A Belated Christmas Gift

A friend of mine (Amanda) had mentioned a few weeks back wanting to get our girls tickets to see Taylor Swift in concert next September as Christmas gifts.  Because I'm a "Swifty," the idea sounded great!  However, I have been to two concerts with Karson, and I hate to admit it, but she's kind of drag.  We didn't make it through the entire Taylor Swift "Speak Now" concert in 2011 and ended up leaving around 11 p.m.  She was only '9' at the time so I guess I can understand her being tired and ready to go.  However, we  went to see Katy Perry in concert this year, age 12, and she was tired and ready to go around the same time.  Concerts and staying up late just aren't her thing.  I told Amanda, I just didn't want to spend that kind of money again knowing she probably wouldn't have much fun.  The tickets for the concert are going for $150+.  That's a big chunk of change for two of us.  I tried to see if I could even get us tickets on the day of the presale, and the only ones even accessible were in the nose bleeds at Bridgestone.  It just wasn't meant to be. 

 I had heard about this place in Nashville called The Escape Game - an entertainment experience.  Basically, you are locked in a room for one hour and have to look for clues, codes, work puzzles to try and figure out how to escape before your time is up - 60:00.  Both Karson and Elizabeth, her daughter, love shows like Snapped and CSI - figuring out clues and solving cases.  They went to a murder/mystery dinner theater for Elizabeth's birthday last spring.  I knew this would be right up there alley and a little less costly =).

 

Last night was the big event.  Our room was called The Heist.  The premise surrounding it is there is lost piece of art and the ALR (Art Loss Registry) is trying to locate it.  Our group was connected in heist of this painting.  If we find and return it, we would be absolved from involvement.  If not, we would be charged as part of the criminal mastermind plan for stealing it.  Essentially your job is to find the painting in 60 minutes or less, and you are provided with three clues/hints to assist along the way (at your request).  The painting contains a code that allows you to exit the game and WIN.  Unfortunately....

If we'd had about 15 more minutes, I believe we would've figured it out.  For obvious reasons, pictures in the room itself are not allowed, and I don't want to spoil anyone's adventure.  I love the HEIST but knew it would be difficult with only a 27% escape rate.  The girls want to try Nashville Esacpe or the Underground Playground next time - the success rate is higher for both.

The Escape Game for more details.

Our group of six - two additional people joined our game which is designed for seven people.

We ended our evening with a trip to P.F. Chang's and soothed our loss in Chinese food and a Great Wall of Chocolate for dessert.  Afterwards, we headed over to Opry Mills for some retail therapy.  Because the loss was so devastating, the girls took up smoking (aka, Bubble Gum Cigarettes from It's Sugar). We hope to visit Nashville and The Escape Game again soon.  The girls are anxious for more!

It Came and It Went

I decided to rake the leaves a few weeks back, and sweet Miles came outside and joined me.  He loved jumping in the large piles of leaves.  There is really no point to raking leaves if you can't jump in them, right?

The Christmas Holiday happened about as quickly as it appeared.  I decided this year I was going to be more "festive" with the kids. I was a bit of a Scrooge last year.  I had started working full-time and was having trouble managing that and being a "festive, full-of-holiday-cheer mom".  I was determined this year!  We'd decorate the house and even the kids rooms (with mini-trees).  I'd get most of my shopping done early.  We'd watch lots of holiday movies.  Play Christmas music in the house all the time.  Work Christmas puzzles.  The kids would shop for each other.  We would make scratch cookies with icing.  We would construct a gingerbread house.  I'd make cheese balls, muddy buddies, holiday candies - everything to make the house more festive.  I have the extra five pounds to prove it.  Basically, I did it for myself =).  I noticed (this year especially) that the kids are growing up and not really interested in "big" Christmas gifts.  The older two didn't really even ask for anything.  Miles still believes in Santa, although he doesn't talk about it much.  He's very matter-of-fact about his relationship with him.  The grandparents took them to the mall and he told Santa what he wanted - dominoes and a Hot Wheels set.  He told me he knew that's what he'd get 'cause he asked Santa for it.  That's the extent of his belief though.  He doesn't ask a lot of questions about him.  He has no interest in leaving him cookies or checking out the fireplace on Christmas morning.  The kids actually asked for an Elf on the Shelf last week. I may break down and purchase one next year.  I think they have big plans for our Elf, and I can't wait to see what they come up with.  The spirit of Christmas is quickly fading in our house as the kids get older.  I think part of me just wants to continue with some traditions that the kids enjoy and look forward to - cooking, working puzzles, family time, etc.

This is usually what happens once the Gingerbread House is constructed.  Three rather large tornadoes take it down in seconds.

 

More holiday fun as we decorate iced cookies.  These are simply the best cookies ever and take two days to make.  My hand mixer decided to zonk out on me - not sure why since I've owned it for 16 years =).  I had to break down and buy a new mixer this year.  The holiday cooking would not stop with a BUM mixer, no sir.  We were going to continue on with our baking.

 

Sometime in December, Matt also finished up with his Master's Degree in Education - Teacher Leadership.  He's one educated teacher.  This is his third Master's Degree (thus the phrase, You Did it AGAIN).  The kids were psyched about the helium balloons and quickly emptied them once he saw them. I believe a helium tank was on their Christmas wish list - strange lil' people.  They love what it does to their voices =).

I didn't get many Christmas pictures.  I know, I know...but honestly, I don't need a bonanza of pictures.I don't print half of them, and it seems like I'm missing the action if I'm behind a camera (or I was just too lazy this year - maybe too full of sugar - who knows).  At any rate, our family Christmas celebration started in Nicholasville with the Pogue's the Saturday before Christmas.  I love getting together with my Mamaw's (Dad's) side of the family.  Since most of my cousins are married and have kids, it's a rather large gathering.  It's loud and wild and always so much fun.  The kids played football, ate lots of sugar, hung out with distant cousins they don't see often - simply had a blast!  The kids play dirty Santa and the adults have a game as well.  Miles played in the kids version, and Karson played in the adult version (Isaac had no interest in playing).  We ended up with a Spongebob basketball goal, a UK mug, Krispy Kreme gift card and tumbler and a First Aid Kit. 

 

The kids got a hold of my cousins phone and added lots of photos to his stream -he tagged me in them on Facebook.  Hey, at least there are some photos from the event.

 

 

Isaac woke up feeling bad on Sunday.  Karson had stayed home from school with a stomach bug the Thursday before - it was a 24 hour kind of thing.  Isaac was having the same symptoms Sunday morning.  He and I decided to stay home from church.   Because of Matt's Grandad and Granny's recent health issues, his mom Debbie thought it best to do Christmas with them in rounds with different families coming over at separate times so it wouldn't be so overwhelming. Our family went over there that day after church, but Isaac and I opted out since he wasn't feeling well.

 Our Christmas Eve picture, and I believe the only one we took the entire day (besides the one below).  I had some sort of stomach bug thing the day before (Dec. 23) and Matt had it on Christmas Eve.  Neither of us were feeling very well so I'll blame the lack of picture taking on that.  The kids always have a BIG Christmas at Mom and Dad's house.  The boys both got iPad mini's.  They both have dinosaurs in the Apple world - Miles has the original iPad and Isaac carries an old iPod touch that was left in one of his dad's used cars years ago.  It was time for an upgrade.  They LOVE them!  Karson had went shopping with Meme and picked out lots of things - a new volleyball, water bottle, cinch bag, knee pads, and a few other things.  The also got some money from their great grandparents and uncle along with some fun gifts from their cousins.

 

We stayed at their house most of the morning and headed over to the Deaton side of the family later that afternoon to celebrate with Matt's extended family.  It's been a tough year for them (us) losing Mamaw back in February.  It's hard to believe it's almost been a year since her passing.  Matt's aunt Karen who is the family hub, holding the entire family together (as Steve Maglinger describes her), continued the Christmas Eve tradition of getting together.  However, she recently got a poor report from her doctor.  Her cancer has returned.  We are seeking out options from University of Texas MD Anderson hospital in and hope they can find a way to assist.  Please be prayerful for her and the entire family.

Christmas morning, I woke up feeling poorly again with a sour stomach around 4 a.m.  Karson followed not long after and said she'd had trouble sleeping.  By the time 7:30 a.m. rolled around, I decided to wake the boys.  I couldn't believe they had slept in that long - very unusual.  They raced for the living room and tore through all of their gifts.  Miles got dominoes and a Hot Wheels set from Santa.  Karson received a Chromebook.  Isaac got a GO Pro! camera.  They also got lots of gifts from mom and dad as well =).  It was a nice Christmas.  We went over to Matt's parents house for breakfast around 9:30 a.m. and then came back around 4 p.m. to celebrate with the entire family.  It was a whirlwind and we managed to make it through it all another year.  We're very fortunate!!!  Happy 2015 to everyone!

December is FLYING By…..

Isaac is slowly but surely branching out of his shell - believe it or not, our rather wild and crazy kid, is a little reserved when it comes to trying new things or adventures.  He joined the school's STLP team this year which I knew would be good for him.  Unfortunately, basketball has caused quite a few conflicts with the team's tech nights at Plano.  The team took a field trip to WKU on Monday.  Although he doesn't have a major part on the team, I am glad he's a part of something at school.  He was recently asked to try out for the school's academic team.  I tried convincing him that I thought he'd be great at quick recall and some of the testing subjects, the idea of going to school early a few mornings a week, sealed the deal for him.  NOPE.  I was a little bummed because I know he'd be an asset to the team and would probably do very well.  BUT, it has to be something he wants.

 And what he wants to do is come home, work puzzles, play games, write books, shoot basketball and not spend an extra minute of free time studying quick recall questions =). 

Basketball season is in FULL THROTTLE.  And, yes, we have THREE kids playing this year which means we are in constant motion with practices and games.  I am rushing from one game to the next, trying to see my kids play at Briarwood, Phil Moore and Living Hope.  I'm looking forward to an exciting season - basketball is my absolutely FAVORITE sport.  I'm thankful all my kids love playing as much as I love watching them.  I will miss Karson's game tomorrow but will get to see my little Miles play.  Matt and I tag team all the kids games.  It's CRAZY!

Plano hosted their annual holiday performance last night.  It was titled "A Place in the Christmas Choir" presented by the 1st and 2nd graders. When the music teacher at Plano was assigning speaking parts last month, I went ahead and signed Miles up (even though he'd told me he didn't want one).  I figured I could easily convince him that he was needed and didn't want him to feel left out if most of his classmates had speaking parts.  Karson (a penguin) and Isaac (Scrooge) both had parts in their 2nd grade holiday play.  I kind of wanted Miles to have a part too.  He had so much fun at theater camp at SKyPAC last summer and had done speaking parts in preschool plays.  I knew this would be a piece of cake for him.  WELL, to say he was NOT happy about being assigned a speaking part is an understatement.  The day parts came home, Matt said he didn't walk in the house - he marched in the house and immediately threw his script across the living room and started throwing a MAJOR fit about having a part in the play.  When I got home from work, I tried my best to convince him that he ONLY had four lines in the entire play - how easy!  I told him the class needed him, blah blah blah.  He was not hearing it.   I pretended to email his music teacher to tell her that he wasn't going to do it just to see if he'd change his mind (reverse psychology sometimes work with him).  Nope, he wasn't budging.  I knew it was serious when he started crying and didn't want to go to his friend Brady's sleepover and Chuck E. Cheese's birthday party that night.  This was RUINING his weekend.  I decided to take action and email his music teacher and let her know how upset he was and apologize for putting her in this position.  Being the wonderful person she is, she responded immediately and told me it was no big deal to reassign the part and totally understood.  SO, he was a cute lil pup in the program last night who sang with all his classmates and DID NOT have a speaking part =) (but was rather dramatic about it).

Elves, cats and dogs peppered the program.  As usual, it was super adorable, and the kids did an amazing job.  We have the best music program in this area, hands down!

Plano does it again - a wonderful start to the holiday season!  Thanks Ms. Harrington!

Weekend What?

Karson looks a little like ELF when it comes to eating spaghetti.

Did I miss it somehow?  I'm pretty sure this weekend went straight from Friday to Monday.  This time of the year is certainly busy - especially with three kids playing basketball.  Where did our weekend (or week) go, well let me start with last Thursday....

I was in the throws of my first of three School Day Performances with SKyPAC Youth Theatre's production of The Frog Prince.  We had our first performance on Thursday morning and welcomed over 700 children to the Capitol Arts Center.  I'm quite certain it is the largest performance that has been there or at least the largest one I've ever been a part of (and had to seat students for). The show was wonderful, and everyone really enjoyed it.  How exciting that our cast got to perform for that many of their peers! After work, I rushed over to Cumberland Trace to see Karson's 6th Grade Showcase team face off in quick recall.  After the match, she and I headed out to Jerry's (our favorite off-the-beaten-path restaurant) for some spaghetti - best ever!!!  Sidenote: I have the fondest memories going to Jerry's on the By-Pass and eating there with my family as a kid.  I don't think the menu, prices or even the decor has changed since then.  I hope the one on Louisville Road never closes - it would be a pity. Once we finished up with our dinner, we headed back to the Capitol for the evening performance of The Frog Prince.  I had to help in the ticket office, and Karson helped the ushers hand out programs and then went in to see the show.  Once I finished in the ticket office, I headed in to see the show. I couldn't find Karson who had buried herself in the third row, center section.  Fortunately, our security guy helped me locate her.


Friday started with with two back to back School Day Performances, both with around 700 children.  I felt a little looney by the time 1 p.m. rolled around. I grabbed a quick lunch, finished processing some sales and headed home to see the kids for a few minutes.  Matt and I also managed to get away for a quick bite to eat before I headed back to the evening performance.




I'm not sure if Saturday even happened or not.  I hit the ground running at 7 a.m.  Karson had to be a Richpond for (Section 10) 6th Grade Governor's Cup.  She was supposed to have her first basketball game that morning at 11, but at the last minute, it got moved to 9 a.m. which meant she wouldn't be able to participate.  Karson was testing in Language Arts - a written test that would require close to an hour to complete.  She was really bummed about missing her first game.  In fact, most of our team couldn't go to the game because of the change, only five girls could commit.  When she got out of her test, she came straight up to me and asked how the team did.  It took me a minute to realize what she was talking about.  I texted our coaches wife (who is also a close friend).  She responded that the other team never got the message about the change and didn't show up (meaning a forfeit).  Karson was happy about this news =).  I didn't get to stay with her a Richpond.  The showcase event lasts most of the day.  I had to take off to Phil Moore Park to see Isaac's basketball game. 

With three kids playing, Matt and I have to divide and conquer on Saturdays.  I went to Phil Moore for Isaac's game because it was closer to Richpond, and he took Miles to his game at Living Hope.  I hate that I missed Miles's first basketball game ever, but I'm happy I got to see Isaac play.  He's playing for the Kings this year and has come a long way since last season.  He's even bringing the ball down the court some.  His team had a tough loss on Saturday - losing by one point in the last minute of the game.  Miles team also got beat (even though they don't keep score in his league and don't call the game close - they can double dribble and run a little with the ball).  I left Isaac's game and headed back to the Capitol for our Saturday matinee of The Frog Prince.  I'd asked my mom if she would go to Richpond to be with Karson who had been competing with her quick recall team.   I didn't want her to there alone for too  long.  Plano ended up with quite a few awards - 3rd place in quick recall and 1st place in the entire event.  Karson also placed for her written test in Language Arts.  I'm really proud of our lil' group.  They have dedicated many years to the academic team - practiced many early mornings and late afternoons.  Their hard work definitely paid off.

3rd Place in Language Arts.

1st place winner - PLANO ELEMENTARY - Go Panthers!

Mom and Karson met me, Matt and the boys at Cracker Barrel for dinner, and afterwards, I headed back to the Capitol for our final performance of The Frog Prince.  It was a crazy, busy, fun DECEMBER Saturday.

Karson's new BFF at church, Savannah.

     I didn't want to get out of bed on Sunday.  BUT, I did!  Matt and I have been working with the teens at Community for a few months, and recently, we have been working on a service project with HOTEL INC., Greenwood Park and Alvaton churches.  Our group was asked to collect 30 hoodies and baby wipes to go into large donation boxes for those in need.

I love our sweet group of teens!

 

We managed to collect 30+ hoodies and wipes.  The teens met with the other groups teens at Potter Children's Home on Sunday night to help with packing the boxes.  Over 57 boxes were packed.  Our portion was just one of about 30 items that went into boxes.  Outreach is what every church or non-profit should be focused on - giving back to the community is an important lesson for everyone to learn.  Our church also hosts a montly breakfast the first Saturday of each mponth.  Because of my crazy Saturday, I wasn't able to attend this month.  However, the Hilltopper's For Christ (my WKU alums on the hill) assisted with our event, brought 41 food bags to distribute and brought some baked goodies. 

Because our lives have been nuts, we carved out some time on Sunday afternoon to put up our Christmas tree. AHHHH!  I like doing this the weekend of Thanksgiving, but oh well.  It's up and looks great.

The kids decorated mini trees in their bedrooms. 

Miles got a hold of my phone and was snapping pictures of us decorating.  He was the most excited about the tree.  With two older kids, it's easy to forget that Miles needs to see Santa and still believes in him.  He even asked me if Santa would know that we moved our tree into the living room this year.  I told him I was sure he'd find it. Too cute!

It artificial and kind of puny, but it's ours.  It's full of Hallmark ornaments dating back to the 70's.  NOW, I've got to get some gifts under that sucker.  Happy Holidays all!