Christmas Recital

In the past, I have been pretty luke-warm on recitals.

I think I was having some left over feelings from my own recital days.
I will never ever forget one particular recital at the end of my junior year of high school.
I was supposed to play Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata.
That did not happen.  I played the first 3 measures and then blank, nothingness.
I sat paralyzed for a moment.  I am a little embarrassed to admit that I
 thought about faking a seizure or fainting spell.
At least that scene would have provided an interesting twist.
However, I just went with the ole hang your head in shame and take a seat.

That is my back story on recitals.

However, I have changed my tune.
I appreciate that it provides a goal to work toward.
I know I do better when there is a measurable goal to attain and so do my kids.
Plus, I get another chance to say "We do hard things."
Always followed by a little eye rolling.

This is the face, after a minuscule mistake was made.
She does not like making mistakes (this little apple does not fall far from the tree.)
 I admire a player that can make a mistake
and move right past it even more than one that plays with perfection.
Only when the player gets flustered and derailed by that mistake, does the audience get uncomfortable.
I applaude those that can smile and play on.
One of my favorite talks, by Brad Wilcox, uses a great piano practicing analogy.
I have shared this with my kids.  If you are interested click here

Summer is graceful under pressure.

Cole was not excited to participate in the recital.
It is no easy task keeping a high school boy taking piano lessons and attending the Christmas recital.

Sometimes I feel like we are both limping, no-- more like crawling, to cross this piano finish line.

Sometimes I even have to give him a piggy back, until he strengthens his resolve to

finish what we started almost 10 years ago.
It helps that he is a first-born pleaser.

The latest trick up my sleeve is to barter with him.
I offer to make him his favorite foods (smoothies, corn muffins, eggs and toast)
 if he plays 5 songs for it.
This strategy is currently working because he is always hungry.

Isaac was not in the recital, but didn't want to be left out.
That is my favorite Isaac face...sheepishly amused.

Badminton

When I was a kid, I loved going over to my best friend Nicole Brewer's house to play badminton.

We would play until all the birdies ended up on her roof.

When her nice dad got home from work, 

he would haul the ladder out and reclaim them for us, so we could play another day.

 I was pleasantly surprised to hear Summer wanted to play on the junior high

 badminton team.  Who knew they had competitive badminton teams 

in junior high and high school-- not me.

I love watching this girl play with a smile.

She balances competitiveness and keeping a cool head well.

For this amateur photographer, 

the trick is getting the birdie in the photo so it doesnt' look like they are swatting at flies.

Oh there is a blur of birdie.

Look how crazy badminton can get.

Remember, I did say competitive teams

Finally, there is a clearer picture of birdie, 

but Summer suddenly got blinded

by a fluorescent gym light.

Sure glad her partner kept her eyes open.

Yes!! Birdie in the picture and Summer's eyes are open.

Snapping enough photos, I finally got my shot.

Birdie in the frame and

Summer's eyes are not only open

but they hold the eye of the tiger.

Watching badminton these past weeks has made me want to play it again..

you know, see if I still got it.  

Don't be surprised if some of you lucky couples get a call to

play our own tournament soon.

Come on Over

Really we don't need to bother putting up Christmas lights.

Nobody is looking at our boring white lights when they can spot Santa on a hog, flying,

and riding a train across the street.

If your looking for some Christmas eye candy, come on over and take it all in.

A Reader is Born

I need to post something, so I don't look at Meg's sad eyes anymore. 

A big shout out to JK Rowling for capturing the imagination of another child of mine--3 out of 4.
Isaac finished the first Harry Potter book in 3 days.  That is a big deal around here.
My girls became readers because of Harry Potter and it looks like Ike has also been hooked.
Makes me so happy.
Cole never read one and I am sorry to report he has never really taken to reading....sigh.

Books are allowed at the breakfast table (or counter) in our house.

Mr. Peanut Moves Out

After 2 years Mr. Peanut has has found a happy new home.  

Why you ask?

This dragon mom will no longer share my laundry room.

(I did share with him for over 735 days.)

But more importantly, the thrill is waning for his owner, Meg.  She is busy and Mr. Peanut is

a social bunny that loves to be played with.  He needs little ones loving on him, building forts for him to crawl through and giggling when he washes his little face with his paws.

Despite the teary goodbye photo, Meg agreed with this decision....
really.
I am not that big of a dragon mom.

I have tried to ease the vacancy by reminding her to clean up his messes, get him out from under my bed, and clean up the half-eaten banana slime on the floor...just to provide relief when she realizes she does not have to do those things anymore.  I think it is working.

I really wish I was a pet mom....
I have given it a try with 4 parakeets, a guinea pig,
6 cannibalistic hamsters, hermit crabs, fish, dog sitting.....

I just can't do it.

Thanksgiving

I love love Thanksgiving.

I love a holiday that celebrates gratitude and reminds us of those brave souls that came to a new, unknown land to worship God in their own right and for the compassion the natives showed them.

Also, I have never had to host the dinner....

nice to still hold "contributor" status. 

I made all my "sides" the night before so we could enjoy a little Turkey Trot in the morning

to help support our friend running for Supervisor, Denny Barney.

He was also giving all proceeds to Azbrainfood....really love that!

 This year we did turtle races after the feasting.

I was bummed that I had forgot my camera--and then 

I remember that I have a trusty camera on my phone.

Seem to forget that I can use that feature.

Team Farnsworth took our turtle race serious.

Isaac was assigned turtle decor and naming our racer "Speedy."

Cole was over the incentive to make our turtle move, 

Tom was in charge of getting the turtle to the starting line...it was over 100 pounds.

The girls did turtle cheers.

"Speedy" took first place in both the

circle and uphill races.

Chad brought his main squeeze, Carissa, to Thanksgiving.

We love her....she is a keeper (: wink wink  

They are hosting a camp-out in the backyard this weekend with all the grandkids.

Carissa, you are a good sport.

This is the perfect weekend for puzzles.

Once you finish one, you are ready for more.

Meg is 12....what??

I have a hard time wrapping my mind around this child turning 12. 

 She will forever be our little "Nutmeg."

I am just sorry she has to share her special day with her mom.  

She is always worried that I am not having a good birthday.

I always have a good birthday sharing it with her.

The blog post my kids surprised me with was quite interesting.

There were a few things I was scratching my head about.....adventurous, best cook ever??

If that is really how they see me, I have brainwashed them well. 

Meg informed me that she has not had a "friend birthday party" ever.
(Excuse me, she forgets her super-hero themed party when she turned 5.)

We invited a dozen or so of her buddies to celebrate.
I love all of these girls.  

I saw these pictures and I wish I had provided
 root beer in a can and not the bottle...

looks like quite the party.
I might as well have served candy cigarettes too.

Up until this sixth grade year, Meg's best friends were boys.  

Unfortunately some of them had scout camp-outs.

Glad that Alex, Trey, Taylor, and Dallin could make it.

My party planners for the evening were Summer, and her friend Sandra.
I love Sandra..I say jump as she says "How high?" 

 They handled the s'mores and ping- pong competition.

Isaac was a help as well, providing entertainment during dinner.

I don't even blink an eye now...this is normal.

Guest Post: The Kiddos

Hey guys! Its Summer, Meg, Ike, & Cole! We thought we'd let you in on a little secret...its our mom's birthday! We want to share the 39 things we love about our mom.

1. Hardest worker we know
2. Beautiful on the inside and out
3. Great dancer
4. Makes any situation fun
5. Positive and upbeat
6. Understanding
7. Story teller
8. Creative...thinks outside of the box
9. Compassionate
10. Never gives up
11. Spiritual
12. Loving
13. Forgiving
14. Always happy and always smiling
15. Truly inspirational
16. Everyone's best friend
17. Good listener
18. Humble
19. Always striving to better herself
20. Our role model
21. Great sense of humor
22. Talented Photographer
23. Best. cook. ever.
24. Avid blogger and never misses an event
25. Organized
26. Responsible
27. Adventurous
28. Adept Scuba Diver
29.Comforting
30. Easy to be around
31. Classy
32. Dare Devil
33. Helpful
34. Loves books and has great recommendations
35. Grateful
36. Active
37. Leader
38. Mad piano playing skills
39. Fantastic mother and friend

Babies

This weekend was a blast.  I got to throw two baby showers on Saturday.  The first one in the morning was for my friend, Laura.  Unfortunately she didn't make it to her baby shower.  Her water broke at 1 a.m. the night before.  We just celebrated anyway with a  

"Baby On The Way" shower and  took lots of pictures. 

We brought the remnants of the celebration to the hospital the next day. 

 Baby Eli was 8 lbs. 12 oz. and is round and so beautiful. 

(Laura's halloween costume--she doesn't just walk around in these shirts for fun)

A fun fact about Laura is she is an OBGYN.  Now she really knows what it is like (;

(Laura is also from Texas and I love how she says Y'all..... Just had to throw that tidbit in)

Later that afternoon we celebrated my baby sister Bridgette's baby, Jensen.

Could you follow that?

There was no risk of going into labor with this one....he has already arrived.

He was the cutest little guest of honor. 

YW

This week is our big Young Women Evening in Excellence ---wow that is a mouthful.

We celebrate the girl's achievements in the Personal Progress program.

We ordered these necklaces from Etsy.com and then I just snapped a photo with

a picture of the Arizona temple in the background.

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These 4 great girls are receiving their medallions.  

Desi, Emmy, Brooke, and Jill

When I was called to serve as YW president I wanted to spotlight the girls that worked hard to earn their medallion.  So, I thought maybe it would be 

nice for them to have a picture taken with the medallion.

I hope they always remember this accomplishment.

Enough serious posing....now for some fun.