High Tops, Heels and Turkey Legs

 

Every year I tell myself, don't eat too much this Thanksgiving.  It's impossible.  There's way too much good food to pass up.  And, because I'm not a cook, it's the one time of the year my family gets to eat an actual home-cooked meal.  Just kidding!  I'm not that bad.  It is sort of true though, especially this time of the year.  We're on the go so much that my kitchen doesn't get a lot of action and my refrigerator looks bare.  I make a lot of quick stops at the grocery for milk and bread (the basics).

 Thanksgiving starts at lunchtime with my side of the family where we stuff ourselves and play a couple of rounds of Family Feud. Matt and I are always in charge of the mashed potatoes which is simple (whew).  My Memaw hasn't been doing well lately, so she didn't get to join us this year.  Fortunately, she lives close by, so Matt and I were able to go over to her house and visit. 

Karson and I decided to try and make Rice Krispy turkey legs for fun.  We were pretty tickled with how they turned out.  They tasted good too!  Click here on how to make these fun turkey legs!  Make sure to wear the gloves when rolling the rice krispy's. I learned the hard way and got sticky all over me.  The gloves help with that.  An experienced chef might know these things, but not me - hah!  We headed over to the Warehouse around 3 PM to celebrate with Matt's side of the family (picture at top).

The SOKY ice rink generally opens the week/weekend leading up to Thanksgiving. It's become a holiday highlight in downtown Bowling Green.  Karson went last year and really enjoyed it.  She and Isaac have both gone this year already.  I imagine we'll make another trip or two before the season is over.

I managed to get some of my Christmas shopping done over Thanksgiving.  I've gotten lazy though and practically do most of it online.  I've never been a "crowds" sort of girl nor do I enjoy shopping or traffic.  It's a trifecta of awfulness.

 Basketball and more basketball!  Tis' the season for lots of time in the gym!  Those hard bleachers aren't too kind on the ol' back, but the Lady Spartans are undefeated and fun to watch.  Karson is riding the pine, collecting balls and grabbing water for the Varsity, but she loves the sport and even got a little action in the Allen County game last week (even got some pics in the BG Daily News).

 Miles is playing for the THUNDER this year.  They lost their first game on Saturday but it's wasn't a blow-out.  I was sort of surprised they hung with the other team.  Two of the kids looked like grown men (one even had some underarm hair).  Miles looked like a shrimp out there but managed to protect the ball and get some shots off.  Of course, they didn't go in, but he played tough.  He's on a 10-ft goal this year, so he'll have to adjust to the difference.  He's got a nice little shot though so hopefully he'll have a good attitude and the team will improve over time.

 There was a really nice tip-off tribute from WCYBL in honor of Mason Goodnight.  Jef Goodnight, Mason's father, contributed funds from the Mason Goodnight Fund to honor his son and the Warren County program.  Sweet Mason was Miles's age and a 4th grader at Cumberland Trace Elementary who passed away suddenly back in April.  This little guy was avid athlete and played basketball and baseball with lots of these fellas.  He also played golf on the Go-Golf Junior Series that Miles also participates in.  All the boys in the D2 league wore a shirt in his honor for opening day.

Saturday was a blur.  Miles had team pictures and then a game that morning.  Karson had a game that afternoon in Owensboro and had to be there by 4:15.  The Lady Spartans played Murray (ranked 3rd in the state with three girls committed to playing at Murray State) at O'boro Catholic at 5:30.  This team was good, but we managed to pull out the win.  The game went into overtime and was so exciting!  We would've stayed and celebrated with the team, but it was also the night of the SWHS formal (8-10:30).  We grabbed Karson a CFA sandwich from concessions (go O'boro Catholic for the yummy choice) and got on the road around 7:15.  We made it back to the house around 8:20 and got ready quick.  I'd already curled Karson's hair so it was ready, just needed to dutch braid the sides which she/I taught ourselves how to do the week before.  Pop on the dress, shoes and some make-up and viola...a princess!

These two sure do shine up nicely.

 These silly gooses and their flowers.  We might need to  forego this tradition all together, but it sure is fun watching them feel awkward =).

Her basketball teammate made it to the dance as well!

 Karson and Aidan made it to the dance by 9 PM.  I picked them up at 10:20, which was actually plenty of time for them (they said it was super hot).  Then, like any good exhausted mother, I took them and Isaac and Miles to Waffle House at 10:45.  We were all hungry and needed a sugar fix.

When we got home that night and Karson put on her PJ's, she tossed her dress on the bed and said, "I guess that's the last time I'll wear that."  Very true.  Which is why I responded, "and that's why I only spent $30 on the clearance rack at Dillard's and you wore my shoes."  Touche!  I think I spent $13 on her formal dress (right) last year from Rue 21.  I'm creating my little army of Scrooge McDuck's or maybe I'm just being practical?!?  Who knows.







 We gathered all the Deaton grandkids together yesterday for family pics in the Blackburn sled.  Aren't they the sweetest?!?  Love the colors and background.

Family Pics with My Turkey's

We were due for a Family Picture update, and fortunately, this year, during Fall Break, we didn't have any major (out-of-town) plans.  It was the perfect time for pictures.  Fall colors in Kentucky are the best too!  The last time we had an ACTUAL family photo taken was Dec. 2011.  Yikes.  I think with the invention of Smartphones, instant digital photos, and the constant documenting of everything, you ten to forget that your kids grow up quick. We've done a few kids-only photo sessions since 2011 but not many.

Isaac Matthew Deaton, age 12

Karson Ann Deaton, age 15

Miles Collin Deaton, age 11

Like October, November is month for celebrating. We started back at the first of the month celebrating Meme's birthday.  Later this week we'll celebrate both Nana and Matt's birthdays too!

 Basketball has officially begun.  I say that, but it hasn't really ended for Karson.  She played with the high school over the summer and has had weight lifting and conditioning since school started.  I guess I should say GAMES have started.  The team had a scrimmage against Edmonson County last week and Green County last night.  I love watching #21 play!  She's been in quite a bit of pain lately though with a terrible callus on the ball of her foot.  We're doing our best to treat it, but she's been in a lot of pain this week =(.

Speaking of turkey's, I got to keep this little 2-year old turkey last Sunday while John and Laura were moving.  I'm certain that 2-3 year olds are my favorite people on the planet.  I loved every second of teaching 3-year old preschool.  Best, Funnest, Most Entertaining AGE EVER.  I know they are "trying" at times, but they are so much fun learning to talk, express themselves, play, socialize - so much to learn. 

 The kids decorated their Gingerbread homes on Saturday.  I always get to snag a few extra from our big event at SKyPAC - Gingerbread Homes for the Arts.  The kids always enjoy decorating their own homes and giving them those special (individual) touches.

Looking forward to getting STUFFED tomorrow!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Dreadful Things

 

Miles had an early date with Dr. Chris at Pediatric Associates.  The difficult thing about turning 11 years old is knowing you have to get all of your shots updated.  The difficult thing for MOM is knowing that your youngest kid is almost in 6th grade.  Miles is our most inquisitive kid and asks a lot of questions.  He and I had a long discussion on the way in town today about his blood type: O-.  The other day he was telling me about all these scientific facts like how women are smarter (I liked that one) and that it's easier to sleep when it's raining.  He and Matt recently had a long conversation about how fast different animals run, how fast our car is and if Usain Bolt is faster - and how high our neighbor Laila's cat can jump.  His conversations are precious and his hugs make me happy.  

CURRENT STATS:

51% height, 32% weight, 27% BMI

56 3/4 inches, 73.8 lbs

Funny sidenote:  as I was checking Miles into the doctor, another mom/son combo walked up and were checking in as well.  When the receptionist asked the name, the mom said Michael Myer.  What?!?

Miles went back for his check-up and got weighed, measured, eye exam-ed, hearing exam-ed, peed in the cup (which we decided to Google to understand its purpose - inquisitive son), BP check and waited for the shots.  It took a little while which makes the anticipation/stress greater.  At one point, I told him - we did check in with Michael Myer?  Are we even sure everyone outside of our exam room is alive?  That lightened the mood a little.  Dr. Chris came in and chatted with us.  We decided to do the necessary shots and opted for the flu shot.  He did his best to sell us on the Gardasil shot but I opted out this go around.  The shots were quick, and he handled them like a champ.  We got home from the doctor around 9:45 and hung out for a little while before I took him back to school.  I wanted to make sure he didn't get sick (he did feel a tad dizzy), and his right arm was hurting a little from the meningitis shot.   I took him over to school around 10:30 and got him all signed in and his records updated.

Dreadful Things - A spooky Scarecrow, Jason, and Prison Mike.

Miles loves his brother and sister. Karson is gone a lot with practices and commitments and sometimes he just hangs out in her room hoping she'll be home soon.  He wrote her the sweetest birthday card that said: "You're the best sister in the whole world.  You stay in your room a lot, but when you come out we have a blast together."  He and Isaac have spent the last three nights working hard on some of their latest novels.  Miles has a heart of gold!

 Halloween came and went, like everything in October.  We've got gobs of candy, and the kids love racking up on it but rarely eat it.  It's BEEzarre indeed.  Isaac's buddies came over and went trick or treating with us this year, and Karson spent the evening with friends.

Isaac wrapped up the Haunted Lantern Tours the weekend before Halloween.  He was hopeful to go with his buddies to Skeleton's Lair in Scottsville. We went late Saturday night after his tour, and the boys spent the night with us afterwards.  Matt and I decided to go through with them, and it was scary.  However, because it was the Saturday before Halloween, it was packed.  It was also SUPER cold that night which made it even scarier because we were already numb.

Karson got to go with friends to Skeleton's Lair earlier in the month!  It was a bit warmer the night she went.

We managed to "carve" out some time to make Jack-o-lanterns!

 Our Varsity volleyball team made history at the State Tournament making it to the Final Four over the weekend in Louisville but losing in the semi-finals to Mercy High School.  We made the trip up on Saturday to support the team but also to visit with our family there.  We rode the golf cart, jumped in Uncle Jackie's leaf pile and on the trampoline, blew some bubbles, made pit stops for candy, and caught some fish.