What's going on...

The Big Man's work had their Christmas party Monday night. There was a 70s theme, so we dressed up. T. Willy had a lot of fun with his big hair, and even though his blonde hair was peeking out, he felt it necessary to tell people that he was wearing a wig. I love his sincerity.

Today is the last day of school until January 2. I really love my job, but I admit I'm excited about the break. I have so much to do to get ready for Christmas and the Tournament of Roses parade!!! California, here we come!

Picture day

I've been wanting to take a Christmas picture for awhile, and today we were finally able to do it. I had some ideas, and they actually turned out just as I'd hoped. In case you're someone I know in real life, here is a teaser of T. Willy waiting patiently while we set up.

The bears are up.

We still need to buy one for this year.

Still busy

We aren't slowing down a bit. I am a homebody at heart. I love to stay home and be with my family. There just hasn't been time for that lately - maybe in January.

Yesterday was closing for the fall play. It continued to improve with each show, but it was always a lot of fun! The audience participation was my favorite part, next to the character "Holly Holgrave." MK enjoyed it and did really well, but I know she's glad for a break.

Last night was our town's Christmas parade. MK marched with the band and became a bit sentimental when I mentioned that it was the next to last one she'll be in. We calculated that she's been in one every year since probably second grade. I can't believe it's almost over. T. Willy rode on a float with the Cub Scouts, and I walked with it. We pretty much have the parades down to a science. The Big Man is our meeting point, and he stands around the same place each year at the end of the parade. MK finds him once she finishes, and then as soon as we get near, I pull T. Willy off the float, and we watch the rest and leave. We park conveniently at the end of the parade, and we have little trouble getting out. It is our low stress solution to a situation that used to cause stress due to traffic and getting the kids where they need to be. After we left, the kids and the Big Man went home, and I joined some friends for dinner at the Big Man's restaurant. MK was exhausted, and she was already asleep when I got home.

Today we are getting our Christmas tree after church. We plan to spend the rest of the day decorating and just enjoying the quiet. I hope it goes as smoothly as the parade did.

Opening Night

This year, I am the drama club sponsor, but I'm not directing the plays. A very courageous mother volunteered to direct, and the show started tonight. MK had a role in it, and I'm possibly not objective, but I thought she was great!! So here are some pictures. Her boyfriend was on the tech staff, so they enjoyed working on it together.

(MK is seated center stage with a pink sweater and black skirt.)

Note to self

We spent a fun Thanksgiving dinner with our friends, the McKinleys, while the Big Man worked. The food was delicious, but the downside was that the Big Man didn't get to eat with us. So, since he was off today, I cooked a turkey dinner for the family. I kept some notes, so I'm going to document them here in case I forget.

1. Turkey breast is the way to go. The Big Man bought one at work, and it was so much easier than a whole turkey. I'm the only one who will eat dark meat, so much less is wasted. Plus it cooks in half the time.

2. Garlic powder - not actual garlic. I make a garlic-rosemary turkey recipe that was given to me years and years ago. Honestly, it is the perfect match for turkey. I used garlic powder, and it's so much better - less pungent and lingering.

3. Pioneer Woman's Rosemary Rolls in the cast iron skillet. Yes, that's a lot of rosemary, but it worked (and came from my garden!!!) The recipe is online, but i also printed it and put it in my recipe binder (for MK.)

4. Apple crisp is a must. Here is how I make it. Peel and slice 6-7 cups of Granny Smith apples. Add cinnamon and sugar just enough to cover. Mix Place in a shallow pan. Cover with crumb topping - 1/4 cup butter - 1 cup flour - 1 cup brown sugar. Use pastry blender to mix until it looks like crumbs. (Takes awhile - but use butter - not margarine.) Cover apples with crumb topping. Bake in 350 oven for 35 minutes.

5. Homemade cranberry sauce. Seriously the easiest and the best. Make the night before, because we like it cold. Directions are on the back of the bag of cranberries. Boil one cup water with one cup sugar. Add cranberries. Boil and the skins will split. Cool and refrigerate. Yum.

6. Crock-pot macaroni and cheese. Recipe also in the binder. Use cheddar cheese. Only double if you're having company. It makes a lot.

7. Add sugar to the water when making corn. The sweetness makes it taste fresh.

So, that what I learned this year. It turned out really well, and I'm going to nap now so that I can have leftovers soon.

Random pics

We went out to dinner with MK's boyfriend and his parents this weekend. Matt's birthday was last week, so we went out to celebrate. It was at a Japanese steakhouse, and it was so much fun. T. Willy had a ball. We went shopping after dinner, and here are some pictures.

One more day of school this week - then we are on break. I have something fun planned tomorrow, so it will be a good day!!

Whew!

It isn't even 3:00, and it's already been a really busy day. I took MK to the school for theatre rehearsal, and then I met the Big Man at the field for T. Willy's football game. Then both kids had to be downtown for the Veteran's Day parade. It was fun, but I'm looking forward to heading home!

Lots of chips

T. Willy earned a free waffle through his school reading program, and he was excited to use it today. He and I went this morning and had a fun time out. We ran into some old friends who hadn't seen him since he was tiny and couldn't get over what a sweet little chatterbox he is. He really is our sweet little blessing.

My nephew

Here is a picture of my nephew - the personal trainer. Sure wish he'd move down here and train me - hint hint.

Quiet now

I've been away from the blog because my parents were in town! We had a wonderful visit, and I'm so glad they came! They left this morning to visit my mom's sisters in North Carolina, and I know they'll have a great time there before returning home.

Here are some pictures - kind of random. The first is one my nephew took awhile ago. The others were taken while my parents were here.

Trick-or-treat

MK had some great friends over tonight to take T. Willy out for candy. It was a really fun time! So here are pictures of the Army Man and Made"lion" and the pumpkin carved by the Big Man.

Homecoming Dance

Tonight we went to MK's friend's house to take pictures before the kids went to dinner and the dance.  I may be a bit biased, but I think MK looked beautiful, and she and her boyfriend made an adorable couple.  

Homecoming!!!

We had a fun Homecoming Day! Our float came in second (technically third since there was a tie for first,) but it wasn't last and we had a good time. We had a pep rally at school, and the Big Man even made it to watch. We won our game, and it was a great time.

My dear friends, Darlene and Cindy, gave me the most wonderful birthday gift today! It's the shirt in the pictures. I love it!

Dance tomorrow. Pictures to follow!

The float is finished.

The parade is tomorrow, and we have high hopes that the judges will appreciate our hard work. The students and parents who worked on it were wonderful, and I will miss them. However, I will also be glad to go home after school and just be home!!! I miss my family and my house!

Evolution

This week has been spent working on a float for the Homecoming parade on Friday. We're almost finished, and here is a sneak preview of part of it. We're playing the Dolphins, so here are some pictures of the stages of making the Dolphin.

P.S.

Today was my birthday! I'm still like a kid when it comes to my birthday. I had so many kind messages from people, my students sang to me, and my family gave me some great gifts! T. Willy was so sweet and excited about the card he gave me. It was sweet to see the joy he had in giving. MK and the Big Man taught it to him. They also gave me my favorite cake!

It was a long day, though. I'm the sophomore sponsor at school, and I've been working on the Homecoming float. It's coming along nicely, and I have some really hard working students and parents doing it. It's been fun, but I will admit that I will be happy when it's finished! I miss my house.

Today's picture is a craft I made at camp this weekend. It is proof positive that when I say I'm not crafty, I am not being falsely modest. I am just not crafty.

Spirit week!

Today is Class Color Day. MK's color is green - check out the tips of her hair.

LOL

This is an ad that I saw today that made me laugh.

Home warm home

We had another cold night at camp, but it was still a lot of fun. It's also good to be home. Here is one last picture of camp - T. Willy enjoying a s'more by the fire last night.

Camping

We are camping this weekend with the Cub Scouts. We've survived one night and are heading to town for T. Willy's football game then back to camp again tonight. It was really cold last night, but we stayed fairly warm bundled up with extra blankets.

MK had a game last night, so she stayed with a friend. She has a band competition tonight, so the Big Man will join her at that, and T. and I will stay at the campground.

On our way out of the campground, the Big Man and T. Willy stopped to watch a passing train up close. It's been a fun time already.

Bond, James Bond

While the Big Man worked last night, T. Willy and I drove past Pensacola to watch MK's band in their district competition. They did wonderfully - straight superiors - which is the highest score they could get. It was a lot of fun to see them. I absolutely love being a band mom!

We went to church this morning then went to a friend's church for their Fall Festival. It felt like we weren't home at all this weekend, but we only have three more games unless we make the playoffs, so things will settle down soon. We are going camping with the Cub Scouts next weekend, so it isn't slowing down yet.