  It was also a lot less commercial.  Maybe it was because it's a smaller farm or because it was raining, but there were maybe two or three other families besides our group at the farm.  We had our run of the place.

As evidenced by Linus' hair, we proceeded to get very wet.

Linus doesn't like to smile for the camera so much these days, but he does like to make his "scary face."

Jackson

Lily

We left the patch with lots of gourds (thanks Linus) and 2 large pumpkins.  The whole group (9 adults, 5 toddlers, and 3 babies) then headed over to Claim Jumper for lunch.  It was pretty sweet.  They gave us our own private dining area.  The kids were all super well behaved.  Eileen had fun playing with baby Connor.  Kate was an awesome super mom and took all the kids outside to play at the fountain.  It was a great morning. 

I love these kids so much.  Recently it had felt like they are really growing as friends and are always excited to see one another.  I couldn't have picked a better group myself if I tried.  I can't wait until the kids are a little older and we tackle a corn maze.

Driving out to the country was lovely.  The drizzle and slight mist combined with the autumn leaves of the woods was serene.  It almost made me feel like packing up our bags and moving out to a large plot in Duvall.  Almost.  I can't give up our neighborhood with little shops and restaurants and the ability to have groceries delivered.  I think I see renting a cabin in the woods in the near future.  Anyone want to join us?  I can promise lots of cocoa, hot cider, smores, and board games...

32

That's right.  I turned 32 yesterday.  Surprisingly, it is much easier to own turning 32 than it is 29 or 30.  With all the Halloween festivities, Linus and Eileen's birthdays coming up, and a few other things, I almost forgot mine was happening.  I had meant to make my birthday festive, but somehow life got away from me.

Dave and I had tickets for the Seattle Rep, but I couldn't imagine not having a little celebration with the kids.  Eileen and I hit up Whole Foods for birthday inspiration and came away with some pecan crusted chicken and mini-halloween cupcakes.  Of course, I forgot we didn't have any candles. Dave lost track of time at work and came home after we had eaten.  He did make it in time for presents.

You might notice that there are two presents marked: to Linus, from Linus.  We drive by the Woodland Park tennis courts on a regular basis.  A couple months ago Linus informed me that he was going to buy me a tennis racket and balls for my birthday, but I had to promise to share.  Linus got concerned when Dave had not bought them for me.  Linus then decided that he and I both needed tennis equipment.  I guess there are some mommy and son tennis lessons in my future.

The big present was a new sewing machine!!!! I am so excited.  It's a Brother Project Runway 210.  I've never watched Project Runway, but I am hoping some of their creativity and skill comes with the machine.

Linus was more impressed by the box.

After putting the kids to bed, I got to go out for a glass of wine and dessert with my good friend and colleague, Colleen.   We had a great time catching up and it ended all too soon.

My actual birthday was pretty much like a normal day.  The woman who has been giving me sewing lessons came over and helped me learn my new machine.  Dave and I saw the show, Humor Abuse, at the Seattle Rep.   Great show.  I laughed non-stop.  I admit sometimes I was laughing more at the guy behind me who kept snorting he was laughing so hard.

It may not have been the most exciting birthday, but I guess that is part of being an adult.  Maybe next year, October will be a little less crazy and I will celebrate my birthday up right.  As being a mom takes over my life, I think I need to remember to take a step back and occasionally do something for myself without feeling guilty.  So maybe I will make that my resolution for my 32nd year.  Check back in with me next year and I will let you know how well I did.

Attempting Domesticity

I am a very organized person.  I generally keep a clean house, not crazy lick the walls clean, but clean.  However, I do not consider myself domestic.  I suck at doing laundry.  I don't know how to broil, frost a cake, bake bread, clean blinds, etc.  Now that I am currently on leave from my job I feel like I need to take advantage of this time and learn some new skills.

I have always wanted to learn how to sew. My mom sewed a little when I was younger and I have two aunts who are accomplished seamstresses (one even made my wedding dress), yet somehow the only sewing I ever learned was the blanket stitch to make a sit-upon when I was in girl scouts. I have an amazing and talented cousin, Casey, who has become my inspiration.  She is a stay at home mom and is always sewing.  She just whips stuff out as she needs it.  Kids need new pajamas? Done.  Nothing to wear to church in a few hours? Just quickly sew a new skirt.  I love how she is always re-purposing materials.

A couple of weeks ago Dave's Aunt Marti emailed all the "kids" to see if anyone was interested in an old sewing machine.  I decided to seize the opportunity and responded immediately.  I am now the proud owner of a Singer Spartan 192K.  It is old, but works fine, and comes in a beautiful console that allows me to conceal the machine or unfold the console and have a full sewing table.  It lacks fun features, but it's a start. 

As luck would have it, while attending the PhinneyWood monthly art walk Dave noticed that one of the galleries offers classes in sewing and other crafting skills.  I decided to take the plunge and sign up.  I figured that if I paid up front, it would make me learn how to sew versus just always saying "someday."  Through the wonders of Google, I also found a woman nearby who will come to your house and give you lessons.  She has her own blog, soundstitches.wordpress.com.

Last week the Sound Stitches lady came over during naptime.  She walked me through the basics of what I would need to purchase and explained some of the simpler concepts of sewing.  I went out the next night and purchased every item on the list.  This past Saturday I went to the intro to sewing class at Assemble Gallery.  I was the only one who signed up so I got a one on one lesson.  I can't believe how much fun I had or how much I learned.  It reminded me why I went into teaching--I love learning.  It's been so long since I have tried to tackle a completely new skill.

After lots of practice with learning to thread the machine, I made my very own coffee cup cozy.

Upon completing my cozy, I felt like a whole new world was opening up to me.  I felt energized.  I realized I could apply the pattern concept of the cozy to make a blanket for Linus.  I have been wanting to get him some sort of quilt to keep him warm now that the temperatures are cooling.  I just haven't seen anything I like at a price I am willing to pay. 

I decided to embrace this new energy and headed to the fabric store with kids in tow to buy materials.  I wanted to use jersey material because I wanted something flexible and cozy.  Linus saw this firetruck pattern with hydrants and fire dogs and  ladders and it was love at first sight.  It wasn't quite what I was envisioning, but oh well.

 Linus also decided he needed a mask.  Suddenly feeling crafty, I also purchased a square of felt and some elastic.  In five minutes, Linus had his own mask.  I was on a roll.  I called my sister and asked to borrow her sewing machine because I didn't think my machine would do jersey material well and it can't do a zig zag stitch.   Two and a half hours after the kids went to bed, I had made my own blanket.

It's not perfect.  There's some bunching on the side (not as bad as the picture makes it look).  I'm glad I had all that one on one instruction yesterday because it really let me problem solve as I went.  I can't wait to give the blanket to Linus when he wakes up.

On Wednesday I have another lesson with the woman from Sound Stitches.  She is going to help me make a skirt for Eileen.  I plan to make another one on my own afterwards.  Here are the fabrics I plan to use.

I am very excited to be unlocking some of the mystery of sewing.  I am already signed up to take another class at Assemble Gallery.  Once I get sewing under my belt a little more, I am hoping to take some cooking/baking classes.  If I am going to try and do this stay at home mom thing, then by golly I am going to do it well!

I ♥ Halloween

October is probably my favorite month of the year.  The crisp air, falling leaves, weather not too cold, but just cold enough for a sweater.  My birthday just also happens to be in October.  The moment October 1st hits, I find myself struck by an insatiable urge to bake and sip hot apple cider.  But above all this, I ♥ Halloween.

I love the excitement, the anticipation, the little bit of darkness/eeriness.  I do not love horror movies, but I do love the old Disney Halloween specials from the 1980s.  Mr. Boogety anyone?  The best part of Catholic school was that we got to celebrate Halloween (a big no-no in public school these days).  I am already contemplating volunteering to be a room mother just so I can help plan the class Halloween party.  Despite it being years since I got properly dressed up for Halloween, just the smell of Ponds face cream sends me back to Halloweens of long ago.

I really want to share my love of Halloween with my children.  Now that Linus is a little older, he is really into it.  We've already begun to decorate the house and gone to Barnes and Noble to buy monster books.  This year I have discovered that Target is apparently the go to place for Halloween fun. I have needed to exercise some serious self-restraint, but I did pick up a few fun goodies.  I would really love to do 31 days of Halloween, but I have already missed a few.  Last night, Linus and I went on a date after dinner to Cupcake Royale to partake of the pumpkin cupcake with cardamon cream cheese frosting. Yum!  Halloween pencils were also a big hit.

Tonight we made creepy pizzas.

gummy worms, gummy fingers, gumball eyeballs, bloody bones and skulls sweet tarts

 I actually took several cute photos of the process but I somehow managed to delete them.

Linus' creation

I made an angry face.

The pizzas have a lot of sugar.  We split one between the 3 of us.  I don't know if we will end up eating all four.  Our special Halloween time has morphed into a "carrot" for getting Linus to try food (he currently would only eat pizza, hamburgers, pbj, and macaroni and cheese if given a choice).  He has to try some of everything if he wants to do something special after dinner without Eileen in tow.

I am excited for some of our future Halloween fun---making bats, decorating pumpkins, baking, watching Great Pumpkin, whatever else I imagine.  It's going to be a good month of memories. I just hope I don't accidentally set the bar too high.

Musical Weekend

It ended up being a very musical weekend in the Dimock household.

It started Friday night when we took Linus and Eileen to see Harold and the Purple Crayon at the Seattle Children's Theater.  Since it started at bedtime, Eileen was pretty zoned out during the whole thing.  Linus was perplexed.  We have read Harold and the Purple Crayon many many times.  Linus was unprepared for the artistic license often taken in theater.  First he kept asking, "Where's Harold?" very loudly.  Instead of a small bald headed boy in white jammies, Harold was a heavyset man with dark hair in blue pajamas.  It was very confusing for a toddler.  Then the storyline sort of meandered and included parts from other Harold books while excluding or altering parts of the original story.  Linus was less than pleased.  Personally, I enjoyed how the sets and special effects but found the play, and especially the music, lacking.

Saturday we saw Johnny Bregar at Ridge Romp.  I like Bregar's rootsy music and he puts on a fun set.  I appreciate how he talks to the kids throughout the show and really gets down to their level.  We scored some sweet seats on the floor up front against the wall.

Eileen took the opportunity to crawl all over and make friends (in order to steal balloons).

 Linus was very moved by the music.

Still feeling musical, Linus decided to put on his own show for us.

"Small Black Ant" is one of Linus' favorite Caspar Babypants song.  I have a feeling we will be back at Ridge Romp next month when Caspar Babypants takes the stage.  I am hoping for a little Courtney Cox/Bruce Springsteen/Dancing in the Dark action, or at least a duet.  I think Linus can really hold his own on the ukelele.