Rejoice!!!!

Welcome home Adam!  This is part of the "Welcome Ceremony" for my nephew's unit that just returned from Afghanistan.  I wanted to share this because I believe that this is what it sounds like to "rejoice."  It is amazing how much our military has to sacrifice for our country and this is very inspiring.  The footage is taken from the back of the hangar and you can hear the crowd as the huge sliding doors open. You can see pom poms, signs and flags all around!  (The end of the video shows the floor because there were tears of joy.  I had to put my phone up to give hugs to this hero!!!!)   This was the very first moment family members saw loved ones since they were deployed in March of this year.  Some seeing new babies for the very first time and lots of little ones anxious to see their mamas and daddies.  I thank God for the safety of everyone in his unit because they all returned just as they deployed.  I am proud to be an American!!!!  Thank you Adam for your service!  This is the best Christmas present ever!

Welcome Winter?

Well, winter is officially here....but it sure doesn't feel like it.  Here is our winter collage that we made before we left for our Christmas holiday.  Everyone is wishing for some fluffy white snow, but I don't think that is going to happen before Santa arrives.  Happy Winter everyone!

Baby Jesus

Here is Baby Jesus.  He is the final piece to our little nativity.  We know that he isn't born until Christmas and we shouldn't really put him out yet, but WE CAN'T WAIT!!!  You will find him in your child's bag and I hope that you enjoy these little pieces for many years to come.  They are small & simple but remind us of the true gift at Christmas.  Remember to let your light shine during these final days of holiday madness and share God's love with those that you meet.

Where Is Mincy Today?

It was our last day of school for the year....2013, that is, and we are off for our Christmas holiday.  It is hard to believe that half of year has gone by so quickly.  It has been fun to watch our elf during the month of December and see all of the silly places he has found in our room to "hide."  Today we found him at the very top of our Christmas tree!  He is so silly.  We know that he has seen us showing our very best behavior and wish him a restful break until next year.(Being an elf is hard work, so 11 months of vacation is totally necessary.)   So long Mincy!!!!

A Visit From A Grandma

 To make our party day even more special, we had a visit from a friend's grandmother.  She was visiting a friend in our class and she stopped by to spend the day with us.  We had so much fun with her and gave her lots of hugs.  Thank you so much to this special grandma for coming in to help us on this crazy busy day.

Christmas Party Day!!!!

 It was our Christmas party day!!!  Yeah!!!!!  We watched Rudolph (above) , did the "limbo,". (below)...

 

 and played a game of "pass the bow."  (just like "hot potato" only with Christmas bow.)

 

 

 the final two....

 

 and the winner (below)...It was a heated competition with a lot of precision "passing" but only one can be the winner.  She is so sweet!!!!

 Many thanks to our party mamas!!!!!  It was a great day!!!!

 

 

Pajama Day

Pajama Day!!!! We had the best time coming to school in pajamas!!!!  It was a cozy day to play in our classroom and we looked so cute. It was funny that we were dressed for sleeping but spent our day playing and learning.  Yeah for pajama day!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Visit From Mrs. Claus

 

 

 We had a really special guest reader today!!!!  MRS. CLAUS came to our preschool and she even read us a book!  It was totally awesome.  You can see from our pictures that we hung on her every word.  Thank you Mrs. Claus for coming by to wish us a Merry Christmas!  We love you!  (& Santa...be sure to tell him that!)

Silly Mincy

 Our little classroom elf has been surprising us every day with his funny hiding places.  He is so silly but we LOVE looking for him.  Only 2 more days of preschool and we are off for the holidays.  I think Mincy's ears can certainly use a break.  We are full of Christmas cheer.

Christmas Around The World

 

 

 

 

To help us understand that Christmas is celebrated around the world in many different ways, we have been working on this little book.  Of course we are most familiar with our Santa, but it has been a lot of fun to look at how our friends in other places celebrate this holiday.  This will be coming home tomorrow, so take a little bit of time to see if your child can tell you what we have been learning.

Treats....

We have been working really hard in our classroom with our regular learning skills....but it is Christmas SO we have been making lots of treats too.  Tonight you got to take home letters to Santa and our "sleeping elf" pictures.  We also made these sweet little angels with our hands and feet.  I cannot tell you how many times they laughed when I showed them how big my hand was in comparison to theirs.....They cannot comprehend that one day they will be "this big." 

 

I hope you enjoy these for treasures for many years to come.  When my son attended the preschool over 8 years ago he made many items similar to this and he loves getting them out every year.  I think it is so crazy that he can remember exactly what they did to make it and who was there.  Precious memories that you would never think make that big of a difference... but they do.  Enjoy....

We Will Share The Hope....

 

 

 

 

 It was our Christmas Program!!!!!  Look at these precious angels.  I am so PROUD of them.  One of our songs tonight was called "We Will Share The Hope..." and I believe that we did.  Now you didn't get to hear all of the times that we practiced and sounded totally perfect because.... we never did.   We are only 4 and 5 years old.  Perfection is not what I even think of....I think of joy and light and excitement and anticipation and total love and acceptance....AND that describes our class.  It is Christmas and the light of the world is all around us.  There is no way you can look at these faces and not see God shining so brilliantly in their eyes and smiles.  Sharing the hope of Christmas is an all year calling for each us... we just call that being a "bucket filler."  If you didn't get to make it tonight do not despair.  I will be sharing a video next week of us singing this song.  Enjoy these pictures and praise your child for being brave enough to stand on those risers and sing in front of all of those faces.  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 Okay....the "sassy girls..."

 

and our handsome boys posing with "Pete The Cat."  He wanted to come and sing with us, but someone had to stay in our classroom and wait for Mincy to fly back from Santa's workshop.  How many times can I say that this really is the best job in the world?....