Big Boy Birthday at the Brunzwick Zone

 

Richard must be having a mid-life crisis or something. He wanted to have a kid-style birthday this year, complete with carnival-type rides, arcade games, pizza, and lots of goofing around. Just kidding. He really wanted to have a fun, family outing of bowling and pizza at the Brunzwick Zone, which is a local bowling, lazer tag, arcade place. Wouldn't you know it, when we got there we discovered that it was league night and there wasn't a lane available. So we ended up doing all of the aforementioned activities. I think the kids were pleased though. There was noone doing those things, so we got to bumper car as much as we could stand it. We were also happily entertained by the local teenaged regulars who were DDR masters. I talked to them and they said that they've been going there almost every day for 6 years. I have never seen anyone that good at that game. I was totally and completely impressed. Can you say Feet Flying Fast in Fabulous Formation? They didn't miss a beat. Okay, enough of that. We got gobs and gobs of tickets and came away with a glow in the dark necklace and a few notebooks and other stuff that Ellie calls China, "because they all say China on them." It makes sense to me.
Then we came home to Birthday Pumpkin Pie which Richard requested because he has no faith in my ability to make a cake. I don't care. I didn't want to make him one anyway. Sniff, sniff. Cakes are stupid. (Turns around and sulks.) It's okay. Saved me time in the long run. BTW, I do make okay cakes. I won't call them fabulous, but they are usually edible. So, happy birthday Richard.

Lake Geneva

 

Last weekend was just beautiful and Richard was feeling like an outing, so we packed our swimming suits (just in case) and headed out. We stopped at a Pancake House for breakfast. I wish I got a picture of the banana crepes I got. Mmmm, just thinking about it makes me want some more. We stayed on Rt. 30 and made our way through a bunch of small towns. 1 1/2 hours later we stopped in Lake Geneva, WI. They were having their annual OktuberFest. We walked around that a bit, but the entire town must have been out. It was way too crowded for our liking. And then we found the lake; not too crowded and extremely pleasant. Maddie and Emma, who insisted they wouldn't want to swim anywhere, were probably feeling a bit disappointed about that decision. The water was cold, but not prohibitive. A stop at Portillos for Spaghetti on the way home made the day even better. I even got sunburned in October!

Once On This Island

Auditions for the Middle School Musical recently took place. I strongly encouraged my girls to go for it. And after anxiety and stressful days, they did. And guess what?. . .Yes, of course you guessed it. They both got lead roles. Maddie actually got THE lead role as Ti Moune and Emma is a Storyteller (a big part). We are now looking at several months of long rehearsals and hours of costume making I assume. What could be more exciting? It's fun to live vicariously through your children.

Please vote

I have a new poll. Richard recently visited a nuclear power plant and he learned a lot about it. I have to admit I was somewhere along the lines of no clue/must be magic. But I have been looking at it and studying it. It is really cool. I will do a post on it after the results are in. Just a little science lesson by Sandra. Betcha can't wait.

I've been cooking

 

So, I've made a few yummy things lately. My friend Laura has a great post about bread. Here it is. You make it once and get three things out of it. My kids liked the breadsticks the best. Maybe I'll just do a bunch of those next time and freeze them in portion packages.
Then, our new friend Subash grew tons of tomatoes and peppers and brought them over to share with us. I was able to make this great salsa that turned out perfectly. I usually have a hard time getting the right texture. But this time---perfection.
And finally, these are Christina's Rolo Center Cookies found here. They are truly a bit of heaven. EVERYONE in my family agreed on this. I made them for a bake sale and here was the problem. The fabulous part of these cookies is hidden inside, so you don't really know how great they are until you try them. Thus, they weren't flying off the table like I was expecting them to. People were buying Rice Crispie Treats instead of these!! :( I was terribly disappointed, mostly because I really wanted them and it didn't look like anyone else did. I'm sure they all sold by the end of the Family Fun Night, but sadly, they were among the last to go. It's almost like people knew I was going to be a bad cook or something. Okay, now my insecurities are showing through. I even lost a little bit of sleep over it. Not too much though.

Routine

Sorry no blogging lately. Honestly there hasn't been much to write about. I've entered a new chapter of my life. I am a volunteer for everything. I am an active member of the PTO, I work every other week in the school library and the other week in Ellie's class. I do another day in Lauren's class. I work the book fairs, the Family Fun Night's, I bake for the bake sales, I plan and help with classroom parties, and chaperon whenever possible. Then, I spend the rest of my day driving to dance, soccer, Young Women's, choir, piano, doing homework with kids, etc. In the meantime I try to stay on top of the laundry, the vacuuming, dusting, straightening, church prep (yup, primary teacher again. I must be really good.) etc., etc., etc.
I'll try to carry my camera more. Perhaps something interesting will happen. Right now, it's No News is Good News. I know, it's just like your life too. I'm finally enjoying it though. I think it has something to do with the lack of constant messes. No mud, sand, paint, artwork on walls, food spills all over, and all the other stuff that drove me crazy. Ooooooh, there is definitely something to be said for kids growing up. I think I have just enough time of my own now that it seems more balanced. It's all good.