The antics of our Elf on the Shelf

Chester has turned out to be a rather curious and somewhat mischievous elf...

Day 1: As you know, he introduced himself with a book and an m&m message.
Day 2: We found Chester on the kitchen table playing Uno with Woody, Jessie and Buzz.
Day 3: Lilian was equal parts surprised and delighted to find that Chester had drawn all over the kids' portraits. She was especially pleased that he gave her hearts and glasses rather than a mustache.
Day 4: Chester got caught up in the strings of the blinds in the den. Lilian woke up a little earlier than normal and found me sitting at my computer. I looked over at her and realized that she had spied Chester in the blinds and was watching him warily. "Mom!" she whispered. "Is Chester still alive and moving? It's still the middle of the night!" In all actuality it was 7:10 AM but it was still dark enough outside, she didn't realize that and was certain she was going to actually catch Chester making a move...
Day 5: The morning after we had decorated the downstairs tree, we found that Chester had added some decorations of his own...
Day 6: Watching "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."
Day 7: Maybe the snow we got over the weekend inspired this snow angel out of flour on the kitchen counter.
Day 8: A cotton ball bath in the sink of Lilian's bathroom.
Day 9: (this morning) Because in the immortal words of Buddy the Elf:

 "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup." 

"Come Let Us Adore Him!"

Big Sigh of Relief.....

The stake Christmas fireside was last night.
And to truly understand the enormity of that statement, you need a couple of explanations. One, our stake is like no other I've ever seen when it comes to music and big productions. The stake presidency is a strong supporter of the arts in worship. (I know, awesome, right?) And two, as of this past summer, I am the stake music specialist. Praises be, I'm not the chairman which means I'm not head honcho. That honor would belong to the talented and wonderful Amy....but I am her partner in crime, her 2nd in command, her accomplice, her collaborator. Which all means, that this stake Christmas fireside is a BIG DEAL, and that we were in charge of it. To give you a good idea...last year in accompaniment to the stake choir, there were also dancers in the aisles and a bell choir.

The thing is, originally the stake presidency had thought to dispense with the Christmas fireside this year. Last spring the stake choir put on a fabulous Easter cantata (written entirely by Amy. See? Didn't I tell you she was talented?) The evening was one of the most beautifully spiritual I can remember. And I'm not the only one that felt that way. The stake presidency decided that we definitely needed to make the Easter cantata a yearly tradition. But doing a big Christmas fireside and then immediately jumping into rehearsals for Easter come January, the stake presidency felt, was a huge drain on the wonderfully cooperative but volunteer stake choir. Too many Sunday nights away from family.

But to not have a Christmas fireside at all? So we (mostly Amy) came up with a new plan to pitch to the stake presidency. What if we involved the wards? Each ward being in charge of providing one musical number....either from their ward choir who would already be rehearsing Christmas music for their own ward Christmas programs later in the month, or a small group. And to make the transition from one musical number to the next, what if we made a video of primary children talking about what Christmas means to them to play up on the big screen as one ward came up and the other went down? The stake presidency said yes. Especially as they had been receiving feed back from members in the stake who were sad about the loss of the great family tradition that had been the Christmas fireside for so many years.

So Amy and I got busy. And rather than rehearse a big stake choir, the fireside for us became a lot of organizing. I can't count how many emails Amy sent out and received from each ward as we put this baby together. We visited each and every primary in the ward interviewing and video taping children talking about the birth of Christ and other family Christmas traditions. We visited each and every ward choir to listen to their musical selection. There was a planning meeting of the stake music committee (organist, pianist, librarians, stake cultural arts liaison, etc.) where we discussed and made assignments for decorations, programs, advertising and such. We had a rehearsal with the musicians participating in the big congregational numbers, most that involved 4 hands on the piano, organ and various instruments...violins and flutes. And then we had one big dress rehearsal a week ago to go through the flow of the program with all the participants from the wards and to practice the big finale number..."Joy to the World" which Amy had arranged and which also included lots of musical extras.

So the big night arrived. The fireside started at 7:00. We were to go through "Joy to the World" a couple of times at 6:00. Amy and I arrived at 5:15 to get the microphones set up and make sure everything was ready. Decorations were already in place....poinsettias and lanterns. Extra platforms on the podium for the big choir number had been installed. As had the projector set-up for the primary video. However, in our dress rehearsal from the week before, we had neglected to take into account that the sound system would have to accomodate the video! And we had 3 extra microphones that we were using. (The stake bought a fancy sound and recording system a year ago specifically to record and archive all the big musical things our stake performs.) Amy and I calmly panicked (is that an oxymoron?) as we tried to figure out what to do. I literally crawled all over the podium in my skirt and heels looking for another mic outlet and only found one under the sacrament table by laying on my back. (I'm sure I looked rather silly....) But as we tested everything we found that we just had too many things plugged in and with having to turn the sound up so high for the video, one of the other mics kept squealing. We had to do without that one. Which was disappointing, but fine nonetheless. I don't think it really hurt the sound of the choirs all that much.

But once the event actually got started with a big congregational sing-a-long of "Angels We Have Heard On High"....4-hand piano, flute and organ with me directing...all went smoothly. The primary video was cute, the wards came up on cue. Amy and I were both up and down throughout the evening putting music stands in place, moving the microphone for smaller groups, participating with our own ward choirs and directing/playing piano for the congregational numbers. The "Joy to the World" big finale was absolutely stunning. I'm not sure I've ever seen Amy smile that big...she looked absolutely joyful. We all sat down to listen to a sweet Christmas message from our stake president and then it was time for the closing congregational song. Why is "O Holy Night" not in the hymn book?? We sang all three verses. I'm not sure I can truly describe how I felt when we sang that song. Piano, organ and violin backing us up....I directed a chapel and cultural hall FULL of people singing the most beautiful arrangement of my very favorite Christmas song. And by the 3rd verse I was in tears. I'm sure I looked a sight....trying to direct everyone with tears rolling down my face and my voice quavering. I completely wept through the closing prayer. And when the amen was said, I looked up to find that I was not the only one wiping away tears. Our sweet stake president came up afterwards to tell me that he so appreciated my emotion through the final song. I guess maybe I didn't look too silly after all. But despite how glorious the whole evening had been, it was that final "O Holy Night" and the spirit that we all felt during it that will likely stick with me the most.      

Let the new season begin...

A week ago we headed up to Logan for the Cold Turkey meet. Cold Turkey is a practice meet...or a dress rehearsal in my music/drama vocabulary. Boys come from all over the state. They dress up in their uniforms, they perform their routines for judges. But it's not an actual competition and the judges give them feedback on what they can work on and tell them what their score would be if this were a real competition. And what we found out later is that if this were an actual real competition....Brandon would've taken first overall. Which was exciting for us. Last year Brandon kicked some serious gymnastics trash, if you remember. But it kind of made sense...it was his second year competing level 5. There is a big shift going from level 5 to level 6....some serious changes in skills and ability. This meet was the first time I'd seen Brandon's new routines. And he fell a few times. But according to Coach Adam who saw all the scores afterwards, Brandon still had the top all around score of the entire meet! Interesting and exciting!
This year, besides the various local meets Brandon will compete in, we also have meets in San Francisco (Palo Alto, really), Las Vegas, Phoenix and Albuquerque. Because there aren't anywhere near as many gyms with men's programs as their are women's here in Utah, after a couple of meets we get to know the boys we compete against locally pretty well. So going out of state ends up being more of a real competitive experience with boys from all over the country. Plus, it's just fun to travel....  

Chester the Elf

Yes, I admit it. We got sucked into the hype that is The Elf on the Shelf.

This is "Chester." 

But rather than really push the whole elf watching and reporting back to Santa as to whether you are good or bad throughout the day (which is, I suppose, more or less the point of the whole thing) I think we'll probably play that down and focus more on the fun Christmas game of it all. Where is Chester hiding and what silly thing has he been doing? Even Rebekah, Julianne and Brandon are jazzed about Chester, despite their advanced ages. I think it's going to be a fabulous way to get them excited about getting up on time in the morning... 

All the same, Lilian does have friends who completely and totally believe that their elves are completely and totally real. So obviously we'll need to tread carefully so Lilian doesn't ruin anything for other neighborhood families.  

(And yes, I will be shamelessly copying ideas from other friends who have posted elf pictures on-line....)

A real tree!

I have a lot of fond memories wrapped around wandering around a tree lot with my family in the brisk December weather, looking for the perfect (ie: not too enormous and beautiful...and therefore expensive, but not Charlie Brown style either) Christmas tree. 

My children have never had that experience before. Our first few Christmases we had a real tree. But that was pre-children. And it was also pre-ownership of power tools. Which meant that I've never seen Bryan come closer to swear words as when he was trying to cut the bottom off the trunk of the tree and get the darn thing situated in the stand. We bought a fake tree (the one that is beautifully decorated and reigning over my living room this very day) when Rebekah was just 1-year old.

But I like to also have a tree in my basement. One that is more sentimental rather than perfectly coordinated....with colored lights and all the ornaments we've collected over the years. Gifts, ornaments handed down from when I was a child, homemade ornaments, etc. So last year when our other pre-lit fake tree refused to light and we unceremoniously tossed it in the dumpster, we knew this year we'd need something new. And what better excuse to try a real tree again?

Bryan rolled his eyes and groaned just a little bit when I explained my plans. I think the only reason he agreed was because I was so obviously delighted at the prospect....and he loves me. 

So we went to a tree lot and picked out a tree. A short, chubby one that the kids all agreed was "the one." Bryan's "best part of the night" came from the fact that the guy at the tree lot offered to cut the bottom of the trunk for us. We brought it home and put it in the stand. It took all 6 of us in various positions...a couple holding the tree from different sides, me underneath, a few more standing back to get a better view....to get the tree in and up straight. Even still, I think it leans slightly. 

My hands are covered with sap and I have pine needles all over my floor....but it sure smells good! Only time will tell if this is a tradition we will keep or if another fake tree will be bought on clearance come after-Christmas sales. Can we even keep the darn thing alive? 

Meet Ama

Bryan surprised us recently by bringing home another parakeet to join our flock. This makes five altogether. And although they are messy and loud (we've become accustomed to the noise....others comment on it. Usually either, "Oh, what a happy sound!" Or "Heavens, how can you stand that constant high-pitched chirping???") we sure do love our little pets. If you remember, we actually did have five at one time, but our sweet Max died a little over a year ago. (See here.) Maybe Bryan felt it was time for a replacement? This new bird is solid yellow so Bryan named her Ama. Amarillo is spanish for yellow. And in spanish the word ama means he/she loves. So I believe he was thinking along the lines of "we sure do love our yellow bird" with his name choice. Max was also bright yellow....so the choice of a yellow bird I think, was also a little bit sentimental.

                                        Left to right: Titi, Ama, Dren, River and Pepper

Teenage multi-tasking

Check this out....with a monitor this big you can browse Pinterest and watch an episode of "Survivor" at the same time! Talk about multi-tasking.
(Shhh...because of Rebekah's headphones, she didn't hear the click of my camera and has no idea that I took this picture. Let's see how long it is before she notices and gives me trash for going all sneaky pic on her, shall we?)

Julianne's School of Rock

During our second Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday night Julianne informed us that she had a science project due the next day. (Insert big sigh here.) And although at the time she wasn't entirely sure exactly what she wanted to do for the project, she did have some lyrics she had written about continental drift to Owl City and Carly Rae Jeppson's song Good Time with the vague idea of using them somehow. After some thought and pow wow with her cousins, she came up with this video that they used my iPhone to record. Take after take, they worked out the bugs. It got late and families started heading home so Julianne was forced to take the best of the bunch and accept it as done even though it wasn't as perfect as she would've liked.

She turned it in on Monday and waited to see what her teacher would think. Yesterday during a quiet time when the students were all working on assignments, he came to her desk to return the flash drive. 

"Julianne," he said, "That is probably the most awesome thing that I have ever seen!" 

She got a 35 out of 26 on the assignment.

Click here to watch on youtube.

Lyrics:

It first starts with Magellan the scientist,

He saw that the pieces would fit

Together they would be like a puzzle

But no one believed him.

Next came Alfred a man who said, "Gee,

What if the continents could move across the sea."

This was the beginning of a theory

Called continental drift.

This is how we know, that the earth can grow

And through science it shows

Pangaea was one big land mass long ago way in the past.

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh

It's called continental drift

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh

Now we know about plate tectonics thanks to scientists who got it.

Finally there came a man know as Harry,

He made one of scientists great discoveries

All while he was sailing the seven seas

He saw sea floor spreading.

This is how we know, that they earth can grow

And through science it shows

Pangaea was one big land mass till the plates moved and it cracked.

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh

It's called continental drift

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh

Now we know about plate tectonics thanks to scientists who got it

2x

Now I understand all about this theory

Now you understand, all thanks to me

Now I understand all about this theory

It's called continental drift.

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh, whoa oh oh

It's called continental drift

Whoa oh oh oh oh oh

Now we know about plate tectonics thanks to Julianne who taught it.

2x

Life according to my iPhone

Random shots downloaded from my phone over the past few months...
And seeing as Lilian is my near constant buddy, she claims center stage in many of these photos. Good thing she's cute, huh?

Thanksgiving weekend stuff

Our Thanksgiving weekend was a busy one but filled with some fabulous stuff.

Stuff like:
* Date night....just me, Bryan and James Bond. I'm not one who gets to the movie theater as frequently as I'd sometimes like. But would you believe that in the past 2 weeks I've seen FOUR movies? This is unprecedented. Wreck it Ralph with the kids, Breaking Dawn II...a girls night with the ladies in my neighborhood, Lincoln with some fellow gymnastics moms (seriously, it was SO good that I can't get out of my head) and then Skyfall with Bryan.
* A visit to Dr. Lindsay who measured Julianne at 4' 11" and is optimistic that we will likely see 5' before this growth hormone adventure ends in a few months.
* I sang in a recital up at Weber State University.
* Rebekah went dress hunting with friends for the big Christmas dance. (The hunt will continue later this week...)
* Thanksgiving was held this year with my side of the family at my parents new home. One of the main reasons for the big move was need of a different floor plan...one that would accomodate family gatherings more easily. I think this first Thanksgiving experiment was deemed a success. Along with a thanksgiving prayer over the food, family and blessings, my Dad also dedicated the new home. We all got a little bit teary, I think. It was a nice day...a great meal, of course and lots of talk and games and relaxing. (We missed you, Rachel and Spencer and Mary and Ryan!)

(And....I have my eyes closed. Doesn't it figure.)

* Rebekah and Julianne went Black Friday shopping with some cousins. I'm not a big fan of Black Friday but the girls still look at it as a grand adventure.
* Aunt Jana and Uncle Craig's annual Christmas party was Friday night. I look forward to it every year...probably because it holds such sentimental value for me now that it doesn't seem like Christmas without it. But I'm always surprised and pleased that my teenagers, who are so ensconced in the whole friend culture right now, still will easily and happily turn down any and all dates, parties or gatherings in favor of this particular yearly party. They LOVE it. I'm so glad!

(Rebekah and Julianne slept through much of the party....up all night shopping, you know. Oh my...look at my roots that need to be dyed. Maintenance, maintenance ...sigh. Brandon showed off his back flip/tuck for the talent show portion of the evening. I thought the picture, though not stellar, funny all the same.)

 (Look....twinner red jeans! And Julianne, the photo-bomber!)

* A trip to Hale Centre Theatre with friends Heather and Alison.... to see friend Will perform in Oliver, and also meet up with friend Chellie (Will's wife).
* Rebekah received her Patriarchal Blessing on Sunday morning. Oh me, oh my. What an experience. Truly the highlight of the weekend. My sweet Rebekah....oh, how I love her! How proud I am of her! Such a sweet and good and strong and talented and beautiful girl!
* A second Thanksgiving feast was held on Sunday evening with Bryan's side of the family at his brother Kevin's new house. Another experiment in accommodating family gatherings? This one was also a success. It was good to see everyone...even Steven and family coming from Wyoming and Bryan's parents ending their vacation early and coming up from St. George.