Arrrrrrrggghhh, Matey!

So we've moved on from the Lion King, and right on into pirates. This latest costume change was brought on by a visit to Camden's cousin Banzer's house the other night. Camden spent the evening wearing Banzer's pirate hat, and has been obsessed ever since. This is Camden at breakfast this morning. As the day has progressed, we've added a black beard and moustache, a hook for a hand, and a pirate's sword (compliments of Daddy). Camden's also informed me that we're to address him only as "Black Beard", and he's further requested that I buy a box of fish sticks for him, because "pirates only eat fish". He is my costume boy, and I love it. He has the best imagination, and nothing makes him happier than getting decked out in a costume.

Speaking of costumes, I was at Old Navy yesterday, just as they were bringing out all of their Halloween costumes. You may recall that we take our holidays pretty seriously around here, and have no problem hauling out the decorations a little early (we had the Halloween stuff up by September 14th last year). Anyway, I'm browsing around the store when another shopper scoffed loudly and said, "Oh my goodness! I CANNOT BELIEVE they already have Halloween costumes out! Give me a break!" to which I just smiled and nodded my head, all the while with two Halloween costumes stuffed under my arm. I've always been a holiday girl, but with two little boys, it is so much MORE fun. Sometimes I suspect Steve thinks I am a little nutty, but that's okay.

I may be jumping the gun here, but I broke out the crock pot today...I couldn't help myself. I generally only use it in the fall/winter months, and it is expected to be in the 90's later this week, but what the heck. As you can see, I'm trying out one of those handy-dandy slow cooker liners and I have to say, I'm excited that I won't be soaking and scrubbing my crock pot tonight. If you are wondering what's in the crock, I'm cooking "pork chops abracadabra", my favorite crock pot recipe, given to me by my Aunt Jean. Just brown some pork chops (a step I'm just now realizing that I failed to do this morning!!) and then place in the crock. Pour one can of cream of chicken soup over the top (I like Campbell's Cream of Chicken with Herbs), set on low for 8 hours, and that's it! I'm going to make some whipped sweet potatoes, and serve with the gravy from the pork chops. Yum!


Here's a neat idea that Camden and I tried out the other morning. It was a little chilly, as well as buggy out, so I didn't really want to send Camden outside, but he wanted to dig in the dirt. So, I filled my roasting pan with some rice (very inexpensive when you can buy it from a bulk bin at the supermarket). He had the best time playing with his tractors! When he was done, I just poured the rice into a big Ziploc bag, and we can use it again and again.