Keep It Simple

Coyote Steals Summer

Coyote Steals Summer starring Collin McCarthy
Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Back in September Collin's class had auditions for all of the parts in their class play, Coyote Steals Summer. Collin auditioned and won the role of Coyote.

The story is an Indian folk tale about a coyote who is asked to steal summer back from the indians. Along the way he encountered oak trees, eagles, rabbits and other animals that help him steal summer.

Did I mention this was a musical? That Collin sang a solo? He was terrific!!

No that is not chocolate on his nose! Collin had a bit of a fit when it came to putting makeup on for his role as coyote! The make-up artists were only able to get him to agree on doing his nose! Such a diva!

Thanksgiving 2007

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Have you ever tried to explain Thanksgiving to someone who has never known about this American holiday? We encountered just that this year with James. Being from England, he had never attended a Thanksgiving before and wasn't sure what to expect (or wear for that matter).

Now as we Americans know, Thanksgiving is all about overeating and football. So we started our day (after the race of course) with brunch at Marmalade Cafe with the Colamaria's. The place was very busy with families doing the same as us - eating.

Where is Dawn you might ask? She spent Thanksgiving in Las Vegas with Jim & Lucia. She was also there for Pole a Palooza - the pole dancing championships. But that story is for another day.

After brunch we went home. Kevin took a nap (another Thanksgiving tradition) while I made Pumpkin Dessert Squares (recipe from William Sonoma). I too snuck in a little nap before we went to the Hoff's. The kids watched Hairspray. Which they loved since they already knew all of the songs.

Now the best thing about taking a "newbie" to Thanksgiving is that everything we take for granted about the day is filled with wonder for them. James totally got into the whole making dinner thing.

 

Do you remember the kids table growing up? This one is fancier than the one I remember!!

A beautiful table setting (by Marisa). Gabi made the placecards - so cute!

So in the end we ate (and ate). We had great conversation, wine, champagne and food. In the end we made room for dessert. Pumpkin pie (of course), Pumpkin Dessert Squares (which tasted like pumpkin cake), ice cream and apple pie.

With full tummies we headed home after a wonderful day of giving thanks.

For those of you wondering. I did not go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Without my shopping companion (Dawn) I just didn't see the point. James however, went to the Outlet Mall at Midnight (every store was 25% off) and encountered the true frenzy of American shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Rude drivers, no where to park and long lines (queues as he calls thems) at every store. In the end he only bought two shirts and then high-tailed it out of there at 2:30am. Who would have thought it would be so crowded (right Dawn)?!?!?

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Turkey Day Dash 2007

Thursday, November 22, 2007

"Fitness Before the Feast"

We started our Thanksgiving morning with a race. We all attended the Turkey Day Dash 5K in Dos Vientos (start time was 8am) with the Hoff's and the Wall's. There were over 1,400 people there early on a chilly but sunny morning to get some exercise in before eating turkey later in the day.

Collin finished in 26:33 (Kevin ran with him). He dropped his time by 45 seconds from his race two weeks ago. Every week he is improving his time.

Gabi and Delaney goofing for the camera while we wait for everyone to finish the race. Delaney ran the Fun Run but next race she wants to run the 5K.

After the race we went home and showered to start our Thanksgiving feasts.

MLS Boys

August-November 2007

It all started with volunteering to house one of the MLS Coaches for a week back in August. Now it's nearing the end of November and we are saying goodbye to the last coach. Over the past few months we have housed and befriended many coaches. I have "adopted" three. Each is unique in their own way and I will miss them all. I hope we keep in touch and have a chance to visit with them next time they come to America or better yet, then next time we go to England!

The boys before their road trip to Vegas.

L-R: Tim Parsons, Collin and James (Jay) McGrath

Tim stayed with us for three weeks. He always needed to feel useful so he took over "washing up" the dishes each night (loved that). The kids will always remember the daily pillow fights and him coming to watch them play soccer.

Tim gave Delaney this HUGE stuffed puppy before he left. In his honor, she named him "Tim". Tim has turned out to be a very soft and cuddly second pillow. She lays on the puppy when she reads at night and right now as I type this she is sleeping on him.

   

This is James (Jay). Even though he never actually lived under our roof we've kind of adopted him as well. Once his coaching duties were done in Oak Park he had to give up his company rental car. We let him borrow the Mercedes while here on holiday. In exchange him came over to play some soccer with Collin and also helped chauffeur the kids to practice during a difficult time-crunch week. I've discovered that Jay likes to shop - I mean really shop - and since he's the same size as Kevin I made him try stuff on for me so I could see how it looked.

We say goodbye to James on Sunday and then the last of the coaches will be gone - until next year!

Halloween 2007

The "Mod" Witch and The Avatar had a fabulous Halloween night. They went out with Cole, Gabi, Karli, Lauren and Sarah. Apparently, there was mass running from house to house and Lauren and Sarah went there own way after just a few houses. The others forged ahead at record speed (so I was told, I stayed home and roasted pumpkins seeds and passed out candy).After an hour they came back to "unload" and go out again! In all they trick-or-treated for over TWO hours - that's a record in our house.

Of course, what would Halloween be like if not for the traditional "Loot" photo?

 

Haunted Halloween Village

For the past few years I've thought about starting a Halloween Haunted Village (Dept. 56). I've always loved Marisa's so this year I did it! It's a very small haunted house, not a neighborhood, just one really spooky house with a spooky front yard and a spooky merry-go-round in the front yard. Oh yeah, and a hedge with glowing eye-balls (I couldn't resist)!

We have some people trick-or-treating and a boy building a "frightful fort". The best part though is Grimsly Manor. It makes all of the sounds a scary house should make (and really freaks out Collin). It was sold out at Zender's and I tried to "win" two different one's on Ebay but I was outbid both times! As luck would have it, there were two left at the Department 56 store in Downtown Disney! We bought it and boy did we come close to getting a few others pieces (The Candy Cauldron, and the Dead End Motel).

I think I will be leaving our first Haunted Village up until Thanksgiving - it's too cute to put away too early!

Pumpkin Picking and Such

Sunday, October 28th & Tuesday, October 30th

Until this year I have always taken the picking of our family pumpkins as an easy task. This year I saw it from a fresh perspective. We have been hosting an MLS coach, Tim Parsons, for a few weeks and he came along with us to choose our pumpkins. Halloween is not a huge holiday in England. People might buy a pumpkin but they don't carve it. Dressing up and trick-or-treating are not wide spread as well.

Tim was shocked by how many pumpkins there were to choose from. He was also amazed at the thought that went in to choosing each pumpkin.

Tim Parsons among the pumpkins.

Now for some serious pumpkin hunting.

This year everyone wa so busy the week before Halloween that we had to squeeze in carving pumpkins! The Steiners, Yvette Curry, Dawn and Jay joined us. Kevin did a fabulous job carving the pumpkins this year. So much so that I had more compliments from trick-or-treater parents than in any other year!   

Dawn hit a creative wall. She sat there with her pumpkin on her lap for a long time trying to come up with something - in the end, Kevin carved it and she went inside to roast pumpkin seeds.

This is Jay McGrath, he is another MLS soccer coach we've kind of adopted. He had never carved a pumpkin before so we invited him over to carve his very own. He freehanded his name on the pumpkin face. During the process he discovered that it's very important to not cut into the previous letter. In the end his letters are held together with toothpicks. As Jay was working on his pumpkin Collin came over and gave him encouragement and when Jay messed up and lost a chunk of his pumpkin Collin was heard saying, "It's OK Jay, it's not bad for your first try."

The end results:

L-R: Delaney's ghost pumpkin, Collin's pumpkin and Jay's pumpkin

L-R: Kevin's ghost face pumpkin and Dawn's pumpkin.

Pumpkin Run

Sunday, October 27th

This was Collin's first 5K race. Kevin ran with him while I ran by myself. The Hoff's also ran the race. Collin did great finishing in 28:33!

Collin placed 9th in his age group - not bad for his first try!

After the 5K there was the 1 mile run/walk. Collin, Delaney, Cole and Gabi ran this event.

The Four Musketeers before the race.

Cole finished 3rd, Collin 4th and Delaney was the first girl to cross the finish line. There weren't any official times for this race. Some people ran in costume, others ran with their dogs and others ran their first race (like Gabi). We all cheered her on as she crossed the finish line with her Mom & Dad.

She ran the mile in 9:20 (I think) which is faster than me!

We finished the race with a pancake & egg breakfast at Marmalade Cafe and then a rest at home.

   

Disney's Halloween Time

Thursday, October 25th

Imagine everone dressed up for Halloween, young and old alike. Now imagine getting to meet all of the villains from the Disney movies, trick-or-treat for candy AND go on all of the rides at California Adventure! That is an evening spent at Disney's Halloween Time!

Delaney was fortunate to meet Cinderella's Step-Mother and Step-Sisters!

Delaney also met her "cousin" the Old Witch from Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs!

Here is our witch and The Avatar trick-or-treating at California Adventure. We ended up with so much candy!

Collin went on the Tower of Terror for the first time. Delaney was finally tall enough to ride the "Mickey" rollercoaster. She went with Kevin while Collin rode the Merry-Go-Round. We all did Mulholland Heights and Soaring Over California. What a fun night - we are definitely going again next year!

Soccer - October

October soccer games have been keeping us busy - as always. This month both Collin & Delaney were "Player of the Game" for their outstanding performances.

Delaney received the team ball for scoring the only goal in their first win of the season (two seasons really). She also did awesome and goal keeper and defense during the game.

Collin received his game ball for playing midfielder and being everywhere on the field.