I hope to have Christmas pictures up soon (I know, I said that about Thanksgiving too - be patient with me!  I haven't had much time for the editing of pictures lately.  Hoping to combine Thanksgiving and Christmas into one slideshow...someday...). 

We were blessed the week before Christmas to attend a wonderful church Christmas concert and a presentation of the Nutcracker specifically designed for kids.  The 3 older kids & I were able to learn a little about lighting, set and costume design as well as enjoy the beautiful ballet and music of the Nutcracker. 

Additionally, we had our own little star in the Awana cubbies Christmas program.  Girl4 was a wiseman(wiseperson?).  Fortunately, since she had been a wiseman last year I had some tips about how to make the costume.  Buy a piece of regal looking fabric, fold in half, cut a hole in the head and buy some gold cord to wrap around the waist.  I had trouble finding a gold crown this time of year so I substituted for a golden candle wreath.  Last year she was freaked out that the gymnasium had been so dark.  Not this year!  This year, she went up, pulled the microphone that was meant for the whole group and belted out her version of "Go Tell it on the Mountain."  Only problem?  The emcee had made a mistake.  The song our group had practiced for weeks was "O Come all Ye Faithful".   So she didn't know the whole song, but the parts that she did know the whole gym heard loud and clear.  Coming off the stage, she said "Can I do it again?"  The rest of the night as we were enjoying refreshments she kept sneaking back onstage to the microphone.  Wonder where she could have gotten that from?

-J