My Kids Say Funny Things

Olivia: "Joseph, you need a woman in your life. I want to marry you."

Me: "Joseph what was your favorite part of school today?" Joseph: "Leaving."

Joseph: "If you don't fight for your dreams, it will haunt your for the rest of your life!"

We went to McDonald's after visiting my grandpa recently because we were all so hungry. I just wanted to get some chicken nuggets for the kids to share, but Olivia thought I was getting a happy meal. She said, "I wonder what toys we'll get in our happy meal. I told her we aren't getting happy meals. Liv: Oh, are we getting sad meals?"

Olivia: "Mom, can you help Joseph decide his attitude?"

Joseph: "I'd like to go to South America on my mission. Me: "Why South America?" Joseph: "Because I like African-American people."

Olivia: "Mom, I hammered this pear!"

I asked the kids what they wanted for dinner. Joseph said "Chicken Parmesan!"
Olivia said "Well, I'd rather have a swift kick in the butt!"

Olivia is deathly afraid of crabs. She thinks they live in our garage. She always asks me to pick her up out of the car and carry her to the door so the "crabbity crabs" don't get her shoes.

Joseph: "Mom, I need to know all of your most embarrassing moments so I don't do the same thing."

Joseph: "Mom, wake up. I think you've had a significant amount of sleep."

Joseph: "Well, if someone wants to play me on the Wii, it's there decision to get beat."

Oogie Boogie Costume

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, here's this year's Halloween costume. I present... Oogie Boogie.

And by the way, if you aren't shaking, there's something very wrong. Cuz this may be the LAST time you hear the Boogie song. Woah-oh! Whoa-oh!

First of all, here's some of the process:



Here's part of the Oogie Boogie mask. I made a mold of my face with layers of plaster strips that I bought at Hobby Lobby. Then I created the eye, brow line, and lip features with tons of tin foil and hot glue.



After creating the mask, it's as simple as hot gluing the same burlap material as the rest of the costume to the mask. I then spray painted the whole thing with two cans of green fluorescent paint and hand painted the seams with a mixture of black and green paint.



And here it is! It cost about $40, 30 hours of my life over about 2 1/2 weeks, and a lotta sleep deprivation.



Please note the bug detail: I showed great faith by cutting a hole in my costume after I was all done, backing the hole with black felt, and filling it with hot-glued plastic spiders. Thankfully, I think it turned out 'aight.



Oogie profile view. You can't see it, but I also included a spider suspended from a string. It's attached to the top of the mask/hood.



Prosper's marketing department took three of the five possible costume awards including scariest (Dan VanOrman) best female (Michelle Zundel--the designer that I supervise) and best overall (me). For this, I was given a flippin' sweet certificate and... fifteen bucks. Ah well... It's all about showing up the sales team and having a killer time. Sales guys--you got served (and yes, I am throwing down for the express purpose of getting more costume-wearing out-o-y'all next year).



Here's me at the Ward Trunk or Treat. I developed a dance that I now call the Oogie Boogie Bounce. Or Shuffle. Haven't decided yet. Anyway, here's me doing da dance (and sweating like a pig).



More dancin'...This was my favorite part of the Trunk or Treat (obviously).



I had to take off my mask to read stories to the Trunk or Treat kids. Actually, that was a common theme for the day: Taking off my mask to avoid making little kids soil themselves.



Here's me and da fam. I still think Joseph's ninja costume was the scariest though, especially when he busted his sweet ninja moves on me.




Finally, I've had many requests to see the Boogie Bounce. Fortunately, someone got a video of it during our company Costume Contest. Enjoy (or possibly not).

Whipped Cream Fight!!!

Who doesn't love a spontaneous whipped cream fight?

October 1st Family Halloween Party

Every year on October 1st, our family has our own Halloween Party. We decorate the house, make a really yummy meal and eat it by candle light. After dinner we watch a Halloween movie (appropriate for the children) and when the movie is over we eat donuts and tell scary stories in the dark. My kids are getting really good at telling stories....they actually scared me a few times!

I Hope This Never Really Happens

We went to visit some good friends in Saratoga Springs a few weeks ago. Nate just became a Police Officer there and he took us on a tour of the Police Station, he let us check out his awesome patrol car, and the best part...he arrested my kids!

Joseph said it's quite uncomfortable. Olivia rather enjoyed the whole handcuffing experience. Mmmmm, better keep an eye on that girl!

I Just Had to Share.....

Jyll is one of the best people I know. I couldn't pass posting this sweet picture of her. Don't get mad Jyll. But of course you won't because you are so awesome.

How can my home be a Heaven on Earth when it looks like this?