A Minnesota Christmas (it's a miracle)

This week was a culmination of a lot of work at Addie's school, Annunciation. They are widely known for their Christmas program which is created and directed by Mrs. Mary Strickland, the creative arts director. She is an amazingly creative woman who command a lot of respect from not only the students, but also all the staff (and the parents too!). When we were looking at schools for Addie to attend, Mrs Strickland and the CA program was a big seller for me. And now I know why.

This year is the MN sesquicentennial and the theme of the show this year was... what if Mary and Joseph lived in MN. As the stars of the show, the 1st graders play the roles in the Nativity, offering a little sketch comedy (its not the Star of Bethlehem, its the North Star!) mixed with some oldies (Mary in pigtails and Joseph serenading each other with I Got You Babe), and some originals as well (the native animals offering gives to the Babe -the loons singing him to sleep). Interwoven to the story each class represents an area of the state, and participates with song and "actions" routine, all to the beat of the live rock and roll band, led by Mrs. S, yelling LOUDER every few minutes :-)

This year, the kindergarten class was Minneapolis and cheered on Mary in her journey with all of the rousers of our great state teams- Let's Win the Game Twins, Skoal Vikings, and the MN Fight Song. Its was tremendous! Each class took a turn (The 3rd grade dressed as prairie folk from Walnut Grove sang Oh What a Beautiful Morning!) and then gathered again under quiet light to join together and share the dreams of Kermit the Frog and our local hero Bob Dylan.

I was so proud to be there and be a part of such and amazing show and an amazing community. Addie was so proud to be a part of it too. She kept it all under wraps as its a VERY big secret, and well worth the wait.

And through it all, all the practice and dress rehearsals, Addie learned the story of the birth of Jesus. What more could I ask for?

The DVD will be out just after Christmas. We'll be sure to post it somewhere- and if you find a recording of Love God (And Everybody Else), please let me know!