The Play that Goes Wrong--Starring Sarah

Okay--at least for a minute starring Sarah.  They pulled her out of the front row before the show and had her help hold on the mantle and sweep.  It was hilarious.  And Ben also got to throw the glasses back on the stage for one of the actors.  It was a hilarious play.  SW did a great job with it! If you ever get a chance to see this show--GO! You can't GO WRONG...get it?  Haha. 

 

Drill Comp #1

 Last weekend Libby had her first drill comp of the season.  It went--OK.  I guess.  Libby has been having trouble with her hamstring/glute.  She dropped down into her splits too hard and had a hard time finishing the routine.  The team also struggled the whole routine because the captain couldn't get the whistle off (after their march in--which they do with the whistle)--so it was hanging off her ponytail...and it was distracting and distressing for everyone the whole time.  They couldn't really perform their best with that kind of distraction (the girl stopped mid-routine and tried again to pull it off....it was messy). Needless to say, they didn't place in the competition.  But I loved getting to see all the dancing!  So fun. 

So Libby had to sit out basically the whole first week of wrestling--but it seems like her hip/hamstring/glute is feeling better.  She wrestled yesterday.

Selfies of the Month or So

 Ben has gotten into the selfie game--big time! But there's one of me too--new hair! 

Yeah..since Libby was supposed to be cleaning her room.  Way better use of time. 

I am very unsure about this new hair...But I'd been wanting to try something new for awhile.  So I went for it.  

Should I have let Ben get this app? 

Pop Up Concert/Jam Session

 I'm posting this so I'll remember the fun idea...we have a Ward Fireside monthly at our house. I had the idea of doing a Pop Up Concert or Mormon Jam night. Everyone who wanted to brought their instruments (we have a lot of musicians in our youth group.)  Lots of them played their instruments and we sang a bunch of songs together.  It was super fun! 

SW Football Finished Strong

 Shorewood hasn't historically had a winning football team.  Like really ever.  But they had a good solid season this year.  They qualified for the playoffs, beating a really good team in an awesome game.  Then they won their pigtail game (into the playoffs) against an undefeated team. They lots their first round game, but they played a really good team.  Derek learned a lot and had a good time coaching.  He just loves working with athletes, coaching them up, helping them improve.  And...it may have worked for recruiting for wrestling too.  He had 40 kids at the first unofficial open mat.  Wow.  He gets just 2 weeks in between wrestling and football.  But I think he's ready to go. It was fun to watch Libby and the drill team dance during the 1/2 time performances.  And the best part of the season was the awesome weather.  We only had two cold games (one wet), and neither was awful. That's perfect for a fair weather fan like me. 

Libby had a NASTY cold/cough/fever that hung on for 2 weeks before they final gave her some antibiotics.  She managed to make enough drill practices to be able to perform at all the games (for better or for worse--we kept thinking she'd be better.)

Thankfully she's much better because the first drill comp is next Saturday!

We got to the game against Cascade just as the 1/2 time show was ending (since we were practicing face painting at the YW activity.)  So I got this quick pic as the  girls finished their dance. 

Buddy Anniversary

 This weekend marks 1 year of having Buddy.  Can't believe it.  It's been--well--fun.  Really.  And also he's so annoyingly playful.  But also super chill (when Derek isn't home.)

We just really do love him.  Ben gets up early to have Buddy snuggles every day (except weekends these days he likes to sleep in.) Libby puts Buddy to bed most nights.  Derek plays catch and tug of war with him all day when he's home (Buddy won't let Derek just sit around.)  And Sarah actually talks to and likes him now too.  She's taken him on some walks now that seminary means I can't take him on long walks.  I guess we are dog people! 

Halloween 2022

I had the best idea for our Halloween costume while I was in the dentist chair in August.  And then...I didn't write it down.  So--it was gone.  Dang! I tried and tried to bring it back.  Never came.  We had been considering being famous singers.  But Ben refused to be Elvis or Johnny Cash.  Or anyone recognizable.  So I went to google. I found a list of fun family ideas.  While none of them was the 4 Seasons, something spurred me and I went with it.  The chance to be Mother Earth was perfect--especially since I could ALSO wear it for my Guide to the Galaxy project finale--Galactic Travel Day.  And, I didn't need to buy anything for Derek.  Win, Win, Win.  Sarah's dress didn't arrive in time.  But it was a beautiful formal in spring green with flowers.  Libby is "snow" and wouldn't wear a Santa hat.  Ben is Fall, and we never got a pic of the back of his jersey where I used the cricut to put his name ("Fall").  Anyway, it all worked out for the Ward Harvest Festival.  So fun.    

We didn't have our annual Spiros dinner--THEY WERE CLOSED!  But luckily we knew far enough in advance that we moved to Maren's.  

Neither girl wore their costume on actual Halloween. Libby was Kid something.  Sarah was...I'm not sure.  She got drenched on the way home from the bus. Both girls still went trick-or-treating with friends (and Ben went with Libby and her friends). 

This is what Ben wore to school on Halloween (because at Elementary we are no longer allowed to do Halloween parties, but in HS and Middle School they have a dress up day--don't get me started.) So when he got soaked on the walk from the bus, he could still wear his actual costume for trick-or-treating. 

Ben testing out costumes for school.  This one is still too big. 

So summery. 

I loved my sash--made with my cricut.

Maren sponsored a pumpkin carving day.  I'm so glad she does this so we don't have the mess at our house. 

Another costume test. 

For the ward Harvest Festival, we did face painting.  We figured out what to buy to get good face painting from a girl who used to be a professional face painter.  Snazaroo is the brand.  Awesome. We practiced for our activity.  Super fun.  

My art on Sarah's hands.

The green stuff was there already...
Also, if you're looking up ideas for face painting, add the word "doodles" to get simple images.  Like "Halloween doodles." Pro tip that I learned during this process.

 Derek and I handed out candy together (maybe a first? usually he works) and watched some episodes of the Rookie.  It's only taking us like 5 years to watch our "show." Haha.  

So that I don't forget an amazing idea again, I have already started a Note that the whole family shares where we can put in Halloween ideas.  I'll always write it down right away!   Even if I'm in the dentist chair!