Pre-K Christmas Party

Today was Caden's last day of pre-school before the new year. They had their Christmas Party, and all the parents were invited. In the past, Caden has had a really hard time adjusting to all the different people there. This time I tried something a little different. I made sure that Sydney was watched by a friend (Thanks Melanie!) and then we arrived there early. I thought that maybe he wouldn't have as much of a hard time if he was able to adjust to each arrival rather than all at once. It proved to help a little bit. Caden was still a little bit clingy, but was much more ready to participate. Hopefully over time, he will get better at it.

They did alot of fun things today. The first thing they got to do was decorate sugar cones into Christmas trees. It was a really fun craft. We plastered the cone with green frosting, and then Caden went to town decorating it will all different sorts of candy. He was really proud of the final creation.

They also got to make reindeer food for Santa's reindeer. It has been fun this year because Caden is really getting into the concept. He is excited to sprinke it onto our lawn so that they reindeer can eat it when they get to our house. He is sure they will be "so hungry."

Their next activity was a gift exchange. Everyone brought a small gift to give to someone in the class. Caden had gone with me to pick out a gift, but he didn't quite get the concept. He was so excited when we wrapped it last night, and made sure that we brought it to class. I had explained to him that he would be giving it to one of his friends in class....that is the part he didn't quite understand. His teacher tried to play a game where everyone was supposed to pass it to the person next to them while she played some music. As soon as the music stopped the present you had in your hands was the one they got to open. It was hilarious to watch. Caden wouldn't let go of his, and some of the others wouldn't either. One of the kids started opening every gift that was passed to him. In the end they threw all their gifts to the center and then they each picked a different one. That is when Caden lost it. He thought he was getting the one that we had bought together, and didn't want to have anything to do with the "new" gift. I guess in time he will understand the importance of giving rather than recieving.

Towards the end of class they had a special visit from Santa. It was pretty funny to see how excited the kids got. The costume was lacking, but the kids still ate it up. They each got a picture with Santa, and a treat from him too. Caden loves Santa, but is still afraid to approach him by himself. So I took him up there, and he was able to get his treat.

The best part for me was when they gave us our "parent" gift. This isn't the best picture, and it is impossible to get a picture that captures the whole thing. Obviously...it is an ornament. They had put Caden's hand in white paint and then had him grab the ball. Caden then decorated each finger to be a snowman. It is the cutest thing ever. It made his hand look soooo tiny, and I will cherish it forever. It also had a little poem attached to it that read

These aren't just five snowmen,
As anyone can see.
I made them with my hand
Which is a part of me.
Now each year when you trim the tree
You'll look back and recall
Christmas of 2007
When my hand was just this small!

We really had a fun time together. I love this boy more than words can express. This week he has been a pill, but in the end he just melts my heart away!