Dragon Visit

Imagine Dragons played Kansas City in September and we were graced with a visit from lead singer (my cousin) Dan Reynolds.  Their show was on Sunday so we couldn't see them play.  BIG time bummer, but we were promised free tickets when they come back through town.
The band's popularity is growing by leaps and bounds.  It was so good to see that Dan's feet are still firmly planted on the ground. 


Capri is a major fan and has a crush on Dan.  She was extremely excited that he was actually coming to our house.  She sat, mostly quietly,  the whole time Dan, Jeff and I talked for about 2 1/2 hours.  She was happy to just bask in his rock star glory. 

Jeff informed me that right after this picture was taken, once Dan and I had gone out the door so I could take him to his show at the Uptown Theater.  Capri had exclaimed, "That was the awesomest thing ever!"

When we got to the Uptown, there was already a huge line outside the theater.  The lot gates were closed, and we weren't really sure how to get Dan inside the building.  Dan, being ever so mellow, said "Just drop me off outside and I'll put my hoodie up."  The mother in me thought, that might not be the best idea seeing as Dan is a giant and there is NO way in the world people won't notice him walking by. 
He did manage to get his road manager on the phone and the gates were opened.  After I dropped him off,  I promptly ran over a bucket they had put to block off some spaces with my minivan. Geeky mom away!

Adventure is Out There!

Halloween 2012

UP

Costume call

The Cast:

Jeff as Carl





Capri as Young Ellie

 

Rome as Russell


 



 Oz as Dug the Dog

 



 Sable as Kevin the Prehistoric Bird

 and Aby as The Flying House

   

 

It isn't easy coming UP with a costume that has six individual parts.  So this year, thinking UP our costume theme was tough.  It wasn't till early October I presented everybody with this idea.  I had looked through a complete listing of all the Disney/Pixar movies.  Near the very end was UP.  When the very next day I saw a cane just like Carl's sitting alone amongst a huge pile of crutches at the thrift store, I knew I had my sign.  Everybody was excited about their costumes, except for me.  The prospect of being a house wasn't that great (especially since I had no idea how I'd pull it off).  But after a ton of internet searching for ideas, and 5 hours of work, I had a house I was proud to wear.

 

Our very good friends', the Thornes, house is always our first stop every year.  This year we decided to stop at a neighbor's house first.  Sable stepped on Rome's shoelace and sent him tumbling over their pumpkins.  Luckily we got out of there with only a couple scrapes.  I tied Rome's shoes REALLY tight and we were off to the Thornes!

Carl gives a good Wilderness Explorer a helping hand.

 

 

Back home again.  Lots of chocolate scored this year.  It seems nobody is buying Mary Janes anymore.  Thank goodness.

 

Happy Halloween!

"South America.  It's like America, but south."

Paul Frank Party

Capri loves Paul Frank.  So when we found lots of fun Paul Frank stuff for 70% off in the Target Dollar Spot months ago we knew we had the party theme for her 9th birthday.  NINE.  I have a NINE year old.  It seems impossible. 

We did the party in the basement for the first time ever.  It worked out really well and I can't wait till I've got the whole thing painted.  I've only primed the basement fireplace, it will be painted the same as the upstairs one soon. 

 

The girls did a craft and then played charades.  Then it was time for the photo booth.  They all jumped right in and had a blast coming up with outfits.

 

        This is probably my favorite pic (Rome above).  It got probably the biggest laugh during the slideshow.      

 

Music during the party?  Capri's favorites of course which included Footloose and a lot of Imagine Dragons tracks.  She really is a HUGE fan.

Everybody ate pizza while we watched the slideshow.   We had cupcakes and then opened presents.  There was still time left in the party so the girls suggested party games and they all had fun playing "Good Morning Judge" and "Black Magic".  We had a cousin sleepover afterwards, with a couple friends staying late but not sleeping over.

It really was a great party and even though the house was full of screaming 8-9 year olds (plus a sugar high 2 year old) it all went so smoothly.

The sleepover /  stay up late part went wonderfully too.  I slept on the couch nearby basement door so I could hear the goings on downstairs.  There was very innocent "I like a boy", "I've got a crush on a boy" talk and cute not quite tween but not quite little girls chatter.  Very very cute.

Happy Birthday Capri!