Mommy & Ella Date Day

I kept my promise to Ms. Ella Bean today....McDonalds and a Megamind. Ella has been wanting to go to the McDonalds since they remodeled...there is a huge playground now. Since we don't do fast food, we have been putting her off. She also has been dying to watch the movie Megamind, but it is in 3D. We really didn't want to do that because she complains about the glasses and it hurting her eyes to watch the movie. BUT mommy gave in and promised her a date day, just the 2 of us. She pretty much started asking if it was time to go as soon as I woke her up this morning. After a stop at my school for some planning and copying we headed for our Happy Meals...with Megamind toys. While I waited in line she headed to the playground. Then we jetted across town for the movie. I was nervous about 3D since I get motion sickness on a swing I was not sure how I would do about 3D. Not bad for me, but half way through the movie Ella said her eyes hurt. Must not have hurt too bad, because she was glued to the screen the entire time. She was happy when Megamind turned out to be a good guy in the end. After picking up ice cream cones we headed home. On the drive home, I got the best thank you....even if it was a little cheesy! "Mommy you are the best mommy in the whole world! We had McDonalds, a movie, and ice cream!"

Dumpster Diving

Ok, so I have NEVER stopped to pick up some one's trash from the side of the road. Well...that is until last week. I was driving home from work and saw this cute little whiteboard/cork board coat rack. So I stopped....happens to be a student's house. Of course....my first dumpster dive is at a student's house. I got over it quickly and asked if I could take it. I had big plans for it. It was going to look great in Ella's room. Well here it is....





Ella loves it! I love it! Maybe I will have to try dumpster diving again.

Typical Busy Saturday

Saturdays seem to be the busiest day of the week for us. This Saturday was no different.

It started with me running the Turkey Trot. Cross #7 of my list of 34 things to do. I RAN THE ENTIRE TURKEY TROT!!!! Which might not seem like much after running an half marathon a few weeks ago, but the hills on the back side of Sara Park are brutal! Not to mention running them into a head wind. I just put my head down and reminded myself that I was going to cross one more thing off my list!!!! I forgot my watch, so I don't know my time, but it was under 30 minutes.

Then from there I rushed (probably broke at least 1/2 dozen traffic laws) to Walt's to pick up Ella. We had Brownie Bowling. Moms and daughters were teamed up on each of the lanes. Amy and Katie were the winners on our lane. Ella and I came in last. It was fun and that really is all that matters. The girls earned another fun patch for their sashes. We like the fun patches!! Are next two are for Christmas caroling and making ice cream.

As soon as we were done with bowling Ella and I headed over to Daytona Middle School for Ella's last soccer game of the season! THEY WON!!!! Ella was a little less aggressive then she has been all season. She was more the girly girl she was last season. She had a few good kicks and a steal. Then she asked to play defense...a lot less action happening in the back field.

Next, was a stop by the VFW. A former student on mine was being welcomed home after his 2nd tour in Iraq. I decided that stopping and welcoming home would be a good thing. I am glad I did it. It was nice to be part of something as special as that. I admit it...I cried when all the motor cycles came through the parking lot lined with men and women holding flags. It was an honor to be part of it. Sidney was surprised to see me. The hug and thank you was worth it though. The veterans who were there, were all smiles when they heard Ella sing the National Anthem and say the pledge. She sang the anthem and said the pledge in a LOUD clear voice. She was the only little kid there, but you could see how proud the veterans were to have a little girl there. She might not understand what it was all about, but I am glad she was able to be part of it.

Then it was off to Amy and Tom's house for his open house on his custom wood carved projects. I was able to get something really nice for my mother-in-law Lynne for Christmas. HI LYNNE! Since she is now hooked up to the world wide web...that is all the details I can share on that little adventure!

Finally time to head back home. No time for relaxing though. The floors needed to be cleaned and the house needed organizing (it always does and it never gets all the way done) and I needed to make some white chocolate pumpkin spice coffee things. Super yummy and very easy. I will post about those later. But what I can say, it is cheaper than Starbucks and tastes just as yummy!

Alot of stuff!!

We have been super busy in the Williams's House. It seems that school, soccer, birthdays, and races have kept me from blogging. So I will attempt to take care of 3 weeks of stuff in one post.

Ella had her 8th birthday party on Halloween. I love that we are able to do it all in one night. Kids don't really trick or treat here in Havasu anymore. Most everyone goes down McCulloch and fake trick or treats. It is super crazy and not that much fun. So I am happy to throw a big Halloween Birthday Party for Bean and all of her friends. We do it all...pinata, trick or treating, bobbing for apples, haunted house, cake, and presents. This year we had almost 20 kids who came for all the fun. Ella is the blue butterfly fairy on the left hand side. Can't wait for next year.

Since we were going to be in Phoenix on her actual birthday, we celebrated with the family on Friday the 5th. Ella told Papa she wanted Teppanyaki and Yogurt Paradise for family birthday dinner. So Papa and Oma took us all to ShoGun for dinner. If you have never done Teppan Grill you need to. We were luck and our chef had a good sense of humor and kept us all laughing the entire time. He made Ella feel very special by giving her pretty chop sticks in a little bag and having the singer in the bar sing her happy birthday. Dinner was great as always. Nate ordered sushi (which means I can cross of #22 from my list). I don't remember their names. One was spicy and fruit and I did not like that one. The other was deep fried and I really enjoyed that one. Of course it is hard night to enjoy something deep fried. After dinner the chef brought Ella green tea ice cream. I was surprised how good that was. Then Joe decided it was time for Saki Booms...6 of them because Dad was on call. It has been a long time since Mom and I have tried to chug down a beer. Round 2 went easier than round one. Then it was off for some Yogurt Paradise (it is a close replacement for Havasu Frozen Yogurt), but not before we opened presents in the parking lot. It was a good night!

Saturday, Kevin, Ella, my Friend Trish, and I headed down to Phoenix (Scottsdale to be exact). Trish and I ran the Women's Half Marathon from Scottsdale to Tempe. At the expo Kevin and Trish bought these crazy bands. They supposedly line up all the molecules in your body to keep you in order and get rid of pain. I was not sure about it. Kevin tried it out on me and I have to admit if it is not real it is a really good trick. I wore it during the race and did great, so it must have some value.

Trish and I have been training like crazy for this race. Every Saturday we head out for an 8 to 12 mile run. I knew I was ready to finish in under 2:14.....but I killed it. I took 10 minutes of my personal best in Seattle (2:14) and finished in 2:04:10. When I came around the corner and saw that I could finish in under 2:05 I sprinted for the finish line. I was super proud of myself. I only walked at mile 10 and for less than .25 mile. Trish did great too, she finished in 1:59.

So that pretty much covers the last few weeks. Looking forward to Thanksgiving break!