"HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!"

Dear Friends,

Good evening -- I trust that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day vacation, and, that John had a "Happy Birthday!!" -- I noticed a birthday crown and decorations, when I arrived, today, so, there must have been a celebration at AM snack!! :)

And, a "Happy Birthday!!" to Ellie's Poppy Don, and, a thank-you to Ellie's Nanna Daphne, for the yummalicious ricotta cheese pie -- "MMMM . . . ", on behalf of all the teachers!!!!

Well, today was the last day of November's song and the first day of December's theme "Community Helpers" -- we will be very busy preparing for the Holidays, as well, and welcome you all to share family and cultural traditions, in the classroom -- our school's philosophy solidly encourages familial involvement.

When I arrived, it was already activity time, and, again, no worries -- the children played indoors, beautifully -- Mrs. Dolham and Miss Maggie were busy in the block area, where the kids were playing the roles of various community helpers, utilizing legos and blocks -- Miss Maggie was pretending to drive a truck -- "vroom, vroom!!" -- as well, she began teaching us a few words and phrases in Spanish, and, hopefully, will teach us a song or two.

Thanks to Kelly, Liz and Miss Sashi, the books, in our library, have been rotated to include the new theme, and, the school is beginning to look like a doctor's office, complete with cots, medical kits, an eye chart and post-it notes -- thank you, Kirsten, for the sign "Doctor's Office" , proudly displayed at the "Reception Desk".

Our Butterflies and Puppies enjoyed singing the "A" song, typing themed words, making "STOP" signs, playing Nutrition Lotto and the Doughnut Game and measuring our two Amaryllis plants -- our original plant is now nine inches tall, with a bud, and, our gift from Defne is now nine and a half inches tall -- WOW!!

We read many theme-related books today, about mail carriers, rescue vehicles and more, and, at PM meeting read "There Was A Cold Lady That Swallowed Some Snow", written by Lucille Colandro and illustrated by Jared Lee -- please ask your little ones what the Cold Lady made with the items she ate . . .

I enjoyed rest-time, with my small friends, today -- a real treat!!

Happy Trails!!

Love Miss Peacock XOXO