Must be a generational thing ...

I have rocked all of my eight grandkids to sleep one time or another to the tune of a silly song, "Said the Thousand Legged Worm ...." Okay, I know it sounds crazy but it worked. And before too long, they would be comfortably snoozing on my shoulder or in my arms.

However, I now have a great-grandchild who has decided she will have nothing of it at all. Today, she was really tired but was fighting sleep. I told Kasi I would rock her and was certain that if I sang her my favorite tune, surely she would be asleep in a jiffy!

Not!! She listened for about 15 seconds and burst into wails!! Not just wails but real tears pouring out of her eyes. Kasi came flying wondering what in the world I had done to her little girl! I assured her that everything was fine and that I figured it was a 'fluke' .. that she must have been in some pain which simultaneously hit at the same time I broke into song.

So, Kasi said, "Try it again, Nana." So I did ... and she did .. again. She listened and then promptly burst into tears again.

So, it's either the voice or the song -- although I did try a few words of a different song and she seemed somewhat open to listening to it for at least a moment ...

I may have to put my silly "1000 Legged Worm" song to rest! I think I'll grieve for a while! Then again, I have better things to do than that!

Oh, by the way, she did go to sleep in my arms but it wasn't to any of my singing!! The photo above was taken a few days ago but Ava's expression wasn't one of pure joy at the moment. Oh, well!!

The Holiday Season ..

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Cookie time!!

It's that "cookie time" of year ... Sandi and Tyler were working on them at their house and Teri's girls were trying to get them decorated at their house provided that Teri got them out of the oven before they were too done!

I didn't ask if they were making them for themselves or if they would be delivered to school for teachers and friends.

Regan, 11, Bailey, 9, Marley, 12

More Christmas programs ...

RJ attends Keswick Christian School here in St. Pete. He's in kindergarten and as usual, Christmas programs are always cute when it involves little kids!! So, here is a video of one of the songs last evening. RJ is on the front row in the green shirt and beige pants. You can see he is well aware of where his mother (Shonna) is!

"I think I'll pass on Christmas shopping ...."

Teri sent me this photo by picture mail today -- she had taken Rudy shopping at Walmart and Rudy decided he had just had enough and went to sleep. Teri said she thought the cart bar might be a little hard so picked up this purple boa to make it a little softer. It appears that Rudy wasn't too taken by that either! He was just plain tuckered out!!

Kamen's Christmas Program

This was the last song the combined choir sang -- 4th and 5th graders of Northside Christian School. They let go and sang with all their hearts! There was a little mixup in the music but there was illness in one of the teacher's families so there was some improvisation involved! Nevertheless, they sang their best!!

Kamen's Christmas Concert

Last Thursday evening was the Christmas Concert for the 4th through 6th grades of Northside Christian School. It was held at Northside Baptist Church. Kamen played the trumpet in the band and also was a part of the choir. They sang and played their hearts out!

One piece of music given to the band they had never seen before. The title of the music was, "You're Never Seen This Before" ... which was rather funny to say the least.

The band director had them clap the song and then sing it by shaped notes (which doesn't happen much anymore -- anywhere except in the deep south). Once they did that, they played the song together -- and hardly missed a note! It was quite impressive. Oh, what was the song? The first half of "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"!

So, here is Kamen and his concert ...

Below is our friend, Marci, whose daughter, Rebecca, was in the 6th grade band/choir. She enjoyed holding Ava during the concert.

Kamen is a very proud uncle and takes role quite seriously!!

Finally -- the end of a great evening -- Chris, Kasi, Ava and Kamen -- Roxanne was obviously taking the photo!