Fantasy Cafe Mystery Dinner

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When I was in 5th grade, my Sunday school teachers invited our class over for dinner. What makes me remember this dinner today, is that it was “Roadkill Cafe,” and we had to select from a menu of coded items (that were really the ingredients for tacos).

I knew that my Sunday school class would love this as well. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a menu for “Roadkill Cafe” or a similar mystery dinner. That just meant I had to create it myself!

In case someone else would be looking for something similar, I wanted to post the menu I used in case it’s of use to anyone else. I used the theme “Fantasy Cafe” because I thought the girls would like it, and fantasy was a broad enough category (fairy tales, mythical creatures, fantasy literature, etc.) that I could draw enough things from.

Of course, the girls were only given the coded names, not the key. They were then instructed to write their name and the names of three of the items on the outside of a paper plate. We did 3 courses of 3 items each. In most cases, we just gave them a tablespoon’s worth of the item, since I knew that they wouldn’t be eating it as served, anyway!

I really tried to take a good picture, but they were too excited to stay still.

Here is the menu they were offered (and the items they corresponded to). After the fun, we ate our real dinner of nachos and ice cream sundaes.

Chicken little’s truth – nuts
Dragon’s breath – salsa
Dryad party – Fiesta cheese
Elves’ handiwork – cookie
Emperor’s new clothes – nothing =)
Fairy wand – fork
Faun horn – carrot
Fluffy cloud – sour cream
Fountain of youth – ginger ale
Four-leaf clovers – lettuce
Giant’s bathwater – root beer
Glitter stones – ice
Gloppy’s goo – chocolate syrup
Gnome eyes – olives
Golden lava – cheese dip
Ground griffin – ground beef
Jack’s beanstalk – celery
Leprechaun droppings – green chiles
Little red’s accessory – napkin
Mermaid tint – guacamole
Nymph nectar – strawberry lemonade
Pay dirt – refried beans
Phoenix beak – homemade salsa (pico de gallo)
Ogre finger – pepper
Rainbow shavings – sprinkles
Ruby slippers – tomatoes
Slivers of crystal – onions
Snow white – ice cream
Troll heart – cherries
Unicorn horn – spoon
Yellow-brick road – chips

No News is Big News

Two weeks ago in the middle of my Saturday shift I received the following text from my brother:

“So, we are pregnant again! Due oct 29th….You get to be an auntie X2!”

It completely threw me off. Not the news, but how I so casually found out in the middle of my everyday life.

When I looked back to when I found out I’d be an aunt the first time, I guess I really did find out via text then, too. But that was because my SIL was wanting to me figure out the clues she was dropping!

I’m excited to be an aunt again. I can’t imagine little Bean as a big sister, but I have no doubt she’ll be a good one. I don’t know if it’ll be a niece or a nephew, but I’m okay with either. I think it’s a boy though, but we’ll see.

This little one has been dubbed Peanut. Aww…

My biggest decision at this point is what book series I’ll be reading and recording for Peanut. For Bean, I chose the Chronicles of Narnia, and have enjoyed recording the first 2 books so far.

I think I’ve decided on the Little House books if Peanut is a girl. If Peanut is a boy, I may still do Little House, or I may decide on something else. The Boxcar Children is high on my list of possibilities.Another option would to do my favorites of a given author: Beverly Cleary or Roald Dahl, perhaps. We’ll see.

Turns out that 2013 is becoming a rather eventful year!

How I Spent My Friday Night

One thing about having a smaller apartment (NOT small for one person, but small when I want to have a group over) is I sometimes feel like I can’t host things at my place. I’ve decided to not let that stand in the way of reasonable-sized gatherings and host them anyway.

So this past Friday, I hosted 11 of the 5th and 6th grade girls in my Sunday school class for a mystery night. We had pizza, *clear* drinks (good thing, because one ended up all over my carpet), and cookie cake. We played a number of mystery-themed games and the girls did plenty of giggling.

At one point when they got exceptionally loud, I mentioned my downstairs neighbor and how he probably didn’t appreciate that. Upon finding out that he is a single guy, they promptly matched us together (because clearly, all that matters is that we’re both single).

This prompted them to put notes like this up throughout my apartment:

They then started planning where they would all sleep when they moved in with me. Somehow, I got relegated to the living room floor.

I think it’s good that they got to see a bit of my life outside of being their Sunday school teacher. For most of them, I’m the only single woman they know. While many of them will be among those who marry fairly young, all of them will be single adults for at least a few years (and some of them even longer). They all have excellent examples of godly married women in their lives in their own mothers, but I think it can be hard for a young girl to imagine how their lives could look if they aren’t married.

We didn’t get very much serious conversation in (it was a party after all), but hopefully I’ll have more opportunities to speak into their lives now that they’ve stepped a bit further into mine.

Pride and Power Camp (repost)

I’m polished, organized, and in control. I am smart and funny, and have something to add to any conversation. I can handle any situation that comes up with poise and wit. Everything in my life is structured and follows according to my plan. I always know the right thing to say and do.

Or at least that’s how I want to come across. Lately though, God has been showing me that this is a matter of pride. Through teaching at church both Sunday morning and night and in personal time in God’s Word, the Bible, this has been the overarching theme that God has been making very clear to me. I need Him every moment of everyday, because I truthfully do not know what to say and do in every circumstance. Any “natural” ability I may have was already given by my Creator, and He is constantly providing me with spiritual help where I lack. I need His grace to handle every minute in a way that is honoring to Him.

This week I’m helping out with Power Camp, a sports camp put together by the FCA and my church. I’m responsible for leading the devotions for a group of about 15 children entering the 4th-7th grades, almost exclusively from the community. Because of work, I am only with the kids for the second half of camp, so I was quite frazzled yesterday as I tried to figure out how to handle it. This is certainly a situation where I need to rely on God for wisdom and patience, strength and boldness.

Please pray for these children that God would be working in their hearts. They have a great opportunity to hear the Gospel, study the Word, and interact personally with believers. There’s a good chance that some of these children have never been able to do any of those things before. I would also appreciate prayers for me that God would give me the words to say and the patience to show Christ’s love for them.

Originally posted 6-26-2007

With Prince Charming or Not

One conversation from yesterday was special enough (in more than one sense) that it deserved its own post. I’m going to narrate it, as it just suits the story better.

A young girl I’ll call Maggie pulls out one of her Barbies. It’s one of the Disney Prince Charmings–a Prince Charming that has clearly been passed through the hands of most–if not all–of the 4 girls as he is balding (his black hair rubbed off near his forehead), missing a leg, and without his princely garments.

Maggie gives Prince Charming to me. “Here you go.”

“Uhh, thanks. Actually, I have been looking for a Prince Charming.”

“You wouldn’t care that he doesn’t have one of his legs?” Maggie asks, genuinely surprised.

“No, that wouldn’t bother me,” I respond truthfully.

“And naked?” she responds in disgust.

“Well, not until the wedding.”

I ask Maggie where my real prince charming is. She and her sisters proceed to offer up all the “available” men they can think of: several teenagers, a few married men, and their brother (I politely tell him that he can look me up in 20 years, causing him to blush).

When their list of eligible men was exhausted, I ask Maggie to look me in the eyes.

In a serious tone I tell her, “I do hope to get married some day, but even if I never do, I will continue to live each day happy.”

Her shock was obvious. At 6, she already is so ready to get married. “But that means you can’t have children!”

I fight back tears as I whisper, “I know.”

But her brain didn’t stop there, just like mine doesn’t. She delightfully gives her conclusion, “But if you had kids, you couldn’t watch us!”

I give Maggie a big hug. Yes, Maggie, I know.

Live Update: I’m Vastly Outnumbered

Well, it’s now night 2 of this week-long single working mama experiment.

As expected, I have a great respect for moms out there…especially moms of large families!  I’ve done a lot of refereeing as well a lot of “I’m not your mama so I’m not cleaning up the water you spilled/picking up the blanket you dropped/doing your chores for you.”

It’s great to have that excuse.

I was really concerned that Sunday morning was going to be a nightmare. Not the case: not only did I feel rested enough waking up at 6:15 (possibly with a little help), we actually arrived at church 10 minutes early. I don’t know how that happened.

The kids really have been great. I love seeing how they’ve matured over the years I’ve known them. The oldest two made lunch AND dinner today with little help. The “man of the house” was genuinely concerned for me, as he kept hearing me coughing and sneezing.

Coughing and sneezing? Oh, yeah. It’s spring allergy season! I’ve struggled all week to some extent, but today was the worst. I melted into the couch this afternoon, allowing my body to be used as a cushion, a jumping off point, and a sounding board. It’s awesome having five little servants to ask you to get this or that, and to have a couple kids old enough to get this or that for their younger siblings!

I’m afraid the allergy-brain is encouraging me to ramble on, sorry. Now for some funnies:

The youngest girls played baptism in the bathtub with their Barbies. Baptist style: full immersion baptism on adults.

I brought my growing cucumber plants with me, as they’re still quite portable. I’m glad I did, because the kids love them (well, except the unknown one who put their used water bottle in the container!). The youngest calls them my “flower babies.

One shall-remain-nameless child loudly whispered during the sermon, “Miss Ronnica, I have two holes in my underwear. Oh, never mind, there’s just one.”

I’ll post again tomorrow!

Don’t Lock Me Up, ‘kay?

If I tell you what I’m doing next week, will you promise not to have me hauled off to the looney bin?

From this Saturday to next Saturday, I’ll be playing mom to 5 kids, ages 4 to 10.

I’ve had these kids overnight a couple of times, but at 8 days, this is obviously much longer than a simple overnight. I’ve known this family of 4 girls and a boy since the the oldest was in kindergarten, so we’re accustomed to each other. I think I’ve had a battle of the wills with at one time or another at least the oldest 4 (which I always win…at least in the end), so that’ll be nothing new.

Since next week is also the last week of tax season, I will be working my normal schedule. So I get to play not only mother but working mother to 5. I’m not sure if that makes it easier or harder for me…I think it’ll be good that we’re not spending 24/7 with each other.

I’m glad that I get to bless this family as they prepare to start a church plant in Chicago (the destination of the parents’ week-long trip). This is one of the best things about being single and childless–I have more flexibility to serve others.

The kids are so excited, and I must admit that I am too. I know it will be a lot of work, but I enjoy being with kids. There will of course be arguments to referee and talking back, but there will also be cuddles and smiles and sweet words.

What do you think the chances are that they’ll let me sleep in until my usual 8 AM (or later) wake-up time?

I’m Moving Up

Yesterday was an ending for me. Not OF me…I’m not posting this posthumously.

Side note: I have wondered what would happen to my blog if I die.  Not that I’m morbid or anything, but I’m not promised a single day more of life on this earth, so I don’t want to presume God will let me live until I’m 100.  Perhaps I should put my wishes for my blog in a will.  I’d hate for my last post to be one like this or this.  I’d hope to have something truly meaningful as my last blog words, you know?

End side note.

Yesterday was an ending because it was my last day teaching kindergarten Sunday School after 4 1/2 years.  I’ve had 5 different classes of students, each with their own style, and I’ve enjoyed each and every one of them.

I wasn’t looking to leave the kindergarten class.  While I’ve made no secret of the fact that it wasn’t my favorite age group, I was happy to be where I was needed.  I liked being in the same class year after year, as it’s something the kids look forward to after hearing their older siblings talk me up.

But one thing led to another, and I’ll now be teaching Sunday School for 5th and 6th grade girls.  I’ve asked several of the girls in that group what they would think about me being their teacher, and they loved the idea.  Always makes you feel good, because I love them too.

I actually wasn’t set on this move (I had other options) until Kids’ Camp.  Spending time with that age group reminded me of why I love it so much.  I have a few weeks before we start, but I’m already excited for it.

After 5 years of kindergarten, I’m finally graduating!

Photo by cryptic_star

Kids’ Camp by Bullets

  • Camp was just as easy as I expected.
  • It was also as exhausting as I expected.
  • We had one girl get sick our first morning at camp.  Thankful, after spending the morning resting and taking it easy the rest of the day, she was back in tip-top shape the next day.
  • It was a super hot week (the hottest in my 6 summers in NC), but our kids met our challenge to drink more, and more, and more water.
  • It IS possible to be cold in 100 degree weather, if you’re standing in wet clothes.
  • The girls kept their rooms neater than I did (the incentive of an ice cream party is a great motivator).
  • Watching a game of dodge ball made me realize just how dishonest kids will be when they think no one is noticing.  But I was glad that our church’s kids were more honest than most.
  • We had some great discussions started by some great questions from the kids.
  • I look forward to going again next year!