Christmas Eve

In Oak City, the entire town comes together on Christmas Eve for a program.  Well...  the entire town that is IN town for the holiday, but still, it's quite a turn out.  The program consists of a nativity, a play put on by children ages 3-13, some Christmas carols, and then a visit from the busy man himself... Santa Clause.

My kids were really excited about participating in the play.  They had small parts, but by time we actually did the play, the had the entire production memorized... in fact, I'm typing this 2 weeks later, and they are still singing the songs and saying people's parts constantly.  Here are my little actors before the production:

Melanie, as "Mistress Mary"

 Noelle, as "Jill"

And Oliver, as "Jack"

Here they are singing the closing song.  So cute!

All the children did an amazing job.  The play was about dolls in a dolls hospital that were putting on a show for a girl who wanted a new doll.  She wanted Raggedy Ann, but not Raggedy Andy.  The dolls were trying to change her mind by putting on their best performance.  My kids were Mother Goose dolls.  There were also dancing dolls, a bride doll, soldiers, clowns, and a lot more.  It was fun.  I was blessed with the opportunity to help with the play.  It was a lot of fun to get to know the kids.  I also really appreciate seeing some of the older kids take to my little ones.  Oliver and Preston have several older girls looking after them.  That makes my heart swell with joy.

After the play, we sang songs until Santa came.  Then my kids waited their turn to tell the big man Merry Christmas and make their last minute pleads for something special.  Here are some pictures:

Thank you to everyone that put this wonderful program together.  It was definitely enjoyable and I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to participate.  Merry Christmas!

Poisened Apples

The Hale Theater is currently showing Snow White.  I knew that they were coming and got tickets for Melanie, Noelle, My mother and me way in advance.  This was Noelle's first theater experience and I was really looking forward to this play and surprising the girls (they had no idea).

The morning of Brandon took Oliver on a "guy's day" adventure with Grandpa Smithson (more on that later).  The girls told me that they wanted to do a "woman's day" (their words) and I asked what they wanted to do.  "Dress up like Princesses" they said.  How convenient, that was already part of my plan.  I did their hair all special and gave them both a Snow White dress.  Clever Melanie figured it out.  The excitement escalated.

I couldn't resist a little photo opportunity.

 When I bought the seats, I was the first one to pick any seats in the theater (for this showing).  I thought the front row would be fun because then Noelle could see.  What I didn't know was I picked the only row that was literally *on* the stage (off to the side, but flush).  All the other sections started up a level.  To say we were close to the action would be an understatement.  In fact, when frightened by the unknown Snow White, one of the dwarfs actually picked up Melanie, sat in her seat, and put her on his lap to "hide" from Snow White.  Let me tell you something about Melanie... having a strange man pick her up and put her on his lap without asking does not sit well with her.  She didn't cry, but she quickly climbed off his lap and on to my mom's (then hid her face).  The dwarf then tried to convince Noelle to hide him.  This also did not work as he had hoped, because she just leaned towards me.  He ended up trying to hide himself in the fetal position on the chair.  So yeah, we were really close to the action.  I'm thinking next time I'd like to be up a level.  I felt like I was going to have a toe stepped on if I weren't careful.

Here we are waiting for the play to begin.

 I think they did a wonderful job.  Of all the children's plays we have been to, this was definitely my favorite.  The evil queen was wickedly good.  There were two actresses that played her.  One played the queen as herself and the other played the queen as the young girl and the old hag (this queen transformed herself twice!)

 The picture of the girls with the royal couple didn't turn out the best, but I had to include it.  Snow White actually reminded me of the charactor from the Disney movie.  She did a great job.  And the prince was very charming!

 Here are the girls with two of the dwarfs.  The one holding Noelle's hand up to wave was the one that picked Melanie up during the show.  The dwarfs were very entertaining!

 After the show, we walked to Oreganos and met up with Papa Terry for lunch.  The girls were completely spoiled by grandpa! 

Seriously spoiled!  I mean... have you ever seen anyone enjoy dessert as much as this:

 Here's the whole group at lunch.

After lunch, I drove us home as fast as was legal and safe, because there was a little man there waiting for his mommy.  Noelle feel asleep in the car and was out.  It took a handsome prince to give her kisses to wake her up!  They spent the rest of the day (and most of the rest of the weekend) wearing their Snow White dresses.  They even watched the movie Snow White that night.  I think the day was a success!

Pinkalicious- the Musical

The Broadway Palms Theater is now showing Pinkalicious the musical during the month of May!  I decided to get some tickets for My mom, My Melanie and me for a Mother's Day treat for mom.  I decided not to bring Noelle because I wasn't sure if she could handle it.  After it started, I realized that she could have so next play I think I'll be sure to include her.

The play was really fun!  Melanie's favorite part were the dancing cupcakes that sang and danced around Pinkalicious's bed while she slept before she turned Pink!  and then Red!  My favorite part was the bumble bee that kept mistaking Pinkalicious for a flower.  My mom liked the whole thing.

The play was very entertaining, and the music was fun!  We really enjoyed ourselves.

Before the play started.

 Melanie with the cast that played several smaller parts.

 Melanie with Mr. and Mrs. Pinkerton

 Melanie with Pinkalicious and Peter (her brother)

Melanie got everyone's autographs and then we headed outside and to the truck.  (But not before getting a few more pictures)

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch, and then headed home to eat and visit!  It was a great day!