St. Nicolas Day 2018

Today is St. Nicolas Day, and once again Madison's shoes were filled with goodies.  An no, we didn't get a visit from Krampus!   But a certain elf was on hand to notice the certain smell from those shoes on the fireplace!  Notice his hand over his nose, and what he's saying!  Regardless, there was candy left in the boots, as well as another Tsum-Tsum, one of Vanellope Von Schweetz.  The candy left behind was certainly schweetz!

The weather is chilly outside, and there's talk of some winter precipitation this weekend.  We'll take it as it comes, as there's so much going on at our church, and this sort of thing would require all sorts of evasive action.  It is what it is though.  Last year, our first production of "Christmas in Color" was cancelled due to snow, just about one year ago from this week.

Tonight the First Baptist church in town had their Living Christmas Tree presentation, the first of about four presentations to the community.  We haven't been to the very first night yet, the one on Thursday, so today was the first time we were there for the opening.  We got there early, and had front row seats on the balcony, and saved a few seats for Nana and Ye-Ye, who also met us there.

It was really nice!  They also were celebrating the 200th anniversary of the song "Silent Night," and had about two arrangements of that song.  But there were others that were nice too, unique Christmas you don't hear as often.  One of Daddy's favorites was "All is Well," where the lead singer was a twelve-year-old girl that actually was the infant used in the manger scene twelve years ago at that Living Tree production.

It was a nice night with beautiful music.  The choir was around a hundred people strong, and the massive church was full of people all dressed up for a great seasonal evening.  Madison sat next to her grandmother for the night, just a nice time together during the Christmas season.

We did our reading tonight, our prayers, and a later night to bed.  Tomorrow we've got more fun planned, and we'll have a closer look at that weather.

Until then, here's something Daddy wrote for the upcoming Christmas party at the martial arts studio.  We had classes tonight, before the Living Tree, and Madison enjoyed it.  She was doing a few self-defense maneuvers, getting out of aggressive headlocks and doing some amazing high kicks.  Additionally, her splits are getting lower... and lower... and lower...!

Anyway, we're preparing for a special event there next Friday.  As we close up this entry for the day, here's an Daddy wrote up for Mr. Edge, the instructor to read to the kids at the conclusion of the evening:

It was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The uniforms were hung by the chimney with care

In hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there.

When out in the lot there arose such a clatter,

We raced across the mat to see what was the matter!

Mrs. Edge was worried.  Yes, something was wrong!

Twenty angry ninjas were attacking our dojahng!

We were not expecting a scene here so tense,

But because we were trained, we could use self-defense.

And this is no problem, as you already know

Because Mrs. Edge and I?  We know taekwondo!

We slipped on our doboks, and prepared for a scrap,

so we could give those ninjas a long winter’s nap!

And I in my kerchief, Mrs. Edge with her sword

went out there to bust ninjas’ heads, like a board!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

Thirty more ninjas jumped out in black sparring gear!

We blocked and we chopped, and we sparred in that place

when a bad ninja tried a side kick to my face!

I thought I was toast, but then came a big shock:

The ninja did his best, but I was saved by a block!

That ninja fell backwards, so lively and quick.

But who had just saved me? Why, it was St. Nick!

He saw that these bad guys were treating us wrongly,

So he brought out his big candy cane bahng mahng ee!

To help us, he gave us sahng jeol bongs that day

Tied together with ribbons, that said “ATA.”

And now all those ninjas did not stand a chance

As the three of us stood there with a perfect stance!

The bad guys ran off, and if they’re wise men,

They won’t mess with Edge ATA ever again!

We turned to thank Santa, but he was all gone

Still he left something there, smack dab on the lawn!

It was a huge Christmas sack! Yet, what did it contain?

A souvenir of the evening: a black belt key chain!

A note there said, “You’ve all been so good, and not bad.

Here’s something to remember the fun night we’ve had.

We both heard some laughing, and looked to the sky

We saw Santa, his reindeer and his sleigh flying by!

And I heard him exclaim, as he flew out of sight

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!