The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer...

...is singing LOUD for all to hear. 

David loves the Christmas movie, Elf and he takes Will Ferrel's character, Buddy, at his word when he explains that you must sing loud to help spread the joy of Christmastime.

The kids recently had their Christmas sing and class parties at school. Because of the lesson Elf taught him, David was by far the loudest singer in the whole school's performances. He even created a solo for himself at the end of Joy To The World. 

I laugh so hard my eyes water every time I watch that!! That's our boy!

Here's Rachael's classes song. So sweet. She doesn't sing any of it, but she does a great job ringing her bell. And David's down in the bottom of the screen waving to us.

And David's class with one more song. Once again, David is the loudest. 

Toward the end of the program David reached back to say hello to Rachael. It was so sweet and made my heart soar with happiness to watch my children's faces as they found each other. 

 

But, evidently this was something they did everytime they practiced thier singing. David had told me that one of Rachael's teachers [the blonde lady] would always reach out to make sure Rachael didn't fall off her step when he would grab her hand. I didn't really understand what he was talking about and then it happened during the performance. 

Back at their classrooms the parties were just getting started when Ryan and I arrived. I was so glad he was able to join us for this party!

I started out in Rachael's room where they were participating in their book swap via a game of "hot snowman". As the teacher played Christmas music, the kids passed around a toy snowman. When the music stopped the one holding him got to pick a wrapped book. 

Rachael was trying to pass it to the girl next to her, but she wasn't paying attention because she'd already gotten her book. So, Rachael gave it to the next little boy. 

It was finally her turn to pick!

And open her book!

You could tell she has an older brother to be so excited about a Cars Christmas book.

 

 

Over in David's classroom they were just sitting down to their Christmas snack time. 

 

 

Baby Girl was enjoying her Christmas snacks as well. 

 

 

After giving gifts to all their classmates and teachers, the kids were ready to go home. Except for one last stop. There's a nativity set up in front of the school. The kids and I had walked down to it earlier this month and loved taking a closer look at it. David really wanted his Daddy to come see it too. So, we all walked down to it. David had already thought about where he wanted everyone to sit.

He wanted to sit next to "Joshua" the lamb [a character in one of his favorite Christmas books], Rachael next to the Baby Jesus [her favorite of the nativity], and Daddy next to Joseph ['cause he's the Earthly Daddy].

 

Oh, and me? I'm next to a camel. My assigned spot. 

A few of my favorites from our time spent in the manger.