Strumming Along!

Maddy loves music!

She loves singing along and dancing. Her fave songs lately seem to be Taylor Swif*t songs or some from Alvin & the Chipmunks!

That Alvin cd is a little painful for me to listen to

(yikes -- chipmunks singing -- oy -- they need some voice lessons!),

but Mr. Tennis listens to it with her every morning -- bless his heart!

Recently, she was interested in getting a guitar. However, in the store,

a ukulele caught her eye -- isn't it cute!?!

The strings are nylon so easier on the fingers and only 4 strings!

A handy instruction DVD came along with it, so we're watching that daily and practicing.

After she gets a little better, I think a prize of some Disne*y ukulele picks will be just the thing to keep her motivated!

Sounds of the Season

Tonight was the annual Christmas program for Maddy's school at our church. Last night was decision time . . . what to wear??? For her, not me! Yes, her outfits are more important than mine -- when did that happen?? She wanted to wear a Christmas dress -- a size 4T Christmas dress! Although it still fit last year, it was definitely getting a bit too small. A few weeks ago, I bought her a darling little plaid skirt at the G*ap and black turtleneck, so she modeled it for Rick last night. He told it looked like a dress and was very pretty -- just what she needed to hear. Yay -- fashion emergency averted!

It was so incredibly sweet. I just love hearing those little voices singing such beautiful Christmas songs. Maddy says her favorite is "Joy to the World" -- that's one of my favs too and it was the finale --they did such a good job. I almost thought the program might be cancelled as we are having below zero temps here and had about 3-4 inches of snow today. It certainly would have been enough for me to call it off, but the program went on without a hitch. The kids looked so cute all dressed up instead of in their usual uniform jumpers and khakis. Funny -- Maddy was pointing out some of the kids in her class -- noting how cute one looked in his blazer (he used to sit next to her, so I think he is a special friend). She also pointed out her friend Ian. Earlier this school year, when she talked about Ian, he was always described as being shorter than her (very important as she does not like being the smallest in class). but he seems to have suddenly gotten taller. And, of course, her friend Mei was there --- she's a 2nd grader and loads of fun! Mei is only about 9 months older than Maddy, but quite a bit taller as you can see. Such sweet pretty girls!

It was a perfect ending to a crazy day! Can I just say how much I admire you folks in Colorado and up North in the wintertime!! We always have snow here and I'm sure I'll get used to driving in it, but oy-- it makes me a little crazy and I am a very nervous driver! Whew -- I had to talk to myself (out loud) all the way home and tell myself what a great job I was doing! Seriously, I'm thinking of taking the bus back and forth to work!