We've had a very busy week this past week. Starting last Thursday, Romeo and I went to the Los Lonely Boys concert at the Tabernacle with our friends Richard and Diane. Much to our surprise the opening band was the main attraction. Local country band, The Zac Brown Band, was the main draw. They were fantastic! I could almost be converted to being a country music fan. Truly, I'll buy their CD. Unfortunately, the Los Lonely Boys were a disappointment after such a great first act-at least to me. Richard might argue a different point. We had a great time.
Then, the next evening we took the girls to Phillips Arena to see the Olympic gymnasts on tour. Kids who compete in gymnastics were invited to come early for "chalk talk". We got to go down and watch the gymnasts warm up and listen as they answered the audiences' questions. It was pretty cool. We had time to enjoy the famous Wetzel Pretzel before the show began. Two Disney recording artists/band were also a part of the show, so the girls got to experience a "mini-concert" too. When Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luekin took the floor, Sophie went nuts. She screamed like a girl at an Elvis concert. That was worth the price of admission although we got the tickets for free. Yep, hubby/Clark Howard comes through again! He found a crazy deal on the internet where we bought $30 of Ortega food and got four tickets for free. Our seats were on the posh side of Phillips, and were valued at $48 each. We'll be eating tacos for a year, but hey-it was worth it!
The female gymnasts didn't pull out all the stops like they did in China for obvious reasons, but they were fun to watch. The real excitement was watching the male gymnasts. They are amazing and seem to have super-human capabilities.
Then, last Saturday the girls and I got up early and headed to our school for a work day. The Environmental Club and Beta Club planned a day to work on the school grounds and earn community service hours, so we went to lend a hand and a truck. The girls worked REALLY hard for about three hours. Mom fell off the truck flat of her back on an embankment and really felt her age the next day.
Finally, we spent several afternoons this week preparing our costumes for the much anticipated Family Fun Night at school. Who knows why it was held a full week ahead of Halloween! Anyway, I decided we'd go the old fashioned route of making our costumes this year. Sophie found a pair of moccasins when I was changing over the closets that have been handed down from Morgan, my niece, to Reagan and finally to her. She fell in love with the crazy things and decided to be an Indian. After several suggestions, Reagan decided to be a Hobo. After a visit to Target, Walmart, and the Goodwill store, we had everything we needed. I'm proud to say both costumes were under $25, and both girls were SO proud of them. Sophie went to school and told her teacher, "My mom is making my Indian costume. She's sewing it with fabric and everything." As you'll see in the pics, I went as a Go Go Girl, but was called Barbara Streisand most of the night and even got a couple of Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman. You decide. It was such a fun evening. Our teachers come up with some of the most original costumes you've ever seen, and the kids get to see all their friends in their costumes and come home with a slew of candy.
Well, I ended up writing a book. Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures.
Rebecca, Sophie, and Elise-aka Margaret
Sophie and Elise waiting patiently in the trick or treat line.
Oh yes-that is hand beading on that Indian costume. LOL-a bead is already falling off at this point.
Reagan's hobo pouch stick was a heavy broom handle. I was afraid she'd knock someone out.
Priscilla and Elvis-parents of one of Reagan's good buddies, Juliana. Mark, her dad, stays in character the entire time. He does this every year. I guess Rhonda decided she'd finally join him.
I think I was born in the wrong era. I had so much fun in this gettup! It was amazing how many people would walk by me and didn't even recognize me.
The fourth grade teachers "monkeying around"
A parent of two of my former students-I give her the prize for best store bought costume.
Fellow teachers of mine-They take the prize for best homemade costume.
Reagan with the Minichowski clan.
OK-You decide. Barbara?
Have you ever seen a cuter Hobo?
That would be Chelsie Mimmel on the bar and Nastia Leukin in the blue shirt on the left.
Sophie would not even go to the bathroom during the show. I was afraid she'd pee in her pants from excitement.
Hero dad comes through again.
The Zac Brown Band-Give me a shout out if you've heard of these guys. Apparently, they have a single playing non-stop on the country station right now and a video coming out on CMT soon. They were so much fun to listen to.
Ahhh- enjoying a night out on the town.
Beaner and his sweet "lady friend" Diane
Sophie Grace putting in some hard labor to beautify our school.
Work that rake Reagan!
I love a shot when they aren't looking.
Talk about some hard working kids!
We spread mulch around every bed on the entire school grounds.
Wow-you made it to the end. Thanks for sticking with me. Have a great day!
Then, the next evening we took the girls to Phillips Arena to see the Olympic gymnasts on tour. Kids who compete in gymnastics were invited to come early for "chalk talk". We got to go down and watch the gymnasts warm up and listen as they answered the audiences' questions. It was pretty cool. We had time to enjoy the famous Wetzel Pretzel before the show began. Two Disney recording artists/band were also a part of the show, so the girls got to experience a "mini-concert" too. When Shawn Johnson and Nastia Luekin took the floor, Sophie went nuts. She screamed like a girl at an Elvis concert. That was worth the price of admission although we got the tickets for free. Yep, hubby/Clark Howard comes through again! He found a crazy deal on the internet where we bought $30 of Ortega food and got four tickets for free. Our seats were on the posh side of Phillips, and were valued at $48 each. We'll be eating tacos for a year, but hey-it was worth it!
The female gymnasts didn't pull out all the stops like they did in China for obvious reasons, but they were fun to watch. The real excitement was watching the male gymnasts. They are amazing and seem to have super-human capabilities.
Then, last Saturday the girls and I got up early and headed to our school for a work day. The Environmental Club and Beta Club planned a day to work on the school grounds and earn community service hours, so we went to lend a hand and a truck. The girls worked REALLY hard for about three hours. Mom fell off the truck flat of her back on an embankment and really felt her age the next day.
Finally, we spent several afternoons this week preparing our costumes for the much anticipated Family Fun Night at school. Who knows why it was held a full week ahead of Halloween! Anyway, I decided we'd go the old fashioned route of making our costumes this year. Sophie found a pair of moccasins when I was changing over the closets that have been handed down from Morgan, my niece, to Reagan and finally to her. She fell in love with the crazy things and decided to be an Indian. After several suggestions, Reagan decided to be a Hobo. After a visit to Target, Walmart, and the Goodwill store, we had everything we needed. I'm proud to say both costumes were under $25, and both girls were SO proud of them. Sophie went to school and told her teacher, "My mom is making my Indian costume. She's sewing it with fabric and everything." As you'll see in the pics, I went as a Go Go Girl, but was called Barbara Streisand most of the night and even got a couple of Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman. You decide. It was such a fun evening. Our teachers come up with some of the most original costumes you've ever seen, and the kids get to see all their friends in their costumes and come home with a slew of candy.
Well, I ended up writing a book. Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures.
Riley, Reagan, and Nikki-best buds
Rebecca, Sophie, and Elise-aka Margaret
Sophie and Elise waiting patiently in the trick or treat line.
Oh yes-that is hand beading on that Indian costume. LOL-a bead is already falling off at this point.
Reagan's hobo pouch stick was a heavy broom handle. I was afraid she'd knock someone out.
Priscilla and Elvis-parents of one of Reagan's good buddies, Juliana. Mark, her dad, stays in character the entire time. He does this every year. I guess Rhonda decided she'd finally join him.
I think I was born in the wrong era. I had so much fun in this gettup! It was amazing how many people would walk by me and didn't even recognize me.
The fourth grade teachers "monkeying around"
A parent of two of my former students-I give her the prize for best store bought costume.
Fellow teachers of mine-They take the prize for best homemade costume.
Reagan with the Minichowski clan.
OK-You decide. Barbara?
Have you ever seen a cuter Hobo?
That would be Chelsie Mimmel on the bar and Nastia Leukin in the blue shirt on the left.
Sophie would not even go to the bathroom during the show. I was afraid she'd pee in her pants from excitement.
Hero dad comes through again.
The Zac Brown Band-Give me a shout out if you've heard of these guys. Apparently, they have a single playing non-stop on the country station right now and a video coming out on CMT soon. They were so much fun to listen to.
Ahhh- enjoying a night out on the town.
Beaner and his sweet "lady friend" Diane
Sophie Grace putting in some hard labor to beautify our school.
Work that rake Reagan!
I love a shot when they aren't looking.
Talk about some hard working kids!
We spread mulch around every bed on the entire school grounds.
Wow-you made it to the end. Thanks for sticking with me. Have a great day!
