I learned a couple of things this weekend. The first thing I learned is that no matter what event happens at the Depot/Brownwood Chamber area, Kiera will always refer to it as “The Meeting Place.”
She named the Depot/Chamber “The Meeting Place” because of all the Brownwood Reunion meetings that were held there. She doesn’t refer to it as the place that Sunni, Mr. Ray or Mrs. Jennifer work… It’s “The Meeting Place.”Friday night, we went to “The Meeting Place” to have fun at The Christmas Under The Stars Festival. How could you not have fun at this Festival? There were Big Wheel races, a giant slide, hot chocolate, fingernail painting, Santa and so much more! You just can’t go wrong.
We convinced Kiera to bypass the slide and Big Wheels for just a few minutes and go into the Depot to see Santa. She bounced from vendor to vendor. She managed to get a temporary Christmas tattoo, help decorate the “gingerbread” house, get a bag of popcorn and stand in line to see Santa in less than fifteen minutes. Once she had visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus, we made our way to the back of the Depot for more fun.
We went to the back room where the walls were lined with different scenes and found all the photo props to pose in front of the scenes. The diva quickly came out in our little girl. She posed in front of different scenes with feather boas, hats, hairstyles, guitars… At one point, she grabbed a hat and asked Aaron if he could hold it above her head. Her only requirement is that he not be in the picture.
Once she was finished we headed outside to buy a wristband for the all you can ride or slide fun. She loved racing around on the Big Wheels but I have to say that between the slide and Big Wheels, the slide was her favorite. I feel comfortable saying that, considering Aaron and I sat on a bench by the slide and watched her go down the slide non-stop for close to forty minutes.
Around the forty-minute mark, she decided that she wanted to head back over to the Big Wheels. As she started to run towards the Big Wheels, she became distracted by a play that was being put on in the breezeway between the Depot and the Chamber offices.
Aaron and I were several steps behind her and before we could stop her she sidled up to the front row and sat down to watch the performance. We were amazed as she sat watching the performance in rapt attention, never taking her eyes off the actors. When it was over, she clapped and continued her journey to the Big Wheels.
Our original plan was to only go to the festival on Friday night but we decided to volunteer and help out on Saturday night. Well, I volunteered us. I’ll admit it. Aaron didn’t have a chance. I mean, I did ask him… after I told Ray that we would help…
Anyways, Saturday afternoon we headed back to “The Meeting Place” to have more fun. Aaron and I took turns driving the shuttle cart for a bit and then took Kiera back over to the slide when a replacement driver came in.
After sliding a few times, Kiera wanted to go back to where Howard Payne’s Alpha Psi Omega was performing “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” As we walked up, they were already in full swing with a repeat of the performance they had done the night before. There was no hesitation from Kiera as she slipped around people and took a seat in the front row.
This is where I learned my second little tidbit about Kiera. She apparently loves plays. Once again, she sat without glancing around and only focused on the actors and actresses. She did ask for a cup of hot chocolate.
I went and bought a cup of yummy, hot chocolate and returned to Kiera. She managed to break her attention long enough to grasp the cup and murmur a ‘thank you’ before being lost in the performance again.
When it was over, she stood by me and watched the cast go behind the curtain. “Mommy, can I go tell them they did a good job?” She asked.
I glanced up to see some of the cast coming back out from behind the curtain. “I guess so, baby. That would be nice for them to hear.” I replied.
She took a couple of tentative steps before catching the eye of one of the actresses. “Hello.” The actress said, bending down and addressing Kiera.
“You did a good job.” Kiera responded.
“Did you like it?” The actress asked smiling at Kiera.
I chuckled softly and said, “She’s watched y’all perform twice now. Once last night and now.”
I watched as her face lit up. “Really?” She asked glancing back to Kiera. “Would you like to meet the cast?”
Kiera smiled and nodded.
The actress turned and beckoned the rest of the cast over. “Come meet our number one fan! She has watched us perform twice now.”
Several of the cast came over and talked to Kiera for a minute. “Would she like to take a picture with us?” One of the cast members asked.
I looked to Kiera who nodded yes to the question. They quickly gathered around Kiera and I snapped several pictures. They visited with her for a couple more minutes and we went on our way.
“Mommy, I have watched them two times and haven’t seen the first.” Kiera stated as we walked to the Big Wheels.
“You’re right, baby. We haven’t been there when they started their show.” I said.
“Can we see it again?” She asked.
“You want to watch it again?” I replied trying to hide my shock. “Well, the next time they perform will be at 7.”
“Ok. Will you tell me when that is so we can go watch them?” She asked.
I agreed and we went to spend more time on the slide and Big Wheels, all the while keeping a close watch on the time. Several times she would ask if it was almost 7. Finally, at 6:50, we headed back to the breezeway to watch the final performance. Kiera, once again, made her way to the front row and sat down. She sat by complete strangers, but it didn’t bother her, she was only focused on the play.
Alphas Psi Omega did a great job performing “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” I can say that without any reservations. I watched them perform it three times and honestly, enjoyed it all three times. I guess we will be looking at children’s theater when summer comes around.
We look forward to the Christmas festival every year. It’s a great time to spend with your family and not have to spend a ton of money to have fun. Thanks to the Brownwood Chamber, vendors and volunteers for the time and energy that you spent to make this another successful and fun-filled year! A special shout out to Alpha Psi Omega for taking the time to visit with Kiera after the performances and to the former Russian spy turned milkmaid (wink, wink) for suggesting a memorable picture.
Rowonna McNeely is a graphic artist for Willie’s T’s Screenprint & Embroidery. She is a mother of a four year old girl and step mother of two adult girls. Her crazy life includes a dog, Sloane and psychotic cat, Gracie. Both females. She is married to her prince, who is outnumbered by the opposite gender.
