Willy Wonka Week

Sorry for the delay in getting this post up - due to all kinds of things including technical difficulties and just too much to do!

Last week was "Play Week" at our house - my kids know what that means. It means Tessa and I both spent ALOT of time at the high school.

I somehow became the official hair braider, ratter, and teaser for the show.

All the Oompa Loompas needed their hair french braided to go under their green wigs and none of the girls knew how to french braid. Fortunately there was another mom there who knew how to french braid because there were 17 Oopma Loompas!

Tessa and one of the other girls who was one of the parents needed their hair ratted and teased and put up too.

So before each show I would go in and do hair. It is actually pretty fun to be a part of the excitement and energy back stage - the kids are so fun.

I also went to a couple of the dress rehearsals to take pictures.

They did a great job with the show and ended up selling out almost every performance.

Tessa really stood out on stage because she was taller than the majority of them and her green 80's dress with the big shoulder pads really stood out!

Finally - here are some pictures of Mrs. Beauregarde - Violet's mother -Tessa

Lots of fans came to see her - the neighbor kids!

And Grandma and Grandpa Best

I had fun putting together some "after show" gifts for Tessa. here is a candy bouquet I made using all Willy Wonka candy -

And one night I gave Tessa and her two friends big lollipops!

A flower bouquet was for closing night.

Congrats to Tessa on her big theatrical debut. She is staying after school today to attend a belly dancing workshop in preparation for tryouts for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which is the musical they are doing in the Spring. Sounds fun !

Technical Difficulties

Logan IM'd me today to say he had checked the blog 10 times today and why wasn't it updated?!


Well, we've been having technical difficulties around here. Last night when I was just about ready to sit down to post we lost power. Our whole neighborhood lost power - it was windy last night but not sure really why the lights went out. Our home teachers arrived during this time too so we had a visit by candle light - very romantic! The lights went back on in time to go to bed.

Tessa was getting worried about getting ready for school in the morning and what she was going to do if she couldn't use her blow dryer.

This evening I just finally sat down to do a post and my laptop just up and died! All my photos for the post are on the laptop so until I can access them - no post again - except for this one to tell you why there is no post!.


I called my computer guy and he thinks my charger died and he might have one that will work so he is coming over later tonight.


So, barring any more technical difficulties I will post tomorrow!

Homecoming Week

Jim was out of town a couple of days this week. Can't remember where he was? Seattle or Spokane maybe?? One of the evenings he was gone Tessa and I had Matthew Jensen over for dinner - the son of our friends Marsha and Larry. The parents were enjoying a week in Hawaii and Matthew was left at home to fend for himself. I know he got at least one good meal! He said he had been eating a lot of frozen pizza!!



Thursday was a big Creative Memories day for me - a conference call in the morning. a leadership lunch in the afternoon and a 3 hour meeting that evening with some corporate reps that were in town. It was a lot of meetings but everything went well.



Friday was the big homecoming came at Westview against Sunset. Westview won. Jim and I had planned to go but when Tessa called and said we wouldn't be able to find a place to park or sit we decided to stay home. We rented a video - a bad choice - Leatherheads with George Clooney. I had a hard time staying awake!!


Saturday was a busy day. My parents were moving to Longview so Jim went over and helped load the truck and I helped do some cleaning. Jim then headed to Longview to help unload the truck and I spent the day driving Tessa all the places she needed to go.

She took the PSAT in the morning and then she and I spent a little time at the work party for Willy Wonka . I then drove Tessa to a dance rehearsal for La Boutique. She got home at 6:30 and quickly got dressed and ready for the Homecoming Dance.

She went with her friend Rachel. I got lucky and found her a darling dress at JC Penney. I even picked it out without her and she liked it. We have had good luck finding cute Homecoming/MORP dresses at JC Penney. Just a little modestification and they dress was perfect!






















Here are a couple of her better shots!
























She had a fun time at the dance - the dance only went until ten so after a stop at McDonald's for some ice cream she was home by 10:30 and her old parents could go to sleep. Jim and I spent an exciting evening at home - Jim watching sports (surprise, surprise) and Leigh Anne working on the computer (surprise, surprise!!)

College Kid Update:

Cali put on her first Enrichment Meeting this week - she said it was a great success and everyone had fun - yeah Cali!

I guess the week could be summed up as follows:

Number of Dates

Clark - 3 (#1 - corn maze, #2 - pumpkin carving, #3 - haunted forest)

Logan - 2 (#1 - I can't remember??, #2 - haunted forest with Clark and his date!)

Cali - 0 - no dates but lots of fun.

Cali hosted her brothers for Sunday dinner today at the Cannon Center. Clark enjoyed three servings of shrimp, two of steak and one of chicken. We definitely got our money's worth with Clark!

Jim and I head to Utah on October 30th to see the Young Ambassador Show and celebrate Cali's birthday and see all 3 kids! Can't wait. I am sure there is a trip to Tai Pan in there somewhere too! You game Emily??