Saturday Synopsis

Carl worked hard putting up the tree this year. He carried it in and then read the directions and pointed from the couch. For the first time we got a fake tree. He was not a fan until he saw how much simpler a fake tree is. No car ride, no jackets, no rope, no sawing, and no watering. Last year he went out of town before Christmas and I was supposed to water the tree every day. I failed my mission and the tree died even though it was already dead. I do miss the piney smell of a real tree.

Henry (6) put himself in the Baby Bjorn and pretended he was a farmer. I wish you could see his teeth in this picture because they are driving me nuts. I had to pick him up early from school and take him to the dentist twice this week. It really screwed up my day and the dentist couldn't find anything wrong. I don't know what we're going to do. We got a prescription for some penicillin so maybe that will do the trick. I didn't know they handed out penicillin anymore.

Alice is one and not even close to walking. She was delighted to see some dogs at the park yesterday and her latest word is indeed "Doggie." We love it when she talks to animals because her voice gets high and squeaky. Another highlight this week for Alice was playing with Duplo blocks, which are big Lego's for babies. Henry loves Lego's, so when Alice figured out she could play with him she was delighted.

Max (13) played a saxophone solo tonight at the ward Christmas party. The young men did a rock version of Deck the Halls. It was pretty good. He was excited to be featured but reluctant to participate in the following activity.

Our family performed a satire of the song Hark Hear the Bells at the ward Christmas party tonight. It is called Ding Fries Are Done. It features a Burger King Worker and apple pies. Imagine the Hark Hear the Bells part and substitute the words Ding Fries are done. Henry rang the bell. We thought we were funny.

Claire (10) went to a Hairspray screening party last night at a friend's house and came home interested in having curly hair. She put her own sponge rollers in last night, and today we fixed them up a little. We primped together in the mirror tonight and it was the stuff mother/daughter fantasies are made of. She has decided she wants some hot rollers for Christmas. Since I was never able to use those in my hair, I hope I can put them in hers. I found it impossible to do anything to my hair in the back due to my extra short arms. There's a reason people call me Seal. It's because my arms are like seal flippers.

Alice did not enjoy her visit with Santa tonight. I hope he still brings her presents. If he doesn't, she can go live at Shannan's house. Apparently there isn't a lot of Santa going on over there.