STELLA'S FIRST VOCAL RECITAL

Stella started voice lessons this fall. While we were on tour one of the moms, Emily, who had been Stella's teacher one of the years at Clayton told me that she would love to teach Stella. She told me that she had never heard her sing a wrong note, and that she was great at emoting while singing, but then she looked at me and said: "She could be better though." And I agreed with her. I appreciated her candidness and when we knew we wanted to get serious about getting Annie it seemed like a good idea for Stella to start working with someone. She helped Stella a lot with auditions songs and confidence so she could get the part. She also helped so so much when Stella was sick the weeks leading up to Annie and she lost her voice. I'm not sure we could have made it without her.

Anyway, she had a vocal concert on December 13th. Stella was so nervous, but you wouldn't know watching her perform. She sang "Tomorrow" and "All I Want For Christmas." It was such a fun little chill night to watch Stella sing with the other kiddos Emily works with. All of them, really talented. When Emily introduced Stella she said: "Stella Sallay, remember that name."

THE TEMPLE LIGHTS

We haven't gone down to temple square to look at the lights for a few years, and it finally seemed time to take Vivi to see them. On December 11th We had dinner and then we went and picked out a few items at the giving machines that the church made where you can buy items for people in need. Brent picked hygiene kits, Stella picked glasses, I picked three chickens, Vivi picked Mac and Cheese. It was totally fun.

We then walked around and enjoyed the lights. We popped into the Tabernacle and Stella claimed she had never been in there so I told her she had and I found the photographic evidence on my Instagram. So we had her reenact the picture. We then stopped in and watched the new Nativity movie, which was very good. It was youth night and it was so crazy busy every single place we went with so many giant youth groups that I will make sure to not go on a Wednesday ever again. They were so distracting and obnoxious. Overall it was a good night, and maybe the first family outing we had all year.

DANCING QUEEN

Vivi's Christmas dance recital was on December 7th. She wanted a blue dress so she would look like Elsa. She looked beautiful. When we were driving to the school she exclaimed: "It is my dance recital! It is my lucky day!" But I corrected her to let her know, that actually it is mine. I love these things, and I adore watching this little muffin on stage. She kind of does her on thing and doesn't necessarily cater to traditional ideas of dance like choreography and other such stipulations. But she freaking shines on stage.

It was extra special that she was wearing the same red coat that Stella wore to her Christmas recital at the same school. I am so lucky to be able to do all these fun things again with Vivi that I enjoyed 110% with Stella.

It is basically devastating to me that Vivien did not get a Spring recital this year. One of the number one losses of the quarantine for me. I'm glad I enjoy the moments as they come, because you never know when they won't get to happen because of illness or some worldwide pandemic.