Anna Cate wants to be a rock star. She wants to sing in front of crowds, sell lots of CD's and have everyone singing her songs when they are played on the radio. She also wants to play the guitar. When she dreams, she dreams big and it's one of the things I love about her.
But, I told her that she must first learn to play the piano and she agreed. This compromise brought us to a music program called "Let's Play Music". It's a three year program that teaches children musical concepts through hands-on activity and games. Anna Cate absolutely LOVES it. They had their first recital tonight where the first year students played "Jingle Bells" on their bells. I couldn't get the picture bright enough during the recital, so I asked her to repeat the performance in our kitchen.
Hope you enjoy!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Anna Cate came into our room this morning and snuggled up to me like she always does, but this morning she added that we only have 14 more days until Christmas. FOURTEEN DAYS! Really? She again commented about how long the wait is while visions of all the things I have yet to do filled my mind. We lay there and discussed things for a few more minutes and I mentioned going to see Santa.
She got real quiet for a few moments and then said, "I don't want to see Santa because I don't know what you have wrapped for me and I don't want two of anything."
Hmmm, good point. I suggested that Cheesehead had watched me wrap the presents and therefore would probably tell Santa if there were any duplicates. Then she added that she was "pretty sure [we] wouldn't wrap a bike" so she would go with that choice.
We arrived 5 minutes after the mall opened and there were only three children in front of us. She got on Santa's lap and he gave her a huge hug and said he remembered her from last year and I was shocked to see her smile and give him a huge hug in return. I walked around to choose my picture package and looked to see them in deep discussion. Anna Cate later told me that she couldn't remember how to explain the type of bike she wanted, but Santa said he understood because "a lot of children were asking for that this year." (Just in case you are wondering, she wants a bike with the "brake on the handlebars where she can pedal backwards and not stop")
So after adding an art kit to the wish list, they smiled for pictures. Santa then gave her a book and she gave him a double high-five that I really wish I had been able to capture on film. He gave her a big chuckle and looked at me and gave me a wink. I guess he knows how special she is too!
She got real quiet for a few moments and then said, "I don't want to see Santa because I don't know what you have wrapped for me and I don't want two of anything."
Hmmm, good point. I suggested that Cheesehead had watched me wrap the presents and therefore would probably tell Santa if there were any duplicates. Then she added that she was "pretty sure [we] wouldn't wrap a bike" so she would go with that choice.
We arrived 5 minutes after the mall opened and there were only three children in front of us. She got on Santa's lap and he gave her a huge hug and said he remembered her from last year and I was shocked to see her smile and give him a huge hug in return. I walked around to choose my picture package and looked to see them in deep discussion. Anna Cate later told me that she couldn't remember how to explain the type of bike she wanted, but Santa said he understood because "a lot of children were asking for that this year." (Just in case you are wondering, she wants a bike with the "brake on the handlebars where she can pedal backwards and not stop")
So after adding an art kit to the wish list, they smiled for pictures. Santa then gave her a book and she gave him a double high-five that I really wish I had been able to capture on film. He gave her a big chuckle and looked at me and gave me a wink. I guess he knows how special she is too!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Five for Friday - Five Christmas Traditions
Ahhh, the songs, the shows and the shopping...the decorating, the baking and the picture taking...We all have our favorite things about Christmas. When I was a child, I loved the smell of the freshly cut Christmas tree, driving around looking at all the lights and the presents stacked under the tree. Now that I am an adult, I have been able to share some of the memories I once loved with Anna Cate and we have created some traditions of our own.
1. Hot Cocoa and The Polar Express. We kick off the Christmas season by snuggling on the couch with cups of hot cocoa and watching The Polar Express. Instead of a fire, we have our windows open while cool breezes blow in making it actually necessary for us to use our Christmas down blanket. With only the lights from the tree lighting the room, it is a cozy and calm way to begin the most hectic of seasons.
2.Elf on the Shelf. Four years ago, an elf by the name of Cheesehead, began visiting us throughout the Christmas season. (It happened to be the year Matthew and I were discussing having a second child and AC wanted to name said child "Cheesehead". I thought if the elf received the name than the child would be spared.) Even now, Anna Cate wakes up every morning intent on discovering the elf's most recent hiding spot.
3.Playing in the Snow. I know this one seems strange, but many different venues bring in snow during the season and set up areas where children can sled and build snowmen. This year, we will be travelling to Colorado Springs for a weekend and are hoping to find lots of snow!
4.Christmas Eve at Mission. Our church makes Christmas Eve a true event. They bring in live animals for the nativity, snow mounds for sledding and several rides for the children. The night closes with a short message and carols on the lawn outside the community center. Everyone bundled up in their coats and scarves, drinking hot cocoa and singing carols to candle light leaves me with such a feeling of peace and joy.
5.Travelling to Georgia on Christmas Day. When we began this tradition, I wasn't sure I would like it. But, now when all the presents have been opened on Chrismas day, there is no sense of it all being over. Actually, for us it is just beginning and we are all excited to get back and see everyone.
We make so many fun memories during the Christmas season in our home. Anna Cate's memories will be completely different from the ones I had as a child, but I hope they are as happy. When asked in music class last night what her favorite thing about Christmas was, she answered, "I don't really have a favorite, but I know what I don't like...the waiting!"
1. Hot Cocoa and The Polar Express. We kick off the Christmas season by snuggling on the couch with cups of hot cocoa and watching The Polar Express. Instead of a fire, we have our windows open while cool breezes blow in making it actually necessary for us to use our Christmas down blanket. With only the lights from the tree lighting the room, it is a cozy and calm way to begin the most hectic of seasons.
2.Elf on the Shelf. Four years ago, an elf by the name of Cheesehead, began visiting us throughout the Christmas season. (It happened to be the year Matthew and I were discussing having a second child and AC wanted to name said child "Cheesehead". I thought if the elf received the name than the child would be spared.) Even now, Anna Cate wakes up every morning intent on discovering the elf's most recent hiding spot.
3.Playing in the Snow. I know this one seems strange, but many different venues bring in snow during the season and set up areas where children can sled and build snowmen. This year, we will be travelling to Colorado Springs for a weekend and are hoping to find lots of snow!
4.Christmas Eve at Mission. Our church makes Christmas Eve a true event. They bring in live animals for the nativity, snow mounds for sledding and several rides for the children. The night closes with a short message and carols on the lawn outside the community center. Everyone bundled up in their coats and scarves, drinking hot cocoa and singing carols to candle light leaves me with such a feeling of peace and joy.5.Travelling to Georgia on Christmas Day. When we began this tradition, I wasn't sure I would like it. But, now when all the presents have been opened on Chrismas day, there is no sense of it all being over. Actually, for us it is just beginning and we are all excited to get back and see everyone.
We make so many fun memories during the Christmas season in our home. Anna Cate's memories will be completely different from the ones I had as a child, but I hope they are as happy. When asked in music class last night what her favorite thing about Christmas was, she answered, "I don't really have a favorite, but I know what I don't like...the waiting!"
Monday, December 7, 2009
November Highlights
I am so behind on my blogging and the more time that passes, the more memories I am missing...So, I decided I should at least capture the highlights of November. The month flew by so quickly, I feel a little like I have whiplash.
Anna Cate's Gym Show
Anna Cate started gym class this summer and she has really enjoyed it. The gym hosted a competition for all the little ones that are not actually able to compete at the team level. Anna Cate was so excited that I thought I might have to pull her out of the gym because she was acting up so. But, she pulled it together and ended up finishing second in her class. She was so proud of her metal that she wore it for the next two days. I was really proud to see her congratulate the little girl who won first place and hear her tell her, "You did a really good job."
New Moon
Last Christmas, I began reading the Twilight series and was immediately hooked. The first movie was such a disappointment, but I was hoping that with an increased budget the second would better reflect the book. A few of my AZ friends also really enjoyed the series and we planned to see the movie the weekend it was released. We had so much fun! We met two other couples (yes, we managed to talk the guys into going too) for cocktails and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and then arrived at the theater 45 minutes early to ensure we would get seats. The movie didn't entirely capture the feel of the characters' emotions in the book, but there were some high points. It was fun spending time with friends on an activity that didn't at least somewhat center around our children.
Molly's Birthday
Anna Cate has developed the cutest little relationship with one of her classmates
from Eagleridge. They pretend they are sisters because they, "both have some blond hair, both like Narnia and both LOVE dogs". (I wish adult relationships could be that easy) So, when Molly's birthday came around, she choose AC to be the one friend she would invite to Build-a-Bear and lunch at the mall. I wish I could have recorded their laughter and the smiles on their faces when they saw one another and running down the sidewalk, arms outstretched, to greet one another. We had lunch, made cute stuffed animals and then spent some time in the puppy store. The girls were laughing and playing and having the best time. An added bonus was that I was able to spend some time chatting with another home school mom, who is much more experienced than me and always a new perspective.
Holiday Visitors
Both Nana and Gigi were able to visit us this month. The last Gigi was here we drove up to Sedona and explored Slide Rock State Park. We had the best time walking along the river and playing hide and seek amongst the rocks and forest. Nana visited soon after. She was recovering from mersa so the trip was very subdued. We did manage a trip in to BJ's and took AC to see Planet 51. Matthew and I also saw Blindside, which I highly recommend.
It was a fun and busy month that brought us swiftly into the Holiday season.
Anna Cate's Gym Show
Anna Cate started gym class this summer and she has really enjoyed it. The gym hosted a competition for all the little ones that are not actually able to compete at the team level. Anna Cate was so excited that I thought I might have to pull her out of the gym because she was acting up so. But, she pulled it together and ended up finishing second in her class. She was so proud of her metal that she wore it for the next two days. I was really proud to see her congratulate the little girl who won first place and hear her tell her, "You did a really good job."New Moon
Last Christmas, I began reading the Twilight series and was immediately hooked. The first movie was such a disappointment, but I was hoping that with an increased budget the second would better reflect the book. A few of my AZ friends also really enjoyed the series and we planned to see the movie the weekend it was released. We had so much fun! We met two other couples (yes, we managed to talk the guys into going too) for cocktails and dinner at The Cheesecake Factory and then arrived at the theater 45 minutes early to ensure we would get seats. The movie didn't entirely capture the feel of the characters' emotions in the book, but there were some high points. It was fun spending time with friends on an activity that didn't at least somewhat center around our children.
Molly's Birthday
Anna Cate has developed the cutest little relationship with one of her classmates
from Eagleridge. They pretend they are sisters because they, "both have some blond hair, both like Narnia and both LOVE dogs". (I wish adult relationships could be that easy) So, when Molly's birthday came around, she choose AC to be the one friend she would invite to Build-a-Bear and lunch at the mall. I wish I could have recorded their laughter and the smiles on their faces when they saw one another and running down the sidewalk, arms outstretched, to greet one another. We had lunch, made cute stuffed animals and then spent some time in the puppy store. The girls were laughing and playing and having the best time. An added bonus was that I was able to spend some time chatting with another home school mom, who is much more experienced than me and always a new perspective.Holiday Visitors
Both Nana and Gigi were able to visit us this month. The last Gigi was here we drove up to Sedona and explored Slide Rock State Park. We had the best time walking along the river and playing hide and seek amongst the rocks and forest. Nana visited soon after. She was recovering from mersa so the trip was very subdued. We did manage a trip in to BJ's and took AC to see Planet 51. Matthew and I also saw Blindside, which I highly recommend.It was a fun and busy month that brought us swiftly into the Holiday season.
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