WEEKEND WARRIOR

Every year (ok it's only been 2 years but that is long enough to call it a tradition) we go to our neighborhood pumpkin carving festival.  Yes another festival - we must like festivals around here.  I guess since we have such nice weather most of the time we make up excuses to stay outside as much as possible.  In case you wonder that was a sales pitch for any family that would love to visit.  San Diego is MUCH warmer than Utah and Canada so visitors are always welcome.......back to the pumpkins.......Every year we have our pumpkin festival.  There are pumpkins to be carved, dance offs, hula-hoop contests, food, family and friends.  This year it happened to fall on the busiest Saturday I have ever known.  Here is what my day looked like

8am game - bring snack

9:15 go to the gym

10 am get Callen to sleep, do the girls hair and get ready

11am game - bring snack

12:15 make starving savages lunch ala Cheaper by the Dozen PB and J.  In case you haven't seen it she spreads cuts and throws.  That is what happened at our house today.

1pm game - you guessed it, bring snack!

2:15 throw Halloween costumes on kids (5 kids in case anyone is counting) while telling them not to cry as I do their hair.  Or rather yank and pull their hair into a semblance of Dorothy and Ariel.

3pm pick up Chloe who thinks we are going to carve pumpkins.  Tell her that she has to go to a piano recital first.

3:15 piano recital - bring cookies

4pm apologize to Chloe for the late start on the pumpkins. Race over to the annual Pumpkin Carving festival.  Find parking (nightmare) Pack up all the kids, stroller and camera and get to the carving station only to learn I forgot my wallet.  Run back to the car (90 degree weather) get the money and run back.   Buy the pumpkins and tell the kids they have 10 minutes to create their masterpieces.  Assure them that there is no pressure.

4:30 take hurried pictures and promise them one more minute to carve if they will just look up and smile.  Load  6 pumpkins in the stroller, on my shoulder and consider putting one on my head.  They do it in Africa but then I remember that my hair is backcombed.....

4:45 race to pick up the bagels for the family dinner/Halloween party at McBeth's

5pm get to the party - only 30 minutes late.  Travis meets me there after meetings all day.  Yes I did this day SOLO.

5:15 Send the kids off to play and take a DEEP sigh of relief.

Monday 2 days later......pumpkins rotting on my doorstep.  Halloween is still a week away.....