Christmas Celebrating at School

As I've mentioned previously, Jocelyn is in a Co-op preschool, which means I get to be involved in her school life as much as I would like to.  This week was especially fun to be a part of.  Yesterday and today there were celebrations galore!  And I didn't miss a second!

Yesterday, the kids made Fun-do, otherwise known as fondue cheese and chocolate and everything imaginable that you could dip into them.  I was surprised that Jocelyn wasn't as thrilled about the cheese, maybe because this was all new to her, but the chocolate dipped marshmallows were a big hit!

After filling their faces, somehow they managed to get some real school stuff going, but even that was fun.  How about playing "Swat the Letter" with - YES!  Real Fly Swatters!

Then it was off to make felt snowmen!

Now, today was definitely the "Icing on the....  Gingerbread Houses!"  and mountains and mountains of candy!  There are 15 kids running around on a serious sugar high right now, but it was so much fun!  First they made the frosting, then they frosted their houses, because they had to use something to glue all the candy on with!

And then they all just went crazy!  Check out the spread of candy options!

They ate their was through their decorating and then Ta-Da!  The finished project!

So school is over for the rest of the year, and visitors come tomorrow.  Our routine will be thrown off for a while.  I think we will both miss school!  Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!  I'm going to see if I can get away with stealing a marshmallow of Jocelyn's Gingerbread House!  :-)

How Does He Have The Time??

Santa wrote to Jocelyn again this year.  I just don't know how he has time to do that, but we love the letters we get every year.  And somehow, one of those sneaky Elves told him that Jocelyn started preschool.  He really does know everything, doesn't he?!

Every year Santa's reindeer also send Jocelyn one of their leather harness tags with bells.  What a treat!  We now have a collection of 3 -  Rudolph, Dasher, and this year - Comet!  Now Mommy needs to make sure to have the carrots on hand so the reindeer can get their treats too.  Time to hit the store!

Happy Santa Smiles to all of you too!

Catching Up - Again

Here I am again, way behind.  So much has happened since the last post, but the best way to catch up is, as always, through the pictures of our lives.

There was the photo shoot at Patapsco State Park in October.  Here is just a sample of the amazing photos our photographer took that day.











Then Halloween with Ariel the Mermaid.  Jocelyn enjoyed her school parade and party, but Trick-or-Treating was definitely the highlight!  She couldn't decide what she liked more - collecting candy or handing out candy!















There's always something fun going on at school.  I love my Co-op parent days and when any special event is going on, I make sure not to miss it.  There was the Pilgrim Field Trip, the Turkey Trot, and the Thanksgiving Friendship Fruit Salad.

Our yearly venture to the Festival of Trees and a chat with Santa - can't forget that!  This is something we always look forward to.  Each year the experience is a little different depending on what Jocelyn is interested in doing, but she always loves the carousel, the pony ride, and the train display.  This year she was especially fascinated by the gingerbread houses.  And Santa just made her giggle!

Decorating the Christmas Tree with the official job of Angel Topper.  For the last few years, we have put the tree in the front room, but we always feel like we don't get to see it much.  This year we decided to put it in the living room, and we are enjoying it so much more!

Last but certainly not least, Santa came to visit US again this year!  We were waiting anxiously to hear those Fire Engine Sirens, and when they finally came, Jocelyn couldn't get outside fast enough.  One of our favorite benefits of living in a small town.

So there you have it.  Once again we are caught up, though these photos certainly don't do justice to the wonderful experiences that Jocelyn is having at school, and the fun adventures we have often with our friends.  Jocelyn is making new friends at school and starting to look forward to play dates.  I am trying hard to figure out how to use my free time for me.  I'll let you know when, or if, I ever master that.  But though life is busy, it is full of fun.

And of course, Santa comes next week!  Hugs to all!

With a Heavy Heart

As I sit here at the computer I only have to glance to the right to see the two most important people in my life snuggling together on the sofa.  And just behind me is our decorated Christmas Tree.  Christmas is just a little more than a week away, and though I can't help but be excited for Jocelyn and how fun this year will be for her, I also have a very heavy heart tonight thinking about the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

Two days ago, a monster - what else would you call him - forced his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 20 babies, ages 6-7, and 6 of their dedicated teachers.  School shootings are horrific on their own, but this one just makes my heart ache.  Twenty families will not get to celebrate Christmas or Hannakah with their little ones this year like I will.  Twenty families can't hug their little ones like I can.  Twenty families will never see or talk to their little ones again.   Twenty families can no longer tell their little ones how much they are loved.  And countless other children have had their innocence taken away by the acts of one horrible person.

Because of this, I will hug my daughter a little tighter, and love her a little harder, if that's possible, and tomorrow when I drop her off at school, I will think of those parents that did the same on Friday morning, to never see their precious babies again.