2012 CPC Christmas Pageant a.k.a. Bryce Behaving Badly

The 2012 Central Presbyterian children’s Christmas pageant is officially in the books. Here’s guessing either you know or can recall a similar type event at church involving you or your children. Really, it was a moment most parents and parishioners were anticipating, but a select few (namely US) were a bit hesitant knowing a certain little angel (Bryce) may or may not follow all given instructions.

This was a sweet and tender 10-minute moment of the morning when the cherub-like Christmas songs are belted out for all to hear, sing along and enjoy. And for the most part, Bryce, Kari and the other 20-plus youngsters did a great job. That was until the final song when Bryce clearly lost interest in behaving appropriately in such an environment.

The kids were supposed to have felt masks on (donkey, cow or sheep) which is what Kari has on. Bryce, shockingly, didn’t want to wear said mask. At this point, we were simply crossing our fingers that he would sit and stand still.

For 9 minutes, he sat quietly next to his sister and when asked to stand and sing, he at least stood up and sucked his thumb while Kari sang. His father proudly video-taped the songs, while his mother missed the first few because of participating in winter commencement.  When Holly entered the room nearly 75 percent of the performance was complete. Bryce saw Holly walking and in the middle of a song, he began waving to her the entire way to her seat.

That was cute. What happened next is up for debate.

During the finale, Kari was focused on her singing role. During a handful of the songs, she put her arm around her little brother and even held his hand. But Bryce apparently had enough, and  began head-butting his sister’s arm, hitting her, wiping his nose against her arm and last, but certainly not least, licking her arm like a lollipop.

Kari was a true champ handling it all with the greatest of ease. Giggles from those around us turned into chuckles. Their chuckles turned into our embarrassment. It was 60 of the longest seconds of church, to be certain. Of course this was the one song I didn’t video, but thankfully an entertained church member emailed us the video yesterday.

For best viewing results you may want to switch to full-screen mode.  Click on the frame icon to the right of the YouTube link in the bottom right corner of the video.  Press ESC to exit.  

Lost and Found!!

We had a pretty big event happen today- a first lost tooth.  Kari has been wanting and wishing for a loose tooth after seeing several of her pre-school friends lose teeth as early as last year and many of her kindergarten classmates this year.  Last night as I was brushing her teeth she said her tooth hurt, and wouldn't you know, I had brushed it loose!  It took less than 18 hours for it to unexpectedly break free this afternoon.  Kari was quite surprised as I told her it would probably fall out early this coming week during school.

So she and I quickly whipped up a small Tooth Fairy appropriate pocket per advice from Aunt Amy tonight.  Kari is excited to see what will be left in the little tooth's place tomorrow morning.

Kari's Thanksgiving Program

This afternoon was really special.  Kari's kindergarten class put on a little program.  They sang turkey and Thanksgiving-themed songs and then each had a letter of the alphabet with a key word related to Thanksgiving and the Pilgrim's journey to America.  Kari was "D is for dangerous."

In addition to making turkey hats and vests, the kids also made "Thankful" placemats that have been laminated and ready for use!

Tresspassing

We're going to have some new neighbors this spring.  The field behind our house has been buzzing- or perhaps rumbling- with activity the last few weeks.  Earth movers, bull dozers, graders, excavators and wood chippers have been in plain sight and such a treat for Bryce.  He'll stand in between the pine trees on the berm and just watch and watch.  But at least this explains why The Giving Tree had to come down.

One night while I was out (I was probably at a church meeting) Kevin took it upon himself to a little field trip with the kids.  What could be better than climbing all over real construction equipment?

 

 

Well, it's official

Kari has written her first letter to Santa.  I'll let the letter speak for itself:

Three hamsters, nine picture frames, snap on (a.k.a. clip on) earrings and a unicorn Dreamlite is pretty reasonable.  Odd, but reasonable.  We're working on managing expectations for the hamster part.

Happy Halloween

It was a fun Halloween night for the little Keckler kiddos this evening. Our very own Oompa Loompas made their way through the neighborhood complete with green hair and pointy white overalls!

For those of you unfamiliar with these tiny creatures from Willy Wonka land, check out this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZhs7w-FzeI

After some initial reluctance from Kari, the idea of being an Oompa Loompa became more popular knowing Holly would be making the outfits herself. The final result :

We started the evening with our annual pre-trick or treating party at the Clawson's. A festive group of 10 neighborhood kids gathered for some pizza, a movie and some non-candy sugar filled treats (brownies, cookies, etc.).

Since the sun sets so early these days, we headed out to get candy rather early. Within minutes, though, it seemed as though their pumpkins were full of every possible candy known to man. The kids made it down the streets a little faster thanks to rides in wagons. It was rather adorable to see both Kari and Bryce approach a front door together, since they had their matching outfits on.

So Halloween 2012 is in the books and the kids should be asleep sometime before Thanksgiving!

Potty Training, Bunk Beds and Sleepovers

This weekend turned into an impromptu potty training session for Bryce.  He was on a roll Friday night so we thought, why not?!  While this potty training is not going to be as cut and, ahem, dry as it was for Kari, we are making good strides.  The dangling carrot has been a bunk bed for his room.  This may sound like an awesome incentive for a little guy, it's also pretty difficult to describe a bunk bed to a three year old.  So, our big stinkin' incentive somewhat blew up in our face.  Fortunately for Bryce, I was getting tired of my car being displaced in the garage by the unassembled bunk beds and with Kari at Nolan's for a long-awaited sleep over, we got started on assembling the behemoth.

Eventually we got the thing put together and Bryce couldn't be more excited.

We've still got a ways to go, but we're getting there.

In other news, Kari has diligently been working on earning stickers on her good behavior sheet.  A few weeks ago she had finally earned all 40 stickers and proclaimed that she wanted a sleepover with Nolan.  Come to find out, her idea of a sleepover with Nolan meant AT Nolan's house.  It sounded like a win-win situation for Kevin and I, and we reluctantly got Clawsons on board for the reward.  After wading through busy weekend schedules and family sickness, we finally were able to land on this weekend.  From what we heard, they had a great time.

This afternoon we'll be heading out to one of the Purdue Farm pumpkin patches to get a couple pumpkins.

Remember The Giving Tree?

Gone.  To the chipper.

As much as I am for progression and development, this one took me by surprise and made me a little sad.  I'm glad we got to enjoy it all these years, but truth be told, the tree was in serious declining health.    Here's a link back to my last post on The Giving Tree.

It's Never Too Cold For Ice Cream!

A quick trip to our favorite ice cream shop while Daddy's away.

Dressin' 'Em Alike

because I know this, like Kari's pigtails, won't last much longer.

Ready for School,

and representing one of our favorite universities, Stanford.

Fear The Tree!

Ready For Church

A beautiful Sunday morning in West Lafayette.

Eat Your Heart Out

This is probably the very last time you'll ever see Kari in her signature pig tail "bundles" as she calls them.  Today is picture day and I had to negotiate a sticker for her good behavior board to get her to cooperate.  Ah, the sacrifices we make!

A Blue Day

To help all the kindergarteners learn their colors, each day is designated as a specific color.  Today is blue.  Kari does not have much blue in her wardrobe, but this was a recent addition after finding this super easy pattern.

Kari's looking forward to another fun week at school!

Jokesters, Part II

This past December we came home to our yard accentuated with plastic candy cane lights.  Since then, we've sat back biding our time and letting the perfect prank percolate in our minds.

Both families have discussed on several occasions our annoyance with stick figure families on the back of peoples' cars.  With only a small investment, I was able to create these right at home, only we took it to a whole new level.  We purposely went a bit overboard:

Unfortunately, they discovered it later in the evening so they didn't have the opportunity to drive all over town with it Saturday.

I suspect we're due up for a prank very soon.

First Days

We officially have ourselves a kindergartener.  She didn't hesitate or flinch getting on the bus.  And neither did her mom or dad.

Back to School Neighborhood Ice Cream Social

Last night we hosted a neighborhood ice cream social in our backyard as a way of celebrating the back to school season.  It was great to get all the neighbors together.  We supplied the ice cream and everyone else brought a variety of toppings, from fresh fruit to brownie bites and whipped cream.  It was quite a sugar high hit!

 Everyone's ready for school!

Silly pose!

Last Days

Kari's last day at pre-school was Friday.  We had a great run there and could not have been more pleased with our time.  Kari went from a caring in-home daycare environment with Natalie to another setting with caring teachers and staff for almost three years.  Kari was part of the inaugural class and was there when the center opened- everything was brand-spanking new.  She was one of the lucky ones who got to have Ms. Vicki twice- in the 2 year old room and now again in the pre-k room.

Ms. Carla, Kari and Ms. Vicki

Kari doesn't realize it yet, but she's going to miss this place.  She's too excited for kindergarten to realize how great she's had it.  I'm just glad Bryce is still there so I don't have to give up the center cold turkey.

It's been fun. It's been real.  Thanks, everyone!

Gatlinburg

This trip has been planned for a while now, but it sure felt like it came up quickly!  It seems like only yesterday we were planning and packing for Gulf Shores.  This trip was a reunion with some of my sorority sisters, their spouses and kids.  We loaded up the family roadster and headed south on I-65 once again.

We stayed at a resort within the Smokys and between Gatlinburg and the world's largest tourist trap, otherwise known as Pigeon Forge.

The views were spectacular, and according to the kids, the best part was the water park onsite.  We spent all day Saturday water-logging ourselves.  Saturday night we did what many people do in the area-- head out to one of the dinner shows.  There was a majority interest in seeing the "Hatfields & McCoys" and it did not disappoint!  The show was entertaining for everyone and the food was, perhaps surprisingly, a delicious southern meal of fried chicken, corn bread, mashed potatoes, beans, pulled pork, slaw and Oreo pudding.

We were outnumbered: 9 kids to 8 adults.

 Allison, Angie, Danielle, me and Rachel

I hadn't seen Allison, nor Danielle in more than eight years.  It was great to catch up again.

Sunday morning, Angie's family invited everyone (eek!) over for breakfast before some families headed out to go home.

Sunday, it was only us and Angie's family.  We headed into Gatlinburg to do some sightseeing.  The Ripley's Aquarium was the hit of the day.

The other hit of the day was the rain!  It poured, actually.  It was such a novel thing to see the rain we all really quite enjoyed it!