There is a slight chance we will have all kinds of home made gifts made from Savannah under the tree before Christmas gets here....I love her precious little heart and her desire to give and make people happy. It makes my heart melt!
I guess they are learning to and from at school, however I think Savannah is a little mixed up:
Her's reads: Parker
Tow (To:)Savannah
She said, "Mommy, when you write "to" you are giving something to someone. So sweet!
Last night, I lay by the tree admiring the beautiful lights and the sense of calm that gleamed from its branches.
If you didn't know, I have a scrooge living with me and his name is Brent. He doesn't like Christmas music or movies or hanging lights outside. He's not one for sappy stuff like that! This, in turn, means I do not get to listen to much Christmas music or watch those sappy Christmas movies where little boy leave their homes on Chrismas Eve to buy their mama some red shoes before she goes to Heaven. And, even when I slip off to start watching one, he'll walk in the room and make fun of me for crying because a prodigal son makes in home in time for Christmas with his family :)
So, all that to say, I slipped off last night, laid in front of the tree, and turned on some pretty Christmas music. I was engulfed in the lights, the stillness, and the music. It was beautiful. The music that was playing was all instrumental and so calming and wonderful.
"Silent Night" began to play and I lay there thinking. Savannah is sick. She has a fever and a little congestion. She was wheezing a little when we put her to bed, so I was a little worried. While listening to "Silent Night" I began saying a prayer for Savannah to rest peacefully. The words of the song drifted into my thoughts...."Sleep in Heavenly peace." I wonder what it really would be like to sleep in Heavenly peace. I mean, there can't be any better peace than that, right? And, if you're like me with two kiddos, most of your sleep is at the opposite side from peaceful. In fact, some days, it is downright STRESSFUL! How amazing it will be to one day sleep in Heavenly peace....even if it means getting to Heaven first so I can do it. Surely in Heaven, there are angels who take care of all the babies so that everyone sleeps in Heavenly peace, right?
So, as I drift deeper into the moment, I thought about that one little baby many years ago, that was sleeping in a manger and how his sleep was probably pretty Heavenly!
For a moment, just think about Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, in that manger at night, when the world was quiet. Put yourself there, in the midst of it all. Reflect on the words from the song, and feel the same sense of peace that I felt while listening to it last night.
"Silent Night, Holy Night all is calm....all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child (all is calm around mother Mary and baby Jesus)
Holy infant so tender and Mild (think about how peaceful it is to see your own little babies sleeping and imagine what it would have been like to be Mary looking over her infant resting peacefully and knowing he was the Savior--amazing)
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Sleep in Heavenly Peace......
Silent Night, Holy Night Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts singing Alleluia!
Christ our Savior is Born!!
Christ our Savior is Born!
Silent Night Holy Night Son of God is loves pure light
Radiant beams from thy Holy face
With the dawn of REDEEMING GRACE
Jesus Lord at thy birth
Jesus Lord at thy birth
I hope you enjoyed that moment of peace as much as I did.
Now, back to the day....screaming babies and snotty noses ;)
Today, I took the kids to Epcot to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. We visited him in America by way of Canada, France, England, Italy, Morocco, and Japan! The kids seemed to have a good time even though they were a little wild. Enjoy our photo journey :) Oh, and yes, we took the opportunity to take lots of "model" pictures today because of all the wonderful backdrops!
Savannah showing off her new brush we had to get because of all the wind. Can't meet Santa with a head full of tangles.
Parker looking like a model
Savannah so cute!
Pere Noel
Savannah and what I think was an Aristocat?
Savannah loves Aurora
Savannah and Belle
Savannah with the gingerbread house
Savannah and the "big pretty tree"
Savannah showing Parker the "Pilgrim Boat"
Admiring the "big ball"
Parker playing on the bridges in Italy
Street performer in Italy
They were celebrating Kwanzaa today. Parker wanted in on the action!
Savannah and Santa and Mrs. Claus
Only way Parker would go up there....
Mrs. Claus asking Parker why he was afraid....He wanted NOTHING to do with her :)
Savannah got her first report card today. Because the state funds pre-k in Florida, our preschool is able to participate in pre-k testing. They tested her in four areas. They help predict future school success instructional value. The first area was Print Knowledge Measure (assesses ability to recognize differences between letters and words and knowledge of letter names and the sounds they make). Savannah scored 100%!! The second area was Phonological Awareness Measure (assesses awareness and manipulation of the different sounds in a word). She scored a 64%. The next area was the Oral Language/Vocabulary Measure (assesses the ability to express herself using words, understanding language, and knowledge of age appropriate words and meanings). She (not surprising) scored a 91%. The last area was Mathematics Measure (assesses counting skills, numerical relations skills, and arithmetic reasoning skills). She scored a 78%!! Her overall assessment was an 83%!! Hooray!!
Her teacher said she was definitely advanced for her age and was glad to hear all the stuff Savannah talks to us about at home. The teacher did say Savannah was still a little shy about answering questions, but was doing fine. The only negative thing she said was that Savannah could work on her listening skills....which, I knew! She has a hard time listening at home, as well. Her teacher said she can be a little sassy....no, not my girl ;)
Overall, Mrs. Nancy said Savannah was excelling and encouraged us to start preparing for her to start reading on her own!! Pretty exciting stuff!
I was very happy to get a report on how she is doing since I cannot see her participating in school. This motivates me to work even harder with her!! She is so smart!
