GINGERBREAD CHRISTMAS PARTY

This year our Christmas party theme was Gingerbread.

The goodie bags were lined up waiting for the girls to show up and enjoy what was inside.

Each girl got a felt bag that said "It's S'more Fun Together" and inside was everything to make their own s'mores.

They also got a bag that was shaped like a gingerbread house and inside there were several little gifts.

The table was set with the Gingerbread Theme.

Each place setting had a little different look to it. The plates and mugs had gingerbread men on them.

The napkin rings were also little gingerbread men.

In the center of the table was a cute little Gingerbread house and gingerbread man.

The chairs were covered with big Santa hats that had Gingerbread men on them. Everyone got to take their chair cover home.

The place card holder was a little gingerbread man holding the name of each person so they knew where to sit.

They got to take these home too.

Everyone was excited to get the party started!

We started with lunch first.

They had chicken, roasted potatoes, fruit salad, rolls and drinks.

For dessert there were cupcakes! YUM!

Everyone ate and drank until they were full.

Then it was time to decorate their own Gingerbread Houses.

The girls all voted and wanted to have Nikki's brother Chase come to share in the fun too. They said he was their mascot.

There was every color and shape of candy for them to use on their houses. I think they ate almost as much as they put on the houses. After all, it is...candy!

It was really fun watching them come up with their own ways to decorate their houses.

They all seemed to have a lot of fun creating their own one of a kind Gingerbread Houses.

I don't think anyone had decorated a gingerbread house before. But, they all said they would like to do it again next year too.

It was a little bit hard for them to get used to squeezing the icing out of the bag though. Yet, they all managed just fine.

There were a lot of smiles that day.

Plus, serious faces. It was as if they were caught up in a world of their own.

Some designs didn't work out as they planned but that was OK. They just came up with new and clever ways to make their houses lovely.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. Everyone got an apron to wear that I made for them. They got to take them home too so they could use them again.

I'm not sure who had a better time, the kids or me as I watched them enjoying themselves.

Even Chase had a fun time. We were all happy he got to come and join in the fun.

Sometimes, the adults couldn't help but get in there and help decorate a little bit. Maybe next year we should have an adult table too. That could be fun.

I loved how every house looked so different from each other.

No one tried to copy each other and they didn't even try to copy the pictures on the box showing several decorated houses.

They each proudly showed off their masterpieces.

How could you not smile at each one. They were so cute.

I was, once again, proud of my girls for the work they did.

Look at that house. Doesn't that make you happy?

I hope they all loved their houses as much as I did.

After they finished up with the Gingerbread Houses, it was time to open up gifts.

I was so shocked each girl brought me a gift. I was so touched by that. I never expected it at all.

After they gave me my gifts, they opened up the gifts they bought each other.

Each girl drew a name of one of the other girls. They didn't tell each other who had their names. It wasn't until the day of the party that they found out.

Trinity got the Pillow Pet she had been wanting. Haili had her name.

Haili got the CD she put on her list. Nikki drew her name and bought her gift.

Haili was so excited that she gave Nikki the biggest hug to thank her for getting it for her.

Nikki got a Build A Bear that she adored. Jesse got it for her.

Jesse also got a Pillow Pet. Trinity had her name and she picked out the same one that Haili got her. They had no idea they were going to get the same one. But, both were thrilled.

They were all very happy and thankful for the gifts they got.

Finally, after much begging, the dogs got to come out and play. They had been locked up in the bedroom so they wouldn't bother the kids during the party. Though I don't think any of the kids would have felt it was a bother. They all love the dogs and wanted to play with them.

After playing awhile, everyone had to go home. Everyone had things to do and places to go. After all, it was Christmas time.

The day went by so fast. At least for me. I think everyone had a great time. I sure hope they did. I know I did.

After everyone left, Trinity was tired and very thankful her Grand Pa was there to hold her and listen to her tell him all about the fun she had.

THEATER BADGE WORKSHOP

The girls had a fun time as they earned their Theater Badge. We were sorry Haili didn't get to join us though.

We signed up for the Workshop that was being offered by Orange County Children's Theatre. It was lead by a Girl Scout Troop Leader so she knew just what was needed for the girls to earn their patches.

The girls got to go back stage. This was a first for the girls as normally no one but the cast and crew gets to go back stage.

They saw where the cast stands, just outside the view of the audience, how the curtains go up, how they communicate with the sound crew as well as all the other stuff that is done to make the show go on without a hitch.

The girls all listened carefully at what was said and learned that they could even get a degree in College that could help them get a job working behind the scenes.

We then moved even deeper backstage to where all the magic starts to happen.

Our first stop was to the Girls Dressing Room.

We were shown how the costumes wait in the Dressing Room for the girls to put on. Each outfit is marked with the name of person that will be wearing it.

The cast is responsible for taking care of the costumes and if anything is found on the floor and not hung up, they have to pay a $5.00 fine.

We then went into the room that costumes are made. We also learned that a lot of the costumes are found at thrift shops and garage sales.

The Prop area was next. Here we saw how the props are all laid out with the casts names. This way, they can quickly find what is needed next.

Many props also come from thrift stores, garage sales and some come from the cast members homes.

We were lucky enough to see one of the cast members getting her hair and make up done. This girl who is really 14 years old was made up to look like she was in her 60's.

Between the make up, wigs, costumes and stage lighting she really did look so much older then 14.

The girls were also told about some "theater" secretes. Things like, real money is not used. It's all fake. School books are made by taking a book and covering it with brown paper bags. Many little "tricks" are used to make the audience think they are seeing things that they really aren't.

After we finished up learning about the back stage stuff, we then were introduced to some of the cast.

They taught the girls the ins and outs of what it is like to act in a play.

They told the girls how they audition, get into character, how to go on when a mistake is made.

They talked to them about how much fun it is to be in a play and had them try out a few things themselves.

Things like, projecting their voices. They all stood up at the front of the auditorium and without using a mic they had to say something loud enough that the sound man in the back could hear and repeat back to them.

Each girl was given an emotion to act out and the other girls had to guess what it was.

Can you tell what Jesse's was? She was scared.

Trinity was told to act out being "smitten" with a boy. She had to act like she was flirting with him.

Nikki had to get the girls to guess she was sad and crying.

They all did a great job and everyone was able to tell what each girl was acting out without being told.

We took head shots of the girls. Just like the real cast had done and was on display in the lobby.

Since real head shots are in black and white so are the girls.

So, what do you think? Any future stars in our Troop?

We then finished up the night with watching the play Oklahoma. It was very good. We couldn't get over how good the cast was. Knowing that everyone was 8 years to 18 years made them even better.

So, another official patch was earned and will go on the front of their sash.

We all had fun but, the night didn't get over until after 10:00pm so everyone was tired and ready to get home.

I wonder if any of the girls went to sleep and dreamed about being a famous actress some day?