Guess?

 
Are there any guesses as to what this is that adorns our Christmas tree each year? I have to say it started out as my least favorite ornament in the beginning of our marriage. I couldn't believe he wanted it on our tree and especially competing for the height and rank of the star. Each year we have "sparred" over it and each year it has made his way back on. Some years, it has appreciatively made it to the backside of our tree (or I would prefer maybe to say the dairy ere of our tree :) ) and some years he is just a bit too high up. Blake insists that it is always the FIRST ornament on our tree which only adds to the audacity of it. Well, we're going on 12 years of this and it actually holds quite a bit of fun memories. I would never mention this to Blake, but it actually is a fun one now because of all the memories tied to it. If he ever asked me point-blank whether I liked "him" (him being the ornament), I would never admit it.

Socks

 
Jacie brought these socks for a gift exchange at church a couple weeks ago and ended up coming home with them as well. At the last minute someone grabbed her gift so she grabbed these. I wouldn't mind owning a pair of these so I can wear my flip flops. I don't think they would be thigh-high length for me though. It kind of looks like Carter has chicken feet when he walks around in these.

Scarf

 
The scarf provided many minutes of fiddling and twitching time for Avery on stage. I don't know what she would have done with her hands had that not been there to act as an outlet for her. She loves looking at other people too. I would almost label her as a semi-professional voyeur. Even while singing she was ensconced with the other class. It was quite entertaining to watch. They did a good job. I always think it's quite a fete to get a couple hundred kids to sing and follow directions. What a lovely thing to watch and hear. Real recently I read "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck, there's a theme throughout the book about music. Kino, hears 2 songs playing throughout his life, the "Song of the Family" and the "Song of the Enemy." The "Song of the Family" makes up the sounds of everyday life for them, beit the clanking of a pot made by his wife or the crackle of the fire. These Christmas programs have contributed to my "song."

Avery's Program

 
No, it's not a repeat of the last entry. It is however the same background. Last night we were able to hear Avery and Grace and Ayla in their Christmas program. Avery even sang in an octet? There were 2 groups of 4. As you can see, we were flabbergasted that she was able to get the part as it required an audtition and she swims in a gene pool lacking in musical ability. She did a great job and I was glad I had her wear a scarf as it provided an outlet for her fidgeting as you will see in the next post.