Resolutions

It's that time again-- time to renew and make decisions about what needs to be changed. I like to keep it simple. If I make it too hard for me, I won't even try. This year, I have only one goal: music lessons. The 6 oldest  kids are to work on music lessons and I am to enforce this and make it happen. This has become a particular weak point for me. I gave up enforcing it over a year ago when I got pregnant with Arwen. I was just too tired.

Since Arwen's birth I have felt guilty about the lack of music in our home. I know how to read music, and I know how to play the piano some. This knowledge has been a blessing in my life, and I know I need to impart this knowledge to my children.

We do not have the money for music lessons, so I have to be the teacher. I started this past week. The kids got two days of practice in. I am going to shoot for four days a week of music practice.

Ruth is working on learning the guitar and violin. We are using the internet for guitar lessons.
Kate is back on the piano.
Johnny chose piano.
Adam is learning the Ukele. He wants to do the the guitar, but he needs something smaller than what we've got, so ukele it is. He may also try out the violin.
Rachel is doing piano. She loves it and practices really hard. I think she will be my little musician. She reminds me to teach her piano and asks me to help her practice.
Anya is starting out on piano too. She is mostly going to just work on posture and how to move her fingers up and down the piano.

The One Positive

The one positive thing about being sick around Christmas time is you just plain old don't gain an ounce. I was worried about gaining weight over Christmas because of all the treats. Instead, the treats are just waiting there. The fruit and meats and such have been eaten, but all of the sweet stuff is waiting for a healthier day.

It's Influenza

Yesterday, we visited our pediatrician. By the end of the day, we had 4 kids on antibiotics and a diagnosis of influenza a, which the flu shot did not cover this year. The doctor said the fevers shouldn't last past 10 days and the coughing should be over in 3 weeks.I am the last man down and glad that John is on vacation.

Christmas Morning

Despite the illness, we had a lovely Christmas. The kids congregated in our bedroom about 7:30. Rachel wet the bed, and needed a bath, I needed to feed the baby and we gave ibuprofen to all sick kiddos. Then we had family prayer and told everyone that they could not go down the stairs until Josh did. Joshua would not go down the stairs. He just sat down in the middle and wouldn't budge. Eventually the crowd busted past him and ran to their Santa gifts.

In our house, Santa leaves one or more unwrapped gifts and a filled stocking. Joseph got his request of Stormer XL ( a Lego Hero Factory guy), and absolutely had to put him together right away. So everyone waited for Stormer to be assembled before we got to unwrapping gifts from everyone

Being the oldest child, Ruth got the privilege of handing out the presents. In a family this size, even though we only give a few presents per person, present unwrapping goes slowly. Arwen, didn't make it and was put down for a nap before opening any gifts. Sometimes, Josh was too busy to bother with more presents and just threw a wrapped package back at Ruth. The rest of the kids sat with rapt attention and watched everyone open each of their gifts.

We open presents one at a time. Christmas only comes once a year. We like to extend the wonderful feelings of gluttony, and it is fun to see what everyone gets, their expressions and all.

We had a happy Christmas. I think everyone got what they wanted.  Rachel and Ruth were particularly excited. Ruth got a bunch of new clothes and is excited to go back to school to show off. Anya, was the least enthusiastic, but that was explained with a fever of 103 despite medication.

We spent the rest of the day, laying around reading books, doing puzzles, coloring and playing games. It was a good day despite illness.

Being pushed down the stairs

Rachel asked for 'all Brave' for Christmas

Building Stormer XL

The kids watched each other intently as they each opened presents

5lb Hershey Bar from Aunt Amber

Adam wanted more Skylanders guys for his wii game. I said no way, but my mom and Kate granted that wish.

This is the third year in a row, Anya has asked for horses.

Rachel loves doing hair and make-up. This is from Grandma Pardon.

This was the main thing John wanted, but he also got new shoes, which he was very happy with.

More Skylanders

Trying to read to Josh, who was ready for a nap. He didn't make it through the whole book.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Before Santa came

After Santa came

Our cute, jolly fat man.

Our Christmas Treats minus the simply orange

Christmas Eve Dinner

Our original plan was to head down to Provo and spend Christmas Eve with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, sledding and just hanging out. That did not happen. We went Sunday night to the family dinner, and our kids were just too sick. We opted to stay home Christmas Eve and have a Christmas movie marathon. We watched:

• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• HogFather parts I and II
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version) again
• A Charlie Brown Christmas again
• It's a Wonderful Life

One thing, we weren't sure about was dinner. We were planning on ordering pizza or something easy in Provo, so I had not bought anything. Around 1pm in the middle of the Hog Father, or doorbell rang. It was our home teachers. They brought in a ham, some potatoes, rolls, olives, green beans and corn,  two desserts, and some chocolates. I got it all cooking around 3 and we had a nice Christmas Dinner. In fact, We have had the ham twice now and I think we will get two more meals out of it.

Most of us stayed in our pajamas on Christmas Eve.

Really Big Ears