Yesterday, I shared our Thanksgiving part one, but our weekend was so much fun, that I had to split the post in to two! So, today, I'm sharing our Black Friday and our Saturday.
Every year, the girls and I head to my mom's house for Thanksgiving, and the morning of Black Friday, we all load up and head to
Branson for a weekend of shopping. This year, we decided that we needed to stay home since my grandmother hasn't been feeling very well. And, it's a good thing that we decided to stay home, because it rained all weekend long! We would've been miserable and wet and cold on our annual girls trip. I was sad to miss out on this tradition, and so were the girls, but once the weather set in, it was here to stay, and it was awful. So, we made the best of the situation, and made some new memories!
Friday morning, my mom, Adalyn, and I headed to Wal-Mart. She wanted to do some holiday baking with the girls and needed to pick up a few things. I wanted to scope out their black friday deals, and managed to get the 4 things on my list. I do love that Addy is still young enough to be with me while I Christmas shop and she won't remember a thing!
Once we got home, we let the big girls make their first Christmas craft.
Reindeer Candy Canes!
These were super easy to make. You just stick two candy canes together- i'd recommend taping them tight first, and then the girls wrapped one pipe cleaner around to make a face. We attached googly eyes, and a red sequin nose.
And now they have super cute reindeer that will probably hang on our tree, because they're too cute to eat!
Next up, we made puppy chow! I love puppy chow, but I've never made it before. It was so easy and so yummy! The girls had fun tossing the mix around, and I enjoyed eating it afterwards! Just kidding, I shared.... a little bit!
Up next, were our snowmen on a stick. These were fairly easy to make, but they took more time than the reindeer and were a wee bit messy. I think if we had brand new marshmallows, they wouldn't be as messy!
You take a candy cane, and break off the hook. Then, you need three marshmallows. Simply get a straw wet with warm water, and then punch a hole through the marshmallow. The marshmallow will then slide on to the peppermint stick.
Next, "glue" on a hershey kiss using icing, and tie a twizzler around for a scarf. I'd recommend getting the peel twizzlers, versus the larger ones.
Next, add three m&m's for buttons, and glue those on with the icing.
Add your chocolate chip eyes. You could also add a chocolate chip nose or mouth!
Voila'
A super cute snowman that would be adorable sitting on a glass of hot cocoa!
And, I had to include this! We were trying to get a photo of all of the girls and their snowmen, and my niece's buttons fell off! This was her face! LOL- it's priceless!
And, the girls with their snowmen. Since these were pretty messy, we went ahead and let them eat their snowmen!
After we made snowmen, we let the girls make chocolate covered potato chips.
Now, I know what you're thinking. Chocolate Covered Potato Chips?!?! And to that, I say, "they're the best thing you'll ever eat." They're sweet and salty, and amazing. We've been making these since I was a little girl, and they are the best.
See, Gretchen loves them, and you will too!
Friday night, the girls went to my mom's for a bit and I headed to visit one of my best friends, and then I headed to my cousin's high-school football game to watch them play in their semi-final game. My cousin is a cheerleader and her twin brother is in the band. I have never been able to go to a game because of work and our own football schedule, so I was super excited that I'd be able to go to this game. And, a random aside, but I use to work with the head coaches wife and their son, who is a senior, I took care of when he was 2 and 3 years old! So, I really wanted to go. Unfortunately, it had rained all day, and the rain had settled in for the night. I twas pretty cold, and even though I was prepared with my rain gear, we ended up leaving at half time and sitting in the car for the rest of the game. And, while i'm use to standing during football games, I had to stand the entire first half thanks to the over flowing student section! Needless to say, I couldn't see my cousin cheer and the band couldn't play, so I was fine with listening to the game on youtube and staying warm and dry in the car!
Plus, Tulsa was playing Tulane and I was able to watch the game on my Watch ESPN app. We had two phones and two games playing at the exact same time. This game was Tulsa's final game of the season, and a win would mean that our team would be bowl eligible. In the 4th quarter, our defense intercepted the ball and ran it back for a touchdown. With a minute left to go in the game, it looked like Tulane would score and we would lose the game, but we intercepted the ball again and ran it back for another touchdown! I'm pretty sure I hyperventilated a bit and cried! It was the most amazing feeling knowing that our players would be getting to go to a bowl.
Saturday morning, I woke up to two of the girls twinning in their pj's, and Meggie wanted in on the picture too.
After breakfast, my brother headed to the duck cabin, and all of the girls gave him lots of love before he left.
After two and a half days of the girls being stuck inside, we decided that they needed OUT. We found a new indoor play place where my mom lives, and found out that the price was reduced for first time visitors. #winning
The place was amazing! The girls had tons of fun and were able to play as their little hearts desired. Gretchen pretended she was a sheriff. She's tipping her pretend hat in the picture!
One room was full of cars and bikes, and the girls loved it.
There was kinetic sand, an indoor slide, a place to build and race cars, a pretend kitchen, a wind tunnel, a "sand' box with tire chips, basketball goals, and a wall to color on.
Seriously, the girls had the best time. We ended up ordering lunch and eating there, and stayed for almost three hours. It was exactly what we needed after three days of being stuck inside!
Once we got home, I made myself a bowl of puppy chow and chocolate covered chips!
We settled in for some 80s movies watching. Sixteen Candles anyone? And then we went to my mom's house for dinner.
After dinner, Gee and her grand girls made cookies.
Adalyn was serious about her sprinkles.
The girls had baths, we watched some football, and then they settled in for Christmas movies, while my sister in law headed back to her house to do some picking up and laundry. My mom brought them home just in time for bed!
We got up Sunday morning and headed home. DJ had been home since some time early Saturday morning, and we couldn't wait to see him! The drive was rainy, but the girls slept a little and perked up after a quick lunch. We made it home to a brand new Christmas tree, and our elf, Sally! (more on that to come!)
Have a great one my friends!
