Christmas at Walt Disney World

Happy New Year, everyone!  May God bless you during this new year - 2011!.

During the past two weeks, I've taken a break from blogging.  It was my intention to take a week break, but because we were still on vacation and had limited Internet service, I decided to go ahead and take the second week as well.  It was a much needed break from the busyness of everyday life and our family enjoyed it immensely.

Two and a half years ago, my family went to Disney World for a ten day summer vacation.  At that time, we never thought we would ever go again to Disney World, so made the vacation extra long to be able to do everything we would ever want to do.  As the vacation ended, we didn't want to leave - not one of us!  We all wished that it was even longer than the ten days.

When we arrived back home after that trip, we decided to go again some day.  We asked the kids' opinion on whether we should go again some summer or whether we should go at Christmas time.  They all agreed on Christmas.  We decided then to begin saving to go during Christmas of 2010.  We saved for 2 1/2 years for the trip.  One way we save money is by not spending our change.  We save the change we get from purchases and don't spend it.  We found a bank that has a change counter and we opened a special account just for saving money for that trip. It was worthwhile to open the account and use the change counter, so that we didn't have to roll the change ourselves.  Half of this trip, as well as the 2008 trip was paid for with change.  That is a good thing for the kiddos to see - that "small" change can add up!

This past Christmas vacation at Disney World was also ten days long.  But this time - maybe because of the cooler temperatures - it actually seemed like a long time.  We would have liked to stay on vacation, still, but we felt like we had been gone for a long time and that we had a long, enjoyable vacation.  We did everything we wanted to do, despite the large crowds at the parks.

Christmas time at Disney World is magical!  Of course, any time at Disney World is magical!  Disney does a great job at making the most of the season, using lots of lights, Christmas trees and garland, music, parades, special events, and even using fake snow.

This week I will share with you some pictures of our trip and also give a few tips about planning a trip to Disney World.  I'll also share a few devotional thoughts during the week, as well.

Again, have a very Happy New Year and thank you for reading "Shine Like Stars"!  Have a great week!

Merry Christmas!

I am going to take a break from blogging this week.  Have a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Lori

Elementary Reindeer Christmas Party

Every year our PTO hosts the elementary Christmas party.  Because I like parties, it's become my job to plan the party each year.  I gather supplies and then have helpers at the school who help with the party.  This picture is great to me, because I actually had room for everything in the back of the new-to-us Expedition! That made toting all the "stuff" to school so much easier.

Santa came to visit the school today to take pictures with each student.  Our youngest son, Tyler, is the only one of our children still in elementary school.  That seemed so strange today!  The oldest three were exempt from semester tests, but got up early and helped with the elementary party.  They didn't complain and actually looked forward to helping today.  Thank you Lauren, Zachary, and Jacob!  I appreciate you very much!

A friend and I made the sugar cookies and the students decorated them at one of the stations during the party.  The reindeer plates and napkins were so cute!  (Hobby Lobby) The mug was for hot chocolate and the students took them home as a little gift.

 At another station, the students made popsicle stick reindeer ornaments.  I blogged about this craft on the recipe blog the other day.  Click here for instructions.

Students were able to make reindeer food to sprinkle out on the lawn on Christmas Eve.  We used oatmeal and colors sugar crystals.

Reindeer games were "Ring the Reindeer" using the five blow-up reindeers and the insides of small embroidery hoops.  I'm not sure any antlers got rung, but the kids had fun trying!  They also played Christmas word bingo.

The reading station featured several reindeer-themed books, such as the traditional "Rudolph", as well as "Olive, the Other Reindeer."

Tyler's class, as well as all of the other classes donned their antlers and red noses for the group pictures. The antlers and noses were also provided by the PTO as gifts for the children.  They were so cute, however, they were ready to take the red noses off....not too comfortable!

I'm known as the "Party Lady" by many of the kids.  That's okay.  I like that title and that job, but, most of all, I enjoy hearing the students laugh, play, and have a fun day that they will remember for the rest of their lives. 

Today, as the students saw their tiny little reindeer mugs, they were so excited!  Just a simple little inexpensive thing and they were excited.  They were proud to wear their antlers and play games, decorate cookies, and little to a story.  Today the students had FUN.  Today they were just kids.....not have to study and learn and try to make a certain grade (not that I'm meaning that is bad, but kids need breaks, too.)  Today special memories were made at Tipton Elementary.

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Elementary Christmas Program

Our elementary school's Christmas program was tonight.  Our youngest son, Tyler, had a speaking part.  He was Mr. Bookem, who was hiring the "Rockin' Reindeer" to play at a 50's style kids' club called "Rudy's Place".  He enjoyed his role!

5th grader, Macy was great as Mrs. Claus! 

The elementary teachers worked so hard to make the program what it was - TERRIFIC!!  Other staff members helped tremendously, as well.

 Tyler, as "Mr. Bookem", sitting at Rudy's Place.

Hunter played Santa.  The pants to our PTO Santa suit were missing.  I found a red, double-knit pair of women's pants at Goodwill - for $2.16!!  They worked just fine!

 Hearing children sing is one of my favorite things!  They sing from the heart!

 It's also fun watching the kids' personalities shine through.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.....all watching their little ones. Sweet memories!

The Pre-K kids were adorable!

Thank you, teachers and staff, for the wonderful program and all of your hard work!  I know that the students will always remember having these programs and have great memories of special times such as this.  We appreciate all you do for our students!!

Angels, Shepherds, and Wise Men

In the Bible, as we read of the birth of Jesus, it is interesting to read about the rejoicing that was done by others.  Today lets look at three of those groups:  angels, shepherds, and wise men.  Although the gospel of Luke tells a more complete story of the birth, it doesn't mention the wise men (or magi).  Matthew tells more about their part in looking for Jesus.

1.  ANGELS
While the shepherds were in the fields, angels appeared to them, telling them that the Savior had been born.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:13-14

2. SHEPHERDS

When the shepherds heard the news, they rushed to see Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:15-16

3.  WISE MEN
The wise men (or magi) didn't go to the stable and see baby Jesus in the manger, but they followed the star that appeared after his birth.  When they arrived at the house, they worshipped and presented gifts to Jesus.

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2:9-11

Word spread quickly that the Savior had been born after Jesus' birth.  Many heard and were glad.  Many worshipped Him.  Some heard soon and some heard later...but they heard.  They believed.  They worshipped.  Of course, some didn't. 

Some are still looking for Him.  Some are still searching for the One who can save them and help them.

What are you doing with Jesus?