Royal Fun

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Have you ever played octopus?  I never played it before coaching Girls on the Run.  I have memories of kick ball and dodge ball, but not octopus.  It’s a fun form of tag for large groups – you need at least ten people!

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Here’s how we played today:  Two people are the octopuses (octopi?) and the others are the fish.  When the octopus yell out “OCTOPUS!”, the fish have to run from one side of the ‘sea’ (the field) to the other without getting tagged by the octopuses.  If the fish is tagged, they turn into sea urchins, sit down where tagged, and try to tag other fishes without moving from their position.  The last two fish standing become the octopuses for the next round. Once I played at Christmas as two Santas and a bunch of reindeer.  :) 

 

I’m getting sad GOTR is almost over – I’m going to miss the girls so much! 

 

Afternoon and evening eats:

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Tofu and basil hummus sandwich (from Trader Joe’s – so good!) with a side of fruit.

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Greek yogurt, oats, blueberries

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And this delicious quesadilla.  After staring into the fridge with a blank expression on my face for several minutes, I threw this together in desperation – but it ended up being really good!  I cooked a handful of cheddar cheese, spinach, and pre-heated veggie burger (Almond Grain from Earth Fare) on a whole wheat tortilla.

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It kind of tasted like a (vegetarian) cheeseburger quesadilla.  Which means I will be making it again as soon as possible. 😉

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So – I’m going to bed because I have quite an early wake-up call.  We’re hosting a Royal Watch Party tomorrow morning. A few of my friends are coming over to watch William and Katherine’s wedding, which is at 11 AM England time and 6 AM our time.  

 

The scones (which I taste-tested) and the cookies (which I also taste-tested) are baked, the tea is ready to go, and the British flags are out.  I know everyone’s not into the Royal Wedding, but I am, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.  It’s such a romantic tradition.

 

And has anyone else (besides Angela!) been watching all the Royal specials?   We’ve watched two, and I’ve noticed that the young Husband looks creepily like the young Prince Harry…

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Do you see it, too?!

 

The wedding starts at 6 AM Eastern time, so I’ll be watching at 5:30 AM  to see the processional and Kate’s dress when she gets out of the car.    I cannot wait to see her dress; I’m sure it’s going to be gorgeous.

 

Here’s a fun fact that I’ve learned from watching all those Royal specials:  Kate will arrive in a car and leave in a carriage to symbolize her transition to royalty!

{ 57 comments }

 

  • Anne @thefitbridesmaid April 28, 2011, 10:17 pm

    Octopus sounds like “Sharks and minnows”, but on land.

    And heck yeah I’m getting up tomorrow! I just watched the William and Kate Lifetime movie this evening! 😀

  • Amy April 28, 2011, 10:17 pm

    I am PUMPED for the royal wedding. We can’t have a proper viewing party until Saturday but I’m going to wake up early tomorrow to watch her processional!

  • Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food April 28, 2011, 10:22 pm

    mmm I do always love your eats!

    I’m sad that we don’t have cable so I won’t be able to watch, or maybe this is a good reason for an early gym workout! 🙂

    I’m going to have to watch vicariously through everyone’s blog posts! 🙂

  • Sarah for Real April 28, 2011, 10:29 pm

    I played octopus tag where one girl is It and if she tags someone, they grab hands and are It together. The octopus grows and grows until all the girls are working together to tag the last person. Since only the girls on the very end can tag more people, they really end up working as a team. Funny how there are so many versions of games!

    • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:21 am

      Oh that version of Octopus sounds fun!

  • Lu @ The Orange Spice Kitchen April 28, 2011, 10:34 pm

    I thought that the car to carriage thing was pretty cool. Since I am old enough to remember Princess Di’s wedding, I think this one is going to be awesome. I’m going to have to stream it at work though. Oh well, what can I do.

  • Nat April 28, 2011, 10:38 pm

    Whoa..that picture comparison is creepy..hehee.

  • Erin April 28, 2011, 10:42 pm

    I’m at least excited that after tomorrow that wedding is over. Something for us all to be happy about!

  • Ashley @ Feeding Ashley April 28, 2011, 10:45 pm

    Octupus sounds like so much fun. I’ve never heard of that game until you mentioned it the first time on the blog. I think I’m going to skip the royal wedding and just watch recaps and check it out online. I can’t drag my butt out of bed that early for a wedding. :/
    Can’t wait to see how the party went, sounds like a lot of fun.

  • dee April 28, 2011, 10:46 pm

    i am so excited for tomorrow! i am obsessed with everything that has to do with the UK. 😉

    and whoa how cool about that last bit!

  • Carly April 28, 2011, 10:50 pm

    The Royal Wedding is 3am our time, so it will definitely be PVR’d. I’m not that hardcore.

  • Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet April 28, 2011, 10:51 pm

    A royal watch party sounds like such an awesome idea 🙂 breakfast and a wedding!

    I’m definitely in to the wedding fever, and since I live in Hong Kong, I don’t have to wake up at 5 AM!

  • Kelly Anne April 28, 2011, 10:51 pm

    I’ll be up at 5:30 too! I’m soooo excited!! I can’t tear myself away from the all of the Royal Specials!

  • Astrid Adam April 28, 2011, 10:52 pm

    that sandwich combo sounds amazing! Were all the ingredients from TJ’s or was the sandwich itself a prepackaged TJ’s item?

    • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:22 am

      The bread was from Great Harvest and the tofu was just baked in my oven. It was good!!!

  • Kacy April 28, 2011, 11:00 pm

    If I was British or married to a brit I’d totally be obsessed with the royal wedding. Have fun at your party!

  • chelsea April 28, 2011, 11:04 pm

    I am so excited! I can hardly contain it!! I wish I was having a party…I mean how fun! Enjoy!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales April 28, 2011, 11:06 pm

    I’m so glad you know a lot about the royal wedding… i haven’t been keeping up with it until this week, so I don’t know too much! See you bright and early for the Royal Party!!! (PS I sure hope Kristien is joining!).

  • Dominique April 28, 2011, 11:13 pm

    I remember playing Octopus in elementary school, along with dodgeball and all the other indoor, large-group, “can play during gym” games.

    I’m mildy excited about the Royal Wedding. It’s actually my mom’s bday tomorrow and she took the day off work (not sure if it’s because it’s her bday or because of the wedding). I’m waking up at 5 to make pancakes for her (and the rest of the fam who will be home) and then we’re going to watch the wedding together. She still remembers when Charles and Diana got married and is sort of a Royal fanatic–like maybe a closet one. Oh and she bought a whole slew of stamps featuring Will and Kate.

    • Lili April 29, 2011, 12:21 am

      Wow sounds like fun the bday + royal wedding early wake up and breakfast plan. And exciting she even took the day off 🙂

      • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:22 am

        I know, what a fun birthday! Best wishes to your mom!

  • Jen G. April 28, 2011, 11:20 pm

    I’m really jealous of you Eastern-Time-Zoners. I’m waking up at 4:30. Eesh.

  • Laura (On the Threshold of Greatness) April 28, 2011, 11:21 pm

    I loved Octopus as a kid!!! Fun! 😀

    I’ll be following the royal wedding tomorrow from my desk at work, lol. I won’t be getting up early for it. Your party sounds like a lot of fun though!

  • Lauren April 28, 2011, 11:25 pm

    Octopus is so fun, I always play with my summer camp kids! Have fun at the royal wedding party!

  • Shannon April 28, 2011, 11:26 pm

    Your little party sounds fun. I am not too interested in the wedding but I am anxious to see Kate’s dress

  • Khushboo April 28, 2011, 11:32 pm

    Super fun idea about the party! Hope the scones will be served with jam and clotted cream 😀

  • Baking 'n' Books April 28, 2011, 11:37 pm

    I won’t be watching…it’ll be shown about a 1000 times the next few days so I’m sure I’ll see it then 😉

    But I don’t judge – heck I like reality TV – I have NO room to talk! That is an early call for people over!

  • Evan Thomas April 28, 2011, 11:42 pm

    I am so excited for the royal wedding. For waking up in 4 hours after a night out? Not so much. But nothing will stop me.

    • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:23 am

      Hahah love you Evan.

  • Katie (Life... Discombobulated) April 28, 2011, 11:42 pm

    Heck YES I’m excited about the Royal Wedding!!!! 🙂 I would have to be up at 4:00 to watch it live and that’s probably not going to happen. But I’ll be rolling out of bed promptly at 6:00 to see what I can! Have fun!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife April 28, 2011, 11:43 pm

    That is a cool fun fact! WOW-have fun watching that.

    Love your dinner idea. Sometimes randomness turns into amazingness!

  • Rebecca April 28, 2011, 11:52 pm

    We used to play “Sharks and Minnows” in swimming lessons and with the kids at church sometimes. 🙂

  • Lili April 29, 2011, 12:17 am

    Fun you are hosting a party and lucky you it’s t 6am over there! I live in CA and it will be at 3 am over here. My gfriend is hosting a sleep over party at her place and everyone will be up by 2:30 am! Lol – Crazy but exciting!!. We all have to work tomorrow though…Ahhh…..im still debating!!!! Have fun!!!

    • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:24 am

      What a super fun sleepover for adults 🙂

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) April 29, 2011, 12:29 am

    Whoa, your husband did look like Harry! My mom looks exactly like Princess Diana, it’s crazy!

    I wouldn’t mind getting up at 6 to watch the wedding, but it’s 3 am in California then. Way too late for me!

  • Kristen April 29, 2011, 12:43 am

    I have been watching all the news stories! I love everything about weddings, so a royal wedding is no different haha. The wedding starts at 5 here. my mom and I are getting up early too!

  • Kelly April 29, 2011, 1:30 am

    Omg I used to play that game in elementary school! Awesome! And quesidilla veggie
    Burgers are awesome! They have them at a nearby restaurant! I dont think I can stay up late
    Enough to watch but I’d like too!

  • KJ April 29, 2011, 1:42 am

    Some girlfriends are going to record the wedding and watch it tomorrow. Hats or Fascinators are required. It’s going to be a hard day to ensure that I don’t see any spoilers before actually watching the wedding…

  • Jamie@everydaydolce April 29, 2011, 2:18 am

    Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you are hosting friends to watch the wedding so early in the a.m. I wish I was a morning person like that 🙁 But it’s such a historic event, I think it would be worth it 🙂

  • zoe (and the beatles) April 29, 2011, 2:41 am

    ohmygod we played octopus ALL.THE.TIME when i was a kid! it was one of my most favorite game, actually! i totally forgot about it until right this moment. thanks for bringing me back :)!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) April 29, 2011, 3:55 am

    I love the royal things from growing up in Europe. I watched a ton of the specials. I had insomnia (or fear I wouldn’t wake up in time for the wedding) so I watched BBCA’s specials on Diana’s dresses and jewelry too.

  • Kris April 29, 2011, 4:39 am

    I’m already up for wedding watching (but it was thunderstorms that got me up), and heading over to a friend’s about 5:40 or so. We’re having scones, tea, strawberries and champagne. I remember watching Diana and Charles wedding, although I didn’t get up early. I’ve always been fascinated by the British royals.

  • Cait @ Beyond Bananas April 29, 2011, 6:03 am

    He DOES look like prince Harry! How funny. I am watching some footage of Kate right now- she just entered the church. She looks stunning… love her dress!

  • cathy April 29, 2011, 6:08 am

    the processional is happening right now! it’s like we’re having a virtual royal wedding-watching party. isn’t kate’s dress out of this world?! have a wonderful time watching this momentous event!

  • alison April 29, 2011, 6:33 am

    I guess the wedding is happening as I type this, but I just never felt the pull to watch. However, I’m very happy for William and Kate and I hope they have a beautiful day.

  • Christine @ Burning It Off April 29, 2011, 6:53 am

    My mom woke up to watch it, which woke me up too, but I went back to sleep… I’m now looking at the pictures online. I love how elegant yet simple her dress is.

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg April 29, 2011, 7:24 am

    I’m watching a little bit of the royal wedding coverage now. I’m sure I’ll catch some highlights online after work!

  • Jumanah @ Healthy Living in the Middle East April 29, 2011, 8:04 am

    I LOVED kate’s dress. Simple and elegant! Just beatiful!

  • Paige @Running Around Normal April 29, 2011, 8:05 am

    I missed it. I woke up in time, and then said I needs my sleeps, and crashed again 🙂 heh
    He does kind of look like your husband!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin April 29, 2011, 8:25 am

    I remember playing Octopus at summer camp when I was little! 😀

    Have fun at your royal wedding party! I didn’t get up early for it, but I’m watching some coverage now.

  • Bridget April 29, 2011, 8:33 am

    I’ve played Octopus with my 3rd and 4th graders–with 40 students in each class. It’s tons of fun! Usually, to be able to give everyone a chance to be an octopus (to speak and use “please (verb)”, we have to have 4 at once. It’s usually used in classes that teach verbs/movement, so instead of yelling “octopus” they yell out verbs, like “jump!” or “skip!” or “run!” The fish have to jump/other verb their way across they field or gym, as do the octopi. Those that are caught become seaweed. Very hectic, but hilarious! I think I will use your Santa/reindeer version this year at school–or maybe black cats and witches. Your ideas are amazing! So sorry that GOTR is ending soon–but will some of them be back/are you coaching again?

    • CaitlinHTP April 29, 2011, 8:34 am

      Oh definitely – I will be coaching again next season! 🙂 I love it so much.

  • Sara @ OurDogBuffy April 29, 2011, 10:00 am

    Love the fun fact and love the young Husband/Harry look-a-like. I see it! I saw photos of the wedding but since I had to be at work at 8 and I go to bed too late anyway, I figured I’d better not deprive myself of sleep to watch. I’m SURE it will be repeated on TV. She was BEAUTIFUL.

  • dana April 29, 2011, 10:13 am

    Oh fun! I didn’t wake up to watch, but I did DVR it. I have a 1/2 day and that’s how I will be spending my afternoon 🙂

  • Shawna April 29, 2011, 11:02 am

    When i was younger, and still on a swim team, we would play Shark Attack in the deep end of the pool. It was pretty much the same as Octopus, but swimming instead of running.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey April 29, 2011, 12:40 pm

    Oh I didn’t know that’s why she wanted to arrive in a car – that is WAY too cute! I love it!

    I totaly watched it!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) April 30, 2011, 4:47 pm

    Yep, love that game!!!

    I didn’t watch the wedding, but now I wish I did.

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