G is for Graduation

Flash forward to May - here is what is coming! Your children are growing up so fast. Since we were learning about the letter Gg this week, here is our photo to go with it. (May will be here before you know it.)

The Nativity

Here is our little nativity. It is very simple but it is an easy way to remember what Christmas is really about - Baby Jesus. As you can see our manger is empty. You can turn on your little candle each night as you say prayers or read a book. We are talking during this season of Advent about letting our lights shine like Jesus shines His love on the world. (And like the light of the magnificent Christmas star.) One of the children asked why were there were no faces on Mary & Joseph. This was intentional on my part. We will learn throughout these next few weeks that the journey to the Nativity was not always fun & easy - so sometimes the faces would not be happy. (An example we talked about was how it would have felt when Mary & Joseph were turned away from the inn.) Of course if your child wants to add a face please feel free. The arrival of Baby Jesus is joyous and as a child it should all be about Christmas joy!!! (A Disclaimer - please do not inspect your nativity for quality workmanship. I did all of this by myself and am not an expert wood worker. This means that nothing is level - so it may need to be propped up or displayed on a stable surface.) Wait patiently on Baby Jesus... He will come home at a later date.

Waiting Made Easier

As you found in your child's bag today, we made a 25 ring countdown chain for Christmas. (Some of you weren't even out of the hall before the chains were pulled out.) This was one of those projects that I do every other year because it is so overwhelming - (strips and rings are everywhere) but the children absolutely love it. It makes waiting for Christmas so much easier - just take away one ring per day. The excitement builds every day as the chain gets shorter. Have fun finding just the right place for your Christmas countdown chain. (The children were hard at work figuring out just where it would be hung when they got home.)

Meet Elfie

It is December 1 and one of Santa's elves came to watch over our classroom. The question of the day gave everyone a clue that he had arrived, but some of us were still a bit skeptical. We read Elf on the Shelf and learned that we had to give our elf a name. We also learned that in order for him to keep his magic, we are not allowed to touch him or talk to him. So we had a nominating process for suggested names and voted to name him, "Elfie.' (I personally love "Banana Bread Cookies.") Elfie watched over our day and we will be so excited to see where he is hiding tomorrow.

Angels in Progress

One of our Christmas art projects is an angel ornament. Here is one of our friends working hard. You would have no idea that we are in the Christmas season by looking at our paint plate & cup. We are having so much fun preparing for our art show on December 9.

Christmas Fever

Our classroom is alive with the joy of Christmas and you can hear it! I am always making excuses for the volume level of our classroom, but my heart always reminds me that we are a preschool class of 15. Childhood isn't quiet and I do not believe that it should be - there is lots of time later in life to be quiet. Anyway - we had a great day. The weather is perfectly chilly to set the mood for all of the Christmas work we are doing (and all of the playing.)

G is for Grandparents

We have had lots of grandparents in and out of the preschool since school started and this week I have done my best to grab photos when I can. Please accept my apologies if I haven't caught everyone, but carpool is sometimes chaotic. Here are some of our favorite "grands." Grandparents are one of God's gifts to children. Although mine are all in heaven, I have so many many wonderful memories (especially my nanny's candy stash in the bottom right drawer of her refrigerator.) The boys and girls won't tell you how much of an impression you are making of their lives right now - but you are. Thank you grandparents for being so great!!!!