Every year about this time, I get myself into trouble. It happens almost anytime I let my mind start to wander. I could be at the grocery store, driving in the car, or simply washing dishes. I live in the illusion of creating the ideal holiday.
In my mind, I can do it all…especially at Halloween.
My house is perfectly decorated:

I create amazing feats in the kitchen:

Even my dining room table is flawless:

As I set out to create a treat with my kids for Lolli’s Eat, Drink, and Be Scary carnival today, I found myself slipping into my old habits, secretly wondering if I could pull off some sort of amazing culinary feat with my kids.
I decided that our mission would be to make Spider Cupcakes. Cute, kid-friendly, and full of chocolate, we couldn’t miss. How hard could it be to create what I saw on-line with my two toddlers?
And then I snapped back to reality…


Whatever. Perfection is so clearly overrated.
Besides, my kids showed me that sampling is far and away more important than the actual appearance.
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Happy All Hallow’s Eve, everyone! Today is the last day of our countdown to Halloween. If you are playing along, then link your post up at Better in Bulk’s carnival. Lolli wants to see what you are making in the kitchen. Show your devilish desserts, give us the scoop on pumpkins, or share your favorite holiday drink. If cooking isn’t your cup of tea, then tell us what you are doing with your leftover Halloween candy. Do you enjoy immediately, save for later, or just bribe your kids with it when needed?
And don’t forget to enter our contest to win one of four Flip Ultra HD video cameras! Simply answer the below question in the comments field. Be sure to answer the daily question on Mama Kat’s, Angie’s, and Lolli’s sites today for extra entries too.













Great post – perfection is so yesterday!
I’d love to capture Xmas morning when they’re still in their beds. They are so sleepy but yet so excited to find out if Santa has visited.
Jen@ODBT´s last blog ..where’s mom (35 of 52)
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I love it and yes sampling is way better I agree
I’d capture my daughter school holiday performance Every yr I only have still pictures. I’d luv to share video
Night Owl Mama´s last blog ..Halloween Treat:: Deviled Spider Eggs
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I’d love to record my daughter coming down the stairs Christmas morning.
Katie´s last blog ..Halloween Play Date
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that is SO FUNNY – she’s eating the decorations as fast you can put them on for her!
the holiday moment i would most want to capture?
seeing as it’s summer here at christmas time, probably a big family splash into the water (it’s water proof, right?)
just kidding! i would stay on the beach and film it all
thanks for a fun week
scrappysue´s last blog ..CSNBaby Giveaway!
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Christmas morning and my kids tearing into the presents!
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All the holidays. I always try to do fun family crafty stuff and I’d love to get it all on video.
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You know something I have never video taped? Thanksgiving preparation. All the women in the kitchen working hard and having fun being together. Then the video of the family enjoying time together at the table would be even more meaningful.
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Your cupcake kind of reminds me of a cartoon character (any will do) who gets in trouble and kind of gets that sad “poor me” look on their face. I like it.
Holiday moment on camera – probably when my daughter comes downstairs on Christmas morning. She gets so excited.

Teri´s last blog ..favorite post friday
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our disney adventure earlier this year needed better exosure on video..
shraddha´s last blog ..Aloha Friday
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I think your spiders are WAAAYY cuter. More Spunk! And I would love to capture us galavanting around in our costumes! My 2yo is hilarious!
BJ_MAma´s last blog ..TRiCk oR TrEaT DoWnTOwN
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My fav holiday moment to capture will be…Christmas morning… when the kids wake up and come into the room to see what santa brought….
If I win… thats what I will tape… and if I dont.. well I better start saving up $$ to go get one anyways…. sob sob sob….. so that I can tape this special moment…. =)
Jess Leonard´s last blog ..10.30.09 Friday "Eat, Drink, And Be Scary
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I would like to capture Christmas morning on video. It’s our new baby’s first so it’ll be memorable.
Mrs. D´s last blog ..Gotta lose
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your cupcakes look terriffic–they must have tasted good to the tasters. I hope to catch my grandkids trick or treating at my door
kaye´s last blog ..Photo Story Friday: October
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You are killing me. I love you.
~Keri
ForeverFoldingLaundry´s last blog ..Ever Feel Like You’re Being Watched?
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Cute, cute, cute! I was cracking up as she was eating the eyes.
I need to capture my husband walking down the stairs on Christmas morning with a Flip. I can’t explain it. I just need to capture it.
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You are queen of costumes Francesca!
Love the spider cupcakes! We are having a bug theme for Ryan’s 4th birthday this year and are attempting bug cupcakes made with m&m’s…wish us luck!
I would LOVE to capture all the crazy birthday parties we throw for both Kara and Ryan. We always go all out and I love capturing the memories for them to cherish when they are older! Of course, winning that FLIP camera will allow me to capture holidays and our trip to Disney next November for Ryan’s 5th birthday!

Bobbi-Jo High´s last blog ..The Toy Fairy
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Great video! I must say, bravo, on the Mr. Potato Head Jack-o-lantern; you Are the queen of Halloween. I’m a queen too… my pantyhose say so anyways.
The Holiday moment I want to capture on video is simply my children’s Laughter. Last year after the shelter, we were so shell shocked… and the pictures show it. This year we are hopeful, we are whole, and I praise God for it.
Blessings, Carolynn
Carolynn @ Willow Tree´s last blog ..Disgraceful
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I just love the looks on their faces when something happens they are really excited about! Life ins so much better through their eyes!!!!
jessica jones´s last blog ..Izzy Bella
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I would capture our christmas moments. My husbands family visits christmas & it’s the only time we all get together.
Lin´s last blog ..I’m Back…Temporarily
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What holiday moment would you like to capture on video?
The moment when I give this video cam that I am winning tomorrow to my daughter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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OMG, Francesca, you look HOT as a blonde!! The video is so cute….I’m impressed with how calmly your kids just sit there and make their cupcakes. Mine are all over the place…there would be food everywhere!!
The moment I would love to capture is the looks on their faces as they walk into the family room on Christmas morning and see all the presents under the tree!
Helene´s last blog ..What every wife should know about her husband…
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We keep forgetting (on purpose…) our bulky old video cam whenever we go for a holiday. So hopefully, we’ll get a new flip camera to bring along to our next holiday…it’ll be the-holiday-with-a-new-camera moment.
Za´s last blog ..Definitely not Chendol!
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That cake looks FAB!
Za´s last blog ..Definitely not Chendol!
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Christmas gift opening and thank yous and hugs
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hmmmm…I think I like yours better!! So cute….so fun!!
Liz @ Loving Mom´s last blog ..You Know You Wanna Know
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Easily gotta be Christmas Dinner. We’re an Italian family, and some of the finest moments in our existence have been around the dinner table, just being in the company of one another.
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I so want to get Asher singing and dancing to “Jingle Bells” He does this odd leg in the air move that always makes me laugh! I NEED to get it on camera to show his potential girlfriends in later years!
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I want to catch my 2 year old daughters reaction when she walks in and sees the tree first thing on Christmas morning…Priceless.
Meredith´s last blog ..{A Room for a Princess}
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cheezy, but the trick or treat excitement of my 2 and 3 year olds
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Oh, the delicious realness of it all!!
Just today I was SO wishing for a good video of my 8 and 10 year old carving their OWN pumpkins. They are growing up so fast, and I seriously need to start taking more video of them at this silly fun, capable age. GOOD, DIGITAL video!
Tracy P.´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Feline Fascination
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I would love to capture the fun my mom, aunts, cousins, and I all have in the kitchen cooking up our big meals!
Anne´s last blog ..Steals and Deals – October 29
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Okay- first of all, I REALLY want to win this camera!
Now that we have that cleared up… I would like to capture our Christmas moments on video. We have Santa come by a few weeks before Christmas in the evening and it would be so fun to have that on video!
Thanks and enjoy the weekend!
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Sampling is far more important! Those look great! I wouldn’t have the nerve to even try to make them!
I would love to capture my boys faces on Christmas morning when they wake up!
Erin´s last blog ..I’ve got my Eye on you….
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i want to capture my son’s first christmas on video! my family and my inlaws live far away and i know that they’d like to feel a part of it (he’s the first grandbaby on both sides).
MarfMom´s last blog ..Neighborly Love?
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I would definitely video Christmas.. it’s thw biggest holiday for us. All of us get together have dinner, open gifts and talk about all the Christmas’ past. It’s always a great time!
Mindy´s last blog ..Lost treasures found
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Aww! I do the same. What’s so frustrating is looking back at the marvelous, magical holidays I was able to create BEFORE kids. So I know I can do it. But ironically, when you get the kids….who make the holidays totally worthwhile…you don’t have time or energy to create the magical moments anymore! Hahaha! But I don’t think they mind, thankfully!
Tiffany´s last blog ..It’s Hard To Save The World From My Living Room
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My son is in choir and they have a pageant every year, that is what I would love to capture on video!
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Our video camera broke and with hubs in school right now it is out of the question on the wish list. I haven’t been able to tape Christmas joy for the past few Christmas’. I don’t even have my 2 and 4 year old on video–please don’t think I’m a bad mama–we just couldn’t do it. This would be a huge blessing.
Cheri
Cheri Peoples´s last blog ..AN AMAZING home tour–you’ve just gotta see- Its So Very Cottagey home tour
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HA! I totally relate to the real spider cupcakes. And I mean, “really awful looking” by “real.”

Everything I make that is supposed to be cute turns out ridiculous, and by the time we get to that point, I barely even care.
Mariko´s last blog ..Like a Caramel Apple only Healthier
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The best part of a crafty excursion like this, I think, is the effort. They’ll always remember that you tried…
Melissa B.´s last blog ..One Quarter to Go ‘Til Halftime…
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Now that I have a daughter, I want to capture every single holiday on video. I never knew that pure unadulterated joy could come just from watching a child, my child, have fun.
Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Fragmented Fridays
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Those spider cupcakes are so cute and the video was fun to watch too! Great idea to show the kids making their spiders!
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”´s last blog ..I’m Having A Pill Pity Party Here!
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