Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

Max is currently out trick or treating with Gene since Vancouver caught a break in the forecasted heavy rain weather, woot woot! Hope this kid loads up in our usual jackpot neighbourhood! 

^^ His indoor "costume" this year was a set of pyjamas from Old Navy. Perfect for a play based preschool environment, and especially because he's such a sweaty little boy. 

The bones glow in the dark! ^^

^^ you may remember this costume from last year. 2 thumbs up for it still fitting! Best swap find ever, especially as it's heavy and warm. He's currently wearing his skeleton costume under this costume, which as a nurse, makes me kinda proud- when he unzips his lion costume it's like an autopsy lol ^^

^^ this girl and I are currently at home because it's cold out. She doesn't have a costume but this picture taken a few hours ago reminds me of Dr. Evil so close enough (lol). At this moment, she's on the carrier, and I'm dancing around as I type this blog post so she stays asleep. I want to start her bedtime at the new Daylight Savings Time adjusted schedule. Wish us luck! ^^

As for me, I'm watching Ghost. No scary movies for me as i'm a chicken and easily scared, Patrick Swayze for the win!

Stay safe all! 

Halloween AM and PM

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” 
― Roald Dahl

^^ alabaster skin ^^

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Some pics from our 2 hour trick or treating session. Thank you Vancouver weather for NOT RAINING and giving us that window to enjoy this experience. We ended up with lots and lots of candies that we're slowing munching on (no Caramilk this year for some reason (!!!)). Can't wait for next year! 

^^ not sure what this face meant but all his indoor shots had this face lol ^^

^^ so many people got a kick out of this giant hand for candies, and for Max's sake, kept a comfortable distance from strangers while we were trick or treating ^^ 

^^ police escort ^^

^^ boo! ^^

Until next year! 

Macabre Movies To (Not) Watch

When Max wasn't in my life, I really got into the spirit of AMC Fear Fest before Halloween. I love immersing my TV time in the classic horror movies that were essentially on 24/7. Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Hellraiser, Chucky, Pumpkinhead, the Omen etc....so tolerable! The movies were just lame enough (about 2/10, and highly respectable for their production era compared to macabre level of now) in intensity to work me up to the REALLY scary ones that were going to be televised on the 31st. I'm by no means a horror flick buff, in fact I'm actually a huge huge huge chicken and can barely muster any of the new ones today (still, escapism is fun sometimes).  If a modern one, say from the last 9 years or so was televised on the tube, id have to mute so many parts or cover my eyes with a pillow or just change the channel altogether because I JUST CAN'T HANDLE THEM! But every now and then, a movie comes out that isn't just blood and guts from the beginning. There's some character development and story build up, and I'm not as scared (but still traumatized at the end). Here are this years most memorable flicks so far in my life...watched while Max was either sleeping or I at work; because hey censorship is necessary (duh with kids) and of course, WATCHED IN THE DAY TIME!! 

1) The Descent 

Have you heard of this movie before? I hadn't either and i thought it was just a movie more mystery/documentary than horror, but I was wrong. I liked this movie a lot because there were no A-list actors and subsequently no typecasting roles. As much as I love looking at those "50 places to see before you die" links on my Facebook feed, I am ok with taking exploring foreign caves outside of an overpriced tourist excursion off of my bucket list. 

2) The Hills Have Eyes

I have to admit that I watched this movie because I felt like watching a horror movie. I didn't know what this movie was fully about, but got an idea from the title. And like above, just take driving in the Nevada Valley, outside of the outskirts of cellphone reception, off of my bucket list.  This movie just scared me more because it was an innocent family taking a vacation; I've been there as a kid in the car. 

3) Cabin In the Woods

I watched this one at work and had to finish via downloaded edition at home. From the title and the poster picture, I thought it was something in the realm of Annabelle and its prequel and offsprings, but thankfully it's not. Just a whole premise that I didn't expect! There were some times where it seemed a little ridiculous, but it is a movie after all. Fresh change from the norm of scary movies. 

And that's it for 2014! 

If you're wondering which type of horror movies I refuse to watch, it would be anything that would remind me of my home setting and daily life like Paranormal Activity and it's offsprings. I also can't do religious horror flicks and possession, like The Exorcist, to which id like to think I'm desensitized, but i only need to hear the VOICE to regress back to being afraid of my feet being exposed in the dark as I fall asleep...

and because this is a mamma blog...

some pics from Max's week at art school 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We spent our morning at Strong Start with all the other kids in costumes. They got a special treat  for snack time where they were able to decorate a pumpkin as well as build their own little mandarin jack o lanters and banana ghosts. Good ol' pinterest for these wonderful ideas! Later on in the afternoon, the students of the school joined us in the gym for a parade of costumes and free dance. Max REALLY loves that kid version of 'Who Let the Dogs Out?" ..he's got more dance rhythm than me! Tonite, we'll be going out to do some trick or treating around the neighbourhood. We've got one block in mind - houses are close together, short driveways, and family friendly...perfect combo for Max the rookie. He doesnt eat candy (yet) but there's plenty of room in my belly for his treats, hope the weather stays dry Vancouver! 

Stay safe kids!

Solid Weekend

^^ this is the look of no sleep after a night shift, overstimulation from Superstore crowd, slaving over a hot stove cooking 2 dishes, not having much to eat during the day to save room for dinner, and post Max meltdown immediately after a nap and just prior to going over to my parents house. you better believe I slept well that night! ^^ 

How was your long weekend?

I spent some part of it at work (i'm basically living there right now thanks to some shift swaps) with some fine coworkers. It's a real treat to work with people who just make you laugh your arse off, a little escapism from the sadness that in-spite-of-it-all is still ever and will always be present on our unit (it IS palliative care). The weather forecast has also been nothing short of amazing! Since last Friday or so, the weather has been beautiful, crisp, and pedestrian friendly. Max and I have been zig-zagging around town by foot/stroller and also by bus- no real task to be done but whatever it takes to get him used to sitting, travelling, and falling asleep in the stroller! He really is not a fan of crowded buses or crowds in general unless he's being carried by me or sitting on my lap. Not sure why, not like anyone was touching him or interacting with him, the bus was just full. I dodged a meltdown by getting off pronto once I saw him looking up at me and tears were welling up. Lesson learned: no transit during rush hour with a stroller!

This weekend was also Canadian Thanksgiving. We came together with empty bellies but filled with gratitude, and came out with full bellies and an even finer appreciation for what we've been blessed with. I made butternut squash soup and paella. I know, totally random and non-traditional but i've had these recipes sitting in my work inbox for a long time and decided to just go for it. the soup turned out fine, but if I were to make the paella again i would use Spanish rice and not just regular short grained rice (I used Kokuho and it seemed mushy), i would actually measure the amount of smoked paprika instead of my inaccurate 'eyeball it' technique, and definitely not over crowd the pan. I added shellfish, chicken, and chorizo..yeah way too much for a medium sized skillet. Ah well, next time (if there is a next time for this dish!!).  

^^paella time^^

Can you believe it's already mid-October? Next stop, Halloween (im totally looking forward to AMC Fear Fest as it's one of the few times of year I dedicate to TV even though i've seen all the movies)! Then Christmas (the most wonderful time of year! Christmas music starts playing around mid Nov over here)!!

Baby's First Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

i dont even recall the last time i wore a costume since I entered my 20's (and now 30's). i think it's because i've been working on Halloween (nursing scrubs count?), it's been raining on Halloween (really, no fun), or that it's been so cold that my sub-par attempt at a halloween costume was hidden under a thick jacket and toque. However, this doesnt mean i dont enjoy this spooky week!

Things I like doing on Halloween week are 

1) Watching AMC Fear Fest (ch. 53) for whatever scary movies are playing. Gone are the days when i can watch movies like The Exorcist, Paranormal Activity, It, or The Hills Have Eyes. i'm officially a scaredy cat! I can tolerate movies though of the cheesy, yet classic variety like Village of the Damned, Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc. nothing that is too close to this decade as the special effects or story lines are just way to real which results in me unable to even go to the bathroom at night let alone function normally when the sun sets. 

2) i/we also like going to Parade of Lost Souls around the Commercial Drive area. It's a walking tour that "transforms an East Side Neighbhorhood." Unfortunately, thanks to the torrential rains this last October 27, we weren't able to go this year. 

3) Lastly, i like eating the bite size candies! We bought this box of 50 last week and well, we only have 10 remaining- but it's Halloween and we still have some left so if any kids come to the apartment, which i highly doubt, there will be treats for them!

I commited to making Max's costume this year and every year until he tells me to stop. What creative idea did i come up with this year you ask? he was going to be a fried egg like this little cutie!  

pinterest

Sadly, my costume, was rejected by husband and he put his foot down and said he didnt want him to go as an egg this year so he bought a costume for Max. whatever. There's always next year. and next year he can probably walk, which means trick or treating, which means my egg costume will happen. 

This year Max is going as Superman. no complaints about it. He looks cute and the costume material is thick (polyester) enough to keep him warm as we venture to the mall for some candy. Of course, the person who rejected my costume isnt even in town to see the one he made me buy! Karma anyone? 

Precious!