Mindless Monday, Family Dates in October, Blog Linkage

Good Monday morning!

Let the week begin!

I sound like I'm ready for it, don't I? In reality, not so much.

RANDOMNESS #1 - Roxie and the volleyball chicks ate at Outback Friday night, and since I was in a "preschool" autumnal state of mind, I made cupcakes. Lots and lots of cupcakes.

And Mikie delivered them because I shouldn't be expected to slave over a hot stove AND drive The Big Gold Van.

I know. I'm such a diva.

Why didn't they have these cute cupcake kits when my kids were little? Why?

It makes everything so colorful and festive and bright... especially for the "cupcake decorating impaired" (such as myself).

RANDOMNESS #2 - Josh and Brad did not catch ANYTHING on Senior Mini-Trip #3. Not one thing. They did get a few bites.

The guide caught five or six BIG bass, so he obviously took them to the right places.

And they had a great time.

And they invited the guide to eat dinner with them at Santa Fe Steakhouse.

And he liked Josh and Brad so much, he told them to come back in the Spring and he would take them out again... at a much, much, much reduced price.

And they agreed.

NOTE - Josh took two pictures with his phone, but he hasn't e-mailed them to the computer yet. I'll have them by Friday, so y'all can have something to look forward to over the next few days.

RANDOMNESS #3 - As you all know, I am a Great-Aunt... in every respect. My great-niece, Lauren, turned ONE Wednesday, and her party was Saturday.

As I mentioned last Friday, Austin had to work, Mike took Roxie to a volleyball tournament and Josh was out of town with Brad.

That left me, Great-Aunt Belinda, to represent The Faulkner Five at the festivities.

Brandi did an excellent job. The theme for Lauren's first birthday was pink and white polka dots. So, so pretty.

I love every little thing about Lauren.

I love her sense of style.

I love how The Chick instinctively knows how to eat birthday cake.

And I love little pink shoes. (I miss little pink shoes.)

Unlike Matthew's first birthday party over four years ago, there were little cousins in attendance. Luke is Matthew and Lauren's cousin on Jared's side of the family, and he is precious. He's all "two year-old boy" and loves trains, trains, trains.

And as an added bonus, Luke's three-week old baby brother, Judd, made an appearance. Oh... my... goodness.

I was in baby/preschool heaven.

It was a good way to spend an October morning.

RANDOMNESS #4 - Sunday was originally a pumpkin carvin' kind of day, but because of Austin's busy schedule, I was flexible and rescheduled the pumpkins for next Sunday.

I decided we would drive to Clanton and eat barbecue at Peach Park after church, and that would be lunch AND The Second Faulkner Five Fun Fall Ride.

And then I had to get a little more flexible.

Melia was sick and couldn't go with us.

Roxie and Josh were starving and didn't want to drive that far.

Austin was happy.

I changed our eating plans to Mugshots in Vestavia. (Much closer than Clanton.)

Melia was still sick and couldn't go with us.

Roxie and Josh were starving, but excited about going to Mugshots.

Austin was happy.

Then I started thinking of ways we could turn the ride home into The Second Faulkner Five Fun Fall Ride.

I became very "Pooh-like." Think, think, think.

And then it hit me.

The Sibyl Temple in Vestavia! It was only one minute from Mugshots, and we could walk to the top of the hill and see all the fall foliage our hearts desired in five minutes or less.

I thought it would be perfect... and it would have been if Josh and Roxie enjoyed the Fun Fall Rides even a little bit.

They do not.

This isn't exactly the picture I was hoping for, but it is a pretty accurate description, don't you think?

Austin (also known as The Boy or The Golden Child) enjoyed our outing very, very much.

I thought his happiness might be contagious...

But, obviously not.

I had to promise Josh we were leaving immediately after this shot was taken to get a smile.

I lied.

It's a beautiful view, isn't it?

This was a little disturbing. I had no idea I looked like this when I stood up from a sitting position.

It's not a good look for me.

Mikie is a good sport, but when he gets all "crazy-eyed" on me, I know it's time to head for the house.

You may be wondering, "Enchanting Belinda... You say you love and adore your kiddos. Why do you put them through such an obviously awful tradition as The Faulkner Five Fun Fall Ride?"

My kids were 9'6", 9'12" and 9'5", respectively, when they were born. My three deliveries could never be described as "good," "easy" or "magical."

In this season of my life, I feel they owe me... big time.

Family Dates in October

I picked up a copy of Birmingham Parent Magazine yesterday, and there are some fun things happening this month.

You could plan an individual date or a family date!

1. Hikes for Tykes

This event is scheduled for Saturday, October 20 at 10:00 a.m. at The Botanical Gardens.

"Join storyteller Verna Gates on a magical mystery tour of the gardens. Look for fairies, dragons and other mythical creatures on the faces of flowers and rocks. Bring a bag to collect treasures. A hands-on adventure for preschool children to explore nature."

And it is FREE.

To register, call 205-401-0245 or go to events@freshairfamily.org.

2. Pumpkin Patch Express

This event is scheduled every Saturday and Sunday in October at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

"The entire family will enjoy an autumn train ride to the pumpkin patch for a hayride, jumpstation, temporary tattoos and good ol' fashioned boiled peanuts. Pick out your favorite pumpkin from the patch."

For tickets and information go to www.HODRRM.org or call 205-757-8383.

NOTE - If you pick up a copy of Birmingham Parent magazine (check your local library), there is a coupon for a FREE pumpkin with the purchase of two tickets to the Pumpkin Patch (one coupon per family.)

3. Hidden World of Bats

This event is scheduled for October 25 at 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens.

"Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight. Learn many qualities and adaptations of these fascinating animals. Naturalist Dick Mills plans to bring some live representations of our regional bats in Alabama."

For registration and information call 205-682-8019 or go to www.aldridgegardens.com.

4. Hikes for Tykes

This event is scheduled for Saturday, October 27 at 10:00 a.m. at The Botanical Gardens.

"Digging it... A hands-on search for bugs and other creatures found at a toddler's level. Henry Hughes, education director, leads this adventure."

And it is FREE.

To register, call 205-401-0245 or go to events@freshairfamily.org.

5. Southeastern Outings Full Moon Night Walk

This event is scheduled for October 27 at 7:00 p.m. at Hillsboro Trail in Helena.

"Easy four-mile walk on a full moonlit night! Wide, paved trail with a few short hills. Well-behaved, carefully supervised children (age 7 and up) able to complete walk welcome. Visit a frozen yogurt shop afterward. Depart at 7:00 p.m. from the front parking lot at Helena Middle School."

For information contact Dan Frederick at 205-631-4680 or go to seoutings@bellsouth.net.

Blog Linkage - Go to www.kellehampton.com and read Saturday's post entitled "Our Michigan Leaves." Enjoy!

Have a splendid Monday. I'll be back at the end of the week with Weekend Happenings, the last of the volleyball pics, Randomness and more, more, more.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Friday.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda