The Belated Christmas Post

It’s Sunday evening, kids are fed, dishes are done and house is clean. I’m sitting here reflecting back on this past week. Christmas is such a great holiday. Reflecting back on Jesus birth. spending time with family and friends. At times, I feel that we get caught up in the hustle and bustle that the true meaning is lost or at least pushed to the side.

I don’t know about you but Christmas in my house is done in shifts. Yep, that’s right shifts. The first shift is the Christmas concert. Dr. Huffman does such a wonderful job with the elementary kids. The younger classes sing, the older classes perform in "Then Nutcracker". The pictures in the gym turn out terribly so here's the picture I took of them before the performance.

Shift 2 - The Christmas Tree- We still get real Christmas trees & I do not like to get them to early in the month due to the fact that they dry out so bad. So the Sunday before Christmas we not only got our Christmas tree, Nick purchased a new stand for it. Every year he fights with the midget trees as if it were 7ft tall. I will say it is quite comical and next year will miss that scene ..

The next shift is preparations for the class parties, teacher gifts, and bus driver gifts. Adrian’s class was a breeze, just needed to provide snacks for him for the afternoon. Elijah’s teacher is awesome. She has centers set up with a parent in each one. I had the game center. So we played Christmas bingo. I found this cool website for printable Bingo cards that you can make in themes. So we prepared the game, the game pieces, the prizes (one for each child-thanks to the dollar store). I made Elijah's teacher the First Grade Survival Kit. And Adrians' two teachers got a mug with all different types of cocoa and I put some marshmellows in a baggy & printed a label stating "I heard you were naughty this year so here's the scoop to go with your cocoa is some "snowman poop". Adrian got a kick out of it. For the bus driver & the dispatchers I made Fudge, Killian Corn, and Pretzel Turtles. They are all so good about working with me in the bus crisis I have some mornings. That afternoon I was able to go and help in Elijah's class. There were 4 centers set up. The game center, the craft center, the treat center and the gift center . It ran so smoothly and the kids had a blast.

The next shift is the work shift. Heather, Annette, Lola & I all exchange gifts. We usually take a nice lunch and exchange. Alls I can say is wow!! Annette made me this Acrylic picture frame for my scrap room that says Darla's Scrapin' Room in red and it has Kim Anderson pictures in it .. It is absolutely adoreable... Heather took the time and made us each an idea box. You know the one that if you have 3 pictures , you go to the box look under 3 and there are a whole bunch of layout ideas. (She fought at the retreat in November & won Michelle's in the Christmas exchange). And than Lola got each of us this huge & I mean huge gift set of scrappin stuff that was coordinated. It had flowers, ribbon, metal embelliments, paper, 2 scrapbooks, and tons of other stuff... And then we got a gift certificate to Sydney's in Moses Lake on top of that... WOW!!

The other part of the shift is I try and do something small for the guys in the office. It is never enough for all the extra's they do for us but it's a small something. This year I just made trail mix & put it in ziplock bags and gave them a card. We were able to go home about 3:00 that day. And then the next shift began.

Eric came over that night & watched the boys so I could get my shopping done.. Now I know you are all shaking your head but I must say I did much better this year. I am usually running around Christmas Eve morning trying to finish up or start I should say. I actually had been buying or making so it didn't seem quite as bad as normal. It only took me about 3 1/2 hours and not only did I finish shopping I got all the groceries too!!

Christmas Eve we spend at my mom's house. We go over in the evening & have snacks, the kids open gifts and we play games. Well Christmas Eve morning, I spent wrapping gifts, making snacks, cleaned house but still found some time to make cookies with the boys.

That evening we went to Mom's and celebrated Christmas Eve. The kids opened presents , the guys played cards, after all the hecticness it felt nice just to sit and visit. We were there till about 11:00 or so. Headed home, put the kids to bed, put out the cookies, and waited for Santa to come. Eric came stayed the night. I will say that is the first time since Jeff & I had gotten our divorce that one of my kids was home for Christmas morning.. It made me warm and fuzzy all over.

The next morning, Adrian woke us up, we opened presents, had a big breakfast and got ready for the day. Everyone was coming over about 2:00 or so for a prime rib dinner (Thanks Uncle Wilbur). The boys went to their grandparents for a couple of hours. It was a nice, relaxing day. I still get a little teary eyed when I think of my dad, and also this year was tough due to Scott being in the hospital and not being able to come home. It was a very relaxing day. Good food and good company. One of my favorite moments was when Nick dressed up Daisy and had her deliver a present to Allison. I thought we were all going to die laughing. I know this post is extremely late but I hope you all had a great Christmas!!!

Cosmo Cricket Lacing Cards

I saw these cards at Sydney's in Moses Lake, and decided to give them a try.

These pictures are one's that my mom took when she went back to Boston, New Hampshire, etc., this past fall. I made this for her for Christmas. I loved how it turned out and decided if

she didn't care for it I would keep it cuz I love the fall colors.

One gift down.. and don't want to think how many more to go :)

We've been blessed.............

Tis the season for blessings and on Monday I got a call from the school..





"Darla, you need to come get Adrian, he has pink-eye!".


What? Are you sure? Where in the world would he have gotten that?


"Oh, we've had about 12 cases in the past few days...."





"AGHHH!!!" *lol*

Tis The Season,,,,,,

Well, I will say it's been years and about 8 yrs since I put up my Christmas Villages. Today I decided it was time. Nick hauled in about 10 boxes of Christmas stuff. OH MY GOODNESS!!!

I can't believe I have all that stuff!!! Anyways, I don't have the room that I used to so not all

of the villages got put up but alot of them did. The boys, helped and we now have a very decorated house. The only thing we are missing is the tree. That will be next weekend as we

still get real trees, Charlie Brown Trees to be exact & I don't like to get them to early as they

to tend to dry out...

Daisy Update.........

Well, she is small, she is cuddly and she is cute but she is still a dog!!!

I'm not gonna lie to you, I have had a tough time adjusting to being a dog owner. Is it because of my age? I don't know but I can honestly say I've conteplated several times giving her up. There are only 2 reasons why she is still here :

#1) Adrian

#2) Elijah

LET IT SNOW.. LET IT SNOW.. LET IT SNOW

Elijah loves snow. He loves to play in it. When Kevin was at home, they would go outside & find things to use for sleds. It was funny. Well, Elijah sure missed him today. However, it didn't stop him from playing outside.

Kevin

Kevin got a job with Coca Cola. Today was his first day. He will be working in the stores bringing all the coke products from their stock rooms. I'm so proud of him . He has said

for quite some time he didn't want to continue working at the tire store for his dad. He just

didn't care for that type of work. He did this all on his own and got the job.. He stopped by today so of course I had to take his picture... Way to go Kevin!!!

Scott Update!!

Today Scott was moved from the Seattle "Uof W" Hospital back to the Wenatchee Hospital. His protein levels are too low for the surgery he needs to heal correctly. But he continues to need his antibiotics thru his IV's every 3 hours or so. So between the IV's and the wound care, they felt it would be better to move him back. He has apx. 8 weeks there and then should be sent back to Seattle for the 2 surgery's. I'm glad he's back on this side. We spend lots of time on the phone but I have to say it would suck being in his situation. His birthday is coming up, and then theres Christmas. However, he did say that they may let him come home for a few hours on Christmas.
That would be so good for him!! He is a strong person but he still has a long road ahead of him...

"GRATEFUL" JOURNAL

I received my next journal today from Nicole. I have Donna's now "GRATEFUL". I think this circle journal is such a great thing. Sandy, you did such a good job putting this together for us.. Thank you!!

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY ADRIAN!!!

I cannot believe Adrian has hit the double digit birthday - 10!!! (Well not till Monday but...)

Nick & I took him to the skate shop & he got to pick out a new skate board.

The boys have really enjoyed learning to ride. Tony Hawk they aren't but they have fun together trying :)

We had a small party for him Saturday night. (Susan I wish I had your party skills- I suck at birthdays) Dave, Dolly & Allison came over. My mom had the flu so she was able to make but Chance & Colton came over & they were able to spend the night. He had a great day!! He got several Hastings cards, some money & Nerf Blaster for the WII. The boys all get along so well... Colton & Elijah went outside to ride skateboards. Now Colton had a good tumble, and the next thing I knew he was Tony Hawk but on the grass!! *lol* They both were telling me to take pictures of them doing tricks ....

Happy Birthday Adrian!!

Scott Update

Well, late yesterday Scott was sent to the Uof W hospital. He was excited cuz he knew the surgeons were the best, but disappointed cuz he has had lots of drop in company in Wenatchee. Well, today he was scheduled for tests & to see the surgeon. He called me tonight & said . "Guess what I'm coming home!" What??? Come to find out, since he was so sick his protein counts were way low. Well, they are doing much better but they are not high enough for him to go thru this surgery & to expect to heal correctly. So they are sending him home and he is to be on a high protein diet. He weighed 135 and is finally up to 150 which is awesome but has a way to go. So hopefully in the next few days he will be back across the mountain and home. We are all hoping he will be home not only for his birthday on the 21st but for Christmas!!!
Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Out of the mouth of Babes!!

Adrian & Elijah, I need you both to write down 3 things you are thankful for...

Adrian - "Why mom?"

Well, I didn't get any pictures at Thanksgiving, so I want to scrapbook our thankful thoughts.

Elijah - " I hate Thanksgiving"

Adrian - "Elijah, you should love Thanksgiving, your great great grandpa Squanto helped the pilgrims, hunt, plant their corn and harvest their crops"


I about drove off the rode. Knowing Elijah is 1/4 Indian, Adrian always is comparing him to the indians *lol*

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

1. Thanksgiving is one of the greatest holidays even if...

a. At 11:55 a.m. on Thanksgiving eve the school calls and says Adrian is puking please come pick him up
b. At 4:00 p.m. - you talk with your mom & explain that you won't be there for Thanksgiving but she expects all your older children to be there & you have to swallow hard knowing that you
really want them with you but don't want to ruffle family feathers.
c. At 8:00 p.m. - you are in line at Winco with the other 1000 people who decided to wait till the day before to buy their Thanksgiving dinner
d. At 10:30 p.m. - You realize you can't find your pie plates since the move to Moses Lake &
drive down to Walmart & realize there are still 1000 people shopping before Thankgsgiving
e. You wake up Thanksgiving morning and realize this is only the 2nd Thanksgiving you have ever missed with your family
f. You are very thankful Adrian isn't throwing up any more & his fever had tapered off
g. You are very thankful you were taught how to cook & were able to prepare a huge Thanksgiving feast for the sick & the healthy.
h. You are very thankful your brother is doing much better, being moved to the rehab floor until Seattle can get him in for surgery or until the 10th of December where Wenatchee can get him in.
i. You realize even though the past few days have not gone exactly how you planned, you have so many things to be greatful for..... a ) Heavenly Father
b) Kids
c) Family
d) Nick
e) Our Health ( The flu is nothing)

Hope you all had a great holiday!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!!

Home with the Flu - Another Mom Moment

When your son tells you his stomach hurts, he's really not hungry, and is a tad bit pale, you really should listen to him... Sorry Mrs. McCoullough.....

Dropped Elijah off at 8:00 - at work at 8:15 - phone call by 8:30 - please come get Elijah he has justed puked all over his class!!

Scott Update...

Scott had his surgery yesterday. What a zoo!! It originally was scheduled for 12:30 and they finally came and got him at 4:30. It was only supposed to be an hour to an hour 1/2 but it took apx. 2 1/2. The doctor was confident that he got all the dead skin, muscle, infected parts. As far as the bone that had rotted. He was able to scrape all the dead back and was able to find good bone so that was a huge positive. He said he'd never seen anyone that was that bad. He still has them baffled. They took cultures and biopsy's to see if they could find out what type of infection he has so they can make sure they are giving him the correct antibiotic. The plan is now to continue his vac treatments (wound care) at Wenatchee and as soon as a bed opens he will be going to the Uof W. He still has several surgeries ahead but seems that it's on the right track..
It was a very long day. Mom was nervous, antsy, a tad short (cranky) and then throw him into the picture - nervous, antsy, cranky, and on Vycadin - very confused. Oh my... it lead to several times of me stepping in saying "Mom, don't ask him, he isn't making total sense & if you do , don't question his answer."... and then "Scott, Mom didn't just bud in and start giving the doctors answer's I was there and you asked her too.".... I tell you... Dave owe's me *lol*.. I'm glad I was there... It was a long day though.. Thanks to all for your thoughts, prayers, calls.. I have the best friends!!!!!

Scott Update

As soon as I drop kids off at school, I pick up my mom & head for Wenatchee. Yesterday, his Wenatchee doctors conferred with the Seattle doctors & it was decided by the Wenatchee doctotor that they could no longer prolong this surgery. The infection had originally attacked Scotts tail-bone. And started eating it away. They have a specialist coming in to do that particular part of his surgery and are hoping that once they get in there it hasn't spread to his pelvic. Then they will also remove all the infected tissues, muscle and etc. They actually were trying to get him in last night to get this done but decided it would be today not sure on time just some time today... I spoke with him several times yesterday, he was in lots of pain so they gave him Vycadin (spelling??). Boy was he a tad bit loopy *lol*
Please keep him your prayers.. Thanks!!

Scott

I have a brother Scott, who is a parapalegic and has been for 24 yrs. He has had some severe health issues and has been working closesly with doctors in Wenatchee and Seattle. He actually had returned from Seattle apx. 2 weeka ago and they assured him his opened wounds were actually doing better and to keep treating them the way he was and in 2 months they would check him again and hopefully by then they would be able to get him in for the 2 surgeries he needs. Well last Wednesday, he went for his scheduled appt. in Wenatchee and all was good.
Saturday he woke up under the weather, had some swelling going on. Well, he had another scheduled appointment in Wenatchee yesterday and by the time he got himself transfered out of his car & pushed in to the Hospital he was exhausted. (He is normally a very strong & independent man).. His nurse took one look at him & pushed him down to emergency (Nobody is ever allowed to touch his chair). They immediately started pumping antibiotics into him & started making phone calls. His wounds that are normally a nice pink color are now black.
He has a systemic infection in his system. They don't know how, why, where. At this point it's a mystery but he is extremely sick. They wanted to take him by ambulance to Seattle to the
U of W yesterday but they have no available beds. I took my mom down last night - It was a good thing, I think it helped her see him & see he was ok , just sick & it helped him too (even if he doesn't want to admit it). Please keep him in your prayers.

Scrapbook Convention or Bust

Saturday, I rode with Deb and we met Donna at the Scrapbook Convention in Seattle. I haven't been in years. It seemed every time I planned on going the boys or I got sick.

We left early Saturday morning, and didn't get back until 11:30 that night.... long day but lots of fun. I had told myself I was going to limit the things I bought. After returning from the retreat the previous weekend I had organized my scrapbook room and decided I had enough supplies to scrap for 5 yrs and not need to buy anything besides adhesive or cardstock *lol* Deb & Donna had both signed up for classes, and being that you couldn't register for classes till you got there, I figured my chances were slim. So I packed 2 packets I had made for the previous retreats and decided that I'd do a few make & takes and work on those pages while they were taking them.

Donna called and she was able to get me in to the "Photo Freedom" class with Stacy Julian. Skeptical is a very real word when it comes to how I felt about Stacy, but $21.00 to sit between Deb & Donna was worth it :) One of my reasons for being skeptical was that I felt her books were hard to follow. She seemed way to perky in the books for me *lol* Well guess what she writes exactly as she sounds when she talks. It was hilarious. The excitement is so there. By the time we left, I was not only convinced, I loved her way of thinking, her organization ideas, and I left on a total high and ready to jump right in. Now the word budget does come in to play but I did stop and pick up the photo binder & a photo box that I can use to start implementing her plan. I was no longer overwhelmed with those 5000 pictures on my computer that needed to be gone thru, the years of pictures I was behind in scrapping & how would I ever find time to enjoy the hobby / obsession that I had grown to love. Thank you Stacy!!! Thank you Donna for getting there early & getting me in. Thank you Deb.. (yep you converted me *lol*)...

Sunday, I started going thru pics on the computer - deleting some (yep Stacy says it's ok to hit delete) *lol*, printing them & putting in the sleeves of the binder. Another thing I did was wrote the date, the event and some important facts that I didn't want to forget & put them in the sleeve with the pictures. I even jumped around.. No more chronilogical.. It's okay that I only have 2 events from last year scrapped... I can do more later... THANK YOU STACY!! I even found out it's okay to do those cute little books instead of scrappin Jenn's Softball.... I can always come back to it... I also got my start here jar done that she gave us....

Another cool idea she had was put little notebooks everywhere around your house, in your car, your purse & etc. And when the kids say something funny , you can write it down & then set up files in a recipe box with each child's name include yourself & spouse & then file it and when you need a funny snippet , you can always go to the box.

I tell you if you get a chance go get her book "Photo Freedom"... I, whom was very skeptical, thinks it would be a great addition to your Scrapbook Library.

P.S. Next time you see Deb, ask her how long I had my head out the window trying to get the perfect picture for her *lol*

P.S.S.

Do you know that organic grown vegetabes are so much smaller in size than ones that are grwon with chemicals & fertilizers? I really don't think those organic grown ones have all the vitamins & minerals that are needed, how could they they are 1/2 the size *lol*... (humor me - you had to be there)

Introducing "Daisy Doo"

The newest member - $150.00

Meeting Nick at 5:30 - $20.00 in gas for him

Puppy Supplies - $30.00

12:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. - Potty break, food & playtime

Look on Boys Face and Elijah telling Adrian "Adrian are we dreaming.. are we dreaming, do we really have a puppy- PRICELESS!!!!

Nick thinks all boys should have a dog & I on the other hand didn't agree cuz I'm the one that has to take care of it. Well, when I moved into my new house the neighbors brought home a standard sized male Dachsund. They named him Scrappy Doo.. Well, the boys love him. He even comes in and visits once and a while.. Nick and I were talking one day & I told him the only dog I would want would have to be a lap dog. I like cuddly, snuggly, small dogs. I have had mini dachsunds before and absolutely love them.. So he has been on the watch.. The conversation yesterday went like this...

Nick - "If you had a preference would you want a male or a female??? "

Me - "What are you talking about?"

Well, I found some mini dachsunds and I'm going to go look at them.

I only want a female and she has to be a mini...

I know Darla *lol*

Next phone call...

Nick - "Well, can you meet me to pick up your newest member of your family???"

Me - You got it??

Yeah, after looking at her face there was no way I could walk a way.

In fact, I almost got 2, I felt bad that she would be alone...

OMG thank goodness you only got one :)

So here she is and yes she is adoreable... Welcome DAISY DOO to our family !!!

O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-A-T-I-O-N

Susan, I'm not copying your post honest. I think we had the same reveloution though :)

On my way home from the retreat, after I had packed ALL that stuff back into my car for 9 pages (lol), I couldn't remember the last layout I had scrapped. I had been so good about

staying up on the little guys & was slowly falling behind. Was wandering how Jane, Michelle, Megan, Alyson, Sandi, Sonya, Donna do all those cool projects for themselves and still scrap for their families. I was trying to think of reasons WHY I couldn't do that.. And the reason I came

up with was..... there wasn't one. Soccer is now over, our evenings are much more free. We

will be starting basketball but practice is afterschool & games on Saturday morning. The boys

are much more older, don't need quite as much attention... I even have my own room that I've waited for for 10 yrs. So I decided when I got home instead of throwing everything into the scrap room and walking away... I was getting organized & guess what I did.. I even scrapped on Sunday & Monday evening... Once again, thanks Jane for the mental down time & for all the motivational time....

Here's what it looks like :)

Sunday Morning Ritual................

For the past several month's Eric has been coming over for Sunday breakfast. At first it was a little spuratic but lately has been quite faithful.. This Sunday, Elijah kept asking when Eric & Kujo were coming over.. He kept peering out the window hoping to see him pull in..

Finally, Eric showed up (Elijah's words). Had bisquits, gravy & hashbrowns. Played with boys for a few, visited with us for a few & had to head home Seahawks were playing...

Even though it may only be for a short time he is here. I love it.. I love to see the anticipation of the boys waiting for him, I love having that little bit of time with him, and don't even mind cooking for him :)

25 Things I love about DJ's Scrappin Retreat

Thursday morning 37 (or so) women packed their cars, met their friends or family & headed up to Mountain River Lodge for the yearly DJ's Scrappin Retreat.

Here are 25 things I absolutely loved about this retreat....

1) Deb & Jane's Hospitality - Best Scrappin Fairies Ever :)

2)Seeing old friends

3) Meeting new friends

4) Jane's Ditties - "If you were an animal which would you be & why?"

5) The uncontrollable laughing

6) Tips- I love all the ideas, you guys are all so creative!!!

7) Circle Journal - What a great way to keep 12 women from different parts of the state in touch with one another & all the things we will learn about them (Thanks Sandi for heading this up)

8) Not having to Cook, Clean, or put my stuff away for meals or bed time

9) A.K. Designs - This year it was edible!!!! - You crack me up -

10) Yearly pictures - Triple D's
Losers
Heather & I ( and in 5 yrs we can scrap them *lol*)
Family pics
Westside Pics

11) Chinese Christmas - Cali you are such a good sport

12) Make & Takes

13) Sharing Ideas - Everyone is so crafty

14) Borrowing Fibers, inks, glue dots

15) Loved that my entire car was packed & I got 9 pages done *lol*

16) Finished 2 tie fleece quilts for Adrian & Elijah for Christmas

17) Alyson's projects - I've never seen anyone whip a small scrapbook out in 2 hours and have it be adoreable.

18) Everyone complained about the snowblower/leafblower/chainsaw/ sound until they found out it was the cocoa machine & then it was ok

19) The love of garlic

20) Crawling off the top bunk at 4:00 a.m. trying not to wake a room full of sleeping women to go to the bathroom

21) Visiting with Jane & Susan early in the a.m. before anyone else was awake

22) Michelle - I love all her organizational ideas & tools

23) Bantering back and forth with Heather, Anita, Tracy, Susan & DEB!!!

24) Watching how Cali's eyes sparkled when aka "Friend" stopped by... You so deserve to be that happy

25) Scrappin Maniac Jane - You were so focused this year - I loved all of your projects


Thank you Jane & Deb - you have brought all these women together not only made us friends but family. A weekend away with you two brings you home feeling like a new person. You take time away from your family to make this happen. I hope the two of you realize how greatful the rest of the 37 women are to you for makin' this happen!!!

P.S. Matt, not sure you are reading this but Cynthia was missed dearly, I missed her smile, and those silly headphones on her head so she could tune all us loud ones out *lol*

P.P.S - How could I have forgotten Nicole scaring the absolute jeebies out of me...

What's for dinner......

Adrian acting as a Chef with an Itallion accent...

Wednesday night, I was a tad under the weather.. I told the boys we were having GYO (get your own). Usually consists of cereal, easy mac, what ever we can come up with.

So Adrian pipes up (he loves being a chef) says he will make dinner... So him and Elijah are in there & he comes around the corner and says "Mom, would you like me to make you some too?"

I reply "What are you making?" (his infamous words at dinner time) He then replies "What I put on the plate is what I am making." (My infamous words when he asks ).. He starts to giggle and walks away :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN........

On a spooky Halloween night,

When Goblins and witches come out to fight,

When children go out to say "Trick or Treat",

When goblins and witches and people meet.

Around the town loud noises roar,

And when you hear the sound,

"Knocking" at your door.

Should you open it?

Should you be scared?

Trick or Treaters are everywhere!

But don't you worry,

And don't you fright,

Its only one day,

One evening,

Its Halloween Night!

~Atacia~

Tonight I spent my time putting prizes together for Elijah's class. I absolutely love the dollar store for $10.00 you can get every thing you need for 25 little ghost & goblins.












I'm running a Bingo center during his class party. I found these cool printable Bingo Cards here & was able to customize them. His teacher asked if I could use words & so it wouldn't be boring I did words & pictures... I thought they turned out cute....

Now the costume dilema.. I really don't like to buy costumes, so I do try to discourage the boys. Adrian is in to "Tony Hawk" , the skateboard king. So we ripped the knees in a pair of old jeans, he put a baseball cap on 1/2 cawked and was able to take his "BOARD" to school...

Now according to Adrian, although he looks like a typical kid in regular clothes. It's all in the way you act *lol*... So he practiced his "boarding" attitude this morning.

Elijah... He cracks me up.. In the last week he went from being a Knight, An army guy, a basketball player to being a "Cowboy"... Yep a cowboy.. We have been a cowboy every year (except maybe 1) since he was old enough to Trick or Treat... Now this morning, I had to put on a moustache.. Well I didn't do it like Nick would have... Then I convinced him it was fine but he needed whiskers.. He didn't agree and I didn't listen... So then I spent 10 mins scrubbing his whiskers off ( Mascara). Now, what is a cowboy without a gun. It's too bad that this day and age kids can't even be kids.. So we carry a holster but no gun :) Here is the finished product....

Now to top it all off, we get to the office where they catch the bus & he decides he doesn't want the kids at the bus staring at his moustache. Adrian & I both try to covince him that there will be others dressed up.. All of a sudden, I look over & he has his red sweatshirt rubbing off the mascara moustache... I wasn't happy..... Why did we even bother... So the bus pulls up.. Bus driver is dressed a witch.. little girl all decked out as Indian.... AGHHH... to be 6 again and have to be cool *lol*..