The Lonely Tree

Michala was asked to enter her poem into the contest at school. She chose not to because she is a very modest, private soul. She also hates to be embarrassed in any way. She said I could post it on the family blog so that Grandma Breeze and Grandpa Nichols could read her poem and be proud of her. Really it is her way of getting her poem published without her friends having to read it. :) It is a beautiful, thoughtful, poem.

The Lonely Tree

Far away in a lovely green land

One tree stands alone

The scent of dust slowly appears

While the other trees disappear

The lonely tree watches with grief

While the other trees are decorated with care

The children gather with happy belief

And many carols ring through the air

Now a couple enters the clearing

The tree stands tall with dreams

The couple finally looks around

They smile at him it seems

Now the snow is falling gently on the ground

While the tree stands bright with care

It too is now beautifully decorated

A star shining brightly in the air

Now the tree is surrounded by music

Its whole world has changed now

While presents are placed under its needles

It quietly asks itself; how?

YW in Excellence

Last night was young women in excellence program at the Stake Center. Megan completed several of her projects and received her certficates and some flowers. Her friend Marissa also completed some projects. Megan and Marissa played a duet, Oh My Father, for the program. Megan on the piano, and Marissa on the flute and then she sang a verse, solo. Michala directed and produced the whole thing for them, and it came out beautifully! They did a fantastic job!

Maggie joins Megan and Marissa. She played a cello solo which was beautiful. I love watching these talented, beautiful girls.

Zundy Choir Concert

6th grade Choir Concert was fun. Michala is on the top row, third from left. They sang several christmas songs in preparation for their christmas concert. This was a concert put on by the 6th grade for the magnet tours for upcoming 6th and 7th graders. Wichita Falls Schools are magnet schools and are a choice program. The kids were full of surprises and humor and just plain 6th graders.

Here is the whole 6th grade choir. It is pretty big, considering their is only 100 6th graders in the whole school. Choir is a popular elective in this school.

Stake Dance

Here are some of the kids that went to the Stake Dance. They had a great time! Our Stake center is in Oklahoma so the kids have to drive one hour to get there. Nothing like having to cross borders to go to a dance. They do not seem to mind the drive and they have alot of fun together.

Here are the three stooges...They had the most fun and the most bubbly personalities of the night.

Christmas Magic

Michala was able to do another service project for her school today. She helped out with "Christmas Magic". She was involved with the Santa and children day. She passed out cookies, helped gather children around Santa and made sure they were all sitting down listening to the Elf read them a story. She had a fun time. While she herded children, Megan and I walked around and shopped all the craft booths. We had fun looking, taste testing, and buying fun things. Megan scored on some jewelry and sampled many yummy chocolates. The only time I embarrassed her was when I made her take a picture by the penguins up front. Isn't she cute!

Then to make matters worse, I asked Micki, my friend, to take a picture of both of us in front of the polar bear. ("Mom, people are looking at us"). When Michala finished, she wanted to walk around and we bought her some jewelry. Then I made them both stand in front of the polar bear to take anther picture! Could the day get any more embarrasing? YEP...

Mom dropped the camera and then it wouldn't work, then she made us stand there until it would work, then she took the picture, then the battery died, and when we got home the picture never worked because the battery died! "Mom, you embarrassed us for nothing!" Thanks...but we love you anyway. We had a fun day at Christmas Magic!

Playdough

This is how Michala is spending the evening. She is playing with playdough and watching the election. As you can tell the playdough is much more exciting!

She is asking all kinds of questions about electoral votes and how they work and at the same time she is thinking about french fries and apples and cookies. She is making all her favorite foods out of playdough and then telling me she is hungry...How great it is to be eleven!

Here is Megan's version of how to watch the elections. She is reading...Every once in a while she will look at what states have been called and make a few comments and then go back to reading. Some day she will look back on this experience and I hope she actually remembers being a part of the whole process!

Here is Tiger. He is watching the election with Michala. He seems a little bored with the whole process if you ask me. I think he will be grateful when the whole process is over. He needs his girls to play ball instead of watching the elections. Michala and Megan will be happy in about ten minutes when I tell them I have root beer floats to eat. I hope you all had a chance to get out and vote today. It will be nice to have this particular election over. For now, Happy voting!