ChRiStMaS pArTiEs!!!

Yesterday the boys had their last day of school and Christmas Parties, plus Christmas with Grandpa Glen!!! It was a stellar day in kiddo world! I was in charge of the treats for both of the boys' classes, so once I got the food to the room, I was free to run from class to class taking part in both parties! Usually I am in charge of one the boys' parties, so I miss out on one of the other parties...this was the first time I got to be at both! Both boys had lots of fun playing games and doing crafts!! Once we got home we started getting ready for Grandpa Glen, Greta and Marshall coming for dinner! We had Wild Rice Soup and Beef Stew...both were fantastic, if I say so myself! We also had Jesus' Birthday Cake for dessert....this year the boys decided we should do a giant cupcake! After dinner the boys opened gifts from Grandpa Glen...they raked it in! Wii games, K-State sweatshirts, games, puzzles, legos....I think they have it pretty good! It was a wonderful evening....a great way to start off our celebrating!!! MeRrY cHrIsTmAs!!!

2nd Place!

Gabe had a really good tournament on Sunday...he ended the day with 2nd place! He wrestled 6 times, with 5 wins coming by pin! His only loss was to the 1st place finisher and they did wrestle all3 rounds...just being decided by points! He has really improved over last year.....looking forward to more fun wrestling weekends! Go Gabe!

Grady's Christmas Program!

Last night, Grady had his Christmas program! He did a fantastic job....he was even able to smile the entire time he was singing.....do I have him trained for pics and video or what?! The program was a combined program with Kindergarten and 1st grade classes from Ewalt....Grady sang "Jingle Bells", "Jolly Old St. Nicholas", and "Here We Come A-Wassailing". All very, very good songs! As a combined choir the kiddos sang "Rudolph" and "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"! If you missed it and would love to see it...let me know, we got the whole thing on video! Shawn put it best...if that program didn't put you in the Christmas spirit then you must just be a Scrooge! Next week, Gabe will have his first band concert! Can't wait for a bit more Christmas cheer! Merry Christmas All!

Upcoming Wrestling Entertainment!

It's official...Gabe's first tournament will be this weekend in Derby! He is doing very well in practice so far this year...so, we are hoping he can come away with some wins on Sunday! We will keep you all posted...and if you are in the Derby area on Sunday afternoon and are itching for some wrestling...let me know and I can get you the details! We'll let you know how the weekend goes! Happy Wrestling!

Bravo Tate Taylor!

I am not usually an advocate for books turned into movies....but Mr. Taylor, You Sir, have done a fantastic job!

Almost 2 years ago, the book The Help was released....after a recommendation from a fellow preschool mom, I put my name on the waiting list at the Mukilteo Library....I was number 364. I put my name on the list the end of April and I finally received the book the last week in June. I had that book read in 5 days....I LOVED THAT BOOK! I also was on a bit of a time crunch as we were moving in 3 weeks....so, I did have some motivation, but none the less that book got read and got read fast!

Last year when I heard the book was being turned into a movie, I was devastated. I am an avid reader and I cannot think of a book turned movie that I have actually enjoyed. I typically flip the movie off, completely disgusted with what they have done to my beloved books. You see, when I read a book, it is turned into a movie in my mind as I read...so for me the movie has already been done, and if that movie does not match the real movie I am terribly disappointed. As a result, I rarely watch the movie when it comes out.

So, last summer when the movie The Help was released a little part of me wanted to run out and see it...the larger part of me wanted to just leave it be. Well, as life would have it...I simply was too busy to ever make it to the movie. No part of me was sad...but this week when it was released in RedBox, I decided to give it a try...after all I would only be out a buck if I had to turn it off in the middle, right?

So, this morning after dropping the boys off at school, I came home with movie in hand and watched it....I laughed, I cried...I loved that movie....but, did I love it as much as the book....YOU BET I DID! I still whole-heartedly feel you should read the book first......or, if you have already seen the movie and haven't read the book..you should.

I doubt this will ever happen again.....me liking a movie as well as the book....but, it did happen once...so I guess anything is possible. Again, Thank You Mr. Taylor, you did a great job adapting a beautifully written book into a beautiful screenplay. I hope to see more from you sir! And to you, my faithful readers...I promise to not do anymore movie or book reviews for a while....I'll get back to my cute kiddo posts very soon!