Christmas was not short of joy this season!
"I truly believe hat if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -Norman Vincent Peale
We started the season off in September, as music rehearsals began. I was asked to be in the community "Dirty Shame Christmas" variety show. I was asked to accompany, but then they just said to stay and be in the chorus, and then I was asked to do skits and play my flute. So it was busy with many rehearsals but so worth it! We performed three shows the weekend after Thanksgiving. They do the Dirty Shame Show each summer down at the Rex Theatre in Pioneer Town, and used to do the Christmas one years ago, but haven't done it for many years. Well, it was brought back this year and was a hit! I accompanied the group on the opener, "Sleigh Ride", sang "Winter Wonderland", "Mister Santa", "Do You See What I See?", accompanied the men on "Mr. Grinch", performed "Still, Still, Still" as a flute solo, was in a "12 Days of Christmas" and dancing elves skit and did a little prelude music on the piano, along with Naomi Reed, the other pianist. I had so much fun getting to know all of the other performers, we had a great time. "Yoo hoo!" became our inside joke and I don't know if our kids will ever sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" the same ever again ("Bling bling!" "Can you hear me now?" "KaKaw!"). So many were very complimentary, but I just had fun and was thankful for the opportunity to do it and get to know so many new people. Dave had the harder job of watching the kids during rehearsals two times a week and 3 practices the week right before. It was a great experience, but glad it's over, so happy to be with my family again!
We also had our Prairie Symphonette concert, which was a Veterans Day/ Welcome to the Christmas season in November. My favorite song was "Ashokan Farewell" (a Civil War song from a documentary) and "Tin Soldiers on Parade".
The kids also had their Christmas concerts. Emma played her trumpet - "Oh Come, Little Children" and "St. Nick's on the Housetop" with the 5th/6th band. They performed the play "'Twas the Crazy Night Before Christmas" and Emma was a cousin. She did so well with her parts, being so confident with each memorized line and all of the songs. It was fun to watch! Callahan got a speaking part for his groups portion, and enjoyed singing best "Blitzen's Boogie". Lucy was excited to get all dressed up most for the concert, but then didn't want to take a picture, haha!
The Saturday after Thanksgiving, we decorated the house. I love seeing how excited they get about the decorations, and they still love playing with the nativities! We had the Main Street Stroll that evening, where we got to go downtown and visit different businesses and get these little Bingo sheets stamped. If we got a bingo, we could put them in a drawing for prizes. First we went to the Ponderosa for pizza to celebrate the Dirty Shame show being over. Then we did the stroll. It was fun to see friends, and the decorations, and eat goodies along the way. And it was a nice night with decent temperatures. We finished off by seeing Santa. "Santa! I know him!" Cov refused to go see him and asked if he'd get coal if he didn't go visit him. Funny kid! Sydnie didn't mind the big man, Lucy was excited to see him, and Emma and Cal said he was an imposter Santa because they saw his beard moving and figured out he was Maud's dad. We talked about how Santa has many helpers this time of year because he can't be everywhere at once. The kids told them what they would like for Christmas, which were still the same things they wrote in their letters to him. We picked up some candy canes and headed home. Well, we got a call later that night and we won two gift baskets and Emma won a $50 gift card...made out like bandits! Cal shared and gave Cov the Grinch that was in his basket and gave Lucy the coloring book, so sweet! The kids were so excited and Cal kept the candy and book. I got a bunch of alcohol and coffee (I told them to keep that and give it to someone else) and hot chocolate and mugs. That night, the kids slept by the Christmas tree we set up that day. What a fun night!
Our kindness elves showed up the first part of December. More about that later. This really helped us focus on what was most important and looking outwards to others rather than just thinking about "me" and remembering Christ each day.
Sydnie seemed to enjoy her first Christmas, especially the bright Christmas lights. I decided to do a little photo shoot with her, by our new white Christmas tree. I experimented with our settings on our camera and had a lot of fun. This is the first year we've done two trees, and I loved it!
Love the Christmas baking! This year we didn't do as much since we had a lot of sick kiddos through December. Usually it's fun to bake together but I did a lot myself. We made some fun snacks of course and some neighbor treats. This year, we made Grinch cookies and attached a quote from The Grinch by Dr. Suess. They were lemon crinkle cookies and we had a lot of compliments on how they turned out. We gave that along with our favorite soaps. And of course, we made some fun snacks and meals with a Christmas flair.
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| The mess, haha! |
We did our program at the rest home and I had my piano students come along, too. Our two older kids played well, and Cov and Lucy stayed home sick with Dad. We also combined with the Anderberg family and the residents from Pioneer Inn who do the Senior Center activities were bussed over. For group lessons in December, the kids learned to do the chimes, so we brought that along and that was a hit! I actually remembered to take a few pictures this year. We passed out goodies afterward and visited with the people. They were so appreciative. We go in quarterly to perform as a family and it's always a good experience
We read out loud "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Though there were many old English words we had to explain or look up or guess what they meant, the kids really enjoyed it. It helped them understand the movies better they'd seen. And it was fascinating to read about how Charles Dickens wrote this to help others see how they're needed to serve and give to others. We also read our other many picture books, reading everything Christmas adds joy to the Christmas season!
We went to Williston one weekend since the kids had Friday off school. First, we went out to dinner at Culvers. Always a treat for our kids to get fast food, haha! Next, it was to see the Lights at Spring Lake State park. They especially enjoyed the giant Elf on the Shelf...not! They thought it was so creepy. Then we went to the hotel and watched movies. Saturday, we slept in and then went to the Rec Center and pool...such a fun place! Sydnie had her first dip in the pool and seemed to enjoy it! We ended the day off with shopping and a Chinese buffet. Cov even tried his first "shushi" but wasn't a big fan. I was proud of him for giving it a whirl. It was a great weekend getaway!
We had the work party for the hospital. It was a masquerade themed one and so Dave and I decided to do Batman and Cat woman. We ordered his online and I made mine with some stuff from the house. It was a good night visiting with his fellow co-workers, eating rime rib, chicken and shrimp with all the sides and playing the paper plate and saran wrap game. Now, some of his employees are calling him Bat Boss, haha!
Of course we drove around to see the lights, a tradition for sure. There are some pretty good ones here, but the Mayor's house took the prize!
We made some hand made gifts, which was fun. We made some gifts for teachers and popcorn with tags for Dave's employees. We made a stuffed animal sleeping bag for Boji, as we had their family for Christmas. Then we made Ryerse Edition Guess Who games. Everyone loved them, they turned out pretty well! I didn't notice until after I took this photo but one of the pics fell out but we have 24 people in our family now and there are exactly 24 spaces so it was kind of fun! Emma made some galaxy jars for her cousins along with pedicure supplies, she was so proud and so thoughtful. I also made some birthday gifts for some friends who have birthdays on the 24th & 25th. The cupcake socks turned out pretty cute.
In lieu of a gingerbread house this year, we made some star cookies and the letters for "Light the World". The kids had a great time decorating and eating. And a picture of our littlest cookie, Sydnie, for proof that she was there.
We did some fun things for Mommy preschool with Covey. We learned about the animals in the nativity story and made this sheep mask. Covey loved wearing it around for weeks. He also loved the Nutcracker day where we made a nutcracker hand puppet and the Grinch day where we made a paper Grinch.
The kids were so excited not just for Christmas, but to head to Utah. They made a countdown chain of days until we left to see family. We couldn't wait!
Family, tradition, the songs and stories of Christmas bring true joy.
