Musical Thursday

This musical Thursday started out with a music class for WZR at the Enchanted Garden in the morning and then a free drum lesson for Mads in the afternoon. In between, I got my Glee CD from Amazon and started belting out tunes as we shuffled from place to place. I thought my Facebook status was pretty clever, and only one person understood what I was saying:

Don’t stop believing just because there is no air and you can’t fight this feeling that she’s a gold digger. I’ll just take a bow after busting your windows alone because I’m taking chances. Maybe this time there’s somebody to love or there will be hate on me. You just keep me hangin’ on so I’ll keep holding on until you bust a move, sweet Caroline. Until then, I’ll be dancing with myself defying gravity.

Yes, these are the track titles on the CD…

My Princess Rock Star

Aurora Princess Rock Star – 10/24 for Halloween Fair in Weston

Indian Princess Rock Star – 10/27 for Miss Joy’s Halloween

Cindy Princess Rock Star (minus gear) 10/29 for Boo! at Bisceglie

Mermaid Princess Rock Star Debut 10/30 for preschool party

Mermaid Princess Rock Star II and Sidekick 10/31

Every day her answer had been different, but the most frequent answer was a “mermaid princess rock star” heavily inspired by Princess Katie. Thankfully, Mads has a closetful of dresses, but we didn’t have Ariel’s outfit. Lyn came to the rescue (IOU). The rest of the outfit was easy, since she has 2 pink guitars, 5 tiaras, and a pink mike, oh, and plenty of sunglasses (wait, where are they now?). So, the concept was made into a reality during Halloween week. I thought it would be fun to dress up as a different princess every time. I didn’t get a chance to squeeze in Chinese Princess Rock Star, but she can be that for Chinese New Year in 2010. A couple of people were pleasantly surprised with the mermaid princess rock star costume.

WZR, on the other hand, didn’t have a choice in the matter, but it wouldn’t have made a difference as he was always trying to take the elephant jacket off. Maybe next year.

The lesson to be learned is, let their imaginations run wild. Your job is to create. The genuine smiles and memories that emerge? Priceless.

Golly, it’s Halloween!

We put off pumpkin carving weekend after weekend, evening after evening, and suddenly it’s Halloween! Mads had soccer in the morning, but WZR and I were excused from sitting on the wet field. After lunch, we got down on our knees and started the carving, I had gotten a flimsy set of tools, but they helped, despite the main tool snapping in half. Mads had fun digging out the goo. It was a family affair, with WZR prancing around the circle while we were hard at work. The final products justified our efforts and delay.

Next, we went to a members-only party at the Little Gym, where Mads won “funniest costume.” The kids had a lot of fun tossing balls and crawling through a mountain of foam.

The Ragamuffin Parade was a little wet, but we did get to parade to the fire station, where a haunted house, ice cream, donut holes, popcorn, and coffee were waiting.

Finally, we hit Joanne Lane for some trick-or-treating. The houses are a little too far apart and the houses a little too sunken in from the road. Briar Oaks Lane had lots of kids running around in packs. We drove through Salem Road, where there were bonfires and A LOT of people, but THIS is clearly the place to be on Halloween night! This is where we will come next year. Happy Halloween!

Finally Friday

I had started out the morning very gung ho about going to either the Maritime Aquarium or Fairfield’s town center for more Halloween fun with the kids, but by 2 o’clock, I wasn’t so sure anymore. I was feeling sluggish and WZR was dripping everywhere, so I decided it was best to rest up for Saturday’s events: soccer, pumpkin carving, party at the Little Gym, Ragamuffin parade, then trick-or-treating.

I did enjoy a nice stroll and got some shots of fall colors, though. I picked up some maple leaves and put them between wax paper. I should iron them at some point.

Shells and stones won’t break my bones

It's great when you find shells with perfect holes.

Quick gift for MIL

Let’s face it

It will probably take years before I can make Mads a butterfly princess, but for now she is content with my attempts with distorted rainbows and 8-legged octopi (um, it was only supposed to have 5 legs). She doesn’t know any better. In fact, she exclaimed, “wow, MOMMY! I love them!” When I asked her which side she liked better, she said the rainbow. Anyway, she proudly went out on Monday with her “make-up” and she showed it off to a mom at the book sale. I didn’t hear any chuckles, so it must look ok. By the way, I picked up a braid and bow book for 25 cents. Yup, you’ll be seeing my hair experiments. Folks, do you see now why I still can’t let her get her first haircut?

Beadstuff: Shelling out the pearls

“Why don’t you make stuff with what you already have first?” Sound familiar? Well, I found these great shell beads from Sugarbeads and fell in love at first sight. Mads is really into seashells, so I got 10 of them for $6 and used 8 for her bracelet. I also picked up pearl-like beads from Beadwave to space them out. The result? Voila! I used my new wiring skills to finish off the ends. In the future, I will make sure I have a supply of lobster claws or other clasps, but for now, a ring is holding them together.

Found Bargains at the Summer Sidewalk Sale in Westport

If you’re looking for bargains on children’s clothes and accessories, new summer finds for yourself or a loved one, jewelry, or just want to stroll along crowded streets to smell savings in the air, then hop in and hop out of stores along Westport’s Downtown area. Don’t worry about parallel parking; just park in the lots nearby.

There’s definitely something for everyone. This sidewalk sale also gave me a chance to get to know Beadwave, home of artisan jewelry and supplies. The jewelry is beautiful, and the sales were a steal. This store also offers classes and workshops. A great place for last-minute supplies and some beads. If you have limited time and patience, this is the place to shop. Helpful and knowledgeable associates available to help.

Japanese Summer Festival in Westport

It was a gorgeous day for the Japanese Summer Festival (sponsored by the Japan Society of Fairfield County) on Jesup Green in Westport. The free event was well-attended. We spread a blanket under a shady tree and enjoyed the bold beats by the UConn Taiko Drummers, decorations, water yo-yos,  folk dancing, beautiful kimonos and happi coats, radio-controlled sumo wrestling, and origami Pikachu’s. Unfortunately, I left Pikachu in my pocket and the washer doesn’t spare paper. Suffice it to say, I had some folding to do, but I think I did ok. We’ll see how Mads likes it. Oh, she does! Here is the tutorial I used from Kaboose. This video is for those who are a little more advanced, but worth watching for the soothing music. And thank you, Melissa & Doug, for the free origami paper we got the other day at a Levitt Pavilion event you sponsored.

Practice makes prettier earrings

I was up earlier this morning and decided to practice the skills I learned from my lesson. What do you think?