Christmas Music Program

Clark was so excited about his school Christmas music program. He loves to perform. He told me about it at the beginning of December. Then he would randomly say things like, "I bet you're really excited for the 16th." There were a few times when I had no idea what was happening on the 16th. Then he would respond with exasperation, "my music program." I was really excited to see him sing though. I love seeing him do so many things!

Afterwards we went out to Oberweis for some awesome ice cream!

First up...Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

And Jolly Old St. Nicholas

#miracleon75thst

My mom and I were in charge of decorations for the Ward Christmas Party this year. Everything looked really festive. Our favorite part was the photo booth. Clark had such a fun time making the props with us.

Some favorite photo booth shots...love Kent's "American Gothic" pose in the first one.

The kids also sang Christmas songs during the program. Here for your viewing pleasure...

First up, Clark singing.

Next is Kent not singing.

Dancing the Night Away

We love going to the local Farmer's Market and concerts on Thursday nights. Last year we went and there was a great Beatles tribute band. This year it was a Talking Heads Tribute Band...not quite as good, but still fun to be out in the beautiful weather we've been having.

Watch out for the old scruffy guy who likes to steal fresh peaches!

And Kara...almost slept through the whole thing. Love the button imprint on her cheek.

We ran into one of Clark's friends from school and his family. It was so fun for Clark to see his buddy and for us to chat with his family. We finally convinced the boys to dance for the camera. I was a little too close to them, but you can still see some of their awesome moves and a teeny bit of their energy!

Guest Reader, Mother's Day Tea, and Spring Concert

We've been spending a lot of time at Clark's school lately. It's been wonderful! I first signed up to be a guest reader to share a book with his class. Clark asked me to read What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? 

Then we went in for his Spring Music Concert. He has been talking about this for weeks. He would draw me maps all the time about how to get there and where we are supposed to sit and where he is going to be. Finally the day came and we all were there to clap as he sang his little heart out. Pay no attention to the scabs on his face. He had a run in with the monkey bars.

One of my favorite songs they sang was this Wiggly Worm Song. I just love when he wiggles. He gets distracted mid-song then comes back, wiggles, gives the family a little hello and then gives himself a nice round of applause. Too funny.

And finally I was invited to a Mother's Day Tea where my boy had created a portrait of me, gave me this vase of flowers, a rice rainbow, a flower to plant in the yard, and some yummy treats. He was such a gentleman as he served me my water, cookies and muffins. What a fun way to start my day! Even if my portrait had a big streak of gray hair... :)

Gangnam Style

There are few things funnier than watching Clark and his friends get down Oppa Gangnam Style. Or as Clark writes it...wapagamdastil. I can't fault that creative spelling. I had to try several versions before Google would recognize what I was trying to say.

Clark learned the dance (and unfortunately the song too) at school in gym. If you don't know the steps, you can follow these illustrations below courtesy of CW.

Because Kent was there too...

And without further adieu, here's the encore performance of Clark and Kent dancing Oppa Gangnam Style!

Choo Choo Barn and More

Woo hoo! My computer is back and better than ever! So before we get into the rest of the timely posts, I have to finish my PA recap. That way I remember what happened and it doesn't all go to mush in my head. That's what happens when you're pregnant. Everything turns to mush in your head.

I think this was the boys' favorite day out. We started at the Choo Choo Barn. It's really one guy's enormous collection of model trains set up in a big room. The boys loved seeing the different scenes and trying to find all of the Santas. There were 51 Santas hidden in the display, so we tried to count them all. Our largest count was 45. We also loved seeing the Hershey trucks throughout the display. You know...since we're all about Hershey now. Kent said his favorite part of the Choo Choo Barn was the choo choos. Clark said he couldn't pick just one thing. He loved it all.

Some highlights of the Choo Choo Barn - Hershey trucks, Santas everywhere and the House of Reptiles Rattlesnake truck. The boys thought that it was sooo funny to tease me about the rattlesnakes.

I loved seeing the boys like this as we walked around. They are such good friends.

A Choo Choo to climb in 

We had a lunch at KFC/Long John Silvers and had a great time with hats and chicken legs.

I was a little hesitant to take the boys to the Sight and Sound Theatre, but I am SOOO glad that I did. The tickets were a little pricey, I was going to be all on my own trying to keep them interested in the show, and I wasn't sure they were going to like a live action theatre presentation. Well, they LOVED it! The show was absolutely amazing - the underwater scenes especially. We were covered by a huge wave and the fish, sharks and the whale were swimming all around us. Since we've been home, Kent picks Jonah and the Whale for his scripture story each time it is his turn. The Theatre's slogan of "Where the Bible comes to life" is right on. I'd love to go to another Sight and Sound presentation if ever we are back in Lancaster, PA or Branson, MO.

And...there was an old lady who lived in a shoe! We had to stop by the Haines Shoe House just for Grandma Mary. She would have loved this place. The tours were closed since it was winter, but it was still fun to see the outside of it.

Christmas Videos

So December may have gotten away from me. It's 2013 and I have just now removed the Christmas videos and pictures from the camera. Pretty sad. Anyway...if you miss Christmas and want a little pick me up, these two videos from our Ward Christmas Party might just do the trick.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

We love the Christmas kick off celebration at the Promenade each year. They have so much fun stuff to do and see like fire trucks, arts and crafts for the kids, cookies and hot chocolate, carriage rides, ice sculptures, characters, a Santa tent and the coolest Christmas tree in town (and it's all free). I waited in line for the carriage ride while the boys checked out some of the other festivities.

Clark loved driving the fire truck. Kent did not. (notice a trend there?)

Then they went to create some sock monkeys.

Finally on our carriage ride. I know Kent doesn't look pleased in either of these pictures, but he really did have a great time.

And the Christmas tree! The lights are synced up to some of the music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It's fun to watch them dance and flash and twinkle.

I'm so excited for Christmas. It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

This is us at the museum.

Jason came up with the title of today's post. What do you think? Should I keep him around?

Kent and I went with some friends to the Children's Museum last week. I felt a small pang of regret when I didn't take Clark, but that quickly faded as Kent started exploring the museum. Besides...Clark got to do loads of stuff before Kent was born. I think I'm still trying to convince myself that it was okay.

Kent did have a lot of fun at the museum. What kid doesn't love a place that encourages you to touch and poke and move things around to your liking? This ship was a favorite stop for Kent and Philip. 

You could use the hoses to blow air at the pinwheels to make them turn. That is until the little pinwheel snatcher girl comes along and takes them ALL. Good thing we were able to play a little bit before she came.

Bubbles, bubbles are so much fun. Bubbles, bubbles for everyone.

It's like magic. The ball just floats. Amazing.

Ali loved the wind tunnel. And Kent loves following Ali. So here they are together. Happy.

Safety first.

I love fun with mirrors.

Kent humored me with these pictures of him in the magnifying glasses. Magnifying glasses are almost as fun as mirrors. When I showed him the pictures he actually cracked up.

A little bit of rhythm play

Some shadow play...he didn't really get this part. Though he did think it was fun to use the hand to give his shadow a high five.

Trolley Time!

Our Story Goes On

I love Nauvoo. And now I want to go see the Nauvoo Pageant just a little bit more. The core cast of the pageant is doing a little tour around the area to drum up some visitors to Nauvoo and the pageant. They created a show called Our Story Goes On. It's such a great story and the music is fantastic. If only we could find some time to get to the pageant. Maybe next year!!

Farmer's Market

It was so nice last week. I didn't even mind the 90 degree temps since there was practically no humidity. Thursday night, My mom suggested going to the village's Farmer's Market. We are so glad we did. Look at those happy faces!

This face would be really happy too, but it's too busy enjoying the sausage.

Fresh cherries

This was one of those moments that just made me so happy. Like really, really happy.

Cherry-licious!

Have a little fun rolling around the water feature. That is until the fun (i.e. mall) police came.

Finish off the night listening to some great Beatles music from the cover band That Cavern Beat.

Twist and Shout...Gigi and Kent cut a rug.

Clark was really embarrassed at first to dance. I let him know that the song was almost over, and then he got up and twisted the night away for at least 20 seconds. But look at that joy! What a FUN night.