...as i see it

big fat liar...

 

it's me.

i'm the big fat liar.

it has come to my attention that i own quite a few cook books (and purchase new ones pretty regularly). and yet i continue to prepare the exact same food - just about every week.

now that i have called myself and on this... i intend to make one new recipe per week for the next four weeks. (i know, i am starting with a baby step, people).  

and, in the spirit of accountability, i will post the results here. 

anyone want to join me in my efforts to dust off the old cookbooks and spring something new on the family?.. anyone?

a two for one special...

after school today, there were TWO little girls @ my door.

two little girls who are very sweet, very silly, and very busy!!!

a few snaps of them hanging out @ the art table:

the busy part:

the silly part:

and the sweet...

big ben...

how did this happen?:

because just yesterday, the three of us were here:

sporting his clifford onesie, handpainted by my dear friend elizabeth (the coolest librarian ever):

ben's first trip to the big apple:

i love you big ben.

you are still my very favorite ever blue eyed boy.

and you always will be...

flat georgia and puffy ella...

yesterday ella received a surprise in the mail.

a big, yellow envelope that flew here all the way from new jersey!!! 

inside she found a flat georgia + instructions for taking care of her, writing in her journal and sending her safely back home. 

ella has taken her job very seriously and has already made her a bed + flat pancakes for breakfast.

thanks georgia. i think the only thing that could have made ella more excited is if you had been in that big, yellow envelope yourself.

xoxo

 

who knew?...

take a gander @ the fabulous cake katie made for sunday dinner. very fancy, no?

the whole family (especially these two cuties) were quite impressed. can't wait to see what she whips up for charlie's birthday cake! (no pressure...)

boo...

hope your halloween was happy and spooky and filled with full size candy bars.

a peak @ our halloween:

we carved the night before the big day. this year, they went old school (forgoing the store bought stencils). i think they look great, don't you?

milo was @ the door all day long. i told him the kids don't come until it gets dark, but he wasn't buying it.

girl primping. the two of them were in full prep mode ALL DAY LONG!!!

ella hangs out on the back porch w/ her big brother. if there was an award for most excited about a holiday, she would be the winner. 

my very favorite kids in all the land + their dog milo.

me and my boys. i am wearing my highest heeled boots here, people. the little werewolf is gaining on me. and what's up w/ the giant boy to my right? 

my little vampire queen, waiting patiently to start the trick or treating portion of the evening. notice the flat pillowcase. she will bring that baby home full if she has to walk her poor dad 100 miles to do it. do you remember the tireless pursuit of halloween candy? 

happy halloween to you!..

backyard project update

so...

the mister has been busy in the backyard.

you can see for yourself all the craziness happening around here.

right now, he is in the fence building portion of the show. he is really working hard (our neighbors have come over to check on him several times). i'll show you more as it all comes together. but for now, here's the scoop:

after much digging and cementing and ripping up our backyard, this giant truck pulled up (there were actually two giant trucks) and filled said hole:

here is the spiffy pool cover + neato sucking device that keeps it clean:

here are my two favorite ever fence builders. i married one and am the mom of the other. although i am pretty used to looking @ my 13 year old son, it still gets me sometimes that he is so grown up. notice milo (ball in mouth) trying in vain to get SOMEONE TO THROW THIS THING...

so there is your peek @ our crazy backyard project. please feel free to come on over next summer and play with us. i'll keep you posted as my handyman/landscaper/cabana boy husband moves forward w/ this project.

big foot

mr. milo napping on the red sofa today. (notice the why do you INSIST on waking me with that camera face i'm getting...)

i love his big, goofy paws hanging off the end of the sofa. and i love how he naps with his head up like that.

check back tomorrow because i am going to show you what's happening in the backyard. crazy hilton project!!!!

where to begin?...

we (all three kiddos) have been down with the F L U for a while now.

hopefully, we are fully on the mend. if you saw my kitchen island right now, you would think we were in full germ lock down. our house smells like a perfect mix of clorox wipes and lysol spray. 

delightful.

now, onto the season @ hand...

you know when you get dressed up to go somewhere special and you know you really look great? well, i was looking at these ladies and wondering if they just know this is their day. because i think they look nothing short of spectacular. and i wanted them to know that i noticed.

even the bushes got involved:

this one was really fantastic two days prior to the picture taking. she was in a big hurry. peaked a little early. bald by picture taking day...

milo would prefer to eat his trick or treat pumpkin.

this is our spooky family room. ella loves to turn on the lights and curl up under the big blanket w/ me for DANCING WITH THE STARS!!! hope you all have a happy monday evening. and... stay well

sick kiddos...

sorry about the blog neglect.

ignore me until monday. 

hopefully, by then we will all be feeling great!

until then: chicken soup + naps + couch potatoes (doesn't sound too bed, eh??)

xo

k