Countdown #1 No-Shave November

I don't even know why I'm still counting down.  I guess because I finally made it to #1.

Anyone heard of "No-Shave November"?  It's a guy thing.  A way to show off one's manliness and ability to grow facial hair.

Exhibit A:  Josh
Day 23

Wait for it.... wait for it..... look for it..... huh.  I think at the edge of his mouth I see something.

No worries, I have a solution:

The BEARD BEANIE.

Yes, I have spent No-Shave November crocheting beards for the men in my life.  Thanks to my friend Kathryn we figured out the pattern and I went from a non-crocheter to a pro.  Kinda.

When I met Michael he had a beard.  (For a show.)  Insta beard brings back some memories.

It looks even better (scarier) with the beanie.

Let's just say that I tried on the first beard I made, but on sunglasses and the beanie and SCARED MYSELF in the mirror.  So I tried scaring Michael out of a deep sleep but he didn't even flinch.  Lame.

The point being, Benson will need one next year when he's cold in Idaho.  Although beards are against the honor code at BYU-Idaho... so I'm not really sure how he'll resolve his face warmer/violation issue.  Eh.

p.s. how weird is that... I have a son who just applied to college!!  FREAK OUT!!  ok, freak out over.

Now.  Not to leave out the ladies, I have created something very special. 

One of my close friends is getting married, so I made this for her.  I know you want one.

It's an apron.  With a little extra somethin.

I patterned it after one my sister gave me. I have to say, I've never sewn cleavage before, and I'm really quite good at that part.

Many people consider me to be domestic.  Most do not, myself included.

#2 Dinner and a little dancin

Benson asked if we could host a dinner for his group for Homecoming.

I tried not to fall over from shock and excitement and pressure.

So I did what anyone would do, naturally.  I called my mother in law.  She is the QUEEN of catering, and she took me from deer in the headlights to mother of the year in spotlights.

But I thought of the false ceiling of Christmas lights myself.  Pat pat pat.  Michael was a good sport and installed permanent hooks in discreet places so we can recreate this partay of lights anytime.  I have a feeling this is only the beginning.  Oh, yeah.

Aren't the girls beautiful?  And modest?  I've never met a more grateful and polite group of kids.  So impressed.

I forgot to mention one small, well, significant detail:  Benson switched high schools this year.  FOR HIS SENIOR YEAR.  I was leery of this decision, but all along he kept saying he had a good feeling about it.  I mean, it's his senior year, the year where you celebrate with your life long (well, you know) friends and the end of their lives as they know it.  His reasons?  He wanted a new start.  He wanted to see if a new group of friends would be less drama and more fulfilling and more on the same page with his personal choices.

My very smart mother in law suggested the change would be good preparation for all the changes he has ahead.  I think she is right. :-)

I'm proud of him and his maturity to stick himself in a vulnerable situation and make it work.  He joined cross country and got involved in clubs and totally went in feet first.  This was surprising to me as our move was the hardest on him a few years ago.  I saw a new side of Benson that gave me respect for his ability to lead his life and will help me to let go next year when he heads off to college.

Way to go Benson.  I am seeing glimpses of the man you are becoming.  My heart swells.

#3 Pack up the Kids!!

For Halloween this year I tried PACKING TAPE BODY SCULPTURE.  I had always wanted to try this.

My eager volunteer, Jackson, did a great job.  For like the first 15 minutes.  For the next four hour long sessions I employed the magic of bribery.  Totally worth it if you are looking for that spooky ghosty yard look. 

Here's the technique:
1.  Backwards wrap, sticky side up until thoroughly covered, no missing spots.  Do this in sections.  Try to do a couple of layers at least.
2.  Now wrap sticky side down, several layers.  The more layers the more strength.
3.  Using medical scissors, cut slits to release your form, or er, child.
4.  Reseal the slits with packing tape.  If done well, you can't even see the slits.
5.  Seal sections together with packing tape.
6.  Do not wrap the actual head due to lethal reasons you can figure out.  We used a balloon.
7.  Display the awesomeness.  You can even put lights inside and let it glow.

Sticky side up.  Mommy's little Mummy.

"This is taking FOREVER!!" -Jackson (Um, we just started- hate to break the news.)

Resembling a snake skin.  He hatched.

Taped back up.  "That's really what I look like?" -Jackson

Legs.  Hat.  Whatever. 

Headless pushups.  Creepy.

Our rude dinner guest that sits in the corner waiting to get ahead in life.

Ahead in life.

Turns out estimating too big with a balloon gives an alien effect.

Floating over my cemetery=scared myself.  See my own real ghost who lives at my house- the story.

I kinda love Halloween.  I also had creepy eyes in the windows on huge tv screens playing video of real eyeballs looking around close up.  I know,  I'm sick.

Just as long as I don't ever make a kid pee his pants on my front doorstep ever again like at Halloween few years ago.  That's my goal.  I still feel bad about that one.