Day 3 & 4 - A splash of color (if you count white)

Its always fun to see pieces go from brown, to white, to COLORFUL!!  Monday was no exception.  Ryan arrived excited to take the Candyland players to their next level.

Grant was in a prime time slot today.  His acting skill were not required for this gig however. He base coated lots of cardboard and the backboards for the games.  Thanks to all his work we can finally start with the stuff that is a bit more interesting...adding color.

Day 4 - brought in some new (to prep this year), yet very familiar faces. 
Carolyn, Angie & Ann immediately went to work figuring out what needed to happen.  They organized, glued, painted, and then streamlined the process for turning shirts into bags. If only they could spin straw into gold, think of the decoration possibilities.

Alyce, Liz & Lydia jumped right into papermaching candy pieces with Christy.  

This prompted a long talk about the goo chromosome. We have determined thru somewhat empirical(ish) evidence that children seem to be born either goo + or goo -.  People seem to wind up polarized on either end of the spectrum with either a deep connection to the gooey process of papermache (It's so zen...) or an equally deep adversion (aaaaack!). There have been, on rare occasions, observations of a few genetic mutations that result in goo neutral.

Alyce, Rylie, and Liz had just returned from NBTSC and regaled us with their adventures. Ellie was a willing participant in everything that needed an extra hand, including toting Katelyn. It was really great to see everyone.  I feel like I am at a much needed family reunion each year when this time rolls around.

After priming lollipops for the afternoon, Elizabeth, Molly, Louisa, Lydia, and 

Kristen spent time trying to assess their goo factor.  Elizabeth was surprised that her girls 

(covered with paint) had apparent symptoms of goo negativity. 

They gave it a shot, but there's always tomorrow - I'm a gooeyvangelist :)

Day 2

Friday was rainy, windy, and very productive.  Ordinarily rain during prep days can be a bummer and a logistical challenge. This year it is a chance for me to reflect on what really matters and be grateful for all that I take for granted, like rain. Green is my favorite color, and now even more so after such a devastating drought. 

While we were small in numbers, the day was also perfect because of that.  We had time to get to know each other better and I always appreciate be reminded of the strengths of this amazing group of families.  I am impressed with everyone's willingness to jump in and try a new skill, to be open about what you like, or don't like to do, to run spur of the moment errands, and to remind me of the importance of taking breaks to feed the chickens or watch a turtle eat some watermelon.

Rian traces Candyland players

Grant learns to use the jigsaw. Instant master!

Cindy and Rian caulking details before painting
We all found out that we don't want to caulk for long periods of time :)

Waiting for paint :)

Day 1 - Setting up

After calling off Prep on Tuesday due to heat, on Thursday we finally began the journey.  Hawkin and I got an early start and went down to pick up cardboard from Western Container who has donated for the last 4 years.

DAY 1
They even loaded it :) Thanks Mark & Kendell!

The first "real" day of prep included the not so fun job of setting up and taking inventory of supplies.  The troops arrived and immediately got to work.  It seems that over the past several years many folks have been moving their homes.  In the process, much of the paint that had accumulated in their basements has joined forces to invade mine. This provides the opportunity for us to create all the decorations from this stash.  We started by assessing viability of the paint (you don't even want to know how old some of that paint was) and combining partial gallons.

We went from this...

                                                   

to this...

to this...
Thanks for saving rags Tori :)

to much more manageable!

Newcomers Elizabeth, Molly, Louisa, and Noelle got a quick tour  -

Molly and Louisa visiting the turtle sanctuary

- and brief explanation of Unprom. I realize it it an event that is kinda hard to describe.  Kind of an art project, kind of a carnival, kind of a dance, but sometimes it is about stopping everything to make a zoo.

Come and join in the fun.  We need someone to entertain the zebras.

Way late wrap up

As too often happens, I have let time slip its spiny fingers in between myself and the event I truly intended to record.  I wanted to follow this event through to the end and wrap it up nicely with a bow matching the theme.  

The reality of setup, tear down, and the subsequent search for space to store things that are too valuable to trash took over. Now, 9 months later, I am finally getting around to the wrap up.  No pretty bow, no thought filled narrative, just some great pictures thanks to Monica. I acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and I choose to focus on the fun-filled event and all the pleasure the prep contained.  This year I at least got the blog started :)

Monica finishes up Lunar Module controls

Here are pictures from the last 3 days before the event. Final touches and set up paired with finished products.  Use your imagination to add glitter (lots and lots), white twinkle lights, live music, fantastic costumes, and good food and dear friends. Until next year :)