Percy JACKson

We've been counting down to a lot of things in our house, but Jack started counting down for his birthday LONG ago.  And even with all his reminders, I still don't think I could have pulled it off without a LOT of help!  Check out this cool banner my mom made... (which is now hanging in his room)

He chose a Percy Jackson theme, which seemed fitting since he's read all 5 books several times each. He can tell you more about Greek Gods than anyone I know.  This party was bound to be fun.  And, I'll just say it... crazy.

I was a little worried about the weather, and also the mix of kids.  We had kids from two different schools and a homeschooler, plus a mix of boys and girls.  I was so grateful this age is not "too cool" to play with whoever is available!  Jack assured me the girls were all "cool" girls and would have fun even if we were playing with swords, and he was right!  They were all awesome, and didn't hesitate to join in the fun.

So, Jack and his 11 closest friends (just realized one of the boys got cut off!) had a fantastic adventure at Copperton Park playing games, designing their own shields, eating yummy things, and completing a daring quest for Zeus' Bolt.

Jack says his favorite part was the quest.  I think it was my favorite to plan and carry out as well.  They started out finding their swords (that Jeff made just for them), then they had to search all over the park for puzzle pieces to piece together the next clue.  This was the one hiccup in the quest... there was one clue we didn't find until the end.  So, I did have to help them a bit with this step.

It says, "Once you've made these pieces one, do not stop, your quest's not done,

Look to the table for some gold, each must make payment young and old,

to the one who rules below,

in His cauldron, your payment throw."

They were awesome at figuring out each clue.  They grabbed the gold and looked all over for Hades' cauldron.  Jeff was a good Hades, and they all earned their next clue.  Jeff's disguise was made from black balloons.  Can't say he's not resourceful!

Overall, it was just a lot of craziness to me, but the kids had a blast and that's really all that mattered!  

Every time I am with Jack and his friends, I am so grateful for good friends.  I can only hope Jack will always choose good kids like this group!

And tonight, for his real birthday, he requested Lemon Fried Chicken, sausage, apples, and eggnog.  Who could have guessed?  We continued with the Camp Half-blood theme and did S'mores over the fire pit instead of cake.  It was a hit!  Happy 9th, JACK!

So, let the countdown to an even bigger event begin... our baby girl.  Pregnancy is going great.  Actually feeling better this week than I was a few weeks ago, so I'm grateful I can enjoy this fun time in our lives.  Although, I'd be lying if I didn't admit my arms are aching to hold her!

In case I haven't seen you in a while, here's a picture of what I look like almost 9 months pregnant.  Jane had to draw an "ig" picture.  She chose "BIG", meaning my BIG BELLY.  At least she specified that it was because I am having a baby!  And I thought she was a little reserved with my proportions.  I'm a lot, shall I say, rounder?  And the way my legs are just stumps... not too far off.  I used to call them feet.  Now they are full of water, ugh.  But, if that is what it takes to get my baby girl here, bring it on.  Someday, I will be able to see my ankle bones again, right?

Wish us luck!

Christmas in a Nutshell

I love Christmas. Especially Christmas Eve.

Here's our holiday week in a nutshell.

Gingerbread house building with more eating than building.

A new tradition... so yum. I love Alice's face.

Nativity with an animal this year. A first for us.

Annual Pajama pictures...

And being a little silly...

Christmas morning anticipation...

Santa brought us a new member of our family, that Jack has named Comet. (Santa left Jack a note asking him to rename her since the elves were all calling her "Princess Flower Pants". We thought Comet was more fitting.) We are all madly in love with her. This picture pretty much encompasses what we did all day Christmas.

Not only did we add Comet, but we also found out Christmas afternoon that our baby will be another girl! We are thrilled! (Although, Jack is feeling pretty outnumbered)

First ice skating experience for the kids at our annual Rich gathering at Noah's. It was short and sweet, until Jack feel hard and hit his head. He's learned how to recover fast. Years of practice!

And we said a "see you later" to Elder Alaguretnam (top left), who's on his way to North Carolina! We couldn't be more excited for him and his family!

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

Some Holiday Firsts...

Christmas time is nuts because everything around Christmas time is fun, right? Ok, Walmart on a Saturday in December is the exception, but when is that NOT horrible?

This year, the kids did their first Christmas Suzuki Concert with their new violin teacher. Up until this summer, I had been the sole teacher for both of them, and it's been heaven to pass off some of that responsibility to a friend/fellow violinist who we all adore. Ms. Ruth has held a Christmas program for the last 15 years, and Jack and Jane were lucky to be a part of it this year.

This really was one of Jane's first performing experiences, so we learned we need to work on her performance etiquette a bit. Thank goodness she was the youngest, and smallest, so it was a little more laughable than it will be in a few years when she may still be biting her nails and coming in 2 notes later than everybody else!

Really, the kids worked extra hard to prepare for the performances, especially Jack who played almost all the pieces the big kids played. They did GREAT, and were really excited about playing. They were especially grateful for the support of loved ones who braved downtown on a very busy weekend!

This performance was in the downtown library auditorium, a fantastic venue. Their afternoon one was at the Joseph Smith Memorial building, and since Jeff was doing the single dad thing from 2pm on, there were few pictures. Understandable, Super Dad.

Alice enjoyed her first dance recital and did great. We had to bribe her to get her costume on ("Alice, want a cookie?", and I quickly turn her into a mouse. Voila!), but she loved the dancing! We've loved our little neighborhood dance group, and it's been a GREAT introduction for the really little ones, like Alice.

In the Green Room, Alice loved the attention from the older girls. They were all dancing to selections from the Nutcracker. Fun!

I'm a street musician lover. During my long days/evenings downtown last week, I had a short break and ran to do a bit of shopping. I ran into these guys busting out their brass. Not a huge brass fan, but honestly, it goes GREAT with the season. I was so happy to see a little variety downtown. Love the bagpipers, but really... one on EACH side of temple square? Enough already!

Any favorite firsts this season? Or, favorite street musicians you've seen? I remember seeing a girl belting it out with a mandolin when I was about 13 at Pike's Market in Seattle, and I've never forgotten it. Awesome.