My First Evening Out in Weeks

Last night was the annual school program. The Middle Learning Center did "Christmas Comes to Grandpa". Grandpa, a bit of a scrooge when it came to a children's Christmas party hosted at the house where he lived, was played by Jonathan Durgan. He wanted peace and quiet, but the kids were able to win him over and even get him to go caroling with them in the end. (Janae is the middle girl in the first photo, giggling at Grandpa's antics.)

The Lower Learning Center did the musical "All I Want for Christmas". All Lindsay (Karris Gardner) wants for Christmas is... everything she sees! And while she's pouting over her mother's (Shaylee Johnson) true words about why we celebrate Christmas, Lindsay finds some new friends... cool “toy” friends... that come alive to her. Together Lindsay, Miss Glamour Doll (DaNae Durgan), Chucko (Kayla Fry) the fluffy teddy bear, the action figure Captain Courage (Cody Sullivan), and the ever popular Jack-In-the Box (Jaida Waggoner) tell the story of the first Christmas and discover the true meaning of the season.

Kerrigan was in the choir and was dressed as the adorable Raggedy Ann.

Attempt at School Photos

I only did it because I was asked. And I am convinced I was brought up in staff meeting - not because I'm good, but rather because I ALWAYS have a camera in my hands. In a response to Karen W's question on who took the girl's pictures, I wrote: "Yep, Karen, I did them. Some turned out better than others. I had sunshine issues with the lower learning center boys. We went to a park not too far from the school. I had been there the day before and chose six spots - one for boys and one for girls of each learning center. It was in interesting day to say the least..." And it was - a little different than a photo shoot with your own three kids at the park on a lazy afternoon!

And Winner Takes All

...or close to it. Our girls were winners tonight :) They are ALWAYS winners in our eyes, good grades or bad grades - no matter what - that is not an area where we add pressure. But we were pleasantly surprised tonight to see them win several medals and trophies.

Each girl received awards for:

• Scripture Memory
• No Failed PACEs
• Honor Roll
• Citizenship (No Detentions)

Kerrigan received her large trophy for Highest Grade Point Average in her Learning Center.

Britnee received her large trophy for Christian Character.

Janae received her large trophy for Highest Grade Point Average in her Learning Center along with the Supervisor's Award and the Scott Reed Memorial Missions Award - turning in the most missions money (thanks to those who read my blog that supported that effort).

Bragging Rights - FCA Program

Kerrigan was the little Christmas tree that no one wanted. Does anyone remember that song? We had it on a record when I was a kid and fell asleep to it most every night at Christmas time. On the video, it’s just her singing…Tony clipped out all the parts in between to save you all the chore of having to watch a lengthy video. Poor li’l thing had a cold but did a great job. I didn’t realize she was THE main attraction until about a week before the program. Then I got NERVOUS!!


Janae and Britnee sang a beautiful duet that brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it (shhhh, don’t tell them that – they might be embarrassed; but they’ll understand when they are mommies :)

Our Baby Graduates Kindergarten

FCA Kindergarten Class of 2007
Keegan, Connor, Kerrigan, Alayna, Samuel, Hannah, Kayla, Nyree, Kole, Ava, Jaida

All those months of learning how to read made for a sleepy graduate :)