A crowd pleaser

The Christmas Program is the highlight of the season for so many people in our church. Sunday night was no different. The little ones - under 4th grade - stole the show in my heart. There is nothing more precious than those kids dressed as angels - shepherds - Mary and Joseph. The retelling of the story through those soft and tiny voices still tickles me pink. One of the tiny ones - Hannah Kate was dressed as a lamb. While they were singing a really cute song about the animals worshipping the Baby - this little lamb played with the straw in the manger and adjusted the blanket around the doll portraying the Baby King. How precious is that?

A favorite story of the program for me was a tiny shepherd from several years ago. Clay was to be just that - all dressed up, but cranky and tired - no nap - long day - you have the picture. I had made a fire from fabric bolt centers and cardboard - all painted to look like flames and logs. The shepherds were to sit around the fire and then be startled at the appearance of the angel choir. When the angels showed up - little Clay was sound asleep laying on stage by this fake fire. So sweet and he didn't wake up for the visit to Jesus. Mom retrieved him from the stage afterwards.

We do 2 parts of our program - the little ones and then the older kids (up to seniors in high school.) The older ones are so talented - they can sing and dance and recite lines. The top two pictures are of the set. Many hours of painting on the backdrop - representing the Inn in Bethlehem - then I realized it was to be the HOLY DAY INN in the play - so I asked a young man in our congregation to help with a vintage styled holiday inn sign. Jason drew the art for the back drop and ALL the kids (4th grade and up) painted. (Sorry so dark - the lights were down in room) and then he made the sign. It is one of my favorite stage pieces ever. We left it up for the holiday season - then I will be deciding where this goes afterwards. It is way too cool to just be packed up. I did not see it until just before the play on Sunday. What do you guys think about it?

On to a more worldly celebration, I moved a few things into MaggieGrace studios last night. The girls helped. Dad helped. No it is not complete, but we put our tree in the dining room and that is where a lot of the stuff was. We moved some of the already sorted stuff and reaaranged some things. Dad brought the tree in and tied it to the ceiling. Large tree -tall ceiling - recipe for disaster - bought lesson - hook in the ceiling - wire - been there done that in years past. The studio move will be controlled and complete at some point. It sure felt great to see those shelves begin to look like I work in there. Bumped the excitement level a huge amount.

Then this morning - the man's truck bit the dust - he will be getting auto service for his Christmas gift - I am sure he will was hoping for something a little less practical. Oh well. I have rescued him from the roadside and we will deal with all of that this afternoon.

Have a wonderful day.