December Birthday Party

Saturday night was our annual celebration of the December birthdays - Brian (not present), Kevin and I.  We took along our Quixels so that the "kids" had something to do while dinner was finished up.  Everyone enjoyed it, except Hoyt, who was too little, but wanted to be involved.

GaGa had help from Grandpa to finish up the prime rib and mashed potatoes.

Uncle K took care of Hoyt (or at least got him to sit for 2 minutes in between trying to find some mischief).

After our delicious dinner, we had coconut cake.  It was my first time making this.  Although it seems more of a Springtime dessert, it was very tasty and something I would make again.

Besides, our December weather is Spring-like (even shorts-weather), so maybe it was perfect!

Crawfordsville Christmas Parade

Waveland Christmas Party

Saturday was our town Christmas Party.  What a turnout!

My friend, Jamee, runs this event and it gets bigger and better every year.  There are always ornament crafts for the kids to make and color books/crayons to take home.  Camden saw Paxton and sat with him while she did made two ornaments.

So wonderful that she can read the instructions this year and do it completely on her own!

Another friend and her mom made dozens and dozens of chocolate chip cookies for all to enjoy, along with some yummy hot chocolate.

Santa arrived by fire truck (per usual).

Camden waited patiently in line for her turn.  This was the first year for this Santa and he really was fantastic.

Love how he has to bend his ear down to hear the kids.

Afterward, each child could pick a book.  There was also a drawing for various age groups, including adults.  We didn't win anything here, but we walked around to the Rustic Owl (a neat vintage decor shop in our little town) and I won a $20 gift certificate in that drawing.

Sock Hop - December 2015

We moved the Sock Hop to the fall because the school's Spring calendar is booked with ISTEP and carnival and other events.  This is the second year for this event and it has become a beloved one.  The K-3 students stay after school until 5pm.  There were about 175 students who stayed.  Our DJ is one of the parents of a 1st grader and he does a great job picking popular, but appropriate songs that the kids actually dance.  Lots of the little ones like to just goof off with their friends too.  It was super fun to watch them all have such a good time.

 

The young ones are picked up at 5 and the 4-6 graders come at 6.  It's a mad dash in between to get cleaned up and set back up for the next 175 students.  We turn most of the gym lights off for this group (keeping the stage lights on for seeing) and the DJ gets his lights going.  We also sell glow necklaces/bracelets which add to the fun.

 

In the cafeteria, we have free popcorn (donated by the local movie theater) and Go-gurts and apple slices (donated by McDonald's) for a health snack.  We also keep lemonade and water flowing for everyone.

In addition to the glow items, we have some candy for sale, as well as pizza at the older kids' sock hop.  These kids plowed through these items!  It's amazing how much money some of them are sent with!

Camden loves this event!

Sock Hop

When you are in charge of the Sock Hop...

Casey Illinois: World's Largest....

When traveling west on 70, just about 30 minutes from the Indiana-Illinois border is the town of Casey.  It is where the gas station/mini-mart started, but they are also the home of the World's Largest Wind Chime and World's Largest Golf Tee. 

I am a geek and have always wanted to see them!  In driving home on Thanksgiving from southern Illinois, we needed gas...and a break.  We stopped in Casey.

The wind chime was nice.  It wasn't quite as huge as I expected but it was cool.  Camden saw the way into the grounds and we went in and gave it a tug.  It was a beautiful deep chime.

 

Little did we know, across the street was the World's Largest Rocking Chair.  Camden was dreaming of sitting on it.

 

Down the road was the Casey Country Club, home of the golf tee.  Unfortunately the club house was closed, but we were able to find a gap in the fence and get a picture - from a distance.

Heading back to the highway, Kevin saw something.  It was beyond obvious that this town was trying to be known for the World's Largest ______________.

We pulled over for the pencil.  Camden loved the point and thought if it weren't covered up, it could be used to stab someone.

She tried to touch the eraser, but eventually needed my help.

Across the street, they were in process of building a mailbox.  This one was pretty sweet!

Finally leaving, we passed a ruler and a slot machine token.  We didn't stop for either of those, but were pretty impressed with this little town and roadside stop. Well done, Casey, Illinois!