Emily the Actress

Emily had so much fun in "Up With Kids" last year that she wanted to do it again this year.

Her friends Lindsey and Tiana also signed up. Every Friday they worked hard learning their songs and parts, and they had lots of fun together.

About January they get to let the teacher know which parts they are interested in. Most of the parts are about the same size. Everyone gets a speaking line and they all sing and dance in the scenes, but there are a few larger parts. I told Emily that she should go for one of those parts, but she did not want to . She told me that she likes to be in the plays, but she does not like to stand out.

Emily was given the part of The 6 of Hearts. She was very happy. As you can see from the photo she was one of the lucky cards in the croquet game, but she blended in nicely. Just the way Emily wanted to.

May 14th was the day of the big show. This years play was titled "Alice in Wonderland"

The play was cute, and I could tell Emily loved doing it.

Emily has also been busy at school preparing to perform a shortened version of "Midsummer Nights Dream"

They got to try out for the parts they wanted, and again Emily wanted something simple that did not make her stick out to much. So she was Very happy to be Fairy #3.

She looked really cute in her fairy outfit, and did a great job on her part.

When the kids in the class were not on stage they had them sitting on chairs on the side, so I could see Emily the entire time. I am so glad I could, because the thing I loved the most about this play was watching Emily when she was not on stage. She sat with a big smile on her face, laughing, watching, and enjoying the play as her friends performed. I could see that she did not care about her part, but just being a part of something fun and good.

Under The Sea

Preschool is almost finished, and Josh is so excited for it to end so he can go to kindergarten. He keeps asking me when the last day of Preschool is, and when I answer he says. "And then the next day I start kindergarten?"

However, I am not quite ready to give up my preschooler to elementary school, and am glad I have the entire summer to get use to the idea.

Josh has loved his preschool and is always excited to go. He has made some great friends this year, and has learned a lot.

He has great teachers who really care about him, and are just as excited as I am when Josh achieves his goals. When Josh started bringing home his reading books, His teacher, Mrs. Valerie got to the car first to tell me the exciting news.

Now that school is wrapping up it is time for the programs, and once again Josh's preschool put on a great show.

The theme this year was "Under The Sea." Josh and his speaking buddy started the program as crocodiles

and their speaking parts introduced the song, "Never Smile at a Crocodile."

But the part Josh was the most excited about was his duet in "Puff the Magic Dragon." This is one of Josh's favorite songs at school.

Puff was one of my favorites too.

They ended the program with "Yellow Submarine." I think Josh's second favorite part of the program was getting to play a kazoo in this song. Ryan had told Josh to sing this song really well, because it was originally sung by Grandma's favorite band "The Beatles."

Josh was a little confused by this, so he asked his dad, "Were they black Beatles, or the ones with the white stripes or were they brown?

I love watching Josh perform, because I can tell he loves performing. He sings loud and does all of the actions. It was a great show. I love you Josh.

Christmas Activities

December is always full of so many Christmas activities. I love participating in them and enjoying the fun at Christmas time.

Joe's first, and probably last, time at The Nutcracker.

Every year Ryan's dad likes to go to The Nutcracker. for the last few years Emily has gotten to go with him and every year Joe has asked when he will get to go. This year Grandpa invited Joe.

Grandma told Joe that it was very exciting because there are soldiers who fight with mice and let's not forget about the "Butcracker Sweet" in the second act. Grandma told Joe that when that song started he had her permission to sing out as loud as he wanted. "Please just say no to crack, when you see butt crack attack." (Grandma wasn't going)

Grandpa told Joe if he sang he wouldn't be invited back.

Joe seemed to like the first half. It was exciting with the annoying brothers and the fight between the soldiers and the mice, but the second half was a different story. Joe began to get bored and by the time the Nutcracker sweet started he was done. He didn't even realize it was the song until I pointed it out towards the end, but he was too bored to even sing. The third time the Sugar Plum Fairy came out to dance Joe looked at me and said "Oh come on!"

when the show was over Joe informed us that he never wants to see The Nutcracker again. Sorry Grandpa.

Even though Joe said he didn't like it he behaved really well, and I think he did really like the first half. As for Grandpa Emily and I, we really enjoyed ourselves and it was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas Season.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir

The next thing I was lucky enough to attend was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert. Ryan's brother and his wife had two extra tickets and I was lucky to get one of them. David Archuleta was the guest performer. I had not really followed him since his American Idol year, but I love his tenor voice and the concert was great. Thanks for the invite Kevin and Alisa.

My Little Soldier

While the other two shows were amazing and I enjoyed them very much I have to say my very favorite Christmas program I attended this year was Josh's Preschool program.

His teachers do such a cute job. They send home a little costume for each child. The younger classes wear the elf costumes and the older classes are soldiers and ballerinas. Josh was so excited to be a soldier that he wanted to put on his costume as soon as he woke up.

Valerie and Josh's friend Ben were with me so I found a good seat to get pictures from and also make a fast exit if one of the kids needed to. when the program started Valerie did not want to sit, but she was happy to stand on the side with me. As I was watching the first number I could tell Josh was looking for me, and he couldn't see where I was. I was holding Valerie with one hand and the camera with the other so I could not wave to get his attention. when the song was finished I stood up and as soon as Josh spotted me he called out......."Mom, Did you like that song?"

I think that was my favorite part of the whole show.

This song however was my favorite song because Josh was really into it and it has one of his favorite things to say in it. "I'm hungry" He says that to me at least once a day if not more.

At the end of the program Santa came. Josh was really excited to see him and Valerie was excited to get the Candy cane. When Santa asked Josh what he wants for Christmas Josh told him to give him a surprise.

I hope he likes the surprise Santa brings him.

On our way out the door Josh became very interested in where Santa's sleigh was. He could not see it on the roof of the building and he also did not see a chimney. This seemed to concern him quite a bit. He then started coming up with all kinds of possibilities of how Santa got there. I think he finally decided that Santa has a car too.

I love Christmas time and all of the fun things that go with it, especially watching my kids enjoy it.