What Does A Lion Say?

Note to self, always use halloween costumes that segway to a cute tagline as it makes trick-or-treating less awkward. We had a blast parading our adorable lion around and asking him, "what does a lion say?" Cade would answer with such a cute little "roaar" that people had no choice but to dish out a few extra pieces of candy!
It didn't have such a picture perfect beginning as Cade protested a little (ok, a lot) and refused to wear the mane most of the time.

"What the heck?!"

"I feel like you're mocking me..."

"Don't even look at me..."

"Okay, it's not that bad, but I still don't love it.

"Wait, I'm going to get to eat candy?! Don't tell anyone, but I think this might be fun!"

We wanted to dress him up while my mom was in town over the weekend so we headed to a nearby pumpkin patch and trunk-or-treat. With the goal in sight, Cade seemed to warm up to the idea as long as "B" (blankie) got to come along. I think that makes us a cowardly lion, perhaps?



Oops, caught us mid-roar. How's this for a Johnson County pumpkin patch...see the Starbucks in the background?

Going around to the cars at the trunk-or-treat was definitely Cade's thing. He was such a cutie with his little "roar" and "tank you." He soaked up the attention, that's for sure.



Only G-Mom can get smiles out of this guy!

We were a better trunk-or-treater on Saturday than trick-or-treater on Monday, but that's okay. That will keep us humble. Otherwise we were ready to enroll him in some acting classes and take our lion gig on the road...

Meg's Little Pumpkin Shower

Last weekend I helped put on a shower for Megan, my wonderful friend and co-worker, who will be welcoming a baby girl in less than a month. It was a fall theme which ended up being super-cute! (I was skeptical at first, a fall-themed baby shower? But seriously so cute).

So many cute, girly gifts. I'm a sucker for all that pink and bows.

Drue will be here soon!

Ask Alton

Thanks to Rainy Day books who hosted Food Network superstar Alton Brown for a book signing, I was able to meet the star of "Good Eats" himself! But most of all thanks to Jamie for alerting us to this event and thanks to DeAnna for helping to make this (as always) a fun and memorable evening for the 3 of us.
Our autographed copies of Good Eats 3. Awesome!

Jamie had whole nutmeg in her pocket to prove to Alton that she is a hard-core fan.

He was very entertaining and full of goofy energy. Just like he is on the show. What? You've never seen Good Eats?! And you call yourself my friend?! Good Eats is not your average cooking show. It is awesome. Filled with over-my-head knowledge and humor about what scientific processes are really taking place during cooking. He has goofy visual aids and memorable ways of explaining just what's happening. I love him. And I love to use his episodes and recipes in my classroom. Kids think he's a nerd but I think they're just trying to play it cool. Trust me, kids. He's way better than any other educational video or lame-o, boring cooking how-to show. Start DVRing it now. I find myself learning a lot from any episode, even the ones where he cooks things I'm definitely never going to cook. Like squid.

Anyway, when we finally get our chance to meet him (after waiting in line for over 2 hours) I'm trying to be all super-fan-ish and explain how I teach cooking labs and a "Science Chef" class and how I love his episodes. He then proceeds to ask me what my favorite fatty-acid is. Um, what?! Who has a favorite fatty acid?! I was so thrown off I stuttered around and couldn't even think of what an appropriate answer would be. What?! I felt as if he was calling me out on my qualifications to teach food science because I don't have a "go to" favorite fatty acid. I tried to change the subject by saying "wouldn't you rather know what my favorite episode is? It's the pizza crust episode!"
What the heck, Alton?!

I tried to laugh it off. But I was shook up. I quickly explained my new "most embarrassing moment" to J and TW as we left. TW proceeded to do what all good friends do--google fatty acids to figure out what I should have said. By the way, these girls know everything there is to know about food and such so if they didn't have a "go to" fatty acid, I didn't feel too bad.

Hindsight being 20/20, I think I should've gone with Omega-3s. Dang it. I take an Omega 3 supplement every night so clearly it's my favorite. Maybe I'll write a follow-up letter to Alton.
Despite this little incident. I still love Alton. I've created a little shrine to him in my classroom and I told my Science Chef students all about the fatty acid incident. I've got no shame.

A Visit to Pi Phi Barbie

I joined Gentry, my mom, and my grandparents in visiting Collegiate Barbie at Oklahoma State last weekend. It was great to see her in her element just livin' it up on campus! We met several of her friends and enjoyed spending the day walking in her shoes.
She's all grown up!

My mom, an OSU alum, was all about getting Gentry and I to admit that OSU is the most beautiful campus ever. Sorry Mom, as if.

I just prefer the look of limestone, I guess. It was fun seeing Stillwater, but it doesn't have a thing on Manhappiness.


Papa did not enjoy the smoke-free campus. He was in disbelief.


Glad I decided to wear the scarf and boots...despite being 10 years older than Collegiate Barbie...and pregnant...I like to think I've still got it.

We stayed at the hotel on campus run by the Hotel Restaurant Management School.

This was MaKenzie's initiation weekend so we were able to attend the reception after her big to-do. She's officially a Pi Beta Phi. Although Gentry and I are Gamma Phi Beta's...we are okay with this. I am okay with this. Really, I am.

It was fun seeing the Pi Phi house. But it really was a lot tougher accepting she's not going to live at 1807 Todd Rd than I thought it would be.
Pi Phi formal living room. Swanky.

Lots of trophies in the Pi Phi living room...but have they ever been top chapter in the nation?! Ok, enough comparisons.

This arrow points to the Pledge Class "Angel Pledge" Award Winner! Voted top pledge for exemplary Pi Phi-ness. So proud!

This was a very educational visit. I realized that I am old. I was mildly annoyed by the immaturity of some of the college kids around and the lack of parking in town. That alone makes me feel like a senior citizen. When I think back to make comparisons to my own college experience, SO much has changed. There was no Facebook, no texting, no smartphones. But there were late night pizza runs, the excitement of sorority and fraternity events, and the distractions of going to the library to study while sitting on the "cool" floor. It was fun to see the Kid having the time of her life. And not to make it all about me, but well it is my blog, it was fun to think back to my own college and sorority memories...no matter how long ago it was.

Barbershop Baby

It was that time again, haircut time, for Cader. And since we were in GB my parents insisted on taking him to the good 'ole Barbershop. I begged my mom to warn the guy when making the appointment. Cade is not your usual barbershop clientele. He's much...wigglier. They swore they could handle it.


Maybe this is the norm at all barbershops, but they had this super-cool vacuum thing hooked up to the clippers eliminating all the flying hair. Genius!

With the first barbershop visit, came his first sucker. It was a must for a more pleasant experience.

And I guess I didn't get an "after" shot. It's shorter than it's ever been, making him look even more "manly." My little guy is growing up!

And this was just too cute not to share...although it doesn't seem that safe...know that he was closely supervised.




I'm sure it's just the pregnancy hormones...but lately I keep finding myself getting all choked up with how quickly Cade is growing up. It's just so cool to see him learning and figuring things out. And his little "tank you" is about the cutest thing ever!

Reunited

So my 10-year high school reunion was a couple weeks ago. I had looked forward to it for a long time. But somehow, as it drew near, I started to worry. This always happens to me. As something gets closer I start to think more realistically about it...and worry. What if there's no one to hang out with? What if it's really awkward? What the heck am I going to wear?!
I milled over what to wear for a few days...is it okay to shop in the Junior's department for your 10-year reunion?! I ended up with about 20-minutes to shop at the mall in between school and picking up Cade. As all moms know, 20-minutes alone is far more favorable than unlimited time with a kiddo in tow. I made it home with a few options to work from as trying on at the store also has become a thing of the past.
I insisted my mom take my picture before leaving. Matt was out of town traveling for work so I felt like I was going "stag" to the prom.

Machaela, Reunion-Planner Extraordinaire, had her very official looking table set up for check in.


There's Megan! I think I'll be fine after all. Although I have never seen the girl checking in before her in my life.


I did know that as long as Megan and Audrey were in attendance it would be a good time. These are two of my dearest friends from high school, and really the only ones I've kept in regular contact with. It's always great to visit with them!


But really, it was enjoyable to visit with anyone and everyone! It was just like picking up right where we left off. I had a great time getting caught up to speed on everyone's current whereabouts. It was a really fun night!
And BONUS...I got to see Jaime too! Jaime, one of my college sorority sisters, married one of my high school classmates...I love when my two worlds collide!

We even received a nifty gift-bag for attending! Machaela did an awesome job organizing everything. I'm so glad I went!


Aud and I were impressed with the contents of the gift bag, including the personalized reunion water of choice.


As usual, I didn't have anything to worry about. Perhaps I need to get out more, because I just had such a great time chatting it up with people!