Nutcracker!
Saturday was Brandon's first basketball practice and Curtis's first game. His team is pretty good and fun to watch and I love that the games are indoors and over in 45 minutes. Then it was the ward Christmas party and since it ended much earlier than I expected, I took Emma and we went and watched the second act of Nutcracker so we got to see Lily's dances again, which was wonderful.
Last week was really busy. It was my last week of piano lessons and everyone had stuff going on at school. Tuesday was Curtis's band concert and he got to play in the 7th and 8th grade bands. Middle school bands are not much to be excited about but it is all about progress and Curtis is making it so that's good. Wednesday was Lily's band concert and the leap to high school is big. They have fancy dresses to wear and it was on a stage and very professional compared to middle school. I love music and I loved being in band when I was in high school. It is one of my most treasured high school experiences so I'm glad she has a great band director and is on the road to having a similar experience. The music they played was really good and Brandon and I had a nice time at the concert. Emma and Curtis went to their church activities with the Wiests and Josh was there to listen to Lily but left as soon as she was done to get to church. It is a good thing that I have a knack for being a good scheduler because getting my family where they need to be is no small task.
Thursday I went to school and made copies for hours and hours for the teachers and then I took Curtis to basketball practice that evening. Josh was supposed to pick up Emma after play practice but there was an accident and he couldn't get there so Missy got her and we are so grateful to have friends close by who can help us out.
Friday Josh was off and Lily stayed home too. She was just exhausted and worn down because after sleeping for a few hours, she felt much better than she did when I drove her to seminary (and then home again). They helped me make two kinds of cookies because that night was our annual party. I spent all day prepping food and wrapping the door prizes and getting the kids to where they needed to be and I cleaned the house a bit. I think the party went well and people had a good time. We played Christmas versions of Outburst and Eye to Eye and did our gift exchange. People talked and ate and the party went way later than normal so I took that to mean people were happy and having fun. I ended up with a cute stick reindeer that Tony made and Josh got some blankets. There wasn't really a gift that people were dying to have; we've had more fun ones in the past and this year people kind of went nice. It was a festive evening and fun but I'm always slightly relieved when it is over.
Saturday was dance for Lily, basketball for Brandon and then Lily had a ballet Christmas party at the Old Town Pub so Josh and I went along and had a lunch date. We had a nice lunch and our server apologized for being slow because she was handling some party with a bunch of thirsty 13-year-olds. We didn't tell her one was our daughter but it was funny. Then we went to the Old Shepherds Field Market and walked around, got ice cream and just talked. It was really nice. Being with Josh just makes me so happy and calm and feel loved. Later we went to Curtis's basketball game and that was fun too. He had a funny moment where we got the rebound and almost shot the ball right back in but it was the other team's hoop so they whole crowd collectively gasped but he held the ball and realized what he was doing and thankfully didn't shoot it. He did get a nice shot later and played some good defense. Then we went to the Rays hot chocolate stand and then we drove around their neighborhood looking at lights before heading home for waffles and to watch Noelle. I've really been enjoying time with my family lately.
Sunday was an exhausting day and Josh left half-way through church to leave for the airport so when we finally got home from church I told the kids we were going to get in our pjs and watch White Christmas. It was so lovely and relaxing because I was really worn out from a long choir rehearsal and a busy, busy week. Monday I spent all day getting ready for my piano recital, which was a bit of a mess but my kids played well so I was proud of them, especially Curtis. He practiced the most and it showed. He was also a really wonderful helper in a stressful situation and I was super grateful for him and all he did. Next year I am going to make sure Josh is in town because it is kind of a lot to be the mom and the piano teacher and prepare the food and everything all on my own, but my kids really stepped up and were wonderful. Leisa also took Lily to dance for me and friends helped clean up so that was really nice.
Tuesday I sat around and did nothing all morning and it was wonderful. Yesterday I had an awesome work out (my teacher even told me I have really good technique-made my day!) and grocery shopped and then it was Curtis's science fair. He is a very independent worker so other than helping him choose an idea in September, I had no idea what he had done. It was a bit crowded in the cafeteria but he told me all about his project (seawall designs to best prevent erosion and flooding) and I talked to a few of his classmates about theirs. Then it was dance and youth activities and I practiced the piano for Sunday. Brandon was shooting the basketball in the church gym, which has high hoops, and he was so excited when he finally made a shot. I really love my kids and things have been really good with everyone lately. Lily even gave me a hug last night and told me she loved me so much and that I was her best friend, a built in best friend. Sweetest ever.
I am so excited for Christmas break to start in just two more days!
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