Heavenly Perfomance

The Christmas season would not have been the same without a Christmas play in Acorn Hill. One complaint: "It was too short".

Memorizing Luke 2 and making the costumes were not Sarah Daffodil's only jobs. She also directed the play and delivered a glowing performance as an angel. Mayor Asher Ply Wood had his acting debut as Joseph. He also worked the concession stand. Autumn Fern played Mary, great with child. Nathaniel Barn Loft had a dual role as Caesar Augustus and a shepherd. Queen Esther Hunts played his sheep. Pastor Eli Hemlock took the starring role as Baby Jesus.

Knowing that Hemlock was sensitive about the word "baby" that part of his name was dropped. Despite this, he still did not like lying in the manger.

The audience raved over the performance.

Terminee

It was Christmas, 2009 when Sarah Daffodil received Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Daffodil savored this book -- making it a study and making close friends.

Main House First Lady Mom recalls how the novel affected the entire city of Acorn Hill. "We all became familiar with the characters and the scenes. There was the anniversary celebration on Youtube, different versions of the movie, the acting out and dressing up of parts, French bread, the French cafe' pressed-flower picture, the music...the music...and we learned about Napoleon." The high point for Daffodil was attending the musical last spring.

Not long ago when Acorn Hill citizens were riding in their van, Daffodil closed her book for the last time. Tears streamed down her face. Nathaniel Barn Loft noticed asking what was wrong. "I finished Les Miserables." The tears were mostly about the story's ending, but they were also about reaching the end.

This was the end of Les Miserables but not the end of Victor Hugo's writings. Daffodil picked up several hardback copies of his work. The studies will continue.

The Assignment

It was time for Autumn Fern to do her writing lesson. Main House First Lady Mom, realizing that she had a long word for Fern, gave "careful" instructions.

"This is a long word. After you have written a letter, cross it off," said Mom. Fern understood. "Mom, I scribbled them off," said Fern. "That's OK," said Mom.

Mom obviously left Fern unsupervised.

Watching, Waiting, Wondering

With two high-profile citizens in Acorn Hill, people have wondered what will become of the other citizens. Main House President Dad and First Lady Mom also wonder.

For now, they see Mayor Asher Ply Wood's leadership skills -- hoping to encourage them and to direct them in the right way. "Asher is a good student," said Mom. "Oftentimes he doesn't want to do something, but he does that something and doesn't gripe about it."

Mayor Ply Wood will continue his general education, ride his bike, dress up like a cowboy, fish, make boats, play with stuffed animals, study the French Revolution and WWII and practice photography.

Dad and Mom say that they are content to watch, wait and wonder where the Lord will lead.

Let Them Eat Cake

The hand-held mixer did not have much time for rest with all of the icing and batter it had to mix -- three more birthdays with three more must-have cakes.

Autumn Fern's custom-made party included a New York-Style Cheesecake, cheeseburgers and macaroni and cheese for dinner, pink and white streamers and balloons. She received several gifts, all of which she is thankful for.

Main House First Lady Mom awoke to gift bags covering the dining room table as well as a peanut butter cake. One of the gifts of note consisted of three tickets to see My Fair Lady and dinner at her favorite restaurant.

While shopping for Mayor Asher Ply Wood, Main House President Dad and Mom weren't satisfied with the toy isle offerings. They went to the nearest home improvement store, where Dad purchased tools and hardware for a project. "I love my tools and want more of them," said Ply Wood. His cake was chocolate, decorated with nails.

If you like cake, this is a good time to visit Acorn Hill.

Dad's Late Party

Every year Main House President Dad quietly knows that it is his birthday, and every year he gives up his free birthday dinner at Scalini's. He spends his birthday with outdoor writers at their annual meeting.

A week after his birthday, Acorn Hill citizens threw a party for him. Main House First Lady Mom served lasagna for dinner. Dad opened gifts. Then Nathaniel Barn Loft lit the candles on his cake. Dad sat...waiting for the Birthday Song. No one started, and he didn't know when to blow. In the meantime Pastor Eli Hemlock blew out six of the candles. All got back on track once Dad re-lit the candles and Mom started the song.

Later in the month Dad and Mom get to have dinner at Scalini's where mom will get her free birthday dinner.

Daffodil's Gift Sticks

Free stickers! That was an opportunity that Sarah Daffodil couldn't resist. She ordered just the right ones for some of her closest friends. Daffodil's plan is to give the stickers to Mayor Asher Ply Wood and Autumn Fern as rewards when they have tried hard at their math. Ply Wood's stickers have his name on them with monkeyes. Fern's stickers have her name on them with a bear holding an umbrella. Pastor Eli Hemlock doesn't have math lessons. Therefore, he was able to have his stickers right away. His stickers have his name and a train on them.