Greetings from the preschool,
Yesterday we lighted 7 candles on our menorah at candle circle. I was hoping that we would have the time to make potato latkes during the 8-day Festival of Lights, but we have been so busy lately that I’m afraid it will just have to wait, maybe until next week. We have started our lovely Holiday Greeting Card project, and we will be making candles and bird feeders soon as well.
Yesterday we invited the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade classes to the preschool to help make (and taste!) a traditional Caribbean “smoothie”-style drink creation – something that people might drink in the Dominican Republic, or Haiti. The ingredients are simple: coconut milk, vanilla ice cream, milk, and freshly ground nutmeg. Yummm! We hope to do another Caribbean recipe before vacation.
Here is our Secret Santa Master List as picked from the bowl of random preschoolers:
Isabelle picked Katherine James picked Sadie Hannah picked James
Chip picked Isabelle Sadie picked Chip Teddie picked Ben
Caroline picked Charlotte Maxine picked Margaretta Margaretta picked Niavh
Ben picked Maxine Niavh picked Ginger Katherine picked Caroline
Charlotte picked Teddie Ginger picked Hannah
We’ll have a modest celebration on that last half-day (Thur., Dec. 16). Children should bring in a small ($1-$2), wrapped gift for the person they picked, and we will open presents at that time. We’ll also provide healthy holiday treats (no lunch on Thursday), and sing some seasonal songs. I hope all children will be able to come that day.
The pond has a layer of ice on it already, although it is far from ready to walk on yet. If we don’t get significant snow any time soon, we may be able to slide around on the ice once it’s solid. At any rate, we will keep a section of the ice shoveled all winter in order to have sliding possibilities in addition to sledding!
We’ve been using our recently made shaker instruments while singing Jingle Bells at circle time, and today we sang Christmas Is Coming. We talked about why someone would put a penny in “the old man’s hat,” and I was amazed at the children’s awareness of generosity and sharing that the line represents. And that reminds me – thank you for your efforts at helping to fill the Food Donation Box this month especially! You are all terrific role models for your children.
Today is Charlotte’s first official day of preschool, AND her third birthday! Welcome, Charlotte. We will bake chocolate chip cookies in her honor this morning!
As always, thanks for all your support and enthusiasm. Enjoy these magical days as they lead up to a festive and memorable occasion for your children!
--Ken and Leelee
