Early December 2011

I wanted to record a few of the happenings that have been going on lately. Talia finished her first sightreading book for violin. She has been working on it for a number of years. She loves violin but sightreading has not been her favorite. I am so proud of her efforts and work ethic. In just the last couple of weeks it seems to have "clicked" and she understands how the notes on the music actually translate to her violin. We celebrated by going just the two of us to Pizza Pie Cafe, a personal favorite of Talias. We enjoyed lots of pizza options (I really liked the baked pototoe, pasta-she alfredo and me roasted red pepper, and of course the dessert pizzas. (which is really the reason that we came) It was fun to sit in a booth, dim the lights and just chat. Talia is a lot of fun.

Here is a shot Breck took the night Craig and I had his work party. First of all, I don't know has happened but I look huge. I guess it is time to start doing my pushups again! We had a good time. It was so much younger, smaller, and simpler-which works great for me. The food was good, the entertainment was safe, and the conversation was alright (thanks to Craig-the master conversationalist). Craig seems to fit in well with the attorneys and they seem to enjoy him. That makes me happy.

Certainly one of the highlights of the week was Capriel's dance performance. Each performing class did a little nutcracker variation. She couldn't have been more thrilled. She ran on as the last and shortest little clown and was simply beaming and bouncing with glee. It made us all just grin and grin to watch her. I like this picture because it shows the real reason why many of my children participate in extracurricular activities-for the treats. She still has boundless energy and can often be found doing spins and just sliding around on her back on the hardwood floor. She is really coming along with her reading and is even beginning to do "add on" math on her own. Capriel has just learning Long Long Ago on her violin and is also starting to get it.

Landen has also been playing some indoor soccer. They play at USU's indoor training facility. It is a beautiful facility but they divide the field up into tiny fields. Landen is playing with a local team 2 years up. He feels a little awkward with them cause he's so much smaller and younger, but they are kind to him and once he starts playing things seem to work out fine. This last game they played U-17 girls which was greatly anticipated. Lucklily they didn't turn out to be the brutal giants that he'd been anticipating and they were able to beat them which was a relief for all! He is just so glad to be able to play. Really the once a week that he is getting really isn't cutting it. Next year we'll have to do something else.

I have been having a good time making homemade gifts with the girls for Christmas. As hard as it it to start and finish and clean up a project, I'm always glad afterword that I did it. Landen has mastered the six-sided snowflake.

Our Christmas activity for the year was to attend the Voice Male Christmas concert. Voice Male is a group of 6 accapella guys who create their own background music, percussion and harmonies. They created a fun, fascinating sound, and their humor was just right for the kids. We had a good time and created some fun memories. Rhyse got lucky enough to get to go and stay for a couple of hours with Grandma and Grandpa Harrison. She was excited to go, taking a little back of snacks toys and books. When I arrived it was apparent that she'd had complete control of the situation and she was silently thrilled with her experience. Grandma and Grandpa had to make me stop and look at all the "smart" things Rhyse had learned while there. They are so great!

Rhyse is getting quite challenging. Loud, opinionated, manipulating, and so messy. She is often found collecting things in baskets and other containers from all over the house.

I have been finishing up Christmas(is it ever finished?), trying to get up in the dark mornings and hit the treadmill, and keep things going. We are getting used to the cold little my little. The locals tell us that the real cold hit a month or so early, so we might be in for a long winter. As long as the sun will shine I'm ok, though by the end of the day I'm really really ready to get out of my kitchen/great room. Breck is the only child whose parents don't drive her the block to the bus stop in the morning. We are proud of all she is becoming as she braves the elements each dark cold morning.