An Evening with Ella Enchanted

We started reading Ella Enchanted as a family last fall on a car trip up north (I think that was when it was....)  And we finally finished it last Saturday! It was fun sharing a story together, especially this story. I love this book!

For the most part, everyone enjoyed it (even my rough & tough handsome cowboy) although Zoe didn't pay too much attention....she did the best she could for being 4. And Molly....well, she was merely a distraction when we tried to read it!

To mark the occasion, we had an Ella Enchanted Dinner Party Saturday night.

I put up a royal invitation (on the fridge) to let the Shakespear kingdom know of the upcoming festivities. This was met with much anticipation throughout the land. Each of the invitees were encouraged to arrive in fancy party attire.

And they did not disappoint.

Ryan arrived in a lovely suit coat two sizes too small and a ruffly pink boutonniere. And you have to give him props. The poor man had the flu, but he still wouldn't miss the royal party!

 Zoe was a beautiful fairy.

 Emmett was an elf in a blue hat (can you tell that was a last minute costume?)

Sam and Weston wore their Dad's clothes and said they were sleepy giants!

On the menu we had....

Torlin Kerru (Garlic & Butter sauteed mushrooms)
Areida's Rolls
Giant Potatoes from Uaaxee's farm (with chili, cheese, ranch and ham )
Quail Eggs (Deviled eggs)
Tonic (The BEST Party Punch)
Roly Poly Pudding (Oreo Pudding Poke Cake)

Before we sat down to dine on our luxurious feast, we had a rousing game of Ella Says (instead of Simon Says). Since Ella is cursed to do as she's told I thought it was a fitting game.  The kids loved it. And I kept getting out! Ack! Need to pay attention better....

At dinner I asked some Ella Enchanted trivia questions....they got almost all of them right!

We had the kids try No Thank You bites of the Torlin Kerru. They gagged on it. But at least they tried the mushrooms! Needless to say, we didn't get any mushroom converts.

And then we got into our jammies, grabbed some blankets and pillows and snuggled up to watch the movie Ella Enchanted.

And I know, I know, people. The movie is NOTHING like the book.  Just about the only thing they have in common is that they're both about a girl named Ella who is cursed with obedience. It's crazy how much the stories differ.

But it was still fun to watch. And the kids hadn't seen it before. I wonder why the producers, writers, the powers that be, decided to change the story so much. If you haven't read the book and you've only seen the movie, you're doing yourself a serious disservice. Read the book! It's grand.

Now we're reading Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George. It stars a castle that grows new rooms when it gets bored....so fun, right? I read the first chapter to the family tonight. Weston said, "Can you please read one more chapter?" Don't you just love that question?

Alright, now what are you reading?

Ack! There's a Monster Eating my Head! {A Carnivorous Hat}

My oldest son, Weston had been eyeing all the funky winter hats. He especially liked the ones with ear flaps and the strings or braids hanging down with pom-poms.

Well, I aim to please! Coming up with a handmade gift to make him for Christmas was easy peasy.

I flew by the seat of my pants with this child-eating hat though. No one was more surprised than me when it actually turned out so good!

First I found a printable pattern for a hat with ear flaps (sorry! I can't remember where I found it....I was in the haze of holiday midnight crafting...) I cut the hat from a fifty cent sweater....yep, that's right. 50 cents!! I know. So cool. And, boy it was a pretty ugly one. I think the sweater is much happier being reincarnated into a hungry monster hat.

So, after I had the lining and outer hat pieces cut out, I added a row of fleece teeth and stuffed striped knit horns.

I braided three strips of fabric....two strips of the striped knit and one strip of green fleece and sewed those in before I put in the lining. Once it was all put together I added the eyes and the fleece pom pom to the top.  For the pom poms on the braids I unraveled the sweater. 

Weston....you look a bit too happy for one who is getting their head eaten though, dontcha think?

Ok. There's a little more terror. Thank you. (This shot was taken right after he opened it on Christmas morning...er....more like afternoon by the time we got home from church and back to the opening of presents! :)

Hmmmmm....we took a lot of pictures, didn't we? Well. We were having fun....

Oh my. This boy is so much fun. He didn't want me getting his jammies in the pictures at first. But then he decided he didn't care.

While making this hat, I had to plop it on my head every so often and race to a mirror. Then I'd giggle in happy anticipation of Weston opening it. And, boy....that was an awesome moment. He was THRILLED! That monster, Floyd (as Weston named him) perched on his head for probably three days straight. 

Handmade Gifts: Zoe's Dress-Up Suitcase Tutorial

We made a lot of handmade gifts for Christmas this year. And in the crazy whirlwind that was December, I didn't have time to share much. So, I'm going to try to put up some pictures of some things....when (or if!) I get the chance. No promises.  

But we did have a lot of fun making things for each other. I love how excited the kids get to make each other gifts. There was a lot of sneaking around and whispering in corners as we planned and made all sorts of things. And the anticipation? Oh my! It's the best. The kids couldn't wait to see each other open their handmade gifts.  

I wish I could have caught every look of surprise and happiness as the kids squealed over the surprises they'd concocted for each other. Priceless.  

I made a gift for each child and even something fun for my handsome cowboy. I already shared Molly's Monkey.  Today I'm showing off the fun dress up suitcase I made for Zoe....

I bought a suitcase in almost mint condition from DI. I don't think the previous owner traveled too much.

I thought about covering it with fabric, but then I checked out my friend Sundi's doll suitcases she'd done and decided to go that route instead. I decoupaged the suitcase while watching Dr. Who late at night (I will blame the puckery bits of paper on the wee hours of the night). 

Then I filled the suitcase with loads of dress up clothes I made from random bits of fabric kicking around the basement or from thrifted clothes, a halloween fairy costume my picked up one year for half off and beautiful purse my mom bought Zoe when she was two. She snagged it for her after I eyed it in the Las Vegas airport. But at the time, Zoe was so small and I worried she'd pick apart the beading. As I was planning this gift, I stumbled across it in my present stash.  Perfect addition, right? 

I threw in a felt crown which was super easy to make (seriously....felt and elastic....so easy!) and some dollar store slippers which I added some Fancy Nancy-ish bows to. 

I also added a bunch of old costume jewelry of mine into a little zippered pouch in the suitcase. 

Alright, that is the coolest and easiest vest ever. I'd have to dig around for the tutorial link...let me know if you're interest. It's that idea that's floating around Pinterest where you just make two cuts in a rectangle and Voila! instant vest. I translated it into little girl size. I was worried it wouldn't fit her so I even tried it on her late at night while she was sleeping....and she didn't even wake up! 

Some of those are dress-up clothes Zoe already had. In fact, she really needed this case. Her previous spot for them was an old tote bag of mine. Yep, she needed something a bit classier. And this did the trick. It was a huge hit with my wee chickadee. She loved it! And she's had a marvelous time donning the many different ensembles.