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The Great Pumpkin: waging war against candy (and crazy) everywhere.

click here to open post Oct 31, 2011 | posted in parenting | 11 comments

Above photo from beautiful cousin Nicole and her darling Baby Dash.

Sorry for not cluing you in on this little piece of parenting magic before now! Sincerely.

I introduce to you. . . the Great Pumpkin!

Every year, on Halloween night, the Norton boys bag up all their Halloween loot and leave it out on the front porch for the Great Pumpkin. Once the the boys are in bed and the house is quiet and dark, the Great Pumpkin emerges from the darkness and sizes up said offering. If he deems the sacrifice sufficient, he takes it with him and leaves some long awaited toy, of one kind or another, in it’s place!

I know. I know. Y’welcome.

Great Pumpkin Tips:

1. Make it optional if you’re worried about the kids being on board. Chances are, they’ll be so curious about the surprise, they’ll be all over the idea. If not, when siblings get their presents, they’ll have at least learned their lesson for next year!

2. If you missed the boat today, do it tomorrow. My boys are leaving their candy out tomorrow night, because they’re afraid that straggler trick-or-treaters might inadvertently take their offering thinking the candy was left out for the taking.

3.  Let the kids each pick 5-10 of their favorite pieces of candy to keep!

Happy Halloween!

11 comments | add comment
  • Becky Dawson: Brilliant! I'll have to remember this when I have kids! What does the Great Pumpkin do with all the loot? October 31, 2011 5:36 pm
  • stephanie joy: We did this tonight and I am pretty sure I got the idea from you last year. BRILLIANT! Ambrose finally gets the dang Transformer he has been wanting and I get peace and sanity. HOORAY! And thank you. October 31, 2011 8:24 pm
  • dolly: I love it! Would totally do it but luckily Izzy is happy with just a dozen houses of door bell ringing in the first place and loves to hand out candy at the door instead. Secondly, she would be on to me. She asked me about Santa yesterday and I told her the straight up deal and she replied... that's what I thought. I always follow it up with the fact that there really is a Santa in our hearts if we want him there and we can create the magic just like a good mood at a birthday party. She seemed to get it. : ) October 31, 2011 8:31 pm
  • Claire Atherfold: Awesome idea, thanks for sharing! November 1, 2011 1:20 am
  • Marci: Such a great idea...we'll definitely be trying this next year! November 1, 2011 1:33 am
  • Tristen Lawrence: We call it the "switch witch" and she's building a house full of candy and she needs ours. But she pays in toys. Except that this year we ran out of candy for trick-or-treaters and I handed out the extra (beyond the 10 they picked) to the kids. Not sure how we're going to do the switch witch. But the truth is that the kids really don't mind giving up the candy, they like to eat it at night but aren't picky about how much they have in the morning, in my experience. November 1, 2011 2:03 am
  • Emma: This is such a good idea. We do a trade program... each piece of candy is like money and there is a little "store" where Etta can use her candy to trade for other treats: little toys, or healthier treats. The great pumpkin idea is awesome! November 1, 2011 6:05 am
  • jo thomas: Oh you make me giggle, parenting is a good mix of imagination and cleverness and you have both in spades!! What I want to know is what happens to the loot??!!! Fess up now..... ha ha!!! November 2, 2011 12:28 am
  • Leca: You are awesome! I put a link for your idea on my blog. You can check it out here. http://lecaunplugged.blogspot.com/2011/11/halloween-candy.html Thank you! November 3, 2011 8:58 am
  • Just So You Know | Dallas Family Children and Newborn Photography « Kalli Barker Photography: [...] I didn’t run across this blog post until after Halloween had passed.  “The Great Pumpkin”.  Your kids leave their candy [...] November 4, 2011 3:23 am
  • Awesome Halloween Party for kids: [...] We trick-or-treated for almost an hour, then made a loop by the house to drop off all the little ones. Lia was DONE. She was laying down in the trailer saying “I’m tired…” Max and Ava were ALL about the candy. All in all, it was SO fun! I think Halloween is one of my favorite holidays because I get to have all my favorite people at my house at once. Later that night, after everyone was tucked in bed, Josh came across this fabulous idea on a friend’s blog: the great pumpkin. [...] November 28, 2011 6:45 pm

Nakedness, ugly-awesome shoes and a tampon (just for good measure).

click here to open post Oct 05, 2011 | posted in Personal, parenting | 30 comments

So. My parents bought the boys new shoes. Yes, they are freakishly ugly, but I am probably more excited about these shoes than any article of clothing they have ever owned.

Exhibit a.

They are Velcro. (If I have to tie another shoelace, when we’re already late for school, FORCRYINGOUTLOUD, I’m going to cut off my hands with a butter knife).

Exhibit b.

They are open air, like sandals, BUT have closed toes and heels so they’re still suitable for the school dress code. Plus, they don’t require socks! This means there are no complaints of (read: panic attacks over) itchy or “scrunched up” socks. Halle-stinkin-lujah!

Exhibit c.

Their feet will no longer wreak of DEATH and PERDITION because, as aforementioned, they are open air, like a sandal.

Again, ugly as sin, and the BEST.SHOES.EVER.

Cardon loved his SO MUCH in fact that he refused to take them off. He spent the entire evening wearing them. INCLUDING the 45 minutes or so he spent walking around the house naked. Well, naked that is EXCEPT for the ugly shoes. At one point, I found him stark naked (aside from said shoes), on the toilet, spinning an unwrapped tampon over top his head. When I walked in on him and told him to throw it away, he looked at me clueless as could be and said, “Why? What the heck is it for.” I pretended not to hear, naturally, and walked out of the room. He yelled after me, “WHAT THE HECK IS THIS THING FOOOOOOOOR?!!!” I ignored him. Again, naturally.

And that was Wednesday night. Nakedness, ugly-awesome shoes, and tampons.

The end.

PS. Don’t forget to enter the t shirt giveaway; winner will be announced tomorrow, THURSDAY afternoon (10/6) + did you see Emory and Alison’s BEAUTIFUL Hawaii wedding?

30 comments | add comment
  • Tara: Love the blog title... but most of all.. that tan line!! Hahaha!!! :) October 5, 2011 8:43 pm
  • liko: LOVE keen!! we go hiking a lot and i bought the kids some comfy waterproof shoes with removable insoles for when we walk in rivers and they never smell and they are about 2 yrs. old - i bought em big. and that's sayin' something, especially living in humid, damp hawaii. October 5, 2011 9:39 pm
  • Kelli Nicole: They make baby keens?! How adorable! Not like it matters since I don't have children... I wore keens everyday during a trip to Africa and Europe. I loved them for many of the same reasons you did! October 6, 2011 1:08 am
  • Heather: Just so you know, it's 5:00am and I'm sitting here feeding hawk, all by myself in a silent house, covering my mouth in hysteria. Maybe because I know cardie personally and I can hear his funny little voice screaming that..I don't know. But this is HILARIOUS!! Seriously. Can't wait to discuss this over breakfast with richie and my mom. Ps. Thanks for giving me insight on my future with stinky footed boys and tying shoelaces! That'so gonna be me in a few years! October 6, 2011 1:25 am
  • Annie: Score!! Magic Grammie and Power PopPop for President! October 6, 2011 2:28 am
  • Chelsea Prince: Those shoes are not ugly! They are amazing! I have similar ones. They are excellent and actually considered really cool! You can buy them at places like REI and stuff! Everything at REI is hip these days! Love you and miss y'all like craze craze! October 6, 2011 5:09 am
  • Freddie: Natalie, I know im an old woman, but im a mom and grandma, I also care about you and your family as I am friends with your wonderful parents... so that said,, , and..., that i care about you...just some old person advice. Be so careful with pics as this on the web. There are too many predators and weirdos out there, I know i sound overly cautious but I will go to any length to protect our children from the sick world. I Love the story and the tan line but I did get nervous with the pic on FB. :( sorry just had to say . :) take it with love. October 6, 2011 5:14 am
  • kati: thank you thank you for such a good laugh! best ugly shoes ever (my kids have them from their nana, too) October 6, 2011 6:58 am
  • Ryan: Love it! And we all love the Keens at my house too. But I may have to burst your bubble a little. My baby's Keens make his feet smell worse than the open diaper genie. But that hasn't stopped my from buying a new pair this year. October 6, 2011 8:14 am
  • Jenn: Okay, i am totally laughing out loud right now. HILARIOUS. I love it, and I love that you ignored it!. Oh my gosh. Also, that tan line is wonderful. October 6, 2011 8:16 am
  • A. Wood: nose bleeds, they're for nose bleeds October 6, 2011 8:49 am
  • Laurel: Sorry, gotta echo Ryan -- my kiddos have stinky feet and their Keens make them even worse! You can toss them in the washing machine, and rub tea tree oil on them, but be prepared for the stench :) Just keepin' it real. October 6, 2011 9:57 am
  • Lindsay: Not sure I have appropriate words for this post. Awesome. That sums it up. Just be grateful he wasn't dipping the tampon in the toilet and sucking out the water. Yea, caught one of my kids doing that once. I threw up in my mouth when I saw it. And I hate to burst any bubbles, but those open air shoes can actually start to stink. Carter has some that he wore all summer and now anytime I take them off, it's pretty fragrant. In a bad way. You may still have to spray them with some sort of "make the nasty little boy foot smell go away" spray. Just so you know. But they are heavenly with no laces. October 6, 2011 11:03 am
  • Jenn: Oh Gosh. This made me laugh so hard. I have two boys, and this is my life. EXACTLY my life. So funny. October 6, 2011 11:26 am
  • Sarah Garner: I am lauging so hard right now. Your boys are so funny - I am sure there is never a dull moment! :) October 6, 2011 11:45 am
  • Linz: um. i have those exact keens. yeah. make fun of me all you want... best hiking shoes ever. October 6, 2011 1:31 pm
  • Rachel Boatright DeVault: Oh my goodness. This is SO awesome. All KINDS of awesome. October 6, 2011 2:38 pm
  • natalie: Lindsay, OH.MY.GOSH! That is the most disgusting + hilarious thing I have ever heard. Dipping it in the toilet and sucking water off of it?!!!! Ahhhhhhh! I would have died! . . . and now you guys have me all freaked out about the stinky feet. Boo. I'm going to have to buy some kind of powder/ foot spray or something. . . October 6, 2011 5:40 pm
  • natalie: Laurel, Noooooo. I'm so disappointed to hear that! Argh! Is there no salvation from this plague?! October 6, 2011 5:41 pm
  • natalie: A. Wood, HA! HA! HA! You'd have to have a pretty big nostril! October 6, 2011 5:41 pm
  • natalie: Ryan, DANGIT! October 6, 2011 5:42 pm
  • natalie: Freddie, I totally appreciate your comment. I went back and forth about posting it. . . in the end I decided that because you can't see his face (or even his head for that matter) I felt OK about it. But it's totally something that is worth being 100% vigilant about, absolutely! THANK YOU again! XO! October 6, 2011 5:44 pm
  • natalie: Annie, WAY TO GO GRAMMIE AND POP! We LOVE YOU! October 6, 2011 5:45 pm
  • sarah: I LOVE keens. I buy each kiddo a pair at the start of every summer and they wear them all year (we live in rainy Wa and keens = no soggy socks/shoes). One of the best things about them is that you can toss them in the washing machine (because they get pretty stinky) and voila...new shoes! October 7, 2011 6:56 am
  • Bridget: Ha ha ha. I love it. Especially the photo. He's going to hate that in a few years...and tell everyone it's his brother. October 7, 2011 5:42 pm
  • Jill Galyan: I laughed when I saw what shoes you were talking about. My sister in law lives in oregon and every kid in the state owns these. I too really thought they were hideous BUT I too like your three points. And they actually come in a very cute sneaker ... the reason we love these at our house is because the school playground seems to shread the toes of all shoes on our kids so the big ol rubber toe solves the problem. We like them a lot! October 9, 2011 2:54 pm
  • brenley: such a fun post! i had fun catching up on your blog! r&j miss you guys. i miss hearing fun norton stories! on a side note, jorgen has those same shoes and after wearing them all day at school his feet S.T.I.N.K! SOO badly! i hope yours continue to not smell but i had to ban them in our home because i couldn't take the stench! :) October 9, 2011 4:05 pm
  • natalie: Brenley! We miss Jase and Rach! Your dad did great the other day! And yes, overall consensus is. . . drum roll. . . the shoes still stink. BUT the plus side = they are washable! Ha! Hope you all are well!! xoxo! October 9, 2011 5:55 pm
  • Jaye Tatone: One of my many jobs as a student over the past few years has been a Programmer for an Outdoor Education centre, leading groups of (mostly) adults up high ropes obstacle/teamwork courses and those I work with SWEAR by Keens! Do be prepared for a leopard-like tan line if they wear them all summer. And, from experience, they do still stink--BUT if the kids are jumping around in mud and whatnot you can spray the suckers down easy peasy! Have fun :) October 10, 2011 8:57 am
  • natalie: @Jaye, Awesome. . . and oh yes, we are already becoming accustomed to the stench. OY! October 10, 2011 5:14 pm

Lesson learned + I’m not dead yet!

click here to open post Sep 27, 2011 | posted in Personal, parenting | 7 comments

I’m still in love with Instagram. Find me. “Natalie Norton”

“I’m not dead yet!”

Not dead yet, but close.  Naw, just exhausted. In that completely exhilarating and inexplicable way that only a mother can understand. I love my kids SO MUCH, it’s dizzying. I’m working harder than I have ever worked (in my entire life). In fact, I spend a good amount of time wondering WHY and HOW I haven’t yet lost my marbles. It’s remarkable, really.

The more time I spend on the right things, the more energy I have for EVERYTHING in my life.

My kids INFUSE me! With all kinds of crazy? Yes! Naturally! BUT shockingly, they also give me the passion and enthusiasm to accomplish everything else that’s important in my life. It’s exciting. . . and miraculous. . . and overwhelming. . . and so.very.beautiful.

My heart is FILLED to the brim with gratitude for this important lesson learned.

N

PS. Running post coming TOMORROW. Cross my heart and hope I never, ever die. . . at least not YET. Har har har.
PPS. Tell me you’ve seen Monte Python, so I don’t seem like the very lunatic I just spent an entire post trying to convince you that I’m NOT.

7 comments | add comment
  • Kristen Buley: BRING OUT YE' DEAD!!! But, I feel HAAAAPY!.... September 28, 2011 2:55 am
  • April: What a wonderful message to read this morning. I feel like I am loosing my marbles most days but I am always grateful for a reminder of what is important and to keep striving for those things. Have a beautiful day, xoxo September 28, 2011 3:07 am
  • Jo Thomas: When things in your life seem, almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students, if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the sutdents again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responsed with a unanimous 'yes'. The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now', said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. THE GOLF BALLS ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS - family, children, health, friends and favourite passions - things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. THE PEBBLES ARE THE OTHER THINGS THAT MATTER like you job, house and car. TE SAND IS EVERYTHING ELSE - the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.' The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. So... Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children, take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' This is going around on facebook at the minute, worth the 2 minutes it takes to read it and sounds like you've got all your golf balls packed in tight! (just read it so I don't sound like an idiot - and yes, I've seen Monte Python!) xo One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.' September 28, 2011 3:13 am
  • Jo Thomas: I did write a one sentence spiel before that (okay, a long sentence, I've never been good at being succinct) but it didn't come up? Anyway, just said this was going around on facebook at the moment - relates exactly to what you are saying! Good on you for getting it right and all your golf balls packed in!! xo September 28, 2011 3:16 am
  • Rachel Boatright DeVault: Oh, I love you! September 28, 2011 5:33 am
  • Jen: Dearest Natalie Norton, I think you are one of the most honest, sincere, and funniest characters on this green earth. I love your photography (of course, who doesn't?) but I love your take on life/stuff even more. I love that you moved from Hawaii to Arizona. I love it more that you did it for your boy. I love that you have three boys (I have four). I love that you share with the rest of us. Thanks for being you. Have a joyful day! Love, Jen October 2, 2011 6:16 pm
  • natalie: @Jen, I love that you just made my day! xoxo! October 3, 2011 8:17 am

All you need is love. . . and a healthy dose of hardy har har.

click here to open post Sep 20, 2011 | posted in Personal, inspiration, parenting | 7 comments

My wonderful Mother-in-law sent me this this morning, and I’m pretty sure I laughed for 5 solid minutes. I KNOW there are moments that each of us can relate to this. Don’t you dare try and tell me otherwise. Parenthood is a battle, and it’s not for the faint of heart.

The important thing, I suppose, is that we just keep getting back on the horse and trying again. . .  even if said horse just kicked in our teeth and stomped on our sternum.

All joking aside, I really believe that these kids (yours and mine) are remarkable little spirits, sent to us from God, and that they are capable of so.many.miraculous.things if we can just help them see their tremendous capacity and worth. It’s our responsibility to get up every morning and give them the very best we have to offer. Even when we’re exhausted to the core and in complete emotional deficit. All they need is our very best ;) . . . even if some nights that equates to cereal for dinner.

“Our very best” will fluctuate from day to day, and that’s OK. I really believe that ultimately parenthood life is all about LOVE, abundant and unconditional. That’s all any of us, grown or teeny weenie, are really looking for anyway. Someone to look into our eyes and to say, “I may not be perfect, but I love you, no matter what.”

7 comments | add comment
  • Lyric Poulson: Hi Natalie . . . I honestly just lost it when my little 3 year old wouldn't obey for the 106th time this morning, stuck her in bed for her nap, came down stairs and found this post. Can you say "slap in the face"? Oy!! Now all I want to do is go and wake her up and love on her . . . but not bad enough. I'll wait until she wakes up. hardy had har. September 20, 2011 8:13 am
  • Rachel Hikida: OH MY! That was priceless! You just made my day! THANK YOU! What an awesome gift :) September 20, 2011 8:13 am
  • natalie: Lyric: HA! September 20, 2011 8:14 am
  • josh: Amen, my friend! September 20, 2011 5:25 pm
  • Noa Green: Oh Natalie! I so needed to read this today. Yesterday I was overwhelmed with work and a really important blog post, when I picked up Aviv from pre-school I definitely wasn't the best mother I could be. I was grumpy and tired and I just wanted to be DONE for the day. Reading this really fueled me... I needed this kick in the pants. Thank you!!! September 21, 2011 5:52 am
  • Bridget: Hardy har har! Still laughing. Thanks! September 21, 2011 1:15 pm
  • Fun giveaway + blog friends are my fave. | Natalie Norton Photography Fun giveaway + blog friends are my fave. | Blog: [...] this quote from this post? Well the other day, the owner of Designer Teez, Mike, sent me this bad boy (in both black and [...] October 3, 2011 8:48 am

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