E's Christmas Party

Just before Christmas Elizabeth's class had their Christmas party. The kids were assigned a "secret Santa" for a gift exchange. Elizabeth got a little boy that we shopped for. Ben directed the shopping and we got a toy boat with blocks. Elizabeth's name was drawn by one of the little girls in class who must have similar tastes with Elizabeth. The gift was a baby doll complete with pacifier, bottle and teether - it couldn't have been more perfect! The kids also ate a festive snack and did a Christmas tree craft. It was a fun afternoon on the last day of school before Christmas break!

Eating yummy snack

E opening her new baby

The recipient of the boat

Christmas School Party and Program

Ben’s class party was Thursday. He enjoyed lots of treats and got to bring a gift to share with the class. The next day was the all school program. Ben’s class sang “Everyone Clap Hands for Santa Claus”. It is a “rock and roll” song and the kids had tie-dyed t-shirts and got to rock out. Ben even did parts of the song in a low Elvis type voice when he practiced. They knew that one of the staff members was going to dress up as Santa and come out during their performance. Even though they were prepared,

they all stopped singing and moving and just stared with open mouths at Santa when he came out. Ben was so excited to ask me about it later and is still wondering if it was Mr. Jeremy or the real Santa.

Elizabeth’s class sang Jingle Bells. All week during rehearsal time she wouldn’t even go on the stage and had to be held. Miraculously the large crowd must have scared her into doing anything her teachers asked. She sat on stage politely (with pacifier) and even shook her bells now and then. She had a special shirt with bells on it that she was pretty proud of and will probably wear more this week to show off to other friends and family.

Christmas Train and Letters to Santa

Our countdown to Christmas is going strong and the kids have really enjoyed all of our extra activities and traditions this month. The kids were to write a letter to Santa one of the nights as we were headed to see Santa that weekend and wanted to make sure we were prepared. Mom decided a picture letter might be best, so we used a bunch of toy catalogs and each kid got to pick what they wanted to put on their letter. Ben had lots of enthusiasm and used nearly all of the cutout pictures, but did share a few with his sister of the “girl toys”. Both kids were pleased with their creations and had great lists to take to Santa.

We visited Santa at the Christmas Train in Dry Gulch which is a little over an hour away from our house, northeast of Tulsa. It is a cute Old West style village with several restaurants and shops and the highlight is a Santa House and a train ride that tells the story of Jesus. We went to see Santa first to make sure the kids were at their happiest. Ben went right up to him and really enjoyed talking to him. He was a little starstruck so it was good that we brought his list to show as Ben couldn’t remember anything he wanted. Elizabeth was not so sure of Santa. She immediately climbed up Dad and starting crying. So we took a family picture with Santa so she could be near him, but still in Dad’s arms. The train ride was next and we got to enjoy it with some special family friends. Ben and Owen enjoyed the ride the most and Elizabeth and Kate tolerated it fine. The ride includes three live scenes depicting the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus along with additional pictures and narration. We enjoyed hot drinks and cinnamon rolls afterwards with our friends and then the kids were nearing bedtime and needed to head home.

Mom felt successful with the letter writing to Santa and sharing the letter with Santa after that weekend. The next day at school, Ben proudly pointed out his letter to Santa on the wall of the classroom. We read it together and Mom realized that the letter contained five items, none of which were on the original list. We will do our best to get the list to Santa in time and hope he comes through with some of the items. Ben wanted a couple of things that he already has, so hopefully he won’t be disappointed if he doesn’t get the entire list.

That night at home, Ben asked how to spell dog. Mom told him and he wanted it written on a piece of paper. Then he signed his full name Ben McCullough. We didn’t think much of it as he is into learning new words and writing things a lot these days. Ben then explained that he was going to place this “note” under the tree for Santa to find when he arrived on Christmas. Santa would then read it and leave a dog for Ben. Mom panicked a little and tried to explain that the family might not be ready for a dog and Santa couldn’t bring something that was too much trouble to take care of, but might when the family was ready down the road (years down the road). Ben laughed and explained that it was going to be so easy to take care of as it was a stuffed animal dog he wanted and Santa would know what to do when he saw the note under the tree. Mom is relieved but now hoping that there are no additional notes created in the next week, and if there are, that they are placed where Santa can find them. Hopefully it will all fit in the sleigh!