Test drive: Halloween version 1.0

We took Maribelle's Halloween costume for a test-drive today at a party thrown by a local mom's group I see regularly. We fell in love with the costume when we saw it in the store, but the success of its cuteness depends on Maribelle actually letting the little gnome's hat sit upon her head for more than 10 minutes. So, in the brief 10 minutes she actually looked like a full-fledge gnome, we snapped some pics.

We had a great time at the party, letting the kids make their own pizzas and gnosh on Halloween cupcakes. The only bad part is that Maribelle pretty much whined the entire time, either to be picked up or to go "bye-byes." This is becoming a regular thing these days when she feels uncomfortable in a room full of people she doesn't know all that well. A few days ago she full-on threw a fit to go "bye-byes" when I took her to story hour at the library. And it's not like she's never been there before; library story time is something we've done a million times with no problem. I think we're getting into some separation anxiety territory here, and it's no fun, people. No. Fun.

We've got two additional Halloween events this weekend, so I'm thinking I may run out and get a back-up costume for Belle. Maybe something without a hat, so people can actually tell what she's dressed as once she's ditched the head gear.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in over at SouleMama.

 Maribelle's first lollipop.

An open letter to October

Ohhh, October.

One of my most favorite months of the year. With your crisp air (ok, so it's 80 degrees here today, but whatever), fall festivals, pumpkins and gourds; your apples, colored leaves and pumpkin spice lattes; your mums, your football and your tribute to Christopher Columbus (can I get a woot, woot for long weekends!). You have so much to offer, yet I have so little time to give.

So October, this is my one request to you. Aside from the relaxation, spice flavored beverages and fall-themed extravaganzas that you have to offer as one of the most awesomesauce months of the year, can you not ALSO be the bat-poo craziest time of the year when it comes to my academic and professional life?!? Because seriously, it happens every year. The internal struggles that I have over choosing to attend a fall festival with my loved ones or sitting on my couch by my lonesome (ha! that's a joke) reading 100 pages of Spenser's The Faerie Queene (shoot me now) is just too much to take every single weekend of your glorious 31 days.

So in exchange for a stress-free, easy breezy October 2011 (because really, it's too late to redeem yourself for 2010), I give you this adorable video of Maribelle singing the Barney theme and various nursery rhymes. If you don't find this droolworthy adorable, you really are the month of Satan.


Belle Sings Barney from Gina Moorhead on Vimeo.

{this moment}

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Join in over at Soule Mama.

It was 70 degrees outside. Yet she insisted on wearing gloves.