Christmas

I typed this up a while back and totally forgot to post it. So now that it's the middle of January, here's a Christmas post.

December is such a jolly month.  The highs are seemingly endless as we hustle from one event to the next.  It begins with all the fun December Sunday evenings at our church with the Hanging of the Greens, our choir program, and the annual Christmas Jazz Night.  Then comes our Christmas ballet program, parties at school, and gifts from students.  The kids get out of school and enjoy evenings with no homework and lots of time to relax and play.  Ryan is home a lot more.  We go out for ice cream and drive around looking at the lovely Christmas lights.  Then there's  decorating the tree and the house, shopping, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, surprising neighbors, reading Christmas books, watching Christmas movies, and spending lots of time with family.  It's just such a wonderful time.

Then comes January. Let it be known that I'm not a big January fan. No major holidays to celebrate, no festive parties, no programs, an extra few pounds from all that December food, cold, yucky weather. Poor January. It's kinda like the middle child of months. No offense, Sharon.
Oh well, to balance out the post here are a few happy shots of Christmas. These just might be the only ones you see for awhile. :)

Baby Ballerinas

I just love the last day of ballet class each semester. We usually take a little time to chat about our program (Speaking of our program, it went really well, but I left my camera at home and have NO pictures. I might have to swipe some from someone else.)
Anyway, my students, who's ages range from 3 - 6 get the chance to chat about what they enjoyed and didn't enjoy about the program: the bright lights, watching the older girls dance, getting pretty flowers from Dad, etc. Inevitably, someone mentions how "exciting" it was to wait in the dark behind the curtain. What they're referring to is the five or so minutes before it's their turn to go on stage. We have to be completely silent and still, which is sometimes hard for little ones, but I kid you not, they're so much better at doing this than the 13 year olds. They take their roles very seriously. This is so funny to me, because it's what many parents fear will be too scary for their little dancers.
After we discuss the program we have a special class time when each child gets to "be the teacher." They basically just show us a favorite position, jump, stretch, or sequence then lead their fellow classmates in executing the movement and making any necessary corrections. This is absolutely hysterical. If you know a three year old, just imagine her (toddler belly and all) telling a friend that she needs to "straighten that leg a little more." "Don't look at your feet!" "Tummies in!" I'm sore the next day from suppressing my laughter.
Here are some pics of my lovely dancers. They are just wonderful, sweet little girls, and I'm so thankful for the joy they bring me each week.

Betcha Can't Guess

Caroline has recently entered the world of self feeding with utensils. As we enter this new stage in life, I have been reflecting on Anna and Luke's experiences with self feeding. I recall mealtimes that have been full of laughter, joy, and pride as we've watched our little one learn to nourish her/himself. Then, I unfortunately recall those meals that have included sighs, grief, annoyance, and impatience. Why is it, I wonder, that we handle similar situations so differently from day to day? On this particular day, Caroline's state of messiness made me laugh and cry tears of joy. As you see, I even whipped out the camera. But on a different occasion, those tears may not be quite so joyful.
Ah, the power of a mother's moods.
Well, moving on, betcha can't guess what that yummy brown stuff all over Caroline is. Pudding, you say? Nope. A gooey chocolate bar? Unh - uh. Ice cream? Try again. Can't guess? Well, I'll tell ya. Black beans, baby! Straight from the can. And she was lovin' 'em!!

Luke's First Team

A few weeks ago, Luke began his first experience with an organized sport. He is now a member of the Lake Ridge Golden Bears basketball team. Considering he's the only kindergarten player, he's doing alright. Most of the boys are quite a bit bigger and more experienced, but Luke's fine with it. This is definitely the year for him to learn how the game works, simple dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. He has a great coach and loves being part of a team. These are some shots from his first game. Sorry no action shots. My camera's doesn't do so great with those. But really, these pictures speak volumes about what was most important to Luke that night.

Ho Ho Ho

Ryan and I both loved Santa when we were growing up. So when Anna was born we discussed the whole Santa debate. We really wanted to let our kids experience Santa. But we weren't too keen on telling them a big fat lie and crushing their dreams one day. So here's what we came up with. We decided to let them in on the Santa experience but be willing to tell them the truth the first time they sincerely inquired about his existence.
Well, last Christmas the kids popped the big question. Hesitantly, we did as planned and told them the truth. They took it pretty well. We still put out cookies for Santa, we still sprinkled oatmeal on the yard for the reindeer, we still read Santa books and watched the Polar Express (LOVE IT) and of course, we still opened our gifts from Santa on Christmas Day. It wasn't as magical as the previous year when they still believed, but it was still lots of fun. We were pretty satisfied with how we handled everything until Luke's kindergarten teacher pulled me aside a few months ago.
Now I forgot to mention that when Luke learned that there was no Santa, he was a mere four years old. That's pretty young to know the truth, so we emphatically encouraged him (well, maybe we threatened his life, I don't really remember) but we emphasized the importance of letting his preschool friends who still believed in Santa learn the truth from their parents, NOT him. Shockingly, he obeyed, as far as we know.
Flash forward almost a year later to a lovely October day in Luke's kindergarten. (Yes, that's October. Not December or even November. I really had planned to remind Luke and Anna about our little promise to let believers' parents tell them the truth, but in October? Goodness, there's no way I'm thinking that far ahead!) Well, a year is a long time for a little five year old, and needless to say, Luke either forgot or just didn't care and took it upon himself to blab to truth to an unsuspecting friend.
Well, this little guy didn't take it quite as well as Anna and Luke had, nosiree. The poor lad who's third grade sister still believes too told his mom what that mean boy said about Santa. His mom told Luke's teacher who promptly moved Luke's seating position away from the grieving boy. Now the Baders have become that family who doesn't believe in Santa.
Good grief. Such drama.
Anyway, I'll leave that story as a backdrop to our recent ride on Knoxville's Santa Train. Ryan's dad treated us to this fun ride through some of Knoxville's countryside. Even if Caroline is the only believer left in our family (not for long, I say, not for long) we had such a nice time riding the train, eating yummy snacks and hot chocolate (Polar Express style) listening to a sweet Christmas book, and visiting with old Ho Ho himself. The troublemaker. No really, it was such a sweet, fun experience that the kids will remember for a long time. Thanks Paw Paw.
An afterthought: After detailing Luke's kindergarten blab tale, an old memory crept out of my subconscious. I distinctly remember sitting in my kindergarten class at a tiny round table with three friends (one of whom was constantly getting sick because of the amount of glue he injested) as we colored a picture of Santa climbing out of a chimney. This was my comment: "This is so stupid. Santa isn't even real." The reason I so vividly remember this is not because I thought that I had ruined the magic of Santa for my friends. No, that selfless thought never entered my brain. It's because I was horrified at the prospect of my teacher finding out I had said the word "stupid." Maybe Luke was just trying to pass on a little kindergarten family tradition.

Two Holidays

We're a little behind on our posts. So here's a little catching up.

Halloween was big fun again this year. Anna dressed up as a dog, complete with our real dog's collar. Luke was a ninja, and Caroline was a lion but didn't really know it. All she knew was that when our neighbor stuck a stick with a ball on the end of it in her mouth, she was in toddler heaven.
We started right after school and toured the neighborhood. I'd like to take a moment to thank our neighbors for being so kind to our children. We received some really nice treats including lots of yummy sweets, Halloween bags and buckets, books, puzzles, and special toddler friendly treats. We are blessed with such kind neighbors. Thank you!
Then we traveled out to Jonesborough to some family members where we were greeted with some very special home made goodies from Mammaw and Pappaw.
From there the guys and the gals split up.
Ryan took Luke to a Science Hill football game. Luke was excited to be able to be on the field helping Dad and PawPaw video the band. Anna and I put Caroline to bed then had a girls' night with games, books, and an American Girl video. Lotsa fun.

Thanksgiving was full of way too much food and lots of family time. We all enjoyed the Thanksgiving Feast at Anna and Luke's school. This is a super meal provided by the parents of the multiage classes, and boy is it a feast! My tummy is still feeling that one.
We woke up early and did the Turkey Trot (a family 5K) which was lots of fun when Caroline wasn't crying. The rest of the day was spent with my family in Jonesborough, which is always filling and relaxing.
The day after Thanksgiving was spent with Ryan's mom, aunt, uncle and cousins and some friends in Johnson City. My favorite part of this day was going on a nice long walk with everyone through Ryan's mom's neighborhood.
Needless to say, we have SO MUCH to be thankful for.