New Family Member

The boys wanted a dog.

This is what I got them.

You are welcome, Boys!

Riley made him a collar and named him Sparky.

Sparky now goes everywhere with him.

New Bracelet

Happiness is a cute new piece jewelry.

My Halloween Assasin

Some people have sweethearts for Valentine's Day...

...I get assassins for Halloween.

Party Boy

How Are a Teenager and a Two Year Old Alike - Part Two

I came upon these two jokers the other day.  

Technically they are not allowed to eat outside the kitchen.  

So they sat just at the edge and chilled, playing video games and snacking on Doritos.  

College - here they come!

I've Earned My Stripes, Darn It!

I went to the teenagers' back to school night at the local junior high...ahem...intermediate school.  Sorry to sound so dated.

I got called 'little lady' in the first period.  The teacher asked me who my kid was and I told him.  Then five minutes later, he referred to me as little lady.  Like something you would say to a two year old.  I let it go.  Until now.  Obviously.

Between every class change, I got the weirdest looks, like, "Where are her parents?  Doesn't she know that kids aren't supposed to come to back to school night?"

And in fourth period, the teacher asked who my child was.  I told her.  "You look like his sister," she said.  Um no I don't.  His sisters look way different than me.

"Thank goodness for hair color," I said dryly with a smile.

Which is ironic.  Because I have been graying for some years now and I while I often have 'red' hair, I have let my hair grow out and haven't colored it since we moved at the beginning of the year.  Laziness, if you must know.  Hence, my gray is very visible.

Hence, I don't look like I could be his sister!

Honestly.

For Christmas, I plan to get him an 'I'm with Mom' shirt.  Similar to the 'I'm with Stupid' shirts.  Then people can stop guessing if I am his sister and who is older.  Me!  Hello?  Look at my graying hair and laugh lines!  Where is Sherlock Holmes when you need him?

Play Time...In a Sparkly Green Cape

Besides Attitude and the Ability to Roll Their Eyes, What Do Teenagers and Two-Year Olds Have in Common?

They like to take pictures of themselves...

So dang cute!

Coloring Time

Not sure if you can see the green sharpie that Baby decorated the walls and doors (and himself) with...

Thank goodness for Mr.Clean's magic eraser!

Naptime

Not Sure What to Caption This Craziness...

All the boys like my tiara.  This one especially.

And here he is, in my tiara, literally devouring the word of God.

I have no words...

Happiness is...

getting a spot of sunshine from a friend.

I'm Batman

Halloween Books are Available

Autumn is here which means Halloween isn’t too far behind.

As some of you may know, I love Halloween tales. I particularly enjoy writing simple and silly Halloween stories with and for my boys.

Some people give plates of holiday treats or sing carols at your door.  We create silly tales and share them with our friends.  It makes us happy and it is our holiday tradition.  And it saves you from having to hear us sing.  Which we can't do.  Seriously.  It's awful.  Take a story instead.

We would like to share our stories with you.  From now until October 15th, you can get free Halloween adventures.

Below is a description of the stories and a little bit about who the story might be best suited for.  Shoot me an email or text me to let me know what you would like.

If you are not local, please include your address so I know where to send your Halloween treat (or trick!).

Children's Stories for Little Ones

Creatures and Creepies

Creatures and Creepies is a Halloween counting story.  Children enjoy counting the pictures on each page.  Creatures and Creepies is six half pages and laminated to withstand drool.  Illustrated with clip art.  Appropriate for children aged one year to three years.

The House on the Hill

The House on the Hill is a rhyming story about the creatures of a house as they prepare for a fun Halloween party.  The House on the Hill is ten quarter pages.  Illustrated with clip art. Appropriate for children aged two to five years.

Children's Stories for Medium Ones

In the Graveyard

In the Graveyard is a rhyming story about the creatures that roam the graveyard.  In the Graveyard is six half pages.  Illustrated with clip art.  Appropriate for children aged four to seven years.  Sort of.  I mean, who lets their four year old read about ghosts in a graveyard?

Pumpkin Masquerade

Pumpkin Masquerade is a rhyming story about four little pumpkins who are dressing up for a Halloween masquerade.  Pumpkin Masquerade is eight full pages.  It used to come with stickers that the kids could use to 'dress' the pumpkins as the story is told but...no longer.   Illustrated with clip art.  This story has a lot more ‘story’ to it and is probably especially appropriate for older children between three and seven years.

Quivering Quimby

Quivering Quimby is a story about a ghost who is scared of every bump and thump in the night and the calm spider who helps him to see the goodness in the darkness.  Quivering Quimby is sixteen full pages and is illustrated by clip art.   Quivering Quimby is appropriate for children from three to seven years.

Naughty Neville

Naughty Neville is an inappropriate children's story about a little boy who delights in making mischief all night long on Halloween.  Naughty Neville wreaks havoc and gets away with it...or does he?

Naughty Neville is sixteen full pages and is illustrated with clip art.  I would love to tell you what ages this is appropriate for but...while it is a fun read, it is not exactly...responsible.  The boys think it is hilarious...and I do too.  Because we, apparently, have twisted senses of humor.

If my children read only one of my stories to their children growing up, it better be Naughty Neville.

Young Adult and Adult Stories

Grimmton

Grimmton is a despicable children’s story that is utterly and completely inappropriate for children.  It ought not to be attempted by anyone really.

Seeing someone take their little sister Emerald, two brothers, Phineas and Quimby, embark on a daring and dangerous adventure in the town of Grimmton to try to rescue their little jewel.

Grimmton is a town inhabited by vile, reprehensible creatures.  Will the three innocent children live to tell the tale? No.

I wrote this short story because I was a little tired of the happy Halloween stories.  I wanted to read something dark and perilous, filled with repulsive Halloween creatures, and brave little boys (that remind me of my own).

The story is seventeen full pages and includes six chapters and an epilogue.  It is not for children and I cannot imagine any adult wanting to read such a despicable tale.  But there it is.  Order it if you dare...

A Novel Existence*

Liliana is head over heels in love with Branden, who is smart and good looking.

The problem?

Branden is a living, breathing person. And Liliana is, well, technically not.

Can a ghost hunter and a ghost find true love?

A Novel Existence is a short, young adult story.

Fenton and Belina*

What if you could see your loved ones after death?  What if it was just for a short time?

Fenton and Belina is a short story in six full pages with two chapters.

*A Novel Existence and Fenton and Belina come together.

**Note:  None of these stories is perfect.  Most, if not all, probably contain rhyming, grammar, and punctuation errors.  They are simply meant to amuse and bring in the Halloween spirit - not to win precision awards.

Get your order in soon so you can enjoy reading these stories before Halloween!

Baby Love

We attended a wedding and reception.  At the reception there was super yummy food - none of which I could eat because of my allergies.  Even though it looked amazing and smelled even better.  

So I 'borrowed' a baby from a couple so they could eat and I could cuddle up to something with frills and bows.

She was sooooo cute!  It was so delightful to hold such a brand new person.  And the pink didn't hurt at all.  

Quite a treat!

Steve

The boys and some friends dressed up Steve the Skeleton and decided to make him Samantha - complete with dress and purse.  I don't think Steve was amused.  But I was.  It was very funny.  Poor Steve.

Haunted Castle Battles

We pulled out the Halloween stuff so I could check on the inventory of Halloween books that we give away.  

There are none left from last year.  Wow!

So the boys and I are going to make more.  And prepare the treats that go with each story.  Yum!  

In the meantime, the castle has become haunted and has endured epic battles many times already.  

I love this time of year.  

Notice the shark tooth stuck inside the warring castle?  Riley thought it was appropriate to put sea creatures in his battle...and his sea creatures have the ability to throw their own teeth into castle walls.  Yikes.

Goodbye Tiny Mouth

Husband and I have naturally tiny mouths.  He had braces for years.  I had braces for years.

And then, when we had children, surprise! - we made tiny mouthed children.

Spencer is finally getting his mouth widened so there will be enough room for his teeth to come in.  And then braces to straighten them.

He's been a pretty good sport about it.  

Sorry kid.    

We had to wait for enough molars to come in.  He doesn't even have six year molars on one jaw yet!  Again.  Late blooming.  That would be our fault as well.  Sorry Spence.

Riley will get his expanders in six months.  He wanted to watch the whole process so he could prepare.  He also plans to eat as much gummy candy as possible in the next few months. 

And we're off to the braces...

New Work

***Repost from the Writing Blog***

After being hounded by my legion of fans (okay two people), I agreed to prep and publish another of my books.  

This time, it felt right to let Amelia Rider out into the world. 

Amelia Rider

Young Amelia is taken abroad by her father to recover from her mother's death.

While in Italy, they meet a young man who accompanies them on some of their sightseeing adventures. Things are definitely looking up for a grieving Amelia.

While traversing the foreign shores, tragedy strikes and Amelia is thrust into a new world, filled with sorrow, struggle, and strength. Will Amelia survive the adventures that are thrown at her? If she does, will there be anything left of her to live again?

A modern adaptation of The Mysteries of Udolpho, sans the mysteries.

It is a three volume novel like Emberlin, but a little shorter.  I believe it is about 85,000 or so words in it's current form. 

In addition, I have set up a sale of Domino.

Starting on the 4th of September, Domino will be free for a few days.  FREE people.  I cannot make it any cheaper than that.

Happy Reading!

Inventory

Had to do some inventory on the Halloween books that we put together every year.  In the midst of that, the castle came out and baby had fun haunting it.