2010

Christmas 2010

Hello all,

Mike biked his goal of surpassing last year's miles (3044) this year (3177.8). Mike's office at the U of M moved again. He has moved from Lind Hall to UPP to WBOB to UOP--three moves in four years. Pretty soon the locations he has been at will catch up to the departments he has been in (UCC, ACSS, ACS, CIS, OIT/OS). Mike, using Sharon's organizational skills, became Green Room Co-ordinator for this winter's production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." The Green Room is where actors go when they are not needed on stage. This year, the actors were flitting on and off stage so much the "room" became the hallway behind the stage. The co-ordinator and helpers make sure the kids behave.

I am now a novice in the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. This means basically that I am taking on a way of life that incorporates prayer. I will be novice for two years. Since there are "soccer moms", I must be a "play mom". I drove the kids to most of their play rehearsals this year and earned the title "House Manager" for the production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." That means I made sure the chairs were set out and the floor swept and mopped afterward. The first performance (Dec 5) was almost snowed out and had 30 attendees. ( We arrived too late for me to set out the chairs. It took us only 1 hr 20 minutes for a drive that usually takes 20-30 minutes.) The last performance was canceled (Dec 11) due to a mere 16" snowfall.

Joel (age 19)is enjoying his second year at the University of St. Thomas. He bought his Uncle Pat's car and now has more freedom to do things (too much thinks Mom). He is still playing guitar and working three part-time jobs---lifeguard UST, math tutor at UST, and swim instructor for the city of Brooklyn Park. Yes the second job is math tutor. He has officially declared a math major.

Paul (age 16) just performed in "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." He portrayed Reverend Hopkins and also helped as stage crew. He took two PSEO classes at North Hennepin Community College and will take two more for spring semester. This is in addition to his homeschool studies.

Stephen (age 11) was on the stage crew of two plays this year---"Anne of Green Gables" in February and "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever" in December. He very happily joined a Squires club (a boys club sponsored by the Knights of Columbus) this fall and looks forward to the monthly meetings.

Serena (age 9) is happily attending her Little Flowers Girls Club. She made her stage debut this month in (you guessed it!) "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." She portrayed Doris, a member of the "Angel Choir." She had the opportunity to off-key (on purpose) and well as angelically in this role.

Merry Christmas,

The Hedmans