Monday

Drama Camp Week

Every year Academy of the Arts comes into town to help our homeschool group put on a performance. They teach the kids acting, lighting, set design, make-up and costuming. Most of all, they do daily devotions and hold the kids accountable for their walk with Christ. They present a biblical play at the end of the week.

My kitchen after the whirlwind of getting the kids off early each morning. Where is my crew?

Some of the teens. These are the greatest kids.

Matt and his friend Jonathan being teens.

Tuesday

A Surprise arrives

Matthew received a letter this week notifying him of a small scholarship award. He had applied for a Digital Media Arts scholarship grant to the college of his choice. It is especially exciting to us because these grants are very limited and the professors who run the animation program have chosen him based on his portfolio and potential. They will hold him accountable to grow as an artist and use expect him maintain a high standard of work throughout his college career.

And all those early years, I thought that the movie making was a complete distraction and it frustrated me! When he was going through the lovely " challenging years", (you who have 13-16 year olds KNOW what I am talking about), I was very distressed over his animation. He was making movies to impress his friends and they were exactly what one might expect out of a 13 year old boy. I wanted him to be "Godly" and well, the movies mainly consisted of clay aliens attacking and eating humans. Then one day he shared them with a friend of mine whom I greatly respect. She was blown away. She said to me "Shannon! This is amazing. Don't worry about the violence. God will work this out and Matt will do amazing things with his talent!" She was so right! We just never know how God is going to use the passions and gifts of our children for their futures. I cannot express how thrilled I am for him to have such a passion and strong focus on his work.

Wednesday

Musical Rehearsal

The Drama Academy requires the girls to wear dresses everyday. So Abigail decided to make it fun by having a "theme" for her wardrobe each year. Last year she chose time periods and this year she chose countries.

Abby's outfit for China Day

Thursday

Dress Rehearsal for the Drama

Tyler played John the disciple

Zachary played Pontius Pilate and Joseph of Nazareth

Matt played Caiaphas

Friday

Drama Performance: Joseph of Aramathea

Matt (in the center) played Caiaphas

Zachary played Pontius Pilate

Saturday

Musical Performance: A Day in the Country

The Cast

Abby plays a schoolgirl

Tyler plays Farmer John and sings "This here modern generation"