Solemint Ward Grinchmas Party

 My favorite part about this was writing the script for the play.  Don't be fooled, it stressed me out for sure, but it's the type of challenge I enjoy.  Twisted, I know.  Considering we had many people involved and no formal rehearsal, I was quite pleased with how it all came together.

Fran had a great idea to do our ward Christmas party based off the Grinch.  Naturally, ward council then asked Fran to organize the party.  School became overwhelming and so I unofficially took over.  I've always said I've been a good copycat!  The party was so great but I hope this means I won't have to be in charge again!!!

Narrator: Every Who

Down in Who-ville

Liked Christmas a lot . . .

But the Grinch,

Who lived just north of Who-ville,

Did NOT!2

Enter Grinch:  "4:00, wallow in self pity; 4:30, stare into the abyss; 5:00, solve world hunger, tell no one; 5:30, jazzercize; 6:30, dinner with me - I can't cancel that again; 7:00, wrestle with my self-loathing... I'm booked. Of course, if I bump the loathing to 9, I could still be done in time to lay in bed, stare at the ceiling and slip slowly into madness. But what would I wear?"  Exit Stage

Welcome Christmas song (ward choir??)

singers hug, exchange gifts, etc.

Enter Grinch: "And they're hanging their stockings!" he snarled with a sneer,

"Tomorrow is Christmas! It's practically here!"

Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming,

"I MUST find some way to stop Christmas from coming!"

Enter Primary children singing Christmas Bells.

Narrator: Then he got an idea!

An awful idea! THE GRINCH GOT A WONDERFUL, AWFUL IDEA!

Enter Grinch: "I know just what to do!" The Grinch laughed in his throat.

And he made a quick Santy Claus hat and a coat.

And he chuckled, and clucked, "What a great Grinchy trick!"

"With this coat and this hat, I look just like Saint Nick!"

Silent Night (June Barlow) - tuck the children in bed and hang the stockings.  Near the end of the song, Grinch sneaks in and starts stealing stockings.

Cindy Lou wakes: "Santy Claus, why,

"Why are you taking our Christmas tree? WHY?"

Narrator: But, you know, that old Grinch was so smart and so slick

He thought up a lie, and he thought it up quick!

Grinch: "Why, my sweet little tot," the fake Santy Claus lied,

"There's a light on this tree that won't light on one side.

So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear.

I'll fix it up there. Then I'll bring it back here."

Narrator: And his fib fooled the child. Then he patted her head

And he got her a drink and he sent her to bed.

And when Cindy-Lou Who went to bed with her cup,

HE went to the chimney and stuffed the tree up!

Exit Grinch carrying tree

Narrator: (While Grinch goes around room stealing centerpieces, gifts, etc.)

He did the same thing

To the other Whos' houses

Leaving crumbs

Much too small

For the other Whos' mouses!

It was quarter past dawn... all the Whos, still a-bed,

All the Whos, still a-snooze

When he packed up his sled,

Packed it up with their presents! The ribbons! The wrappings!

The tags! And the tinsel! The trimmings! The trappings!

Children on stage start to wake up.  Enter other waking children.  All hold hands and sing Away in a Manger.

Enter Grinch: "How could it be so?"

It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!

It came without packages, boxes or bags!"  Watch children curiously while narrator speaks

Narrator: And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

Grinch: "Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!"  

Grinch exits to retrieve tree.  Bring tree center stage.  Cindy Lou brings a bigger heart to put on the Grinch.  Kids and Grinch all exit stage to sit down on floor in front of stage.

Narrator: (while piano prelude plays) And what happened then...?

Well, in Who-ville they say

That the Grinch's small heart

Grew three sizes that day!

And the minute his heart didn't feel quite so tight,

He whizzed with his load through the bright morning light

And he brought back the toys! And the food for the feast!

And he...

..HE HIMSELF...!

The Grinch carved the roast beast!

(Projected up behind the stage) Uchtdorf talk - 9:15 (If we look for what is wrong with the Christmas season, we can surely find it. Like the Grinch, we can grumble and complain, becoming cold and cynical about what we see around us. Nevertheless, if we look for the good, we can see this time of year with new eyes—perhaps even with the eyes of a child.

The Grinch saw the good in Christmas when he learned to look past its worldly trappings. If we do the same, we can, with the Grinch, proclaim: “Maybe Christmas . . . doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . . means a little bit more!”

Our heart may not grow three sizes as the Grinch’s did, but our heart will change. Our eyes will open to the miracles all around us—at Christmastime and throughout the year.

I pray that during this season and always, we will see the purity of the story of the Savior’s birth and feel sincere gratitude for His life, teachings, and saving sacrifice for us. May this gratitude cause us to renew our determination to follow Him. May it also lead us to draw closer to our family, our church, and our fellowmen. And may we look steadfastly forward to that blessed day when the resurrected Christ will walk the earth again as our Lord, our King, and our blessed Savior.

I pray that each and every one of you will have a wonderful and merry Christmas season. I leave you my love and blessings in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.)

Everyone sings “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

Welcome, December

We always enjoy it when Juana and Ito are here for our traditions.  With Thanksgiving over, it was time to hit up the tree lot.  Unfortunately they were in the process of setting up for the grand opening the next day, but the kids still enjoyed getting out and starting off the season.

For Juana and Ito's anniversary, we met up with Rob and Sharon in Pasadena for a celebratory dinner.  We had our family photo shoot before and time to spare before dinner so we enjoyed perusing Barnes and Noble.  Cole was especially pleased with the animal fart book and it's realistic noises.  The giraffe is nasty!

 I love my friendship with Liz for so many reasons.  But one is her tolerance for my religious difference and her willingness to shares hers with me.  We had the chance to attend the baptism for two of her children and it was really cool to witness something important to her.  I'm grateful for tolerance and unconditional love especially in regards to religion because it seems more and more difficult to come by.

 I have done this tree assignment two other times and was impressed with the difference of Andi's process versus the two boys.  Andi was eager to get started and could care less if anyone helped.  She was proud of her work and had a vision from the very beginning.  I love seeing the differences between my children.

 Hockey practice in the evening on monday nights eventually wore me out.  I was grateful when we reached the last one and even more grateful that we had a good time.

 Some families have the tradition of opening Christmas pj's on Christmas Eve.  I liked the idea of that tradition but was never thrilled with the logistics.  Mikel and I realized  it would be fun that when he joined our family again, he could bring their Christmas pj's and that way the kids would have them all month long.  The kids were over the moon as was I.

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving was in Acton this year!  Andrew began the day, as always, playing in a turkey bowl.  We picked him up from there and spent the remainder of the day with most of the Arrietta's.  It feels so difficult to all come together these days so we know the enjoy these events when we can.  And for the first time, we also spent this holiday with the Bey's.  It's cool seeing the family grow.