Halloween : Good Times
[ knock. knock. : captured Halloween afternoon ]
This first photo is one of those where I feel like I can literally see the passage of time. It's shots like this that feel like a gift, captured in an unsuspecting moment on a day that is all about costumes and candy and craziness. Ah, life. I am so very thankful for that sparkle.
On to the festivities. The hole drilling in the pumpkins worked out pretty well (thanks for all those suggestions earlier in the month). I started with the smaller holes and then tried a spade bit (according to Chris) to create the large holes. It was definitely messy even after cleaning out the insides. If I do it again next year I will go with all larger holes - the smaller ones were too small to let much light through. Not enough glow on the porch with the smaller holes.
Our neighborhood is really pretty mellow on Halloween. Only about 10 or so groups rang the doorbell but each time they did Simon was super excited to answer the door (in costume of course) and have them grab a hand-full from the basket. He spent quite a bit of time just waiting and saying, "Are they coming? Are they coming?"
We did a brief tour around the neighborhood before coming back and watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
(or as Simon calls it "#2" - he loves it for the flying car). His favorite thing about Halloween is just seeing the costumes of the other kids and yelling out " Did you see so and so? Did you see them?"
And of course, the costume was on again on Sunday.
December Daily : Amy let me know that Bind it All has some clear file folder acrylic album pieces (7.5 inches x 5 inches) available. I think you do need to punch holes in these yourself using either the Bind It All or a CropADile. These are similar to the album cover I am using except they are clear rather than white.
A warm welcome to my new sponsors: Sweet Pea Ink, Susan Hessler (Close To My Heart Independent Consultant), Oh La La Scrap, and MyScrapChick.com.
STAY TUNED : I've got some exciting things lined up for this week including a special announcement later in the week, a giveaway on Wednesday, some more Week In The Life samples on Thursday, and more.
Have a great Monday.
Wow, Simon is getting so big!! I love those times when I take a picture, and to the naked eye my kids look like they always have, and when I print the picture I realize how much they've grown up.
And Simon's costume is fabulous...John actually had the grown-up version of this last year, and was a good enough sport to wear it for about a block (he'd wanted a pirate, but the shop was out, so the kids picked DV instead).
Have a wonderful Monday!
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Oh my goodness...Simon looks so grown up in that picture at the door. I had to do a double take to make sure it was really him.
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Ooooooh I love the first picture of Simon. His smile and the sparkle in his eyes. He's so handsome (says the mother of an other little boy (6) on the other side of the ocean ;)
Bye Irene from the Netherlands
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Wow! Simon looks so grown up! I see what you mean re the passage of time--it's like a glimpse into the future. Glad he felt well enough to participate in the festivities. (I can still remember the disappointment of being sick for Halloween when I was 5!)
I spent quite a bit of time working on my December daily book this weekend. It's my first try at a mini-book, so I'm grateful for all of your suggestions. The smaller space really requires keeping it simple--good practice! Have you tried using ribbon to hold books together? If so, how has it worked for you? Thanks again for the great ideas and examples.
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Simon, you Vader-man you. You were absolutely the greatest Darth I've ever seen. May the Force always be with you.
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Ali, remember that photo of Simon that you took a few years ago while you were with your Mom? Simon was on her lap, I think, and you were just trying to get some general shots. Only, he knew. And he gave you this look...like, "I see you and I'm giving you this smile because I love you so much." That photo and this one would be great together on a layout. Well, I think so anyway. Thanks, as always, for sharing with us.
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What a stunning photo of your son!!
My son was Darth Vader too - and I can only wish we saw 10 kids - we saw 250!!
Glad you had a great halloween. I can't wait to start on my December album.
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I love that first foto of Simon...he is such a sweety. I can'y believe how much he has grown since I started reading your blog.
And soon he is going to be a big brother. I think he will be an amazing big bro! :)
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I have been reading you in CK for years now and have this strange sense of having watched Simon grow up. (hope that's not too creepy) When I opened your site today and caught that first pic of Simon, I thought, Ali's baby is not a baby any more.
It made me go dig out pictures of my own babies.
I have enjoyed seeing the beautiful pictures you have taken over the years and have had so much fun trying (or wishing to try) out the techniques you have shared here.
Keep up the great work~I can't wait to see what new things come...
Thanks!
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Just stopping by to say hi!
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Wow, Simon really does look grown up Ali! I have moments like that with my girls too...all of a sudden one day they look 13 instead of 6.
I have my December album almost all put together...I'm through day 21. I'm making it all digital but will be cutting certain shapes out of the pages to add interest. Can't wait! :-)
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Hi Ali: Before I even read your comments about the photo of Simon greeting trick-or-treaters I was thinking what a transitional shot of Simon from little boyhood right into big boyhood. This picture really captures a new chapter of growing up. I too love when you take ramdom daily photos and one special photo captures something you don't always notice in person. Take care and have a great week, Kim
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Simon is definitely growing up and that photo is certainly proof of that. What an adorable photo that you will treasure forever!
We did the "hole" pumpkins this year too. We had a bit that lets you make holes for plumbing, like in a counter. My dh drilled it and then used a hammer to knock it out. That worked great and was easy.
Take care,
Leslie
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Hey Ali,
Simon is sooooo cute! Love those sparkling eyes! You are so blessed to have a wonderful family. I completed my December Daily Album with the Teresa Colins "Tis the Season" line of papers and I'm pretty happy with it. Thankyou so much for sharing your talent and creativity with us. I'm looking forward to Dec 1st to start documenting and capturing the everyday moments.
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I saw it too~Simon has grown and changed ever-so-slightly, but the overall impact is BIG! He is a "Mini-Me" of his handsom Father!
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Hi Ali,
glad Simon had a good time. Your pumpkins looked great. I see the change in Simon also, he is beginning to get the "Boy Look"
I finsihed my December Daily yesterday, just wanting to do a few finishing touches. Can't wait to see what you have in store for the rest of the week. The highlight of my day is reading your blog.
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Wow! Totally see that lil man is growing up! My first thought was wow, he's looking more like lil man, really looks a lot like your DH! It's amazing how one day they look small, their hands are still small and baby soft and then overnight they have firm, man hands and you see it, a definitive shift in phases. Sigh, I remember the Summer before my DS stated Kindergarten... one day I looked up and saw this shift and my heart jumped in my throat! Then we went for a walk and he grabbed my hand and....... yep, on came the waterworks!
My DS went as Darth Vader too this year but was UPSET that his Saber was Green and not red...I wonder if he'll ever forgive me for this grievous error..... ;)
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WOW! Simon is really growing up fast...What a handsome young man. Great costume too and I can just tell from the pictures that he takes on the role very seriously...so sweet. Love the pumpkins, they look great.
I've started the 25 days of December album too. It's a rainy day here in Vancouver, BC and the kids are in school...so I'm going to play for a few hours this morning with my supplies.
Thanks again for all your inspiration. I always look forward to your blog! :D
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Wow, I have read your blog off and on for the last few years and am amazed at how Simon just looks like a man instead of a little boy in that photo. Makes me want to go and scoop up my little 22 month old boys and hang on to their boyishness. They just amaze the heck out of me and you are inspiring me to document this time in our lives a little better. Thank you so very much!!!!!!
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Oh.my.gosh. Simon looks so much older in that first picture... I can't believe how much he has changed since I first started reading your blog. What a happy looking boy!
Looking forward to seeing what you have up your sleeve for the week...
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Yesterday I made my decemberbook. It has all 31 day's in it. I already like it very much. We in the Netherlands don't have Haloween but we have something simalar: St. Maarten. Children go from home to home with al selfmade "lampion" singing St.Maartensongs and getting candy in return. This wil probably be the last yearformy boys. Next year the are 12 and that's mayby tooldfor St.Maarten.
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Simon is looking so much older now. When did he grow up?
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Ah, then your kiddies grow up, and as young adults you occasionally see a glimpse of how they looked as toddlers! Sweet photos & memories :).
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My Goodness doesn't he look grown up in that top photo.
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Before I even read what you said about Simon under the first photo, my first thought was WOW, you can really see what he's going to look like when he's grown up. It's funny how a photo can just show you a glimpse of the future. He's going to melt hearts, that's for sure!!!
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