The Great Divorce

One of Darin's favorite authors is C.S. Lewis. I am just getting into his books (better late than never), but I am sure that he will become one of my favorites, too. Darin recently found that his favorite Lewis book, "The Great Divorce", was being performed as a play in Philly. The book is about the "divorce" between Heaven and Hell - very insightful and thought provoking book. Well, Darin quickly snapped up tickets for the two of us to attend. In preparation for the play, I quickly read most of the book - a quick read even for slow readers like me. We arrived downtown and walked to the Lantern Theater - a little tiny thing down an alley - not on Broad Street (aka Avenue of the Arts) where all the larger theaters are located. I began to feel more than a little skeptical of the quality of the play we were about to view. We entered the theater - located at the back of an old church - 30 minutes prior to start time, to find about four (over age 60) couples loitering in the small lobby. Oh, boy. Darin and I both exchanged somewhat worried glances, picked up our tickets, and went back outside to walk around until the doors opened for seating. When we returned, to my relief, the theater was teeming with people of all ages. As we took our seats, I was surprised to see a stage the size of our living room with a bar stool in the middle of it and gray sheets of fabric hanging behind it. There were about 100 chairs (RS room style) around the stage. What the? (I learned later from our more cultured babysitter that this is called black box theater.) As I perused my program I found that the play was a "one man show". Oh my goodness, I thought. How is this going to work? Well . . . let me tell you, it was absolutely amazing! The actor, Anthony Lawton, was FANTASTIC! I don't know how to explain the show in words, but I did not leave disappointed. Once the play began, I didn't even notice that there wasn't scenery, actors, props, or much of anything but the man on the stage. It was one of the best plays I have ever seen, and I was so glad to see it with Darin. We really enjoyed being together and discussing the play and the book on the drive home. Thanks, hon! A great date night! (If you're in Philly, the play runs through January 4th - so hurry and get some tickets and enjoy yourself!)

Jumping for Joy!

Megan, Matthew and Jacob received a mini trampoline for Christmas. I now know how to get Jacob to smile in a picture - put his new super hero cape on (thanks Aunt Jan) and let him jump to his heart's content.



Matthew has also impressed us (and scared us to death) with his trampoline talents. He needs a full size one soon to prevent him from catapulting himself over the handlebars of the mini one. Look at those splits!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morn

We had a lovely Christmas Eve with several families in the ward. We enjoyed good food, singing, and sharing fun traditions with each other. Then we came home and opened the traditional Christmas PJ's from Grandma and Grandpa Chandler.



For the last couple of weeks, Matthew has been waxing poetic and asking me how many more days until Christmas morn. Each time he says it I have to chuckle. He is so fun. Well, Christmas morn dawned bright and clear (the sun was shining, the grass was green, the oak and pine trees swayed) and the kids were, of course, eager to open presents, so here is some of the carnage.





We hope you had a very Merry Christmas, too.

Photo? . . . @#$#!!Shoot!

Jacob will likely be on a magazine cover soon. He absolutely loves to have his picture taken. He is very cooperative and loves to pose in whatever position we encourage him to strike! Here are a few samples of his work.











Like I said, a model in the making. Isn't he cute? Thank goodness he is so easy to live with the rest of the time! He really is a super sweetheart - just don't break out the camera.

Lovely Longwood

A few nights ago I took the kids and two of their cute friends to see the Christmas displays at Longwood Gardens. WOW! What a beautiful place. It was a gorgeous night-probably about 50 degrees-so we weren't freezing to death. We ran to watch an ice skating show as soon as we arrived. The kids all loved it and were inspired to be figure skaters someday.




We wandered around looking at lights and then went to the Conservatory - my favorite. There were gorgeous white lilies everywhere so it smelled awesome. There were amaryllis, paperwhite narcissus, cyclamen, begonias, and many, many more flowers. The poinsettias were amazing. Some were larger than dinner plates and others were smaller that the palm of my hand. The pictures I took weren't that great so you should go to their website, www.longwoodgardens.org, if you want to see some quality pics of what it really looks like. Incredible!


The kids had a great time playing in the fountains in the Children's Garden - good thing it was so warm since the boys and Megan were soaked by the time we left!






We also enjoyed several water fountain shows with music. The kids were all dancing around and singing to the music while the water was shooting to the sky.



I couldn't believe how late it was when we finally left. I felt a little sheepish that I had kept all the kids out so late on a school night, but we all had a great time.

27 Bits of Gratitude

Sarah had me think of 27 things to be thankful for since Thanksgiving is the 27th this year. Wow, there are so many things to be grateful for, it is hard to limit them to 27. This really got me pondering all the amazing blessings Heavenly Father has given me - from big to small. I could have gone on and on. Thank you, Sarah, for the great suggestion!

1. Darin's gentleness, patience, and back rubs
2. Sarah's smile and long talks with me
3. Megan's hugs and desire to spend time with me
4. Matthew's snuggles and animated face
5. Jacob's fish kisses and fascination with how things work
6. water to drink and swim in and shower in-anytime
7. aquaphor for my chapped lips and skin
8. warm fuzzy blankets
9. the rest of my family's love and support
10. the sound and feel of the ocean
11. Bach - inspiring
12. laughter
13. red, ripe strawberries
14. good friends
15. sitting cat-like in the sun by a large window
16. the gospel of Jesus Christ
17. gardening - even pulling weeds
18. my sense of smell
19. the piano
20. a comfortable home to live in
21. knowing how to read and having books available
22. hymns - comforting and uplifting
23. sweet, juicy oranges
24. a car to drive
25. birds at my birdfeeder
26. springtime
27. hiking and camping in beautiful Utah

Have You Heard? There's A New Emergency Number

A couple of weeks ago Matthew had fire prevention week at his preschool. He learned the whole stop, drop, roll routine very well. He also learned about the number to call in case of an emergency. I know you all learned one of those, too, but apparently, the number has changed. Please make a note of it.

"Mom, (dramatic pause) do you call 991 if you want to order a pizza?"

"You mean 911?"

"Yeah, that's what I said - 991."

(chuckle) "No, you don't call that for a pizza."

"RIGHT!!!! Mom, (dramatic pause) do you call 991 if you want (looking around the room for inspiration) a toy to play with?"

"You mean 911?"

"Yeah, that's what I said - 991"

"No, you don't call that if you want a toy to play with."

"RIGHT!!! Mom, do you call 991 if you have an emergency?"

"No, you call 911 if you have an emergency."

"MOM, that's what I said!"

"Oh, sorry, I thought you said 991."

More giggles from me. Oh, I love that boy! He obviously got down the example/non-example part I learned so much about in my training as a teacher. Unfortunately, the really valuable information - THE ACTUAL EMERGENCY NUMBER- was not quite as solid in his mind. I was laughing all afternoon about our conversation.

That night, as we were driving home from the church, Matthew launched into the same discussion with Megan and her friend Hannah. Sarah and I were in the front seats stifling laughter. Sarah pointed out that at least if we had a real emergency, with any luck, 991 would be Angelo's Pizza and we could at least get a pizza out of the experience! We couldn't hold our laughter in any longer and exploded.

Don't worry, we're having review lessons on the good old emergency number - 911!
Wish us luck!

Brahm's Requiem

Sunday afternoon I had the privlege of attending a concert in which my talented husband was performing. As he walked past the Church of the Redeemer one evening a couple of months ago, Darin heard beautiful music echoing from it's chapel. Quickly recognizing the music as his favorite piece, Brahm's Requiem, he stuck his head in. He found a small choir practicing inside. Once home, he immediately looked up the church, emailed their music director, and asked if he might join their choir practices. The music director said they would be happy to have him join them. He has been practicing for 2-4 hours a week with them for the past few weeks and Sunday they performed.



Now, Brahms has never been my favorite composer - I think his music is a bit melancholy - ("longing" is the word Darin prefers to use), but the Requiem (though at times a little foreboding) was truly beautiful. The choir performed in a beautiful, old stone church building with great acoustics and their voices blended beautifully. There were two soloists that were outstanding and the two pianists (it is a duet) were excellent. It was truly a first rate performance. Darin looked very handsome and happy as he sang his heart out. I was proud of him. I hope he has more opportunities like this, so I can benefit as a listener!

The Healthy Witch of the East

Megan was a witch for Halloween this year.  She did the standard "trunk or treat" at the church a couple of days before Halloween.  Once home, Matthew accidentally grabbed some candy from her bag, which, of course, upset her.  After heartily scolding him, she had a change of heart and told him he could have all of her candy!  When Halloween rolled around, she said she didn't want to go trick or treating.  What???  What kid doesn't want to go trick or treating?  When I asked her about why she didn't want to go, she said "I want to be healthier this year so I don't get any cavities."  (Dentists of the world, rejoice!)  OK, fine by me.  She is, after all, the girl who was once as excited about receiving a can of lima beans for Christmas (from her dentist- uncle, incidentally) as she was about the toys she received, who still prefers a can of warmed kidney or garbanzo beans for lunch over a PB&J, who for a "treat" at the grocery store asks for a plum or nectarine - maybe even two, and who can stop after eating only one fresh baked cookie! 

As she was passing out candy to all the other costumed youngsters from the neighborhood, Darin overheard her say to two little princesses, "You can choose one or two," as she held out the huge bowl of candy to them.  Princess #1 replied, "Oh, I'll have two!" and quickly chose her favorites.  Princess #2 said, "I'll just take one."  Megan then said to Princess #2 (in a very wise and knowing tone),  "That is a very good choice.  You will be much healthier."  

I love my Meggie!  I love that she chops wood in our backyard with a child size shovel, that she makes all kinds of interesting concoctions with berries from the trees and the wood chips from the aforementioned activity, that she finds bird feathers to make into quill pens using the ink (that is often created from the concoctions) to write her name over and over again, that she climbs "her" tree in little white dress gloves and an Easter hat, that she sings at the top of her lungs once she reaches the top of her tree, and for so many other reasons that are witness to her wonderful, creative and singular personality.   

So, to all of you out there who are pondering whether you should raid your kids' candy bags again, think of Megan and the healthy choices she is advocating - grab a can of beans or piece of fruit instead.  I'm sure you will thank her!

The Great Valley Forge Pumpkin

We had a fun pumpkin carving party this weekend at some friends' house. They are amazing hosts and had a delicious dinner and desserts for everyone (probably 20 or so families!) They also provided carving tools and candles for everyone's jack-o-lanterns. We enjoyed scooping out pumpkin guts and visiting with friends. A contest followed, and although we didn't win any prizes, it was fun to see everyone's creations lit up together. Unfortunately, I didn't get any good pictures of that. Jacob (what pumpkins?) spent the night playing with their extensive train collection in the playroom. Fun night.

Trash to Treasure

In January, I drove past a not so lovely dining room table and four chairs on the curb - for three days - in a row.  Each day I thought, "I should take those chairs home and paint them . . . nah." Well, on day four, I caved and decided to pick them up, but when I got there, only one chair was left.  Ugh! (Why would someone take three chairs?  Or maybe they disappeared one at a time.) Anyway, I brought it home and stuck it in the garage.

Sometime in May, I pulled the chair out and decided to have some fun.  No more beige for me - I was going bold!  A little sanding, a can of spray paint (my new favorite decorating tool) and a cute fabric remnant later, I have a non-neutral fun chair that I LOVE!  Sigh.  I just wish I had picked up all four chairs the first day I passed them.

I then turned to a garage sale dresser that has been sitting in our playroom basically taking up space.  With the kids' help I primed and painted it and spray painted the hardware.  Again, no neutral - a bright orangey red.  I LOVE it!  I am going to get my fabrics out of the ugly boxes they've been sitting in for years and put them in the dresser drawers.  I may even start sewing more regularly again with them in their new pretty "container".  Both the dresser and the chair are going in the playroom/my craft room which my amazing friend, Sarah, and I recently painted a pale aqua blue.  I love the bright color combinations.  It is a fun room to be in.  (I also turned my brass piano lamp and mailbox a lovely hammered black with the aforementioned beloved spray paint.)  Watch out neutral hand-me-down wicker chairs sitting in the living room.  I think a can of brightly hued spray paint is in your future!

*Thanks to my sweet Sarah,  a budding photographer, for all of her lovely photos for this post (and the others).  And, don't you love those big green ball things? Just laying on the side of the road begging to be picked up and stuck in a basket for a bright shot of color.  They smell good, too - a little citrusy.

Laerenswaert = "Worth Learning"

While Darin was rehearsing Brahm's Requiem with a local Anglican church choir, the kids and I went to a fun colonial craft fair Saturday at an historical farmstead.  It was our first really cold day this fall, so we bundled up and headed out.  The kids carded wool, wrote with quill pens and used wax seals, beat flax to get fibers for linen thread, dipped candles, hooked rugs, played colonial games, and viewed a puppet show - twice.  It is the oldest running puppet show in English history - Punch and Judy.  Megan, Matthew and Jacob especially liked it.  I loved laughing at them as they were laughing so hard.  I never did master the stilts, but Sarah and Megan got a few wobbly steps in.  Anyway, lots of fun!  I'm looking into the Colonial Summer Camp at the farm for next summer.  I think the kids would love it - if it's not ridiculously expensive.

Same trail, next day, plus two lovely ladies

 

 

 

The girls wanted to join us on a trek to McCaig Nature Trail today.  It was another gorgeous day.  I think I should make a pilgrimage there every day.  Even the girls got in on throwing rocks in the stream - they were able to make much bigger splashes than the boys did.  I don't think the boys minded one bit.