Merry Christmas from us!

Merry Christmas!

We've had a wonderful month looking at our advent calendar learning of the Christmas story. It's been wonderful to dwell on the birth of our Saviour all month and the children have learned so much. I've really loved it too. Not only watching the kids learn, but reiterating the story for myself.

We've looked at why the angel said "Do not be afraid", why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, the fact that the shepherds hurried to see Jesus, that God used angels to proclaim Him. One night Lyle also read the story of Zechariah, Elizabeth and John, explaining the connection between John and Jesus, how the wise men knew of Jesus birth, that they gave him gifts, what those gifts were . . .

and most importantly WHY Jesus came to live on earth.

He came to earth,

He lived a perfect life

He was punished by God instead of us in death,

He rose again and CONQUERED sin and evil.

(we get to dwell on that again in Easter!)

William seems to be hooked Easter, he constantly repeats (when he see's a cross on a church or anywhere) "Jesus died on the cross to f'gave our sins".

I can't resist adding this. We bought the boy a totem tennis set for his present and he LOVES it. We put it outside this morning and, for the most part, he's doing pretty well.

I love it when that camera button is pressed just at the right moment....

I'm convinced he'll improve.

Last Day of Kindy!

Today we reached the next of many milestones in our daughters life - her last day of Kindy! It's been a wonderful year - in great part due to these two wonderful women.

Mrs Male

Mrs Shearer 

Emma's teachers have been simply amazing. I don't even have the words to express how much I have loved them being her teachers. They had such lovely organisation of the classroom and yearly program that each child in their classroom thrived. William slowly became a part of the furniture in that room this year. The Mrs Shearer in particular was very kindly responsive to him as he grew. He would frequently pick periwinkles from the outside plant and bring them into her as we arrived at kindy.

Because Emma's at a Christian kindy it's been a joy to know that she has had that influence on her life at kindy. The fact that God made the world and everything in it has great impact on how we live and treat others in our daily lives. Having taught our kids this truth it has been excellent to see it followed up in her education.

For their last day the children hosted/had a Christmas party to which all the parents were invited. We had loads of fun. My favourite part of the concert was a darling boy who held the bright star. Mrs Male read his cue and a moment later he realised and said "oh, that's me isn't it?!" and raised his star up high above his head. He is an adorable little boy.

Emma was a sheep. She was going to introduce the concert along with her bestie Alex, saying "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is the activity* of Jesus" (*nativity) She was practicing all week but on the day the pressure was too much!

Here is my sheep and her fellow sheep.

The children all chose their parts. I have to confess I was slightly jealous when I saw the beautiful angels dressed up,  but she was a great sheep.

(that silly camera face smile . . .)

Here they all are (Em in the front with her fellow sheep) singing

Party food galore! They made their own bon bons, placemats, party hats, and gifts of tic tac toe for us parents! (i.e. their entire term of craft was Christmas themed.)

I thank God for the joy of being her mum,

I thank God for the privilege of watching her grow,

I thank God for the unique, amazing person she is,

I thank God for her. *sniff*