Happy 100th Birthday, Dick Van Dyke

Did you know that Frank Sinatra and Dick Van Dyke were only 10 years and 1 day apart in age? That's crazy. I have friends that are 10 years older or younger than me. 

I think of Frank Sinatra and Dick Van Dyke as being in two completely different time periods. Part of that might be that I remember hearing about Frank Sinatra's passing when I was a teenager and I watched Dick Van Dyke in a movie that came out when my oldest was a teenager (and he's still alive today). 

On Frank Sinatra's 110th birthday this year on December 12, we were discussing how we want to watch Guys and Dolls again (and singing some songs from it). We didn't have time that day so we'll have to watch it later.

Today, December 13, is Dick Van Dyke's 100th birthday. I thought about watching Mary Poppins but we don't have time for that either. There's only a 9 year difference in when those two movies came out, yet I still don't think of those men being around at the same time (even though they were both making movies at the same time). Isn't it a funny thing? 

Oh, here's another thing that's funny when I think about it. My parents were kids when Guys and Dolls came out and were teenagers when Mary Poppins came out. 

O.K. Even more fun. Looking at IMDB, I see that Dick Van Dyke was in a movie that came out when my parents were teenagers, a movie that came out when I was a teenager, and a movie that came out when my child was a teenager. As well as many many others. Wow. That is a long career. Pretty awesome that he's made it to 100 years old. 

 

And since I don't have pictures of Frank Sinatra or Dick Van Dyke, I'll show a picture of yesterday, 12-12.

Before Sneeze and After Sneeze

The sneeze was fake but it was funny. He was trying to get it as I took the picture but I was too fast for him. He's the kid that likes to do subtle photobombs so it's not surprising for him to try something funny. 

 

And today, I'll show a picture of what I gave to Jet when he asked for apple slices shaped like spider legs. Eh, why not? He was pleased with what I gave him.

We Did What We Said We Would

Monday, December 1, was Antarctica Day. It was cold. I also wore a shirt that had snow flakes and a Wintery scene on it.

It was also Eat a Red Apple Day. We ate a red apple with dinner.

Tuesday, December 2, as you know was Giving Tuesday. Sometimes I don't think about those simple acts of service as service. Jeremy reminded me on his way out the door that morning that I serve him every morning when I make his lunch and breakfast. I didn't think of it like that. It's just what I do because I love him. He appreciates it. But it's also an act of service? Oh yeah, I guess it is. But it's just what I do.

I agreed to give a ride to one of Lucky's friends after play rehearsal yesterday since his parents needed me to. I didn't think of it as actively doing service. It was just a nice thing to do. I was happy to. But it was service. Sometimes service doesn't take extra effort but it still makes a difference. I was already picking Lucky up and that family lives in our neighborhood. It was easy for me but the parents appreciated it.

Sometimes service does take a little extra effort. I took the other kids with me to pick up the boys from rehearsal and we let Lucky's friend know since it was "Giving" Tuesday we were "giving" him a ride. Then when we got to his house, Lucky grabbed a plate of cookies we brought with us and let him know we were also "giving" his family cookies.

After that we delivered cookies to a couple other people.

A few days before, the kids helped me make the cookies. Also service.

Oh, and while I was delivering taquitos and something he left at our house to Jr., a couple of my children cleaned the living room (as per my request). Service.

I gave Jr. a ride somewhere earlier in the day. 

It's amazing how sometimes we don't even realize we're doing service or we don't think to label it because it's just a kindness that we show. I think that's great. And like I said, sometimes it takes a bit more effort.

I'm not saying this to toot my own horn. I'm saying this because sometimes we don't realize that we are making a difference in the little things we're doing. 

That night a few of us sat down to watch a movie together. 

Sometimes service comes in the form of spending time with someone... or listening. Instead of turning on a show to watch or an audiobook to listen to while I made dinner, I listened to one of my sons share what he had come up with about different fantasy creatures and fantasy realms. He has such creativity and a great imagination.

Thanks for doing me service and reading all my rambling. I'll probably share some more of the service that goes on this month but there are those times when service is done quietly and doesn't need to be shared publicly so I won't share everything.

Celebrating In December

December 1 was Eat a Red Apple Day. We did.

 

Since it was also the beginning of December, we started our Countdown to Christmas scripture study. Pick a flag with a scripture for each day, answers questions, earn mint M&Ms.

The first Sunday in December is always the First Presidency Christmas devotional so we are able to say a song that was sung, a story that was told, something like that to earn our mint M&M. President Nelson encouraged us to gain our own testimony of Jesus Christ, that He is the son of God, and because of Him we don't have to go through challenges alone. That is a great thing to remember (I'm glad I took notes).

 

December 4 was National Cookie Day. We took Oreo cookies and cream pudding and Oreos and made "Dirt."

December 5 was Walt Disney's birthday. We listened to Walt Disney music and some interviews with him. I made sure to wear my bow earrings that night at Jr.'s holiday concert.

 

For St. Nicholas Day on December 6, everyone got candy in their shoes again. It was also Put on Your Own Shoes Day. Jeremy didn't think he'd gotten any candy in his shoes. Ha Ha Ha. He realized he did after he put them on. Tee Hee.

 

We had good intentions of celebrating Cotton Candy Day on December 7 and Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day on December 8 but it didn't really happen. So December 9 we finally traveled in time to eat cotton candy but not before Jr. Jr. posed in an epic time traveler position.

December 11 was International Mountain Day. We took that day to make a mountain of latkes, ate challah bread, and played dreidel with chocolate coins which we ate, too. Yumm.

On Frank Sinatra's birthday on December 12, I listened to Frank Sinatra music while getting things done.

On Cocoa Day, December 13, we were going to do our annual Polar Express Party. We got as far as Jeremy dressing up and reading the book to us. Then I was tired and didn't want to deal with things, getting supplies out for cocoa. Sigh. I went to bed and the kids played video games.

December 14 was Monkey Day. I went to watch one of my monkeys play in his first real orchestra concert. Well done, monkey.

 

December 15 was Ugly Christmas Sweater Day. I didn't get any pictures of Jeremy wearing it but he got himself a t-shirt this year with this on it:

I love it.

That's enough for one post. Stay tuned for more December 2023 catching up.

Hard to Celebrate When You're Sick

While sick, there's not a lot I want to do. Give me steam, herbal tea, and rest. 

Unfortunately, the rest is more restless than anything. I cannot get a good night's sleep when lying down makes me cough. Sigh. I'm gradually getting better now (knock on wood). But for a while, I wasn't up to blogging, baking, or shopping. And not so much celebrating.

I did save some rolls after Thanksgiving (they don't usually last long) for Turkey Leftover Day on November 28. Turkey sandwiches. Go, me.

December 1 was Eat a Red Apple Day but we only had one red apple left to split between the seven of us so we had tiny slices for everyone.

 

Of course while I was the worst sick was while Jeremy was out of town for another conference.

For Walt Disney's Birthday on December 5, we ate peaches with a spoonful of sugar on them.

Celebrating the Season

The best way to celebrate in December is by remembering the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ, who gave everything for us. That's why we do Light The World, so we can be a little more like Jesus and give a little back to him. That's why we also make sure to learn more of him and in our family that means our Countdown to Christmas scripture study.

As always we read a scripture or scriptures each day and answer questions about them and we each get a mint M&M if we answer correctly. We always tell the kids it's an open book test. They can always turn back to scriptures in order to find the answers or get hints if they're young enough. If they don't participate (because of a bad attitude) or are on their way back from another fair convention, this time in Texas, and are only on the phone for prayer and to listen to the scripture, they don't get an M&M.

 

Nichole and Jr. both had concerts on December 1. Jr.'s concert attire was ugly sweater, which his teacher explained as something very very very Christmasy. He also wore a white and red striped face mask because it looked like a candy cane. 

 

After Nichole's concert, she had an activity so she didn't get home until after we had prayer and read the scripture and got off the phone with Jeremy and Marcus because they both went to the convention together so as they traveled, they both joined us by phone for family prayer. But when Nichole walked in the door, I mentioned that the scripture we read was 2 Nephi 25:26 and she immediately said, "Oh, that's the one about talking about Christ and rejoicing in Christ..." That immediately earned her an M&M. If she knows what the scripture is by the scripture reference, that's an immediate reward. 

The scripture says, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." And that is why we celebrate the season. And that is what we try to teach all year long. That is why family scripture study and family prayer and gospel discussions in our home are so important.

That is the best thing to celebrate, even though it is fun to celebrate other things like Eat a Red Apple Day on December 1 and National Fritters Day on December 2 and National Cookie Day on December 4. And fun Santa things from time to time (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).

 

The emphasis should never be taken away from the Savior, however. So we daily have our family prayer and Countdown to Christmas scripture study and we remember Christ and we rejoice in Christ and we teach our children that "...through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (3rd article of faith). That is worth celebrating.

The School Year Begins

We survived the beginning of the school year. Yay, us. Normally I have Nemo in my head going, "First day of school! First day of school!" This year, however, I had Cocomelon in my head. The day before school started, I went around singing, "Tomorrow is the first day of school," then the day school started, "Today is the day. It's the first day of school."

The day before school started, the elementary schoolers got to meet their teachers. Lucky took his teacher an apple that was a Doctor Who reference since his teacher has a Doctor Who themed classroom. Oh yeah.

 

I forgot to get a picture of Jr. Jr. in his classroom but he was there and met his teacher. Sorry, Jr. Jr. We're excited for your year at school, too.

I did get first day of school pictures of my kids.

I was going through my checklist and saw that I needed to remember to take pictures so I got a picture of Nichole brushing her teeth and a picture of Jr. getting off his bed. Oh, and I took pictures of them outside before they headed off to school. I guess that works, too. 

My cousin farther north took pictures of her kids on their first day of school and pointed out the hazy sky in the background from fires. I can do the same. See the hazy sky in the background from fires? I pointed it out.

Jet also got his picture taken when he and I took the boys to the bus.

I thought it was fun what they had set up to welcome the high schoolers back. There were cheerleaders cheering everyone on and the student body presidency welcoming them.

After everyone was gone to school, it was Mommy and Jet time. We drank smoothies, played and sang songs, and snuggled. Jet made messes and I tried to keep up with him. 

The kids didn't have homework when they got home from school and they all did their chores so they got to celebrate the first day of school with video games. That plus it was I LOVE My Feet Day! so they played Mario games where they were running around and stomping on bad guys.

I never had my expected breakdown on the first day of school or the rest of the first week. I waited until the weekend.

Get Over It, You Meatball

March 9 was National Get Over It Day. I told the kids, "Mom's not making dinner. Get over it." I did let them know they could have what I made for lunch, though. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. 

Unstuffed bell peppers from budgetbytes.com Yumm.

We all went around telling each other, "Don't be a meatball," since March 9 is also National Meatball Day. I didn't make meatballs to eat, either. Get over it.

We actually got along even with the name calling so after dinner I let the boys build a mountain out of pillows so they could "get over it." Woohoo. They had some fun. It was Lucky's idea and I'm glad it worked out.

That morning, Jr. put on The Beatles song, "Come Together," because the words are, "Come together right now over me." "Over" me? Get it? Yeah, that's creativity again for you.

Some other unrelated- but related because they have to do with celebrating but I didn't get pictures and they're not worthy of their own posts- notes:

March 10 was Pack Your Lunch Day. Jeremy did. 

March 11 was Johnny Appleseed Day. We ate apples and I just now realized that we have that cartoon about Johnny Appleseed on DVD but I wasn't paying that much attention that day so we didn't watch it but we could have since we got it since the last time we celebrated Johnny Appleseed Day and oh, well, I wasn't thinking about that so "that's the way the cookie crumbles" or the way the oatmeal nut waffles crumble since March 11 was also Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day but I also didn't make oatmeal nut waffles but I made chicken cordon bleu casserole which in my opinion is really tasty even though Jr. Jr. didn't like it and made a big deal about not being willing to even taste it even though I have so many stories about how I used to be so picky and didn't like such and such and then I finally had it one time in this circumstance and ever since then I've liked that food so tastes change which is why my kids should continue to eat the food I make because maybe one day they'll have one of those moments where they decide, oh, this food is actually good and I can't believe I used to not like it just like in Mom's stories.

P.S. Jr. Jr. informed me that instead of the phrase, "That's the way the cookie crumbles," mountain men would say, "That's the way the stick floats." I love that he learned those kinds of things during his mountain men unit in school.