Homecoming 2007

We started out today at 9am at the nail salon. The I dropped Maddie off at home, while I trekked to the mall in search of a small silver purse to complete her outfit. While I was at the mall, Maddie called me in a minor panic, because she realized that her ticket to the dance was in her trumpet case, which was in her locker in the bandhall. Luckily, I knew there was a drumline competition today, so they would be returning to the school and opening up the bandhall to put the equipment away. I called Wes's mom to find out when the buses would be returning to the school, then went to wait for them. Finally, ticket safely in hand I headed home. Oh - I found the perfect handbag at the mall, for only $3.50 too.

Once I got home, gathered up the dress, jewelry and shoes and started getting her ready. Finally, with hair curled, makeup done and everything put together, we snapped a few pictures at the house. We also visited Mary Lou at work - she wasn't scheduled to be home until after Maddie had already left for the dance, and wanted to see her. However, on the way to Wes's house, we realized that we'd left the ticket (and Maddie's school ID) at our house. So, one more detour, then we finally arrived. Victoria and Justin joined us there, then we went down the street to another house, where we took more pictures, with a bigger group. Wes's parents drove the kids to the restaurant, and by now they should be at the dance, having lots of fun.

There's a slide show of all my pictures here, as well as some pictures from the game yesterday:

Homecoming

You might be from Texas if you . . .

Wear a ribbon flower thing as big as your head, with streamers down to the floor, and painted overalls to school on the Friday of the Homecoming game. Texas is definitely a world all of its own.

Mom-mobile

This video was too funny to not post:

Campers

Dave and the boys went on an 11 year old camp out - they had a great time.

The Big Easy

Dave and I took a weekend trip to New Orleans. It was great - what a beautiful and interesting city. We had some delicious food there too. Our second night we had dinner at Antoines, and now I understand why my neighbor from Baton Rouge says that people in Houston don't know how to make gumbo. This is definitely a place for repeat visits.

mmmmmm . . . Caramel!

This picture turned out blurry, but I still like it. Everyone's eating my instant caramel popcorn, which is a family favorite. I've never made a bowl that's not completely devoured in under five minutes. Heres the recipe:

Make 8+ cups of plain popcorn (I use an air-popper that I got at a garage sale for $1, a million years ago.) In a small saucepan, melt together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup butter and 1/2 cup dark corn syrup. Bring this to a slow boil, then cook and stir for two minutes. Pour the mixture over the popcorn, in a large plastic bowl that has a lid. Stir it up, then shake the bowl vigorously with the lid on, until all the popcorn is coated. Eat right away, but watch out, it's hot. I have no idea how well this stuff keeps, because we've never had any left.

Birthday breakfast

Because of everyone's busy schedules, we had a birthday breakfast for Mary Lou, with fruit salad and a coffee cake. Maddie, Mary Lou and I declined to be in the pictures, since it was the first thing in the morning.