M.I.A.

Yes, I have been missing lately. It's been a crazy, busy month and we welcomed Friday with open arms. Friday began Christmas Break and I am so happy to see it here. I may have to work a few days this week, but I'm sooo looking forward to the next few weeks and all the simple times they are gonna bring. I still have some Christmas shopping to do, but even that doesn't compare to what we have been up to.

This month we celebrated a certain bearded man's birthday! Happy Birthday Love!

This Tuesday he'll be Santa for the preschoolers and then off comes all that hair. I can't wait!

Elisha has been busy with basketball practice and games. He's learned so much this year and we are so impressed with his coach.

They are 4-1 so far. Go Saints!

Bethany has been busy practicing for the church Christmas play since August, but the first full week of December brought almost three hour practices on Monday and Tuesday, a two hour dress rehersal on Wednesday, and the actual performance on Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Both her and Jewell did great and in a very small way I was sad to see it over. Not all that crazy practicing but the actual performance, because she loved it soo much.

Then the following Wednesday brought the school performance, of which the kids have been practicing like crazy. First they'd practice in class, then after school they both would practice with the band. During the church play week my poor Bethany was going to school, then band practice, then play practice, then home to eat, do homework, bathe and go to bed. In this picture Bethany is playing the part of Mary. (Sorry for the poor quality pictures, our sanctuary does not have great lighting for such things.)

Bethany's class sang "We Three Kings" and "How Great Our Joy".

Elisha's class sang "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "I Want a Hippopatamus for Christmas". That second song was hilarious!

(Again sorry for the poor picture quality, I don't have a fancy smancy photo editor either.)

Bethany's class played "Jingle Bells" on the recorders. They did a great job! But can someone tell me why my kid is always the one directly behind the music stand?

Both kids performed in the band, playing "O Come all Ye Faithful"...

...and "What Child is This".

Bethany, being the talented thing she is, was invited to play the xylophone for the Christmas Program, since she has no troubles reading music or picking up on a new instrument. Some days I am slightly jealous of her mad skills.

I'm so proud of my little Stars!

To top it all off, the "Bubble Eater" also got a new retainer to help widen out her mouth. I thought you'd be able to see it in the above picture but I was mistaken. I'll have to get a picture of it for our own "records" but I doubt I'll be posting it here. Then again, she may insist, because she's silly like that.

And even though we are heading into "relax mode" Elisha came home from spending the night at his friend's house early because he wasn't feeling well. Today he has a fever that we are letting ride out and pumping him full of fluids. Bethany claims she is not well either, but that could just be for attention.

Hoping your Christmas is an awesome one!