Tuesday, December 01, 2009

Grandma-ing With the Big Girls


It is Wednesday and the world is white once again. Very little accumulation, but everything looks so clean and fresh. It began to snow just as I was leaving rehearsal for the Christmas concert last night. We have one more rehearsal just with the choir, then rehearsal with the orchestra, then dress rehearsal - then the real thing next week-end, 4 performances. It has been a lot of work, but I have been so blessed as I sing the wonderful songs of the season.

Now I really MUST get motivated to make it look like Christmas around here! I can't seem to get in the mood. I wish I could just sing, go to other concerts, go caroling, and forget shopping!


Thanksgiving was enjoyable - a really small crowd for a change, just 11 of us. My dad is 83, and has always enjoyed feeding large crowds (as opposed to cooking for the family!) So he wanted to do the turkey and dressing again this year - I was happy to give up that task for this year - and have the meal at their house.


The day before Thanksgiving was Grandparents' Day at Care Bear and Feisty's school. I am so thankful to be able to participate in these special days. First thing in the morning I went to the kindergarten room. Feisty has a wonderful brand new teacher who absolutely adores her students. I watch her hug the kids every morning as they come and every afternoon as they leave and am so thankful that she doesn't worry about being accused of anything inappropriate - which is such a sad thing that has happened to kids and their relationship with their teachers. She was born to teach little kiddoes.


One of the little girls in Feisty's class is a friend she made in preschool last year. She came right up to me and told me her grandparents couldn't come. I told her I'd be glad to be her grandma for the day. She and Feisty had fun working together on their pine cone turkeys.






At the end of the school day, I headed back to Care Bear's classroom. This is the first year she has had a "seasoned" teacher. I used to work with this teacher back in the "olden days" when I was the school lunch lady at a different school. Care Bear loves her teacher - she says she likes her because she's older and she's funny.




Care Bear made me a card for the occasion. The front was a turkey whose feathers tell the many things she is thankful for. The inside was a letter to me. It just made my day - well, maybe it made my year!






The church across the street from the school has a passion for reaching out to the neighborhood. Every semester they have what they call "Club 182" - the name based on Psalm 18:2. They invite the kids from the school to come over every Wednesday after school (early release day). They have a variety of classes the kids can sign up for - just for fun.

Feisty signed up for "Wacky Science Projects." On the last day of the classes for this semester, they hosted an open house. Feisty showed us some of their fun experiments - here she is standing on rows of paper cups, proving something about distribution of weight - one cup can't support your weight, but distributed over many, they can. I think I see a spiritual application - we can't bear the weight of this world's burdens all alone, but with the support of many others, it is doable!

She also showed us a project that sent pepper scattering to the edge of a bowl of water when you put a tiny bit of soap on your finger tip and touch the center of the water.




This semester Care Bear chose "Autumn Crafts." They made some really cute things.







The adorable scarecrows they made
(upper left of the table) were used for centerpieces for the dinner they provided for all the kids and their families on the last Wednesday of this semester's session.

I have so much admiration for all the people of this church who have given of themselves so selflessly to reach out to the kids in this part of town and provide them with a safe, fun place to be on early release day.


This coming Sunday afternoon, the same renovated theater where the concerts will be next week-end will be the site of a community carol sing. I'm hoping Kristen and the girls can all join us there for a fun time of celebration.


I told you in my post about my visit with Louise that I would show you what I was able to order from her family's Christian book store. I had a lovely conversation with one of the employees as I ordered this new addition to my nativity collection. I must get down to the basement today to get the other pieces so that it can join them. Thank you again, Louise!!




Have a wonderful Advent Season!


14 comments:

someone else said...

Absolutely precious letter from Care Bear!

I love that nativity piece. Does it have a series name?

Robin said...

What a precious letter from your granddaughter! I would frame it I think!
One thing though - her "seasoned older" teacher looks about my age! LOL!
I love how involved you are with your grandgirls - I know I've told you that before. I know it must wear you out, but what a heritage you are giving them!
And those twins are growing up - sort of. They still look so little to me!
Good luck in your concerts - I hope they inspire you to get decorating and shopping. I do most of my shopping online which works for me very well.

grammy said...

what a great grandma you are. Looks like a great time at school with the girls. Care bear has nice hand writing and spelling. My first grade granddaughter is very smart... but the hand writing drives me crazy. They are taught not to worry about spelling when they are writing a story or whatever.
You must be worn out with all the practice.... but blessed at the same time 9o:

nannykim said...

You are blessed!! How fun to be able to go to their school and also to the church to see their projects--great ideas!

Needled Mom said...

You have a very busy time ahead for you, Dawn. Where will you have time to get ready for Christmas?

The girl's Grandparents Day looks like it was fun for all. I absolutely loved the precious letter that you received. It is so nice to read how appreciated you are. It makes all the work worth it!

I saw that you had snow again. I hear that we have a big storm rolling in next week that should head your way as well. Sorry!

The neighborhood church sounds like a delightful place for the kiddies after school. Too bad it is only one day a week. It sounds like they have a great program concept.

Your little Nativity that you received from L's family store is just adorable. It will be a real keepsake in your collection.

Take care of yourself and don't overdo so that you cannot enjoy Christmas.

Hootin Anni said...

Hello Dawn....first I love what you ordered!! And then....that card where she loves being your grandchild...that melted this ol' lady's heart. How so darned sweet and loving! Don't you just sometimes wish they'd stay young always?

Boy, you are a busy gal!!! I'd love to come hear you sing...but white stuff you say? Uh=huh....I'll come to your Easter Concert. But then again, it can have white stuff that time of year too. Alas.

Hope your Thursday has treated you well.

nancygrayce said...

I love that letter!!! Your grandchildren are all so precious and you are so blessed to have them near.

We are going to Austin, TX for the wedding. Leaving at 6 a.m. in the morning (no, not packed). We're taking a small trip to San Antonio first then on to Austin.

Gigi said...

Awwww - that card just melted this Grammy's heart!!!! You are indeed blessed!

How wonderful that the girls are enjoying school, their teachers and their after-school activities!! They look so happy and those projects...FUN!!

Linda said...

I think it's so wonderful that you get to spend so much time with the girls. I love the idea of the after-school classes they are taking. It really is a lovely thing for those folks to do. The girls will always remember these times.
Enjoy every moment of this special season Dawn.

Sam said...

It nearly brought tears to my eyes that you told Feisty's friend you'd be her grandma for the day. What a sweet thing to say!

I always hug my students! The little kids really need a warm welcome in the morning and a fond farewell in the afternoon. I'm so glad Feisty has such a loving teacher!

Care Bear's letter is amazing. You will treasure it always. And as a teacher, may I just say that her writing is extraordinary!

Your concerts sound so amazing. Like I keep saying, I sure wish I could hear you sing!

Mary said...

Dawn,

Wow! This is an awesome post. I love all the things the girls are doing. They seem to be very happy in their school environment.

The letter is a precious gift and I'm sure it touched your heart. I agree with Robin, you should frame it.

Take care, my friend and enjoy your week.

Blessings,
Mary

Unknown said...

There are so many wonderful things in this post! I love the letter Care Bear wrote to you. So sweet!

We have snow here now, too! It started to snow last night during our parade, which was so perfect.

Midlife Mom said...

Oh my goodness that letter is just precious! That's one that I'm sure you will keep forever!! Isn't it wonderful to be able to be involved in the kids things at school?! We haven't had grandparents day here yet but last year it was a hoot!

Glad you like the Nativity! I wanted to bring you something but then thought the gift card was better as it wouldn't take up luggage space and you could pick what you wanted. I wish you could see the store, it has so many wonderful things.

We got some snow over the weekend, about six inches. It is so pretty but such a change as we have been having such warm weather for December. Last Sunday I just needed a sweater, this Sunday a warm coat!

Wish I lived closer so that I could help you decorate for Christmas. You are soooooooooo busy I don't know how you get everything done and how you have so much energy. I don't think I could keep up with you!

We had a lovely Second Advent service yesterday. I so love this season and my church family.

The vet is coming today so I am hunting for my long johns as it is rather cold out. Nothing serious just need a couple little things checked as he is coming anyway for one of the other boarders horses. Guess I'd better get moving, lots to do today. Take care dear friend!

Carole Burant said...

What Care Bear wrote in the card she made for you just melted my heart! You are so blessed to have such beautiful grandchildren with warm and caring hearts. I so enjoyed reading about grandparents day at school and what the girls were working on. I really miss the days when mine were in grade school!!

I wish I lived near, I'd go help you decorate since I'm now all done with my Christmas preparations:-) You've been so busy, though, it's no wonder you're not finding much time to decorate!!

That Nativity Set you bought with Louise's gift card is so precious. No doubt every time you look at it, you will get a big smile remembering your meeting with her:-)

We have our first heavy Winter snowstorm coming in from Colorado on Wednesday. Hopefully it won't be as bad as they're saying!! xoxo