School Christmas Parties

Last Friday, the kids had their Christmas programs and then immediately after, their Christmas parties! It's hard being a kid, I tell ya.

Abby's class started with a pizza party and some wreath cupcakes made by yours truly. So yummy! Abby was thrilled because the teachers brought in SODA as a special treat. It's the little things...

We played Christmas Scattergories during lunch, but not many of the kids "got it." So, that was a bit of a bust! At least Abby had fun :)

Next up, we played "Decorate the Human Christmas Tree." The class was split into 3 groups, and had 5 minutes to decorate their "tree." This was hilarious to watch!! I gave them each a roll of crepe paper, 1 star, 10 ornaments, and a roll of tape. Oh the giggles that ensued!!

The girl team....hard at work!

The boys really got into it too!

The eventual winners!!! Girl power!

 Last, we filled our reindeer bags with reindeer food to sprinkle on the driveway Christmas Eve. I'll give you one guess as to who used the most glitter.....

It was a fun - but fast - party, and the kids were dismissed at 12:30.

Now it's Christmas break and the official countdown is on!!!

(Disclaimer: All the kids stayed in their black shirts & pants from the program (they wore them under their sheep costumes), just in case you're wondering why they all look like burglars! Ha!)

Christmas Programs

School is out for Christmas break!!!

Last Friday, the kids had their Christmas program, and both did a great job. Each grade, K-6, sang one song. Nate's grade all dressed up as shepherds, and sang "Headin' Down to Bethlehem." Click here to view that video.

I have *no* idea why he rolled his pants like that! Ha!

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Abby's grade dressed up as sheep, and I went to her classroom ahead of time to help them all change and do some last-minute repairs on the costumes....

 They sang "Go & Tell/Joy to the World" along with the 5th grade,  because they needed shepherds to their sheep.

Click here to see that video.

The 5th graders surprised us all and threw "snow" on the sheep at the end. So cute!

Abby's Choir Concert

Last Friday, the 1st-3rd grade choir had their Christmas concert! Abby was so excited to participate in this special event. (Especially because they had been practicing the songs since September. Wow!)

The kids were allowed to change out of their uniforms into their "Christmas best." That, in itself, makes for an exciting day! #catholicschoolkidproblems

 They sang a total of 5 songs, but I will spare you. Some were a little long :)

Click here to hear "Sing Noel."

Click here to hear "Let's Get Ready for Christmas."

I love that Abby was front & center, and knew every.single.word!

I didn't get a video of their 4th song, but it was super cute because it had motions!

 The last song was "Let's Go to Bethlehemu" and they sang it with the 4th-6th grade choir. This was originally an African song, and it was by far Abby's favorite one! Click here to hear it.

All the kids did such a great job!! Especially proud of this blondie and her red-headed bestie, Mia :)

Nutcracker Field Trip

Last Friday, Nate's class took a field trip to see the Nutcracker at the Bama Theatre! This was especially exciting since 3 of his classmates were in it.

I had a van full of silly boys...

Both 3rd grade classes, excited for the play!

The play was amazing! Lucy Claire & Maddie were awesome toy soldiers and Madeline was a cute little gingerbread girl. (They are the 3 pictured below, in the front row.) So fun to see those sweet girls dance their hearts out!

Christmas Activities, Part 2

We have had a busy week....

Monday the 5th, we opted to skip gymnastics AND basketball, since it was a cold & dreary day. Instead, the kids decorated a gingerbread house!!

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Every year, the kids look forward to the Christmas Shoppe at school! They use their own money to buy gifts for whomever they'd like (and usually they buy a gift or two for themselves. Ha!). Most of the gifts are $1, and they have a lot to choose from. Abby spent $13 this year (her class went back for a second time, so she got to double shop!), and Nate spent $7. It's always fun to see what they pick out for each other, and for me & Greg.

Abby bought a headband for herself; Nate got a football

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This past Saturday, I hosted the neighborhood's annual cookie-decorating party. This is a tradition that has been going on for 30+ years, and I'm always honored to be a part of it. (I just don't love the whole "bake 70 cookies the night before" part. Oh well :) The neighborhood kids always decorate the cookies, and then they are eaten at the Christmas party that night.

Two little sisters in our neighborhood, Kately and Paisley.

They came in their Christmas pjs, which I thought was a fabulous idea!

We may even make that mandatory at next year's party....

They did a great job!

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The neighborhood Christmas party was scheduled for the 4th, but got rained out. It was rescheduled for Saturday night, the 10th, and we had to miss it because we already had plans. So sad! But we lit our luminaries anyways, so everyone could enjoy them during the horse-drawn carriage rides.

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Our Saturday night plans included trying out a new Christmas activity with some friends, the Christmas Afloat parade. Lots of people lined the Riverwalk, and watched fireworks and boats floating by that were all decked out in Christmas lights. We loved it! And pizza and adult beverages helped :)

 Such a fun night! It will definitely be added to our (growing) list of Christmas traditions.

Time for Hoops!

Nate had his first basketball game this week, on Tuesday night. This is his 4th season playing with his classmates, and we have gone through 2 coaches. Finally, we have an AMAZING coach, and are excited for a great season. (Third time's the charm, right!?)

Nate asked me the other day why his other 2 coaches never gave them any "plays" to do. Ha! Coach Jason is full of plays and strategy and Nate is eating up every minute. He takes his defensive role very seriously! His favorite play right now: The Bees. (It's he & Mason - the other kid with glasses - playing defense side-by-side and trying to annoy the ball handler. They are the cutest!)

 Nate has good aim, but hesitates to take shots during the game. However, he managed to get 2 off during the first game! Neither went in, but I'm sure they will soon :)

 The boys played AWESOME for their first game, and much to our surprise, we won!!!!! I took a picture for proof, ha!

"The Bees" (aka Mason & Nate)

The Titans with their proud coach

**Here's to a great season!!!!**

Abby's CHOM Field Trip

Abby's class (plus the other 1st grade class) took a field trip yesterday to our local children's museum, CHOM. Here was my goofy carload:

 As to be expected, all the girls loved the snowflakes and dancing lights they saw as soon as we got to CHOM. The boys were less than thrilled :)

Besties holding hands :)

 We started out as one large group, and learned that we'd be hearing about Christmas traditions all around the world....

 We were split into 3 groups, and Abby's group headed to learn about Japan first. We got to explore a typical tea house in Japan, and the girls favorite part was the "hot tub."

 Next, it was off to Mexico where we took part in a parade and made our own shakers....

 And our last stop was Germany. Abby's favorite part was hearing the story of "gingerbaby" and then decorating/eating one :)

It was a short field trip, but a good one! (I learned a lot too!)

We were supposed to leave CHOM and head to the park for a picnic, but it was too rainy. Instead, the kids had a picnic lunch in their classroom while watching a Christmas movie. It sure it hard being a first grader! :)