Race Cars to Frozen Bars

When you are 'mom' you wear many, many hats.

This week I switched from race cars to Frozen bars!

This all staring with Connor who scored tickets to the Martinsville race.  No one really wanted to go to this one, so I stepped up and said 'you know what, I'll take you!'

Yes it was muddy.

Yes it was long.

Yes I sat in traffic for an hour.

Yes I got lost once.

Yes, I spent all day with my son, 

and it was worth it to put on my 'racing' hat.

Race Prep

Connor's #1 Favorite- Denny Hamlin. 

Thank goodness the weather was perfect.  I personally was most worried that I wouldn't physically be able to walk all day, go up to the top steps, and hike the hills.

Guess What!?!

I did it!  

I am so proud of myself and it motivates me to challenge myself more.

 

Connor signing the start/ finish line.  
His is the little, black cursive signature in the middle.
Short and Simple

Martinsville Speedway

We sat near Connor's teacher (and my colleague) Mrs. J.  

This lady is truly a teacher that cares.

She gives 110% and has bonded with Connor over racing.

So I admit, I read like 3 chapters of "Devil in the Spring" (aka. paperback trash) but I tried my best to watch the race.  I mean they circled like 1 million times.   

We did have a great view of Denny Hamlin's pit crew/ stops.

Prior to the race, Connor really wanted to meet as many drivers as he could but he didn't have garage passes.

Lucky he brought me...

a woman who waited in line 5 1/2 hours to get a handshake with the former President.

We waited 2 hours by the tunnel for any driver that would walk by the rope.  Connor called out every single one by their name, and 90% stopped to sign an autograph.

Not a single soul waited with us for that long.

I like to think I taught my son a lesson or two about perseverance. 

Ps.  Jeff Gordon walked by but wouldn't give us the time of day (jerk).

Here are a few other meets-

Ryan Blaney

Clint Bowyer

Bubba Wallace

Bill Elliott 

Dale Jarrett

Rick Hendrick

Rick Hendrick was super nice to Connor.

I love a man who remembers his roots.

Yep, we made AWESOME memories! 

****

Tonight it was time to throw off the racing hat and change into the Frozen gown.  

Carlee and I had a great time preparing for this year's Trunk or Treat theme.

At first I wanted to provide 'frozen' ice cream bars or snow cones for the whole theme but the more I thought about it, the more I realized...

are you nuts!?!

I mean really.

We decided to go with "Make an Olaf Snowman"

3 large marshmallows, 2 pretzel sticks, 1 orange tic tac, 1 tsp. chocolate morsels, 2 mini marshmallows! 

Yep, it took me forever.

We ordered Frozen gummies as back up (and I did have to get the back up).

Elsa completing Spelling HW before our Trunk or Treat.

We had fun getting ready with our glitter eye shadow, Elsa braids, white hair spray, and red lipstick!

Sadly, our Trunk or Treat was rained out but we set up a table.  I turned up "Let it Go" and we made the best of it.

I almost forgot Olaf at the last minute.  I ran by DG to get them to blow him up.  They said they were out of helium but I told them to please try it because I was going to pray over the tank (says the crazy Elsa lady).

They were shocked it worked! 

They filled this sucker up with no helium.

Fishes and Loaves People

Prayers answered for this last minute mom...yaaassssss.

More on Halloween Later

Elsa, Harley Quinn, and Joker

Cousin A. playing 'Pin the Nose' on Olaf

I had a good time being a princess with my doll.

We made AWESOME memories. 

Now time for me to change into my sleeping hat.

This mama is Blessed & TIRED.

Scenes from the Weekend

This week started out awful.
Somewhere in the plan Connor ended up with a huge workload that I assumed would take our entire weekend.
Carlee was having "social" issues (hello girl groups who can make a left hand turn).
I was at the very least- 8 hours behind on all paperwork with the knowledge I had to at least redo three other meetings (hello new paperwork system).
Darren's mom went into surgery and he had worn himself out driving between home and hospital.
By Thursday afternoon, I had nothing to show for my workday, my house was a disaster, laundry was stacked, and I dissolved into tears at my very messy desk!  I know God was laying it on my heart to have faith but I was still having my reactions.

Even though I looked like crap (ie. no make up, hair not colored, outfit bag ladyish) and my mind wasn't in it, I went ahead to meet my pals for a pre-scheduled dinner that evening.  Thanks to Darren who got in on time to pick up Carlee (and reassured me he wasn't exhausted), I was able to watch to watch a movie with them too!  I never in a million years thought I would have time to watch this one but I was so excited.  I love Downton Abbey.  My favorite pairings are between Anna & Mr. Bates/  Violet  & Isobel (two sharp ladies who have the best banter). 

They did not disappoint in this movie.  

I was thankful to God all the way home for friends who care and never fail to make me laugh.  I think taking time to 'sharpen my saw' was effective because I was very productive the next day.
By Friday, Connor and his teachers had graciously worked together to catch up on all assignments.  Carlee had recovered from any gal pal social incident.  Meme was doing well.  Both kids went with friends and I got to work.  

Connor's Boy Luggage when he
comes back from a sleepover all over my kitchen!!

By the Grace of God, I got in 5 hours of solid paperwork on Friday and then completed an additional 4 hours this weekend (exceptional needs teacher life don't play).   I'm just glad I put a dent in it.


Check out the scenes from our weekend:  

Laughter, Food, & Drinks with this Crew

(you can see we like to laugh in this pic.  I really miss these girls.)

Christian Football League

It's coming to an end soon and we will be so sad.  

Master B. heading off the Crew

Secret Weapon J! 

My Con Con- Always a Hoot

That headband though....

This is a great photo from Auntie H.

Carlee on the Zip (while Mama worked)

My dad took B. and C. to the 

ZMax Dragway on Saturday.

It looks like they had a great time.  🙄

Can you believe that I miss these days-

SIGH. 

Not a girl in sight other than Mom and April O Neil.

Connor said they got lucky and met Steve Torrence on his way out of the pits!  They got an autograph and he talked with them.  Apparently a very exciting moment for Connor.

 Awesome Birthday Party for Awesome A!!

Silly Moments thanks to Photo Booth 

w/ Another Little Miss Carley

They laughed and laughed at these!

 

Playing in the backyard with kids I don't know until the sun goes down.

During paperwork, I watched Eat, Pray, and Love for the first time (eh).  I read the book 10 years ago.  I thought it was a bit selfish at the time and even more so now.  Julie Roberts was and is always fantastic.  

Another classic is an Australian soap opera about an all female ranch. I use to love this one when I was pregnant with Connor and it's now on Prime.  I'm at the part where Nick and Tess are falling in lovvvvvveeeeee.  #myfav  

I got new glasses in the same shade of Spectacular Purple!  

A good thing since they got stepped on by my child on Thursday morning during my 'breakdown day'.  The glue would no longer hold.

Connor and MEME (pre surgery)

MeMe pulled through her surgery and is healing nicely at home.  Darren stayed with her though the weekend and all is looking good.  Keep her in your prayers.

I am going to end my weekend with a few more chapters of this one.  So far a ghost is haunting our very masculine, tall, dark and brooding hero.  It shall take the love of a special heroine to rid him of his ghost literally and figuratively.  Seriously if I didn't love kids,  I would be writing this stuff.  🤣

Now for the Sunday Night blues.  I think we are all yearning for a normal schedule, if that is possible for an independent family of four.  

Have a great week all!