Sofia's Holiday Party

Today Sofia had her class' holiday party. It lasted just short of an hour, and as a room mom, I helped figure out what crafts and games the kids would do. There are three other room moms who are all very creative and helpful, but unfortunately two of them were sick just prior to the party or their child was sick, so it was a bit crazy before the party. I hired a sitter to watch Olivia so I could go early and help decorate and set up the tables with the two other room moms who were able to be there. Our theme was nutcrackers, and one of the room moms brought a lot of cute nutcracker decorations - plates, napkins, actual nutcrackers, table decorations, fake snow. She really made the room look incredible! The kids were so excited when they returned to the classroom from lunch!

One thing Sofia has told me about is "Rudolph," Mrs. Schultz' elf who changes locations within the classroom every morning. She said it's a big deal to get to class and find where "Rudolph" is, but they can't touch him because if a person touches him then he loses his magic. Sofia told me that once Mrs. Schultz' skirt hit Rudolph and he fell off of the desk, so Mrs. Schultz had to pick him up, but that was an emergency, so his magic was fine. Today Rudolph was hanging from one of the decorations from the ceiling. I love the magic that kids believe in!

The party started with the first craft, which was the white handprint on a green ornament that is then decorated as snowmen. The kids did a great job and lots of parents helped with painting on the white paint. The only drawback was the huge line of kids waiting to wash their hands! I meant to bring baby wipes and completely forgot. After the kids did their hand print, the let the ornament dry while the decorated sugar cookies. A huge favorite! It was so cute to watch the kids decide when enough decorations was enough and some kids only decorated and played with their cookie and never even ate it. Sofia ate here immediately and then wanted another! After the cookie decorating was done, the kids returned to their ornament and added eyes, nose, buttons, scarves and hats to their snowmen as well as their names. They really turned out so cute!

Next we passed out Christmas bingo cards and had the kids play bingo with M&Ms which they could eat once we were finished. The game was so cute and kids had a ball. Before we knew it the time was up and we were saying goodbye to our kiddos as they headed off to the library. A few of us stayed behind to clean up before heading home.

The class gingerbread people - Sofia's is the top right one with a pink skirt and gold top

Our nutcracker, drawn and colored by one of the room mom's husbands!

The decorated classroom

Sofia hard at work

Eating her cookie

The paper snowflakes Amy and I made

Rudolph!

Sofia's finished ornament

Love how our girl writes her name!