This weekend we spent with the Sanchez grandparents. We had many adventures, but the main event was Paige’s Nutcracker performance on Saturday night. She danced as the Dewdrop Fairy in Waltz of the Flowers (above).
She danced in the Snowflake number.
She was also a Chinese dancer.
She was lovely and she was strong. I can’t believe the stamina she showed in the Waltz of the Flowers. I’m so glad she had this opportunity.
I hope you had a nice weekend. We did many things, but I won’t bore you with every detail.
We had a nice Veteran’s Day. I invited a WWII veteran to speak to our homeschool group #2. Since all public buildings were closed, I rented a hall for the event. The kids decorated handkerchiefs with patriotic messages to send to soldiers and we also collected goods for 4 care packages to send to Afghanistan. The guest speaker served in the South Pacific and was very good at speaking to children. I felt really good about the event.
The 3 boys sang a trio in the adult session of Stake Conference on Saturday night and I played the violin. Richard sang with the choir. Mark bumped his head on the podium as he was climbing up to sing, but managed to sing through teary eyes and some pain. It was a good experience for the boys and they enjoyed some Lego rewards when it was all over.
I was reading about discipline in an education magazine that I receive from BYU. One article said that the greatest measure of how well you are doing as a parent is how your family treats one another. Do you think I can measure my success during a time when the kids are all watching a movie together or playing around in the mountains? The results would be so much better then.
Today I need to sew ribbons and elastic on these new pointe shoes. It’s a surprisingly difficult task. Shoes don’t fit well in a sewing machine and I usually sew the elastics 3 times because the shoes have to fit just right.
I love new ballet shoes. Aren’t they beautiful?
Paige’s costume for the Chinese dance just arrived and there is some altering for that, too.
Paige’s debut in the Nutcracker ballet is on December 11.
For today’s post Daniel brings you a night at the movies. This is a stop-motion animation video that he created. He has produced about a dozen of these little clips so far, and they are delightful.
The sound on this video is quite low, so turn up your speakers/headphones. Notice the details such as the staff and hat floating down the river, the bubbles, and Robin Hood almost falling backwards but catching himself. Enjoy.
By the way, this post allows comments. If you would like to comment, click on the post title (“Robin Hood”) above, then find the comment box at the bottom of the page.
Daniel is a good scout and this means he usually has a pocket knife and a screwdriver handy. He is good with tools, first aid, and swimming. He received his Arrow of Light last night and we are proud of him.
Daniel took this picture at the Desert Museum.
This boy, I tell you, can do some amazing things. He’s currently looking for work. He’s discovered that *expensive* Bionicle sets are the way to go. After building his enormous creation the other day, he said, “This was the most satisfying Lego set I have ever built.”
Back to the money thing. We live away from all our people. What can be done? Well, there is mail order.
Does anybody need a pamphlet on Pearl Harbor? He wrote a good one.
How about some photos of lego creations? He has several hundred he could share.
Are you interested in a good book reviewer? He reads at least 3 books a week, sometimes 5.
And then there are his piano compositions. There is Weber River and Carousel Ride. Each has its charms. You know.
I’d pay good money if I had any (darn school books!) for a good photo of his amazing eyes.
Wow, I think I just remembered where I stashed some cash. Never mind on the sale. I want to keep all of those things for myself.
I have been at Cub Scout camp this week. Oh, the mountain air and the healthy sound of boys’ voices echoing through the pines! In awe, I saw a 13-year old Eagle Scout lead 60 Cub Scouts in a trail cleanup project. There were shouts of “Let’s do it!” and “Yeah!” and then the mountain swarmed with Cub Scouts picking up fallen branches and trees. They worked so hard, and most were smiling. The challenges were car sickness, fatigue, and leaving computer games. The highlights were the water rockets, guns, archery, and ping-pong. It was such an adventure.
There is a monster that is devouring the hopes of many children. It begins with fear and can grow into anxiety and eventual incapacity or indifference. Scouting can be a catalyst for growth because a Scout must get out and do something and be someone. As he does this, he trades his fears for confidence and his selfishness for service. I believe that almost without exception, a boy is better off going to Scout Camp than staying home, nursing his fears (or the fears of his parents).
I speak from my experience, being the one who handles the budget, forms, applications, tour permits, and communication with parents. I also go to Cub Scout Camp with the boys and see a visible change in the countenance of a boy who has just conquered a task, especially a task he thought was hard.
Today it feels like Daniel is still enjoying the effects of his worthy adventure. The best descriptive word I can come up with is Contentment.
Please enjoy one of Paige’s dances from her recent recital.
