Yesterday was one of those days where I wanted time to just stand still. I wanted to take in as much as I could and store it my memory for forever.
I had the sweet privilege of going with Kati Ann's kindergarten class to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at Grissom High School. I don't know if I had ever seen that play before but what a wonderful story with a wonderful message. Kati Ann has a precious class and the teacher decided this year it would be fun to have the Christmas party at a local restaurant. So, we left the play and went to FlyBoys with 15 kindergarteners and had a party. KA's teacher talked to us about what a special group of students she had this year and what a good reminder they were to her of why she went into teaching. All the moms were there and we all got teary just knowing how much love our children were getting. After the kindergarten party, Kati Ann and I got in the car and headed back to the school because Kie was having his first ever class party. It is the first time the 2 year old class has done a party and again I was so blessed by the love of his teachers. One of the teachers began crying telling us how much she loved those kids and what a special class they were. My heart was about to burst.
After nap time that day, Jared and I had some Christmas plans for our family. We had been on a date to Bridge Street the week before and saw that they were running the Bridge Street Express during the holidays and we knew 2 kids that would love it so we loaded up to take our 2 on a Christmas train ride around Bridge Street. To watch their faces (especially my train lover) made my heart skip a beat.
We finished our train ride and got cookies at the The Great American Cookie Company and then left to drive through the Botanical Gardens Galaxy of Lights. It was do fun now that Kie is old enough to really enjoy the lights and the whole experience. It might not sound like a lot but it was better than any Christmas party or celebration I could go to. To talk about why we decorate and prepare for the birth of the Messiah, to share hugs and laughs with my sweet family is such a gift and as Mary did, I'm trying to treasure all these things in my heart.
