Christmas shopping in shirt sleeves

On the 20th,I felt I must show you how warm it was here. While I miss Iowa'a winter and the snow, I do not miss trudging through the parking lot in freezing cold wind and snow-pack. This is what it looked like that day.

We lost some of the magic tonight

Matt and I have wondered when/how the kids would discover the whole "Santa gig" and I have prayed for it to happen in a gentle way. So tonight it did, through a series of events involving me shopping today, the van, and a trip to see Christmas lights. I am happy to report that Amy and Sarah were not mad or even sad, but still in a bit of wonderment at how we did it all. I have asked them (made them promise, in fact) not to spoil it for the boys; reminding them that Marty especially, hasn't had very many Christmases to enjoy that special brand of magic. Hmmm..... I knew I'd be sad when this new era began, and you know what? I am. At these times when a certain season of child raising ends and another begins I try to remember what Ann J. told me when the girls were very little: "Yes, it's sad that one stage is over, but the next will be just as good, in a different way, and you will love it,too." Thanks, Ann J, I needed to remember that tonight. I think the girls will enjoy beign in on it, too.

St. Nicholas Day

Blogger won't let me publish these in the right order, so here you go.

Sarah's Piano Recital Piece

Amy's Piano Recital Piece

Here's a little music for you to enjoy (click on the arrow). Sarah's will be up tomorrow.

Another musical weekend

The girls' piano recital was this morning and they were ready, with new outfits and excitement.

Here are 2 "during" shots....


And here is the "after" shot. They both won runner up trophies for the most points during lessons! They were so surprised and thrilled, and we are so proud!!

Way to go, Amy and Sarah!

A guessing game for you....updated with the answer!!

What does it mean if you find this

inside this

at a Christmas program you have attended?
Check back to see!


It was this!!
I won the doorprize and it is beautiful. Here it is sitting on the piano bench to show just HOW BIG it is. We sure will enjoy it this Christmas season.

Randomness, again

This is an autorickshaw from India. We saw (literally) thousands of them each time we were there. Since I just found this image in my "pictures" file, I thought I'd share it and shoo the purple elephant from the room. Shoo, shoo, go on now, elephant.