Preschool Christmas Celebrations

I'm really starting to feel overwhelmed with how much I have to do before Christmas. What about you? My house looks like a bomb hit it. I just sent our Christmas card to be printed (which means that our card will be sent super late this year, which completely stresses me out). I have 45 different To Do Lists going. I have gone to Walmart and Target more times this week than I can count. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting a cold (but I'm living in denial, because I CANNOT be sick right now!). And... I am filled with anxiety that people won't like what I bought for them.

Isn't that silly? I decided today that I am going to make a conscious effort to enjoy the season more and stress less. I need to let go of my perfectionistic (Is that a word? If not, it totally should be.) and OCD tendencies and just do the best that I can. That's my plan anyway. :)

This was Clayton's last week of preschool, which means two things. He had lots of activities at school, and I tried to cram as many shopping into those precious few hours as possible. Ha!

I saw this reindeer sandwich idea in Family Fun a few years ago. I made Clayton's sandwiches this way all week. Just a fun idea...

On Tuesday night, Clayton had his Christmas program at school. After last year's performance, I was a little nervous. In the car on the way to the school, he said that he "had stage fright." I tried to pump him up and ease his fears, but I could tell that he still wasn't feeling confident.

His class was assigned, "Bethlehem, Heaven's Gem." It was a bit of an obscure song. He sang parts of it to me a few weeks ago. I immediately had to google the lyrics, so that I could help him learn it. There was only 1 google search result. Hmmm.... Away In A Manger would have been so much easier.

Clayton had told me that he got to hold a candle while he was singing. He was so excited about that aspect of his performance! It later came out (in casual conversation with his teacher) that the boys in the class were using the candles as light sabers during their dress rehearsal. Ha! I can just about bet you that I know who was the ring leader of that little escapade...


Here's a video of their song. I thought they did pretty well, considering that they were assigned a song that I, for one, had never heard of. I especially love how Clayton starts scowling at the ceiling halfway through the song. I asked him what he was looking at, and he said, "I was looking at the lights. They reminded me of the bright star that the wise men followed." It's always something with that kid... ;)

They had a cookie reception in their classroom after the program. His teachers are so sweet...

They made this super cute craft for Clayton to give to us. Isn't it cute?!?!

They put his handprint on the back. :)

Today was another big day at preschool - their Christmas party. They decorated reindeer cookies...

and made reindeer food (cereal, rolled oats, and glitter).

Then they had a book exchange.

I am so thankful for our little preschool! Those teachers work so hard!

And now I must go cross something off of my To Do list.... Old habits die hard, people! ;)