Extra-Extra Curricular

We are a very busy family. We have lots and lots of activities- gymnastics, dance, church, hunting, cows, dishes & laundry, not to mention the occasional bath. Tonight was one of those nights when you wonder what else we can add in to the mix. Well, that extra-extra curricular was dinner.

Rewind. Josh and I have a running monthly massage where we rotate months. This was my month. Josh grabbed the brood after gymnastics and went to the house while I had knots, knots, & more knots mashed out of my shoulder blades. We had decided that dinner would be after I got home and Josh shot his bow (it is time for mistress #2 to rear her ugly mug). It was a gorgeous Oklahoma fall evening and he really wanted to show the minis how to do it.

I rolled up to the house at about 6:45 to sounds of giggles and squeals and bike ridding fun. The whole way home I couldn't talk myself into the dinner that we were supposed to "enjoy." I had planned on having turkey hotdogs, cheetos, & fruit. So, it was decided we'd go out for something, anything other than a turkey hotdog on a whole wheat bun.

Just about the time we were ready to hop in the car, our friends from across the street started our way to play. And, that we did. More bike riding, basketball shooting, sidewalk coloring fun was had by all. So, by the time we got into the car it was about 7:23.

We decided on "Pig in the Sky," aka Vans. Finally! We're ALL starving. Josh is grumpy- no food since noon & a headache, plus the mini me's in the back had their strings pulled and would not stop chattering. Then, the whining began when Channing told Gus to stop doing whatever it was he was doing. Piper, in the back was reading her reader aloud, really loud. It was a long 5 minutes.

When we pulled in, we all jumped out ready to march in, order our chicken strips at the bbq joint, and get an orange soda. NOT. SO. FAST. "Gus, where are your shoes??" "What shoes?" SERIOUSLY! So, we frantically searched the shaggin' wagon for something he could wear. Usually my vehicle is a closet on wheels, as well as a trash can and office. Nothing for the G-Man. But, Piper did make sure to leave a broken pair of Jessica Simpson sandals in the car for herself. So, Gus got the shoes off of Piper's feet- brown ugg-type boots with cheetah lining. Awesome! It goes great with the "Super Hero" shirt and filthy dirty khaki shorts, not to mention that they don't fit, so it's like listening to a hammer walking.

We finally made it in. Dinner was served after the chicken was killed, plucked, battered and fried. And hands were unwashed. And, "Gus's" shoes spent the whole meal off of his feet.

As we were headed out the door, none other than Ladybug decided she needed to pee-pee in the potty and wash her hands. I was frantically searching for my keys, which always seem to fall to the very bottom of the bag no matter what. I located them, tossed them to Josh, and headed back in to catch Bug before she wet down both legholes. Josh then yelled back, "Don't need 'em. Your back hatch is wide open."

Ahhhhhhh, what a wild, crazy circus. It is moments like these that help to keep things in perspective. I'm not perfect, they aren't perfect, but we've got each other and love, and are willing to share the shoes off of our feet for each other. What a blessing this family is.

Homemade Pizza

Josh is gone this weekend in Pittsburgh for a plant tour, Steelers football game, & all in all fun! So, what do we do when Daddy's gone? Make a mess in the kitchen, of course! Last night we made homemade macaroni & cheese, broccoli & cook-n-serve pudding. (Then we watched a newer & much more scary Scooby Doo movie. I had a bed-full at about midnight.) It was delish! Piper is requesting it for her birthday dinner.

Tonight, we made a most excellent homemade pizza. Again, why does homemade make something taste so good? Gus & Channing requested pepperoni & Piper had cheese. You know it's a hit when the comment is "this is better than the pizza ______ makes."

Kimber came to pay us a visit this evening, too! A nice visit with her, and the kids were so excited to see her. Ladybug even ran to her and gave her hugs and kisses! And, I could do the same, too. She likes the same kinds of food I do! So, we had a pesto, chicken, broccoli, & mushroom pie. DELISH! One of my favorite flavor combos.

So, what do we do when Daddy's gone? Eat good food! At home!

When the kitchen looks like this, it's usually a good sign!

The dough resting & rising. And resting & rising. And resting & rising!

Here's the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/white-pizzas-with-arugula-recipe2/index.html

This dough had a longer nap today than I did.

Ready for the oven.

I love mushrooms. I love sauteed mushrooms. I love sauteed mushrooms on a pesto pizza.

Before the assembly.

This is my idea of pizza. So glad there are leftovers!

Good thing that shirt matches.

Cheesy.

What's cheesier? The pizza or the smile?

Mmmmmmm! That's one big bite!

Saucy for the Sassy.

"Piper, don't do that with your eyes."- Me

"Goofy."- Gus

"Yeah, that Sissy is nuts."- Ladybug

One thing I've learned when getting my hands dirty with dough: take off the ring.

It was all beyond worth it.

To Martha or not?

This time of year always starts to bring out the Martha Stewart in me. I'm not sure if it's the idea of cooking delicious foods to watch during football games, decorating my house for Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas, or just a sense of renewal due to the crispness in the air. But, I do know that whatever it is, I like it!

With Halloween quickly approaching, the family has decided what we're going to be for the festivities. Piper got the ball rolling when she decided she wanted to be the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. (Actually she wanted to be a flamingo, a witch, Renaissance era fashionista, & Wonder Woman... all in 5 minutes before settling on being the Queen.)

So, then we decided that Channing, because she still has no idea what's going on (Although has mentioned several times that she wants to be Ladybug Girl. This is being vetoed due to the fact that that's been her costume the last 2 years. Next year, I'm sure she will be Ladybug Girl.) could be Alice, Gus the Mad Hatter & Josh and I Tweedle Dee & Dum. Great! Decided! You'd think.

Gus is going through the Spiderman phase! So, that was his original desire. Spidey. Again, decided! Not so fast. Then a friend he calls his "brother" was going to be a dinosaur. Mind changed again. He now has settled on being a Spiderman/Batman/Superman race car driver. So, it is done. But, he can't be the only non-Alice costume, says Mom, so there goes Dee & Dum.

(You may wonder how I decide if they are serious about what they want. It usually is based on the idea being fleeting. I know that if they change their mind 5 times in 5 minutes, see Piper, it's probably not "it." But if they talk about it for a day, it's not mentioned again for another day or so and then it's brought up again with the same answer, I know it's gonna make them happy when they get it.)

Josh is going to be the Mad Hatter, an appropriate role, orange/red hair & eyebrows, white face, crazy hat and all. This may be his best costume yet. (The fall we started dating, he was a rodeo clown- the best one I've ever seen. Wish I had pictures of that one!)

And I will be the race car driving Mom. This is not an easy costume to find, unless you have a very large chest with perfectly round ta-tas you're willing to show and don't have to bend over the whole time you're wearing the "dress" the width of a paper towel. All of which are not likely. But, I will make due with the addition of leggings, boots, a hat, aviator glasses, wreath of roses & jug of milk.

And, I digress. The whole point of all of these details is that I've come to a crossroads. While it's not a life or death situation, it is a 15 day dilemma. Last year I made Piper's Little Mermaid costume from scratch. It was quite the accomplishment and saved some serious shells. This year I have found some patterns that would be easy enough to complete. And also some of the cutest costumes online... for a price. While yes I could make them and save quite a bit of cash, it would probably take more time, energy, sanity & cleanliness that I'm just not sure I'm willing to give. So, alas, I will be purchasing these:

I'll make Martha proud with some homemade goodies around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now, where's that credit card?