Let It Snow!

No, it didn't snow here in Sacramento, but it may as well have.

Every year, a widow who lives across the street from Sam & Charlotte's preschool/daycare invites children over to her house to enjoy goodies.

I've seen the construction of at least the outside of the house for about 6 years because I have been in that area for various things, but have never ventured over there and so this was our first visit. We met up with Miss Elisa and Miss Jenny's other kids, plus 3 out of the 5 amazing Spoonemores, and we went through the craziest Christmas house I've ever seen in my life.

Crazy = I totally want to do it someday.

We counted 9 full-sized Christmas trees, and a myriad of other Christmas decorations. She gave the kids small gifts, and allowed them to touch anything they wanted (BIG deal when you're in preschool, let me tell ya).

Then, she took them into her "movie theatre" and they cozied up with snacks and sleeping bags and watched a Christmas movie.

It was the most precious thing. Here are pictures of maybe half of what we saw, all in one house:


First, Sam with his girlfriend Addison (or as Sam calls her with a big stupid grin on his face "aaaaaadi!!!") . Note the hand holding. Good glory.

We started with the driveway, where this year's theme "Let it Snow" let loose. Literally with snow. She used the foam Disneyland stuff. Very cool.


In the 55-degree weather, he nonetheless saw snow and he yelled "Mommy! Get my gloves!!"
Underneath the eskimo's "ice" were real live goldfish swimming around. Love it.


Charlotte was not too sure about the "snow." Not too sure at all....


Random driveway Christmas tree made out of tinsel? Yes please.

You could read this two ways: Christmas magic as Sam catches a "snowflake", or Little girl in background about to be eaten by abominable snowman.


Then we went inside......










She had half of the kids go up this staircase and then she gave them Styrofoam balls to throw at each other for a snowball fight.

This is her fireplace!


Little details captured only by a 3 year old's eye level.
Photo wall of children that have visited the house, or are related to who will now be known as the Crazy Christmas House Lady.

Angel collection.

Presents!



Snowglobe collection. See Diana, THIS is a snowglobe collection ;) You need more than two!

I Like Dance At Christmastime

I swore I would never do a Christmas show. They always seem so cliche, and with so many other competing events during the holidays, there was no way we could ever get an audience for it. Right?

Foot. In. Mouth.

I really felt called to direct a Christmas show, even though Royal Stage's next production should have performed sometime in February 2012. So off we went, and a Christmas production was born.

12 Daze of Christmas was performed 3 times this weekend, and it was a hoot! I didn't dare write the script this time around - not with a 6 month old, an ever-potty training 3 year old, and having to write more for an actual paycheck again. Instead, this great play was found online, written to parody the 12 days of Christmas. Complete with a swan a swimmin' who can't swim, 4 gossipy Southern telephone operators (calling birds), and Turtle & Dove, attorneys at law....it was just super fun. We just added dances to it, and the result was just a lot of fun.

And yes, we had a good crowd all three shows, and prayers were majorly answered! We saw a lot of restoration and healing in the lives of both audience members and dancers. So grateful for that!

Royal Stage's theme for our 2nd season is "Joy." Everything we do on stage we are aiming to do to get people to smile, laugh or think about how blessed they are. Ministry through encouragement and God's beauty shining through ordinary people.

Dance has never been so fun.

Here are my favorite shots from the show:


This is everybody, minus about 8 drummers drumming. I thought my bossiness was productive during the cast photo, but as you can see, I am the only one not doing what I should be. Oops. That'll teach me.

Winter Song dance


Maryn is one of our new dancers. She is adorable, has a great attitude, and really is a blessing!

The "grown ups."


Numbers were haphazardly slapped onto a board until the big hoopla 12 came into position. As always, Brandi is brilliant.

Mary Did You Know dance....hey that baby looks familiar ;) Charlotte's debut! :)

Winter Song ladies, with the tutus that arrived THREE HOURS before the show. Phew.

8 Maids a' Milkin....on strike.

Sam was the littlest of the 12 drummers drumming :)

7 swans a swimming - 5 that could swim, one that could not...and then Jake the Olympian swan.


What Child Is This ...another new dancer with great talent, heart and choreography - first time out!
Sam hung out backstage as much as possible.


Winter Song dance

More attempts at a shot of the adult cast members.

And some of the teens give it a try.

Everybody :) <3

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy Hip Hop Remix

We had a Christmas candy art contest. This was my favorite entry. The little ice skating guys look so happy!

My favorite little drummer boy :)


A partridge, her pear tree, and a swan.




Sing We Now of Christmas dance. Thank you Kermit!!!!!!


More of Brandi's brilliance. Cutest cast list ever!!!


We never got this right....



Little Caitlyn Camacho! Remember her name!

Sam teaching dance backstage.

And now, I get a week off :) Merry Early Christmas, everybody! <3