Crazy Hair Day

Today is Crazy Hair Day at the elementary school. Carena basically woke up, messed up her hair and hair-sprayed it. Ta-Da! Crazy!!

For Colt, I put in some hair glue and got this great effect:


Crazy Hair day is my favorite "spirit day" at school.

The Story of the Blue Puffy Coat

Check out my big blue puffy coat in these pictures:


Nice, huh? You'd probably think it's just an ordinary big blue puffy coat . . . but it goes deeper than that.

When I was 8 or so we had very little money but I was in need of a winter coat. My mother purchased for me a blue puffy coat. I think the insides were all down. I know that coat must have cost a pretty penny. The hope was that I would be able to wear it for a few years and that since it was filled with down it would keep me quite warm in the cold Pennsylvania winters.

But I hated that coat. I thought it was ugly. It wasn't like every one else's. It's not what I wanted. It would have to do, though (as my kids say these days - "you get what you get and you don't throw a fit). It was big and it was puffy. I seriously looked like the Michelin Man or the Marshmallow Man.



So, there I was in my big blue puffy coat. I do have to admit, though, it did keep me incredibly warm.

The day of Christmas vacation arrived. It was the last day of school for a full 2 weeks. I was on the school bus. I was wearing my big blue puffy coat. And I wasn't feeling so well. I was feeling like I might throw up. But I couldn't let that happen. Not on the bus. Not in front of everyone. I would never live it down. So I leaned my head against the seat in front of me and I began to pray. I seriously prayed that I wouldn't throw up on the bus. I felt every little bump and jolt - sending me into more fervent prayer until . . . at last . . . it was my turn to get off the bus. I moved slowly off the bus so as to not jar myself and puke all over the place. As soon as my feet touched the asphalt I knew that I couldn't hold back any longer.

I opened my coat, turned my head, and threw up inside my blue puffy coat that I was still wearing.

My sister, who rode the same bus, was there and I told her what had happened. Like any good big sister, she did what she could to help me. Her help consisted of zipping me up tighter into my coat - puke and all - so I wouldn't get cold. We walked the rest of the way home - all uphill and in the snow (true).

I don't know what happened to the coat after that. I don't know if my mother was able to wash the puke out of it. If she did, I'm sure it was never the same. Perhaps it lost some of its grand puffiness - a little humiliated at what I had done to it.

A few years ago as I was walking through the mall, I noticed a stand with various winter coats on them. And wouldn't you know it - one looked exactly like my big blue puffy coat of yore. There was only one left. I had been in the market for a new winter coat. But, should I dare get a big blue puffy coat? Why not? So, I bought it. And it's fabulously warm. When my mother saw my coat she asked why on earth I had purchased it especially since I put her through such grief as a child over that coat. I don't know really why I bought it. Maybe it reminded me of simpler times. Maybe it's because I knew that coat cost my parents a lot of money and I wanted to show them now that I was grateful for such a warm coat. Maybe I just wanted to feel little again - puke and all.

Jonathan Gets a Haircut

So, I finally broke down (again) and allowed Jonathan's locks to be chopped off. I suppose it was time and I must admit he looks awfully cute (although quite clean-cut).


When a friend of mine noticed Jonathan's haircut, I said, "Now he looks like a big boy." She simply said, in all seriousness, "Now he looks like a boy."

Snow Day

One thing I loved dearly growing up was having Snow Days. Snow Days are the days when you wake up to a winter wonderland. Snow swirling. Roads too bad to drive on - even school buses are out of commission! I remember waiting around the radio with my siblings or watching the news intently for the announcement that school had been canceled. What a wonderful treat - an unexpected holiday! With roads impassable, we would hunker down inside - cozy. Or with such a dumping of snow we'd quickly dress in our warmest clothes and head outside for sled riding and snowman building. I loved snow days.

I want my children to experience snow days - unexpected holidays - a day off. But I can't count on the weather to give my children snow days in Arizona. Instead, I have vowed to give my children one snow day a year - and they never know what day it's going to be.

This year, their snow day was a big one. It started on Friday, November 14th. Carena and Colt woke up to this (click on it if you need to see it larger):


After they packed, we told them what the snow day was all about. We were going to go on the Polar Express (thetrain.com). We headed to Williams, AZ to catch the Polar Express to the North Pole.

We arrived in Williams around 1:30 pm. I really liked the hotel we stayed in. The rooms were adequate - not super special . . . but what made the hotel fantastic was the lobby. It had a huge fireplace in it. It was cozy. Every time we went through the lobby we all made sure to stop and sit by the fire for a few minutes. After checking in (and Chris lugging all the suitcases up to our room), we got our swim suits on and went for a dip in the indoor swimming pool (which was much too chilly and we ended up hanging out in the hot tub instead).

After swimming, we got dressed in our coziest pajamas and headed to dinner - yes, in our pj's! We had a delicious buffet dinner (we pigged out). While we were eating our dinner we noticed some horse drawn carriages making their rounds outside. The restaurant - located directly across from our hotel and from the train depot - also had a huge fireplace.


Once dinner was over, we went to the train depot. Santa was there and Carena got to sit on his lap and tell him what she wanted for Christmas (she also told him what Colt wanted since Colt was too shy to sit with the Big Man). Carena and Jonathan also met Mrs. Claus and she was gracious enough to autograph the kids' copy of The Polar Express.

Then . . . it was time. We were outside when the Polar Express pulled in. It was at that moment when I realized how magical our trip was. I was holding Jonathan and as he saw the train pull in, he smiled the most happy sparkling smile and enthusiastically waved at the train. I feel so blessed that I was able to see that moment through Jonathan's eyes.

After the "All Aboard!" we boarded the train (I had never been on a train!) and got into our seats and we were off! Hot chocolate was passed out and we each got a cookie that Mrs. Claus had made (to tell you the truth, Mrs. Claus is a really lousy baker).

The story of The Polar Express was read. We sang Christmas carols as we made our way to the North Pole. Before long we had arrived at the North Pole, where we saw a small village all lit up with lights and there in the middle of it all was Santa Claus! The train made a stop, picked up Santa, and we headed back to the depot. Santa then came through each car and delivered a gift to each child. Carena told me that as Santa gave her the gift, she almost cried, she was so touched and filled with joy.

Our ride on The Polar Express then came to an end. We de-boarded (is that a word?). As we left, Chris and I again noticed the horse drawn carriage rides being "offered" (at a pretty price), but we thought it would totally be worth it. And it was. It was another magical memory for us to store away. Our carriage driver was a character, the horse was beautiful, and we were all snuggled up in the carriage.

We then headed back to our hotel room where we had a treat of some delicious zucchini bread (thank you so much Julie) and apple juice before hitting the hay.

In the morning we had a buffet breakfast (all the bacon you can eat). The hotel had a game room with video games, fusball, and a pinball machine. Colt was dying to spend a few quarters there, so we did. The kids had a great time playing to their heart's content.

Sadly, it was then time to leave. We left the trees and the wee bit of snow behind. It was hard to let go of such a magical weekend, but I'm so grateful for the memories.

Another Fall Tradition . . .

. . . getting a really bad cold. Without fail - from now until about March - someone in my household will be sick. It's a given. It's tradition.

I caught a bad cold. The only things seeing me through are Nyquil and ibuprofen and pseudephedrine. Although, today I am feeling much better.

Colt came down with a fever. He was out of commission for about 3 days.

Carena is congested.

Jonathan - well his diapers have not been too kind today.

Chris it seems has a little bit of everything.

Like I said . . . it's tradition.

Thanksgiving/Fall Ideas

Ok, iheartmesa has challenged/tagged us to give some Thanksgiving/Fall ideas. This is hard for me because where are the piles of raked leaves for us to jump in? How about the chilly gray days that threaten of snow? How can I make Thanksgiving/Fall more fall-like while living in Arizona?

Last year, the day after Thanksgiving, my little family and I took a short day trip up to Payson. We visited the fish hatchery, fed the fish, and just hung around outside for a good portion of the day. It was cold and we were all bundled up. There were trees everywhere and it was just beautiful outside. I needed the colder weather to get me in the mood of fall and the upcoming winter. It was a simple little trip. We ate at a McDonald's in Payson - they had antler chandeliers there. It felt woodsy and naturey and cozy. We plan on making this little trip a tradition to get us in the fall/holiday mood.

From iheartmesa.blogspot.com:

Rule #1 - Go to your blog. Make a Thanksgiving/Fall idea blog post. This can be anything from budget savvy decorations, family loved recipes, family traditions, crafts...basically anything that makes your Thanksgiving/Fall a little more special. Your name doesn't have to be Martha to participate. These are practical ideas that work for the average person. Example: Maybe you want to make a blog post about the cute pumpkin topiary you made or the yearly Thanksgiving races that your family has at the park where the kids win quarters.

Rule #2 - After writing your post, make sure to include the rules. Copy and paste rules #1, #2, #3, and #4 so your readers know what to do. Then add the lovely birdy button to your post (by copy/pasting the code in that box at the bottom of this post). This will link your readers back to i heart mesa so they can view the web of ideas.

Rule #3 - Go to iheartmesa.blogspot.com to let them know you have participated. Leave a comment with your blog address. iheartmesa will then keep a running list of everyone who has participated. This way, when you click on the lovely little button (made by a lovely graphic designer) you will get a list filled with links to VALUABLE ideas and fun blogs.

Rule #4 - Click on the cute button often to get the latest updates of ideas, to be inspired, and then go and make your Thanksgiving/Fall that much more awesome.

***You don't have to be a Mesa resident to participate, you just have to have one simple idea that preferably works for those living in Arizona. If you have many ideas, great! Make several posts and participate many times.

Now for you hesitant Helens: I've been to many of your blogs. I have been impressed with the amount of talent and ideas that people have right here in the valley. Besides, you all come from a huge variety of backgrounds. Just think about the mass of ideas just waiting to be shared. Plus, it's like free advertising for your blog. Now let the TAGGING begin. GO!

I Voted

As I was on the way to vote today I had a memory of when I was younger and in elementary school. Back in the day, our elementary school in PA was the polling place. I remember vividly the hallways of my elementary school being crowded with polling booths. I remember the curtains for each "stall." I remember seeing the adults' shoes poking out as they were taking their time behind the curtains to vote.

But what I remembered most was the feeling of giddiness that came with that day. For that day was the day of the bake sale! Not only were the hallways crowded with voters, but there were also tables set up with baked goods to be sold. I was always sent to school with a bit of money to buy myself a giant brownie or a giant rice krispy treat.

So, I guess I equate voting with that memory - of the almost electricity charged atmosphere mingled with the anticipation of a baked good. It turns out it's a good memory and so my memories and thoughts of voting are positive.

This year, however, I have been dreading voting (if I want a baked good I'd either have to buy one - and it wouldn't be homemade - or make one) mostly because of the scare put into me that the lines will be terribly long. I'm imagining standing in line with my children for at least two hours. I imagine that just as we are about to vote, one of my kids throws up or something and we have to leave without voting after waiting in line for 2 hours.

Then I had an offer (or two) to watch my children while I went to vote. I considered it. Then I thought about leaving my children with someone for 2 hours. They'd probably never babysit for me again. But I needed to vote, so I took a friend up on her offer to watch my two boys. And off I went to wait in the lines.

I get to the church. The parking lot is almost empty. Where's the line? Am I at the wrong place? Nope. I had hit a lull. There was no line. I just walked in, got my ballot and was in and out in about 7 minutes.

Halloween Boo Crew

Our Halloween in pictures: