a day of nothing

“After all," Anne had said to Marilla once, "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” 

― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

In the crazy....go...go...go...days we have....we came across a day where the calendar was open...it was a miracle...and the most wonderful day of....nothing planned. I cleaned and organized and the littles were...well...little. My heart was happy.

They made forts......

 hammered nails on the deck.....

 played pretend and make believe for hours with a bamboo stick they found in the yard.....

 loved a lot.....

 and of course....got out the rainbow loom.

It was a wonderful...simple day....and I think we need it more than we even realized.....

The Hat & The Mitten

On the shelf of Sarah Kate's kindergarten class room are many book and many stories...but today two of them came to life in a precious play.....The Hat & The Mitten by Jan Britt

Every child had a part...and every child knew their parts by heart...and every child said their lines clearly and loudly and with such emotion. You would never know these kids were in kindergarten! My sweet Sarah Kate played the grandmother in The Mitten.

It was so neat to see the class come together...they had worked on and prepared for this play together and they were so proud to share it today with their families!

The play really was amazing! The kids just simply were awesome!

Sarah Kate even came out one time and her apron slid to her ankles....she never missed a beat...just said her lines perfectly and the next time she came out the apron was fixed. The show must go on!

It ended with a bow of course....

and when they came up from that bow...the happy, prideful smiles were precious! They knew they had been a part of something great!

To end it all they sang Love can Build a Bridge......

I'd gladly walk across the desert
With no shoes upon my feet
To share with you the last bite of bread I had to eat
I would swim back to save you
In your sea of broken dreams
When all your hopes are sinking
Let me show you what love means

Love can build a Bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a Bridge
Don't you think it's time?
Don't you think it's time? 

I would whisper love so loudly 
Every heart could understand 
That love and only love 
Can join the tribes of man 
I would give my heart's desire 
So that you might see 
The first step is to realize 
That it all begins with you and me 

Love can build a Bridge 
Between your heart and mine 
Love can build a Bridge 
Don't you think it's time? 
Oh, don't you think it's time? 

When we stand together 
It's our finest hour 
We can do anything, anything 
Anything, anything 
Keep believin' in the power 

Love can build a Bridge 
Between your heart and mine 
Love can build a Bridge 
Don't you think it's time? 

When they finished their was not a dry eye in the Goshen library....tears streamed down momas' faces...and we were all so full of love...and touched by their tender, innocent sweetness.....

It was amazing! We were all invited back to their classroom for a Tea to celebrate!

We are so blessed to have Mrs.P....she is truly a gift. She sees the talent and potential in her children and with endless love pushed them as far as they will go. It is because of her that Sarah Kate reads chapter books, can identify main ideas and supporting sentences in a paragraph...that she has 12 spelling words like because, sentence, and wonderful on her list...and gets 100% on her test. Sk is learning and thriving....and loving every second of it!

Mrs. P does not say..oh that is too much trouble....she says let's do it...and let's do it up right! I just love that about her! I just love her!

I am so proud of this little girl...she has a beautiful brain and a beautiful heart!

As I cleaned up...I noticed that the sugar packets had writing on the back.....

and it seems like the perfect sentiment for this day. These little kids had come together to create something great..and they knew in their hearts it was special.

My sun

 Rollins' Readers Theatre Play at school today was precious! He played, among other planets and shooting stars, the Sun....which was perfect because he is the sunniest boy I know....so full of warmth and sunshine.  His presence always makes me smile...he is just that kind of kid!

He took it very seriously and was wonderful...from the first word of the play until the very last.

 As soon as the last word was said however...he jumped up in front of everyone and said..."that's it...Amen!" and took a big bow! Everyone laughed! What can I say he is a sunny, sunny boy!

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

The advent box has more and more x's! Every night the littles get a little more excited!

 Tonight there was a prize ribbon with their candy! They got 4 little cokes to enjoy with popcorn while we watched The Santa Clause....one of our favorite Christmas movies! Also they got tickets to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Stage One the next day!

 It was so fun to get dressed and head down town for a Christmas play! I just love this special time with my children...it's all Christmas all the time for a few days but I love every minute of it!

 The play was precious....very funny and touching. It ends with these poor children who are as rough as they come bringing their ham from their Christmas welfare basket to the baby Jesus in the Christmas pageant at church.It opened up a great conversation with them about the poor...and giving...and what we can do.....and what we have done as a family this Christmas to help those less fortunate than us. I love that...when you look into their eyes and you know they are really taking it all in...those are the moments when your words matter most.

It was a wonderful Christmas outing and it sure got our hearts in the right place for Christmas!

SK's Thanksgiving Play

Today Sarah Kate had her Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play! She was cast as a pilgrim and was pretty cute if I do say so myself!  

She had a speaking part and told me she "had it" and we did not need to practice it at home.....I so wanted to practice it  over and over but I trusted her so I was excited to see what her definition of "had it" was!

 
When she entered the gym she was full on smile and gave us a little wave!

 Now I don't have a picture of her doing her part...Moma had the video camera going.... but this is her face when she sat back down after her part....you can see she nailed it and was so proud! She said it completely memorized...slowly and clearly

 The play was precious and brought tears to my eyes...as they ended it with a song called...... Please see the Best in Me

 Back in the room we celebrated these precious children and their wonderful play! I gave each of them a Thanksgiving place mat to color and a turkey pencil for their amazing job!

 I was so proud of my girl! She is the best of the best.....so smart....so kind.....she is such a dear, gentle soul and anyone who knows her is lucky...truly they are! I am so Thankful for her this Thanksgiving!

Dirty Pigs....Good Day

You know it was a good day of play when you come in for a bath with dirty, dirty pigs! Today was a very good day for Lila Ray!

like old times...

the boys got our their batman play set tonght, army men, and tanks, and set up a great battle in the family room...thei little mouths working overtime to make the sounds of guns and explosions...it was so neat...just like they were little again....like old times, you know. Lila was right in the middle of it and watched in awe. It was so heartwarming to hear them play like that again.