Jones & Freddie go to a show!

I've seen the magic of theatre in the eyes of my students. I've experienced the exhilaration only stirred  in my spirit by an amazing overture, but I STILL wasn't prepared to see my boys react to their first theatrical outing.

We went to the South Carolina Children's Theatre today. I worked there all through college. That happened, because I called one day just before my freshman year at Furman and asked if there was any way I could help out. They asked if I'd want to assist in a class that semester. I said I did, and by second semester, I had a classroom all my own. They continued giving me opportunity after opportunity even after I'd graduated and moved to Atlanta.

Needless to say, SCCT and its people (many of whom are still there; Traysie Amick, in fact, played Sister Bear in the show, and we got to see Debbie Bell on our way back to the car) are VERY near and dear to my heart. Seeing their success - how they've grown and expanded - THRILLS me and makes me so very, very proud that they are a part of my history.

Now, they are ALSO a part of my boys' history, as the house where they saw their first play. Both boys REALLY enjoyed "Wake Up, Brother Bear." Part of SCCT's 2nd Stage series, the show is about 45 minutes long and fully-interactive. It tells the story of Brother Bear from the time he wakes up from hibernation through the changing seasons of the next year.

Freddie thoroughly enjoyed it. Jones, however, was RAPT. His expression of sheer joy - he didn't stop smiling the entire time, I don't think - reminded me of how I reacted to the first million musicals I ever saw. There's no way to describe a response so visceral. It must be felt to be believed, and Jojo Pressley was most DEFINITELY feeling it.

The tickets to 2nd Stage shows are inexpensive, and the shows are targeted to those 18 months-5 years. My boys were in the sweet spot, age-wise. They participated in everything (Jones needed a little encouraging when it came to leaving the safety of his carpet square, but he did it AND WITH NO FITS!) and had absolutely ZERO trouble suspending their disbelief (as we say).

Watching them watch the show was as magical for me as it seemed to be for them. When the show was over, Jones joyfully said, "I don't wanna leave, Mama!" Mission accomplished: I have a new show buddy.

Next up? Jones' first MAINSTAGE MUSICAL! I don't think Freddie is quite ready to sit still in a traditional proscenium-style space for a full hour, so his brother and I are having a special date to see "A Charlie Brown Christmas" (also produced by SCCT) at the Peace Center next Thursday nite. I got us front row tickets, so he won't have to miss a moment ... I'm hoping that plan doesn't backfire and leave us with an obstructed view.

Regardless, I expect these tickets will be as much a part of MY merry Christmas as they will be of HIS.

Mom went with us, too!

Fruit "Cake"

There's a little girl in our church who has QUITE the reputation.

She's about Jones's age - the fifth of sixth children and the only girl, and she only knows how to function in the world as she's seen done by her big brothers, so she's rough and tough and loves to tumble.

Bless her heart.

It's actually pretty adorable. But it's also made her something of a nursery LEGEND.

The boys, though, had never even mentioned her, so I guessed they just steered clear of her domain.

Until today.

Today, I went to pick them up from the nursery, and they both ran to me, excited, but also saying, "Mama! Kate (only, Jones calls her 'Cake') pushed me." I just laughed and brushed it off, telling them, "She didn't mean to" and "She was just trying to play with you."

Jeremy and I were laughing about it as we strapped ourselves into our seats. That's when Kate came out, leading a line that included her mom and most of her brothers. I pointed her out to Jeremy, saying, "That's Kate."

Jones must've spotted her at the same time, because I soon after heard him say, sincere concern in his voice, "Hey! Let's get outta here! Cake's coming."

It was hilarious. It totally reminded me of the bully the kids avoid on "A Christmas Story." "Cake" is definitely not one to be avoided, but she's got that kinda rep in Arden Pres nursery circles.

I'll bet it serves her well in a house full of brothers!

After church, we went to War-Mart. Jones had asked if we could get a star to put on top of the Christmas tree in his room. I wanted to buy "Rudolph" on DVD, so the boys would recognize him when we "meet" him at Dollywood, so I said, "Yes."

While we were there - just Jones and I went in - he also picked out some door decor for him and Freddie. As soon as we got home, I hung his on the door. He called it "Red Nose the Reindeer." I collapsed from the cuteness of that and privately mourned, knowing that he'd correct himself as soon as he watched the movie after nap time.

Sure enough, he did. "Red Nose the Reindeer" became "Rudolph the Reindeer." To me, though, he will always be "Red Nose."

As for the star, Jones picked out one that is just covered in turquoise glitter (he picked a Kentucky blue one for Freddie). We put it on his tree when we got home, and he looked at it proudly but said, "It needs to light up." The star was NOT the light-up kind, so I just wrapped some of his tree lights around it, and that not only appeased Jones; it AMAZED him.

As planned, he watched "Red Nose the Reindeer" not once but TWICE after getting up from (not) napping.

'Tis the Season, People, and so far, this one has been super.

Dis-like for Disney on Ice

The best decision I've made all year was to take Lizzie Gray to see Disney on Ice with the boys and me yesterday.

She was phenomenal. The boys hadn't had a nap in two days and were a little weary from all the Thanksgiving celebrating, but she was able to keep them in check in a way that I don't think I'd have had the patience for if I'd been flying solo with them.

They actually did fine, not GREAT, but there were no fits or meltdowns or anything. We met Leslie and her family at the BiLo Center (don't you TRY to make me call it something else); Jones thought Stinky was in the show (where did he get THAT idea?!?); Freddie said, "I want Mickey to sit beside me," and but the show was DEFINITELY more princess-centric than pirates, and the boys QUICKLY lost interest.

Before the end of the first half, they were both saying, "Mama, I'm ready to go." They ultimately made it through the whole thing - but without the extra hands ... and sweet spirit ... of my favorite 13 year old, I'm not sure I'D have made it through.

Afterwards, we dropped Bess off, and Sissy and Camden came out to say, "Hey." Camden played "fist bump" with the boys ... which they definitely enjoyed more than they had at this year's "Dream Big" version of  Disney on Ice.

OH! And let me not forget this.

Jeremy had left the boys and I behind to see the show, while he went back to work, so Mom and Daddy were driving us home afterwards. The boys were in the way back, and I was in the second row of Mom's Suburban.

Around the time we got to the NC state line, Freddie looked at the six inches between his carseat and Jones's and said, "I fink you will fit right here, Mama."

I'll tell you this - I DIDN'T fit, but I wasn't about to turn down my baby's offer, so I squeezed in and made the most of it for the next forty five minutes.