Halloween

Okay, I am a complete pile of Mommy-goo right now. My youngest daughter just melted my heart.

We went out trick-or-treating, her brother dressed as Yoda, and she was in her stroller dolled up like a pumpkin. At the first house, she hung back, not sure what was going on. Then when she was offered candy, they tried to put it in her plastic bucket. Her eyes widened and she wanted to hold it. Only when she was sure I wasn’t going to take it, did she allow me to put it in the bucket.

At the next house, they held out a tray and let her choose. Instead of one piece, my darling pumpkin reached in with both mitts, in complete chocolate adoration (it’s hereditary). I made her put some of it back and she managed to say, “Tank oo” (thank you).

Third house–she wanted to say “Trick or treat” like the other kids, but just couldn’t get her mouth around it. Instead she looked the neighbors in the eye and chatted, “Da da da da da…tank oo! Bye bye!” and after giggling, she stuffed the candy in her bucket and trotted off.

She had an absolute blast and I was just dying, watching her try to be a big girl. Sniffle.

I’m going to blink and she’ll be walking down the aisle.

Tagged…

Okay, Michelle Styles tagged me on this one:

Three screen names that you’ve had: Michelle Willingham, mrsleonard, and mwilling

Three things you like about yourself: I work very hard, especially on a deadline (hint, hint); I’m a good listener; and I’ve never been convicted of a felony.

Three things you don’t like about yourself: My inability to control myself around salt water taffy :hungry:, my impulsive nature, and my complete lack of artistic creativity (I had a pumpkin pattern, people! I could never have cut those out without the pattern).

Three parts of your heritage: Umm…I’m a little confused by this question, but I’m 100% British in origin. There’s actually a town of Willingham where my ancestors originated. My husband is 100% Irish, so does that make me Irish-in-law?

Three things that scare you: phone calls from editors (but I sure do want one!); parent phone calls that involve telling me their life story and how they were former gang members and took part in a ritual shooting of themselves in the head (yes, I really DID have a parent who told me this…I was a bit reluctant to ask her to sign her son’s homework agenda nightly); and mice.

Three of your everyday essentials: Cafe Francais (General Foods International Coffee) :coffee2:, yogurt as part of my lunch, and hugs/kisses from my children.

Three things you are wearing right now: Umm…pajamas?

Three of your favorite songs: Bring me to Life by Evanescence, I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) by the Proclaimers, and Die Another Day by Madonna.

Three things you want in a relationship: Love, a sense of team spirit, and a man who cleans my house.

Two truths and a lie: Truth: I have no self-control when it comes to chocolate caramels. Truth: I have completed 3 full-length romance novels and 4 full-length children’s novels. Lie: I wear a size 2.

Three things you can’t live without: oxygen, food, and water. (Well, really!)

Three places you want to go on vacation: Ireland, Scotland, and Australia.

Three things you just can’t do: Play football, basketball or any other team sport. I fall on my face. Any sport involving catching, throwing, or hitting a ball does not work for me.

Three kids names: Andrew, Elizabeth, James

Three things you want to do before you die: Go on an African safari, publish a book (or 100), and earn a million dollars.

Three celeb crushes: Mel Gibson in Braveheart, Daniel Day-Lewis in Last of the Mohicans, and Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones).

Three of your favorite musicians: Sting, Madonna, and really any cheesy 80’s band. I’m a sucker for 80’s music.

Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeals to you: self-confidence, okay a nice muscular body, and an intelligent mind. Though, if he cleans my house, the intelligent mind isn’t really necessary.

Three of your favorite hobbies: writing, cooking, and reading.

Three things you really want to do badly right now: publish my first book, spend a day doing nothing but reading, and hire someone to clean my house.

Three careers you’re considering/you’ve considered: editor, full-time author, stay-at-home mom.

Three ways that you are stereotypically a boy: I’m a go-getter, I like independence/autonomy, and I don’t put up with idiocy from people “just because we’ve always done it this way.”

Three ways that you are stereotypically a girl: I love gorgeous dresses, sparkly jewelry, and eating at the most expensive restaurant in town (to my husband’s dismay).

Three people that I would like to see post this meme: Tori, Katie, and Olga.