Christmas Party & Christmas Program

Jason's company its annual Christmas party for the employees' kids and grandkids.  They do a really nice job of keeping it laid back and low key, but fun and full of activities and yummy food.  Reid got to see Santa, sit on his lap, and get a present from Santa right then (an all-knowing employee has shopped for the kiddo's goodies beforehand).

All Reid has wanted from Santa is Snot Rod, the orange part of the four "Fast and Furious" type characters from Cars...the only one Reid didn't have.  He's been announcing to anyone who will listen, "Santa's going to bring me Snot Rod!!" much to my chagrin.  I always apologize and have to explain that it's a Disney character.  (Really...couldn't they have picked a nicer name?  But I have to admit--it is funny...)  Daddy finally tracked Snot Rod down on Amazon for a reasonable price, so we saved that for Christmas Day.  But here you can hear him asking Santa himself!

 

Family portrait with Santa

  He has been a little obsessed with the Disney movie Planes ever since we saw it this summer, too.   Think he was excited much??  He was literally jumping up and down and demanding that we please open it.  (or maybe that was the donuts talking)  Reid carried these four planes around for a few minutes, then asked politely if we could go home.  He didn't want any more food, a balloon animal, a caricature, or any of the other fun activities...and Jason realized it was because all he wanted to do was go home and put the two Dusty Crophopper planes together...his "Planes family."

We didn't really give him a choice on the caricature--they were so cute!  While we waited in line, Batman swooped over to remind him how good vegetables are and remind him how listening to your parents is good.  We were surprised Reid didn't freak out since he's not a huge fan of dressed up people.  He even allowed us to take a pic.

Before we left, Randy and his daughter, Madison, came.  Reid was quite enthralled with Madison and was telling her all about Ripslinger (or "Risleeler," as he pronounces it) and his other planes.  Madison is so sweet and got right down on his level to play with him.

Sunshine Kids (Reid's wonderful preschool) had their Christmas party that Tuesday (right in the middle of when I teach math) and the Christmas program on Thursday (yay--the first thing I've been able to attend all year long!).  A wonderful, sweet parent from my own class at school has a daughter in the Monkey class, too, and she has been so thoughtful to take pics of Reid for all the events I'm not able to attend.  He is actually able to tell me tidbits here and there about his day such as, "I was the calendar helper today!"  Sure beats the typical beginning of the year, "What did you do at school today?"  Reid: "I dunno."

On Thursday, I raced over to the church right after I dropped my class off at PE to meet Jason, who'd had a walk thru nearby and was able to come.  Here's our "little angel".  We were shocked that he actually wore the wings!  Not sure if it was the hormones, knowing he's growing up, or just that he was so darn cute (as were all the other kids), but I was nearly moved to tears a few times.

Each class went to the center of the stage to sing a cute little song.  I was amazed that they all did so well (and I know they practiced a ton, but still...these kids are all under 6!) and I just barely got to see Reid's class before hopping back in the car to race back to school.  I was one happy mommy!

And yes, kids will be kids.  He had a couple of random, hilarious faces thrown in there.  Just thankful it wasn't nose picking!  It did break my heart that he saw me when I had to leave early...I could read his lips, "Mommy!" (as in "where are you going??")  but he did stay put and Jason said he did well for the rest of the program.

In the midst of all the happy holiday activities, my little former student J.J. (whom I taught two years ago) was struggling to hang on to life.  He'd battled stage 4 liver cancer since last January, when they discovered the first mass when he didn't seem to be recovering from the flu.  He had numerous rounds of chemo, hospital visits, was in and out of school, etc. but then had come back to school this year to join his second grade class.  We were all very prayerfully hopeful, but he took a turn for the worse.  His first grade teacher and I were able to join the principal and assistant principal when they arranged for the Texas Rangers mascot to come see him on Friday the 13th.  He surprised us by walking to the door (I think he thought we were the mascot :) but quickly faded and was so weak he couldn't talk again by the end of our short visit.  It was wonderful to see him and his sweet family (I also had the privilege of teaching his sweet older brother several years ago and just love their family)...and just in time.  On Friday, 12/20/13 at 3 pm, this precious boy slipped away from Earth to be with his Heavenly Father.  His funeral the following Monday, in the same sanctuary where Reid's Christmas program was the week before.  This amazing little guy had a spark for life and anyone who's known him has been blessed.  To see a picture or read the amazing account of his final moments, you can visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jjbryant .  Please pray for their family, and for all the kiddos who are trying to understand why this happened.  We don't understand everything God does, but we don't have to.  God is God, and we are not!  In my own little mind, I'd like to think my own grandparents and Samson were there to greet him.  (J.J. was a cat lover and they had to get rid of their little kitty when the chemo started)  I feel honored to have known this sweet, amazing boy, and it just goes to show you that life is short and we often don't slow down to truly appreciate what He has given us.  He and his family remained strong and faith-driven throughout their painstaking ordeal.  And I have hugged my own little guy extra hard during this holiday season, thanking God for him.