Emilie: Carving pumpkins with a 3 and 11/12th year old

Ok, so my nephew Anthony is almost 4…..so that’s why I put the 3 and 11/12th year old….. )

Anyway! My sister Laurie, Anthony and I decided to carve pumpkins last night. Let me give you a little background here….Laurie always does pumpkins that look awesome. Emilie always does pumpkins that look….well….basic. You know..the triangle eyes and nose and the goofy smile. Well this year, I took goofy to a whole new level! That’s right…I branched out!

When it came time for Anthony’s pumpkin we just gave him a crayon to draw the pattern on his pumpkin that he wanted carved out and Mimi (that me!) carved it for him. I’m starting to think maybe Mommy should have been the carver and not Mimi!

That being said I had so much fun. Even though I chopped off one of my pumpkins teeth. Oops!

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Murphy: 3 Safe Pumpkin Carving Alternatives

In the frenzy of excitement, small kids and toddlers and the tools used to carve a pumpkin don’t mix. Here are three idea alternatives:

1. Use Tempura Paints and let them paint away. – It washes off, doesn’t hurt anyone, and they can go “crazy: with their pumpkin creation.
2. Use a Jack O lantern stencil – and use paints or color safe markers.
3. Paper Plate – If a pumpkin is too much altogether, use stickers and colors and let your child create their own design on the pumpkin you cut out of a paper plate.

And if you’re doing the real deal – use a pumpkin carving kit instead of big knives – BUT – this should only be a supervised activity. Don’t ever leave your kids alone to carve. ( Personally, I like to spend more time on candy gathering and eating J

Have a safe Halloween !

Costumes Jodi LOVES

Here are 3 suggestions for Men, and 3 for Women, if you’d like to join in the fun with the kids. 

MEN

1 – Firefighter.  Where do I begin?  This is easy to put together, the kids get it, and the ladies REALLY get it!  Firefighters are hot – and not just for the way they look, but for that whole “rescue me” appeal.

2 - George Clooney (wear a suit, wear it well) and have a beautiful woman on crutches with you

3 - David Copperfield (crisp white shirt, black pants, some flashy bling jewelry, and handcuffs or a mug shot card)

WOMEN

1 -  Witch (I choose this because it is the easiest to do, and the most fun for your kids)  Go crazy, a witch can look anyway you want. 

2 - Rachael Ray – grab an apron, put on bright lip gloss, and of coarse, a HUGE smile.  Also, drink a few red bulls to get the energy going.

3 – Mechanic – borrow a traditional mechanic’s shirt from a guy friend, and you are casual and in costume.   Put some grease (black eyeliner) on your face.  Roll those sleeves up, and keep a dirty wash cloth in your back pocket.  Irresistible and comfortable.

V Day is Set

Well I’ve now been to visit the doctor and the date has been set for the “procedure”.  By the end of the lunch hour on Friday, November 16 I’ll be on my way to sterility.  I’ll explain “on the way” in a bit.

The doctor’s office visit was about 15-20 minutes of him explaining everything that’s going to happen.  I guess I was expecting more, because it was really uneventful.  Either I’m more up on what’s going on than most patients or I just spent too much time on www.vasectomy.com .  Honestly, thanks to the website I pretty much knew everything I needed to know before I walked into the office.  The only real concern I had was whether or not his local anesthetic was administered with a needle and whether or not he uses the scalpel or non-scalpel method.  Yes, he uses a needle and a scalpel.  In fact, he said the said the shot for the local anesthetic was probably the worst/most painful part…and he has to do it twice…once for each side.

Anyway, enough cringing guys.  The procedure itself is about 10 minutes per side.  All total, he said I’ll be on my back about 30 minutes max…and of course awake the whole time.  I get a valium an hour before showtime to relax me and the shots to kill the pain.  As soon as it’s over I’m up and out the door.  Then it’s home for the weekend with a bag of ice (or frozen peas as the doc suggested).  On Monday it’s back to work like nothing happened.  It’s truly amazing when you think about it.

The doc said the way he does the deal is not a guarantee of success (because no vasectomies are guaranteed not to reverse themselves).  However, his description sounded to me like a pretty rock solid success.  First, after the “snip” he ties things off, then he cauterizes the ends of the tie off, then he folds both ends away from each other and then he places an under the skin flap between the two ends.  So, basically you’re looking at four different precautions in one operation.  He told me that in 21 years he’s only had one procedure reverse itself and he said that couple had prayed for a reversal…nuff said there.

Now to explain the “on the way” part.  Even with the operation I won’t be fixed for a period of time.  Hmmm…how to put this?  Even after the snipping, the stuff in my system that was already on the action side of the snip will still be sitting in the chute and ready for action.  So, until I use that stuff up (about 15-20 shots) I’m still dangerous…so to speak.  It won’t be until that is all out of my system that I’ll be free and clear.

I did have a quick exam so he could show me where he will be doing his work.  Thanks doc, but I know that area very well already.

The only humorous part of the visit was in talking to one of his nurses. I handed her some paperwork and she said “Oh, Sam North…are you on the radio?”  Oh well, so much for anonymity.  “Why yes ma’am…and have you seen this?  If not, stick around until November 16 and you will.”

Murphy : Mr Safety for Halloween

You’re heard most before, but all it takes is the kids’ excitement and distractions to take your attention away ( I know it does ours with a 6 and 3 year old !).

• Make sure kids’ costumes are bright and reflective. Add reflective striping or tape to dark costumes. (Do the same for yours J
  
• If it dangles and drags, don’t wear it. Kids trip themselves easily without costumes.
  
• Place emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly or on a bracelet in case someone gets lost.
  
• Do your kids know how to dial 911 ?
  
• Silly as this may sound, Review with your children the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll”, should their clothes catch on fire. Lots of candles means lots of unexpected fire hazards.
  
• Make sure your kids understand appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time. Even in your own neighborhood you’ll run into of strangers.
  
• If you’re hosting Trick or Treating, “child proof” your walkways and lawn for anything that may be a tripping or cutting hazard.
  

Hope it’s a safe and happy excursion for your kids this year !

Murphy