Orange and Blue Since 62'

So, this last week I helped organize the build of two alumni floats for Westwood's 50th anniversary. 

I think I took on the responsibility of heading up these floats because it was soon after Lucy and Elsa started Kindergarten and I was feeling a little more capable of handling a challenge.  Things didn't seem as stressful.  

So, after hours and hours of calling for sponsors and donations and digging through construction site dumpsters and shopping for supplies and building and begging for help and trying to delegate and be a leader and making flyers, and trying to be patient with my own children who were there to "help" on the float, I realized it was a pretty big responsibility to take on.  And although I tried to be Mrs. Organized and keep things simple, I was still running around like a chicken with my head cut off and making 2 floats is never simple.  

I think if there were another float building marathon week, it would go better next time.  But, I'm thankful for friends who take on challenges like this right beside me.  (I like doing crazy things, but I always need a partner in crime.  I love that my friends from high school are still some of my best friends.  I really lucked out in the friends department - even my siblings talk about what a great group of friends I had during the growing up years.)  And it was fun meeting some of the current high school students in the drama club who came out and helped.  Plus I have family who helped watch my littles and go on parade candy runs for me and even loaded up all the troops to support us at the parade.  And a husband who is more than capable of taking care of all of our girls, even if he lets it be known that he doesn't understand his crazy wife sometimes.    

I took on a lot this week, juggling momhood with floathood.  People said I was looney, but Lucy and Elsa got to ride on a float and I'm sure this memory will  be etched in their minds for awhile.  And I think there were a few other people who enjoyed this opportunity.  One of them made us laugh with her werewolf costume when the moon came out each night.      

It's been a goal of mine for the last few years to help Mesa actually have a pretty good parade and now I can cross it off my bucket list (that is, unless I try to spear-head bringing back the Mesa Day parade:).  And if you missed the parade, I think you missed out.  I think we topped all the big parades in town.  Seriously, this was probably the only parade in Mesa in the last 10 years that had 9 unique floats, several other club participants, a horse with a bona fide warrior (it made me happy that I worked to have a real warrior there when we pulled up and Leta screamed with excitement when she saw the horse), a marching band, a tank, a barrel train, and lots and lots of candy.  I even threw candy at Bruce Copper from News Channel 12 as he was filming.  I don't know if he appreciated pixie stix being flung at him. I blame it on peer pressure from Ryan and Mike.  It was just sad that today happened to be one of the hottest days in September.  Everyone was roasty toasty even before it began.  

We made it through the parade without any floats falling apart (though I feared) and no children were ran over (though I feared when I saw how many would run into the street - making me glad mine were in the car and on a float), we enjoyed our Navajo tacos at the carnival and made it through the half time show.

But,  I may or may not have yelled at one of the vice principals of Westwood.  I was so mad that he didn't listen to me about the half time show and pretty much made it where the float Ryan and I were driving didn't get to go around the track like it was supposed to.  I yelled, and it felt good at the time, but of course, now I'm feeling a little bad.  I've learned to be more feisty, but I have feisty regret. Everyone is human and makes mistakes and it might be a little embarrassing if I see him again.  I'm still working on not being upset about the whole situation though since we worked so hard.  

__________

These littles sat on my lap during the parade and enjoyed all the candy that I tried to throw out the window while Ryan and I drove the 60's float.  

This is the 2000's decade alumni float.  It's a headdress if you can't tell.  Marily said that the kids had fun throwing gobs and candy to everyone.  They probably ran out mid parade.

 My girls aren't really into being photogenic.

Even her random suckers were blue and orange.

These little girls have a warrior for a mom and a warrior for a grandma.  My mom was part of the first graduating class to attend Westwood all 4 years.  This is part of the reason I figured I would take on two floats, not only my decade, but also my mom's to ensure the 60's had a proper one. 

Of course they needed their face painted.  And of course they are refusing to wash it off.

I laugh for 2 reasons.  These clothes are the exact same size.  Twins, but built differently.  Also, these are my shirts...that I wore in high school.  They were a little mad I didn't make them Indian dresses.

 Halftime

Marily my co-captain and our "man power."  Without Ben and Mike, there would not have been a float.  They sacrificed their time to be our cutters and our drillers and our "make this where it won't fall on anyone and kill them" crew.

Now we just have to clean up and destroy all the hard work from this last week.   Oh joy.  And my house looks like it exploded.  That happens when mom chooses to take on wild ideas.  But, maybe I'll start sleeping more and eating healthy again.