The Best Christmas Present Ever

All 3 of the kids participated in the Christmas program at church tonight.  Emmaline sang with the preschoolers and did a great job.  She can't sing most of the words, but she know the motions that go with the songs better than most of the kids.  She really stole the show and made everyone clap after each song they sang.

Jacob and Ellie both had parts in the older kids' program.  Ellie sang a solo and was an angel in the nativity scene at the end of the show.  Jacob played a Wise guy, sang a solo, and was a wise man in the nativity scene.  Everyone did so well and we were really proud of them.  

These shows bring back so many great memories from when I was growing up in the same church and singing in programs on the same stage.  My friend, Emily, and I had solos and various speaking parts in every program from kindergarten through junior high.  I'm hoping the kids will have as many fond memories of these programs as I do!

 Love them so much! 

 Emmaline clapping after one of their songs

 Ellie singing her solo

 Jacob during his solo

 Time for cookies

 Ellie and Emma

Nathan and Jacob

Operation Christmas Child

Today we packed boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  I took the kids with me to Dollar Tree this year to pick out the items they wanted to put in each box.  Let me just say that their eyes were much bigger than the boxes we were filling.  Oh well, it was fun watching them pick out the things they thought the boy and girl would like to get in their boxes.  They chose:  notepads, markers, toothbrushes, flashlights, tissues, tic-tac-toe, puzzles, and so many other fun things.  I loved seeing their generosity (even though Nathan and I are footing the bill).  We're trying really hard to teach them that it is more important to give than to get at Christmas, and I think they are finally at the age where they get it.

It's a Very Veggie Christmas!

Today was Very Veggie Christmas at church. Basically, parents drop their kids off at church and can enjoy several hours of kid-free shopping or whatever they want. While the kids are at church, they watch a Veggie Tales movie, play games, sing songs, make a craft, and eat lunch. It's a great community out-reach and our kids have an absolute blast hanging out with their friends. Mom and I help run the registration area and then organize the kids' papers and crafts so they are ready to picked up when parents arrive. There's also lots of down time volunteering in that area, so I get to follow the kids around church to take pictures.

Jacob

Playing games in the auditorium

Run, Run, as Fast as You Can

Ellie gets ready to make a craft

Emmaline throws Bob the Tomato into the tub

Operation Christmas Child

Today we took our shoe boxes to church for Operation Christmas Child. We've been doing this for several years now, but this is the first year that the kids took an active roll in the buying and filling of said boxes. It's hard for our kids to imagine life without Christmas or presents, so this was a good opportunity to explain life in different parts of the world. God has been a part of their life since they were born, but some kids have never heard about Jesus or the importance of his birth. I'm so thankful for little projects like this that help our family focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Outflow

Recently, our church has been studying the book, Outflow: Outward-Focused Living in a Self-Focused World. Basically, it compares life to a fountain. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can't help but have God flow into other areas of your life, namely, your family, your community, and then the world.

This Sunday, instead of regular church, we did a service project with Lifeline Christian Mission. The project consisted of filling food bags that would then be shipped to Haiti. It amazed me that one bag consisted of 6 meals and during both church services today, we were able to fill thousands of bags. Today was such a small gesture on our part, but I'm praying that it will go a long way in showing God's love to the people of Haiti.Ellie added the chicken stock powderKaiya added the vegetables

Jacob added the soy and then the bag was topped off with rice

3 Wise Men & a Baby

Tonight was the Kids' Christmas Program at church. Ellie and Emmaline sang with the "Heartshaper Capers" Choir before the program started. Emmaline stole the show dancing to all the songs while she was onstage. I have come to realize that it is impossible to get good pictures during programs at church. Someone is always going to be in the way and people will move your stuff even if you save seats. That being said, the program was cute and the kids really enjoyed themselves.

Catch her if you can...Emmaline would not slow down to pose for a picture!

Jacob

Gabrielle

Singing with her friends

Jacob has unfortunately inherited my coordination, but he did his best on all the motions

Emmy watches the program from Papaw's lap

Apparently, Jacob should have taken a nap before the program.
He yawned throughout the whole thing!

At the end of the program, Mrs. Cathy gave each child a Christmas card to dismiss them from the stage. Jacob waited patiently and was the last name called.

Enjoying cookies at the reception

Ellie looks ready to fall asleep after the long day

Pick-Up-Sticks Party

This afternoon at church, Jacob's Sunday school class had a pick-up-sticks party. Basically, they pick up sticks around the church property and then use them to build a fire to roast marshmallows. There were several families there and we had a nice time talking over a dinner of hot dogs, chips, carrots, and of course, s'mores! It was a beautiful fall evening to be outside!

The girls and Papaw sitting around the fire

Nathan and I roasting marshmallows

Awana

Jacob started Awana tonight and he is loving it. He goes while the rest of our family is at home group. At first he wasn't happy that he would miss home group, but once he found out it was like vacation Bible school, he was excited. It only took him one night to earn his vest (he had to say John 3:16 from memory). He can memorize really easily and is very motivated to earn his patches for the vest by learning other Bible verses.

2009 Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

Our family volunteered this evening at the Popcorn Festival. Our church is in charge of the children's area every year and this was our 2nd year to help out. I manned the little kid bouncy house and Nathan was in charge of the inflatable obstacle course. While we did that, Nathan's parents came and walked around with our kiddos. It was a fun evening!

Kettle corn is a must at the Popcorn Festival!
Ellie jumping in the bouncy house

Emmaline loved it too!

Jacob got a balloon animal

Music Mania

Ellie went to Music Mania today at church. Emmaline was too young, and Jacob was too old, so it was nice to spend some alone time with the middle child. She had a great time playing with her friends and learning different things about music.

Singing "This Little Light of Mine" with Emma and Gwynn

Playing drums

Look at the guitar she made

Trying out her new rain stick

Teddy Bear Pirate Tea

Today at church, the 2 1/2 year olds to kindergarteners attended a pirate tea. Jacob was a little bummed that he was too old to go this year, but Ellie had a wonderful time with her friends.

Walking the plank

Down the pirate ship slide

Ellie made a pirate hat and treasure box

ARRR! Mateys!