Our Elf

Candy Cane is remembering the reason for the season and spending a little time with Jesus today.

Our Tree

We picked out our tree last night and decorated it this afternoon. No matter what we pick, it always looks perfect. I guess it's Christmas magic. :)

Our Elf

It would be nice if all this rain was snow. Looks like Candy Cane is dreaming of snow, too. He made us some snowflakes last night.

The Nutcracker

We went to see The Nutcracker last night. I had never seen it. In fact, I'd never been to a ballet before last night. Despite what Ron may say, he was looking forward to going. Tyler was, too, until about an hour before we left and he realized that they "don't talk" in a ballet.


The lighting is bad, but here is a rare picture of the 4 of us.

We went to dinner first and then to the show. We had a nice time. I really enjoyed it and thought it was beautiful. The costumes were so sparkly and pretty, and the performers & orchestra were so talented. I think that was enough ballet to last me for awhile, though. I agree that the shows "where they talk" are a little more our speed. Tyler admitted that it was better than he expected, but now he knows he really doesn't like ballet. Danielle & Ron enjoyed the show, too. It was a nice evening out.


Snacks during intermission

Souvenirs. The nutcrackers are signed by the performers. Danielle's is signed by the man who played the Chinese doll, but we can't figure out Tyler's.

Our Elf

Candy Cane's "sole" train!

This & That

Danielle had her first basketball game of the season on Saturday. She was really excited about playing but she hates the uniform! She thinks she looks like a boy. It doesn't help that these are the exact same uniforms the boys wear. She has ribbons in her hair, but you can't see them in this picture. Despite the male fashion influence, her team played well together and won their first game. Danielle really, really wanted to steal the ball since they are allowed to do that this year. She did it twice and it was really fun to watch! She made a couple baskets, too. It will be fun to watch as she progresses with her skills this season.

I was at the grocery store the other day and saw this car. I had to take a picture of it for Danielle. When she was just little, we would be driving somewhere and she would start laughing in the backseat. When I would ask her about it, she would point out what a funny face the passing car had. She always managed to see the face, no matter what kind of car it was. It seems like a small thing, but it was really a glimpse into how she views the world...which is pretty neat. Anyway, I saw this and thought she would be amused. She was.

The kids had the day off school today. It was a teacher inservice day. We fit in eye appointments and haircuts in the morning, then met Ron for lunch. Afterward we went swimming at the rec center. The place was empty, which was really nice. The kids expended some energy for a couple hours, and then we replaced the calories they burnt with a pit stop at Cold Stone. It was a nice afternoon. We had a few minutes to spare this morning, so we drove through the metropark. The kids wanted to get out and play, but it was cold! There are definitely perks to having older kids - like being able to sit in the warm car and watch them play!!

Our Elf

Candy Cane used a pack of Gripz to leave a message for the kids this morning. Looks like he ate one or two, too. I found the kids in the kitchen at different times, "writing" back. Tyler walked by and messed Danielle's "yes" up a few minutes later. At least their answers were honest.

Our Elf

Looks like Candy Cane ran into a little trouble while trying to decorate the stairs last night.

Tyler's Concert

Tyler had his very first band concert tonight. He was rather nervous beforehand, which is pretty unusual for him. Before we left he practiced a couple more times. Although it's not perfect, I think it sounds great. (Thought you would enjoy this, Aunt Joyce. :) )

I thought the concert went well. The band as a whole sounded better than I expected a gang of 5th graders who've only been playing for 3 months to sound. Tyler did a great job. His fingers were constantly moving, so I know he was trying his hardest. Afterward he said he had a really good time. I'm so glad. Thanks to his fans for coming to watch, and a special thank you to Aunt Nikki who spent a couple Saturdays helping him feel more confident with his new skills.

 

 

Our Elf

I scolded Candy Cane before the kids went to bed and told him I certainly hoped he would clean up his toilet paper mess. This is the result. The toilet paper trails from the kitchen into the family room, where the repentant elf sits and waits to be discovered. (I will take credit for this idea.)

Our Elf

A couple years ago, when Danielle was in first grade and Tyler was in 3rd grade, I thought it would be fun to join the Elf on the Shelf craze. I sold something on Craigslist and used the money to buy our own elf. I SO wish someone would have warned me what a giant pain in the butt this thing is!!

In case you don't know, the elf comes to visit around Christmas every year. Danielle decided our elf, who the kids named Candy Cane, comes the day after Thanksgiving. The elf observes the kids during the day and reports back to Santa at night while they sleep. This is how Santa knows if they've been naughty or nice. He returns before they wake up and is supposed to show up in a new spot each day. He stays in that same spot all day and can't be touched or he will lose his magic (i.e. your child will realize he is an overpriced piece of cheap plastic covered in felt). On Christmas Eve he leaves until the following Christmas. Since our elf's name is Candy Cane, he leaves candy canes on the tree when he leaves for the year.

The past two years I have been very uninspired when it comes to moving Candy Cane around. He would pretty much alternate between the window sill, the kitchen light, and the Christmas tree. Often I would be almost asleep and suddenly jump out of bed because I realized I forgot to move the stupid elf. The year we got Candy Cane was the year Tyler figured out the truth about Santa. I don't think the elf helped. Tyler didn't understand why an elf would have a "tush tag". True. I cut it off that night. Once he knew the truth about Santa and he realized how I felt about the elf, he thought it was funny to burden me further. He would encourage Danielle to write nice, long letters to Candy Cane (expecting a letter in return) and would wonder loudly why Candy Cane would sit in the same spot for 2 days in a row. This year I vowed to do better.




There are so many ideas on pinterest about creative things to do with your elf. I really haven't looked for any ideas, but so many other people do and then facebook about it, that I don't really have to search! So, now that you have the background, I thought I'd post a picture or two every once in awhile until Candy Cane leaves. I took these with my cell phone so they don't look very good, but you get the idea. And in case anyone is wondering, yes, as far as I know, Danielle still believes in Santa. I imagine this will be the last year for that magic, so we will just enjoy it while it lasts.

Danielle's Program

 

Danielle's Christmas concert was last night. Danielle had a very small speaking part, too. The concert itself was pretty good as far as school programs go. It kept moving and was only 30 minutes long. Win/win. And Danielle was in the front row so I could actually see her this year (other than the mic stand in the middle of her face).  It was supposed to be a 50s theme or the kids could wear hats & scarves as if they were outside.

Tyler took the video with my phone. The dancing santa was pretty funny and you could tell from all the smiles that the kids were enjoying themselves.  Tyler has a band concert Monday evening. I don't think we'll be aiming for the front rows at that program. :)



 

 

 

 

A Little (Very Little) Holiday Music

Keep in mind, he's been playing for only 2 months and it seems as though many classes are filled with stories of the band director's dog getting sick or other such exploits and not a whole lot of playing. Practicing outside of class hasn't been encouraged much, either. When he masters the entire song, I'll post more.

This & That

Grandma took Danielle to a paint your own pottery place while she was up a couple weeks ago. Danielle painted this alligator and Snoopy. She said none of the details (eyes, lines, etc) were there - she added them all. I thought both of these looked amazing! My daughter never ceases to amaze me with her talents or perseverance.

This is what I saw when I went in to pick Tyler up from his class at church tonight. They were shooting paper turkeys with Nerf guns. I don't remember ever doing that at church. :) Church was boring, but we went anyway. Youth leaders really have their work cut out for them now. Kids expect to be entertained, and if they're not, they don't want to be there. As a parent, it is nice when your kid wants to go to church, so I appreciate the extra efforts...and the Nerf guns.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Ron's mom prepared a wonderful meal and hosted a very relaxing day. We especially enjoyed getting to visit with Andy's family. It was so nice to watch the kids interact and enjoy each other. You couldn't tell they hadn't seen each other in a year. I know the pictures make it look as though all they did was play video games, but they didn't. Hide and seek in the dark (with Grandpa) was a favorite. They had fun swimming at the hotel pool, playing outisde, and snacking on popcorn together, too. Our kids were sad to leave. It's too bad we only have the chance to visit once a year, but we will eagerly look forward to that next visit. (We missed your family Leah!)

 

Danielle and her handsome shadow.

 

Emiko

 

A Diet Coke explosion

 

Kotomi (NOT playing an electronic) and Tyler

 

This is my favorite picture, and it was NOT staged.

 

Date Night

Since Ron is somewhere between Bangkok and Chicago and Danielle is up north visiting Grandma and Grandpa, Tyler and I have been enjoying a little mother-son time. We went out for breakfast before school this morning. That's always a special treat. The zoo had their members only preview for their Christmas lights tonight, so Tyler and I enjoyed a date at the zoo. We had a really nice evening together. I'm sure Danielle had a nice evening tonight, too. I'm pretty sure Ron did not...if he can even figure out when evening is/was!