The Show Must Go On

First ever Christmas pageant. For us anyway. Unfortunately, Judson's father had an emergency surgery the day prior. Judson was right where he needed to be, caring for his mother and father. So, we were missing him dearly and praying for Daddy Gayle.

The morning of the show, both kids said they didn't want to do it. Therefore, I urged Judson not to think twice about staying in Madison - especially since we didn't know if they'd even go on to sing their two song. (Up on the Housetop and Jolly Old St. Nicholas).

We got ready for the party with our friend and classmate, Kasey.


Veronica proudly picked out the new outfit her godmother, Aunt Peggy, got her for her birthday. And, she let Kasey's mom do her hair - and didn't complain about it! :)

The kids proudly marched onto the stage when it was showtime. Everyone started with a good amount of confidence.

However, the pre-3 and pre-4 classes were to go first, but there was no announcement made that they were beginning. So the noisy gym continued to echo everyone's conversations. I think this was a little intimidating. That, on top of me sitting on the floor in front of the first row snapping pictures, was a little too much for Thomas. I noticed when they were done shaking their fingers at "don't you tell a single soul what I'm going to say," Thomas's finger kept shaking... at me. Then I noticed he was saying something different than the rest of the class. "Don't look at me. DON'T LOOK AT ME! MOMMY.... Don't look at me!!"

I turned my head away. When the song was over, the pre-3 class sat down on the stage to listen to the pre-4s sing. When it was time to stand up, Thomas didn't stand completely, didn't sing and hid behind the girl next to him.

Veronica, on the other hand, made this statement after the show: "Can we take dance lessons so we can be in another recital?"

Talking to Strangers

Today I watched my children walk up to a complete stranger, sit on his lap, and take candy from him!

That's right - we visited Santa Claus, and it's the first year the kids have been into it.

It's a really nice set-up. Breakfast with quiet Santa in the corner. Not overwhelming for our kids last year - wanted to look but not touch. Veronica watched one friend walk up to him and immediately walked over to wait for her turn.

She let Santa take the lead, he guessed right - she wants dolls. Baby dolls and Barbie dolls.

Thomas was working hard on gathering the nerve. Santa eventually inticed him with the job of jingling the bells.

Thomas then shared that he wanted three costumes: 1) Black Spiderman; 2) Bumblebee Transformer; and 3) Superman.

Veronica didn't want to leave and plopped down for a front row seat to listen to the other kids talk to Santa. She was quiet entertained by it.

We then joined our friends for crafts, including cooking decorating.

Later in the day we were talking about their visit with Santa. Thomas felt like he'd made a real connection apparently, "Some people call him Santa, but I call him Saint Nicholas." Santa's not such a stranger anymore!