Josiah's Lego Nativity, 2010

Last Saturday, we had the annual unveiling. Josiah's mad Lego skilz continue strong.

Josiah's Lego Nativity — 2009

Among the Phillips Family Christmas Traditions: every year, Josiah digs through his Legos and creates a nativity scene. Without exception, they're just brilliant. I meant to get pictures last year and post them, but failed. (Daddy-Fail.)

Not this year!

Each year, Josiah goes into seclusion to produce his masterpiece. The door to his room is shut, and decorated with dire warnings against entry. Then the family is assembled, and the year's Nativity is (literally) unveiled.

Here is an overview of the whole scene. (Most or all of the pictures are click-to-enlarge.)

The grey pieces are used to suggest a rugged, rustic stable, perhaps more of a cave.

Perhaps your eyes are first drawn to the angel. Of course, there's no way to do a hovering angel, so Josiah used a light saber. He has been struggling to get this aspect of the Nativity right each year, and feels best about this year's version.

Beneath the angel, you see the little drummer boy, with his light-saber hilt drumsticks.

To the right, you see one of the Magi's camels, bearing treasure and saddle bags. In the foreground is the magi bearing myrrh.

The Magi, from right to left, are: myrrh, incense, and gold.

This represents the chest of gold (though jewels are included as well).

Of course, the shepherds came to worship the King (with their multicolored sheep).

(That's Obi-wan leading the sheep.)

Here are various views inside the stable/cave:

 

 

Here is BG enjoying the Nativity scene in his own way. We suspect him of various rearrangements not approved by the artist.

Baby talk: midwives, insurance, all that

I'd like to tap into the Biblical Christianity Brain Trust on my DAOD's and BSIL's behalf.

Here's what they'd like to know:

1. Do any of you have experience with midwives (or are you one)? If so, how did it go? 
   
2. Does anyone know what associations of midwives (or individuals) are compatible with the AIM program in California? 

For us in Sacramento, that would be a widwife who is a part of Healthnet Insurance.

If there is no one compatible with AIM, how much might a midwife cost, out of pocket (fee break down, please)? 

Do you know whether similar government aid available for home births as it is for ob's (AIM, etc).

If some of  you ladies have knowledgeable friends who don't frequent this blog — well, first of all, what's that about? Hah? But secondly, maybe they could drop by and leave a pearl or two.

Thanks in advance. DAOD will monitor your responses, and probably feed me some follow-ups... unless she takes the plunge and gets herself an ID. In that case... watch out.