Rylee's Christmas Concert

The Little Valley Choir has been working so hard for their Christmas Concert. Extra practices and wonderful teachers teaching them the songs. The night finally arrived and the kids were wired. They could hardly sit still waiting for the parents to arrive. As soon as they started they all calmed down an put on a great show. They sounded like angels. The gym was packed and again over fire code.

Time for a rest and no choir until January.

Dickens Festival 2010

The Dickens Festival is the first weekend of December. The kids eagerly await the chance to see and talk to the Real Santa Claus or Father Christmas. This year was no different. The crowds seemed heavier than usual. We weaved through the crowds to find that Santa was feeding his reindeer. We were about th 10th family in line. Santa finally arrived to the eagerness of the children waiting in line.

Rylee asked for a Razor Scooter, Reganne asked for a Razor Scooter as well. Ryder was a little shy this year and whispered he wants a racer track for his cars. They posed for the picture and again no tears. He wasn't sure about the whole sitting thing, but if the sisters did so could he.

What a wonderful way to start the Christmas Season.

Little Bird or Little Boy???

I thought I had seen everything when it came to the kids filling their beds with toys, books, animals. Well here is a new one. Ryder emptied out his closet with all the blankets, receiving blankets, and sheets. He piled them around him and was snuggled down inside. I wondered if he was cold but he is on top of his comforter.

I just wished it would ensure a good nights sleep, but he has started waking up at least once a night screaming for MOM!!!! He stands in the middle of his bed yelling for me. He is either wet, thirsty, or lonely. It is never for the same reason. The first time I thought that he had woke up needing to go to the bathroom. But no such luck and he refused to go either.

So again I ask is he a bird or a boy in his nest?

Christmas 2010: Rylee

Rylee Ann Waters

Age 8

Favorites:

Color - Pink

Dessert - Ice Cream and Muddy Buddies

Dinner - Breakfast for Dinner

Book or Books - Any book by Roald Dahld

TV Shoe - iCarly

Movie - All movies

Toy - Wii

School Subject - Lunch & Recess

Best Friend - Briona

Activities - Watch TV, Karate, and Piano

Vacation - The Hogel Zoo and Discovery Gateway

Rylee has had a busy year full of fun activities. The highlight was being baptized and having her family with her. She loves school and helping the teacher. She has so many friends that it is hard to keep up with her and who she plays with at recess. The favorite recess game is wall ball. She loves to bring the ball so she can be in charge. She has continued with Karate and will be tested later this month for the next belt Blue/White. She started the piano and loves to play and make her own songs up. She also shares her lessons with Reganne. She also joined the school choir and loves to sing all the time know.

I asked her if she was feeling a little overwhelmed. Her reply was yes. So we went down the list of activities starting with choir. No, mom I have commited to this and paid for my shirt. Karate? No, you know I want to earn my black belt. Piano? No, I love playing the piano. So what do you want to give up? Gymnastics!!! was her reply. You don't do gymnastics. But, I would if I started it.

She has wonderful logic and loves to plan activities for the family. We love her and glad she is a part of our family.

Christmas Memory: The Dancing Santa & Grandpa Roy

Grandpa Roy loved Santa Claus and loved to collect any type of Santa. Approx 15 years ago we were shopping with the family in Las Vegas at one of our favorite malls the Gallaria Mall. We were walking through Mervyn's window shopping. As we walked along we noticed people walking by a display of Christmas decorations and giggling. As we got closer we could hear "JingleBell Rock" and laughter. The we saw him.... Santa doing a dance singing "JingleBell Rock". Grandpa just had to have one for his very own. We all started to tease him and laughing and giggling. No amount of teasing could prevent Santa from coming home with us. He was proudly displayed each Christmas afterwards. The laughing, giggling have continued on.

The Dancing Santa

What is Santa doing???

We can dance just like Santa.

Dave found this Santa at the thrift store this past week. He has been bringing home new Christmas treasures to add to our collection. He spotted the Dancing Santa and knew it had to come home. The kids sat around the Christmas Tree and Dave told them the story of Dancing Santa & Grandpa Roy. They then had to try and dance the same way. Amazing after 15 years the laughter and giggles are starting with the next generation.

Barnes & Noble Storytime

I love the month of December. There are so many activities and fun things to do. So little time to do all of them, instead we have to choose. We haven't been to Barnes & Noble Storytime since Halloween. We needed a break from errands and the crazies from staying home. So off we went. The story for this week was "Fancy Nancy: Slendiferous Christmas" by Jane O'Conner. The girls have always loved these stories and were excited for this one.

The activity was making Christmas Tree Ornaments to hang on their tree and one to take home.

Rylee & Reganne had to plan each one and then carefully assemble them.

Ryder dug right in and cut away. He also love to glue the sparkles on. In the end he ended up scraps glued, taped together. It was his octopus ornament and proudly displayed on the tree.

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

It was a Happy Thanksgiving this year with plenty to be grateful for. Good food, great friends, health, and a warm house. So many more things and not enough time right now to list them. We were lucky to spend the day with our friends the Wheelers. One highlight of the day was playing Wii and learning a new game. The kids played all day.

Wii Family Game Night...Rates an A+ and fun for everyone.

Yummy pumpkin pie and ice cream. Missed getting a picture of the $1.00 Turkey.

Decorating for Christmas... Our fun family tradition after Thanksgiving.

The Upside Down Traditions Tree

The kids finished their tree on Saturday morning. I am not sure this tree will survive with all the ornaments. The kids wanted to add more. Luckily we ran out.

Dave's Tree ... All Perfect and Beautiul.

Let's the craziness begin. We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Weekend. We sure did.