Holiday Sing-Along

Each year before the winter break, Riley's music teacher at school invites the families to a holiday sing-a-long. This year, the first grade sang for about 25 minutes. All the kids sing every song, but two or three different kids come up to the mics for each song to "lead" the group. I don't know if it was coincidence or not that Riley was chosen to lead the same song that she played in her piano recital.

Asher is Three!

Finally, I have a good reason for a belated post! Things have been hectic around here for the last few weeks. We have tried to keep things at home as consistent as possible for our kid, especially Tyson, but we've got a lot of balls that we're trying to keep in the air right now. So far everything is working out, and we are reassured that we are moving in the right direction. As I told my grandparents when we talked this morning, we're just trying to keep our heads above water and our feet underneath us.

Fortunately Asher's birthday happened before all this craziness hit, so we were able to have a celebration that he was pleased with.

Asher was thrilled with all the birthday cards that came in the mail during the days leading up to his birthday. I'm convinced that nothing makes a three-year-old feel more important than getting mail from people he hardly remembers meeting.

Scot was still home taking his "family leave," so the whole family went to lunch at one of Asher's favorite places, McDonalds. He proved he was a big boy by making it all the way to the top slide in a rather confusing Playplace, without any help from his big sister.

For dinner Asher requested his favorite: slow-cooker lasagna. I've made all my kids' birthday cakes until this year. He had been telling me for weeks that he wanted a Lightning McQueen cake for his birthday. My friend Maggie had given me an idea for an easy way to decorate a Lightning McQueen cake and I debated doing it myself. But in the end, I decided to cheat. I still felt like my hands were full with three kids and we were preparing the house for showings. But the deciding factor was that I knew Asher would be happy with any birthday dessert, as long as it was colorful and made of chocolate.

At his 3-year check-up Asher was in the 5th percentile for height and the 25th for weight.

Asher is the sweetest little guy. He talks a lot, but is very quiet when he's out of his comfort zone. With another child in the house with a strong personality, we are reminded just how easy-going Asher is. Honestly, he is a good buffer between Riley and Tyson.

Asher's favorite things are cars, trains, Dora, singing, bath time, chocolate, ice cream, pizza, his super bouncy ball, penguins, playing with his cousin Brady and his friend Gunner, books, aquariums and fish tanks, dipping food in Ranch dressing, playing on Riley's scooter, and making Tyson laugh.

A Christmas To Remember

I find myself enjoying Christmas-time more each year, as my kids’ understanding and enthusiasm grows. I love this season, but every year it seems like it goes by too fast. Part of the reason for that this year is that, in addition to all the holiday festivities, we’re busy making arrangements to bring Tyson home.

But when I look back, I want to remember this time of year for more than just the excitement of bringing Tyson home. This is the first year that Asher has really gotten excited about Christmas. He’s the one that reminds us every evening to turn on the Christmas lights. Riley has been involved in making and shopping for gifts for family members and friends, and has been very excited about the giving aspect of Christmas. They each have a favorite Christmas song. When “Let It Snow” came on the radio last week, Asher told me it was his favorite song, and every time he’s heard it since then he declares, “dis my favewit song” or “I wuv dis song.” Riley loves “Angels We Have Heard On High” for the alleluias.

We have three “kid-friendly” nativities that are all set up side-by-side on a sofa table. The kids have been playing with those nativities more than just about any toy in the house. Not surprisingly, Riley is very particular about how each nativity is set up, and is careful not to get the pieces mixed up with each other. On the other hand, I often hear Asher orchestrating battles between the camels and the donkeys. One morning Mary and a palm tree were even caught up in the fray.

I’m so happy that Christmas is on a Sunday this year. That we will have the opportunity, mid-morning to join with our church-family in singing praises to God and Christ, and to be reminded of the reason for this holiday.

Merry Christmas to all of you! We look forward to sharing photos of Christmas day, and photos of Tyson. They may be a little delayed, but I promise to get them up here. Don't forget to send me your email address, since we'll be making the blog private soon!

Talent Show

A couple of months ago we added a time for sharing talents to our weekly family night. We usually only include this if the kids think of it and remind us. But I will often hear them playing together and talking to each other about "practicing our talents."

In our inaugural show, Asher juggled, Riley performed an extemporaneous, interperative dance, and then Asher closed with his abreviated version of an LDS hymn, Praise to the Man.

Not Bad, Just Confused

After watching "Megamind," one of Riley and Asher's favorite songs is Michael Jackson's "Bad." It was playing in the car a couple of weeks ago with Riley singing along (as best she could) at the top of her lungs, and Asher trying to keep up. Riley paused to take a breath, and Asher told us, "Dat my song." Now a song with that title could apply to plenty of two-year-old boys, but this guy is not one of them.

But ever since that day, Riley has been reminding him, "Asher, it's your song" everytime we listen to it. Then just yesterday I discovered an explanation to his claim. In the line: "And the whole world has to answer right now," Asher thought his name was being sung. So instead of correcting him, I just convinced Riley that we should sing "And the whole world has the Asher right now."

Big Day for Riley

Something finally happened for Riley that she has been looking forward to for months…she is a Sunbeam in Primary now! Her teachers are fantastic and she had a great first day in class. When I asked her afterward what it’s like to be a Sunbeam, she answered, “We singed a LOT of songs.”

I was able to fill in for one of the teachers this last Sunday, and I think it’s safe to say that the singing is her favorite part. Because her class is the youngest, they sit on the front two rows in Singing Time. Riley leaned forward in her seat, paying rapt attention to the music leader the entire time, and sang along with all the songs she knew.

They Will Rock You

Riley and Asher both picked this up pretty quickly in the car one day.

Tootie Ta

Our family has become a little obsessed with fun, silly songs lately. Anything we can dance to and make each other laugh is a hit. Our current favorite is Tootie Ta. If you haven't heard of it, and I hadn't until about a month ago, you are really missing out!

Talented Boy

P.S. to Jeff and Megan: Does this song sound a little similar to one you posted a few months ago?

Birthday Videos

I took two birthday-related videos that I overlooked when posting about Riley's birthday. And I have to apologize that you can hear my singing so well in the second video. It's just not one of my talents.

Stuck Inside

On the days we don't have sunny weather, we have to find ways to entertain ourselves in the house. Here is a little glimpse.

Birthday Girl

Riley's birthday is on Sunday. We're celebrating on Saturday. But today she took cupcakes to her singing group friends. It's turning into a full birthday weekend. My sister, Terra, would be proud.

We've been telling Riley that her birthday is coming up, and that she's going to be three. But I think the reality of her special day finally set in this morning when her friends sang Happy Birthday to her. As soon as we got home Riley started galloping around the kitchen and living room, singing at the top of her lungs:

Happy birthday to Riley.
Happy birthday to Riley.
Happy birthday to my own self.
Happy birthday to Riley.

Image from pink-world.co.uk.

Turkey Song

Riley's preschool class had a short Thanksgiving presentation yesterday. I had coached Riley all morning: "Sing loudly so Daddy and I will be able to hear you." She didn't let us down.

Hot Diggity Dog

Riley sings the theme song to her newest favorite show. I think this preference may have something to do with the fact that the song mentions her current favorite food.