CSI: Candy Scene Investigation

It's amazing to discover what unfolds when boredom strikes on a lazy, Saturday afternoon...
I actually saw the idea for a "Peeps diorama" in the Birmingham News. They were holding a contest recently for a “Peeps friendly” scene since, apparently, Peeps were used and abused in some pre-Easter fun last year!
So Sean and I decided on Peeps CSI: Candy Scene Investigation. I think I had way too much fun with it. But I didn’t want to go overboard, either, and get all “miniature killer” on everyone! So – here is our work of art!
* NOTE: No Peeps were harmed in the making of this diorama. The mini chocolate bunnies, on the other hand, didn’t make it. (Ok. Ok. I admit. A few Peeps were harmed in the making of the diorama …. They were eaten. I couldn’t resist!)

Our Ceramic Creations Day o' Fun!

So... Corinne and I got to chatting one day and decided that we needed something new and fun to do. She suggested painting pottery, something I'd tried to get Sean involved with on a few unsuccessful occasions!

At any rate, we planned it out, and it turned into a FUN family affair! Sean's Mom, Toni, Corinne, my Mom, Sean and I had a super-filling lunch at Panera... and then we headed across the way to Ceramic Creations. We roamed around, wide-eyed and confused, looking at unpainted, white pottery blobs... careful to NOT touch the beautiful finished versions that were "for display only."

After about 15 minutes (or possibly more... we were really overwhelmed by all the white pottery blobs!), we finally settled on our creations of choice... (see below) and got to painting!

I spent nearly all of the time painting, repainting and painting more of my base coat. (The dern paint didn't want to stick!) We also flipped through books and examples for some inspiration. (Too bad our painting didn't look like the examples... hmmm...)

When we finally handed them in --to be coated and fired -- none of us seemed too enthused about our hard work. But when we got the pieces back the next week, we were THRILLED! How great they all turned out... and how much fun it was! I think we're addicted now. I'm already thinking about my next white pottery blob....

my Mom: candlestick

me: candlestick

Sean: spoon rest (which he painted for me! He is not a huge fan of ladybugs and flowers! Ha-ha!)

Corinne: bowl (w/ chopsticks/holder)

Sean's Mom: bowl
Toni: mug

The Alcazar/Reoch DISNEY trip extravaganza!

Ok... I am going back in time a bit, since our Disney trip actually took place before Christmas... but it is still well woth putting a few fun photos up on the blog and telling a little bit about our amazing trip!

The Alcazars ("Alcazar 1"... with John, Susie and Corinne... and "Alcazar 2" with Sean, Jaiden and me) headed to Orlando with the Reochs (Mom and Dad) for a week's worth of amazing DISNEY fun!

The whole crew spent a wonderful day freezing in the Magic Kingdom. (We rode Spalsh Mountain about 5 times!) Then mom, dad, Sean, Jaiden and I went to Epcot one day. And a group of us went to Disney's Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.

We also shopped at the infamous Downtown Disney and ate at some fantabulous Disney restaurants: Ohana at the Polynesian Resort and Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge. YUM!

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* Just for fun... check out the "Hidden Mickey" that appeared in our group photo in front of Cinderella Castle! (HINT: Corinne was NOT wearing Mickey ears that day!)

Student of the MONTH!

We're very proud of Jaiden, who is doing exceptionally well in kindergarten -- in her work and studies and in just being a good student and getting "starry eyes" ... just about every day.

In fact, Jaiden was recently Student of the Month for January. Her school held a really nice ceremony and presented her -- and other winners -- with an engraved medal. WOW! Way to go, J!

Let it SNOW!

Alabama isn't really known for its winter snowfalls... In fact, the whole state goes into crazy mode whenever the "S" word is mentioned. Usually the white stuff never even arrives, but we all wait by the windows with wide-eyed anticipation, hoping the flurries begin to fall.

This last weekend, however, we actually got some snow.... good snow! The white, shimmery flakes fluttered down for about 4 hours, covering the rooftops and the trees and leaving a light dusting on our lawns. We had enough snow to make a headless snow angel (Jaiden didn't want to put her head all the way back), throw a few snowballs and build a pathetic little "snowdude."

This was Jaiden's first really good snow. She's seen -- and caught -- a few snowflakes before. But this time, the three of us (Rowdy wasn't too thrilled... he was outside for about 10 minutes) bundled up in mismatched layers and tumbled outside for a few hours of frosty fun!

Happy FIRST!

Sean and I recently celebrated our very first wedding anniversary! We kept it pretty simple, since we have a dinner reservation at Ohana (at Disney's Polynesian Resort) in a few weeks to celebrate!

So... instead of anything super fancy, we ate chicken at Zaxby's and came home to watch "Bourne Ultimatum." We also dug the wedding cake out of the freezer and shared a HUGE slice. It was a bit on the freezer-burn side, but otherwise quite tasty!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Little Beauty and Belle

Jaiden had a 5-year-old girl's dream breakfast at the Norway pavilion at EPCOT a few days before Christmas. Of course, Mom, Dad, Sean and I had a great time, too. But Jaiden was all smiles (and a little shy) as she met and talked with Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Mary Poppins and Mulan and got their pictures and autographs.