Uh-Oh.

After last night, I am very hesitant on taking Miss Tess trick or treating Saturday night. And after last night, I am MOST certain my kids cannot hang with Casey's.

The Coco fam and friends headed to the Ford Dealership for a fun carnival they put on every year. Lots of games, face painting, and a haunted house. A haunted house.

A. Haunted. House.

We mingle with friends, the kids snack on candy and then we decide to take the big kids into the haunted house.

The daring participants were as follows, Bram (4), Matthew (6), Emily (4), Isabelle (4), Leah (3), and Alexa (3).

They enter the Haunted House with the dads.

As the three moms stand there holding the little ones, Tess freaks the *&%$ out just hearing the noises coming from the spooky Haunted House. Like freaks the MOTHER @&^% out! Clinging to me like a spider monkey. Seriously, a tsunami could not of ripped her from my arms.

At the time she is freaking out, a weirdo GROWN MAN dressed as a weird looking scarecrow comes up and says "hi" to her. HOMEGIRL FLIPS OUT EVEN MORE!!!!! Begging to go home.

"Mommy, home. Mommy, home"

Here is an example of what she looked like (Camera was unaccessible, I'm sure you understand).

But I couldn't go anywhere, no way. Hubby and Bram were in the Haunted House. And this was Bram's first Haunted House. As a mother, I was torn.

I gave Tess some candy and she wept softly while munching on her 84th Smarty of the night.

Then this bad ass,

comes out of the Haunted House clinging to Hubby hysterically crying.

Meanwhile, a princess, a fairy, Dorothy, and My Pretty Pony all come out holding hands laughing and giggling behind him.

Moral of the story. My son is not quite ready for Haunted Houses, though his best GIRLfriends are and my daughter cannot be within a mile radius from one without losing it.

Lesson learned.

Yet, there is something else weighing heavily on my mind.

After we scarred our kids for life, we stepped outside for some hot dogs. Outside, it seemed any big kid or grown up in a costume did NOT sit well with Tess. "Mommy, go home." over and over and over and over and over.

We ended up eating our hotdogs in the car.

Which makes me very concerned about Halloween night. I have a sneaking suspicion that I am going to be bringing Tess home early. I think the carnival episode is going to stay with her awhile.

Why do I think that you ask?

Well, I had actually sleep in her bed last night. This NEVER happens at Coco's house. Ever. But the poor girl kept crying, "Mommy, go home." She was having flashbacks of being kind of close to a Haunted House or maybe that weird guy dressed up as a scarecrow. I don't know. But at 11 pm, my exhausted baby finally fell asleep with me lying next to her.

For the record, she is not fun to sleep with.

This morning she has been repeatedly singing, "Jesus, loves me." I seriously think she is trying to keep the demons away, because her usual go-to song while she is playing is the old time classic, "Baa-Baa Blacksheep."

See, she is scared.

Y'all have a wonderful and safe Halloween. Wish us luck!

Oh Happy Day!

Bram got to FINALLY put on his Dash costume for his party at school!!!!






I think he likes it.

Partytime!

First I have to say, Bram must of read yesterday's post. He was a dreamboat all day long yesterday, stayed on Green at school, minded, helped, no tantrums, sweet to sister, laughing and playing and accepting the answer "no" without screeching like a banshee.

It was awesome.

When I picked him up from school yesterday he ran up to me and said, "I stayed on Green, Mommy!" This is a big deal because he loses privileges each time he goes down a color. Staying on green means we go to the park right after school.

On our way to the park he says, "I was so good today. I didn't hit, kick, punch, stab, say idiot, say shut up, or say hate." And yes he said, "stab." That is new and I don't know where it came from, Hubby and I don't usually reference to stabbing anyone.

Anyhoo, I was trying so hard to stifle a laugh and told him how proud I was of him but that all of those things, especially stabbing someone, was never EVER ok.

The rest of the day, he was a pure joy to be around.

I have probably just jinxed myself writing this, should I delete it before he wakes up or is it already out there?

Crap.

OK, moving on.

Sunday, Hubby and the Braminator went into Austin. Tess had not one but two birthday parties.

The first being her friend Emily, aka Bram's girlfriend. It was a girls only party at the dance studio. Precious.

I would of taken better pictures of the actual party, but when I got there I realized my memory card was in the computer, not in my camera.

Oops.

They painted the little girls like dolls, and we all know how much the lady loves the makeup. Very exciting. Ballerinas danced for the little ones and Tess was mesmerized.

After Emily's party we had to get ready for Owen's first birthday. Since I didn't want her to wear her tutu to an outdoor party (she will be wearing it Halloween night) I had to think fast!

I ran into the playroom and dug through the tub of costumes and found Bram's Indian costume from Halloween 2 years ago. I added some turquoise jewelry to feminize it up and we were set for the costume party.

She's an Indian outlaw, half Cherokee and Choctaw, my baby she's a Chippewa, she's a one of a kind.

The wig didn't last long. There was WAY to much to do at Owen's party to bother with long, black, braided pigtails and a headdress.

Oh yes, they had a cotton candy machine. Owen shared his first birthday with two other little buddies from his class, Kate and John Allen. Big party.

Tessie Mayes ate two bags of cotton candy. I couldn't stop her.

I didn't even try.

Pig in a blanket? Don't mind if I do.

Busted at the candy table! Homegirl can EAT!

Such a fun day, just the two of us! My sweet, quirky, beautiful, silly angel baby of love.

Wig got put back on for 2.2 seconds, she had to show off for her boyfriend, Logan.

Lots o' fun. I have to report, that at the party she ate two hot dog wienies, no bun. Three pigs in a blanket, a bag of popcorn, and two bags of cotton candy.

I was convinced that the night was NOT going to end well. Visions of projectile vomit dancing in my head.

But my dainty little flower has a stomach of steel and woke up the next morning starving. Two bowl of organic oatmeal and four pieces of turkey sausage later, she was satisfied.

Have a great Tuesday!

Butting heads and some cuteness to boot!

I am having one heck of a time with Bram these days! Wowzer! I have a feeling he just doesn't particularly care for me, and frankly right now, he is not my favorite kid.

I am hoping this is a phase. Please sweet baby JESUS let this just be a phase. I really don't want him to grow up to be an asshole.

Hubby and I are pretty consistent with discipline, and he doesn't get away with much. So I don't know why this kid seems to talk back to me all of the time. Like a 13 year old girl!

An example:

Coco: Bram, time to turn off the television, let's do crafts.

Bram: (in a screeching, shrill yell) I don't want to do crafts, you're mean and I don't like you!

Coco: Do NOT talk to me like that! I am your mother and I don't like to be talked to like that.

Bram: I DON'T LIKE YOU!!

Coco: Well, that makes me really sad. I love you with all of my heart, more than any other little boy in the whole wide world.

Bram: I love you, I just don't like you.
(he is soooo smart!)

Coco: Go sit in your room.

And he went screaming all the way to his room, telling me how awful I am. Feet stomping, arms flailing, door slamming.

Isn't that a "conversation" I should be having with Tess in about 11 years about dating, makeup, boys, curfews and whatnot? This was an argument over CRAFTS! CRAFTS!!!

CRAFTS FOR A FOUR YEAR OLD! And the fact that I made him turn off his beloved "Charlie and Lola."

Please somebody tell me this is normal.

But then this morning, he woke up an angel. And I have the pictures to prove it.

See below:








I love this boy with all my heart and soul.

Assholeness and all.

The #1 thing learned this weekend....

NEVER, EVER GO TO SEA WORLD IN 110 DEGREE HEAT! EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER!

We had a blast at Sea World on Friday. It was empty and the weather could not of been more perfect. Susan, the kids and I discovered parts of Sea World that we didn't even know existed.

The kids were absolutely mesmerized by the shark aquarium. This was an exhibit we didn't make it to the first trip, it was way too crowded.

Guess who got to feed the dolphins?

And that dolphin will never be the same.

It was a great weekend with Susan, Rick and Sydney. Lots of fun. My kids are plum worn out, that is for sure.

Oh, and another thing Susan and I learned is something that you must remember! On our first trip to Sea World in August, we ate lunch at Sea World. $55 to feed the five of us, and the food was mediocre to say the least. This trip we stopped at my favorite....Taco Bueno! $18 fed the 5 of us, and the food was scrumptious! So, moral of this little story is, DON'T EAT IN THE PARK.

Yesterday I did MORE rearranging of the house. Hubby and Bram went in to Austin so I had just the lady with me. She played with her babies while I reorganized. Took down all my chickens, giving them to a friend, no more chickens in Cocoland. And I am sad to say, I put the cute chalkboard door in the garage. It was just way too big in that corner, and just never looked right to me. It is simplified, my robin's egg blue high chair is back were it originally was. Sweet and simple. Kind of like me.

I think I am going to try to sell the door on craiglist.

In Bram's room, I took all of his baby stuff off of his "baby shelves" and put them in a keepsake box. So sad. Hims all grown up.

All in all it was a very productive weekend.

Tess went to two birthday parties and I have precious pictures to come later!

Hope everyone has a happy Monday!!

Off to Sea World! Holla!

Susan, Rick and Sydney are here!!! We are off to Sea World today. This will be MUCH better than our last trip when the temps reached 110 degrees.

Today is a nice, sunny high of 75. Awesome.

Tomorrow the pumpkin patch.

A wonderful weekend!

But first I wanted to show you my new piece of furniture. I am seriously in love.

Very old cabinets that are now a hutch in my living room. I found them awhile ago and they have been on my mind ever since.


Sneak peak.

A little more.

Holding my mercury glass, sap buckets and roller skates.

A very large piece on the wall that has been boring me for the three years we lived here. So happy!!

I am trying to think of something fun that can go on the bottom shelves. Any ideas? Has to be kind of kid friendly, I have very "curious" children. I set some big pumpkins down there for now but want something else. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Y'all have a great weekend!!

Dear Robert,

Hi, it's me Coco. Look at you laughing, you silly boy. What is so funny little cutie!? Oops, so sorry, I got a little distracted, you bad boy you.

Ok, I'm kind of nervous but here I go.

Robert, I thought I should write to you because you haven't been returning my phone calls or texts and there is a lot we need to talk about.

First I must say, I love you. I love you more than my husband and maybe more than my children. No lie. I think about you more than a 34 year old mother of two should. It isn't normal and it isn't right. But as the song sings, "If loving you is wrong, then I don't want to be right." And straight up, Rob, this is how I feel.

I want to be wrong. Oh ,so wrong and bad. So, so, so, so wrong.

People say it is Edward that I love, not you. This may of been the case at first, but now, it is ALL YOU. Your smile, your accent, your laugh. The way you dress, the way you wear your hair. Even the way you puff away on that cigarette. Yummy. I have seen more interviews of you (thank you Youtube!) than I can count and you are just a doll. Just a dream. Just a mesmerizing young man. It makes me choke up. AND makes me feel tingly in my bathing suit region.

Some say you look dirty? This isn't true, so don't listen. If they want to talk about dirty, take a look at Johnny Depp! Now that is gross and dirty. Not you Roberto, your are as clean as a whistle.

So, so, so clean.

Now, let's talk business. Robby, I have a proposition for you.

I want to have your baby. It will be fun, easy and really no trouble for you at all. You don't really even have to do much. I will raise it and you can come visit whenever you want. Or don't visit if you are too busy, like if you're on set filming a supercool movie or singing with your band or just in L.A and can't make it to Texas. I'm flexible (in more ways than one),it doesn't matter to me how often you come visit the baby, I totally understand.

I'm thoughtful like that.

Trust me, Robert, you WANT kids when you are super young. It's just easier that way. I promise. I am totally not just saying that. In fact, it is the law.

It would be perfect. I am great at having babies, I just hope you don't mind if I have a glass of wine or two during pregnancy. I have babies VERY easily. They just fly right out of me, and I get back to prebaby weight in just weeks!! I may be a little saggy after baby #3 but nothing a little plastic surgery can't fix. Right, Robby?

Don't you think this is a great plan? Kristen's skinny little body in no way would be able to carry your strapping unborn child. Not at all. This is the best way. A win-win for everyone. Just think about it. I am sure you will eventually see that this is a plan that will benefit not only the two of us....but the world! It would be philanthropic, if you will.

Moving on.

I have a tshirt with your face on it. You have fangs on this thsirt. Sometimes I slip that tshirt over a pillow and pretend you are laying next to me. Of course I don't do this at night when Hubby is home, he would think that is strange. I do this when the kids are at mother's day out.

On rainy, yucky days, there is nothing better than laying in bed and watching "Twilight" with you laying next to me. It is a dream come true. Mmmmmmmm.......hmmmmm..............

So, Rob, if you ever are in Texas, don't hesitate to come by for a cuddle. That would really be nice of you, it would make me feel special. And remember there is only one way to make a baby, Robert! So dropping by and "saying hi" is a must. Haha!

I am sure it will be very relaxing for you as well, Texas Hill country is just beautiful. You will really enjoy it. As it must get weird and kind of scary to have all of those crazy, nutso fans pawing all over you, a break from time to time is a must. And this is the place! You can just kick back and watch television, while I cook you some chicken spaghetti or some stuffed jalapenos. A nice glass of cab. Some heavy petting on the couch after Hubby and the kids are in bed.

There are some WEIRDOS out there, Robby. So you need to be careful and watch yourself. I worry, Roberto, I really do.

Well, I will wrap it up, but please write back or return my calls or texts. That would really make me feel more comfortable and secure in our relationship. This hearing nothing from you kind of makes me feel insecure, alone, and a bit isolated. So just a quick phone call letting me know everything is OK would be nice.

So start thinking of some English/Texas baby names. I already have a list started that I will read off to you when you call.



All the love in the world,

Coco Pattinson

What I want NOW!

My new favorite decor blog Vintage Junky is having a what I want now party! I thought I would join.

I love Vintage Junky because she seems to decorate a lot like I do. Vintage pieces mixed with not so vintage, a little whimsy here and there. I have just been reading her a short time, but already have plenty of ideas stashed away in my Rolodex of a brain from her. Thank you Vintage Junky, you jumped started my creative battery again. It was running low.

OK now, some of the things on my party list are really expensive but maybe one day. A girl can dream can't she?

Yet, some of the things on my party list are reasonable and would be great presents for me. Just in case any husbands, moms, dads, mother in laws, ga-ga in laws, brothers, brother in laws, sister in laws, future sister in laws or best friends are reading this.

Just sayin'.

Let's begin.

Piece number one:

This piece is huge. It may be too big for my house, but I heart it so. It isn't rustic or vintagy and that is what I like about it. I think it would look lovely filled with milk glass, mercury glass and carnival glass. With silver frames of family and friends sprinkled throughout.

I have been obsessed with the below two apothecary jars for awhile. They are huge and original and from France.

And they cost $12,500.00 for both. Could you imagine me having some glass that cost that much when I have Tess and Bram as children. That would be very poor decision making.

Trust me, I have been on a hunt forever to find something similar that cost ohhhhhh maybe $20 a set. I want them for my bathroom.

New bedding. I want the below bedding from Anthropologie. I want it for Spring 2010. I also want to wallpaper my bedroom. This will happen at some point in 2010. Mark my word, I am just going to have to be quite sneaky about it and do the wallpapering when Hubs is out of town. Can you wallpaper in a weekend? Is there a way to practice wallpapering? Need deets.



Anyhoo, this bedding is so bright and cheerful. What I love in bedding, it just makes me happy.

I must have this mushroom plate from Anthropologie to add to my plate collection.

Just a must. A must, a must , a must.

I also want the three candlesticks below. I am buying a vintage piece that is VERY shabby, and these three will look perfect lined up on top. The simplicity of the sticks with the rusticness/shabiness of the piece I am purchasing will be perfection.

I also want this.

I also want this from etsy. Just love anything pears right now. Weird. I go through fruit phases.

Last but not least, I REALLY want this, this, and this all to put on my couch. I know they are kind of hokey, but I have seen them in person and they are so fun and detailed.

Fort Worth (best city in the whole wide world. Maybe universe) where I was born and raised and Austin where Hubby was born and raised. And of course being that we are both 8th generation Texans, we HAVE to have the Texas pillow. Seriously, I have wanted these pillows since we got married. Love them.

Upon closing, I would like to remind my mother and father that if it wasn't for me, they would have 0 grandkids. AND I would like to remind Iddy, that if it wasn't for me, she would not have a granddaughter.

Just a reminder.

That was fun. And if you want to join in the party, go to Vintage Junky and linky loo on!!

Let your Soul Glo.....

We are having a teeny tiny problemo here in Cocoland. Just a small one.

As most of you know, my little lady has been in a big girl bed for several months now. This was not of my doing, she kept trying to make a quick escape from her crib. I caught her more than once in some compromising positions dangling off her crib.

Needless to say, it was time to move it on up!

SO, big girl bed it has been since mid August. Which is fine, no biggie.

But now Tess can actually open her bedroom door.

This is not fine, and definitely NOT a "no biggie."

She doesn't always come straight to our bedroom like her big brother (who would still be in his crib at 4 1/2 if we would not of moved him).

Take this morning for instance, she comes to my side of the bed and wakes me by saying, "Off, Mommy." Her little arms raised in the air. This is code for "take my shirt off." I sit up to get her shirt off and notice she it totally lubed up in Eucerin. This IS NOT our first Eucerin/Aquaphor experience.

As I investigate further, it seems she has greased up her hair, legs and feet. Then moved on to her doll house, a few Curious George books, the dishwasher, and my antique high chair. Awesome.

What has me puzzled is, why in the WORLD does anyone feel the need to get up and wonder the house, causing all sorts of shenanigans, when THIS is where you lay your sweet head AND you get to sleep as. long. as. you. want. to.:



Does it get any cozier?????

If you're going to make the world a better place take a look at yourself and then make the change!

Yes, "Man in the Mirror" is Bram's favorite new song. And he is oh so passionate about it. Very passionate about it. Loves him some MJ and I think I am going to buy him a Michael Jackson poster for his room.

This post has nothing to do with MJ and his golden pipes, I thought it was a good leeway in today's post about my fat ass.

I haven't worked out since first of August. This is by far the longest I have gone without working out in 5 years. Not kidding. I normally work out 4 days a week.

SO, today I am back in the saddle and will be running again 5 days a week. NO wine during the week, unless it is a special occasion, and just doing what I have always done to maintain a size 4/6.

Not. one. pair. of jeans fit right now. No lie.

This will be the last post about my big ass and love handles. Promise.

Because I am going to have a little thingy on the side of my blog telling all of the world what I did for exercise the day before, and how many pounds lost weekly.

Last you will hear about this.

Not kidding.

It is just getting out of hand.

Yuck.

It even isn't about how I look, it is how I feel. Just gummy.

I'm also super vain.

Pumpkin time gone awry.

I always have in mind the most intricate carved pumpkins sitting on my front porch. Something out of Martha Stewart Living.

This NEVER happens. Ever. So why oh why did I think last night would be different, especially with a two and four year old.

Once they saw the sharpie permanent markers come out, it was all over.

AND this is when OCD and toddlers suck. They just went to town on the pumpkins, drawing all kinds of crazy stuff. No witches on brooms, no scary ghosts flying through the night, no spooky cemeteries.

Then it was Hubby's turn to start a carvin'. I tried to give him an elaborate explanation of what I was thinking would be "totally cute! and everyone will slowly drive by our house in awwww of our darling pumpkins" He just stared at me, shook his head and started cutting.

We ended up with your basic jack-o-lantern. Boring. I tried to do a heart but it really just looks like a big ol' hole in the pumpkin.

Looks like the whole fam is missing the professional pumpkin carving gene.

Bummer.

We are going to the pumpkin patch today and I am going to get lots of funky pumpkins that the Coco family can just LOOK at and take a hands off approach to the whole "pumpkin carving" ritual.

My hopes and dreams can only be dashed once a holiday.

When the tops were off the pumpkins and we told the kids to "dig in" and get all the "guts" out.

Tess gagged. Like looked inside the pumpkin and GAGGED!

Such a girl.

Y'all have a fabulous weekend!!!!!

Creative Parenting

It all started when I got out the colors, markers and paint and let the kids go to town on their Melissa and Doug playhouse. It seemed a fabulous idea. I was in total cleaning mode so I wasn't paying super close attention.

Good times were being had by all. Richard Marx playing loudly. My kids laughing. A sprayer of bleach in one hand and a sponge in the other.

I was in heaven.

Then it got very quiet.

I walked in and saw this. And I got out my camera and just went with it. Washable markers come off kids with little to no effort.

Bram was very serious about coloring his sister.

He took his time and was careful to add special detailing to her body art.

After the arts and crafts of the day was over, they both got in my big bathtub, full of bubbles and played for 45 minutes!

Tess is feeling much better. Little lamb still has a fever, so we are quarantined again today. Blah. Blah.

I bought some pumpkins for us to carve and roast pumpkin seeds, a project that may last 2o minutes before they get bored. So wish me luck to another day of nothing.

And since it seems my kids are always in their undies, I felt a little alone, isolated and ashamed about it. SO, below is proof that there are clothes for my kids in this house.

Lots of them.

Gross.

I feel dirty. My house feels dirty. I am certain my kids are dirty. The only one I feel might be clean is Hubby. And that is only because he wasn't trapped in the germfest we like to call "home" all day yesterday. He also made a run for it this morning.

Yep, Tess has the piglet flu. Actually she tested negative for it, but since I took her in only a few hours after her fever started, this usually causes a false negative. SO they are treating it like piglet flu and her swabs are en route to the CDC.

$135 later, the whole family is on Tamiflu. Two year olds DO NOT like Tamiflu. At. All. I actually had to sit on her, hold her arms down and syringe it as far back into her throat as I could. It was awful.

If anyone has a better idea on giving medicine, do tell.

I'm also keeping Bram home for the rest of the week just so I don't contaminate the rest of his little school. Though three kids have the piglet flu already so I don't think it would do any harm. I'm just responsible like that.

You're welcome.

So if you need me I am trapped at the ol' casa. Folding clothes, washing sheets on "sterilize" and walking around with a sprayer full of bleach and water wiping door knobs and toilets.

All the while still wearing my gown and glasses. And a pair of Birkenstocks. It's a hot look.

And I'm letting my kids eat Pringles for breakfast.

Mom of the year. Fo' sho'.

Kid down.

Ugh. The little lady woke up this morning with a 102 fever. This is the second time in her two years that she has been sick, so she seems more mad than sad about the way she feels.

I hope it isn't the swine flu, which I am renaming the piglet flu, doesn't sound so scary.

So that is my adventure for the day. Taking care of a sick baby girl.

Seriously, we went from this yesterday evening:

To this, just 15 hours later:

Not a happy day.

Who's with me?

Had a fantastic weekend with Hubby's family. Iddy and Pa came in to watch Bram's soccer game. He showed off the entire time, running all silly and such. I don't know were he gets it.....

Hubby went dove hunting and I headed to Austin to spend the weekend with the in-laws. THANK GOD I adore them all. Or I would of been one pissed off Coco.

Hubs little sis is an aisthestician (no idea how to spell that nor does spell check), just starting her own business and has all the fancy training in the lasers and such. All of her equipment had just been delivered to her house to be put in her shop. SO, Saturday night after dinner and the kids were as snug as bugs in bed, Iddy and I got microdermabrasion. It was fabulous. A wonderful slumber party, complete with red wine and getting your face sand blasted!!!

I also did a little antiquing with Iddy and Abby. Honestly, I haven't done any junk diving in a looonnngg time. It was fun and I made out with some goodies.





These old skates still have the key! They had been outside under a bench just rusting away to perfection. I just set them on my buffet next to my milkglass just to get them out of the way, but like how they look up there. The rustiness of the skates with the simple white perfection of the milkglass.

This little soap dish in my guest bath. Love it.

See the funky cat in the corner? The crazy antique lady gave it to me for $10. It is solid heavy wood. And funk-a-licious. I immediately knew it had to become friends with my funky chicken and my fun rocking chair.

No Monday would be complete without a picture of my naked kids eating cereal and watching "Charlie and Lola" They actually have on underwear. AND have just gotten out of the shower.

Tess received this horse and carrier for her birthday, and this sits at each meal with her. Just mealtimes. Not bedtime, not nap time. Just to eat.

That wraps up the weekend a bit.

Another cold rainy drizzly day. It is laundry day and the kids are EXHAUSTED from the non-stop entertainment that is Iddy and Pa. So I think we will be laying low. I am DYING to go to the pumpkin patch but it would be a mudfest. And Coco isn't a fan of the mud.

Does anyone want to do a teeny tiny weight loss competition? Like were there is money involved? I want to be skinny minnie in time for the holidays so I can eat, drink and be merry!

Let me know if you are in! I have a friend who did it with her office and she won $200 and lost 25 lbs. Come on ladies......who's with me???!!!!