Pageant Week

Last week we had a wonderful opportunity to be in a pageant called, "The Promised Land." It was located in Bath, North Carolina's oldest town, which is about an hour east of us. The only practices were the week of the pageant, but were from 8am-11pm or later. With the hour commute, it made for long days. We missed breakfast and announcements most days and got there at 9am insead. The first couple of days we left early because the kids ran out of energy and Nathan wanted to see us before he went to bed. But as the week went on, the kids got used to napping at the producer's house and staying up late, so we were able to stay till we were done with minimal fits being thrown. We also got used to eating out of an ice chest all day and not complaining of being in the sun for 10 hours. Really, it was a great time. We made some wonderful friends, everyone was so helpful with the kids, and it was a very spiritual experience.

And it was also fun!
We did have about 2 hours of free time a day and on Tuesday we got to go on a boat ride! One of the members who lived in Bath generously let the cast come swim at his house and even took us on his boat one day. This was a turning point for the kids, who suddenly decided they liked being in the pageant afterall. :)

Thomas stuffing his sandwich dinner in before hopping on the boat.

Spencer got a thrill out of his first boat ride.



Kylie loved the pool. She tried to be the first one in and the last one out.
I was posting this picture to show you how beautiful their back yard on the river was. I also took pictures of their gorgeous house, but I don't know if they want them posted on my blog. :)

Swim, Madalyn!

If you think the weather looks on the cool side, you are right. So I don't blame the kids for spending a lot of time being in the hot tub. The rest of the week was hot, though.

All 5 of them fell asleep withing 5 minutes of leaving the pageant site on Tuesday night, even though it was only 8:00pm. Monday we left at 6, Tuesday 8, Wednesday, 9:30 and then the next 3 days we were able to stay until we were finished.

Wednesday Nathan was able to come out to Bath and it was so wonderful to have him there. The kids showed him all around including where to dig for shark's teeth and the lovely porta-potties.

Snack time in the wings just before the dress rehearsal Thursday night.

My 3 colonial girls.
They loved being in the pageant and were so cute.

All of us on Friday night. Nathan was on-call and couldn't come. I was so worried one of them might run out on stage when they weren't supposed to or start throwing some kind of fit, but happily, all went well.

The family on Saturday night's performance.
The kids' favorite part was running out to meet Daddy when he comes home from the war.

The 3 colonial boys.

Our pioneer costumes after the last performance. I forgot to get a family picture and the boys were already changing. I also forgot to get a picture of our Nehpite costumes. The children loved being in the scene with Christ and the children.

It was a great pageant. I was so amazed at the script and music. We're so glad we were in it. We never would have with a new baby, so I'm glad we took advantage and were in it this year. Check out the website baththeater.org and come see it next year!