Ward Adult Dinner, 3rd NKAAFN and beyond!

Using inspiration from Better Homes and Gardens I decorated the table at the Ward Adult Fall Dinner with wheat stalks, milk weed, and real dishes. I appreciated the contrast on the newsprint table top. Sort of a throw back to olden times before linens and paper plates. That night (10.29.10) we ate our dinner out of an old fashioned milk jug. The dinner had been the bishops idea. He even agreed he and his wife would cook it.You can imagine Matt and I were starting to sweat bullets when neither of them could be reached and the water and veggies need to be steaming. They sauntered in real causual with a story about how their DOG needed emergency attention. She said, "It's been a stressful day." Tell me about it! I had been the lone setter upper at the church with two cranky kids. Matt and I left them to start the cooking while we went home to change and get the kids situated. Matt declared, "I don't know how you stayed calm, my blood's boiling." I just have to remind myself that the the relationship is more important than the issue.

BH&G

Church Party

Home Sweet Home

I found a recipe similar on Create that didn't require a milk can, which turned out to be next to impossible to find. And since the wheel had already been invented I used the same theme for our No Kid All Adult Fun Night. This time to a REAL party crowd! (11.12.10)

The spicy sausage and shrimp boil does not require any utencils, just fingers and plenty of paper towels. Even using the mild sauce and removing the seeds from the peppers it was still spicy, but by refilling my glass with rootbeer the stinging sensation on my lips at least went away.

With a smaller dinner group we could enjoy tasty appetizers such as these Caprese skewers in pesto sauce. And for dessert Ashely's pumpkin roll with peppermint tea. Cream?

I got all the fussing and decorating out of my system on this party since I was turning that department over for the Thanksgiving table. You can imagine my apprehension when no one had so much as gotten out the forks. Not one bloody fork.

My attention had been on making those pies...

Since we were hosting we got to decide how the bird would be cooked. Matt swears by his way, Mark swears by his. You can guess who I'm siding with.

Along with the Bocanegra's from Orem, Mike and Donna had trecked from California during what was predicted to be the biggest snowstorm in four years (some even said a decade). The schools cancelled after-school activities and the grocery stores were packed. The predicted storm time came and went and I figured we must have been above it. I called my mom in Lindon to see how their weather was farring, "I haven't seen one snowflake." But it was COLD. The day after Thanksgiving (11.26.10) I got in the van to run to the store but nothing happened when I turned the key. A result of the below zero temperatures combined with the lights inside the van being left on for 2 days. I straightaway called Matt, "The battries flat."

I'm Not a Turkey by Ava 11.10

Ava's turkey says,  "It worked! It worked! I just ate a pound of shrimp everyday since Nov 1st and now I can blend right in with the Flamingo's! I will pack my suitcase tomorrow! And I'm even practicing standing on one foot! Ha! I'm not going to be dinner this year!

I was feeling relieved to have this assignement over when Ava brought home a Santa that now needs disguising. How about I disguise myself.

"Sew...Putting on the Master Astronaut Riz?" Reflect on that!

I wouldn't consider myself a hord core PTA mom, but by signing the "just when you need me" form at the beginning of the year I've had my share of business. In Matt's mind a mother with young kids at home should be exempt from having to help so I remind him, "We all have young kids at home." The mentallity that someday I'll help someone out or volunteer when I don't have any one around and no responsibilites doesn't "fly" for me. Therefore, I became an Astronaut on the night of Nov 4, 2010 at the elementary's A.P.P.L.E. Party (Active Parents Participating in Learning Experiences). At my station we learned about the first landing on the moon and space travel. I had to become some sort of expert in about five minutes. I had Katrina reading the facts to me for the first time on the way to the school. Another mom offered to make the costumes by using a disposable paint suit and logos from online (now that I have repainted my entire house I find out about a PAINT SUIT?) Really, the gal that offered to make it is one of those ultra SWEET people. My cheeks hurt from smiling after talking to her. She was the one to get down and dirty in mixing the moon sand so the kids could leave a handprint.

Meet the Masters is happening once again in both Ava and Grayson's classrooms. I go on the first Wednesday to train at 9 or 12, unless there isn't a first Tuesday, of every other month, except Dec when there is no Meet the Masters. I teach on the second Friday at 9 and 2:30 as long as there is a first Tuesday. If there is a Holiday the teaching is also pushed back a week but not the training. This are the instructions I was given. And yes, subsequently I have shown up when I wasn't teaching. I figure it's better than not showing up when I am teaching. Grayson is some sort of art master already. I noted that around his desk he has taped papers that he has decortated with BYU. He can barely get his legs under the desk. To each his own.

Next assignment, "Can you be a Print Shop Mom?" This assignment consists of going in on ODD Tuesday's and making copies for teachers in the teacher's workroom. There are two copy machines the RIZ is for copies of 50 or more. I didn't feel confused when I left the training but when I went back a couple of weeks later nothing seemed to make sense. I didn't want to drag the office secretary into it but I was desperate to ask her for help. She joined me in the workroom and got all flustered herself, "I'm going to tell these teachers that this is a service that mom's with little children are providing and they shouldn't take advantage." After she marched out I wanted to to call to her, "Don't tell them I said that!" The teacher that I was making copies for was in the workroom today and was being extra freindly and appreciative. I wondered if it had anything to do with the receptionists comments or if it's all in my head. Then I remembered that my life is somewhat of one misunderstanding after another! Somehow I'm able to get through the copying each week I don't know if it's exactly what the teacher wanted but it looks good to me!

Mallerie came home with the plea, "My Sewing teacher REALLY needs help on Thursday when our class makes pillowcases." I emailed her teacher to let her know that I have two small kids but if that was alright with her I'd come and help." The woman needed help so badly I could have emailed that I would be bringing a pitbull. I set up Katrina's portable DVD player for the babes in the back of the classroom and they did pretty good. Probably better than me. Man, a mom was needed for every student! Up to this point in the term the class had learned about the parts of the sewing machine and how to work it. Still some kid raised his hand, "I"ve got the strings tied in a knot, now what do I do?" NO KNOTS! I did my best to patiently go from machine to machine and the endless sea of raised hands. I was somewhat glad when the bell rang. Then her frazzled teacher asked, "Can you come tomorrow...and the next day...and everyday?" There was really only one more week left in the term but they would be sewing those blasted pillowcases each day till then. I think I only missed one day after that. It was when Graham's playgroup was here at the house. But it killed me to know her sweet teacher was there frazzled without enough help. In the end most the pillowcases can infact be put on a pillow. Mallerie sighed, "I'm so pleased with how mine turned out."

Then on my way out of the Middle School I ran into a mom that I know from the elementary school who is in charge of Reflections. She had just found out the week before that her baby she is carrying has Down Syndrome. There we were tearing up in the crowded hallway of the middle school. This will be her sixth baby, she already has a child with ADHD, another with Autism, and a daughter with hearing loss. Her burdens are much greater than mine right now. "Yes, I can easily help with Reflections." This week I'll find prizes for the winners and ribbons for the participants. I wish A or Gray were on the list. They can't seem to come up with an idea for the theme, "Together We Can." Mallerie drew and decorated a cool looking american flag for her school's theme.

Why I needed another little girl 11.3.10

Could these little fur boots be any cuter? I threw them in the cart so fast when I saw them at (cough cough... Walmart) and am tickled that she enjoys wearing them. I wasn't done buying pink just yet.

Lucky for us Kei won first place at a fall 5K race and then joined us for Sunday dinner the same weekend. She brought the trophy cake along with her trophy boyfriend Ademir and said we could have it (the cake that is). We dined on the bottom layer that night and the next couple of days (but with me around, it didn't last as long as it should have). We sent home the top layer with the newlyweds....I mean, friends. The second layer, which had been in the fridge for a week came in handy dandy for Callie's birthday. If your wondering how it tasted after that long, "A little stale."

Five seconds of the balloon in her brothers hands made it history.

To the middle layer I added some sprinkles where the former layer was attached and put  a #1 out of candles. I probably would have lit them and sang to her before realizing "duh" she's turning TWO.

A little hesitant at first she got into gift opening by the last (three gifts total).

A vacuum from Grandma (I kept having to tell the BIG kids to let her try it first).

A quiet book from Swiss Days. Again, you big kids, "Let's let Callie have a look first."

And a baby with bottle form Granny. You guessed it, all the kids wanted to tip the bottle then watch it magically fill back up with milk.

A rearrangement and a few more sprinkles and the candles were formed into a two. Callie was never the wiser, even with being one year older.

The older girls had YW that night so we ate the cake first (before dinner). But that left no one in the mood for pancake Wednesday and sweet syrup. We flip-flopped with Pizza Friday and again, no one was the wiser.

Callie had her two-year appointment with Dr. Larson, who I really like. He had me fill out a long questionairre about skills she can do. Most of which I hadn't paid any attention to. Like the question, Can your toddler stack two or more blocks? Can your toddler jump? I pictured her reaction to when Graham dumped his Halloween candy on the floor,"Yay yay!" She definately got some air. Other questions had come to my attention within the last 24 hours. Can your toddler undress him/herself? Just the night before I had gone in to tuck her in and she was laying there naked as a jay bird with her pajamas and diaper on the floor. I thought it to be quite funny. I picked her up and took her to Matt, "You woke me up for that?" He apparently did NOT find it amusing.

I had taken Ava in to Dr. Larson just the week before to have her tonsils looked at. As a side note he had sent a perscription to Smith's for flouride. He was again suggesting flouride for Callie and I asked a question I would not have asked had I actually picked up Ava's perscription. I admitted to him, "I would have known that if I had filled any of the last perscriptions you wrote out." He looked up at my sarcasm. I waved goodbye, "Have a nice day!"