Uh-Uh. Not Happening!

On the way to the grocery store today, Allyson concocted another one of her grandiose plans, this one involving the whole family. She's decided to put on a puppet show in the backyard, and she wants to post a sign in the front yard announcing the time.

Only half listening, I readily agreed to all of it. Suddenly I tuned in more closely when I realized Allyson was asking a direct question.

"What can Lola do?" she asked.

"Maybe she can be the Big Bad Wolf," I suggested.

"No, there won't be a wolf in this puppet show. I know, she can be a ghost!"

"How about she just runs back and forth and barks a lot?"

"Maybe," Allyson said. "Mama, what will we make the puppets out of?"

"We could use lunch sacks. Should we pick some up at the store?"

"Yes!"

We bought 200 brown lunch bags at the Walmart Market, but we couldn't find any buttons for the eyes. On a trip to "big Walmart" later in the day--to pick up the poppy seeds I'd forgotten--we found some colorful buttons and a bag of pom poms in assorted colors.

While we waited for the rest of the family to get home, Allyson dictated the text for the yard sign: "Allyson's puppet show is tomorrow. There will be music. You can bring cupcakes. Please come!"

After dinner, the whole family sat down to make our puppets. I figured Ethan would complain, but he was quite enthusiastic about the project.

It was fun to see how each puppet had a very different personality.

Ethan with Bob the Monster

Bill with Johnny Walker

Me with Carmen--See Her Curly Lashes and Hoop Earrings

Flaming Orange Curls

Allyson got a bit carried away with the pom poms.

Allyson and Seena--See Her Geometric 'Do

"I don't think you used enough puff balls," Ethan said dryly.

"Those aren't puff balls," Allyson retorted. "They're TomToms, right Mama?" [I just got a TomTom navigational system for Christmas.]

"No, pom poms," I answered. "So who wants to think of the plot for tomorrow's puppet show?"

Bill raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

"Yes, the big show's tomorrow, and all of us are in it, even Lola. We're posting a sign in the yard."

"No we're not," Bill said.

"Well, maybe we'll just invite Makayla and Jacob."

"Not happening."

"Not Happening"

"Come on! Everyone else is doing it. It's a FAMILY puppet show."

"Uh-uh."

"What if you don't have a speaking part?"

"NO."

"We can't do it tomorrow anyway," Ethan interjected. "We need more time to get ready."

"Oh yes," I added, "you need to build a stage for it, Bill."

"Ha!"

Well, maybe next week. I'll keep working on him.

ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PLOT?

Update 1/30/10: Click here to see the puppet show.