Spud's Halloween Costume

Meet Professor Eagle Eye. Spud's spy alter ego. He boasts many gadgets. Some of which are magical. Like the amulet around his neck. His compass eye always tells him where he is and where he ought to be. 

But we can say no more at the moment. What is in his pockets and what special features his cane has will remain a secret. For now.

Costume Credits:
Concept and Creative Director: Spud
Art Director and Designer: Hubs
Consultant and Shopper: Me

Halloween Mummy Lunch

Happy Hallow's Eve Eve

When I got home this evening, after Spud was in bed, Hubs and I we went into serious production on treats for Spud's class; skull treat balloons! Don't they look so happy and eager?

But look what Spud and Hubs had been up to while I was out ... pumpkin carving ...

... and roasting pumpkin seeds ... yum!

I like halloween.

My 365 Grateful Project: Week #25

PLAYING WITH THE POWER OF GRATITUDE
Find Something For Which to Be Grateful. Take a Picture of It. Repeat 365 times.

DAY 169: October 22, 2012  |  My dearest space heater under my desk, dusted off and in full swing. We will spend some good times together over the next few months. #365grateful

DAY 170: October 23, 2012  |  Sun, is that you peeking into my office? Albeit briefly. Thank you. #365grateful

DAY 171: October 24, 2012  |  Community gardens make me happy. #365grateful

DAY 172: October 25, 2012  |  The mixed blessing of Halloween. #365grateful

DAY 173: October 26, 2012  |  Reflections in the rain. #365grateful

DAY 174: October 27, 2012  |  Watching movies of my childhood with my kid. #yellowsubmarine #365grateful

DAY 175: October 28, 2012  |  Moving day with a dear friend. Not easy. But check the en route view! #365grateful

See Week one here.

My 365 Grateful Project: Week #24

PLAYING WITH THE POWER OF GRATITUDE
Find Something For Which to Be Grateful. Take a Picture of It. Repeat 365 times.


DAY 162: October 15, 2012  |  I love this bag. But even more I love my hubs who brought it home for me today after my workout. Otherwise I would have to lug it to pick up the kid. #soheavy #luckygirl #365grateful  

DAY 163: October 16, 2012  |  Changed bags today and found a fiver in a secret pocket. #lovethat #365grateful  

DAY 164: October 17, 2012  |  Grateful for this tip: hard boil eggs in big batches, keep in fridge, when needed pour boiling water over egg for 1 min before peeling. #warmeggs #quickbreakfast #365grateful  

DAY 165: October 18, 2012  | Today's research. #ilovemyjob #365grateful  

DAY 166: October 19, 2012  | I love sending lunch notes to Spud. And I really love when I get notes back! Even when they are high maintenance. #365grateful  

DAY 167: October 20, 2012  |  Lovin' Spud's new iPad #365grateful  

DAY 168: October 21, 2012  |  Spud made rock cakes this morning! #hagrid #harrypotter #365grateful  

See week one here.

Hagrid's Rock Cakes

Rock-like in appearance but scone-like to eat this easy to make recipe was the sort of fun we were up to this morning.

With a special auntie's birthday party today preceded by a thoughtful email with this Rock Cake recipe in it from Spud's "GrandMary" (the very same that made him this awesome Harry Potter bookmark!) we decided to do some Sunday morning baking. 

When I showed Spud the recipe for Rock Cakes reportedly made by Mrs. Weasley he remembered that he had Hagrid's version in his very own Harry Potter Cookbook. Chef Spud was all over it .... I performed some sous chef duties. 

The only modification we made was subbing out half the raisins with dried peaches. I soaked the dry fruit in hot water before Spud added them to the dough. Finally, to appease his cries (I hate raisins!) we "accidentally" dropped some chocolate chips into the dough as well. Oops. 

Photo Friday: The V&A

Such clever design everywhere you look in London. Being a bit of a design geek myself, I was pretty much in my heaven. Take the Victoria & Albert Museum for example. Sure there was plenty to oggle and appreciate INside ... Spud has a particular passion for furniture so he was really happy in this section ...

And as a family we really enjoyed participating in one of the museum's Family Trails where we explored the silver treasures exhibition through scavenger hunts and other activities.

But my jaw literally dropped when I saw this sign for the entrance from the Underground ... it's the V&A's logo hanging in a long corridor with foot traffic coming at it from both directions. It goes around and around always reading properly to both sides. Simply brilliant.

Thanks to Delicious Baby for hosting Photo Friday. Check out other travel pics here.

My 365 Grateful Project: Week #23

PLAYING WITH THE POWER OF GRATITUDE
Find Something For Which to Be Grateful. Take a Picture of It. Repeat 365 times.

DAY 155: October 8, 2012  |  Epic family wii night #365grateful

DAY 156: October 9, 2012  |  Post-bath reading time #cherish #365grateful

DAY 157: October 10, 2012  |  Leaf hunting #365grateful

DAY 158: October 11, 2012  |  I imagine clean-tank-day must be similar to clean-sheet-day #fresh #365grateful 

DAY 159: October 12, 2012  |  I love that Spud's passion for a video game turns into a drawing exercise #dragonvale #365grateful  

DAY 160: October 13, 2012  |  Stuffie tower #365grateful

DAY 161: October 14, 2012  |  Cool as cucumber #365grateful

See week one here.

Family Travel Friday: Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square wasn't a destination per se. We happened upon it. And those larger than life lions beckoned. But we learned to beware of these bronze beasts of Trafalgar for they will bite your hand without notice.

From experience we can also say you ought to keep your noggin out of its mouth.

Further, in the sun, these lions get extremely hot ... there were a few tears shortly after this shot was taken.

In the end we found the shaded lions cooler.

And eventually tamer.

For more of our London adventures, click here.

We are participating in a blog hop all about family travel today! Check out the other participants at Six Suitcase Travel.

My 365 Grateful Project: Week #22

PLAYING WITH THE POWER OF GRATITUDE
Find Something For Which to Be Grateful. Take a Picture of It. Repeat 365 times.

DAY 148: October 1, 2012  |  For all that you do. #kidscamps #childminding #fitnesscoaching #ymca #365grateful

DAY 149: October 2, 2012  |  Still no need for seasonal flip flop retirement ceremony! #365grateful  

DAY 150: October 3, 2012  |  Backlit spouting water #365grateful  

DAY 151: October 4, 2012  |  How do you get the hard boiled egg into the milk jug? #fun #scienceexperiment #365grateful  

DAY 152: October 5, 2012  |  I always forget something ... packing for an afternoon of yoga, pool time and a steam with my KR! #woot #365grateful  

DAY 153: October 6, 2012  |  Making maple cranberry sauce with the fruits of our trip to the Langley Cranberry Festival #365grateful #happythanksgiving  

DAY 154: October 7, 2012  |  What would you put in your emergency suitcase? Spud just made one with a cozy blanket, some Lego, a hand washing station, a novel, a bookmark, a headlamp, a granola bar and a pencil #preparedness #365grateful  

See Week one here.
Check out my original inspiration here and here.