Thanksgiving

With both sides of our families celebrating Thanksgiving prior to Thanksgiving break, we have five days of immediate family togetherness. We kicked off the time off with Disney on Ice which Sam kept calling Ice on Disney. The kids were fully engaged and Sam was very concerned how the characters could see where they were going while wearing costumes.
On Thanksgiving we started our own family turkey trot relay tradition. Laura made a turkey baton out of paper and we would run laps around the neighborhood pond with a turkey baton in one hand and a walkie talkie in the other saying "Gobble gobble, over". It was full on dorky-ness, but that's how we roll. We also set up the Christmas tree and outside lights while listening to Pandora's Christmas Radio. We made our own pizzas for supper and put out our Thanksgiving table cloth for everyone to write what they're thankful for. After everyone shared Sam said, "Isn't anyone going to say they're thankful for Disney on Ice?!"
I'm so thankful for our family, friends, laughter, and love. As I looked at the Black Friday ads and put together the lists of who's getting what for Christmas this year, it dawned on me that the things we cherish the very most are free.

Sam's Treasure Hunt Birthday Party

Ahoy! Sam's fifth treasure hunt birthday was a hit! This was the first birthday celebration we've had away from the homestead. It was so nice not to keep the house in "company's coming" condition while frosting cupcakes & setting up games. Eight friends met Sam at the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center which is surrounded by wooded trails, a butterfly garden, & within walking distance to the beach. A perfect setting for a treasure hunt!
The first part of the party was a photo scavenger hunt which led us back the van to get drinks. At the van, everyone got a shovel and we headed to the beach to search for the buried treasure. Yes, I had visited the beach earlier that day and buried a spray painted styrofoam cooler to look like a treasure chest containing party favor bags inside. While walking down the path juggling a shovel and a spray painted cooler, I hoped nobody would call the DNR to report suspicious behavior.
The kids found the buried treasure and when their shovels hit the cooler lid, it broke into a million pieces which got wet sand inside the cooler which compromised the integrity of the favor bags. We were able to keep the kids' bags separate but they all had ripped, dirty bags filled with Rolos candies (gold) inside. Yummy! I'm sure the kids' parents were impressed when they picked up their kids from the party.
We lucked out with fabulous weather, good spirited children, and nobody had to go the bathroom while we were there! This is a good thing because the visitor center has closed for the season and there wasn't a bathroom available except for the woods. We like to live on the edge!

The treasure map had burned edges and was soaked in tea. An old trick I learned from GG.

 

Happy Birthday, Sam!