christmas concert

Tonight we had some of Mom and Dad's neighbors over to make some soup for a local women's shelter. When the cooking was done we settled into the living room for a little variety show. As she likes to do, Lauren volunteered to go first. She stood up on a bench in front of the crowd of about 20 people and sang her own a capella version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, her favorite song of the season this year. As her mom, I can tell you that no one could possibly sing it more adorably. My favorite parts are when she sings, "They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games -- like Punopula!" and, "Santa came to say, 'Ho . . . ho . . . ho.'" Just as confidently as her sister, Ella climbed up and sang her version of Jingle Bells, and very happily jingled all the way. Of course, they both got a very generous applause and I was so proud of them, my little Christmas carollers.

the reason for the season

Tonight I gave the girls a bath in mom and dad's big jetted tub -- a special part of every visit to Spokane. As often happens, Ella covered her cheeks and chin with white suds and then we had this conversation:

"Who do I look like?"

"Santa?"

"Nope. God."

winter warning

This morning Mom and Lauren were reading an alphabet book by the fire. They got to "P" and Mom read aloud, "P is for penguins in parachutes," to which Lauren replied, "Don't try this at home!"

white christmas

We've finally arrived in Spokane, and just barely. Freezing fog and falling snow threatened to keep us in Seattle last night, but we were able to land and then carefully make our way on the unplowed roads to Grandma & Grandpa's house. We woke up to 20 inches of snow this morning and look forward to enjoying it on the slopes in the next few days. We'll build some snow people later this afternoon, but for now it's warm cookies from the oven, a glowing fire, a capella carols, and decorating a freshly cut Christmas tree. It won't get better than this until Steven and Travis arrive. The snow is still falling, but I'm sure they'll make it, just barely.

merry christmas, teachers

Tonight I helped the girls make Christmas cards for their teachers. I gave them folded cards and helped them write "Merry Christmas" on the front, and "I hope Santa brings you a . . . " on the inside. They chose what they wanted Santa to bring, drew the appropriate pictures, and decorated the front of the card.

For Ms. Lynn, Lauren wrote, "I hope Santa brings you Wonder Pets!" Ella helped her draw a barely recognizable Tuck (turtle) and Lenny (guinea pig), and a quite remarkable Ming Ming (duck) -- all with capes, of course.

For Ms. Carter, Ella knew immediately what Santa should bring. "She would LOVE a shooshing machine. She hates shooshing us all the time!" I told her which letters to write and she drew an abstract contraption. (I wrote a little p.s. of explanation for Ms. Carter.) On the front, she drew a decorated Christmas tree and stocking.

For Ms. Jurkevics, the teaching assistant, Ella needed a few minutes but finally decided on "a sparkly lipstick with aroma." For the front of the card Ella drew an angel who, despite her wings, looked more like a demon given her apparent huge, red, empty eye sockets. I suggested a silver halo to help clear up any confusion.

table for five

This morning Audrey joined us for breakfast and had her first taste of rice cereal. She seemed pretty ambivalent about the whole experience, but finished her small bowl in short order. I'm curious to see what a few extra calories will do to her lovely, round physique.

three tenors and a soprano

First, a little background. Ella has developed what she calls her "opera voice." It involves the very loud singing of a meandering melody with tremendous vibrato. She loves it, even though very few seem to. She recently said to me, "Mom, the kids at school don't like my opera voice."
"Really?" I asked. "What makes you think that?"
"I was at the back of the line singing in my opera voice and they all turned around and said, 'We don't like your singing.'"
But that doesn't stop her from believing in her talent. During a recent Oprah show featuring superstar kids she watched a ten-year-old sing a duet with Celine Dion and asked, "Does SHE sing better than ME?"

Well, tonight after dinner we settled down in the glow of our christmas lights and a warm fire to watch the Three Tenors Christmas Special. Ella loved it from the first note. "They're singing JUST LIKE ME." She stood right in front of the tv and, quite proudly, sang right along with them (as best she could) in her most vibrato vibrato. Brava, Ella. Brava.

it's ov-ah

Today Lauren heard a knock and exclaimed to me, "Daddy is at the door!" I froze.
"What did you say?"
"Daddy is at the door."
And then I knew she'd really said it, and I felt a pang of sadness in my chest because, you see, for her entire life up until today at 4:15 pm Lauren would have said, "Daddy is at the do-ah."
"My blankie's on the flo-ah."
"My name is Lauren Margaret Mo-ah."
We've always found it endearing more than worrisome because we knew she would correct herself one day. And that day was today. I told Kim and he, with a very sad look, said what we both were thinking: "This is the end of a really fun time."

oh, christmas tree

Last night our good friends, the Sherinians, invited us over to their house for Family Home Evening. We read a beautiful story book about the Savior's birth, then asked Lauren to pick her favorite song. For once, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" fit perfectly with the lesson. We moved to the living room and decorated their gorgeous tree with ornaments from various times and places. (They served in the foreign service for ten years and have a beautiful variety of ornaments, as well as furniture and art throughout their home.) When the decorating was done, the kids -- Ella, Lauren, and their two of the same ages, Adam and Julia -- adjourned to the play room for oreos, games, and coloring pages while the adults shared an apple tart and cider. It was such a fun night! We hadn't had Family Home Evening with another family for so long, I'd forgotten how great it can be. So, here's to more shared FHEs in 2009! And thank you, Sherinians.