Juggling lesson

   

  My sister started/runs/owns-I-guess, Columbia Alternacirque.  When she was over for Christmas dinner Blondie pulled out her little hacky-sack type balls and showed everyone how she could juggle two at the same time with one hand.  Natalie, my sister, got on the phone, and set up a juggling lesson with a man named Paolo.  Apparently he is one of the few (or only ) Americans to juggle as the jester of England.... something-or-other. I'm not exactly sure what his title is, but while he was in town he was willing to teach Blondie.

Concentrating so hard.  I was worried about the eye-hand coordination 'thing," but she seemed to do just fine for a beginner.

 Throwing and catching with two people juggling.

Brian took her and she was so excited when she called me afterward.

Here are some of the videos Brian too

She came home with three new balls to practice with,  although I'm not sure who will be able to partner with her because I certainly am not that coordinated. I also don't think this is a habit she will be giving up anytime soon.

The video below is the best set of the day!

This would have to be the most difficult combination of the day:

 BIG THANKS to Paolo for his patience with this lesson (because I didn't post all of the outtakes). She was so thrilled.

Manatee

It's that time again..... my yearly manatee trip with my students.  This year, Blondie got to go.  We take our students down to Florida for 3 days and get to visit a wildlife refuge, snorkel twice with the manatee and then snorkel down rainbow river.

 

Homosassa is the first place we visit. They take in injured animals from Florida and rehabilitate them hoping to release them.  If they can't they maintain them for the rest of their life.

Here's Blondie on the morning boat out to the first manatee swim. All of the students are excited, but the reality when they get in the water and manage the snorkel, and in water that is murky, and periodically a big mammal will swim past your field of vision.  Many panic at first, but I was so proud of all of them today.

Here she is looking for them.

There's one.

And doesn't that look like the baby manatee that followed me around last year - a little bigger?  Probably isn't, but I was thrilled to see this one.

This is what it looks like when they "swim out of the murk"

I can't post pictures of rainbow river because they are mostly students snorkeling, but trust me....... it was great too. Blondie was so tired by the end of the day,  but managed to find time to jump in the pool. In a little bit we'll head over to the ice cream parlor.

From Smores to Snores

We aren't big New Years revelers...... but we have our own version of fun.

Big Al's plans for the evening changed and she ended up at home, but we had plans......

We roasted marshmallows in the fireplace and made s'mores. Then Cheesie, and Blondie worked on their Lego village for a bit until Big Al found the Rockin' New Years's Eve on television.

The kids ended up in a pile with the dogs on the floor and on the couch.... flipping between New York and the Chick-fil-a bowl.  So excited for Clemson - what an exciting game (although we are looking forward to the Outback bowl tomorrow- Go GAMECOCKS). With fireworks starting to boom, we'll see who makes it to midnight.

UPDATED:  T-Rex announced that she could play Auld Land Syne on her violin, so I made her run up and get it. Enjoy.

Then Big Al took the violin and pretended to play. Chopper wasn't sure what she was doing.

 Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 2013 is full of wonderful memories for your family.

Impromptu gathering

Big Al, T-Rex, fifth daughter "I,"  and friend "C" were going to the mall to meet up with T-Rex's friend and go see the Hobbit. We were all set even though Big Al, and "I" were less than thrilled.

As soon as we pull into the mall the power goes out (really bad winds knocked a tree into a transformer) and everyone had to leave the theater. So.......... we came back to a dark house, and found various forms of entertainment. Thankfully the lights came back on fairly quickly.

 

 

Blondie is adding to Lego central on our dining table.  They are slowly working through their sets they got for Christmas, and Blondie bought another one today. A year ago she wouldn't have been able to follow the directions to build a model, but this school year she really took off with it.  The spatial part of her thinking is something we constantly work with, and her math teacher really pushes it in her class (HAHA).

 

"I" and Cheesie started up the Xbox (LOVE this thing) and Just Danced for hours. "C" and Big Al (and I) joined in too.  It's very loud in the living room right now.

 

This is "C."  I don't know why he is trying on my daughter's sweatshirt, but..... whatever.

I promised I wouldn't post videos of him dancing, so I won't.

 

T-Rex and her friend "A" sought refuge in the library to work on a puzzle and watch Dr. Who on netflix.  I guess the noise was too much for them. (Brian disappeared to the safety of our room too).

 

I love the noise and the chaos..... so if you're out and about and need something to do, swing by. There are lots of things going on here.

Christmas morning

Big Al maintained her awful tradition of waking up early. Long ago we had to institute the "6 a.m. rule" where she couldn't get out of bed until 6 because she would bug us all night to get up and open presents.  It's our fault..... we like big Christmases. We don't do tons of shopping during the school year except for needed items, so I don't remotely apologize for it. 

T-Rex was very excited to get her new bow and arrows. Brian found a Zombie survival guide for her as well.

Blondie and Cheesie were excited to open absolutely everything.

Then T-Rex found her Zombie targets.

The Christmas Lego sets were discovered.

"Uh mom, this is a book."

Big Al shows off her gifts. These included a car radio (since the car she'll have access to doesn't have a USB port, she says it needs to be replaced), new cushion for her papasan chair, misc. sweatshirts, and t-shirts, ornaments, photos from the past year, scarves, and gift cards.

T-Rex with her new bow and arrows, books, movies, Hobbit Legos, knitting basket, sweatshirts, jewelry, art supplies, photos and Zombie equipment.

Blondie with her American Girl boxes, Legos, jewelry, new loom set for bracelets, photos, and fencing gear.

Cheesie received the American Girl gymnastics set, Legos, construction sets, playmobil gymnastics, photos and movies

Later today we'll try out the Xbox Kinect and compare it to the Wii. I'm hoping that it will force Blondie to move that left side more than the Wii does - don't tell her this though because presents shouldn't have ulterior motives. Later today we'll meet up with family for Christmas dinner here at our house, and then dessert and family presents at my sister's house.

Christmas Nativity Play

Tonight the family went to Christmas Eve services. The girls were all part of the Nativity play put on during the service. We have a new priest who has managed to maintain the family atmosphere, and inclusion of children very well. 

T-Rex, Blondie and Cheesie were all Angels.

Big Al was one of the three "wise women."

Everything went very smoothly (and we got the required chuckle from the littlest angel who stomped her foot repeatedly at a shepherd- probably her brother- because he wouldn't turn around and pay attention to her).

Afterwards we came home, ate our big ham dinner, and watched The Polar Express while eating milkshakes.  

We are excited for tomorrow, and looking forward to spending it with family and friends. 

Traditional light viewing

Every year our family heads out to Saluda Shoals to see the Christmas lights by the River. This year we went on December 23rd. Note to self...... go earlier in December.

I think most of our city had the same thought we had, because it took us 2 hours to drive the 2 miles or so to the entrance.  SOMEBODY driving the car was NOT a jolly old elf by the time we got to the gate. I just sat in the car and enjoyed singing Christmas carols and knitting.

The girls enjoyed the lights. I was especially touched by the tribute to the various Military branches.  We received word early on Christmas Eve that our cousin James Hager is back from his deployment in Kuwait and arrived home around midnight. I know my Aunt and Uncle are thrilled, as are we all, to have him home safely and makes Christmas even more wonderful.  My personal prayers go out for all soldiers separated from their families (I was away from Brian our first Christmas together as he served in the Navy). It is a difficult time to be apart.