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road trip.

December 1, 2010

it was cold and rainy for HOURS.
not the most ideal thanksgiving holiday travel….but craig likes a challenge.

she was hot.
and ramping up for her usual "i am going to throw up" routine.
she didn't.
thankfully.

charging everything constantly.

so foggy we couldn't see the top of the arch!

i was texting on my phone and reading email on craig's phone.
he has a data plan and i don't…..i am SO deprived.

only 404 miles to go!

the sun finally came out….yay.

switiched seats.

nashville.

we pulled up to craig's sister's house to a classic song by fire house….ha ha ha.
we sang loud.
and wished we were at a high school dance.

(did you click on that song? that hair is unreal!!)

12 hours in the car with all seven of us.

6 movies….10 fights…..5 bathroom stops….but we made it to atlanta….good times.

we were welcomed with open arms.
and a beer.

a very yummy beer.

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Jolandi Kerstetter - Heh, a drink or two would be a good reward. Congrats on finishing one long road trip. Indeed, trying to keep the peace in a car with kids can be tricky. Well, nevertheless, I hope you found some fun during the trip!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - We’ve made that drive several times – same route – from Georgia to KC (my sister’s house) and back. One stop we enjoyed was at Cave in Rock in southern Illinois – you take the ferry across the Ohio from kentucky (going north). The kids will never let me stop and see the zoo in St. Louis (it’s free for pete’s sake!) We live in a great country.
-Trish

Christina - Yes, I was also going to say,”only 10 fights?” My kids had about that many just during our Advent reading and activity tonight. Ugh. 🙂

elisa - Only 10 fights? thats amazing! fun pictures! i don’t think i’ve ever commented on here but i love your blog! 🙂

Kimberlee J. - Loved all the pics.
Wowza…that was a big trip.
I’m glad you guys were able to get away!

Tara - i’m so glad that the whole trip ended with a really good beer.
you make me laugh….this place is always refreshing to me.

Shauna - oh baby! that is a full backseat!
i am glad you were greeted with a drink…..well deserved.
next time we both go on long road trips, lets drive toward each other and meet in the middle, kay? where would meet up? Utah? oh man let me brush up on my US geography and I’ll get back to you…that is sad.

karen - I think i’m the only 32 year old without a cell phone…and i like it that way. 🙂

Kristin S - I assume the phone with the zebra case is yours and not Craig’s.
🙂

Suzanne - Great pictures. I kinda felt like I was on the trip with you guy..especically when I found myself calling out “he’s touching me!”. Oh by the way, “Love of a Lifetime” was our wedding dance song. Love it! We play it in our home often and we too sing at the top of our voices. Nothing but the best!
Merry Christmas!
Suzanne

Transparent Mama - Funny. I just did a post on our 21 hour road trip with four boys and a dog. We went 40mph at most through most of Idaho in a blizzard on ice. Glad we aren’t the only crazy ones.

Heather R. - I would need a beer or 5…
Love the song and the 80’s hair.
🙂

Kathryn - so the building in nashville with the two skinny towers on top? people around here know it as the batman building. 🙂 because i know you wanted to know that. 🙂 glad you made it safely through all that rain!!

Kat - Only 5 toilet stops?!! Wow you did well. We can do that many in an afternoon at the shops with my 4 little kids.
Nothing like a road trip for family bonding, or to put your patience to THE test, lol.
Glad you survived it 🙂

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Only 5 pee stops…impressive:) We just had our trip back to IL. I need a laptop or ipad or something. To watch a movie would help tremendously!

Sandy - In the first picture of the back seat I thought Talby was in Annie’s carseat…figured they were happier that way. ha ha Then in the second picture (of the back) I realized that what I thought was a carseat was actually a blanket. 🙂
When I was in 7th grade my parents drove all 8 of us (6 kids and my parents) from Ohio to California and back. In the winter. And a really nasty ice storm. It was a great trip for us kids, but I’m still not sure how much enjoyment my parents got out of it. 🙂
I love that you have a big family.
Signed,
Sad that I only have 2 kids

Renee - i have that same blue blanket wth snowflakes & snowmen!

jess - you. are. brave! great post…love family road trips!!!

Vicki - Nothing quite like a classic family road trip! We’ve made many yearly treks from Texas to Washington state…32 hours in the car…it’s like we just never learned! I’m not sure which is better…open arms…or a good beer!

Lucylu ~ - Wow! Nothing can dampen your spirits!

Julie - After 12 hours in the car, I’d need a beer. And I’m not a beer drinker. More of a wine girl. We recently drove 6 hours to Belgium and I thought that was bad! 🙂
I was the kid who always got car sick so I feel for poor Annie! I still don’t travel well, and yet I spend most of my life traveling. Go figure! Good times spent went family though are worth the effort, huh?!

Rach - OK, let me re-phrase that first question:
Were you ordering Christmas ITEMS in the car. Although ordering Christmas itself would be pretty spectacular as well. 🙂

Rach - OK, two questions:
Were you ordering Christmas in the car because that is just fantastic multitasking.
Do you guys have a minivan or an SUV because we need to upgrade to another row of seats and I am always curious about people’s thoughts on their cars.

julia - You were a mere 9 hours away….hey, weren’t you JUST in Atlanta?
Please tell me you finished that magazine.

Laura Phelps - THAT WAS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You just took me on a great trip
loved every minute of it
and you know, I know a little something about lots of kids in a car for a really long time
I also know how it feels to be greeted by open arms and a cold beer 🙂
miss you
must road trip to Kansas…

Trina McNeilly - You are brave that is a long drive with 5 kids. But road trips are always kind of fun…at least in theory.
Ok.. what kind of car do you have? Just wondering how you escaped a mini-van with 5 kids. I have always vowed I’d never not ever own a mini van and now that I’m prego with #4 it’s like mini vans are stalking me or something. Trying to fight them off. Ha!
XO

melissa - Dude, you drove RIGHT. PAST. ME! I’m 45 minutes from Nashvile!!! Next time.

Courtney Walsh - Oh wow. This gives me hope for when we go home at Cmas! 15 hours in the van with all five of us!! I so wish I could read in the car. Looks like it was fun in spite of the crazy weather! 🙂

Staci - I love a good roadtrip!!! Glad you made it safely!!! And that song….oh my word!!! You are sooo right….high school dances 😉 LOVE IT!!!!!!

Jeannette - Love all the pics, especially the Nashville skyline……I miss that city. We have made several trips that have been that long in the car and next road trip I am breaking out the camera more, I almost felt like I was road trippin with y’all. Glad you made it there safe and I am sure had a great holiday.
Jeannette
Plant City

Cathy - Ahhh…. roadtrips…. You can’t beat ’em for making memories. Seeing your pics brought back memories of our trips out west. You’ve captured the essence of what it’s like on the road. Glad you made it safely!!

Carolynn - Ahhh the joy of visiting family far away on the holidays! It’s always an adventure, isn’t it :)! Makes for great stories around the dinner table. Thanks for bringing us along for the trip! Fun, fun, fun!

april - love the pics…i know i know i always write that…lols….I have the same phone cover….looks like smeone is letting their hair grow out…very handsome…

valerie - We make the road trip from LA to San Francisco a few times a year so I am so relating even though it’s only half the trip you made. I feel like we’re making memories…I think it’s a good thing 🙂
Valerie

Dana@Bungalow'56 - I just want to say, I will never complain about our five hour drive to the city ever again. You have changed my attitude.
Dana

Kirsten J - There are only 4 of us and we only went 5 hours to the Oregon Coast (well, should have been 5, took 8 getting there) and we just about killed each other. And I can’t count the potty stops. Phew! Oh and the charging – it’s the end of the world if my little one forgets her DS charger. The. End. So what is it with the husband having the data plan? That would be our picture, also…hmmmm…. But I cannot stand to have stuff on the dash – he uses it like a desk or something, and I’m always clearing it off!

virginia - i love the heart shaped lights in the night picture meg!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - fun! this looks exactly like our road trip to san diego last week… chloe in the back, stripping down/nauseous/nobody allowed to look at or speak to her… wireless head phones and ipods galore…but, sadly, matthew meade made it to my mailbox AFTER we got home 🙁 now i’ll surely never be able to read it.
happy happy holiday season, megan!

Stephanie - Love the pictures. We drove from McPherson to Chicago and I wish I had the trip in pics like you. I also took the Matthew Mead book. Loved it!!

tasha roe - I know it sounds crazy, but i LOVE road trips!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!
And only 5 bathroom breaks for a 15 hour drive – not too shabby. We had 5 going from St. Louis to Topeka. LOL

Katy - Loved all the pictures in this post but one thing just sticks out.. I have the same phone cover as Meg Duerksen. 🙂 Hahaha!

Lisa - Looks like a fun trip! Oh, Firehouse. Crazy memories there, but at least my hair never looked QUITE that bad! LOL.

Holly - Ok you were just minutes from my house! Well Actually I am about 35 miles west of Nashville. I love the Firehouse song. My kids call it the Old People music!

pam - That hair is hysterical! Speaking of beer my family would like to say THANK YOU! Your frozen Margaritas have become like a staple when a family gathering happens. Meals are planned around the goal of having those Margaritas. We try different kinds of beer. Everyone is in love so thanks for sharing that one!

Joni - We do twelve hour trips several times a year, I SO know what that’s like! He he…you needed that beer, didn’t you?
Love the pic of all the iPods plugged in! 😉
Joni

Heather - I have one of those…”I’m going to throw up” girls, too. Sigh. Exhausting, isn’t it? Glad you made it safe.

kristine - way to go! beer sounds nice! wait, is 8am too early!? i love nashville…but never been to atlanta!

Rebekah - I <3 the Nashville skyline. 🙂

Kelley - I love those tall suspension bridges driving through St. Louis! They don’t have any like that in Atlanta. I’m sorry you had such crummy weather. I took all the good weather with my family and me to Florida for the holiday and managed to bring none of it back. Boo hiss.

Kacey - Oh, wow – that is a long road trip. Your “charging station” made me laugh!

Cassie - would you roll on the floor, dying laughing, if i told you that when paul and i got married my brother and his guitar-playing friend (who were in a “rock band” together) sang that song AT our wedding…like IN the church. and i almost cried. 🙂
go ahead. laugh.
but it was AWEsome. 🙂
aaahhhh…the good ole days. thanks for stirring up those memories.
miss you.

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Hi Meg!
It’s great to see a post like this one…I’ve missed reading them recently!!
You guys were brave…I bet it was worse than a long haul flight!
Happy December!
Gemma x

christy - 12hrs, YIKES! When we drive to TN to visit family it’s a 6.5hr drive, that seems about all I can handle. I probably would never last on a cross-country road trip! 🙂

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2 hours into our trip….

November 30, 2010

we drove to atlanta, georgia for thanksgiving.
it's a 15 hour drive from here.
wow.

but our first stop was 2 hours into the drive….ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK.

Ku3

we surprised grandma with a phone call 15 minutes before the game and said "want to go with us?"
she said YES and we picked her up.
jayhawk games are so cool….so fun….for everyone.
one of the only things we can do as a family and everyone loves it.

we dropped grandma off and drove onto my sister's house.
we had a sleep over with all the cousins.

in the morning my sister filled us up with coffee and pumpkin bread
and we set off for 12 hours of family fun driving across the states.
woo-hoo.

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coffee and daisies - i live in winnipeg manitoba (canada) and my husband is the HUGEST jay hawks fan. its kinda cute actually. anyway. i’ll have to show him these pics…he’ll just sigh.
🙂

Karen Gerstenberger - Did you see the Gonzaga Bulldogs? I think they were there, too. SO glad that you had a great trip. You are brave to drive all that way…but I agree, flying would have been much worse.
Your family is beautiful.

Teresa - There is just nothing like a game at Allen Field House!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Melanie - You haven’t lost your mind so I guess it was a good trip:) That far in the car with 5 kids is taking on a lot of noise! LOL!

shay - You should have gone up there when Jeff’s team was playing KU. He could have given you seats behind the bench since we did not go with him

kristine - so fun! love all those bright, bold colors!!

Valerie - Looks like a super duper family time and there’s nothing that beats that.

Kate B. - Beware of the Phog! Good times!

Mandsjplusc - I’m not sure I can read your blog anymore… 🙂 M-I-Z!

Niki - Rock Chalk!!! Love it! Man, you guys are awesome parents!

Taryn - Candy, you are ageless!!!!!! That will be you, Meg! Hope to see you over Christmas…love ya!

Rach - Oh how I miss slumber parties. How great to have such a big family.

Sandy - That first picture of you & Annie is adorable! You should frame it.
More fun family memories for the Duerksen family!!

Rebecca Kriner - I wish you would tell us these things BEFORE your trip!!!! I would have loved to have met you at a rest stop or taco bell along the way…to think a celebrity was SOOOOOOO close..

Beth - Nothing like a great KU b-ball game! I’m a born and bread MU Tiger, but I DO love KU (my big brother was a Jayhawk 🙂

Amanda Brown - Looks like a lot of fun 🙂 jealous!
http://notsocountry.blogspot.com/

pam - Oh how I miss those Rock Chalk days….in the 70’s it was so much easier to get into games as a student…well really easier for anyone. That place is magical when the chant starts.

Mindy - Rock Chalk! There’s nothing like going to Allen Fieldhouse, is there? Love it!

april - That looks awesome…..so many smiling faces!!! Glad you had a great thanksgiving!!!

Molly - ROCK CHALK!

Katie - I think it is great that you have such a fun family filled life (outside the blog) and then you share some of it with us. You do a lot of things and then we find out about it afterwards…good boundaries (in my opinion).

Shana - See? You DO like sports!!!

Keri from GA! - Hope you enjoyed Atlanta and all the holiday traffic!!!

elizabeth highsmith - so if you ever come BACK to atlanta sans coke a cola shinanigans sans big family holiday and schedule photo shoots I am so all in! can’t wait to find out what you did in my town! when i see colorful things I always think of you!

jody - I love the pictures of the Jayhawk game—looks like so much fun!!

Jenny Joy - Love it! So much fun!!! I especially love the photo of Annie clapping wildly. We should all have photos of ourselves with THAT much joy plastered all over our faces! 🙂

amanda - Im from Missouri so you know what I have to say about the Jayhawks…….hahaha!! Just kidding, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I cant’ wait to hear about the rest of your trip 🙂

Kimberlee J. - Sean is turning into Craig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tasha roe - wooo hooooo!!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!! I’m lovin’ it!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - LOVE it!! Those are great pics Meg. I feel like I was there. Can’t wait to see Atlanta. I hope you show those. I’ve had that city on my mind…job prospect for Honey.

christy - Looks like soo much fun!!

Holly - How fun! That is a long drive but it sure seems like ya’ll made it into great memories!

Jen - Childhood memories with cousins are the best kind. Your kids are blessed! I still think about times with cousins as a kid and I’m 33 now 🙂 So glad you had a good, safe trip. x

Heather Richter - Rock…Chalk…Jayhawk! That is so cool. Hours of a car trip…not so much. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

kristi rediske - I am jealous-I have wanted to go to a Jayhawk game and have never been able to go! I am a grandma myself-HA! Looks like you had a blast-fun family memories.

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it was good.

November 1, 2010

bat girl.

football player (easiest costume ever!)

dorothy.

trick or treating with the neighbors.

half our pumpkins are rotten….gross….but still pretty all lit up.

SCORE.

the weather this year was gorgeous for trick or treating.
i don't know that for sure because i only went around the block…..
but it seemed nice as i opened the door to pass out candy.

everyone gave me their butterfingers because it is my favorite.

my kids asked me today what we were doing for new year's eve.
???
not really on my list of thoughts right now kids!

i think my run will need to be extra long today.
but i would rather eat butterfingers and take a nap.

***************************************************************************************************************

the winner for the Studio Mela Print will be tomorrow….November 2.
leave a comment in the post below if you haven't already.

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Wendy - LOL, my son & his cousin play football and they were also football players for Halloween. Yay for easy!

mel - super cute costumes! And, I will send you ALL our Butterfingers (yuck!) as long as you send me Reeces Peanut Butter Cups! 🙂

jaz - Hey she scored BIG TIME!!!
NICE!!

Renee - Love kids in costumes. So cute! My daughter was Dorothy, too. It was my favorite costume so far for her! Love the jackolanterns. We completely forgot to carve our pumpkins this year. Crazy?!?

lorel - I am probably the only one that would think this, but the pic of Annie and Sean reminds me a little of “The Blind Side.” ha He seems so much bigger than her. Glad you had a good Halloween!

stjerneglass - Ruby slippers! 🙂
Supercute!

Four Flights - ahhh, I had a Dorothy too 🙂 Love Bat Girl!

Tanya @ Life in 3D - Butterfingers are not common here. We have Crispy Crunch…do you have those?
Similar but more peanutty-salty and less peanutty-candy-ish.
I love the pics of the kids and I love that they’re carrying the plastic pumpkins…love it!

Mrs. - Mr. has been out of work since February. That poster is practically a necessity here at our house!

Kerri - I love the look of your porch and street – oh to have sidewalks in our town….

Courtney Walsh - I love the picture of the jack-o-lanterns all together…so festive and perfect!! 🙂 FUN!!!

Kellie - Prettiest Dorothy I have ever seen! We also had beautiful weather here in GA. I stole all the kids snickers and threw them in the freezer for my rainy days. hehe!

aimee - eating butterfingers sounds like a plan to me! and i love that demented pumpkin!

Tracy Sharlette - Love the costumes! Esp the ruby slippers!! One of our favorite movies? You could do the whole Wizard of Oz main cast if your kids would agree….lol…I know I’m funny! 🙂

Lyndsey Bowman - My son plays tackle football too and he was a football player for halloween… No money spent= Job well done 🙂
~ Lyndsey

rosemarie - at least you remembered to carve pumpkins this year!!

Tracie - We only had a few trick or treaters, but the majority were teens and ADULTS! It was crazy. We give the Butterfingers to my husband and I eat the snickers! Enjoy the candy.

crystal beutler - Love your pics. Hope your kids had fun trick or treating and brought you home lots of Butterfingers. I go for the dark chocolate candy bars. 🙂

kayem - Love the colors of this print!!

Camelia - Beautiful! They are so cute and seem so nice to each other! So pretty!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - We had perfect weather too. Great pics. You captured it all:)

julia - gimme some TWIX!!!

jennifer - Funny… the rot makes the pumpkin look scarier. Perfect!
My kids give my husband all their butterfingers for the same reason. Lucky him!

Sugar Mama - The pumpkin with the bow… perfect!
I also like the one with the eyes looking to the side.

Ann R. - Loved Halloween, glad it was on a Sunday, weather was beatiful, but am sorta glad it is behind us and now omg Nov. 1st!
Great pics!!

sara's art house - Butterfingers are my fave too! Cute, cute pics!

Niki - I thought of you as I dressed my youngest up as her favorite character, Olivia! Your bathroom makes me smile every time I see that picture of her!

kat - So cute! Love the pic of Talby and Sean walking down the street! We had lovely weather too. My little girls walked their little legs off. They were exhausted, but we had a wonderful time. Happy New Year!!! (couldn’t resist, so, have you figured out your plans yet? ;P)

Sandy - Love the halloween pictures and the prints you posted. I especially like the It’ll be OK…my best friend’s answer to everything when I’m feeling down. I love all of them though!! Pick me, Pick me!! 🙂

Rebekah - Thanks for reminding me about New Year’s Eve. We have a party every year and it’s time to get my invitations out before people make other plans! Your kids are cute. And I love that crazy headdress the little pink fairy neighbor girl is wearing. Very Bob Mackey! 🙂

Laura Phelps - Luke just asked me what day the Easter Bunny comes.

Kimberly - I scoured three kids’ baskets for a Butterfinger. Not a one to be found. I love Butterfingers.

Mary - Such sweet faces and forever memories. I do have one Butterfingers leftover from passing out treats if only you were closer.

Sally - Hi Meg,
I absolutely love your blog – have been following it now for a number of years. You are an inspiration as a Christian, Wife and Mom. I wonder if you could give me some advice. I’m a relatively new Christian and really struggled with Halloween this year. Our eight year old love’s T&Ting and we always spend the weekend with very dear friends. However, alot of people in our Church frown upon the event and I struggled between feeling guilty and not wanting to spoil it for my son and friends. How do you handle it?
Thanks Meg, would love to know your thoughts.

amy - We had beautiful weather for trick or treating here in Indiana too. Your kids looked so cute! I noticed that your oldest wasn’t in the Halloween pics. My oldest (15) wasn’t around much this year with the other 6 kiddos and it made me so sad! Would love to win the print! I need those kind of remiders everyday! Thanks for the chance.

Kimberlee J. - Rotten pumpkins are the scariest!

Crystal - Love, love, love that picture of Annie!! The one with the candy. You MUST frame that one!!

Grace - Memories being made—love it! And you’re right—Butterfingers are the best!

Tracy - Looks like a lot of fun, Meg! The kiddos look cute as ever and looks like they “scored” big! Love the neighbors cute kid costumes and Annie’s red shoes with her Dorothy costume – too cute! Enjoy your run and relax today! xoxoxo

Kerry - Oh they all look super sweet!! Love the Dorothy shoes 🙂 Happy Halloween!
Kerry x

Susan - For some reason the dog looked super clean? LOL. Pics as usual where great.Off to bed.Night Night from Nevada.

Gemma - I love their costumes and your pumpkins..they’re great!!
Hope you have a good day!
Gemma x

Ali - I love that picture of the two of them from behind – looks like you guys had a really good time!

Tressa Duerr - Meg,
We also had nice weather here in Ohio – no coats yeah! they just spoil the costumes- the sunset was absolutely amazing. It could not have been a more perfect night. Your kiddos are adorable! But I couldn’t help but notice the older two were missing. Only our baby went this year. It is kind of sad when they feel too old for trick or treating.
My daughter showed me this artist on Etsy and I immediately thought of you! Thanks for sharing your colorful view of your world with the rest of us. Your testimony of faith in Christ has blessed my life in many ways. I will never forget the story and pictures of the African children. I thought of them the other day when we carved our pumpkins that are now rotting on the porch. I thought of how much food we waste just for the fun of it. – dyeing eggs and carving pumpkins Because of your testimony, I was reminded of those children and said a prayer for them. God is using your life, your blog to show His love toward all of us. Thanks for being a willing vessel. Tressa Duerr
http://www.etsy.com/shop/afremovart?page=2

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i love fall.

October 25, 2010

this weekend was full of fall goodness.
the leaves finally changed.
the weather changed.
it was so nice to be outside and enjoy it.

the three youngest carved pumpkins with me while craig and the older two were gone.
we started with hot chocolate and homemade whipped cream.

then we got busy with the dirty work.
pumpkins are stinky.
but i am quick….i cleaned out two for lauren and scott if they want to carve one later too.
then helped annie and tably with theirs.
sean cleaned it himself.

ewwwww!!!!

we have them draw the face and then i do the cutting.

i love it….
but i am glad we only have to do it once a year.

and i love seeing them all lit up.

fall is my favorite.

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Mary - I have a post coming on Oct 29th showing grown-up children carving pumpkins. Hopefullly, the tradition will live on and on for your little ones as well.
http://cornersofmylife.blogspot.com/

Caitlin - I hate pumpkin guts, but I do love the roasted seeds! This year I found Mr. Potato Head-esque accessories for my pumpkin, so I don’t have to carve it. He’s a pirate. 🙂

jenni@talkinghairdryer - I love that your little one still has a chocolate and cream mustache while she’s cleaning out the pumpkin.

Shelley - i just adore your life !

carissa... brown eyed fox - fall is my fave TOO!
yes indeedy!
and would you believe… we JUST had snow falling from the sky… just a bit ago! :O)

Lisa - Love this time of year too! We are carving this weekend, or maybe I am carving, lol…with only one teen left in the house we’ll see how that turns out 😉

Valerie - Oh such fun to carve pumpkins. Looks like it was very fun!

mel - Fall rules. Best season ever.
October rules. Best month ever.
I can’t wait to carve our pumpkins (Friday night!!)
There is nothing better than homemade whipped cream. YUM!
Looked like you guys had fun 🙂

linda@limein the coconut - Oh I remember those days with my four little ones carving scooping! Now I’m lucky to get one little one from the four!

Rach - I have to agree with you… Fall is my favorite too and not just because I am an October baby. I just think it smells better and it makes me want to be outside and it is orange and beautiful and I am starting to realize that I really need to live somewhere that actually gets a Fall! For now I will enjoy Fall through your posts so keep it coming.

karen - the squirrels got to 2 out of the 3 pumpkins…totally devoured!!
kinda funny!

Crystal - Looks like you all had loads of fun!! Fall is my favorite time of year too. We are going to carve pumpkins tomorrow night! We are so excited. I enjoy your blog so much.

Suzanne - Looks like fun! We usually wait until the weekend of Halloween otherwise, the deer come up to the front porch and eat them. At least I think its deer! Now I’m SCARED!
Happy Halloween!
Suzanne

julia - I LOVE that last picture!
So jealous that you can drink hot chocolate and not have to turn down the a/c (like I’ve been having to do).

Courtney Walsh - I can’t believe I have never carved pumpkins with my kids!! I think this year I need to change that!!

Tanya @ Life in 3D - I did a cute pumpkin craft today with my toddlers. Take note they ARE 1 and 3…so it’s not glamorous..BUT they had a lot of fun 🙂 Older kids could probably do some really cool things with the idea.
I love Fall too!
http://dreamsdiapersanddilemmas.blogspot.com/2010/10/make-it-monday-pickle-jar-jack-o.html

Heather - so fun! i can’t wait to carve ours. we have to wait until the day of though otherwise ours get all nasty from the az heat. have a happy day!!

Karen Gerstenberger - Love seeing the photos of your beautiful family enjoying an autumn tradition together. Your sunflower craft (below) looks awesome, and the chalkboard/chore chart/inspirational quote is so cheerful!

Julie Weaver - We’ve got a pumpkin waiting to be carved with the help of the husband. I love the classic Jack-O-Lantern!
I also love Fall!

Dawn - I love this time of the year too. I can’t wait to carve our pumpkins. Looks like the kids loved it too.

janet - So happy to see you and many others are keeping that tradition going. We are empty-nesters too, but we’ve also still carved pumpkins. Partly for me, but all those little trick or treaters who show up at the door too.
I imagine I will still carve them as long as I am able.
oh we got the cheap pumpkin carving knives, they are kid safe, and mom safe too.

crystal beutler - I LOVE carving pumpkins. We didn’t do it this year which makes me really sad. They die in about 2 days here, which makes me even sadder. I can’t wait to see your kids’ costumes!!

jen smith - a little FYI to make your carving a little easier…we bought the ‘my safe cutter’ knives from pampered chef. they are $3.50 and by far the best knives we have EVER used to carve pumpkins. we take them to our carving gatherings and have to fight everyone to use our own knives! with these knives the kids can carve their own and i don’t have to worry about them hurting themselves. it’s fabulous!
http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=9761&words=kids

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Fall is so beautiful. The colors are amazing, aren’t they?!

Casey - I love Fall too! I just wish here in FL we actually HAD Fall. I still have my air conditioner running. Supposed to be about 85 today!! YUCK!

Gekakel - Fall is my favourite too; I love your post!

Julie - Whipped cream? Legit.
Pumpkin guts? Creepy.
Happy kids? Totally worth it.
But the pumpkin guts. EWWWWWWWWWW.
I am the degutter here too. No likey.

Lisa - Can I come to your house? I want some of that hot chocolate! 🙂

Dana@Bungalow'56 - I always envy those who celebrate halloween in warmer climates. We have had our first snowfall already, although it has melted, so I’m fairly certain trick or treating will be in winter coats and winter boots… in the dark. Our pumpkins were carved yesterday too, but we did it indoors : )
Dana

*LuLu* - Cute Pumpkins!
*LuLu*

Jennifer De Los Santos - Looks like fun. When we went to buy a pumpkin to carve, Kate insisted on getting a watermelon instead. She’s so stubborn. We’ll see how watermelon carving goes 🙂

Sugar Mama - I make my husband clean out the guts. I shouldn’t say “make”, but he nicely volunteers to clean out the guts because he doesn’t want to watch me dry heave for half an hour.
We still don’t have our pumpkins, guess I better get to that!

Laura Phelps - we were supposed to carve yesterday
too busy
but with good stuff
Halloween party at my parents
football game
I am loving this Fall stuff…last year in LA we went to the pumpkin patch in 90 degree weather!
This is so much better
🙂

Staci - We carved our’s two weeks ago bc I just couldn’t wait any longer….they have rotted completely now ;( I’m just not up for cleaning two more out again 🙁 Sooooo, we are just going to paint and bedazzle two more 🙂 I agree….Fall is the best….football and pumpkins and hot chocolate…DOESN’T get any better than that 😉 Well, except when the Sooners lose to Missouri ;( boooohoooo! But at least I’m not a Longhorn 🙁 Pooooooooooor Texas!

pam - Our nest is empty but this is making me want to carve one….hmmm, something really different…easy but different. Hope your week is grand!

Penny - Great pumpkins. This reminds me of when our girls used to do the pumpkins. My husband was the helper with that tradition. I always took them to the apple orchard with my Mom and we got the pumpkins. Then hubby was the carver while I prepared the seeds for roasting. Miss those days! Guess I will wait for grandchildren!

Holly - This is my favorite time of the year! I just love those funny toothless grins!

Gemma - Love it!! Yummy hot chocolates and carving pumpkins…great stuff!!!
Gemma x

visart-dali.com - How very cute! I wish we had that tradition

Keri ~ Forever Folding Laundry - Mine too.
October is the best month.
Do you guys roast the seeds?
I love that.
This year I saw a recipe for cinnamon & sugar seeds that I’m going to try.
Love Annie’s whipped cream mustache! 🙂

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rain…football….australia…chili…cream puff…whoonu?

September 24, 2010

both my boys got to play tackle football in the pouring rain yesterday.
and they loved it.
they even included “thank you for letting us be able to play football in the rain” in their bedtime prayers.

but their mother? she was far less excited about the rain.
my grandmother and my cousin Nell, whom i have not seen in 6 years because she lives in australia were
coming to my house to watch the football game and eat dinner.
and then it began to pour.
and pour.

we did not go to the game and sit in the rain.
we waited for the rain to stop and saw the last 41 seconds of scott’s game from the car windshield.

then headed back to the house for chili and cream puff dessert.
it was the best kind of night for chili.

the girls convinced Nell to stay for a game of Whoonu.
and grandma played too.
she chose to sit on the floor….even with all the chairs my 92 year old grandmother CHOSE to sit on the floor.
she is amazing.

annie can’t read yet so the person sitting next to her has to tell her what the cards say.
she pretty much still picks randomly with out thinking what the card says but still she is trying.

playing games is always a bit…..chaotic.

we love this game.

these were the cards chosen for me.
how to chose what i like best to least from these?!
i think i picked monkeys for the #1 choice.

it was nice to have them….even in the rain.
safe travels Nell.
can’t wait to hear of all your adventures to come.

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Wendy - We love Whoonu too! I had actually forgotten about that game – we had a house fire in April and have slowly been replacing the things we lost. I’m thankful for you post – now I’m adding Whoonu back on my “replacement shopping” list.

Pam - We LOVE WhooNu!! We can all play..my 8yr old all the way up to the 15 yr old..All the Cranium games are great..

Valerie@Chateaualamode.typepad.com - Love the game night! I’ll have to try Whoonu! Thanks for sharing.

Tempest Ahoy - Another Aussie reader here 🙂

Michelle - Australia - How excited was I to see a post of yours with Australia in the title! Let us know when you are coming to visit and all your MEG fans will have to club together to provide you with accommodation across the length and breadth of our great country!!

edie - your grandmother is beautiful. and i would pick dictionary first—because i’m nerdy like that.
i’ve been thinking of you this week meg and i just wanted to say that it’s a privilege to get to peak into your life. i am thankful.
lots of love,
edie

Kat - Love your Grandmother, the table, fun with the family and Australia! (Aussie, Aussie.)
Meg, you look like you have lost weight with all your running 🙂

Denissa - How fun, your grandmother is adorable 🙂 we love whoonu!

julia - You have the coolest grandmother! For most 92 year olds being on the floor is a very bad thing.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Thanks for the info about the table…you did a great job. Never even heard of that game before. Reminds me we need to start game night again.

Ingrid Blanchette - so fun! will have to try out that game.
i spy with my little eye a ‘orange county’ starbucks mug on your table :). hope you had a great time visiting here…
vitamins should have already arrived in CO!

Kacey - Never heard of Whoonu! Sounds like fun.
Your coffee table reminds me of ours – painted white and distressed by us, then further distressed by the kids over time, and always where games are played and messes are made!

Rach - I love that you still have a Grandmother and that she will sit on the floor to play a card game. How awesome is that!

Julie - I love Who Nu!!! It is the best way for us to get to know the teenagers in our youth group when they are new and scared of us. Food, swimming and Who Nu. Three necessities in youth ministry. Apples to Apples is fun too with big groups. Love it.

Staci - Your grandmother is completely awesome!!! I love her and don’t even know her 🙂 We don’t have Whoonu…but you can bet I’m getting it today 🙂 Thanks!

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - I hope to be able to sit on the floor when I’m 92, how great is that!
We have that game and it’s probably our family’s favorite. 🙂 It’s so fun, yet so simple. We also like to reverse it and have everyone pick the person’s least favorite. ( I hope that doesn’t make us sound like a negative bunch!) I’m so grateful that my husband and kids all love to play board games together.

Kathryn - I want to know about that table. Did you buy it that way or did you paint and distress it yourself?? I want to do a project like that and need advice.

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where troubles melt like lemon drops….

August 26, 2010

the wizard of oz had it's 71st anniversary.
that is cause for a celebration.
at least a little one.
i celebrated at target first…..

rainbow is everywhere when you look for it.

when i was a little girl i remember going our neighbors home to watch it
the night it was on tv because he had a COLOR tv.
i thought his house was a mansion.
it was on the corner and his driveway circled from one side, around the back and out to the other side.
heaven for roller skates and bike riding.
and that neighbor used to always say "how are you boys doing?" when he'd see me and my friend.
we'd say "WE'RE NOT BOYS!"
he was funny.

my dad made a cassette tape by putting the tape recorder to the tv (i think?)
and recorded the whole movie.
i listened to it so many times.
still to this day i know all the words….every song…even the background noises like the pigs in the beginning.
i know the EXACT moment when it was time to turn the tape over.
dorothy had just escaped, she screams and the wicked witch busts in and says "GOING SO SOON?"
and you had to quickly turn over the tape.

i have always loved this movie.

i forgot that my kids hadn't seen it.
not the youngest three at least.

i made some rainbow treats….to set the mood.

colored ice cubes and sprite.
this tasted like nothing but they thought it was really cool.
and my kids didn't care that their drinks turned brown.
it was a fun drink….for kids.
adults would be a little grossed out.

fruit arranged in a rainbow.
this is so easy to do!

dessert was rice krispy treats….made with fruity pebbles.
YUM.

we ate on rainbow paper plates.

simple small things that made our evening special.

after dinner we all moved to the couch and watched the dvd.
and i couldn't believe it….

NO ONE left.

all 5 kids watched the whole movie!

it shocked me.

the littler ones had LOTS of questions.
and as soon as the tornado started annie ran to my lap…scared.
she stayed there the rest of the movie.
🙂

even waffle liked it!

this morning annie announced at breakfast "i liked that movie last night!"

victory!

tell me….what is your favorite wizard of oz memory?

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Santa Claus - It’s very exiting to find this megduerksen.typepad.com blog. I’m so surprised by your way of thinking and writing. Have you thought about writing a book?

jennyonthespot - Oh my golly, I love you.

Natalie Anthony - Hearing my mom sing “Over the Rainbow” at the last concert she gave before she died of cancer back when I was 15. We have the recording. I can’t wait to share this movie with my children, we did buy the Veggie Tales “Wizard of Ha’s” version, and my 2 year old was scared of that, so I think we need to wait a bit…

Liz - The Wizard of Oz is awesome…and so are all of these rainbows! I have 2 daughters so we are pretty much surrounded by rainbows 24/7. I love this post & I’m now your newest follower 🙂 p.s. I’m making those rainbow ice cubes asap!

Talysa - I think the fact that I “had” to wait all year for that one special moment to arrive is what made this movie so memorable to me…no DVR’ing it…no running to Blockbuster to rent it…or even finding it on cable…just pure anticipation. Love the rainbow ice cubes. 🙂

Mike S. - when i was a kid, it would play on a local station sometime in March. One year, there was a storm front and while watching the movie, we actually had to run to the cellar because of a tornado warning! I seem to recall thinking this movie must have some powerful mojo.
I love, love, love the photos in this post! Nice job!

Lorie - I love everything in this entire post!!!
Rainbows make me HAPPY!!
I can’t tell you how many times I have had to stop myself from buying those bowls because I do not have room for them!
But that didn’t stop be from buying the colored knives at Target that I know aren’t any good, but are PRETTY!!!!

crystal b - Ok, I am just shocked at that last comment — Ellen!!!! I can’t believe you haven’t seen the entire movie!!! That’s just … just … un-American!!!
Hey Meg, I noticed on your “35 things” button you want to learn how to cook pork. Email me, at crystalbeutler@msn.com. I have some awesome pork recipes for you.

Ellen - I am sad (and a little embarrassed) to say that I’ve never actually seen the whole movie in its entirety. When I was younger, just like Annie, I was unsure of the scary parts, so I never made it to the end. I guess that memory stayed with me because I’ve still never seen it! I should watch it just to say that I have.
However, I was Dorothy for Halloween one year in college. That was fun!

Kari - You are such an awesome mom – seriously fun! You are truly inspiring and oh how I wish you lived near WI … I would love a photo session. 🙂
I’ve loved The Wizard of Oz as long as I can remember (I’m 28). It still makes me smile every time I watch it. Favorite memory you ask … I am a big dork, how about this?
*I too can recite every line with inflection as you said (my husband thinks I’m a nut).
*I commandeered my brother’s bedroom when he moved out and turned it into a Wizard of Oz shrine to accommodate my ridiculous collection … plates, Barbies, snow globes, music boxes, statues, ornaments, etc. All things OZ!
*I’ve met several of the munchkins and have autographs from attending “Wizard of Oz Fest” in Indiana two years in a row when I was in high school. My dad was such a trooper…
*I would totally dominate in a round of Wizard of Oz trivia 🙂 *We adopted a Cairn terrier from the humane society when I was 14, and of course, named him Toto (RIP buddy).
*My cousin and I spent hours learning the “we’re off to see the wizard” skip-dance. I told you … dork.
*I have the ruby slippers tattooed on my left ankle – love it! *Epic fail though … if you can believe it I’ve NEVER been Dorothy for Halloween.
We have two daughters (7 weeks & 23 months). Based on some of the other comments, it might be time to introduce the movie to Mallory! I can only hope she’ll love it HALF as much as I do!
Anyway, love your blog and I visit daily. 🙂

Lisa - I’m crazy for rainbows and Wizard of Oz too….hard to think of just one good memory, I have so many from watching it over the years…my daughter picked out the Target rainbow comforter set for her dorm room, we both fell in love w/ it.

akmichelle.blogspot.com - What an awesome way to celebrate the Wizard of Oz anniversary! You’re such a cool mom. I’m glad the little ones loved it too. It’s nice to know that the classics are still classics!

Andrea from O-H-I-O - You made it so fun. Will have to do this for a different movie. Am glad to see that I was not the only one scared of the flying monkeys. I would try to watch the movie and never make it through because of the monkeys. Soooooo, I have never seen the whole movie! And my kids have never watched it at all! It is kind of crazy what we pass on to our kids.

Lori - My parents always made me go to bed before it was over–because they were strict with bedtime. But if I laid just right at the bottom of my bed I could peak into the livingroom and watch it until the end. If I heard my mom or dad coming I would hurry up and flip back to the other end of the bed and fake sleeping. AH memories!!!

Lindsey@ Piecefully Home - I don’t think I have a memory as great as the one you just gave your kids! 🙂 how fun and now I’m thinking about how I can turn our movie nights into more special times.

chrsiti - you are one of the most creative ladies out there. thanks for the constant inspiration.

Emily - I saw Wizard of Oz for the first time when I was four years old (1985). My parents rented it from the local library: reel-to-reel film in big plastic cases. Waiting for them to set up the projector was excrutiating. We hung a sheet over the picture window in our living room and had our own theater. I remember the opening credits: black and white Kansas prairie land, and asking my Mom “where’s the lion?!” It’s a family classic for sure. Love your rainbow photos. Love love love.

TrishNotChris - My youngest was scared to death of the monkeys so we hadn’t watched the movie. In the meantime, my oldest read the book at school. As you probably know, the book is VERY different than the movie…more violent and well, more detailed. Last year, we finally watched the movie and my oldest kept saying “Where are the….what about the….they left out…” and in the end, he said “I’m glad I read the book first…it’s more exciting.” Having read the book, I have to agree, but the annual t.v. showing was such an event and a wonderful childhood memory.

Joanne Kozlowski - There really is no place like home.

Trina McNeilly - you always bring the best rainbowy goodness! sigh!
xo T

robin - I want to thank you for the yummy fruity pepples rice krispie idea! Last night I had between 5pm and 6pm (picking up my 2 kids) to prepapre a dessert to take to see a friend’s new baby. Obviously I didn’t have time to bake or refridgerate, so when I saw the fruity pepples idea I knew I had a winner. Not only did all of the kids love them, but it turns out the new mom’s favorite cereal is fruity pepples. WIN! So, thanks….perfect timing. 🙂

Sandy - Wow, I feel like I missed out on so much (and again I say YOU are the COOLEST mom ever!). Year after year I laid down in front of the tv to watch it and fell asleep (I still do that today). I never watched the whole movie until I was well into my 30s. My family likes to make fun of me for not knowing it was in color since I ALWAYS fell asleep during the black and white part.

Sugar Mama - I don’t know if it played on local channels everywhere else for Halloween, but in Oklahoma growing up we watched in every Halloween. And I loved it. But the scene that especially creeped me out was in the Wicked Witch’s castle. I just knew I never wanted to be in a place like that. EVER.

Elissa - their drinks turned brown. that’s just awesome. we did the WoO about a year ago and they all sat through the whole deal too, my youngest at only 2. Something about that movie.
and rice krispie treats are WAY better with fruity pebbles.

Courtney - I love reading your blog but this is the first time I have commented. I just absolutely had to show you this clip from a live remake of The Wizard Of Oz that has been touring Australia. It is not ‘traditional’ but when I saw it, it was definitely awesome! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlLluGhRlyI

Cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - My sister and I used to wear our Halloween witch hats and watch when it would come on tv. SUCH a big deal to us!

Melissa Mae - It was my favorite movie as a kid too! I was Dorothy for Halloween twice in a row. My mom is an amazing seamstress and she made the coolest costume ever, complete with a little dog popping his head out of a basket and custom glitter shoes. (now you see them everywhere, but those were unheard of back then 🙂

Chicago Jen - I feel the need to respond- I watched it every year on CBS and was scared and left the room when the witch arrived. I probably never saw it through until my teens. Recently, I loved watching it with the kids, they were much braver then I was. We got it from the library and they watched it every day we had it.
Awsome job- your so creative.
Chicago Dave

Aljolynn - What a sweet night. My favorite part of the movie was when they got their makeovers. They look so happy afterwards, getting ready to meet the Wizard.

Nancy - Even though I have watched this TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT, last time I noticed a quote that I never paid attention to before: Scarecrow to Dorothy: “some people without brains do an awful lot of talking… don’t they?” LOVE IT! And, ooh soo true! 🙂

Dorothy Walker - How neat the kids watched the entire thing! People forget what a fabulous movie The Wizard of Oz truly is. I love what you did with the rainbow colors, you are hecka fun!
Oz has brought much happiness into my life. Because of friends I’ve made through an on-line club (Everything Oz Club) I made the trip from CA to attend the 2007 (Chesterton) Indiana WOZ Festival where I met many of them. I also met a few of the Munchkins who were actually in the movie, as well as other Oz celebrities such as author John Fricke, a voice heard in many Oz commentaries. I attended the Hollywood, CA, ceremony and other happenings where the 7 of the Munchkins were presented their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a trip my husband and I will never forget.
I collect anything Oz and have tons of it, but the memories made each year sitting in front of the TV and then watching it at the Graum’s Chinese Theatre sitting behind the Great-grandson of L.Frank Baum is better than any collectible I could ever add to my collection!

Lora - You are the coolest mom ever! That colorful drink looked de-lish! I love all the bright rainbow colors! I didn’t get to watch the WHOLE movie until I think I was an adult. Every time they showed it on tv it was always on a Sunday night and we were ALWAYS at church. I wanted to be sick so bad just ONCE so I could stay home from church and watch the entire movie!

tasha roe - LOVE IT!
my mom grew up in Wichita so we were inindated with the Wizard of Oz from a very young age. My fondest memory has to be of being at my mimi & papa’s house (mom’s parents in KS) sitting on the green shag carpet watching the Wizzard of Oz eating Spumoni out of our sundae dishes. ca 1982. 🙂

crystal b - Meg! How funny is that, we both referenced the Wizard on the same day!!!! Even funnier . . . my best friend and I made a cassette recording of the Wizard of Oz when we were in middle school! We tried to memorize the whole movie — it didn’t work but we got close. But, boy could we sing all the songs. We used to do a skit in high school singing like munchkins.
I had no idea it was celebrating it’s 71st anniversary until you left a comment on my blog! The Wizard must have been sending me messages in my sleep.
Awesome photos! Love all the colors. I’m jealous you live in Kansas.

Debby Graber - Megan, I remember the first time I saw it. I was married and we were at KU. They showed it on campus. They never showed this film in Japan where I grew up. Did you know there is an actual scene where there is a guy who commited suicide and he is hanging from the rafters in the background?? It wasn’t erased out.

Kirsten J - Omigosh, what a cute memory you made for your kids. Me? I so remember being dreadfully fascinated by those monkeys. And loving seeing it once a year 🙂

debbie - My memory is the same as yours. We would go to my gramps and grandnana’s house to watch when it came on TV, as they were the only people we knew who had a color TV. Like Annie, I was petrified of the tornado AND the flying monkeys. 🙂
My parents took a trip out west a few years ago, and stopped in Kansas on their way back, and visited the Frank Baum museum. They bought me a beautiful hard cover edition of Oz. I think this is one of the rare cases where I thought the movie was better than the book.

Suzanne D - Every year on January 29 (Kansas’ birthday), our entire grade school would have a school assembly to eat a Kansas-shaped sheet cake and watch “The Wizard of Oz.” Now that I am older, I am surprised that kids weren’t scared…but I guess that is what happens when you watch it every year. My girls have never seen the movie, and I this was great inspiration to have a rainbow night!

Vera - You are so cool.

Tanya H - I love the music. Especially Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
I seriously love your creativity and how fun you are! I am so making those fruity pebble krispy treats for my kids next week when my daughter starts Kindergarten! THANKS!

Jennifer - Who rang that bell! 🙂

Tracy - How Cute, Meg! Such a great idea! I wish when my kids were small like yours that I would have thought about these kinds of ideas. This is so cute and so neat! I love all of the pictures of the rainbow and love the movie the Wizard of Oz. However, I can’t remember which part is my favorite as I liked it all – maybe it was Dorothy’s Red shoes! HA! xoxoxo

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You are soooo cool. I love your rainbow themed party:) Those ice cubes would have been a hit in our house. Can I tell ya somethin’?? The Wizard of OZ scares the crap out of me. Those flying monkeys and the mean wicked witch….oh the nightmares I used to have. Seriously you’re brave to love that movie!

Kat - I love the Wizard of Oz! That and Grease are my top 2 favourite movies! When I was in primary school my sister and I sat and watched it and wrote down every song so we could memorise them. We had to stop and rwind a million times. In Australia we don’t really do Halloween but my friend had a Halloween party last year and I went as Dorothy.

Carrie - Loved the rainbow pics – made me smile!

shelby - my favorite wizard of oz memory is watching it with my 3 year old daughter 🙂

Jennifer - When I was in kindergarten, I saw it for the first time. It was 1978 and I remember my aunt asking me the next morning something about the witch’s green face. I was confused. We had B&W TV! I was terrified of the flying monkeys and the scene with the hour glass when the tinman is chopping the door down to get to Dorothy would always play in my head when I had a fever. Weird. I was pretty afraid of the movie—> WUSS????

Julie - My boys just watched this not too long ago when it was on tv. They too watched the whole thing. Shocking! I’m not sure what my favorite part is, but the first scene I think of is when the witch gets squashed. I can see her legs poking out right now.
So… those paper plates!! I commented probably two months ago that I saw plates at Target that made me think of you. Those are them. You probably didn’t read my comment or even think to look for them if you did, but I still feel happy that you found them! 🙂 So silly, I know!

Brandy-Rena - I got a “There’s no place like home…” and The Ruby Slippers tattoo when I moved out of my parents house. It makes me happy when I see it.

Nina @ Mama Roux - What a fun and colorful blog post this was, I loved it! You are so creative. When I was younger I could never stay awake for the whole movie, it seemed so long and I thought the flying monkeys were so scary!

Deputy's Wife - I love the little people. “We represent the Lolipop Guild, the Lolipop Guild.” I can even do the voices. heh.

Tracey Garcia - I remember when I was little (pre-cable) it came on every year on CBS in the spring–usually right around Easter. My Granny and I would always watch it together.
My kids both love it too. I was shocked last year when only one of the kids in my class knew what the movie was and/or had seen it! My kids love it so much, I couldnt’ imagine other kids not having seen it too!

Renae - This is less a “favorite” memory and more of a “memorable” memory but my dad would always pull my teeth by trying to distract me by watching something on TV (shows, an eclips on the news, etc.). Yes of course the Wizard of Oz was one of my favorite movies growing up and I was always so excited when it would be on. So my dad pulled one of my teeth while I was watching it. The worst part was that his big arm got in the way and I remember being mad that I missed the movie (wow, I was a drama queen back then). Nevermind that my mouth was gushing blood, I was ticked about missing 10 seconds of the movie! 🙂 Good times!

Cathy - Thank you for such amazing ideas! We plan on watching the Wizard this weekend…because we saw “Wicked” (so incredibly great!) and realized we should have plunked the kids down BEFORE to watch the Wizard of Oz.

se7en - That is so totally fun!!! Love it!!!

Elizabeth - In fourth grade, I tried out and won the part of Dorothy in the school play. I’ll never forget it, actually — and still haven’t forgotten all the words to all the songs I sang…

www.Kellyloves.wordpress.com - You’re such a cool mom!
http://www.kellyloves.wordpress.com

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - One of the most memorable times I watched it was when in college.
Someone had heard that you should watch the movie muted while listening to Pink Floyds “Dark Side of the Moon” – (starting the cd on the lions 3rd roar if I remember correctly)
So, one night when we had nothing in-particular to do and one of us had the movie, and another had the CD – we decided to test the theory.
It’s un-canny and a bit eerie how the different scenes in the movie seemed to go with whatever track was playing!!
Love the target shots – I was just there recently looking for some new hand towels and I just couldn’t help but smile with all those bright cheery rainbow colors!

Kelly - seeing one of my students as Dorothy in a stage production!
I have those washcloths! The food is all really fun. Good idea on the ice cubes. Kelly

ashley - I remember always being so scared of the flying monkeys. I would hide and get poked fun of by my best friend, but then we tried to make our own costumes and it was all good. I still want a pair of those ruby slippers!

katy - I just thought that place was so magical, except the monkeys were quite terrifying (and the wicked witch).

tara pollard pakosta - P.s. I LOVE what you did for your kids with this celebratioN! how memorable!
tara

tara pollard pakosta - I remember watching it on my parents bed with my sister and we would run out when the monkeys came, we would be screaming cause we were scared of the monkeys!
later on when I was a nanny for a little boy, named pete, who was an artist. he would draw over and over the chandelier falling down on the witch–I don’t remember that part in the movie ( I am sure you do) but he would draw that over and over . Was it when she melted? I just know he drew over and over the parts that scared him! OH and when Peter met my parents he was about 8 or 9 and I took him with me to MI to meet them and when they asked him “how are you?” he said, “not doing very well with this hole in my back, thank you very much” AND my parents were like “WHAT?” cause he was repeating the scarecrows words, I believe. He was a very peculiar child!
And most recently, seeing my neighbors daughter in the play was so fuN!

Tonya - Meg, have you been to the Wizard of Oz museum in Wamego? It’s a fun little stop, certainly no too big or grand, but cool nonetheless!
There’s so much I love about this movie….the munchkins, Glenda the good witch, the freaky monkey’s, those fabulous ruby slippers! But the thing I love the most are the songs! It just takes hearing a few words to any of the songs and I’m singing it all day!

www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkSvHxNhASTbfMKlKIaW-AkZHNzxLSguzY - This was also my favorite movie! I remember my dad recording it for me on our old Beta (not VHS!) machine back in the days when the remote control was hooked to the tv/tape player by a cord that was not quite long enough to reach the couch or recliner. He clicked pause during the commercials so that they’d be edited out for when I watched the movie later. Had to make a new take every year because I’d watch it so often!

Emmylou Hart - One time we were visting my grandpa in Manhattan, KS. For some reason all the hotels were full so we found a room in Wamego where the Wizard of Oz museum is. It happened to be the OZtoberfest & some of the munchkins from the movie were staying in our hotel. We met a few at breakfast. My boys were to afraid to say “hi”. They loved the parade & the museum though. Wamego is a very cute Kansas town!

Jessica @ One Shiny Star - That is my favorite movie!
My tenth birthday was wizard of oz themed. My mom put so much time and effort into it, but it snowed, so only one girl came. She even made a rainbow cake!

Courtney - I didn’t read all your comments, so I’m sure this has been mentioned, but anyone who loves the Wizard of Oz this much will LOVE LOVE LOVE the musical WICKED. It is so beautiful, the music will melt you! A good thing to do while the kids are all at school. Then, buy “The Grimmerie” that documents the making of the musical, it’s visually the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. BUT don’t read the book– not at ALL like the musical– very dirty and depressing. The musical is happy 🙂

Jeanelle - Hiding behind the faux fur chaise lounge in our living room when the monkeys came on. Oh how they scared me! But the movie? Pure bliss. So glad the family loved it!

Andrea - I have so many memories of watching the Wizard of Oz! I’d have to say my favorite is my earliest memory of it. My family always watched it together when it came on TV. I was about 2 or 3, and I remember my sister and I had our sleeping bags on the livingroom floor while my parents snuggled on the couch. It was late, but we had bowls of popcorn. I fell asleep pretty early in the movie, but I still remember it so fondly.
We now have a new family tradition that we watch the Wizard of Oz as a family the night before thanksgiving!

Elise - I think I tried to be Dorothy for Halloween 7 years in a row. And to this day, I still feel awesome when I’m wearing red shoes. (Especially sparkly ones).
Have you ever watched it with the sound off and with Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon playing? You have to start the CD right when you see the lion roar before the movie. It’s eerie how well the two match up. And, since you can quote the whole movie, I think you’d enjoy it even more!

beth - I love that show and so does my kids….you would never believe this but one of the munchkins lives in our town.

rachel p - speaking of rainbows (not a wizard of oz memory, but) …
I wanted to *THANK YOU!!!* for the rainbow cake recipe! I made it for my son’s 2-year birthday party (decorated the top with baseball, football, and soccer bouncy balls), and all the kids AND grown ups were so excited when i cut into it and really loved it! I gladly gave you all the credit, so I think you have a few new readers from my family 🙂
And most importantly, my son LOVED his birthday cake 🙂 YUM!!
THANK YOU for the inspiration!!!

Christa aka BabbyMama - My fave WoO memory is probably watching it every year when they’d show it on TV as a special… do they still do that? We never had such an awesome spread, though. Maybe I’ll do this when my daughter gets a bit older!

CK - My older sister would turn off my bedroom light and cackle, “I’ll get you my pretty… and your little dog too! Aaah ha ha ha!” Even though I knew every time that it was my sister, it still scared me:)
My best friend and I would watch it together every year when it came on TV. We don’t have movies like that anymore. The kind that you only get to see once year and that bring your whole family together.

Sarah - I could never ever get over the monkeys. They scared the crap out of me and still do.

Cris - This post brings back so many good memories. It was a big deal, we watched it as a family and had popcorn and homemade grape juice. I was glad to have my siblings to snuggle with when the flying monkey’s made their appearance. The wicked witch was super scary too (both of them). You should see the musical “Wicked” ((awesome)).

Nicole Q. - Those colors make me want to RUN to Target. . . . and the drink idea is a great fun idea! You are so creative! Glad you enjoyed a good family night.

Amy Harle - Excellent idea!!! My favorite Wizard of Oz memory is watching it at my grandparent’s house. It felt like it was hours long…I guess because there was always so much to take in at a young age. Now I love that my kids LOVE the movie, too, and are just as exciting as I am to watch it. PS. We’ve been making your mom’s margarita recipe A LOT this summer. They come out perfect every time and I always get asked for the recipe…I give her credit each time 🙂

lori lucas - I wrote about the Wizard of Oz today too, and my own five children!! http://abigstory.blogspot.com/2010/08/were-off-to-see.html
Your post is much more colorful than mine tho.
If you look at my post, THAT is my favorite memory!
Loved your post. Lori L

Dee Stephens - what a GREAT idea! I’ll have to bookmark this post for when I have kids 🙂

Mary Osborne - My mom always made us watch when we were little and it was on TV that one time a year.
I would be so excited but soooo scared, those flying monkeys were scary!!!! I thought Dorothy was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
My two girls loved it when we watched it together and we just saw Wicked for the 1st time this summer. The references to TWoO in that crack me up.
Thanks for bringing back some great memories.

Kathi - Sorry, have to go against the flow. I hated this movie as a kid, scared me to death! I had nightmares for months after seeing it. I couldn’t go into the bathroom when it was dark out without closing the blind on the window, because I thought I could see flying monkeys! My oldest son just saw the movie last year, he’s 22! LOL.
On the flip side, Megan I love your ideas and your blog! I read it everyday. You are so creative and talented, I wish I could get some of it to rub off on me!

Bec - I have so many memories of watching this movie with my mom. It got to the point that everyone knew we loved it so we’d get several phone calls from family members to tell us it was on and what channel. It was almost ALWAYS on when we’d be decorating the Christmas tree. Neither of us love the flying monkeys. My high school performed this a couple of years ago and my mom and I were right on the aisle and they had the monkeys come in from the back and they were right by us and we both turned to each other and were freaked out. I’ve seen Wicked a few times and it is a great addition to the story!!! Your girls would LOVE it if they like the original. Don’t read the book though…it’s weird.

Trasie - I grew up in Southwest Kansas in a small town called Moscow and we use to drive to Liberal a 35 minute drive for us to Dorthy’s House all the time. We loved skipping on the yellow brick road and we felt like we were part of the movie. Every year Liberal celebrated Oztober and they have a Dorthy sing a like contest and when I was a freshman in high school I won the contest and got to eat breakfast with some of the original munchkins and they autographed my winning certificate. I have always loved the Wizard of Oz. I have a movie themed basement and one of the movie posters is of course the Wizard of Oz.

Amanda - When I was little I always loved the part where the house lands on the witch and her feet curled up-thought that was a cool special effect-LOL.

Amy - My girls LOVE Wizard of Oz. They watch it at least once a day.
My favorite memory is a recording actually. It is of my oldest singing “somewhere over the rainbow”. It’s the ringer whenever my husband calls.

LC - I love the Wizard of Oz!
It was a favorite when I was a kid. One of the only movies my Brother and I wouldn’t fight over wanting to watch. We both loved it!
Then when I had my Daughter, around the age of 3 SHE fell in love with it. We watched it every single day for more than 2 years.
Good times.

`Kelly - 71 years and still a family favorite! I love that movie & the memories of watching it every year!
My favorite Wizard of Oz memory is Halloween 2 years ago.
(http://kellymonkeybusiness.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-halloween.html)We’ve done a “theme” for Halloween for several years but this one was my favorite by far! I still have the picture at the bottom of this post
http://kellymonkeybusiness.blogspot.com/2008/10/lets-get-this-party-started.html) framed in my living room. I love it!

Laura - Oh, it was such a treat to watch it once a year, and when the black and white turned to color, it was magical. There’s so much more sophistication today that I fear kids won’t understand how special that movie is and was…it was groundbreaking for its time. What a fun party you had. Love it.

deb meyers - and … the Lion’s song: “King of the Forest” when he is preparing to go see the Great and Powerful Oz.
now i’m stopping.

deb meyers - We used to wait for Wizard, annually, too.
But the one that I literally lived and breathed for (1964)? was Rodger and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” with Leslie Ann Warren; and Walter Pidgeon as the king. I actually found it on Ebay (vhs). Such an unsophisticated version … actors did not have capped teeth, sets so plain. But the music…oh, the music!

mandy friend - I was going to try and talk my 4 kids into the Wizard of Oz costumes this year for Halloween! I have 1 girl and 3 boys-perfect! HAve you ever watched the Return to Oz??? Creepy but I loved it! If you haven’t you should, total departure from the original but worth seeing…but I don’t suggest letting Annie watch it!

Angie C - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Wizard of Oz. One of my favorite memories is from high school when my friends from chorus and I dressed like the tin man, lion, scarecrow, and Dorothy for Halloween. I am now a Wicked fan as well. Maybe the wicked witch isn’t actually wicked…

deb meyers - Favorite parts of the movie:
When Dorothy looks out the window inside the Twister, and sees the mean neighbor pedaling who turns into the witch (still creepy)
And the end, when she wakes up, and points to the ‘farmhands’ and says “And YOU were there! And, oh YOU were there! And YOU, TOO!” and of course … then … “There’s NO PLACE like home”.
deb meyers

Chris - It was one of the few nights my dad gave up rights to the big console TV in the living room and let the kids watch what we wanted. Every year we got dibs on the TV for the Wizard of Oz, The Macy’s Thanksgiving day Parade and the Charlie Brown Christmas Special, the rest of the time the TV blared HeeHaw and The Dukes of Hazard.
And upon reading your post, I realized my youngest kids haven’t seen it either. What kind of parent am I,lol?
Love the rainbows, love your post!

Lisa K - This post made me cry. A cross between your nostalgic happy memories, rainbows, your good mommy efforts to make a simply special night, and the thought of your kids having this memory for their lifetime. You are spectacular, Megan. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. xo

Stephanie - I LOVE The Wizard of Oz. I remember before VCR’s and DVD players I would be so excited when it was going to be on TV. I loved when it changed from Black and White to Color.

MommaH - You are such a cool mom. I think my kids were kind of deprived, since I never thought of those very neat things to do. One summer I did take them all around our area to see all the historical stuff, the Mennonite Museum in Goessel, Cowtown in Wichita, the Bethel Museum in No. Newton, I think we even went to Council Grove. It was a neat summer.

Amanda - Oh my goodness, this movie has always been a part of my childhood. I really don’t even remember it being not a part of my childhood in fact. I was absolutely terrified of the flying monkeys when I was little, so much so that I wouldn’t go anywhere near monkey exibits at zoos until I was like 9 because I was always afraid they’d start flying at try to snatch me.
Love your rainbow celebration! I think we’ll be adopting a few of those ideas in our house to celebrate the Wizards anniversary as well 🙂

Heather R. - My Mom was in Ringling Brothers circus…she knew some of the actual munchkins. I always thought that was so cool. I love when she melts the wicked witch. The flying monkeys still freak me out a little. We saw it last year at the Crown Center outside movie. Our girls 9 and 10 loved it :)! We live in Kansas and I have a pair of ruby slippers with plants in them by our front door. 🙂

Christy - So cute!! I love anything rainbow. My favorite part is the lollipop kids and the song they sing. We represent the lollipop kids, the lollipop kids…. now I’ll be singing that all day long..

Natalie - I just made rainbow cake! And I love me some Dorothy. 🙂 http://ovenlove.blogspot.com/2010/08/rainbow-cake.html

Lori H - Like commenter Stephanie, I waited all year for the one showing of the movie, and I had to be really good as the time came so that I would be allowed to stay up and watch it. The same way with the Grinch every year. So much more special than just watching it on DVD whenever they want to! Glad your kids liked the movie. My two kids were probably Talby’s age when I introduced them to it…they made fun of the “lame special effects” and the slow pace. Oh well, I still love it!

mary - finally realizing, after all these years, that glinda was right
i’ve always had the power.
it’s hands down one of the best movies ever.

Jaime - Love all the rainbow stuff! 😀
The Wizard of Oz is a favorite of mine a well. We haven’t seen it in a while; I should prolly put it on our movie night list!

Stephanie - I remember when I was a kid the movie only came on once per year (I think around Easter time). It was always on the same TV channel and we would be so excited when we saw the commercials announcing the date. We would mark the calendar and count down the days. When the big night came we would get into our PJ’s and pop popcorn and the whole family would sit together and watch. We also did the same for The Sound of Music which also was shown once per year.
Our kids are so spoiled now with DVD’s, videos, cable TV, etc. They don’t get to have that anticipation and excitement for those “once a year” events. Sad:(

Courtney Walsh - The moment where it turns from Black and white to color… and seeing the witch’s feet shrivel up and retreat underneath the house. Those are my favorites! lol
My kids found our DVD and watched it not too long ago. I was really surprised they liked it so much (not sure why) and really worried about the monkeys and the witch because they are a little freaky!
What a FUN party you had!! Love it. 🙂

krystall - when I grow up I want to come live at your house, you have the best ideas!! I’m going to “steal” the ice cube thing and rice treats. My kids are gonna love you and your blog:)

Shannon - I love that you celebrated the anniversary of the Wizard of Oz!! We might have to have a “belated” celebration at our house! 😉 I have several fun memories of the Wizard of Oz. 1) For my oldest child’s first Halloween, we dressed her up as Toto (it was the first costume I had ever made)…my husband was the Scarecrow and I was Dorothy. We lived in MN at the time and thought it would be fun since we were still “Kansans” at heart!
2) This year my daughter tried out for her first community theatre production…The Wizard of Oz!!! She got the parts of a munchkin and flying monkey. She was so excited, but then said, “What is a flying monkey?” I then realized she had never watched the movie!! HA!! Needless to say, all 3 of my kids can now recite every line and sing every song! Here’s a post I did about the local production, http://maplememoriescrafthouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/follow-yellow-brick-road.html
Rumor has it that the show next Summer will be Beauty and the Beast!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Meg, I love how you make family events special. Thank you so much for reminding me that just the little touches add up to make an amazing memory!

Jeanne C - Did you know the author(Frank Baum) of Wizard of Oz was a newspaper editor in South Dakota in the 1800’s? He advocated and pressed for the annihilation of all native Americans. He actually called for the extermination. My dad is a Native American and I cannot fathom watching the Wizard of Oz, or promoting it in any way.

laura - how sweet!!!!

shannon - So adorable, you come up with some of the best ideas!

Maria in CT - Back when I was a kid – it was only on once a year. We would find out when it would be on and we all (four of us kids at the time) would sit and watch it, no matter what day it was on or what time, we wouldn’t move from the couch! My favorite part…the music when the Wicked witch (AKA the neighbor) is riding her bike…duntaduntadunta, duntaduntadunta (I know I’m not doing the music right, but you know what I mean)…..

dori - not an old memory…a brand new one. my dad recently introduced the movie to my daughter (who is only 22 months) and she LOVED it. the puppy, the lion, the (flying) monkeys, the colors…the wicked witch didnt phase her one bit.

Deanna - What a lovely party! I wish I could show the movie to my kids, but all 4 are pretty sensitive and would be scared. To be honest, even as a grown up the monkeys still creep me out. 🙂

Danielle H. - I absolutely LOVED this movie growing up and watched it every year. I was so fasinated with the black and white at the beginning and then the brilliant color! I need to show my daughter this movie – I guess I haven’t yet because she’s 4 and I don’t want the wicked witch to scar her! Have you seen Wicked the Musical? You MUST. It is wonderful and I love how it gives history between Glinda and the Wicked Witch (Elphaba) before they ended up in Oz.

Michelle - tree: “are you hinting my apples are not what the ought to be”
scarecrow: “no, it’s jut that she doesn’t like little green woooormss”
that’s my fav quote of all time!!!

Juli - What clever ideas you have! When I was a child in Kansas in the ’60s, only one family in the neighborhood had a color TV. In those days, “The Wizard of Oz” was shown only once a year. The family invited all the kids from the neighborhood to watch it on their set. When the movie goes to color, a crowded roomful of children all chorused, “Oooooh!”

Jodi - My favorite memory is watching it once a year when it came on TV in the family room of the house I grew up in.

Jami - My best memory of Wizard of oz has to be when at Halloween our principal in elemantary wanted to borrow our dog chip (who we rescued from a golf coarse and was oh so mangy) to be her Toto (she of course was Dorothy) I love this cause Chip had to have felt famous. 🙂 He loved all the attention 🙂 I do really also love the WHOLE movie especially when the little munchkin rolls out the scroll and starts singing “As coroner I must advert…….” For some reason it always makes me laugh……
PS I am a nanny and a mom and I adore your blog. We do a lot of your crafts. I did a craft day where I blogged about it too 🙂

mom - The fact that your dad made us watch it every year after that. You were always scared of that tornado!
Poppies! Beautiful poppies!

Trish - loved that it used to be on tv every year… wish they still did that!

Fat Cowboy - Meg, Didn’t you have a dog back when you first watched the movie? What was his name?

annalea @ our hartbeat - oh and this is such a fun and simple family night. great job!

annalea @ our hartbeat - we watched it early this summer with our kiddos. my daughte (3yo) still runs around the house saying “i’ll get you my pretty” and “there’s no place like home.” she also wants a rainbow birthday party this winter because, “the rainbow made eberything so boo-tiful for dorfy.” 🙂

Michelle - When I was a kid. . .7 or 8 . . . my parents told us we were moving to Kansas. The only time I had ever heard of Kansas was in the Wizard of Oz and I was still little enough to be terrified of the tornado and in turn Kansas. We moved in March and I spent that whole spring and summer on the lookout.

Amanda - I, like you, have loved Wizard of Oz my entire life. I don’t even remember the first time I saw it…I just feel like it’s always been there, ya know?
But, my absolute favorite Wizard of Oz memory, is showing it to my kids for the first time. It was on TV one night when my son was 5 and we watched it together. He loved it so much that he asked to sleep on the couch so he could watch it again (it was showing back to back). The first time my daughter watched it, she was about to turn 3. She quickly became obsessed with all things Wizard of Oz and had a Wizard of Oz 3rd birthday party, has been Dorothy for halloween for the past 2 years, and owns 3 pairs of ruby slippers!

FeFe - Well, I don’t love the movie but it does bring me good memories. It used to come on TV once a year and my dad insisted that we watch it. I would snuggle with my dad on the couch. I remember every year that dumb witch would come on and scare me to death. I would bury my head into my daddy’s chest…every single year. Hate the movie but love the memory! 🙂

Amanda Fuentes - I remember only getting to see it once a year too and the year it came out IN COLOR!
My favorite scene is the baby munchkins hatching from their eggs. I wanted to reach through the screen and keep them!
I just bought those rainbow washcloths at Target!

Staci - I’m soooo duplicating everything you did this weekend!!!! We rented the movie a while back and it was scratched….big bummer ;( Soooo, perfect reason to just buy it right 🙂 Hmmmm, I have so many favorites in this movie…but I do love it when Dorothy clicks her heels in those gorgeous slippers and gets to go home….and I do LOVE it when the house falls on the witch and her striped legs roll up under the house 🙂 And of course when the witch melts 🙂 Oh man! Now I can’t wait for my boys to watch this!!!! My puppy dog likes to watch tv too 🙂 I bet Waffle liked Toto 🙂 Thanks Megan!!! you are a rockstar!

Irene - The munchkins. Always. I went to Wicked last year in London and it was amazing!
Please adopt me Meg?! You are the best mum!

Vicki - I just have to say you are too cute!! 🙂 LOVE all the stuff you did!!
I don’t have any specific memories of watching the movie, but my favorite memory OF the movie is when the Lion says “I’ll fight ya with one hand behind my back….Grrrrufff…” 🙂

Dana D@BoysMyJoys - I think I love the songs the most, though I can remember my mom getting us out of the pool at a hotel on vacation so that we could come in and watch it the night it was on tv!
It was such a big deal that it was on!
Love, love, love ‘Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead’.
“The house began to pitch, the kitchen took a slitch…”
It always made me think of ‘Very Merry Un-Birthday’ from Alice in Wonderland.
I guess it was the High School Musical of our generation.

Sophie - Well, in England, The Wizard Of Oz gets played at least once on TV every holiday season. My family and I used to watch it whenever we could. The first time I can remember watching it, I was really small, probably about 3 or 4. I can remember getting scared at the tornado part and running to my dad on the couch to protect me. I also always got scared at the part when they first see the ‘Wizard’.
And when I went to see ‘Wicked’ in London’s West End, it brought back all those memories of Christmases when I was tiny (:
I’m so glad that your kids like it. I think this movie is one of those that is timeless. My parents loved it as children, and so did I. I daresay that one day my children will love it too!

Kimberlee J. - Confession: I have never seen the Wizard of Oz all the way through.

Kimberly - This post made me happy 🙂
We watch The Wizard of Oz a lot – it really is the best movie!

katie - i can’t believe your kids had never seen it!!! mine love it!! so do i, still a favorite of mine!!

Anna Marie - I LOVE the munchkin scene! I often break out into song “We represent the Lullaby League, the Lullaby League…”

heather - I love this!! Especially the colored ice (did it get super gross brown though?)! How can you not love that movie, but especially with that awesome lead in!!

Katie M. - I went to San Francisco about 5 or 6 years ago and we went to a movie theater that had a special sing-a-long production of the wizard of oz! All of the words to the songs were on the screen. Also, when Glenda would come into the scene, everyone in the audience would blow bubbles! It was amazing!!!! This would actually be fun to re-create for a gathering!

Annie - I absolutely love that you made such a celebration out of such a simple thing… And everything looked so fun! And, kid or not, I want colored ice cubes in my drink!
We all need a little more celebration in our lives, don’t we?

Laura - just as you said…the excitement of it coming on..because it only came on once a year. It was special.
DVDs have ruined that for me…everything today is immediate..at your finger tips..see anything anytime…no more waiting…takes the special out of
I wish I were more like you (in so many ways!)…I love that you held this one back for your kids
and that you created the “special” for them
( I too have seen this movie countless times…have you noticed how Dorothy’s braids go from short to long back to short while the scarecrow sings??? check it out…)

sarah - Used to watch this ALL the time.
What a great little celebration you had!!
I wish I could have been a kid at your house yesterday 🙂

Niki - My favorite memory was being in the Manhattan (KS) City Theater production of The Wizard of Oz when I was 7ish. It was performed outside in the city park! I was a munchkin! Sooo fun!
I always wanted a pair of red ruby slippers. Maybe that is why I have a slight obsession with sassy red shoes!

julia - you rock.

lorel - she’s not really melting, she’s just going into the floor. 🙂

amy - I didn’t even realize it was the anniversary. We borrowed the VHS from our babysitter and laid in our bed and watched it last night with some pop corn. How crazy that it’s the anniversary. My daughter LOVES it (she’s 4). She kept telling me everything that was going to happen. Looks like you had a good time!

Holly - I remember growing up and waiting for that one time a year that it would come on tv! I need to make my kids watch it again….not sure my little one has seen it!

Sandra K - Last summer I took my kids to see a wonderful live production at a local theatre and they loved it. Much to my delight, my daughter was DOROTHY for Halloween last year…oh, it will be hard to ever top that costume….LOVED it.

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my demo derby love affair.

August 23, 2010

many times i have thought about the derby and thought "what is the matter with me?"

"why do i love this stuff?"

it is the opposite of anything i like.
normally.

it's loud.
it's dirty.
it's crowded.
it's really hot.

but it's also….
a community.
a group of people that i grew up around….a tradition…of a small town kind.
the town where i grew up.
you know people and they know you.  (or knew you when)

at the derby you stand in line to by your tickets and your high school bestie walks up and gives you a hug.
even though you haven't seen her in a few years.
and another one spots you in the crowd and waves and says "there's seats by us if you need some!"

it's like a big (redneck) reunion at the derby.

at demo derbies you get to experience porta potties and purses falling in the dirt.
or mud flying into your hair.

but there are also funnel cakes.

and you can share them with new friends in the row in front of you….

you can sit behind a class mate you haven't seen in years and meet his son.
and talk about the good ol' days.
and how old you feel now.

the sun goes down.
the heat is gone.

it is a fun place to be.
do you believe me yet?

at the derby you can climb under the bleachers…not too gracefully…to go buy a demo derby t-shirt.
i really did.

sean and talby were catching grasshoppers and naming them all steve.

and just before the final round there is a big fireworks show.
the music comes through through the crackly speakers and everyone turns to watch.
i kept saying "really? there is MORE?!"
it went on forever.

i love the derby.
i love taking my kids.

it's old fashioned small town fun.

(here is our time a year ago….with video.)

have you ever been to a demolition derby?

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juicy couture bags - They looked so ridiculous with helmet heads walking around Wally World like Mad Max rejects. Another prime example of why there’s a website called People of Walmart =D!
So tell us Mechgogo, is it customary to shop around a store with your motorcycle helmet perched on your head? Or using it as a shopping basket to carry the BBQ sauce?

Valerie - Oh, I have to laugh. Reminds me of the “one-and-a-half winters” I survived living up in Minne-SNOW-tah as newlyweds seven years ago. I’m a Tulsa girl, born and bred, but we lived up there for a job transfer for my husband. That is a story in itself. But while up there we were introduced to demo derbies. Ha! We were so naive. We both were dressed in Ralph Lauren type summer wear, my husband had on LINEN even, haha, and there we were, surrounded by the best redneck folk EVER, and the mud was a-flyin’ into the stands and raining on our heads. And you know what? We LOVED it. And it is one of my alltime FAVORITE memories of our time in Minnesota ever. And now we are safely back in Tulsa. Ha. The End. 😉

Kristy - So bummed we missed the Demo Derby this year–Good times. Who is the classmate you were sitting by? Don’t recognize the head:)!

Gemma - Hi Meg!
Nope I haven’t been but would LOVE to one day!! It sounds like quite a night : )
Gemma x

Genn - That does look like tons of fun Meg!!
I’ve never been to anything like that before.
Sometimes I wish I lived in a small town that had cool community events like that.
And now I want a funnel cake. 🙂

Sara @ It's Good to be Queen - that just looks like a barrel of fun to me. i can almost taste that funnel cake. yum.
by the by, i made your meatballs tonight. holy stinkin cow. they are so good! woo to the hoo for church cook books. and everyone liked it. which is a minor miracle at our table. seriously, i had to make myself stop eating. your recipes are the best. that is all.

Chaos-Jamie - I wondered how you got such a good seat! I saw what time you went in and NO ONE gets a seat over there without camping out for hours.

Vera - No! But now I want to!! Maybe I’ll wait till my one boy is older than six months old, because he might have more fun that way.

Erica - Oh my goodness… I have been in Manhattan all summer and I miss Newton so bad!! Especially this and the bull blowout!!! =( thanks for the great pictures!! I know what you mean about loving the small town things though!! =)
Erica

Kelly - i haven’t been to a demo derby but when my husband and I were dating I went with him to a tractor pull in Missouri. Kind of the same I think. We had kettle corn instead of funnel cake but that is oh so yummy too. 🙂 I do think that all the wonderful colors at the demo derby are very “you”. Kelly

debbie - I haven’t been to a demo derby in years. You brought back a fun memory!

Margo - I love the demo derby! I have been going to them as long as I can remember – you described it perfectly!!

Lorie - I LOVE the derby at our county fair. It IS a small town kinda thing…but more than that….I’ve always secretly, even as far back as high school, been tempted to be in one. Just to let out my aggression. You all know what I mean! It would be a blast!

shelby - my dad raced locally (in Southern California)when I was a kid and every month or so at the end of the night when he raced there would be a demolition derby. I always got so excited when they would start wetting down the track with the water truck and my friends and I would bet which car would be the last one running. I loved it!

Juli - Oh yes, indeedy. Another closet redneck, here. I depserately tried to lose my Southern accent in college but it didn’t work.

Aimee - Hahaha, my husband and I name everything Steve. Steve or Jose. Seriously! I had this one burp he named Steve. He had this one rogue hair on his forehead I named Jose. Hahaha!

LibraryGirl62 - i LOVE the Demolition Derby! We go in the winter here cause the mosquitoes are HUGE on the edge of the Everglades in the summer!

Susan - Meg,
This has nothing to do with the demo derby, but I keep getting pop-up ads whenever I come to your blog. My other bookmarked blogs don’t do this. Is this an advertisement thingy that you’ve placed on here on purpose, or is there something wrong with my computer. It’s just starting to bother me, because I can’t always read through an entire post without one getting in the way. 🙁
Sorry to be a debbie downer, but I wasn’t sure if you knew about this or not, or if it was happening to anyone else.

Courtney Walsh - I have been to one ONCE! But I’m much more interested in the funnel cakes. lol
Looks like fun. And I love a small town! 🙂

Cheri - Oh my goodness…i have read your blog almost daily for two years, baked your food, copied your crafts…and never written, but just saw the demo derby photos and saw a Hillsboro sign in a picture….my daughter met a boy from Hillsboro while working at a camp in MO…… they are very much in love and you probably know his family…….hmmmmmmmm…any chance we could visit????

Tami - Wish we had something like this around here. My boys and tom boy girl would love, love, love this. Great family fun.

Taylor-Ann - Happy Monday!
Looks like a fun family outting. Here in So Cal we don’t get much of mud truck racing. I wish they would come a little more often so my inner country self could come out for a while.
Whats up with kids nameing every animal they have the same name. My son had a fish named “fil” when fil died we had “fil 2”. My sister as a kid named every fish she had Carla. I don’t get it. Did you ask why they named them all Steve? :o)

seb - I love the demolition derby too! We took our girls for the first time and they couldn’t stop laughing at the cars smashing into each other! We grew up in a small town with a demo derby and it brought back so many memories! Just wondering if you bought a “derby chick” t-shirt…my husband had to draw the line! 🙂

Janine - Love that the kids were naming Grasshoppers “Steve” I wonder if they know the old joke.
A Grasshopper walks into a bar. He sits in front of the bartender and asks for a drink. The bartender says “do you know they have a drink named after you?” And the grasshopper replies in great wonder “You have a drink called Steve?”
hahaha okay so it’s a lame joke but one I have always liked.
We have a demo derby not too far from me. I should check it out sometime. It looks like fun.

Dina - AHHHHH!!!! I just posted about my very first dd experience last week! EXACTLY! I don’t normally get into stuff like this either but I LOVED it! SO cool! I didn’t crawl under the bleachers for a t-shirt (I SO would have if they sold them) but for my kid’s sippy cup:-) What a blast!
http://dinarross.blogspot.com/2010/08/county-fair-ends-with-parade-and-crazy.html

Shannon - Did you grow up in Hillsboro!!?? My parents just bought a house there!

DogsMom - Saw the title and had to come visit. Around here they will demo anything – usually the end of summer is a big school bus demo derby.

melissa - i went to a demolition derby about 5 years ago with my best friend in michigan. it was at a small town fair. i loved it. everything about it. the noise. the people (there’s some good people watchin’ to be had at a small town fair!!). the food. i loved every minute!!!

julia - we don’t have crazy fun stuff like this in south Florida. We did go to a rodeo this year. It was mostly old people, which was a surprise.

Bec - my hometown has one at their 4th of july fair. I never actually watched, but you could sure hear it all over town!

Elise - Never been! But if they have funnel cakes, I’m sold.

Lee Ann - my hubby talked me into a truck/mud race thing at the fair this year. (not a derby, but a lot of destroyed vehichles.) I didn’t think I’d like it, but I ended up loving it. I did think of you several times because I know how much you love your derby!!!

Elissa - We used to do Saturday night at the races (small nascar track) a couple towns over from us. The used to run crazy 8s. and yes, I love it. And yes, the total opposite of most of what I NORMALLY love! Too fun! You’re making me want to take my kids…. I haven’t been in YEARS.

Katie H - Funny you ask….My husband is from a small town in KS also, I on the other hand am from a city. I had never even heard of these things until I met him. We now live in Tulsa, BUT still manage to go to KS every year to attend the County Fair so he can “drive” in the derby. I thought he would out grow it once we had kids, but that hasn’t happened. YET!!

Angela - I love it but then again I do love the small town things that make our town home.
I have a question for you, I’m a ding bat and can’t figure out how to follow your blog. I favorited it but I can’t figure out how to add it to the blogs I follow. HELP!

thewatergirl - The first time I met my (now) husband’s family it was at a demo derby in his home town. I grew up in a suburb of a big city up north and was OVERWHELMED and thinking “what have I gotten myself into with this guy? Where AM I?”

jaz - Fireworks at your demolition derby!?!?! HOW AWESOME!!!
The feeling of community you mentioned sounds like why I love the rodeo! I love that feeling 🙂

Sugar Mama - I haven’t been to a derby, but I grew up going to rodeos. Not the big fancy rodeos, but the small town ones… with funnel cakes! They were dirty, loud, hot, and smelly. But I loved them just the same.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - I just posted on this. See…we live parallel lives:) I love the derby…good old fashioned red necked fun!

Amanda Jo - There’s a dirt track about 20 minutes away. I’m not a big fan of the dirt track races but I LOVE going when there’s a demo derby at the end!!!

Krista - Bumper cars for grown-ups! Don’t think I could deal with the mud flying through the air, though. Your kids will have awesome memories of these adventures!

Dana Banana - I’m a lifer. Love the derby of course, but really had fun watching the figure 8 races too. (I guess I am a little biased since my big bro raced and won 3rd) In the fig 8, four little cars lined up and 2 huge tires are placed one on each end of the arena. At the start, they all race in a figure 8, often bumping into eachother in the middle! They have several heats with the winners all competing at the end…..a HOOT to watch!!

Kim Campbell - Love it – that’s my sweet cousin Colby sneaking the funnel cake! 🙂 Great memories!

Anna Marie - I went to my first one last month. My brother-in-law drove a minivan in it…haha! I LOVED it and want to go back next year for sure. This one car, the SAME car, rolled 3 or 4 different times!!! We also had several fires! At the end of the show the guy who kept rolling “donated” his car to be smashed by two giant dozers. So fun!

amy - I love Demo Derby’s! That’s the one and only thing I miss about our County Fair (we’ve moved). Looks like you had a great time!

Laura - so long as your purse doesn’t fall in the porta pottie, it sounds good.
Anywhere where you feel welcome, and loved…where faces are familiar, and smiles are warm…where you feel you a apart of a community…is a fabulous place to be.
Then, throw in a funnel cake, a grasshopper named Steve, and fireworks, and well..how can you go wrong?
Not to mention…GREAT COLORS at the derby! Anything alive and colorful works for me!
glad you had fun
You are a COOL, small town HOT chick!

Sonya - I’ve been to one at our county fair (Michigan) and *loved* it 🙂 And I grew up in a big city in southern California! Demolition Derbies are just plain fun!

brooke - I grew up in southwest Kansas (Liberal) and was a frequent derby-ite. Live in Wichita now, but would love to reconnect with my redneck roots. Need to see if there are any derbys close by.
Thanks for the fun post!!

Jill - I went with some girlfriends in college and we LOVED it! (same for us, you totally wouldn’t expect to have found us there!) We got tickets right near the front and had mud splattered all over us, it was so fun to just be rowdy and not care!

Lori - I have never been to a demo derby but this post makes me want to! I think if Richmond, Va has a demo derby it wouldn’t have the same feel since we are not a small town. Thanks for sharing..its like I was there…without the heat, the dirt and the noise…but also no funnel cakes! 🙁

Julie - Never been, but when we lived in Fayetteville, NC my husband took my son (age 3 or 4?) to a big monster truck rally with friends. They enjoyed it. The guys kinda went on the premiss of ,”when in Rome”…. 🙂
Nothing wrong with “old fashion small town fun”. Rather quaint and does make one feel “connected”!

Tam - I Love this post! It’s just as you describe it! We live in a small town with an annual derby. My husband comes from a “derby family”, they’ve been participating for generations. This year there were four generations on the track (officiating and driving). I love the atmosphere of our county fair, we run into people we’ve not seen in years, eat our annual allowance of “fair food” (funnel cakes, cheese fries with “carnival cheese”, and cotton candy) and cheer on various family members in each heat.

firefly hill - I have never been but totally want to go! I know my kids would love this…

Michelle - Australia - Funnel cake? Never heard of it. Please explain for us very confused Australians. p.s. Yes, we have demo derbies but it is just the funnel cake bit I don’t understand 🙂

Sophie - We don’t have them in England at all! But boy, I wish we did! Looks like so much fun (:

Linda - Can say this is particularly appealing to me but I do like action!! Thinking we may have to take in “The Buck” (at least I think it is a car something) when we get back; we’re looking forward to being back in the good old USA where quirky things are fun! My idea of action is auctions!

edie - I went for the first time a few years ago with my husbands’ family in a town near where he grew up and it was so much fun! And we didn’t even have funnel cakes. Add that to the mix and who could resist? This must be a midwestern thing but it’s hard for me to believe this wasn’t the brain child of a southerner!!
And the fact that you love it—makes me heart you even more.

Tracy - I have never been to a demolition derby but I love the small hometown feel of things so I’m sure I would like it to! I grew up in the country (in Arkansas) and so this is right up our alley – LOL Love the pictures and the fireworks and that funnel cake looks delicious! Have a great day, Meg and thanks for sharing! Big hugs! ;o)

Kat - The annual show at where my fiances parents live has a demo derby every night. We have been the past 2 years and it is so much fun! It is exactly as you mentioned. Corey sees so many people there that he hasn’t seen since school and it is always nice to catch up with them. But demo derby rocks!

Ali - Never been, but I so wasnt to now (my boys would be in car heaven).

Mary Beth - Never been, but I think my old 1977 AMC Spirit car is in one of your pictures!!!!! Love the midwest. No Place Better.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I’ve never been… but you make it look amazing! If I ever have the chance, I am in!

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