It's Turkey Time

Yesterday, at P's school, was her class's turn to put on the Rocket Touchdown. South Rock Creek's school mascot, if you can call it a mascot, is a Rocket. This is the time of the week when the whole school gathers to be entertained by other classes and hear announcements, awards, and things of the like.

Each year, the Kindergarten class, both, prepare for the Thanksgiving edition. P's teacher, Mrs. Merrell, gave us 2 cardboard cutouts of turkey bodies. The assignment was to decorate the turkey, like a sandwich board, in any way that the student wanted.

Well, as you've seen from our adventures in Halloween costume decisions, this was not an easy task. And, I wanted it to be something that she liked and had a say in. After all, she was the one who was going to wear it. She went from a flamingo, to a zebra, to a Miss Thanksgiving 2010. The flamingo had been done before, it was an example that Mrs. M had shown us. And, the zebra, too. So, I conceded to attempt the Miss Thanksgiving 2010 turkey.

We made a trip to Hancock's to gather our materials. Several versions of seafoam green sequin material for the dress, white satin material for the sash, ribbons and feathers and glue, oh my!

After we got home to attempt the turkey, I thought and thought and looked and looked at what we'd bought and the poster sized turkey bodies and got totally overwhelmed with the thought of pulling out the sewing machine to make a one-time, worn-for-an-hour, school project costume.

So, I begged and pleaded that she re-consider her decision. Meanwhile, Red (I'm channeling The Pioneer Woman by calling Josh a different name than his real one, but everyone who reads this won't care. I'm just saying, I may make it famous some day and the alias will be intriguing) and I went to Austin for the weekend and left the Turkeys at home, including the cardboard cutout.

On Monday, when it was due, I made the executive decision to go with an idea I'd thought of in the beginning- a bikini wearing turkey. It was going to be much simpler to construct and, as it turns out, much more original.

I thought it was hilarious.

HELP!

Some days are better than others for me. Usually, the good days involve a full night's sleep the night before, cooperative children, & a visit from the laundry fairy. None of those were the case today.

I woke up looking like this.

I stayed up way too late for a school night. But, those HGTV shows are so addicting.

The laundry is piled high on the couch. I have had to stop the assembly line due to the fact that I can't fit any more on top or it'll all end up on the floor.

And, it seems as though my children can't hear me unless I am yelling. In fact, I don't know who the children are that were here today. Here's some pictures. Let me know if you recognize who they may be and if you see my sweet, easy, clean babies, please send them home.

Maybe they belong to this guy?

Alice in Wonderland's Race Team Halloween 2010

We are at the point in our Growing Goodsons life that Halloween is a really big deal. All three of the kids love dressing up. And, the parents are game, too. Of course, Josh has always loved this holiday and has, in the past, gone all out. I would consider this particular year one of those all out years.

The festivities started on Friday with Piper's class trip to the Mikel's Family Farm for walking circles in the corn maze, picture's with friends on the hay ride, finding the perfect pumpkin n the pumpkin patch, naming our new friends in the petting zoo, and playing till our heart's content on the hay bales & swings.

picture's with friends on the hay ride,

finding the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch,

naming our new friends in the petting zoo,

and playing till our heart's content on the hay bales & swings.

Then we made our way to the park for lunch and a hour of playtime until it was time to head back to school for a movie and even more partying! There were cookies to decorate and goodies to eat! What a fantastic way to start the festivities!

Saturday, the 30th, was Trick-or-Treat night in Shawnee. So, after our day of rest, we started the evening with hair and makeup. Piper got her face on and looked like she'd jumped out of the Tim Burton version of Alice in Wonderland. She could have been Helena Bonham Carter's clone. However, the Queen wasn't happy, and so it was almost off with the make-up artist's head. I gave in and got the cold washcloth out. Hey, if I'm going to spend 30+ minutes putting it on and trying my darndest to make her white make-up even, she's going to have to suffer some head-roll of her own.

So, the make-up came off, and all was well in Wonderland.

We made it over to our friends', The Holters', house to enjoy the festivities with their 3 kiddos and also the Moodys and their 2 kids. The Holters live in a nice, new Shawnee neighborhood with many kids and friendly families. I'm not sure how many trick-or-treaters they actually gave candy to, but the experience reminded me of the old Catholic Ghetto days, minus the tuba playing in the front yard.

But, I do know that we sure got our candy fix! The Queen hit every house with their light on and would make sure to drag Alice to the front door. After awhile, Alice didn't need any more coaxing. Gus, on the other hand was having a great time driving his car all over the place to notice that he was supposed to be gathering goodies. Did I mention we brought his red Ford Mustang Hotwheels? Yes, yes, we did! It was a hit and by far the best accessory of the evening!

After many photo ops requested with the Mad Hatter and Alice, we made it back to count our stash and pass out more candy! Then it was off to Nana and Papa's house to get the good stuff.

The next day we celebrated Josh's Golden Birthday (31st birthday on the 31st) along with his cousin Amber's 24th birthday at John and Linda's, with hors d'oeuvres, homemade lasagna, salad, cinnamon roll bread pudding with rum sauce, & italian cream cake. Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm, mmmm good!

It was a great Halloween this year. Lots of wonderful memories, fun times, exciting costumes, and cavities!

Now, it's on to Thanksgiving and Turkey costumes! To be continued...

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?