getting ready for change

Tomorrow Eric will take command of an artillery battery. We have been waiting for this for a long long time. Many of his peers have long since changed out of command.  He is just now getting his chance to be in charge.  When I think of being in charge, the first thing that comes to mind is Otis, from the movie "Back in the Barnyard".  My daughter, Delaney, would always say she was in charge for a couple years after watching this movie over and over.  So now, Eric gets his chance to be Otis, and be in charge; If he wants to or not.

But this post is not about Eric being in charge. This post is about what it takes to get 5 kids and me ready for this change.  Over and over people have asked me what am I wearing to the change of command.  I had the perfect dress picked out for his October 12th ceremony...that was pushed back to November ??, I again had the perfect dress picked out.  Then it got pushed back again...I no longer have the perfect dress for the December 7th ceremony. I do, however, have the perfect shoes.

I then had to find the perfect outfit to go with the perfect shoes.  I went shopping yesterday with my girls, and I should have just left when I realized I didn't have my carrier or stroller.  I went inside the mall and didn't find what I was looking for at my favorite store. I moseyed my way through the mall looking for that perfect dress. I can say I never did find it. I found something that will work, but not a wow in my eyes.

Today, I realized, I needed to do something with my hair.  I was looking at my bff's pictures and had my sights set on curlyish hair. So out to the store to get hot rollers. I have never used hot rollers, EVER!!! I took a test spin tonight, and thought they would be alright. Alison did say that they didn't do anything spectacular for her...I redid it and made it work.

Then comes the 5 kids. Luckily I love to shop for clothes, and on Thanksgiving, gymboree had a huge sale.  The kids will all be wearing sweaters.  Alison's is a long brown cardigan.  Mickey has a button up cardigan. It reminds me of Mr. Rogers. Delaney has a bright pink sweater with a pom pom. Matt has a khaki colored pullover.  Last is Willow, she is wearing a sweater dress, with a matching sweater red tights (red legs...get it artillery). All the kids, except Willow, will be wearing converse all stars. I have every thing laid out on the couch ready to go... I hope the girls remember to brush their hair, and no one notices that the boys really need a haircut.

All the kids, except Willow, will be wearing converse all stars and jeans. I have every thing laid out on the couch ready to go... I hope the girls remember to brush their hair, and no one notices that the boys really need a haircut. That's just the clothing prep that needs to be done.

Other things that we have needed to do to get ready for this change is order food. We are not taking the path that most choose when they take command.  We are NOT having cake.  We are having cookies. 

We ordered 9 dozen cookies from Lattin's Cider Mill, or "the farm" as our kids call it. The are old fashion butter cookies with frosting. They are about the size of a medium pancake.  We are also, thanks to my friend, serving apple cider from the farm. 

This is just a part of all the preparation that is done to get ready for change.