Homeschool Choir Concert

In the middle of December, our homeschool choir performed a concert.  We had met every Wed. for a choir practice and the kids were split into two age groups.  I was in charge of the 3-8 yr olds and another mom was in charge of the 8-14 yr olds. 

Warming up before the concert.

First up, the little kids choir.  Joseph is on the far right. 

They sang Away in a Manger, The Friendly Beasts and The Little Drummer Boy.

Then the big kids sang.  Catherine, Anne, and Dominic were all in this choir.

They sang Children, Go Where I Send Thee; Go Tell It On The Mountain/Mary Had a Baby; Still, Still, Still/Sleep, Sleep, Sleep; and Over The River.

Then both choirs together sang Peace.

Anthony participated/caused trouble in the little kids choir, but he was not ready to stand up and perform.

All the kids did a great job!

A Little Later in December

It was so cold the weekend we decided to get our Christmas tree, that Dan went by himself to our church's Christmas tree lot to get it.  It had been so cold that the tree was in excellent condition. 

Here comes the tree!

Anthony was excited!

We had to let the tree thaw for a day.

The Christmas tree in all its glory.  All the kids helped decorate it, so I was too busy at the time to take pictures!

That same weekend, Dan took the kids over to his sister and brother-in-law's reception hall (The Red Rooster Reception Hall, near Augusta), as they had it all decorated for a big Christmas party, held the night before.  I was sick, so I stayed home.  

The kids in front of the neat village scene.

This part of the festivities was not in the actual reception hall, but out in the barn.

Bridget showed the kids where all the guests got popcorn and hot chocolate.

The following weekend we decided to take a picture of the kids for a Christmas photo card.  

The picture we chose.

During the month of December, Dan continued to work on the greenhouse, when weather allowed.

The sheets of metal were leftover from when the shed was built.

Early December

The annual take the nativity scene to the front yard ride.

At the right spot.

Biscuit came to check it out.

The kids were all invited to a birthday party at Pump It Up.  Needless to say, they were thrilled.

Anne and Catherine paused for a picture.

Heading up the big slide.

All the party kids.

With the very sweet birthday girl.

A picture of two of our Advent traditions, one old, one new.  We have had the magnetic Advent calendar for a long time.  Each day you open a door and add a piece to the nativity scene.  As you can see, one of the kids has put a shepherd up on top of the roof.  The two items in front were something new for 2013.  I've been wanting to have a manger to which the kids add a straw every time they do a good deed/make a sacrifice.  I mentioned this to the kids and the girls took the idea and ran with it, covering a shoe box in brown paper and cutting many lengths of yarn for hay.  And boy did I like it, even though it does not look fancy at all.  I had kids asking me many times, "What can I do for you, Mommy?"  I could use a box like this all year!

We celebrated St. Nicholas' feast day with little gifts and chocolate coins.

Chocolate coins, oh yeah!

Each child got a set of St. Therese sacrifice beads that they can clip onto their pants.

Anthony dug right into the chocolate, of course.

Coin eyes!

A picture of some of the potato pancakes I made, using up our Thanksgiving mashed potatoes:

Yummy!

The Year of the Turducken!

Thanksgiving 2013 was a good day.  We cooked one turkey in the turkey fryer, and the other one was baked.  The baked turkey was special, as it was a Turducken:  a chicken inside of a duck inside of a turkey.  No, we did not stuff the birds inside each other ourselves.  We bought it already done.  I can only imagine how messy that must be!

Turkey fryer turkey got injected with a Cajun sauce.

After this, the kids got busy ripping up bread for the dressing.

Pause for a few smiles.

At the right time, Dan slowly lowered Mr. Tom into the boiling oil.

There he goes!

Dominic stepped on the do not cross line that Dan drew around the turkey fryer.  Anthony busted him.

Yep, I mean you.

All done!  Doesn't that look good?

The kids couldn't wait to dig in!

The Turducken, fresh from the oven.

Time to slice it up.

Isn't that interesting?!  It came with a rice stuffing inside.  The Turducken tasted good, but I wouldn't want to get one every year.

Let the feast begin!

After the feast (and clean-up and napping), the kids played dodge ball with Daddy, except with a football.