I think like most kids when August came around, I had already decided what I would be for Halloween. It probably took me longer than most kids to realize I was too old to dress up. However, I now have someone who I get to choose his costume for him! Old Navy was having a sale and Joey knew I had my eye on the monkey costume for Max. Actually, it was a big toss up between the skunk and the monkey. We decided a monkey is more Max's style, plus Joey wants him to wear it on his birthday which is going to be Curious George themed (Yes, I already planned that too, although, I think the costume might be a little too much what with the cake and all). Of course, I had to see if the costume would fit right, you know, in case I had to plan out something else for him to be. I mean, I only have like a month and a half before Hallow's eve! Here are some pictures, I think we made the right decision with the monkey. It was a little hard to tear him away from his favorite Baby Einstein (thanks, Tiff!) to look at the camera.
Doesn't he look like a browner version of Hudson in this one?
Joey couldn't resist hugging him. With all that padding it was like a stuffed animal!
It's been ages since I laid in bed gazing into Donnie's eyes... or was it Jordan's? It was a sad day when I took down my New Kids on the Block poster and realized they had left my life forever. There was a hole in my heart where bib overalls and falsettos used to live. Then I was flipping through the channels yesterday and caught a live performance on "The View." Oh yes, the rumors are true! The New Kids on the Block are back, hangin' tough! I made Joey sit and watch them perform "Step by Step." He just didn't share my enthusiasm. I have to admit, it's just not the same. At least I got some closure.
We (Joey) did a bunch of work on the yard this weekend. Joey ripped out the dead trees and some weird placed bushes in the front yard (much to my mom's dismay). It was pretty funny to watch him pull them out with the truck! He actually broke a bunch of ropes trying to pull out the bushes. We've given up on trying to grow grass from what was left in the yard. The ground is really not level, so we're going to rip it up and seed again. Again, when I say we, I mean Joey. I will most likely be supervising.
I would have taken pictures, but our little ankle biter, who likes to remove items plugged into outlets, has made off with the camera battery charger. I searched the house, but have no idea where he put it. I'm beginning to think he has some sort of squirrel hole where he hides all his treasures. Did I mention he now takes money out of my wallet too? Beware, we're raising a pick-pocket!
Yesterday I was cleaning the kitchen when I realized things had gotten quiet...a little too quiet. Max was babbling to himself in his room happily and I was grateful he was discovering on his own. I didn't want to interrupt this because I don't want to encourage the clinginess he's developed lately. Then I realized he must be into something or else he wouldn't be so content. I turned the corner to find him with both hands in the petroleum jelly jar! (didn't even know we still had it) His feet were covered in the goop so he must have stuck those in there too. I gasped and startled him, which made him fling the slimy stuff. He then looked at me and gave me a nervous laugh and some flimsy gibberish explanation.
The sad part of this story was I was more concerned that he had gotten the grease into the new carpet rather than him ingesting it. Luckily his face didn't seem glossy so I don't think he ate any... Although, his lips were very luscious and shiny the rest of the day and his hands and feet were super soft.
P.S. Searching for images of "petroleum jelly" is NOT a good idea and produces many unwanted images!!
I've been thinking lately about what I would do for Max's first birthday. I thought of doing "Where the Wild Things Are" (how I'm decorating his room), but what I found online was either too complicated or discontinued...
Then I remembered that Max does occasionally watch Curious George, and he does resemble the precocious little monkey. So there you have it. Since watching "Ace of Cakes" and "Food Challenge" I decided that decorating cakes is, well, a piece of cake.
I went to PBSkids.org and there is a coloring page (most likely meant for 5 year olds) where you can go step by step to draw Curious George. My monkey looked NOTHING like the example. I decided I had better make a stencil if I want people to think the cake is appetizing. I used cocoa powder to dust my homemade stencil and successfully dumped the can onto the cake creating brown smudges everywhere. It still tasted alright, and I have to say my crumb coating was spectacular.
Since I have realized baking sweets with no purpose leads to excess weight on me, I gave this trial run cake to our friend, Jamin. 
I learned some important lessons through making my trial run:
1. In the world of food coloring, red and green do not make brown- they make a nasty gray color.
2. The Smiths in Dayton does not carry food coloring!
3. I should not make too much chocolate frosting because I eat all the extra and get sick.
I could be doing many constructive things- touching up the house paint, doing the dishes, folding clothes... UNPACK. But no, I took a quiz to see which Disney princess I was. I think it's funny I got the only Disney movie I owned until I met Joey (funny, he has more Disney movies than me... ). It sort of reminds me of those quizzes you take in all those girl magazines in middle school (ok, ok high school) in Seventeen and such where you know you want to manipulate your answers to make sure you acheive, "Prom Night Princess" instead of "Prom Night Pooper" status. All in all, I was pleased with the results. Hey, I was just happy I didn't get Cruella.
You Are Mulan!
Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.
