TSO Christmas Concert HSBC Arena

Tonight Amy and I took Caleb to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. We sat with Amy's sister, Tracy, her boyfriend Chris and cousins; Tori, Justin and Calli (Amy's sister, Jodie's daughter).

Amy and I went to see TSO two years ago with my Dad and his wife Donna... we all had a great time. We decided that when we thought Caleb was old enough that we'd take him. So, we did. The great thing about being a dad is that you get a first hand look at the reactions. This was Caleb's 1st TSO concert, and probably not his last. They started and it was full on lights, music, smoke effects... and Caleb's mouth was wide open. Shortly after that his hands were on his ears as it was all a bit too loud with the tubes in his ears working perfectly. But, he adjusted and just soaked it all in. We asked him what he liked best and he said, "THE WHOLE THING!" Yea, he thought the pyro was cool with colors changing from red to white to yellow/green. He thought that the raging guitars was cool... along with the drums and everyone else playing on stage. He was enamored with the lazer lights and the use of smoke and "snow" that the lights hit. You could see him pointing toward the top of the arena at the points where the lazers pointed to... it was an amazing thing to him. A night he won't forget.

Personally, I loved the first part of their concert. It's their story that they weave narrative with music and song and lighting and "snow" to communicate the Good News of Jesus in a way that is almost non-detectable. For me, the music to "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" was so moving as I recalled the words... "let nothing you dismay... remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day... to save us all from Satan's power when we had gone astray..." Tears filled my eyes, just as it had the first time I heard this in their concert. It's like 'going to church' at times though that first part of the concert. A great message of hope is communicated in a most modern and captivating way. Contrast with the second half and well... I like the music, but it was more about "hey we're a great group of musicians and look at us...". I could have left after the first half and been quite satisfied. The second half was like the feeling you get when you've gotten way past the "full" point on Thanksgiving... too much.

So as I walk away from that event I say to myself (again) there should be a way to use this technology in a way that communicates the Good News of Jesus all year long. I've seen the Blue Man Group twice and now TSO twice. I am amazed at what can be done with the mediums of our day to communicate a message. I would love to see that message be about Jesus.

Birthday party at Rollie Pollies

Caleb and Joel were invited to Luke's 2nd birthday party at Rollie Pollies in East Amherst, NY. Luke is the son of Michelle, Amy's co-worker at ECMC.

Here's our boys having fun there! Enjoy!

"Most beautiful song I ever heard!" -Caleb

Wednesday night on TV we watch Kid Nation together. This past week I had to work late so I missed the show. Amy calls me up on Thursday to tell me about what happened and Caleb's response. On Kids Nation they had a talent show and when it was over they asked about hidden talents. A girl got up to sing. Amy said, "She didn't look like much, but, MAN could that girl sing!" What she sang had Caleb's complete attention, jaw open, staring at the TV... Amazing Grace. At the end of the song Caleb said, "Mom, that's the most beautiful song I ever heard!" Amy was having a hard time holding tears back. When she told me the story I was working and trying not to cry myself. To further clarify what Caleb meant she asked him later at bed time. He said, "The words. Those words were beautiful."

Maybe as you are reading this you are trying to remember the words or maybe even singing the tune... Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

Do you hear the sound of "I forgive you"? Do you realize you were missing? Are you now seeing?
The view for me is getting better.

Birthday party at Kidzplay

Birthdays are a big deal and we wanted to include the kids of Amy's co-workers and yet not mortgage the house... so we went to Kidzplay for Caleb and Joel's birthday party. They had a blast and got tired out from all the activity. We were really impressed with how smoothly the two hours went.
Enjoy the pictures... (oh yea cousins, Calli Jo, Tori and Justin were there too!)
Check out the cake too... Quite original... it's supposed to be Caleb and Joel in a ball pit after sliding down. We got a lot of comments about the cake!
Joel was 2 on October 6th and Caleb will be 5 on December 23rd. The November party is pretty close to being in the middle of their birthdays. It was also a chance for Caleb to have a somewhat "normal" birthday since his is so close to Christmas. They were very thankful for everything they got... including a TON of clothes. (well, they like the clothes and LOVED the toys... as a parent we were THRILLED with the clothes, especially the PJ's... Caleb came down in the middle of the night and said, "Daddy my toes hurt." His footsie Pj's were more than a bit tight on his toes and he had a light 'brush burn' on his big toes, which I fixed with triple antibiotic and band aids... oh, and PJ's without feet.)