Decorating our tree

We finally got around to decorating our Christmas tree this past weekend. The tree had been up and sitting unadorned in the front living room for a week before we set aside time to decorate it - so sad.

Amelia, John and I had a great time putting the ornaments on our tree. I had forgotten how much I love seeing all of the cute, crafty ornaments the kids made in preschool each year, and it was neat to see the kids remember each one as they pulled them out of the box.
It was warm this weekend, with temperatures in the low 70s, hence muscle man John's beefy look below. I love watching John integrate his sense of style into the way he dresses, but man I am not a fan of sleeveless shirts on boys. Big boys, little boys, doesn't matter. I just don't like the thuggish and sloppy appearance. But boy, doesn't John look proud of himself below? I like that part! And of course, the lacrosse shorts. John wears those no matter the temperature, so they are a given.

And Amelia wanted to pose for her photo. "Mom, make sure you get one with me smiling AND putting an ornament on the tree". Mission accomplished.

Feeling of accomplishment

It has been a few weeks since my last long run and I needed to fit one in this week to keep on track with my training plan. Problem was that I had a crazy work week last week that included some time-consuming travel, which made it close to impossible for me to take a long run Saturday morning. The solution I came up with as I was feeling loads of work stress last week was to reward myself with a day off in the following week. Between feeling overwhelmed with holiday preparation plans, work obligations, and the neglected long run, I knew I could use 8 hours to knock things off my to-do list and try to restore a feeling of control and peace to my mind.

I completed the long run yesterday, which gave me an unexpected gift of the feeling of accomplishment. I ran 16 miles in about 2:28. I don't know precise times as my goal of buying a cheap stopwatch still hasn't been fulfilled, but this was a good time for me and all went well. Though it was definitely tiring on my body I felt really good throughout the run, both energy-wise and with my attitude. I guess I am still trying to get redemption from the not-so-great race I had in early November. I really think so much of the training is mental for me because when my attitude is good then I tend to do much better.

When "sexy as I know it" came on around mile 14 I couldn't help but laugh and speed up a little. How ridiculous is that song? It always makes me laugh and I love running to it!

The Princeless Princess

The third graders at Amelia and John's elementary school stage a musical each year. This is the first year I have been aware of this large production given that my oldest is just now a third grader, and I have to say that I was amazed by the quality and sophistication of their performance. The kids are assigned parts in the musical as a component of their regular twice-a-week music class, and all of the show rehearsals take place during music class every week. The children were assigned their parts by the music teacher about six weeks ago, and the kids performed the show four times over two days last week - twice one day for their peers at the school and twice another evening for their parents and invited guests.

The cover of the program...presenting "The Princeless Princess"!

Guess who played the princess in the play? Amelia!
More on this later, but for know please understand that there are 144 third graders in the elementary school. And each and every one had at least one part in the musical! Can you even imagine?!? It was crazy and amazing at the same time to see that many children rotate on and off the stage during a 30 minute show! There were ribbon dancers, sword dancers, frogs, various members of the royal court, jesters, etc.. And most of the kids played different percussion instuments to accompany the singing as well. I tell you, it was amazing.

Below are Amelia and two of her friends before one of the evening performances, Isabella the "Fair E. Godmother", and William, Prince #2.

These are the opening rappers who set the stage for the story.

The premise of the play is that it is the princess' birthday and she is expected to select a prince.

First the princess engages the help of a bookseller, who sells her a guide about "How to Find a Prince in Three Easy Steps". The princess must select a few qualities that she thinks would be important for a prince, and settles that he must be "Tall, Dark, and Handsome!"

After examining two princes (including Amelia's good friend William, below), the princess decides that neither lives up the "tall" and "dark" qualities. Although she does exclaim that both are "kinda' cute" with respect to handsome aspect.

The ribbon dancers perform dances to entertain the princess..

...and later the frogs make an appearance so that the princess can kiss a frog with the hopes of capturing the best prince possible.

But in the end nothing works and the princess winds up without a prince. The lesson is that declaring traits that are based on external appearance alone - such as "dark, tall, and handsome" - leads you down the wrong path. It's character that matters when you judge someone - the characteristics that are inside each and every one of us, such as friendliness and honesty.

At the end of the show, the princess declares that she was "looking for the wrong things all along! It's character that matters! From now on, I will remind myself and others that what is important for each person is what is on the inside that counts, not what you see on the outside!"

I have to say that the musical was really well done and I had so much fun watching Amelia and her peers perform for their friends and family. What an amazing experience for all of these 8 and 9 year-old kids to have!