IT'S THE SILLY SATURDAY NATIVITY PLAY

Hello Lovely Blippers,

We have been so excited this week because we have been practising for today.  Mr. HCB suggested to Mrs. HCB a couple of weeks ago that we should do a Nativity Play, so we were definitely up for that - we were a bit worried when Mrs. HCB came down with a heavy cold, but trouper that she is, she didn’t let that stop her sorting out the cast for the Play.

However, it was very difficult for her to decide who was going to play what character, because as you know, there are a lot of us!  We were happy when we got up today because we knew we would have a great time re-enacting the Christmas Story and you can see how good we all look together.

As Snowy was chosen to be Mary, she was all dressed up and was so excited;  Maurice was Joseph - which I must admit did cause some problems, because in the rehearsals when she called “Joseph”, he never came, because he said he was used to being shouted for as “Maurice” but we soon got over that - in fact he said he rather liked the name Joseph!  

Because Titch was so small, he was chosen to play Baby Jesus and of course, needed a manger, so Mrs. HCB made one and Mr. HCB helped to make the stable - thank goodness for Amazon and cardboard boxes!

Penny Penguin, who was one of the shepherds said that she wasn’t used to sheep, but was really excited to be a shepherd, as was Tiny and CC but of course, they needed crooks - plastic straws were all we could find, but I’m sure we will be forgiven for that.  Of course, we were glad to have Laura Lamb who didn’t have to be chosen, because she is already a sheep!  We did feel a bit silly when Mrs. HCB suggested we put those yellow bits of material on our heads, but she assured us that was what shepherds would have worn, but we’re not sure we believe her!  Leighton was tasked to keep any wild animals away from the sheep and he did a very good job - probably because he was so big!  We think that Admirer would have laughed if she had seen us.  

Taz and Donald decided it would be a good idea to stand and keep watch outside the stable, just in case there were any wild animals around, but of course, Godfrey the goat and Little Brown Bear wouldn’t hurt a flea and they aren’t exactly wild animals.  By the time we had put everyone in their places, we realised we hadn’t sorted out the Three Kings.  

Mrs. HCB quickly made three crowns, although I’m sure you all know that there weren’t necessarily just three, but for our Nativity Play, three was enough!  Baby Jay was one of them, and he was very excited because he had never been in a Nativity Play before, I was another and Vincent, the Visitor, was the third one.  Mrs. HCB made us our gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, because of course, we had to do this right.

We even have an angel and everyone else just slotted in wherever they were needed - so a great effort on behalf of all the Silly Saturday Gang, so well done to everyone.  We’re sure that Hoggy will be sad that he missed all the fun and excitement, but knowing Mrs. HCB, she will have taken a video  and lots of photographs (when doesn’t she, we ask?) so he can see it when he comes out of hibernation.  

Elvis the Elf said that he wouldn’t be at all mischievous today, but was just happy to be hanging around with us all.  In fact, he was delighted with the biscuits we bought for him and you can see him in the extra photograph - it's a good job Mrs. HCB is "off chocolate" until at least tomorrow, that means she won't be snaffling any of them! 

We are thinking today especially of Admirer, who started the Silly Saturday theme many years ago, and of course, her family, who must miss her very much at this time of year, as do we.  

You are probably wondering where the donkey is, and of course, Sid, who IS a donkey, was resting at the back of the stable - you can just about see his ears behind Mary - he said he was very tired, having walked so far!

So, we leave you all, with this lovely tableau of our Nativity and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and Healthy New Year.  Be kind to one another at Christmas, and make sure you keep being kind all the time because as Mrs. HCB says, you will never lose out by being kind to  each other and you may even start an epidemic!

Love from JH Ted and all the Silly Saturday Gang xxx

P.S.  We will be putting our stockings up tonight!