Elf mischief!

Sleeping on the bag of M&Ms he brought us for counting and making patterns!

TP-ing the tree and classroom AND writing all over the board...

we knew he did it!  He had the evidence in his truck!  I'm thankful for the help of our "3 little elves" to get stuff ready each morning...they did the work while Mrs. K and I giggled and brainstormed for the next day!

Another day...tables turned crazy and toys dumped out all over...and we couldn't find that naughty elf anywhere!

Our little friends found him!

He redeemed himself by helping to decorate for our birthday day!

He brought ICE for our Ice Day as we learned about the letter "I".

Another day...snowflakes hung and we found him making a snow angel.

He brought an art easel with chalk, paper, and markers!  That has been a big hit!!!

Awww, what a good elf!  Reading a Christmas story to his new found friends.

We had a scare!

Amidst all the Christmas fun...our computer went hay-wire for a day!  The bad news...Ted was trying to get a class completed for his degree.  Thankfully...the tech guy at his place of employment helped him...and we are back in business now.  I had dumped pictures and video and was ready to blog...then no time and no computer...and the thought of losing everything never to be certain it would be retrieved...stressful! 
I took the time today to dump everything on my flash drive...no unnecessary heart palpitations now.  I have to sneak on before or after Ted is done with his work.  He is so close to finishing that I don't want to be in the way or cause the computer to take its final dive! 
We are on the Christmas party, caroling, and program express.  Whirling and twirling like the snowflakes that keep falling here!  Several of us in daycare/preschool looked at each other today and said, "Two more days, we can do this!" It is going to take me a little bit to catch up on here too. 
We are so thankful for God's protection through each activity and event! 
We are particularly praying for safety for the sleigh that will head this way from the north on Monday!!  And then from the west on Friday!!  I promise, Dad and Mom...we will have a clean house and goodies to share with our family as we all gather together for the first time in years...in Michigan.  God is good!

So many things to make us giggle each day...

We tried an idea we saw on pinterest to teach our little friends how germs are spread...it ended up grossing us out even more!  Especially as five of them spray-sneezed all over as they sat waiting for the "special glittered lotion" from Mrs. K, "Uh...Mrs. K. are there any children who haven't sneezed on their hands so we can start...without the real germs."  "Hey...I know what we could do...when they sneeze...I'll throw the glitter and then we can see how those germs fall!"  I know...I'm helpful like that!  They thought it great fun to spread the germs by high-fiving and shaking hands and touching the door knob...we'll chalk this experiment up to being more effective for the teachers than students!  "NOOOOO!  I don't want your germs!!!!"

"Nice socks, Kari!"  Ted shakes his head when I get ready for school each day.  Mrs. K said the other day, "I think K3 is rubbing off on us...a little too much?!  I keep referring to myself in the third person and kneeling down to talk to people."

One thing we...the teachers...have been practicing...our scissor skills!  "I'm sorry, Mrs. K., I am afraid of giving 3 year olds scissors!"  And I laugh...because I have been there and done that..."You should be...they will cut anything and everything...I guess we need to decide if we are ready to deal with an angry parent about a child who has lost a chunk of hair!  They did, however, purchase scissors off the supply list...so they came into this year knowing it was part of the plan!"  And then we both laughed...and still continue the bulk of the cutting...times seventeen.

Mrs. K makes me laugh...every single day many times with her wit and southern drawl.  We often struggle to maintain classroom order during opening and Bible time.  Today, one of our friends had his hands over his ears yelling, instead of singing the words.  Another day, the same gentleman had multiple stories he wanted to share and wouldn't take no for an answer...even after we had moved on to singing a new song.  "Don't interrupt our class singing unless you are bleeding or on fire!"  The look that came on his face was one of wonderment..."But I..."  I couldn't help it...I laughed into my shirt...Mrs. K was NOT laughing by then!

We start out every day the same way.  "What month is it?"  It's...um...snowman day!  "No, we started a new month.  Do you remember what it is?"  It's Jesus day!  "It is December.  What special holiday do we celebrate? Yes, Little C, what is that day?"  I don't know.  I'm going to pass to brother.

We have also been talking about the birth of Jesus. 
Review day:  "Where did Mary and Joseph go?" Little N's answer:  They had to go on an elevator.  Then they went to the farm.
New day:  "Where was Jesus born?"  Little C's answer:  In an airplane!
"No, who was born in Bethleham and then put in the manger?"  Little P's answer:  Baby Moses!
Next day:  Little L was listening to the story about the angels and looking at the pictures, "Hey, why doesn't the angel have any shoes or socks on?"  Mrs. K told him, "Because he doesn't need them in Heaven...I'm just guessing...because I haven't been there, but some day I will go."  Little L still studied the picture, "So he just keeps his piggies and foots out then?"

We have learned the letters A through I now.  Today, Mrs. K. was holding each card and would ask different children to identify the letter.  "What letter is this?"  Little L pipes up, "It is part of the ABCs!"

Time to spend with my blessings!

 Monday night date with Alisa...she was such a sweet helper as we had to do grocery shopping!  We enjoyed supper together.  "This is probably my new favorite place, Mom!"

 

 Friday night supper with the whole family after singing at the City market.  The guys decided what to order...and it was so yummy!  We were thankful to be in the warm building.

 Saturday morning date to pamper ourselves...that ended in tears.  I felt like a horrible mother after the fun of shopping and looking forward to a "trim".  Ashlynn has been growing her bangs out...and the longer our stylist talked...the more she cut...and Ashlynn has short bangs again.  We both showed her a picture of what we wanted...neither of us got what we asked for...but paid for none-the-less!

 After the initial tears...she is beginning to like her new style.  I watched her grow up 5 years as her hair got cut and styled so cute!  My teary eyes were from watching her and wanting her to like a fresh look.  How many times I have been upset with a too short cut too!!!  Daddy said we both look lovely...and that just makes a girl's heart happy...and a Mommy's too!

There is always something going on!

 Thursday night...City tree lighting!  Our church always helps lead the sing along outside the community center before Santa arrives. 

 I was up close this year!  I saw him!  He was a very jolly man...maybe too jolly?! 

 Only picture I got on the inside...very crowded!  We had a huge group from church to sing!  It was just neat!  Outside...fun songs.  Inside...favorite Christmas carols.

 Friday...City Christmas market...several craft and food vendors.

 Another opportunity for our school to present music..."Come On, Ring Those Bells."

 "I Love Everything About Christmas!"

 "O Come Emmanuel"

 "Mary, Did You Know?"

 "O Holy Night"

 

Saturday...Christmas party with church families...food, laughter, games, more food, visiting, and singing.  We came away tonight encouraged!  Our children had a nice time with the older guys leading games and talking with friends.

"I think the two of you are having more fun with this than the 3 year olds!"

 That has been Ted's observation this week as we continue to pick out fun things for our classroom elf, Jingle, to do each day.  He joined us on Monday with a letter telling who he was, where he came from, and why he was there...

 he brought us a special toy from his workbench to play with..."push the button and find out the most important thing about Christmas...it is Jesus!"  Our little friends have enjoyed playing with the FP nativity every chance they get...pushing the button over and over to hear "Away in the Manger".

 A new favorite...singing with the classroom lights off!  They are singing our Christmas program songs so well!  We are so hoping they will do so on the actual night of the program.

 Tuesday...a new toy...flannel Christmas tree and decorations.

Wednesday...our letter for the week is "H".  Jingle made a ladder of Hs to climb on.

 Thursday...Jingle brought a Christmas coloring book to share.

 Friday...Jingle brought marshmallows for our "H"ot chocolate party...and ended up having a snowball fight with Mr. Potato Head.  Silly elf!  Hope he doesn't get into any trouble!

Home Sweet Home

 Mom sent me home with some beautiful doilies that her grandmother made.  The first thing I did on Saturday night was change the tablecloth and set out some Christmas cheer.

 Next...I had to start laundry!  On the second load...something was not right...water spilling over the drain pipe.  Add that to the Sunday afternoon to do list!  A wonderful day as we started our new SS small group...we had 16 in our group.  The whole day was a blessing to my heart and mind. 

 Ted and Teddy took care of the clogged drain and we were in laundry action again.  Ted and I went to the storage unit to dig out Christmas!  The kiddos had the tree decorated in a half hour!  I took care of the mantel and hanging the stockings with care...and noticed that Ted and I don't have a stocking.  Hmmm.

The view in our livingroom Sunday night.  Lovely!  So thankful for God's provision and protection once again as we traveled many miles.  No matter where we go or how long we are gone...it is always nice to come home.  Now...to get ready for the programs and parties of the next couple weeks!

A little fun with the girls on Black Friday

 One of our favorite things to do...shopping with Grandma...which leads to time out for lunch!  We went to some favorite places...Gordmans, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and Salvation Army!  We did a little Christmas shopping and a whole lot of looking.

 I scored big on a Doorbuster sale and got an elf for our classroom December fun!  He was MUCH cheaper than the "real" Elf on the Shelf, plus, I thought some families might do that at home.  Our K3 elf needed to be different!

 We picked up Aunt Jen before heading to Salvation Army and Hobby Lobby.  I really liked this saying!  I'm going to paint it!  How often I forget to be patient with those people and things that God has given me!

 The guys had fun shooting again while the girls shopped.  It was nice to come back to a warm house!  More time, conversation, food, and laughter around the table.

Little Blessings of Thanksgiving Day

 "Happy Thanksgiving Day!" started out with a special meeting for breakfast!

 Thankful for time with friends at a yummy place that had a special buffet!  Mmmm!

 I love the Scandinavian flair of this place!  We visited the gift shop and then enjoyed Swedish pancakes and Swedish meatballs!

 Then we gathered with family...near and far...around the table.  What an interesting thing for Grandma-great to experience face time with her grands down south!  How many changes shes has seen in her lifetime! 

 Aunt Kay knocked it out of the park with her pies!  Pumpkin and Pecan....Yummo!

Chevy got a hair cut on Wednesday.  Grandma and the girls bought him a sweater..."so he won't be cold!"  He doesn't seem to mind it as much as Daddy does.  Hee hee hee!
Thankful for time with family and time to just relax!