Recently | November Edition

Happy November y'all!  2016 is coming to a close in give or take 60 days.  As usual, I feel like this year went by way too fast, but I won't complain about it.  This year been full of changes for me and my family that I know will lead to bigger and better things in the upcoming New Year.  Since I haven't been updating you guys on all of the happenings around these parts very often, I thought a Recently post was in order to bring y'all up to speed.

Started | I've been keeping a secret from you guys.  For almost two years I've been having a strong desire to officially become a member of the BookTube aka YouTube for book lovers/nerds (like me) community.  I thought I was going to start my BookTube journey last year, but chickened out.  Also, I chickened out earlier this year.  It just felt like some sort of elite club that I might not be cool enough to be a part of.

Anyways, this year I've really been working on getting more comfortable being in front of the camera and shooting videos.  So last month I decided that enough was enough.  I took the plunge and became a BookTuber!  You check out my first video below

So far everything has been great.  My channel is still fairly new but already I've made some new friends and even gotten my first BookTube shout out from another more known and established BookTuber, Olivia from iLivieforbooks.  I'm super excited to have a dedicated space to fangirl over my favorite books and authors as well as to talk about writing.

Loved | Last month I was cleaning out the kids' iPad and realized that I'm raising a future model and a mini photographer/videographer.  Can who's going to be which?  Maybe the pictures below will give y'all a clue.

I absolutely loved this pictures of Moo with her personality really shining through.  I'm pretty sure I shared them with all of my family members as well as on my Instagram and the YUMMommy Facebook page.  They were just too adorable not to share.  This wasn't her only photoshoot either.  Not to be outdone JJ snapped these pretty decent shots of his bff Thomas the Tank Engine and Luke.

Celebrated | For the last three years it has rained on Halloween here.  We purchased costumes for the kids the first two years, but skipped buying them the third year.  We were only going to be home chilling on the couch with our favorite snacks and watching our favorite Halloween movies anyway.  Fast forward to Halloween 2016 and we skip costumes again because I'm expecting our tradition of Halloween Rain to continue.  Guess what y'all?

It didn't rain this year!  The kids asked to go trunk-or-treating at our favorite baptist church and I obliged them.  Although we didn't have official costumes (Moo found a Doc McStuffins dress up shirt and JJ wore a 'Zombie Ate My Homework' shirt), we still had a blast celebrating Halloween with some friends from our old neighborhood.  The kids got to play games like pin the nose on the pumpkin, JJ took his first hay ride and we got to get inside a real fire truck!  Next year we'll be back to buying costumes.

Last month we also celebrated the fact that Moo has pretty much tested out of her grade level according to the standardized testing they took at the beginning of the school year as well as the gifted and talented test.  The testing only allowed for second graders to test to a fourth grade level.  Moo maxed out in the reading department and did pretty much the same in the math.  She's already exceeded her end of the year goals for both.

She had been mentioning being a little bored in classroom, but I thought that she was only saying that because she wanted to homeschool with her brother.  I'm glad we have test results to prove that she's actually bored because she's so far ahead of her classmates.  Her teacher has recommended some apps and learning sites for us to use at home so that she can be more stimulated on her intellectual level.

Watched | Let me just off saying that I've pretty given up watching cable tv.  Between the horrible campaign ads and just not being able to find anything to keep my attention, I've spent a lot of time on Netflix these past few months.  I was beyond hyped when I found Marvel was filming Luke Cage and stalked Netflix for it daily just in case they released it early.  When they finally did, I binge watched it and y'all that show did NOT disappoint.  I'm already wondering when season 2 will start filming.

I finally watched the last episode of Orange Is The New Black.  I know I'm super late, but I had been putting it off because with everything going on in our society, the race issues and inequality issues were just hitting too close to home and I needed a moment to not get swept up even more in my frustration and anger.  Needless to say I cried some angry tears and a few tears of sorrow.

So I've become a bit obsessed British and foreign crime shows.  The Fall, featuring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, is my favorite and it felt like it took them forever to release the third and final season on Netflix.  I was not prepared for the way it ended.  Also, I binge watched Marcella, another British crime show, that really had me on the edge of my seat.  I don't know how to talk about these shows without spoiling it so I'll say just check them out, but be aware that they are a bit graphic and dark.

Disliked |  There's no easy way to put this.  So I'm just going to come right out and say it.  For the past few months I have really disliked having neighbors.  A few specific neighbors to be exact.  I don't want to go into details, but let's just say that we you have share parking spaces, a lawn and other property, please considerate, clean and respectful.

The kids and I are looking forward to moving to the country where we can have our space.  Will we miss the convenience of city life?  Of course, having Target two miles away is hard to give up, but my sanity and detached living are more important.  I'm looking forward to the New Year when our closest neighbor will be several yards away.

What have you guys been up to?

Happy Halloween

Well, the treat buckets have been pulled out, costumes are going on and we're watching all of the Halloween cartoons on the Disney Channel and NickJr.  Moo is beyond ready to get out and start trick-or-treating.  We're just hitting up a few houses on our block this year because it's entirely too cold and windy to have them out.  The nebulizer hasn't had to be used in a while and I'm hoping to keep it that way.

This year Moo is dressed up as Snow White.  I was finally able to convince her to give her princess costume from last year a break.  And JJ will be dressed as Iron Man.  He hasn't been interested in putting on his costume all morning due to his obsession with a McDonald's straw.  Kids. 

I'm super excited to see if we'll get any trick-or-treaters of our own this year.  Once, I take the kids to collect their candy from the neighbors, we're coming back home, turning on the porch light and pigging out snacks while we wait for candy collectors.  Let's hope that we don't have any battles when it comes time for Moo and JJ to turn over their loot and go to bed.

Also, we're still waiting to hear from some family members in New York.  With all the power outages and down cell phone signals, all we can do is pray that they are somewhere safe and warm with food and water. Thankfully, all my family in Jersey, VA and DC were able to go further inland.  So, please keep my family in prayer. 

Lift up Alicia from Mommy Delicious in a special prayer too.  She and her little man lost power yesterday evening.  I hate thinking about everyone who has to literally stay warm by putting on tons of layers and blankets at night and venturing out to find shops with power to occupy during the daytime.  It's rough out there for real you guys.  I'm in the process of trying to contact some charities and local churches here to see what they are going to due to help with relief efforts and maybe team up with them to help out.  

Please everyone be safe, dress warm and have fun! 

 Happy Halloween!

Thankful Thursday

What a good week it has been so far.  My little guy has gotten even more steady on his feet.  He's hasn't mastered the art of a full run but he does this really walk-hobble.  LOL.  It's funny watching him trying to scurry off around the corner to the kitchen before I can grab him.  In his mind, he doesn't know that I'm faster than he is.  And I sometimes let him make it almost to the kitchen just because he gets a kick out of it when I do catch up to him.

Yes, even at the ripe age of 1 year old, I'm doing small things to help him build up his self-confidence.  Plus, it's become our little game.  I'm thankful for these simple joys of motherhood.  It's these moments that keep me going and prove how rewarding being a parent truly is.  More importantly, I'm still beyond thankful that he's walking.

I'm thankful that he's getting better at sharing with his sister.  This week there weren't as many biting and hair pulling incidents as last week.  And I'm confident that once he's able to better communicate his wants verbally all that will stop completely.  I'm thankful that I've been able to keep the kids Halloween costumes a secret this year.  Last year and the year before, Moo saw her costumes before Halloween and had a meltdown because she couldn't put them on early.

I'm thankful for all the new visitors and likes Moo's Closet has been getting on Facebook.  I'm also thankful that our microwave revived itself.  I was pretty sure that it has died on Tuesday night because I couldn't get it to work.  I tried unplugging it, wiggling the cord and everything.  Finally, I let it out with the door open for a few minutes and then closed it.  And what do you know, it started working again.  Hopefully, it'll hang in there for a few more weeks.

I'm thankful for the continued support and comments from you all.  It's amazing the kind words and advice that I've received from complete strangers through this blog.  Thank you for letting me know that I'm not alone in what I go through.

What's on your thankful list this week?

My 5 Favorite Halloween Movies

I haven't really done any Halloween talk here on the blog. It's not that we don't celebrate it.  It's just that for the most part Moo is only into trick-or-treating and dressing up.  All the scary stuff freaks her way out and I completely understand that.  JJ knows about candy but he's too young to fully grasp the concept.  And I believe Halloween is a good excuse to pig out on all your favorite junk foods and watch movies.

With that said here my 5 favorite Halloween movies:

Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy, Hocus Pocus is one of my all time favorite Halloween movies.  It's a classic and staple.  My siblings and I have watched this movie for years!  I hope that one day Moo and JJ will love it just as much as we do!

Plus, who can resist anything with the lovely and very fashionable SJP?!  I know that I can't.  This story about what happens when 3 witches are resurrected from the dead on Halloween night is guaranteed to you have you laughing.  It's also a good movie to watch with your little ones who at least 8 or aren't as easily spooked.

I've wanted to marry Michael Keaton since he was Batman.  So, when my parents introduced me to Beetlejuice, it was love at first watch!  Beeltejuice is the coolest and dopest ghost on planet (besides Casper and Slimer) and this movie never gets old for me.  Now while I enjoyed this movie as a child, I'm sure your little one would.  I know mine wouldn't.  They're just not there yet.

Two words... Johnny Depp.  Do I even have to say anymore ladies?!  I like to think of Edward Scissorhands as a modern version of the Hunchback of Notre Dame  but instead of having a hump in his back, he has scissors for hands.  It's funny, romantic and sad all at the same time.  My favorite part of the movie is when all the ladies come over and he starts styling their hair.  Funny!

"Who you gone call?"  Yes, that famous catchphrase from the Ghostbusters' theme song is sure to get stuck in your head after you watch the movie.  Funny man Bill Murray really delivers the laughs and I love Sigourney Weaver.  You how Angela Basset gives off that 'I don't take any mess' vibe?  Well, Sigourney does the same.  

Not going to lie, the first time I saw this movie I had nightmares for at least three days.  I was sharing a room with my older sister and my parents didn't really believe in night lights.  So, I seeing a gremlin every five minutes and having sister get up to turn the lights on.  My dad even came in the room and did a search to prove there were no gremlins but I still wasn't buying it.  Years later when I was older I felt foolish of being so scared of gremlins.

This is definitely not a kid friendly movie.  However, I'm sure it's suitable for teens and we grown folks can still get a laugh out of some parts.  

What are your/your family's favorite Halloween movies?

Dressing Up For The Holidays

If you're like me and didn't have time to hunt through racks and racks of Halloween costumes for yourself this year, fear not.  You don't have to wait until next Halloween to get dressed up.  The lovely people over at Halloween Mart have wide selection of costumes to choose from for just about every holiday.   And of course, would could make your Thanksgiving more festive than you and your family dressing up in one of these cute costumes?

And why not ditch the traditional holiday wear for Christmas?  Instead, you can have a party and ask guests to get creative by wearing costumes.  It'll not only set for a less formal  mood but the kids will get a kick out of seeing Santa, Rudolph and elves!!

Even the pets can get in on the action.

And for those just looking to stay ahead, get a start on Halloween 2012 by checking out the amazing selection of kids Halloween costumes.  And don't forget about yourself again.  They have a great adult Halloween costumes too.

Happy Holidays!

Disclaimer:  This post is brought you by our friends over at Halloweenmart.com.

Costume Super Center

One of my most fond family memories before my father left is Halloween 1996.  I was in fifth grade.  My mom was out of town on a business trip, which meant my father was on costume duty.  My siblings and I were not the least bit thrilled.  As far as we knew our father's best skills were cooking, cleaning and watching kung fu movies.  However, he surprised us all by creating costumes for each of us that were great.

Somehow, he put together a witch costume for me, a hump back costume for my brother, a clown one for my younger sister and a lady bug outfit for our baby sister all from scratch and using simple items from around the house like balloons to make the hump in brother's back.  It was here that I began to see my father in a new light.  He was more than the man he who cooked for us every night, paid the bills, and sat on the couch watching Bruce Lee.  He had an eye for creativity and styling (clothes that is).

Now, that Moo is almost two and knows what candy is we have decided to take her trick or treating with some of her playmates this Halloween.  Since, we both love frogs and she is our little princess, her costume is going to be Princess and the Frog inspired.  While I can make the costume from scratch, the one thing I couldn't make from scratch is her costume wig.  So, for that I turned to the Costume Super Center.

I was amazed at the amount of costume wig options I had to choose from.   I mean their selection is awesome.  It's not like the sparse selection you see at WalMart or Target.  The thing I like most is that their wigs can get more than a one time use out them.  They tell you on the site how to take care of your wig so that it will last beyond Halloween night.  And that's perfect for me since I've never had the need to wear a wig. 

After browsing all their wigs I settled on the Cheyene Indian Wig.  It doesn't have a bang which will work well with the tiara.  And it's long. So, it will hang down her back.  I love that it has combs sewed inside to help keep the wig secured.

Their costume selection is even better.  I couldn't believe the thousands of costume options they have.  So for all you parents who aren't so talented with a sewing machine to make costumes from scratch, Costume Super Center is the place to shop!!!   Seriously, your item ships the same day if you order it before 3 PM and the prices are very affordable.  Not to mention, they have coupon codes to help you save even more.  And no you don't have do anything special to get them.  They post the codes right on the main page.

Their adult costume selection is just as great as the kids.  By the way, they don't just do outfits either.  you can get shoes and accessories to match your costume as well.  Costume Super Center is really your one stop shop when it comes to all things costume.  Honestly, I will be purchasing an outfit for my bachelorette party and some dress up outfits to gift my niece for Christmas. 

Stay up to date on all their sales, new selections and more by following them via Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Shopping!!!