Monday, November 15, 2010

October Rundown - Week 3 - part 1

So you would think that I could breathe a sigh of relief since all the costumes are purchased and ready to go. But alas, Jessica came home from school and informed me that she HAD TO HAVE a poodle skirt. I had forgotten all about 50s day. On the fiftieth day of school the first graders have a huge celebration and Sock Hop. With my boys I just had them roll up their denim and pair it with a white t-shirt and dress shoes. But with my GIRL, we did need a poodle skirt.

This is one of those projects that I brought on myself. I borrowed a sewing machine, scoured the internet for skirt making tutorials, and found my way to the felt and iron on patches at JoAnns (which aren't on the same side of the store interestingly enough). But I was busy and didn't get to it. In fact I had guests coming for dinner on Monday night. The missionaries serving in our area joined us for dinner. My kids love it when they come. They show them their most animated selves which makes for an extra chaotic dinner.

So after the dinner mess was resolved, the stories read, teeth brushed, the one more squeeze and "good night," I pulled out my newsprint, measuring tape, and JoAnns' purchases and went to work. I was up past midnight hot glueing sequins for a poodle leash. I think it turned out adorably cute - if I do say so myself :)

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All that hoppin' gets you in the mood for a root beer float!!!!
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Doin' the hand jive. Can you spy the non-first-grader:
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October Rundown - Week 2

Jayson's playschool teacher was on a cruise this week - yeah you, boo me. So I took him to California Adventure to keep us both entertained. He's never really watched ANY Disney movies so he doesn't know the stories or know the background of any of the characters. He doesn't even watch any Playhouse Disney shows. Such an interesting idea. All the rides and characters have meaning to me routed in the stories or movies I saw with my other kids.

We went on Monsters and I told him that the blue and green monsters were nice and the purple one was sneaky. He loved it and didn't want to get off, so we rode again - love no line days!!! Then we were off to Animation. They have a Toy Story exhibit that I'd never seen nor can I really explain. It was like a merry-go-round that would spin and then the dolls were all animated. Very cool. Jayson found out that he is most like the character Cogsworth from Beauty & the Beast.

There was a street performance outside. Out came Cinderella, "dat scare me." Out came Woody, "dat scare me." And out came the beloved Mickey Mouse himself, "dat scare me." So we left early to see Playhouse Disney. Jayson did NOT dance in public or cheer, but he did enjoy the bubbles.

Next stop: Flik's Fun Fair. Jayson was THRILLED when he saw the bumper cars. I remembered there was a height requirement. What had I done?!!! Goose is going to throw a fit. But the advantage of being nearly three for your first visit, is that you are taller and CAN ride. I made him eat his orange before he rode. He downed that fruit at lightening speed. I tried to sway him away from the bumpy ladybug ride because I knew I hated it. Turns out he hated it too and I hated it extra. Heimlecks Choo Choo was just the right speed with all the sweet scents.
I was hoping to go to Toy Story Mania, but it had been closed and had an enormous line. I got even more dizzy on the merry go round - just in time to race home.

Race?? Who was I kidding. I got stuck in random afternoon traffic. I had to call Jon to go pick up James from his basketball practice.

This week was all the the Fall Harvest Social at the school. Which means I got all my costumes together EARLY :)

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Okay - so Jake's costume was DRAMA. He wanted to be something "scary" (which turned out great since he was invited to a friend's "Scary Party"). This plastic chest piece has an attached contraption to pump fake red blood through the ribs - gross. It was really gross when the plastic cracked and red stain was leaking everywhere. Dad ran Jake back to Party City to make an exchange during the first 45 minutes of the party - great. He did love this costume. I think he also placed in the costume contest at the church party, so I guess it was worth it.

Jayson was SO SHY that he didn't really want to play the games (nice use of $7). He didn't like people talking to him, but he wanted to go back so he could choose some candies. James spent most of his time following Jayson around the playground. Thanks James.

I was trying to keep track of Jessica and snap a few shots for the yearbook.

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I liked that Jessica chose to be a cat this year. A cute costume that was quite easy to find. We found a game on the Party City website where you could answer questions about yourself and then it would stir your answers in a cauldron and then suggest the perfect costume for you. I think it told Jacob to be a transformer and James to be a white ninja. When it told Jessica that she should be Ariel, she took it as true fact. She was ready to ditch her kitty costume and march off to buy an Ariel outfit. I didn't like the website so much after that. It took some convincing to get her to dress up in her original (and adorable) costume. Next year Ariel is fair game, but this year it's all CAT:

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To finish off this week I was making some corn chowder soup for the Craft Super Saturday at the church. I signed up to help with the food and didn't really sign up to make anything. I purchased supplies to make button wreathes with my kids in December. I just felt to overwhelmed to start another project. I have several photography projects coming up and choir music to memorize and family coming to town, so I just showed up to see my friends.

Wow. Another busy week. Until next week....

Friday, November 12, 2010

Star Wars

We played Star Wars movies most of yesterday. We started half-way through episode 2 and kept playing through episode 5. That's a lot of light saber and space cruisers for one day. So glad we had the day off to catch up from the non-stop rush that's looming to continue again tomorrow.

Too Bad

Jayson blasted into my bathroom the other morning. I bent down and said, "kisses." Then with a big grin on his face he said, "TOO BAD," turned and darted back out.

We've been hearing this a lot lately, "time to eat" - TOO BAD "time to change diaper" - TOO BAD "time to get dressed" - TOO BAD. He doesn't think it's so funny when he asks for a bottle of milk and I say TOO BAD you have to pick up your trains first.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

October Rundown - Week 1

There was the usual: Jessica's dance, Jessica's Encore Choir, Jayson's Playschool, James' after basketball camp, Jacob's Cubs, James' Scouts, Volunteer in Children's Classrooms for an hour and a half, & Mom's OCMCO rehearsal. And also Jon commuting into LA and me coordinating the Stake Baptism for Saturday morning (sounds so simple in one sentence, but it's LOTS of behind the scenes work).

Then there was the pleasant surprise: My friend Hyla popped into town for a whirlwind visit. I didn't even have 24 hour notice before she was knocking on my door to stay the night. What an absolute delight. Oh how I miss her living here!!!!

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Weather dot com predicted morning clouds with increased chances of showers around 1 p.m. I figured that Jayson and I would need to leave Disneyland around then anyway, so we went. It was POURING rain upon arrival - thankfully I grabbed a couple ponchos. It all cleared up just as it was time for us to go home. Does anybody use a RELIABLE forecast system???

Perhaps I haven't mentioned that I've been secretly going to Disneyland with Jayson. That's because I'm the only one with an annual pass and Jayson is free. My other kids are going to be sad that we are going without them. But I took each of them when they were Goose's age, so I owe it to him :)

We went of Buzz Blasters - TWICE. Jayson got so upset when we reached the exit of the ride. He wasn't sure if he could believe me that I was leading him around to the front of the line so he could ride it again. Then we bought him a blaster and he convinced me that we needed Goofy Sour Balls too - LUCKY!!!

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The Nemo line deceived me so we waited much longer for that than I would have liked. Then we rode the train across the park so we could ride Winnie the Pooh TWICE. Jayson is always so relieved when I tell him we can go again. At the end of the ride he says, "don't want to off."

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FYI - my camera does not get to go out in the rain. I borrowed Jacob's point n shoot.


On top of all that Disney Fun I took the kids to LA Zoo - well two of them anyway. When my older boys get a day off school, they'd rather play video games. So we went with friends instead. Kids were happy. Mommas happy.

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Jessica was mad at me because I wouldn't let her use my camera. I might need to get my hands on another point & shoot.

Happy Week!!!!!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

October Calendar

oct calendar

Here's a glimpse into our daily life right now:

Monday
Mom walking
Jayson playdate
Elementary kids home early
Jessica Dance
Family Home Evening

Tuesday
Jayson at PlaySchool
Mom's only 2 hours per week to get things done without a sidekick (errands, shopping, photo editing)
James Basketball Camp
Jessica's Choir

Wednesday
I like to plan a Wonderful Wednesday activity with Jayson
Jacob Cub Scouts
James Boy Scouts
All Homework packets complete

Thursday
Jayson Playschool
Mom volunteer in two classrooms at school
James Basketball Camp
Mom goes to Orange County for Choir Rehearsal and gets home LATE

Friday
Activities vary weekly

Saturday
Lots of Activities that vary weekly
Mom on Photo Shoots for Christmas Card Photos

Just One For Now

FourPumpkins

Happy Halloween!!!