More Christmas Fun

Olivia's last day of kindergarten before winter break was on Friday. As room parent, I helped chaperone her winter party. Here her class receives an unexpected visit from Santa!

Olivia and friends Abbey and Audrey waiting in the gym for games to begin.

Olivia playing "Santa's Helper" and attempting to fill the stocking with presents.

Yesterday was Olivia's Sunday School Christmas program. We are now members of St. John's Lutheran Church (an ELCA synod). We made the change from Catholic to Lutheran in October. Here are some pre-program pictures in their Christmas finest! And, to clarify, not all of the presents you see are for the kids, and not all of the presents were bought by me! I know it is a lot of gifts!

This picture was taken by Olivia. She is becoming quite the photographer!

Grandma and Ethan waiting for Olivia's program to begin.

Olivia waving to Joe before the kindergarten's piece (there are more kids in her class, I just couldn't angle the camera to fit them all in!). Olivia had to memorize 3 lines and sing the song "Away in a Manger". She did an excellent job!

After Olivia's program, we then jumped in the car and raced the 2 1/2 hours to Pinckneyville for a family Christmas party. After eating lunch, the family plays a present exchange game. Each person brings a $10 gag gift, puts them into a pile, draws a number, and then either selects a present or steals one from someone else. This continues until the last gift is taken from the pile. Here is one gift that Ethan selected before it was "stolen" from him.

Thomas "won" the gift that Joe brought - a Snuggie!

More present opening. Renee won an Elvis guitar filled with very stale popcorn! Olivia immediately took over that gift and it is now sitting in our basement. I'm sure mom is heartbroken about it.

Olivia helping great grandma Mildred open her gifts.

Olivia, Ethan, and great grandma.