Christmas break

Whew. Glad that's over. Christmas at the school has been so packed with activities! Last night there was a holiday service at the senior campus chapel with the grade 4's and 5's singing songs and talking about Jeebus and whatnot.

It's probably the third or fourth time I've been in a church, not counting tourist trips, and though I'm not at all a follower of organized religion I find that I really enjoy most of the experience of being in church. I guess I'd feel pretty uncomfortable if it were evangelical or very heavily catholic, but I really like the singing and taking reflective moments - and I like to think about what the words mean to me when prayers are said aloud.

My week was full of making ornaments for the other kids in Jackson's class, his teacher, and the director of the school. I made some homemade marshmallows, which didn't really turn out but taste fantastic and is more like a taffy. I don't think I let it get hot enough, or my crappy little mixer didn't have enough power to whip it up. It's great on ice cream anyway.

Yesterday at school was Polar Express Day. The kids got to wear their PJ's to school and Mrs. Lincoln had some chairs set up in rows like the seats on a train. The parents got to hang out for a couple hours while she read them the Polar Express story, served them hot chocolate, and gave them each a special jingle bell just like in the story. Then we all did crafts together!

Jackson is off from school for three weeks now, which means lots of moping around the house complaining of boredom. To help with that I signed him up for a week long drama class next week. A few of his classmates are signed up too, as well as some kids from higher grades. It's taught by one of his favorite ladies at the school so I know he's going to have a blast. They learn about set design, and make their own costumes, and at the end they put on a little play! Best of all it goes from 9-4 :)

Ok, so here are some pictures:

From Polar Express Day










Ready for the chapel service




The ornaments
I made 18 of the snowmen






And a couple more from the Christmas Recital: