The Big Chill

Ashley & Alex both sang in the chorus for their holiday program at school Thursday night. The title of the "show" was The Big Chill.

As always, their school had an awesome event!

Before dinner, the All-Star Strings entertained guests in the front foyer, Ashley played her cello.

Pictured below is one of my favorite events, the greenhouse filled with the Festival of Trees. Each class makes ornaments to decorate their own class tree. This year's theme for Winter Wonderland was "A Night on the Town in Chicago". My favorite tree was the kindergarten, they had laminated Cows on Parade, the kids colored their cows then they got laminated. So cute!

It's just right

This is the 4th year we have cut a tree from Richardson's Farm in Spring Grove and the second consecutive year we have harvested a Canaan Fir. Canaan Firs are very simlar to Fraser Fir. They have soft 1" needles, medium-strong branches, very good needle retention, great green color. Up to 7 feet. Our tree looked like it would be too tall but we liked it so we went for it. I took the time to measure the distance between the bottom of the tree stand to the ceiling then subtracted the tree topper then subtracted a little more for fear factor that Drew would be upset. As a result, I didn't cut too much off but I could have left a little more. Regardless, it is a nice, full, happy tree with lots of great memories hanging from its branches. I have tried something new this year, I read that adding the flower preservative packet that is normally added to fresh cut flowers would help keep the tree happy. So far, so good.

We'll trade you one who does not sleep for two who do...

We're finally just about out of the woods of being sick. It has put a real damper on getting into Christmas. We got the tree in the living room up greens up outside but that's it. In addition to being sick, Drew has been working more and I've been working with my mom as much as possible. Thankfuly we have really great elves. "If the things on my list do not get done, there is no Christmas!" And we thought having kids would simply mean having the garbage taken out and the dishwasher loaded & unloaded. While they are getting the tasks done, they are making us crazy! So, every once in a while, we love the thought of trading Cora who, from the sounds of it, does not sleep at night - for two darling, helpful kids who do sleep not just all night. Out of guilt, I take it back, they did get quite a bit done today. If they could just work and not talk to each other unless they have something nice to say, it would be great.

Dad is going to say it's too big!

This was the least traditional tree-cutting-day we've had in 15 years. Sunday it rained and Drew worked. It was supposed to be our big tree-cutting day. While Drew did some work, the kids & I went to cut down the tree. It did not happen just at this event but I was reminded of my constant thoughts... just how lucky I am to have an amazing husband and amazing kids. I don't envy single parents. Cutting down the tree without Drew was the pits. It was pouring rain, the three of us were yelling at each other (the cinnamon donuts later made things better), we were all soaked and it took way longer to actually cut the tree without Drew. Plus, the tree is still outside on the back deck but I'm thinking it's way bigger than what we usually get when Drew is with to say "no, it's too big." There will be a good chunk cut off and I can use those extra branches for the fireplace mantel.

Just like some years when making Christmas cookies is the top priority because it's on my list of things to do and I don't care what gets pushed aside to have that experience, getting a real Christmas 2007 picture for our book will be a top priority. Luckily there are still many days until Christmas.

Here are some of the past few year's tree cutting day pictures. If nothing else, this year's picture is good to see just how much taller Ashley & Alex are.

2007

2006

2005

Downtown Holiday Festival

The kids chorus and orchestra groups from school performed in our downtown Saturday. They were great and the snow coming down behind them could not have been planned better.