Gifts

Random jumbled thoughts about the season:

Cody asked me what I wanted for Christmas.

I told him since what is most important to me is my family

I would probably ask him for something about them.

I told him I would ask for "you to be good, have courage, and make good choices."

I think that's what he'll need in life.

After doing the primary program I realized something.
Our kids think fame is equal to greatness.
I had to ask all the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up and a significant number of them said a "famous" something.
I've decided being "good" is something worth striving for. Not famous. Not great. Not powerful. Not rich. Good. 

Santa brings THINGS.

The first gift of Christmas, Christ, brings gifts that don't have a monetary price tag: HOPE, LIGHT, GOODNESS, JOY, SALVATION. They were definitely paid for.
President Monson said:
"It is well to remember that he who gives Money gives much;
He who gives Time gives more;
But he who Gives of Himself gives all."

He Lives! and so do the animals

We went to a live nativity~

 Before the show a donkey was on the set, but he wasn't moving

so the kids didn't know if he was alive or not.

I think they were surprised when the animals really were alive.

Even the baby was just a couple of weeks old.

It was a chilly night and we all bundled up and froze. Meanwhile, behind us, a family from Idaho was sitting there in their t shirts. I may have been born in Minnesota and raised in Utah, but my body temperature loves warmth.

We also walked around a huge display of nativities indoors while we were there.

We'll have to make this an annual tradition!

Cody's OCMCO Concert

Cody had his OCMCO concert at the Segerstrom Concert Hall.

It was AMAZING!

The Stewart brothers, who started MCO, write, direct and conduct their music with an orchestra and choir, children's and adult.

While everyone is technically "non-professional" I'm sure many of them were at some point, and all are incredibly talented performers.

The children's choir had three songs they performed, two of which were in German.

It was hilarious listening to Cody all semester singing "German with a British accent."

But since Cody is pretty much always singing we all know a couple of German songs around our house.

I didn't get a lot of pictures because I didn't bring my good camera and because I was in charge of herding the kids around in their second of two performances. We technically weren't supposed to take any pictures inside, but I wish I would have! (I just took secret terrible videos of the ceiling:))

They have several stage changes and we had to get 60 kids up and down stairs in the right order and on and off at exact points in the music. phew!!

After their last performance we took them back to the holding room. Whoa!!

MCO expects serious discipline and they can get a little grumpy when they don't get it.

They also work to PERFECT their songs and expect a high level of excellence.

I kind of love it and hate it at the same time!

Here's more info about MCO
and here is a youtube of one of the performance songs: O Come Emanuel

Field Trip with Dad

We had such a fun field trip at Ortega Equestrian Center!

Kathy Holman is such a great lady and runs the place.

She loves Ben and let him come give rides on Sweets, a sweet old mare.

First Ben told them a little bit about caring for a horse and got her ready to ride.

You have to clean out their feet.

 Then all the kids got to brush Sweets and clean her up a bit.

 Then they all got rides.

These kids LOVED it!! Most of them are never or very rarely around horses, so it was pretty fun.

Ben was awesome taking time out of his crazy busy day to do this.

He even missed lunch that day - which is big for this low blood sugar person.

My kids are pretty lucky to have such an awesome dad! 

Solo

The girls have three singer's company performances, and each girl has one solo during the three.

This performance was at an assisted living facility, the perfect place to sing for the sweet people there.

I didn't think Mackayla was going to do hers, but then - she pulled through!!

Here's cute Macey-

I'm proud of these girls, they had a lot of courage.

The singer's company motto is "My voice matters"

I love it and make Mackayla repeat that to me all the time.

I hope she remembers that.

It is so important to teach kids values 

and then let them know its important to 

stand up for them and voice them.

This is a great way to practice "standing out."

It's Like We're Famous

The girls' first singer's company performance was on Saturday at the clubhouse while santa was there.

A couple minutes before the performance as they were getting the girls all situated I looked over and noticed Mackayla had started to cry.

My heart sunk since we had really tried to prepare her to be brave and be prepared.

I just called out to my friend who helps the class and pointed at Mackayla.

She has this magical way of getting Mackayla to do things I never thought would be possible.

I'm not exactly sure what she said but I know there was something about picturing everyone naked that made her snicker:)

I just want to give her a huge hug because suddenly the show was starting and Mackayla was singing, and eventually, singing happily.

 Afterwords both girls were so excited.

Mackayla told me, "Mom, it's like we're famous."

Retelling Ben the same thing she told him "Everyone wanted to take our pictures." 

Each of the younger girls get a solo in one of the three performances they do. Mackayla and Macey's is tomorrow!