Beethoven and a 3 year old

A friend sent me this video, and I have watched it numerous times. It is about 4 minutes and quite entertaining. Enjoy!

Snow Day

It snowed on Christmas, and now 2 weeks later it snowed again! We got about 4 inches. Before the snow came, we were storm prep central. Shopping for bread, milk, eggs, and all the essentials. Cooking lots of food, in case the power went out. Moving the grill to the front porch so it would be easier to cook. We found out the generator didn't work, so stocking up on firewood was an important task.

Two of Alyssa's Winshape friends came on Sunday. They drove in so they could get to Rome without getting stuck in the storm. Classes are to start on Wednesday, and they wanted to make sure they were in town. They are supposed to move in the dorm on Tuesday...we'll see. So, we had 2 extra college kids to add to the fun. The snow started about 10 p.m. on Sunday night. They all ran outside to see, and I knew today would be busy.

I think Aaron was the first one up today, and that is definitely not the usual! He couldn't wait to get out in the snow. Randy got the sled out. In fact, he was the first one to use it this morning. It's his sled from when he was a kid, vintage 1961!! Here are a few pictures from today.

Neighborhood from the Nobles house.

Lots of neighbors came out to sled on Lynn Haven Drive. This was sledding central & a good way to meet people in the neighborhood.

Aaron coming up the hill after a good run on the sled.

Brandon Williams wiping out. The trash can lid wasn't the best choice for sledding.

Randy on his sled while the neighbors watch.

Backyard snowball fight.

Carl the snowman with creators Alyssa, Kevin, Kate, Alesa & Carrie. Yes, Alyssa's friend is Alesa!

Small World Story

I grew up near Gainesville Florida. The town was Hawthorne, not very big. You know most families, and many have been there for years.

Fast forward to 2003. Randy & Aaron are with the church youth group, and arrive at Centrifuge. A young guy hops on the bus to welcome them. They make connections because he is from Shorter College, which is in Rome...rival to Berry. Randy calls me later to tell me about this kid, Jonathan. He happens to be a pianist, and at Calvary we are always looking for a college student to play the piano. That has been my goal for many years, get students to play, get involved and gain experience while in college.

After that summer, Jonathan started playing at Calvary. One Sunday, Aaron noticed a gators tag on his truck and asked him about it. Turns out that Jonathan Shaw has relatives in Orange Heights Florida...6 miles north of Hawthorne. That presents a whole new relationship. I know Jonathan's mom, Cheryl...she is a few years older than me, but in a small community you know families.

As Shaw continued to play at Calvary, his family would visit, reconnecting with Cheryl and meeting his dad & siblings. Jonathan spent many Sundays at our lunch table, and he can eat! Many days he talked about the future Mrs. Shaw. I'm thankful for the time we got to spend with Jonathan as a young man, and it was wonderful to watch him grow and mature in his relationship with God, and to grow as a musician. This past weekend he got married, and we got to meet the new Mrs. Shaw. It was good to see the family, and catch up with him. Jonathan & Aleesa are following God's call as he takes a church as minister of worship & relationships in Denver Colorado.

Christmas SURPRISE

In 22 years of having children I have always had an aversion to video games. I'm not exact in the gaming timeline, but since the late 80's there have been names like Atari, Sega, Nintendo, Playstation & XBox. My kids have had computer games that were educational, but never has our household had any game system. Not even a DS. I don't even know what that stands for, I just know it's a handheld thing that keeps kids quiet while parents drive!

My number one reason not to buy a system - I didn't want my kids to be addicted to games. So, over the years they have become addicted to bad TV, and social media!! I have read numerous books & articles that encourage media management. One expert, Edward Hallowell, sums it up: "They need a lot of positive human connection and not too much electronic connection." (from Different Learners by Jane M. Healy)

The week before Christmas I told Randy that I had been thinking about buying the kids a Nintendo Wii. Thinking that ToysRUs had a good price, I sent him to buy it. Of course, I had no idea that you had to buy extra stuff to make it work! Therefore the price was more than advertised. No surprise there!

After 22 years, why the decision to buy a game system? My main goal was to get Kate off the couch. Kate's a swimmer. She swims a lot, but when she is not swimming she is sitting on the couch, eating cookies & ice cream.

The Wii had Kate's name on it. The controllers were to Aaron & Alyssa. Carrie got a game, Wii Sports Resort. Alyssa is the nosy, sniffer of gifts. A few days before Christmas she commented that one of her gifts looked like a Wii controller. The other kids just laughed. We made them open the Wii last on Christmas morning. Alyssa was still smiling, Aaron was the naysayer..."no way Mom would buy a Wii."

Here are some of the Christmas pictures that include the surprised Wii children.

Aaron did not get a Snuggie, but I wrapped one of his gifts in a Snuggie box. Carrie got a purple Snuggie for her birthday.

Carrie passing out gifts to the family.

Alyssa knows & Aaron is shocked!

Carrie with Wii Sports Resort.

On New Year's Eve the Carver family joined us for the festivities, and brought Just Dance and Just Dance 2 for the Wii. WOW! That was a hit! They also brought their two controllers, so 4 could play. Alyssa's former college roommate, Lisa, was also visiting for the weekend. Lisa transferred to Tech this year. It was good to have her join the party!

Look closely, Aaron is sweating. He really likes the Just Dance game.

Here's a short video to show just how much they like dancing. It is definitely a work out.

When the kids opened the Wii, I told them there were limits. So far, so good. What have been the advantages? The kids have played together...ok, sometimes there is yelling! So, instead of sitting in separate rooms and texting or Facebooking, they are interacting. They have played some pretty fun sports games that require hand/eye coordination. Many of the games, especially Just Dance, provide for a great work-out. Randy likes archery & bowling. I have tried numerous sports, but I'm terrible. My Wii fitness age is like 68! When I did golf, it actually told me to GIVE UP...I was 11 over par.

Am I happy with the decision to buy a gaming system? Ask me again in a few months, but for now I would answer yes!