Storm Recovery * Field Trips * Christmas Breakfast

We've been having a grand time around here. Not too much to report on, other than the ordinary, but here are a few things we've been up to:

• We've recovered from the fateful storm. I never shared the story of the Sunday after, but it's a good one. Our stake president played Brigham Young and called the men to go out and "rescue" their neighbors. We only held sacrament meeting. He told us to go home and eat, even though it was Fast Sunday, because we'd be no use if our bodies weren't nourished. Wow! The crowds that showed up to help out were remarkable. Renews your faith in the human race. I heard they called out the National Guard, but I never saw them. Just regular citizens helping out neighbors. We have since got our garage door fixed; facia, soffit and gutter replaced; and the tree stump removed. Just need our roofer to come back to replace the few shingles we lost and we'll be back to normal, aside from the new view out our window.
• We went to a Christmas puppet show. It was geared for a younger crowd, but our girls still seemed to enjoy themselves.
• Then we went to a "Holiday Story Night." This one was really for younger kids. There was one very dramatic story teller. He stepped on a little girl sitting on the front row. It was both sad and a little funny at the same time.
• I have a neighbor who expressed a desire to start running, but was worried about how to do it with 3 little children. I had the perfect solution -- let Chloe watch them for her! Chloe is desperate to babysit, and this would be a great way to help out. Sophie ended up going with her, so I guess they both do it. It's been really fun for them, and I hope they feel as good as I do when they help someone out.
• I took the girls to a play - "Brave Little Tailor." It was technically a field trip, since we went as an organized group. But mostly it was just fun. And I got free parking because the parking attendant couldn't make change. Woot!
• Sophie actually had an activity day this week! She got a new leader back in June, and it just hasn't been the same since. Yes, I know we don't criticize our leaders, but what can you say when people simply don't do their jobs? I'm using it as a teaching moment to show my kids how horrible it feels so they won't ever slack when they are given a responsibility.
• Friday night I took the girls to a homeschool choir concert. It was cute and the leader of it is a friend of mine who always done an amazing job at whatever she does (although she doesn't want to hear that!) Sophie seemed like she might want to join the choir, but only if her sister does. And you know how unlikely that will be. I told her to let me know if she ever feels like it's something she wants to do.
• This morning we had our ward Christmas breakfast. It felt a little quick and rushed. Maybe that was just me, but I didn't even have time to eat my breakfast before I had to go perform. I was given a little notice that I was needed to accompany, but who and what songs were not decided until about 5 minutes before the show began. Then Santa Clause came, the girls got their pictures taken with him and it was time to clean up. Chloe did share a pretty funny story with me. She said Santa asked her if she's done all her homework. She told him she's homeschooled. So then he asked if she gets to have chicken sandwiches everyday for lunch, to which she replies, "We don't eat meat." Then he asked her what she wants for Christmas and she said a telescope. Then I guess he asked her if she knew what I (her mom) was getting her, to which she had to explain that I'm not getting any gifts this year. Poor Santa, I think he must have an easier time just listening to greedy little kids rattle off their wish lists!