Even More Bonding Time

Thursday, December 18, was Answer the Telephone Like Buddy the Elf Day.

I was all ready to when Jeremy called for family prayer that morning. However, his phone got bumped to "Do Not Disturb" so my texts never got to him saying we were ready. I eventually had to call him and he didn't think to answer the phone that way. Oh well.

The only other phone call I got that day was from the elementary school and I intentionally did NOT answer like Buddy the Elf because I knew they weren't calling for something fun. Sigh.

The kids and I did watch the movie, "Elf" (I stayed awake for the whole thing- Gasp). I even made spaghetti and got out the rest of the ingredients needed for a Buddy the Elf breakfast for dinner. Nobody was in the mood for all that sugary stuff, though. I don't blame them. What did sound good was me taking leftover homemade teriyaki sauce, cutting up veggies, adding some rotisserie chicken, and cooking them up together to have some nice teriyaki chicken to go with the spaghetti.

I was prepared, though, and throughout the next day, people did have some Buddy the Elf breakfast from time to time.

Jr. created a beautiful masterpiece. It sure "looked" pretty. 

Speaking of masterpieces, Jr. Jr. brought home a beautiful ornament he made at school... and cookies.

A Bit More Bonding Time

I promised Jet one morning that I'd let him play at the park playground after school. I didn't realize a storm was coming in. We had a little rain and it was cold, the playground was wet, but he had fun anyway. I asked him how many minutes he wanted on the playground, he gave me a number, I set a timer, and he was good about leaving when it was time.

 

Later that day, I taught him how to play tic-tac-toe. When he finally beat me, he was so excited. It was so cute.

That night, December 17, since it was National Maple Syrup Day, I made pancakes. I made them blue. I don't think anybody had syrup on their pancakes. 

That's okay. The next morning I had syrup on my pancakes for breakfast as well as eggs. The eggs were not blue. 

Spending time with loved ones is a good way to do service.

More Bonding Time

Tuesday I got more bonding time.

In the morning, my friend Stephanie came over to help wrap presents and sign her book, "Timmy Termite It Was This Big." She wrote and illustrated it. We had hot chocolate with peppermint ice cream in it and watched the movie, "Stalking Santa." 

That evening, Nichole and I went caroling with some friends in the neighborhood then had more hot chocolate and cookies and had a great time chatting. We talked about all sorts of things including it being Jane Austen's 250th birthday, December 16. 

Good bonding time with friends and family.

 

Bonding Time

Monday, Nichole and I were able to go watch a movie in the theater that we've been waiting a couple years for. 

Sarah M. Eden is one of my favorite authors. A couple of years ago, a kickstarter was announced for funds to make a movie based on her book, "Seeking Persephone." I love that book. My daughter loves that book. We both got excited about the announcement. I was thrilled to find out that Sarah wrote the screenplay for the movie based on her book.

They quickly earned enough money to promise to make the movie and did filming in Utah. They earned more money later so they could film in England because the story takes place in England during the Regency Era.

I've been excited about this whole thing. I've loved seeing behind the scenes content. I've loved hearing updates from people who were part of creating it. 

I didn't know if there would be the opportunity to see it in the theater. I was happy we were going to get a digital copy of the movie but didn't know if we'd get the chance to see it in the theater, especially since over the last few months they've been having special screenings in select theaters and tickets sell out sooooo fast. But one day, I was quick enough I was able to buy tickets for Nichole and me and after almost a week of anticipation, we got to go to a "Seeking Persephone Early Access Fan Screening." 

Sarah M. Eden was there at our theater (with a few others who were very important to making this movie) and she was so nice to let so many people take selfies with her. I mentioned she's one of my favorite authors, right?

I had heard good things about this movie so my hopes were up pretty high. I was happy that we were able to see it in the theater before watching it at home with all the boys. This type of movie may not be their preferred genre but we do have fun watching lots of different things together as a family.

After having high hopes, the movie exceeded my expectations. This was watching the book come to life on the screen. It was the book. I was watching it thinking I know what's going to happen in this scene and loving every moment of it because it was absolutely true to the book, which I already love. There were a few changes (necessary in filmmaking) which didn't hinder the story at all. After all, it's almost three hours long. It didn't feel too long or two short, though. Goldilocks would be glad to know that in my opinion, it was just right. 

After the movie, Nichole told me she was already looking forward to watching it again. No kidding. It is going to be one I will enjoy watching over and over.

The music was gorgeous. We know that music can make a big difference in a movie and this added to the it beautifully. We already have the soundtrack but I wanted to watch the movie before listening to the soundtrack so now I can. Woohoo.

I have so many good things to say about this movie. Several family members have already heard me talk their ears off but I can't get over how much I loved it.

I really can't write it all. I will say this. I hope they are able to continue making these movies. There are so many wonderful stories in the series and I'd love to see the actors who played certain characters in this movie have their opportunity to show us the story of those characters (because the casting was also great).

Sarah M. Eden is still one of my favorite authors and now she is one of my favorite screenplay writers. Everyone was appropriately laughing and Awwwing throughout the movie. Good writing.

That reminds me, she also wrote the screenplay to a movie based on another one of her books, "The Sheriffs of Savage Wells." They filmed that this year and because it's an 1800s Western, they were able to film it all in Utah. That one I didn't know about until I heard they started filming it and I got very excited about it because I also like that book. Nichole hasn't read it yet. 

I am thrilled there are going to be at least two movies based on her books and I hope there will be many more.  

Mommy, Look

Jr. Jr.: Can I bring a bag of salt to school?

Hanukkah

Last night was the first night of Hanukkah. We are not Jewish but I think it is a good thing to learn about other cultures and religions. It’s a way to show love and respect as we all deserve.

So as the kids ate latkes and challah, I read a book to them called “The Story of Hanukkah” by Norma Simon. The recipe we have for latkes came from a Hanukkah book I got at school when I was a little girl.

I introduced them to the song, “Hanukkah, O Hanukkah,” which I remember my brother’s elementary school class learning and singing on the radio many many years ago.

After we ate, we played dreidel with chocolate coins. Over the years we’ve collected so many dreidels, mostly plastic but my son has a wooden one.

My husband was given some dreidels when he did balloon sculptures for a Hanukkah celebration years ago and I think my son’s came from school.

Even in different religions we can find things we have in common, including celebrating miracles. Let’s please show love and respect to others. It’s the right thing to do.

There was lots of love shown in our family yesterday. Lots of hugs. People helping out. Jet even sang a song. "I love you. I love you... Mama."

I absolutely love it when we have good feelings in our home.

P.S. December 14 was also Monkey Day so there was some fun monkeying around going on. 

Ack, I Need To Blog

We were just getting ready to eat dinner and I realized I haven't blogged yet today.

Last night we went to our ward Christmas party. We ate good food and enjoyed a lovely program. The Primary president went around and brought coloring/activity books (and crayons) to the kids. That was fun.

 

They showed clips from "The Christ Child" nativity video, while one of the ward members narrated from the related scriptures. Between clips, other ward members did musical numbers that went along with the clips we watched.

Guess what the Countdown to Christmas scripture was for that night. Luke 2:1-7 and watching "The Christ Child." It fit right in. 

 

Hey, now I can eat dinner and tell you tomorrow about it.