Family, you can go ahead and skip this one.

Remember when I said my husband was 12 years old? 

Perhaps I should have waited to hand down that judgement.

Just when I thought Elf on the Shelf couldn't get any more fun? I am proven wrong. Who knew the elf would be so much fun? 

Now if I could only remember to move him nightly.

There's a contest that you just HAVE to check out.  "Inappropriate Elf Contest" - and it's filled with some seriously F'd up elves that just make me GIGGLE. People come up with some hilarious stuff.  When I originally heard about it I thought - I have the PERFECT IDEA. I cracked up over them for awhile. I won't lie.  Now, even though I'm sharing them, I know I might be the only one laughing.



Then I started to see the entries roll in and I saw that I had clearly misunderstood the intent.  I don't know, I think a little chat with the Peacock, Nutcracker & Alesssandro is hilarious if you see it the way I do.

"Mrs. Claus is such a tease."

Alessandro & his blue bells. 

Come on. Let the inner 12 year old in you giggle.

Have you checked out the contest? Go do that. I mean if it were a double entendre or euphemism contest, I'd be in.    

Time out: both words sound dirty just to say them. Is it just me?  I'll double entendre your euphemism. That's what she said. (See beginning. I'm 12. Also, if we needed to call a TOD (time of death) of my father-in-law "getting me" I believe we can all agree, right about now. I call 'em like I see 'em.)

Time in:
Since it seems when Jill over at Baby Rabies said "Inappropriate Elf" she actually meant inappropriate "ELF" not "Inappropriate Elf Poser" I won't be holding my breath on the win. Hell, I'm a joiner and I just can't help it. I'm a sucker for some captioned photos. 

I present you with my slutty Alessandro. 

Save a Reindeer. Ride a Santa.

 

I don't expect to win. Dude, there is a the original creep stalker elf, Elf on the Shelf meets a Silence of the Lambs captivity scene,  * in a box and a freaking Dexter elf for God's sake.

Sidenote: Perhaps I was just flat lining before. Right NOW is the TOD of my father-in-law getting me.

I'm just a girl who likes to take pictures of my kid's footless doll. Also, I'm a girl who right now wishes family didn't read this blog because I'm talking blue bells and riding deer.  Never mind not 'getting me' - there are more out there that if they didn't think I was strange before? Let's just say - mission accomplished. 

You've Got Mail

I have talked about my obsession of mail. I mean for real? How could I not with the kind of muse that I have at my shutter bug trigger happy finger? This year there is an oh so hott deal where ALL I have to do is tell you about WHY Shutterfly, in particular rocks the house. Need one reason?

I chose Shutterfly because I was totally into the PeaceJoyCandyCanes wording.  Can you stand it? The process was super easy and frankly reasonable prices, which doesn't hurt. Last year I may or may not have ordered a few many, due to all of the excitement.  I tend to do that, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I always order more, for real? Check her out! Wouldn't you want to be sure you had enough to go around? Sure, I'll be wallpapering our next family room with old and unused holiday cards, thank you cards and birthday party invitations - but at these prices? Why not?

In addition to cards there are some fantastic options for gifts. A personal favorite? Calendars. It's too bad I tend to give calendars as gifts and never get myself one. The result? Everyone else remembers birthdays and anniversaries - except this girl, right here. On a related note? When you enter promo code: MYCALENDAR at check out - you get up to 50% off your order and a free calendar. Holler. PS this offer ends the 28th (that's today, FYI). Ah creeps - so here I am realizing if I'm doing that this year I have to get on this. The only issue with making these happen each year is the ability to get my hands on some pictures to make it happen (I'm looking at you family, reading this, never sending me pictures). Note to self: start stalking your family early for photos to use otherwise you'll end up like me - on a tangent realizing that you are out of time.

Full disclosure, Shutterfly is offering 50 hott holiday cards, free and clear for letting you know about my positive experience. You can do it too, no problemo. Check it out.  This year, while I had the photos done early, here I sit with so many options I can't handle it. I may very well get a few different designs since I am unable to make a decision. When in doubt? Overbuy. 

What is your holiday card plan?

It's Red on the Washer Machine And My Bunny was Just Shot by an IQ Quiz

I love me some Facebook. I love me some twitter.  They satisfy two different 'zones' for me. Facebook is where most of my friends (and family) are. I suffer through some things in the name of that friendship loyalty.

I don't hide people for telling me color their bra is or where they leave their purse. I don't (always) hide your Farmville efforts or who shot who in the mafia (ok I do hide the games - but only that info, I keep you around for the long haul).  I watch the relationship status go back and forth and your up to the minute description of every meal you ate, nap you took or location you are checking into.  I even put up with the unnecessary shirtlessnesses and muscle shots - because damn it. It's your page and you have the right to share what you want. 

Now for all that- I ask one thing of you. Vote for my dang kid and I will ATTEMPT not to make this pimping for votes thing a habit. Here's the reason why you should help a sister out. 

1. The art? It's hotness. For real, check their work out. 
2. The team at Modern Bird Studios, spot on.  Husband & wife team that are fraking hilarious. 
3. Mama wants a piece of art. 
4. For god sake. Check out the 'official' name of the contest? They speak my language. 

Here's what you do:

1. Check out their Facebook page and give them a LIKE won't you? Facebook | Modern Bird Studios.
2. Check out the holiday photo contest and like on this sweet little cherub.
3. That's it. 

All of the photos are great, I have to say. There are even a FEW that are close contenders to the cuteness that this little girl is giving (OK I'll be honest, I'm scared of a few).  Either way you do have to check out Modern Bird Studios. 

To be fair and honest I may or may not have used up all my annoying mommy coins in trying to get the kid voted for the Gap Kid Casting Call (my bad) and at times update my Facebook status unnecessarily but hey. No body is perfect. Boom. I've said it. 


What's the wager? How many people on Facebook and Twitter will I 'loose' by pimping out my kid? Ah the causalities of war. 

For the love of Pete. Social Media, don't fail me now. 

What will you be for Halloween tomorrow?

The kid asked me the other night what we will be for Halloween tomorrow. This year was a great year for this family. It all came together and Tink had a plan, she skipped houses that weren't bright with welcoming candy giving light or that seemed to have a line. She knew it was a matter of getting in and out, all the while putting on her charm to hustle the fool behind the candy bowl into providing two treats instead of one.  She is no fool.  She also knew to skip any houses that seemed to have "lines" or crowds. Such a different from years past.  


Of course her first Halloween, it was just about making sure she was adorable, CHECK.  In year two, still no candy but dressing up fun. Last year though, her first year trick or treating, is my favorite memory.  I realize though, I didn't mention it last year. 


The following are the top 5 reasons I loved Halloween last year, and it will still remain my favorite, despite how kick fairy wings, this year was. 


1.  Seriously. Adorable. Child. A gnome? Can you stand it? 

2. We dressed up as a family. 

3. Some of the costume was homemade to boot. Sure those felt hats don't look like much, but I remain fingerprint-less due to some severe causalities in the war between me and the hot glue gun. Even Nana Lu got one! I only remember her being a serial 'punk rocker' utilizing a random rainbow colored wig I wore for a dance recital. That wig came out every Halloween, for I'm sure 10 consecutive years. OH if only I had a picture of that. 

4.  Speaking of Nana Lu, it was a pretty great night to have my mom here.  She babysat for us the night before, I think but stuck around to be able to take her first grandchild trick or treating for the first time. There aren't a lot of firsts of firsts going around, so it was pretty cool, if I do say so myself.

5. The experience of trick or treating with a two year old. 


Trick or treating went a little like this:


L walks down the street, we walk up to the door. We ring the bell or knock on the door. Door opens, person remarks at the (obvious) cuteness of the girl. Usually mistaking her as an elf, despite the CLEAR gnome qualities.  Girl remains quiet, sometimes smiles. All adults (3:1) prompt her to say "Trick or Treat." Girl ignores. Adult smiles, provides candy. We say "thank you" and walk away. Anywhere between 3 and 5 seconds on our trip back to the sidewalk, to hit the next house, we get the loudest and clearest outburst from the girl:

TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!


With out fail, walking away from the house it would kick in to say it and with out fail, she wouldn't say it when faced with the candy bowl in her face. It made me laugh each time. She makes me laugh. My first born jumping into her first trick or treating experience, figuring out that you may not get it right - but dressed up with a smile that won't quit - you'll get some goodies. That will forever be one of my favorite Halloweens.

THIS POST IS PROUDLY LINKED UP WITH THE SITS GIRLS HALLOWEEN EVENT.

When you have 300 pictures to share...

You make a video. Halloween 2010. Goes off with out a hitch.

I think the photos say it all.  You might even be able to see the fun we had despite major on lookers and confused folks as we ran around an open field.

How much does our family kick fairy dust? 

THIS POST IS PROUDLY LINKED UP WITH THE SITS GIRLS HALLOWEEN EVENT.

Jackpot

Ever find a fantastic product or service and to boot it's a kick ass mission or has value or ethic that rocks the house too? And then in other news, it's fun and hilarious?

Jackpot.

One of my favorite parts come from the way they do business: 

"Modern Bird Studios doesn’t believe in the saying, ‘it’s nothing personal, it’s just business.’ Modern Bird Studios isn’t ‘just’ business, and Modern Bird Studios is something extremely personal to Gregg and to his family."

The even better part - their art is amazing. I found out about Modern Bird Studios by way of Scary Mommy.  I mean seriously how amazing is this? I started following on Twitter and I am SOLD. In going through their site - and then their blog I learned they interview bloggers which make for some fun and interesting reads, amazing dedications and even a photo tour of their diggs . Seriously. Totally. Sold.

Now I just need to figure out which freaking picture to choose and lord knows I have a 'few' to choose from. What would make me choose faster? Winning. OH to be a winner!

Emily, over at The Boutique Cafe is hosting a contest this week that would make me a proud winner of something like this (I'd use my own kid... of course that would be weird if I didn't?)  She sent in this picture ...

After much discussion on colors etc she got this:

No seriously. I NEED. Of course - our family but you get the idea.

Everyone Loves a Rodent

And some love it so much... you can't even find one to grab. Unless of course you know the right people and you can get one from free!!!

I count my blessings that this year we are free again to re-gift whatever we can wrap around the house because while L is a genius.... she may or may not notice. As long as she can rip apart the gift wrap. BOOM - we've got our self a winner. For all those that this isn't the case try your luck at winning a robot rodent.

Apparently they are all the rage - if I knew that this would be a hott little toy this year I'd be sure to grab one while I still could - apparently they are flying off the shelf! Like only rodents can scatter off a surface.

I hate rodents - but I guess this little bugger isn't quite the mice of the South End - but a cute hamster with no muss or fuss! Plus they each have unique personality and make whimsical sounds!

Check out Mom on the Run for more!