Boo At the Zoo.

That time of year is upon us again - the weather has cooled, we're well into the months that end in "-ber", and there's nutritionally-challenged food all around us.  It's the season of holidays!  Our first major fall holiday is quickly approaching - Halloween.  Mwhahahahahaha!  Yeah, that was my sorry attempt at a Dracula laugh.  Fail. 

Growing up, Halloween was not a big event in our house.  Conveniently, it wasn't a big deal in my husband's childhood home either.  M is an only child, but in our home, there are three kids, and none of us ever cared much about Halloween.  Growing up in the country, neighbors were few and far between, so the idea of trick-or-treating was really foreign to us.  I think in all the years of growing up, we may have had one...no two...yes, it was two trick-or-treaters.  I think we may have gotten into the Halloween festivities at least once...not because I remember the event at all, but because there is a picture of my sister and I dressed up when I was about 4yrs old and she was probably 2.  I was Super Woman, and my sister was a clown.  If I could find those pictures, I'd post them...but you're out of luck for now.  We didn't go on our first real trick-or-treating adventure until college.  Ahh!  Fun times. 

My little pumpkin.

Last year, was our first Halloween as parents, so me and the hubs decided to do something fun for our daughter although she was only 10-months old at the time.  After researching and talking to other moms in the area, I learned that one of our local colleges does Boo At The Zoo festivities for families and kids.  So, we went.  G dressed as a little pumpkin - the cutest pumpkin ever, if I might add - and me and M were the designated candy-gatherers.  It was a good time, and one that we hope to make a tradition for years to come.  Santa Fe College has been hosting Boo At The Zoo for 17 years.  Admission is one canned food item per person, which goes toward local food banks.  It's a really great time for the family....it's safe, it's free, and it's for a good cause!  If you're in the Gainesville, FL area, and have little ones, I would definitely recommend trying it out.  I'll post their flier below, but you can also visit their website, Boo At the Zoo, for this years times, dates, and other information.  We'll be there with our little pumpkin, although she has upgraded to a zebra this year.  Look out for those pictures! 

In closing, I'll say this...although, I much prefer Fall decorations over spider webs and goblins, I'll gladly put that aside once a year for my daughter.  At only 22-months old, she still doesn't quite grasp the concept of Halloween, or trick-or-treating for that matter, but she has fun regardless.  Our Halloween will be full of fresh air, giggles, and sugar, and I wish the same for you and your family!  So, grab your candy bucket and a canned food item, and we'll see you at the zoo!

A-MAZE-ING

It's Fall - yes, I'm obsessed with this time of the year...don't judge me. But do you really blame me? I mean, the weather is amazing, there are pumpkins everywhere, there's good food to be cooked and devoured, the holidays are right around the corner...even the air smells better! And I don't know how it is in your neck of the woods, but here, people even seem to be in better moods when the weather cools down. Maybe it's because as Floridians, we spend about 10-months out of the year trying to keep ourselves from having a heat stroke, or maybe it's simply that everyone else realizes how awesome Fall is too. Who knows! Who cares! All I know is this time of the year is the best!

In our house, we spend a lot of time outside between the months of October and January. We love to get out, and do things that are fun. Whether it's a walk around our neighborhood or a visit to the park, we just love to be outside. One of the neatest outdoor activities that I've seen that is geared toward this time of the year, is corn mazes! Now, as into the outdoors and Fall weather as I am, I am ashamed to admit that I've never visited a corn maze. And the really pathetic thing is, we have a local corn maze that's been going on for years, yet I've never experienced it. I'm obviously sheltered. This year, however, I'm hoping to change that. I was looking on Facebook earlier, and a good friend of mine posted a link to this great site, The MAiZE. It really is a brilliant play on words. Moving right along, the thing I thought was so great about it, is it's not just local to people in Florida or in the Gainesville area. If you go to their Visit A Maize tab, you'll see the different locations they have including all across the United States, Canada, the UK, and even Poland! And if you get really inspired and are really into corn, you can visit their Own A Maize tab. Hmmm, I wonder what the hubby would think of that?

Until next time, get out, get active, and fall into fun!

Some of their creations:

Pink Pumpkins.

In hopes of staying in the spirit of my earlier post, Pretty In Pink, I wanted to share some information about a local community event. If you live in the Gainesville area, this Saturday, October 15 from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Shands Hospital is doing a Pink Pumpkin Painting Party to promote breast cancer awareness. It's for a great cause, and it's free. You pick your pumpkin from the patch, paint it pink, and then decorate it with ribbons, feathers, paint, glitter and more - and face it, who doesn't love glitter? It's fun for the whole family! So grab your significant other, the kids, and maybe even grandma and grandpa, and head on over to the pumpkin patch!

For more information and to RSVP, which is required by Friday, October 14, you can visit their website, Shands Hospital. Have a great time!

Pretty In Pink.

Cancer.  Just the word makes me cringe. 

In my almost 30 years, I've seen family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors fight this nasty beast - some fought until they could fight no more, and others live on to tell their amazing stories of triumph and courage.  I'll never forget losing a classmate to brain cancer when I was in elementary school.  Or losing our neighbor to lung cancer when I was fourteen.  He was the nicest man - a former fireman who had moved to the country to enjoy his retirement.   On my 19th birthday, I remember sitting in the doctor's office and hearing the word leukemia.  Thankfully, it wasn't leukemia, but still a numbing scare.  I also remember when my precious Aunt Dottie was diagnosed with colon cancer.  And in just a few months, the phone call that followed saying she had lost her battle.  Most recently, I remember returning to work after my daughter was born in early 2010 and learned that a coworker, not much older than me, had been diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer.  I was shocked.  When I left for maternity leave, she was healthy and full of life.  I'm happy to say, that she is a fighter and a survivor.  And that brings me to the point of this entry -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Last year, after learning the news of our friend, a group of coworkers and I, pulled together and participated in our local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk in our friend's honor.  She, along with her mother, sister and two little girls, was able to join us.  It was a great experience.  This year, on October 22, a hand full of the same group will once again meet up and walk in honor and in memory of our loved ones.  I can't wait.

If you haven't signed up yet, please visit the American Cancer Society website for information on walks in your area.  Grab a friend, and get walking!

Our Making Strides team from 2010.