Kids' Christmas Program

Mercy had their kids' Christmas program last night, and both Xander and Maia were involved.

I helped with the directing this year, and we chose an "instant" pageant, entitled, "A Not So Silent Night." It was cute- takes place in a courtroom where 3 shepherds are on trial for disturbing the peace. The kids didn't have to memorize any lines because it was all done with recorded actors and the kids just pantomimed the scene. A little different, but definitely streamlines the process.

Xander was the judge- he got to sit on a tall barstool behind the big pulpit and bang an oversized "gavel" which was actually an inflatable mallet from a McDonald's happy meal. I draped him in black and made a really pathetic white fuzzy wig for him out of fake fur and taped eyebrows and a mustache to his face (they left some pretty red marks!). He also wore round "Harry Potter"-style glasses. He did a great job as Judge Willie Snooze.

Xander as judge and Maia as sheep:


Maia was in the flashback scenes as the shepherds were talking about their experience. First she was an angel, then after a quick costume change she was a sheep. I wasn't sure she was going to be either, because in dress rehearsal all she wanted to do was cry and sit on my lap, but she was excited to perform for her grandparents (all 6 showed up!) and she did a great job come show time.

Maia as angel (what a pretty girl!):

Christmas Lyrics Revamped

These are some mixed up lyrics that I hear frequently- mostly from Maia:

"The little bored Jesus asleep on the hay" (Away in a Manger)

Frequently, she inserts people's names into songs:
"Shepherds, why Miss Julie?" (2nd verse of Angels We Have Heard on High)
"Glo----ria, in Kelsey day-o" (Gloria refrain of Angels We Have Heard on High)
"Ring around the rosies, pocket...mmgnmgm...osies, Ashlyn, Ashlyn, we all fall down"

This one was actually a college student:
"So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh, come PHEASANT, king, to own Him." (3rd verse of What Child is This?)

I'm sure there are many that have slipped my memory right now.

Never a dull moment!

Quotes of the Day

"Musician humor is practically funny." - Xander

"It's making the baby Jesus scream" -Maia in reference to a Christmas song on the radio that was not to her taste.

Christmas Pictures

ACK! I just sent my Christmas card out and told you all to come here for pictures, so I'd better get some uploaded!

Here's our weird new house. Well, the outside. If you want pictures of the inside, check out the blog posts from July & August.

From the outside, the place looks like a child was stacking blocks and decided to call it a house. We live in the left 2/3. This is the view from across the street. And yes, those terraces are pretty much our yard.



This is the view as you drive up. Imposing, huh? Where's the front door? (way over on the left) We call it "The Fortress" and we've got a Bible verse for it: "He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children, it will be a refuge." Prov. 14:26


Here's some pictures of the kids. Yes, I realize they're mostly summery, but that's what I have on hand. I'll post more later.