December 13th and 14th

Saturday we were supposed to have Aaron's work Christmas party but he ended up getting called into work instead. So I hired a new babysitter so I could go work out and have some mommy time. The kids loved her. Saturday afternoon I took the kids to the Holiday Sing-a-long at the library. We sang all the regular Christmas songs and then watched Alvin and the Chipmunks via YouTube on the big screen. It was great fun! Afterwards we did a craft and enjoyed yummy sugar cookies and hot cocoa! For some reason I didn't have my camera so I don't have any pictures to post. The kids went home to the Ford's afterwards and Mommy raced (safely) (no accidents like last year)to Cedar Rapids for the Symphony.

This is an annual holiday tradition that my mom, aunts and I have enjoyed ever since I can remember. It's too bad we still cannot convince my sister to join us. Unfortunately, the Paramount Theatre was hit by the unbelievable destruction of the June floods so the show was held at Coe College. All I can say is I love Timothy Hankewich the new music director. I must have thoroughly enjoyed the 23 years of Symphony under the direction of Christian Tiemeyer because I kept going back but I LOVE the surprise factor Hankewich adds to each show. No remember it is the Symphony so typically there is not a lot of singing. This year he had girls come out and sing "You'll be Swinging" which he wrote himself. They were dressed in army uniforms. My camera does not do this justice at all but I loved this. Next they sang "Mele Kalikimaka" Merry Christmas in Hawaiian and again did a fabulous job.

I know I said there's not much singing but they also always include the CR Concert Chorale and the Children's Discovery Chorus which also do a fine job. I love the arts and I only hope that my children will one day possess one of these great talents.

Great Great Great time had once again. My friend Carrie said she wants to join us next year. I hope she does. She certainly won't be disappointed.

I had to drive back home late Saturday night and almost hit three deer standing in the middle of the interstate licking salt off the road. Apparently I was interrupting their midnight snack and they weren't going anywhere for awhile.

Sunday the kids and I met up with a group of friends and went to a local store to paint pottery. Each of the kids chose to paint an ornament for the tree. We were unpleasantly surprised by the weather when we came out. It was 58 degrees all day, I was running around outside with just a sweatshirt on and then when we came out of the store it was pouring down rain. The rain soon turned to ice and snow. The rest of you in Iowa know where we now stand. BRRRR Yuck!

As soon as I pick the ornaments up I will post a picture. They did a very good job. I'm proud of them.