My Saturday was crammed full. Isn't that the way things usually come -- don't want to spread it out so it makes sense. I spent the morning at a Relief Society activity making some cute crafts and eating soup. Then I got home in time for a baby shower for my sister-in-law. It was held at my tiny house. We had the basement all ready to do it, but when Lark showed up she thought there were only going to be a couple people here so we stayed in the living room -- and then a few more showed up, so we got real cozy. It was all good. After the shower Lark stuck around to see my parents who were coming in that night. She thought it would be fun to take Chloe and Sophie shopping with her. At first I tried to talk her out of it, but then I thought, "No, this could be a good thing" (for both of us!) Afterwards, I don't think she thought it was such a great idea anymore. I was just relieved that they didn't make it any easier on her than they do on me :) When they got back from shopping I had dinner ready. I had forgot to tell Lark I wasn't waiting until my parents got here (oops!), but after eating we got the phone call they were at the airport so we went and picked them up. They were returning from a vacation to Vermont. They brought us some cheese and maple syrup!
Sunday we had another late night. I had a photo shoot on Friday night and while taking pictures the family invited us over for dinner. We did tinfoil dinners (now called aluminum foil, but nobody can seem to make the adjustment). Knowing it was outdoors and going to be a cool night I tried to get everyone to dress warm. The girls didn't want to play along -- until we got there. It was a fun evening just sitting around a fire, visiting with adults while the children ran off to play.
Monday isn't exactly part of the weekend, but Brandon had such an exciting day that I'm going to extend it. After getting to work a coworker asked him if he could drive him to a mechanic to pick up his car. Brandon took him, but on the way HIS car "exploded" -- steam coming out everywhere, antifreeze leaking all over; so they had to get his car to the nearest mechanic. Then they had to call ANOTHER coworker to have him come pick them up, and still had to go get the first guys car. Later that afternoon Brandon found someone else to drive him back to get his car when it was finished, only to have it die on him again on the way back to work. This time he called me. Luckily, the girls got out of school early so we were available. I drove down and got him. He was able to get his car back to the same shop he took it to before (by shutting it off at every light and coasting a lot). Then we still had to go back to his office to pick up the guy that carpools with him, but we got a tour of the new office so that was fun. We did make it home, pretty late for FHE, but we squeezed it in, and he got his car back the next day. All this after putting in a new radiator just the week before.
Well, since I've gone past the weekend I might as well post about last night. We had a school Halloween carnival. Chloe had Activity Days, which is "the funnest thing ever," and she couldn't miss that so I dropped her off at her activity and took Sophie to the carnival. Then Brandon brought Chloe after her thing was over. Sophie got in a few games before I had to be at my post. I ran the Bingo game for a one-hour shift. Sophie played A LOT of Bingo rounds while I was there, then Brandon and Chloe showed up shortly before I was done. They wanted to hit the Spook Alley first. I guess Sophie didn't have a clue what to expect (or I would have warned her), but she was not having fun. She got so scared. I tried to tell her it was all pretend, but when it was all over her face was so white. I felt pretty bad. We took a break for a minute and then went and got some food. Chloe did the fishing pond and face painting before it was all over. Other than the Spook Alley, we all had a fun time.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Costume Party
Sophie is still on an Alice in Wonderland kick, and had picked Alice for her Halloween costume this year. Chloe, being so clever, chose to be Alice's sister. It was fairly simple to find an Alice costume online, but the no name sister -- not so much. From the play we went to Chloe knew the sister looked just like Alice, only wore a yellow dress instead of blue. So, we got to work making her a costume. Then she got invited to a costume party by another girl in her class. I had already started her costume before the invitation even came, so I wasn't too worried; however, you may be familiar with my hatred for the sewing machine. I didn't think it would be a big deal, but it always is. When will I learn?
I was slowly making progress on it when Brandon decided it was time to put a finish on our hardwood floors. Moving all the appliances into the dining room took over my sewing space (which I was thankful for the break), but then it stressed me out to realize I may not finish the costume in time. After having a little breakdown, I finally called my neighbor and begged for help. She was amazing! What would have taken me two days she had done in less than an hour -- while she was sewing something for another client AND babysitting her granddaughter! After that I pretty much gave up on the costume and just finished it so that it would be wearable.
Then I still had to make an apron. The day of the party I got to work on that, and miraculously made something that resembles an apron. I just pinned it onto the dress, because I had no time to think of how to assemble it. After school I picked the girls up and took them to a park to enjoy the beautiful weather before the party started. Chloe started to throw a fit; she had changed her mind about wanting to go to the party. I was not in the mood to fight with her, so we went in the bathroom, changed into her costume, then took her to the party and dropped her off. She was clinging to me, but I was not going to let her out of this (I know it sounds mean, but I also know Chloe needs to be pushed sometimes).
On the drive home Sophie said to me, "If I were you I'd be really sad if Chloe didn't go to the party." I asked her why, and she told me because of how hard I had worked on the costume. It sure made me feel better to know that Sophie noticed, even if Chloe didn't appreciate it. At the park she had made a comment about how this party was going to be like her audition, where she threw a fit but then ended up having the time of her life. That Sophie is quite perceptive. Sure enough, I went to pick Chloe up from the party and amongst all the goodies she was carrying there was a gumball machine. We had heard plenty about this gumball machine. The friend hosting the party had told everyone it would be the prize for the best costume, so I didn't even have to ask. Another mom saw her coming out and even commented about it. I know the prize belongs to Chloe, but I have to say there's just a tinge of pride after all the work I spent on it. I wish I had a picture to share, but I haven't taken any yet. You'll just have to wait until Halloween. In case you didn't figure it out, Chloe DID have a good time at the party.
I was slowly making progress on it when Brandon decided it was time to put a finish on our hardwood floors. Moving all the appliances into the dining room took over my sewing space (which I was thankful for the break), but then it stressed me out to realize I may not finish the costume in time. After having a little breakdown, I finally called my neighbor and begged for help. She was amazing! What would have taken me two days she had done in less than an hour -- while she was sewing something for another client AND babysitting her granddaughter! After that I pretty much gave up on the costume and just finished it so that it would be wearable.
Then I still had to make an apron. The day of the party I got to work on that, and miraculously made something that resembles an apron. I just pinned it onto the dress, because I had no time to think of how to assemble it. After school I picked the girls up and took them to a park to enjoy the beautiful weather before the party started. Chloe started to throw a fit; she had changed her mind about wanting to go to the party. I was not in the mood to fight with her, so we went in the bathroom, changed into her costume, then took her to the party and dropped her off. She was clinging to me, but I was not going to let her out of this (I know it sounds mean, but I also know Chloe needs to be pushed sometimes).
On the drive home Sophie said to me, "If I were you I'd be really sad if Chloe didn't go to the party." I asked her why, and she told me because of how hard I had worked on the costume. It sure made me feel better to know that Sophie noticed, even if Chloe didn't appreciate it. At the park she had made a comment about how this party was going to be like her audition, where she threw a fit but then ended up having the time of her life. That Sophie is quite perceptive. Sure enough, I went to pick Chloe up from the party and amongst all the goodies she was carrying there was a gumball machine. We had heard plenty about this gumball machine. The friend hosting the party had told everyone it would be the prize for the best costume, so I didn't even have to ask. Another mom saw her coming out and even commented about it. I know the prize belongs to Chloe, but I have to say there's just a tinge of pride after all the work I spent on it. I wish I had a picture to share, but I haven't taken any yet. You'll just have to wait until Halloween. In case you didn't figure it out, Chloe DID have a good time at the party.
Now I Know How *34* Feels
And it's not that different from 33. I celebrated my birthday last Saturday. Brandon tried to surprise me with breakfast, only he got a little upset when I woke up before he left to go get it. He came back with a buffet of delicious fruits! He asked me, "Did you think I went to get doughnuts?" And to be honest, I was a little afraid he had. I appreciated him thinking of me enough to get me something he knew I'd enjoy. Then he gave me my gift, "The Original Fast Foods" book that I've been wanting since I went and listed to Jim Simmons speak back in June. It has lots of recipes and suggestions to help me eat better. Since that was the only gift he gave me I asked where my knife was. You see, my in-laws sent me an electric knife I had on my wishlist (to help me cut my bread since we've gone strictly homemade). When this package came in the mail with my name on it I thought I should open it. Well, when Brandon came home from work that day and saw it, he stole it and hid it from me and told me I couldn't have it until my birthday. So, come my birthday I was a little surprised NOT to see it. So he went and got my knife, and the girls gave me a couple things they had made.
After breakfast I didn't have anything planned, my family were all doing their own things, so Brandon suggested I use the afternoon to do something on my own. I went down to the new Church History Library to find a pamphlet Dallas had asked me to locate. That was quite a process to go through -- very high security -- but I got a copy of the whole pamphlet and was in and out in about 30 minutes. When I came out of the library I saw I had missed a call from Dallas, so I was excited to call him back and share the good news.
While I was gone to the library my visiting teachers had stopped by and brought me a gift. Brandon told me they had brought me some soap, and Sophie brought it out to me, but I asked her to go put it on the counter until I could go inside to open it. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it not to find soap, but some organic agave nectar! Those are some visiting teachers that felt inspired. Actually, one of them told me later that she overheard some people talking about it at the store and just thought of me. She was a little worried I would think it was weird, but it was perfect!
For dinner Brandon took me to The Olive Garden (he had a gift card to use). He was going to get a babysitter, but I told him it was my birthday and I would kind of like to have my kids there too. Well, the kids butted in and said they'd rather not go! I know, how mean! But they didn't want a babysitter either; they were squeezing out a playdate with their friends. Luckily, Kellie was a great sport and had no problem having them over. Unfortunately, it was also the night of Homecoming so every high schooler around also wanted to go to The Olive Garden. We waited it out and got a table and I had my eggplant and was happy. I'm pretty sure that is not a grammatically correct sentence, but it was my birthday so I don't care.
I ended the day with phone calls from my parents and my sweetest friend in California. And for all of you that I got psyched up about my big 10-10-10 birthday next year, my party has been called off. I realized it's going to fall on a Sunday and it doesn't feel right to have a 10-10-10 party on 10-9-10.
After breakfast I didn't have anything planned, my family were all doing their own things, so Brandon suggested I use the afternoon to do something on my own. I went down to the new Church History Library to find a pamphlet Dallas had asked me to locate. That was quite a process to go through -- very high security -- but I got a copy of the whole pamphlet and was in and out in about 30 minutes. When I came out of the library I saw I had missed a call from Dallas, so I was excited to call him back and share the good news.
While I was gone to the library my visiting teachers had stopped by and brought me a gift. Brandon told me they had brought me some soap, and Sophie brought it out to me, but I asked her to go put it on the counter until I could go inside to open it. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it not to find soap, but some organic agave nectar! Those are some visiting teachers that felt inspired. Actually, one of them told me later that she overheard some people talking about it at the store and just thought of me. She was a little worried I would think it was weird, but it was perfect!
For dinner Brandon took me to The Olive Garden (he had a gift card to use). He was going to get a babysitter, but I told him it was my birthday and I would kind of like to have my kids there too. Well, the kids butted in and said they'd rather not go! I know, how mean! But they didn't want a babysitter either; they were squeezing out a playdate with their friends. Luckily, Kellie was a great sport and had no problem having them over. Unfortunately, it was also the night of Homecoming so every high schooler around also wanted to go to The Olive Garden. We waited it out and got a table and I had my eggplant and was happy. I'm pretty sure that is not a grammatically correct sentence, but it was my birthday so I don't care.
I ended the day with phone calls from my parents and my sweetest friend in California. And for all of you that I got psyched up about my big 10-10-10 birthday next year, my party has been called off. I realized it's going to fall on a Sunday and it doesn't feel right to have a 10-10-10 party on 10-9-10.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)