Oh what fun!

 December is always crazy and I always think, maybe we should cut back, but then I realize everything is related to service or is a kid activity they love so I guess it will just always be a busy month. For family night on Monday, Dec 8 we went down to Jason's house to help him out. He is Josh's co-worker and his wife is pregnant and just found out she has colon cancer. It is a very challenging situation so we wanted to help and he said the best way that night was to put up their Christmas lights. It was literally the coldest night of the year so we bundled up and told the kids they had better not complain and got to work. It took longer than we expected so we got home late but I think it was worth it and hopefully helped their five kids feel like things were more normal.  

My mom and dad came on Dec 9 and we had a nice week with them. I had invited them to come for Nutcracker and everyone was happy they were willing to come. I cleaned all day Monday and then drove up to the airport to get them Tuesday and then hosted the RS Christmas party that evening. It was a lot and the beginning of a very busy week. The party was fine; I didn't have any responsibilities other than providing a location so once things were clean, I was done. It is always nice to spend time with great ladies and we ate, chatted, sang some songs and it was nice. The best part was the peppermint ice cream in the hot chocolate and Erin even let me keep the rest of the ice cream so that was awesome. Brandon also had practice that night and Curtis had a long band rehearsal. 

Wednesday I went to the gym and grocery store and Mom came with me. Curtis calls her my sidekick because she will drive everywhere with me and just come with me every where to be with me; it is sweet. She read her book while I exercised and then we shopped a bit. Emma's concert was that night so we picked her up from dance early and went and it was good. She was so down about it and didn't want us to come but I enjoyed most of the songs and Emma smiled a bit so that was great. 

 

Thursday I subbed for two hours in the morning and then we ran some errands and hung out. My parents are pretty low key for the most part and it is nice having them around. Friday we put together a puzzle and played a game and ran to the store to get my mom more Christmas cards. She sends out 86 or so every year and writes notes in all of them; what an inspiration! I wasn't even going to do cards this year to save money until I started getting cards and I felt guilty. 

Anyway, that night was the beginning of our dance weekend. I was supposed to pick up Elizabeth, then Josh then Curtis's friend but Elizabeth was running late and ended up meeting us at the theater. She literally walked in 30 seconds before it started. It was so nice of her to come; she and Lily are buddies and she has been a wonderful stake YW president to my girls and friend to me. Lily had another friend from the stake drive all the way down from Bowie--so sweet! She even brought flowers and was so sweet to Lily. That night she was the Christmas tree fairy and mother in the party scene and then of course in snow and she was the wolf in the shepherd/sheep dance both nights. She did such a great job and it was so fun to be there with Michelle, Elizabeth, my mom, Brandon, Josh and then Curtis and his friend sat in the back, but we were all oohing and aahing at how well our girls were doing. The Wiests and Dorns  and Claire came too and later I found out Lana was there and the Smiths were as well. I was super proud of Lily for how she danced in snow especially--she nailed it and looked so strong and confident. I was definitely teary! Emma was a special dancer in the party scene, then Mother Ginger and in Waltz of the Flowers and she also did an excellent job. I guess all that practice is paying off! and yes, all these photos are illegal but I'm so annoyed with the picture taking/videoing policy that I don't care! 

 

  

 

 

Saturday morning mom and I went to Caliente Christmas, in which Emma did a contemporary and jazz dance and Lily did tap and was part of the mini story ballet, The Schumackers. I thought she should have had more of a role in it since she is a senior but not my call. Her tap number was adorable (Rockette style) and I loved Emma's jazz dance. Delaney's contemporary dance was beautiful and the little kids were entertaining. Afterwards we went home and chilled for a bit then the girls left again for Nutcracker, we went to Nicolletti's for dinner and then we dropped Curtis off at his band concert (that is another story) and the rest of us went to the show. Noreen met us there and that night Lily was Drosselmeyer and the rat queen and she was AMAZING! It has been such a journey these past few months. These roles were challenging for her and she came home from dance crying a few times and she was exhausted and there was always homework and early morning seminary and so much to do but she did it! I was so proud of her and grateful that prayer and fasting brings blessings. She danced so beautifully and her acting was amazing and I couldn't have been more proud of her. One of the other moms said Lily was exquisite and I couldn't have agreed more. My two favorite moments were when the rats were carrying her around like she was on a throne and just the look on her face was so great and then when she took the sword from Clara. Her dying was pretty funny too. 

 

Noreen and I were sitting in front of Josh, my parents and Brandon and I just reached back and grabbed his hand after Act 1. His eyes were all teary too and we just had a moment. She had the same roles for Act 2 and did a great job and when I saw her out in the lobby later I gave her a big hug and we cried a bit together. It was emotional that it was her last Nutcracker but mostly that she danced so well. Emma had been super nervous all week but she also rocked it and we were so proud of her too. It was also so kind of so many friends and my parents to come support them. It was quite the weekend.

Sunday we got some snow and it was beautiful and we had a nice day at church and then we spent the afternoon cooking dinner and my kids all practiced the piano and my parents rested and we had a lovely dinner together and then got the word that there was a delay for school the next day. It was amazing. So we got some ice cream and cookies and watched White Christmas. 

Monday I cleaned and food prepped and talked with my parents and then that night was my piano recital. I blubbered a bit like I do in front of people when I don't write down what I want to say but everyone played well (except maybe my girls who flubbed a long a bit since they didn't practice much). I have great students with nice parents and even though I sometimes wish I didn't teach piano, I am grateful that I do. One of my students couldn't make it last minute but overall it was a nice evening. I just haven't felt on my A game lately--I have been forgetful and stressed and just feel behind on everything. But Michelle and I went for a great walk this morning in the fresh air with the sun shining and I felt good afterwards. 

Tuesday I took Curtis to the dentist to fix some sealants and then I drove my parents to the airport and then I drove Emma to dance and then Josh drove Brandon to basketball practice while I went to book club. We did a book basket exchange and it was nice. I was super tired and again felt off my game but it was a nice evening and I was excited about the basket I brought home. Yesterday I worked out and went to seriously nine stores. I got so much food and so many little things and gas even; SO MUCH! I got home and Amy stopped by for a minute and it was so good to chat with her and then I had to put it all away and then make dinner and last night was our valiant activity. We did a story time for little kids so the girls were supposed to run the games and activities and be in charge of the little kids for an hour and I would say it went pretty well. It was more work and more exhausting than I expected it to be but the girls did a good job and it was a bit chaotic but that's to be expected with a bunch of little kids. I was glad the girls took the opportunity to serve and be helpful and responsible and I am also glad it is done. 

Today I got bagels and dropped off the smoothies and cream cheese with the bagels to Melissa's house for the seminary kids tomorrow and then went for a great walk with Michelle and then got the car washed and then I have been baking all day to get ready for all the celebrating and there is still so much to do. Tis the season!