Making a Change

 Hi my dear readers.  Thanks for sticking with me all these years.  Don't worry, I haven't decided to completely stop blogging but I have decided it is time to privatize my blog.  This means I will have to invite you to read it.  I think I probably know who is reading and I will be happy to invite you.  If you think I don't know you are reading my blog email me or leave me a comment.  I will make the change after Christmas. As my kids get older and I write less often I think not having my blog open to anyone who stumbles on it will be a good thing.

Christmas Program

The St W Christmas program was a little delayed because the music teacher got quarantined but we got to enjoy it last week. Philip was a townsperson.

and {GASP} she changed up who sang together!  Which meant Philip and Nicholas were in the same group (and then we got to listen to another half hour of other people's children singing.  I've been spoiled by having a child in each group a few years but not so anymore.)  They are both on the far left.  Philip top row, Nicholas 2nd standing row.

 Nice job Philip and Nicholas!

Band Concert

The band concert was lovely as always.  These pictures aren't in the same order as the concert and I don't feel like rearranging so try to follow along.  

The high school band sounded great as always.

The 8th graders joined the high schoolers for some sing along carols at the end.

They also played by themselves of course and donned these festive hats for their last song.

The sixth grade band played a couple Christmasy and a couple not so Christmasy songs and sounded very good.

And we were one of the family quartets.  Our band director came from years of teaching just high school.  He thinks it's cool that he teaches whole families so each Christmas concert he has a couple sibling groups play.  I was going to lobby for Nicholas to play sleigh bells with them but their song was a medley of The First Noel and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, sleigh bells didn't seem fitting.  It took some sibling practice time and work on getting along but they sounded pretty nice.  We were proud of them.

And my children are ridiculous.  Check out the eyes and hands in these pictures!

Thomas wins for most photogenic and easiest to photograph every time!

DARE graduation

still going strong in our community.

Good work Philip!
 

Make Your House Fair

...as you are able, trim the hearth and set the table.  (Name that tune- People Look East)

We got a new tree and put it downstairs this year!  I miss seeing it in the living room everyday but it sure is less crowded!  We had a nice time decorating it and even found a Sunday evening when everyone was home to do it!

We put up a few outside lights this year too.

I did say a few!

Crafternoon

I hosted a fun crafternoon (or crafterevening is you so wish, but it doesn't sound as good) after the band concert.  It ended up being mostly a family event because of the timing but we had lots of fun!

My craft was the garland hanging on the fireplace.

Sometimes Mom Needs a Little Help

And he can totally handle correcting third grade math.