Holiday School Activities

This month has been filled with lots of fun activities at school. Elliot's teacher went all out and it seemed that the Kindergartners had a holiday event almost every day for the past two weeks. Lots of yummy sweets and fun crafts where to be had. It all began with making a Christmas countdown chain: 

 The room mom also decorated their room in the beginning of the month:

Gingerbread Day fell on Elliot's birthday, which made it even more special: 

And a Gingerbread House:

Up next was Reindeer Day with cupcake decorating and reindeer food making: 

Then it was pajama day with hot cocoa and a movie: 

 Working on some tracing skills:

Next up, Grinch day, involving last minute printouts for his shirt:

That same day, Amelia had Santa Day at school as well: 

The third graders did a craft and then watched a Christmas movie while eating popcorn and sipping hot cocoa. 

 Santa also came around and brought them each a book:

Finally, it was the last (half) day of school for this year and each class held a Christmas breakfast. I was going back and forth between the two classrooms. The timing worked well as I was able to see both kids during their sing-along and watch their gift exchanges. For the sing-along, first up where the kindergartners thru second grade and then third thru fifth grade. The excitement of it being last day of school and party time was audible:

 Breakfast time:

 Each child had to bring in a little goodie to fill everyone's stocking with:

I-pad time while waiting on sister's party to be over:

 Elliot and his teacher, Mrs. King:

Back in Amelia's classroom, we set up the breakfast table while the kids sang their hearts out. For Amelia's class, it was also PJ day:

Each child got a little gift from Mrs. Cowan:

Found myself another elf:

Photo booth fun: 

Each student had to also bring in a $5 gift card.

And with that, we are officially on Christmas break till January 8th. YEAH!

Birthday Celebration

In the beginning of December our cat, Indy, turned 11. Of course, we had to celebrate her. I don't think she really enjoyed the hat though. 

Elliot on the other hand, could not wait for his 6th birthday to arrive. It feels that December babies are always last and never get the same birthday exposure as birthday celebrations held in other months. But we always try to make it a special day for him. And sure enough, he enjoyed himself. 

Before school, he only was able to open a couple of gifts. His wish was a Beyblade Stadium...and that he got:

I took the day off and was able to join him for lunch at 10am and then I brought in cupcakes later that day: 

Back home, there were more gifts waiting to be unwrapped. For weeks Elliot talked about going to Chuck E. Cheese for his birthday but when we picked him up from school, all he wanted to do was build Lego and play at home. 

The battle is on: 

We finished the day off with a birthday dinner and a special ice-cream treat at Chili's and a delicious chocolate ganache cake. 

Earlier that week, Elliot received a gift card from his Opa and I took him to Target to choose a toy. He was so excited and proud and thought that was the best gift ever. By using a coupon coupled with ongoing sales, he was able to buy 3 toys. He was so proud of himself and when we left the store he said: "Mommy, I got three gifts. That's all I need for my birthday. I don't need more toys but want to celebrate with you, and Daddy and Amelia." Oh my sweetheart! He is the best little boy ever. 

Happy 6th birthday, Elliot!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, ELLIOT!

Dear Elliot,

Today your are turning 6 years old and you are so ready to be older. I'm on the other hand not as you are my last baby. I still love holding you in my arms and stroking your hair and luckily, you still want to be cuddled. You are a momma's boy, full of tender love, sweetness and a pure heart of gold. You always think about others first and you care how they feel and what you can do for them. I love that about you!

You also love sports and any time of the day, you can be seen throwing around a football, hitting some baseballs in the front yard, playing tennis against the garage door, riding your bike down the incline at unsafely speeds or playing basketball with your daddy. I'm dumbfounded at how many pairs of  pants you are able to ruin in just a couple of weeks. You are boy through and through. I love that about you too!

You are our funny man at home or as we call it, the class clown (luckily not so much at school). You love to tell jokes you made up (over and over) or do silly faces. The prove is in the pictures. Everyone who sees you automatically smiles as your face always portraits openness and happiness. My prayers are that you always keep a smile on your face and embrace all people with your warmth and happiness. It truly makes you a special fellow. I love that about you!

This year, you graduated from preschool and finally became a Kindergartner. You were so ready for this step. Again, me not so much. You lost some of your boyish innocence but I also love to see you flourish and soak up this new adventure and come home with a proud smile of accomplishment every day. Your love of going to school, learning, being with your friends and growing is ever present. You are an avid reader, which is awesome except when we are running late for school because you had to finish reading your Who Would Win books (I can't be really mad about that as we all love to read). I know you will go far in life as you are smart and ready to tackle any assignment that comes your way. I love that about you too!

You have grown so much this past year, not only physically but also mentally. Just this morning, you told us about your first wiggly tooth and how you can't wait till it falls out. Another big milestone ready to happen. You are quite tall for your age, a fast runner and have great hand-eye coordination. No wonder you love sports so much...these traits come in very handy. You fit right in with the first and second graders on the football field or the basketball court and no challenge is too big for you. I love that about you!

Happy birthday, my sweet boy. Make a big wish and enjoy!

Love you to the moon and beyond!

Mommy and Daddy

Kicking off Christmas Season

Every year, our town has a Tree Lightning Ceremony on the first Friday in December and for me, that is the official kick-off to the Christmas season. This year, as Derrick was flying back from his business trip, Elliot, Amelia and I bundled up to go to the ceremony at City Hall. We always enjoy the singing and then the countdown to light up the tree: 

We then went inside to Santa's Village to see  jolly old St. Nicholas and for the children to hand them their wish lists. The set-up there is always beautiful and Santa and Mrs. Claus really took their time to talk to the children. 

There was also a crafting station, hot cocoa and cookies and more singing. Their elementary school's Orffestra also performed. 

Outside, the city asked local business to paint a house for the Candy Cane Village contest (aka fundraiser) and more than 20 local businesses participated in this fun event. So did my company... a week before the house was due, we painted our hearts out. I think it looked great: 

And some of the competition's gingerbread houses:

Next evening was Yulefest at the Historic Mansker Station. We have gone there for 3 years now and love this evening where the fort comes alive with music, storytelling and demonstrations based on life in the 18th century. The bell ringers and the harp player are our favorites and so is the free carriage ride. This year, only Amelia and I went but we met some friends and it was a fun time.  

 

It was a chilly night and when we came home, the children wanted to warm up by the fire. Best spot in the house to watch TV in December.

Instead of going to our local Christmas Parade on Saturday (Elliot had a basketball game), the girls went to see our neighboring town's 50th Annual Christmas Parade on Sunday afternoon. 

And with that, we are only 3 Advent Sundays away from Christmas.