Month: December 2010

Zoolights 2010

To start Christmas vacation off, we headed over to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium to see the 2010 Zoolights last night. Enjoy!

The night was clear (that’s why we chose this night) and very cool as we headed toward the water front. When we arrived, we were directed to park and wait for a bus to take us to the Zoo. Our wait time didn’t last long and we climbed aboard the bus eager to get there. After heading to the front of the line (it so pays to be a member!), we stepped into the wonderland of lights!

The non-member line was very long, hope they make it inside to see the lights and actually get to enjoy them. Remember to come early, it took us about an hour and half to see everything. All the walking inside was flat and easy, the zoo had roped off all stairs and wet areas to keep us sightseers safe while seeing the light displays.

This rainbow was huge and supported in the middle by a long pole and was over the entrance to the kids area.

Isabel and I under the rainbow.

The red wolf howling at the moon.

Herd of Muskoxen.

Gino really liked this tree that was aglow with a couple thousand lights!

Beluga whales waving their tails.

Orca pod.

The entrance to the aquarium.

Gino and Isabel taking a quick break while I snap a few photos along the way.

This chameleon was actually “hiding” around the side of a building, eating bugs.

Panda bear eating leaves among the bamboo.

I thought this elephant head on the elephant barn was very cool.

Trees along the way.

Elephants along the cliff.
The blue lights going over the rocks, shimmered and sparkled and looked to be an actual waterfall. Very pretty.

Baby chicks, Isabel says she liked them.

Looking backward on the path we just traveled. So pretty.

Mount Rainier.

Looking down the common area. If you look along the right side of this photo, is the Tacoma Narrows bridge (you can just make out the 4 towers).

Common area out in front of Mount Rainier. So pretty.
So glad we made it out this year, would do it again, next year but would stop and get some hot cocoa/apple cider along the way. Merry Christmas!

School News: Happy Birthday Jesus

Today was a busy day again at school. The celebration was for Jesus! In honor of him, the kids wore their pajama’s to school today and decorated gingerbread houses. I was a bit worried about pajama day and Isabel getting cold, so I added another layer underneath which was a good thing because the car temperature read that it was only 26° outside! Brrr!

When I arrived to pick her up from class, I was greeted with… “All the kids are “sleeping” because they have worn themselves out from all the fun and the pajama’s had made them sleepy.” Mrs. W said.

Fast “asleep” in their pajama’s…well mostly asleep.

Mrs. W, Isabel and Mrs. Calvert sporting pajama’s for the birthday celebration!

Isabel’s gingerbread house.

Decorated cake for baby Jesus.

Her returned homework assignment for the month of December. I like that they added the photo to the present as well. Isabel’s present is happiness, holly, the sun, a rainbow, and baby Jesus in the manger.

This is a shapes (circle, triangle, square, and star) project of the three wise men from the other day. Today they were allowed to bring it home.

Today’s special helper was Presley. For show and tell, she brought a ladybug pillow/animal. For snack… in the words of Isabel… “We had so much food today, Momma. We had candy, cupcakes, apple cider, juice, applesauce…” No wonder she didn’t want to eat lunch, what a celebration!

School News: Christmas Program

Tonight was Isabel’s Christmas preschool program at school. Her class/group along with the pre-kindergarten classes, preschool 4’s classes and even the preschool 3’s classes were in attendance! Isabel’s group (the 4’s) ended up being the largest group on stage and it was hard to see her at times (and she was moving). We had a few laughs and I enjoyed watching the parents act silly trying to get the attention of the kids from on stage! Enjoy!

This is what she thinks of getting her picture taken.

This is the best I can get from her…stinker!

Trying to get the kids organized before they sing.

This is the only “clear” shot that we got of her. At one point, she turned around and was singing to all the kids standing behind her.

The 4’s, sang “You are the one” and recited the poem, “This is the Angel”. They even said a Bible verse, Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born.” After all the groups sang their songs, they all sang, “Go Tell It On The Mountain” together as one large group. Afterward, we had cookies in the gym before heading home in the cold.

BTW… we did purchase the DVD recording of the program, which we will not be getting until after the New Year. I hope that I will be able to post it here. Merry Christmas!

School News: Busy Day

We had a busy day today. While Isabel was at school, I ran several errands all over town and was able to get everything finished on my list and back to school to go shopping with Isabel at the school’s Santa workshop in gym. All proceeds from the sale go back into the school and all gifts were under $5.00. Isabel was able to purchase gifts for Mrs. W, Mrs. Calvert and Daddy! She was so excited.

At school they, had a full practice run for the Christmas program tomorrow night. All the kids, from all the preschool classes were in attendance. Isabel said that they sang and sang and sang and sang. She was tired of singing, she really must have been because she was yawning all the way home!

Hand printed ornament made into a snowman scene.

Snowman fingers on ornament. This ornament is so cool! I love it!!!

The special helper today was Isabella. For show and tell, Isabella brought a white and black bear. It’s name was Rolla. For snack they had cupcakes and juice.

New Clothes

I was going through some boxes of clothes from when Isabel was younger and found her old hats and hair accessories. Isabel was with me and asked if she could get a new outfit for Sally. So Sally got new socks, 1 new outfit, several hats and hair accessories.

Isabel loves Sally in her new outfit, hat and hair band.

School News: Journey Of The Wise Men

Not much going on at school today. Isabel didn’t have much to tell me. They worked on a special project that she’ll be bringing home on Wednesday and worked on the song’s for the Christmas program on Thursday of this week.

Isabel showing me where her wise men picture is.

This is the class homework project for December; presents under a “hand” tree. The tree is made up of the hand prints of the kids from both classes. The prints were cut out, the fingers were curled, and then overlapped on the board to look like an actual tree. Very clever, Mrs. W and Mrs. Calvert! Can you find Isabel’s present? I’ll give you a hint: it’s the only white one.  Also, can you guess who’s hand is holding the star?

The special helper today was Olivia. For show and tell, Olivia brought a black hamster (not real), who’s name was Stinky. For snack they had oranges and water.