The count down is on. Only 7 more sleeps until Santa comes. The boys have written a wish list and sent the letter to Santa. Alick was the quickest at this and received a reply already with a picture of Santa. The three Elementary school boys took part in the School Christmas concert and did a wonderful job. It was the best concert ever. The whole school did the show in 1 hour. A record for this school. The bands usually play at the Intermediate concert but since the stirke set things back the kids were unable to perform. I was pleased that I had only one concert to attend instead of 2. :0D The furnace is still broken at the church and so the annual Christmas dinner was here. With our branch of members dwindling it was easy to have it here. All I did was clean up and set up and cook the yams, corn and green beans. Others brought the rest of the dinner. It was nice to have everyone here and we lit all the candles so there was a peaceful glow around the house. This year we put up our tree early because Drew, Carter and Dexter brought home a good one from the forest. He was so proud of this tree. It is very big around but perfectly fits in the area by the back door. The boys and I enjoyed decorating it. It has been up for 2 weeks already. ( I like to put it up Christmas Eve) I have to remember to water it everyday. It is a thirsty one and the tree stand isn't very deep. Dexter also brought home a tree and it is decorated and in Hyrum and Alick's bedroom. They have the master bedroom so there is room in there for it, although it is about as tall as Alick. It is very very very prickly and the little hang nail I had on my finger was flaming sore by the time I finished helping Hyrum decorate it. Things are falling into place here for the day of celebration. It doesn't seem quite the time for Christmas this year. To me it seems tooo early.
The last 2 months have whizzed by. Alick and I went to my Mom and Dad's place for a visit for a week. Mom had Angioplasty surgery and needed an extra body in the house while Dad was away for a business trip. We had a wonderful time. It was a laid back visit. One day was spent doing cards. It was a good time with Nana/Mom. As usual we stayed up late a few too many nights. Why is it that we spend the whole day together but when it is nightime we talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. Alick and Nana saw 'Madagascar' in the theatre. He bounced up and down the entire time. Nana kept asking if he needed to go to the bathroom. :0) This is what he does when he is excited during a good movie. He bounces up and down.
I have enjoyed these last 2 months to myself. I had a few friends ask what I have been up to, one thought I moved cause she hadn't seen me in so long. I am enjoying the time to myself. I feel spoiled that I can putter and generally take care of things around the house, without the distrations that happen when little ones are around. I do go to the local Parents and Tots group once a week to do a time with them called Mother Goose. We sing and do little action songs. It is a lot of fun. That is on Tuesdays. I am going to take a break for the month of January. I continue to take Highland dancing class once a week. I love it. It is wonderful learning a new thing that is for me and not parent related. I applyed for a job and got it. It is a casual position at the local public library. Our little library is only open 4 days a week, Tue, Wed, Thur and Sat. The hours are good and it is just an on call thing. I have a couple of friends that can take care of Alick when the need arises. I have been eyeing this job for a few years now and was just waiting for Alick to attend school for me to apply when it came up again. One of the big perks is No more over due fines. ;0)
Alick has adjusted to life in school and has a wonderful teacher. I have only been in twice to help out with his class. Once to read a couple of stories and another time for the field trip to the High School to see the Grade 11 students' Gingerbread houses and to decorate cookies. Alick tried skating for the first time and seemed to enjoy it. The local businesses sponser some time during the 2 week break for the public to have free skating time. Drew is planning on taking Alick a few times to teach him to skate and fall down. He is good at this and taught the big brothers a few things.
Hyrum would love a house on the beach. He would fish every day. Life is so full we don't have time to take him as much as he would like. But all in all he is enjoying life and has adjusted to Grade 4. He was placed in a grade 4 class at the beginning of the year and after the stike and when all the dust settled the school was given a position back which created another class. Hyrum was moved to this 3/4 split class and then had to adjust to new teachers, students and schedules. He is doing OK so far. His reading ability is not quite up to grade 4 standard and I voiced my concerns to the school. They were able to find him some learning assistance and so he gets 4 half hour slots a week in a small group of 4 children working at a similar level as he. I think I remember him telling me 2 of those days are boys only. :0D He is a sixer in cubs and likes the time spent with his fellow cubs and leaders. The leaders are planning some fun activities in the new year but I am not sure what they are.
Grade 9 for Carter is going pretty good although I received 4 phone calls the week I got back from visiting my mom. I guess he didn't behave very well while I was gone in 3 of the 4 classes. His Social/Home Ec teacher told me he is a whiz with the sewing machine and she found him to be very helpful. He seems to be back on track now. There are only 5 weeks left in this semester. He is having a difficult time with his math teacher. Apparently he is not the only one for there are a dozen students left in this class. The others have all transferred to another class. I feel Carter can tough it out with him and for future math classes I will be requesting another teacher. This is Carter's last year in Scouts and we are trying to get all the requirements completed for his Chief Scout Award. He has done some baby sitting for a friend of mine. Her youngest is a busy boy and after not baby sitting for a while and then coming back to do it again, his little face little up and he said "Carter". I am sure it melted Carter's heart that he remembered for it had been a few months since he had been there. He had a funny thing happen last time. The second oldest boy is 6. Carter said he tried hard not to laugh because he sounded just like Hyrum. It was funny to hear the same thing going on in another home of arguing about computer time and stalling before going to bed. Carter will soon be my height. He is a fine young man.
Dexter is in Drew's grade 6 class. He has a great personality that is fun. His little insights and jokes are good. Even though he has allergies to pets he still loves them. He has become the cat caretaker. I have a friend that has 2 cats and when they go away for a long weekend she asks if Dexter will feed them. He enjoys this. He also likes that he gets paid. He even earned $100 this past summer caring for the 3 cats across the street.
Here is what he wrote for his part for the Christmas concert...
What is Chrismas about? Santa? Red? Presents? Actually, it's about giving. It's about family. It's about the holiday cheer.
Drew is still in his 30s for a couple of hours. ;0) He has decided to upgrade to category 5 (5th year ), which means he has 9 University classes that he is going to take over the course of a year. He found some good ones to take that apply to his teaching. They are all distance stuff so he can do them here at home or some other place that is quiet. He enjoyed time with Scouts but has found it harder and harder for he teaches the same age kids. I don't think he enjoys taking care of more grade 6 boys in his off time. Once a teacher always a teacher. With the university stuff he has to do there won't be time for the weekend scout activities. I think it will be good for Carter too, for every where he turns there is his Dad or a link to him. Church , School and Scouts..and of course home ;0) Drew continues to play a little on his chanter. I look forward to the day when he can play a song on the bagpipes and I can dance along. He still plays piano 2 to 3 times a month at church and now I conduct the music. I love to share talent time with him. He makes me smile. This next month will be conclude 8 years as Branch President. It could be 8 more at the rate things are going in the church here. We'll see what happens around the corner. For the most part there are no complaints. It is a good thing Drew served a mission to Utah those years ago when he had the chance.
Well your eyes must be weary by now from reading all this stuff about us. I love you all and send you hugs and kisses from all of us. May the simple joys of this season be yours. It truly is a wonderful time to reflect on the birth of the Savior so long ago. I encourage you to read Luke 2:1-20 and Matt 1:18-25 this Christmas and reaquaint yourself with the story of His birth. It brings peace to all who make the time to read and ponder this beautiful beginning.
Merry Christmas love the NEILSONs
