Emma's Holiday Party!

I was in charge of games for Emma's Kindergarden Holiday Party. We had a relay wrap where the children raced to see whose team could wrap all their presents first (Emma's team won!). We also played musical chairs to Christmas music (Emma got to start and stop the music). Finally, we played pass the parcel, where the first person opens the big box and finds a smaller one inside and passes it to the next person to open. Each box has a smaller one inside until someone eventually opens the smallest gift. Whoever gets the smallest gift gets to keep what's inside.

AAPACT Potluck (Athens Adoptive Parents and Children Together).

 

       The girls were trying to pose like Alison and Annie did in the Christmas card they sent us!

We have been part of the AAFCA (Athens Area Families of China Adoption) for years and still enjoy that group. Recently however, we joined another adoption group. This group is called AAPACT (Athens Adoptive Parents and Children Together). This group is not just for people who have adopted from China, but for any adoptive family. We had a potluck/cookie swap today at our house. The kids had a blast! After the potluck, we had hot chocolate and smores by the fire pit. The weather was chilly, but not freezing, so the kids were able to run and play outside. Later, the big kids played X-box and computer games inside while the little ones played dress up and dolls. One of the teen girls played piano and sang for us. She was really talented! The kids ranged from ages 4 to 16. We all had such a good time. It seemed like the kids had been friends for years!

A little more baking for the cookie swap tomorrow!

Trip to the mall to see Santa!

Tyler Graduated!!!

Tyler graduated with a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Economics from UGA today. We are so proud of him (and Emily)!!! After the ceremony, we all went out to lunch together at the Blind Pig Tavern. Tyler said, at some point he wants to go back and get a degree in physics or engineering. (He's discovered he loves learning) First, however, they plan on paying off his student loan and giving Emily a turn to pursue some of her passions. She loves her current teaching job with Ms. Evelyn, but wants to take a few classes from UGA to see what interests her. Her and Ty are thinking of taking a language class together. Tyler is ready to get his resume out there. He already has a few contacts to follow up with. His current job at the UGA farm said that he could stay on part time while he's looking for a full time job. They said they won't hire him full time because he's overqualified and can do much better. Ty and Em are so excited about their future. We are so proud of this milestone they have accomplished!

Fellowship Potluck!

This afternoon we had a potluck, then decorated a gingerbread village. Later, while the guys watched the falcons game, the girls and I delivered sugar cookies to our neighbors.  We also were able to visit our neighbor Virginia (her sweet Fred passed away this week). We brought her family the food we had left over from our potluck. Tonight we curled up with some hot chocolate and watched a Christmas movie by the fire.