School Christmas Parties

School Christmas parties are one of my favorite times of the year, especially when your kids are in a Christian school and able to talk about the reason we celebrate Christmas. It is a blessing to see the kids getting so excited but still quieting down to say a prayer, sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, and love on their friends. Since Hudson is in school Tuesdays and Thursdays his party was on Thursday. But, first, before his party I got to watch Hadley in her play that she had participated in all week. Seven kids were picked to re-enact the birth story of Jesus for the preschool and kindergarten kids. They had done it 4 different times by the time I got to see it. Hadley was a sheep and did a great job. The headmaster and his wife were Mary and Joseph. It was very entertaining. 

Next, was Hudson's party. He was so excited when I walked through the doors of his classroom. First the kids made a craft which was a bell on a string to wear as a necklace. When they were done they sat at a table, prayed, and each got a cookie from Eileen's. I was too busy sitting by Hudson and playing with him to remember any pictures of him doing the craft or eating with his friends. Next, they all sat down together on their mat and Miss Kristin handed out their gifts for them to give to their moms and dads. Hudson had made us a sweet little ornament to put on the tree. But, by far, Hudson's favorite part of the party was handing out his gifts to all his friends as well as giving each teacher their present. He asked about a million times before he was finally told that he could pass them out. Love his sweet heart! After the Christmas party Hudson and I went to lunch since it was an early release day and we had to wait for Hadley to get out. He chose Lotsa Noodles and was so excited when they gave us the number 4 to put at our table. He even had to take a picture with his number.  It was a fun last day to celebrate the start of Christmas break!

On Friday, Hadley woke up bright and early for HER party day! She was probably the most excited about not having to wear her uniform. She looked really cute in her Christmas outfit. Hudson and I dropped her off at school, ran a quick errand, and made it back to see the Christmas assembly. We loved getting to sit in the bleachers and watch all the kids sing Christmas carols together. They even passed out candles, lit them, and sang "Silent Night." Not surprisingly, it brought tears to my eyes to hear all those sweet voices singing about Jesus' birth. After the assembly Hudson wanted to walk with Hadleys class. She was so sweet to grab his hand and let him stand in line with her. I love how he just adores her when he sees her at school and Hadley is so proud of showing him off!

Back in the classroom the kids got a plate of food with pretzels, cheese sticks, cupcakes, fruit, etc. Because a couple kids were sick Hudson even got to join in on the fun! After eating their snacks the kids got to make a snowflake craft out of coffee filters. Hadley was so proud of the snowflake she made and couldn't wait to hang it on the ceiling with all the others. We got to hear the Christmas story told by the kids and then they passed out gifts to each other if they had brought some. I was so lucky that Mama had offered to make a treat bag for each of Hadley's friends. It even had a tag on each one and Hadley really loved handing them out to her friends. This group of first graders are just so much fun and I know our little busy body will miss them a lot over break!

The kids fun day wasn't over yet! Matt and I had a Christmas party to go to with Smiling Faces and we needed a babysitter. Hadley asked me to ask her teacher and she was more than thrilled when she said, "Yes!" Hudson thought it was the coolest thing that a teacher was coming to his house to babysit. It was hilarious when she walked in the door and the kids immediately started giving her a tour of our entire house and all their toys. Miss Mehlhaff could barely get a word in!  It was probably the easiest time we have ever had getting out the door....and I even got a couple pictures while we were at our party. A fun night for all of us!