Then add some guys with screw guns . . .

. . .the prettiest stage manager in town . . .

. . some scenic painters in outrageous costumes . . .

. . .and for good measure, include an effective back-rub crew . . .

. . .and some significant progress is made.

Actually, though very little is shown, we were able to build all the set last Saturday. We still have a lot of painting left to do, but it's "progress as promised!"

REHEARSALS ! !

"Yes, yes, he is a Major General !"

The Pirate King, Major General, and Fredric listening intently to blocking instructions.

" . . . and take my daughters, all of whom are BEAUTIES !"

The policemen . . . "Ta-ran-ta-ra, ta-ran-ta-ra "

MORE REHEARSALS . . .

"Climbing Over Rocky Mountain"

What a lovely "mother-daughter" team!

As Amanda posted on Facebook: "No, don't take my suitcase! I cannot live with out it !"

"The enchanting Mabel"

BEAUTY PARLOR DAY, PART II

I had to go to a rehearsal sortly after putting curlers in the girls' hair. When I returned, I discovered that Josiah had been the ever patient, kind babysitter/brother he always is. He had allowed the girls to play "beauty parlor" with his hair. Nathanael was willing, but they ran out of curlers.

And the golden tresses are revealed.

Curls, curls, curls.

Shirley Temple would feel at home here.

BABIES, BABIES, BABIES ! !

Jordan Taylor Klevansky, my sister Julie's firstborn. Isn't she adorable?!

I was blessed and thrilled to get to spend several days in Atlanta with Julie and Jon, doing one of my favorite activites: Holding Babies!!

And Kelly's tiny little twins aren't tiny anymore! Here's Willa with Meagan, her good friend (or part-time nanny).

CRAWLIN' CRITTERS

Kelly's Babies, Luke and Willa, playing "Red Light, Green Light", or maybe "Mother May I ?"

ADAM'S BIRTHDAY

It was a joyous occasion, which is why I'm puzzled as to why Joel is sporting a gun at the table.

I hadn't noticed the strong resemblences between Adam and Glory until this picture, maybe it's just their shared love of chocolate.
(Much thanks to Zion English for his great Chocolate Pie recipe!)

She thought 22 candles were too many to handle on his own.

BEAUTY PARLOR DAY

The girls really wanted to try curling their hair, so after procurring foam curlers during our shopping day yesterday (I get all the groceries for the week while the kids are at band) the girls were very anxious this morning to try them out.

Having no experience myself in this area, we are unsure of the results, but I think they look awfully cute even with just the curlers.

NATHANAEL'S 8TH BIRTHDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Blogging, unlike laundry, can be put off indefinitely when life overflows. But I didn't want to neglect Nathanael's birthday, which was anticipated in the extreme by one small male member of our family.

It's always interesting to see what each child chooses as their "Birthday Dinner." The desire of Nathanael's heart was fresh strawberries, shown here on our "Birthday Plate". Everyone else eats off our plain white china, but the birthday honoree eats from this lovely plate, given to me years ago by Pam Lancaster, who is the queen of adding delightful, lovely traditions and homey touches.

Nathanael decorated his French Silk pies with his airplanes and helicopters. The kids have more fun decorating their own, and it saves me the trouble.

NATHANAEL'S BIRTHDAY

I'm not sure whether his older brothers were picking out gifts for Nathanael, or themselves, but everyone was delighted with the choices.

And this little helicopter has become a regular occupant of the living room.

OAT TALENT SHOW TONIGHT

Ozark Actors' Theatre is hosting a Talent Show, March 6th, at 7:00pm. This lovely group of bedgraggled orphan's from Fine Linen Drama will be performing scene's from "Annie". Also, the "Nisbett Five" (Keith, Adam, Joel, Josiah, and John) will once again be performing their rendition of The Awakening, as they did at the Faculty Talent Show. Tickets are available at the box office and are $10 (we don't have control over ticket prices.)

Sarah McCluskey, Ivy Toddy, Rebekah Toddy, and Grace McCluskey look on as Margaret Hamacher sings a portion of "Maybe".

Rachel Hickle sings with Carah Houser, Anna Nisbett, and Rebecca Light.

Adalie Brown singing "Tomorrow" with Adler Davidson, Joy Nisbett, and Drew McCluskey.

Jonathon Cureton, Adler Davidson, Adalie Brown and Drew McCluskey.

"It's A Hard Knock Life"
Sarah McCluskey, Jonathan Cureton, Rachel Hickle, Anna Nisbett, Adalie Brown, Ivy Toddy, Margaret Hamacher, Drew McCluskey.