Happy New Year! Hope you had a jolly holiday!  We were busy little elves at Hazel Drive, making, doing, building!  All the while singing and . . . smiling like our friends pictured here!  Our busy fall quickly led into the holiday season!

With the Grand Opening of our BIG ROOM, we were able to happily and comfortably host several special events. 

 In October we had the first of this year's Family Nights. Children and their families gathered together for a little play time, a lot of getting-to-know-you conversation, and a fun music time.  We formed a very long train as we moved from the classrooms to the BIG ROOM singing "All Aboard the Line-Up Train! Toot! Toot!"

In November we had our annual visit from the Hampstead Fire Department.  Firefighter Chris and Firefighter John spent lots of time with us, patiently giving each of our groups a tour of the truck and answering everyone's questions.  They asked us quite a few questions, too, and the children were eager to respond!  The truck was really big!  Did you see the size of those wheels?

After everyone had a turn to climb aboard the fire truck, we trooped inside to our new BIG ROOM where the firefighters taught us about fire safety.  The children already knew many things that they'd learned during Fire Safety Month in October.  The little lass on the right, below, even knew about having a family meeting spot outside her house! Good job, Little Lass!  Firefighter John put on the pieces of his turnout gear one by one.  When he was all dressed for a fire, we still knew that it was our friend the fireman, even with his air mask and helmet on.   

As the days edged up near Christmas, we decided to give the parents a chance to do some gift wrapping, last-minute shopping or have a dinner out.  At Hazel Drive we had even more fun than that at our Pajama Night!  The children came in their pajamas, brought their pillows and blankets or sleeping bags, and were treated to a few cozy hours of togetherness in the BIG ROOM with their teachers and friends.  We traced the children's hands and cut them out to be the antlers on Rudolph hats.  We ate delicious pizza before settling in to watch Rudolph and Hermie's adventures with Yukon Cornelius and the Abominable! (A television was brought in for the occasion.)  We had a lot of laughs! (I hope he doesn't eat t-t-t-teachers!)  Then we had musical fun as we sang Christmas songs and played the "Reindeer Dash" to the sound of jingle bells and guitar! After that it was time to cozy up again to watch the Grinch.  Next, the boys and girls gathered "stones" (made from brown lunch bags - Wow, they were heavy judging by all the grunting!) and "sticks" (wooden rulers) and our realistic-looking electric campfire was lit!  It was so cozy with all the lights out except for those on the Christmas tree.  After pretending to roast marshmallows and listening to a read-aloud Christmas story, we sang quiet songs by the "fire" as the moms and dads started to return to pick up their happy, tired and relaxed little ones.

All throughout the month of December, we practiced singing a special song for a special visitor: Santa Claus!  The children mastered all the movements for the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and were very dramatic in acting it out, especially those "naughty" and "nice" expressions!  There was a high level of excitement in the BIG ROOM as the children awaited the arrival of Santa.  Even so, they listened attentively as Miss Laura read a very old book from her childhood: The Night Before Christmas.  It described Santa perfectly.  After the story, we sang "Jingle Bells," pausing now and then in the music to listen for the sound of Santa's sleigh bells....Listen...No, not yet..."Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way"...Shhh...No, not yet..."Oh, what fun it is to ride...."  Finally, the big, jolly man DID arrive!  He was just as merry as the book said he was!  He got out his book that has the list in it.  He helped us to remember what good behavior is.  And he opened his sack and had a nice present for everyone!  Thanks, Santa!

We enjoyed a beautiful and joyful few months as we started our school year!  As we begin 2015, we wish you all the beauty and joy that a year can hold!

Love,

Miss Laura, Miss Gloria, Miss Missy, Miss Donna, Miss Cathy, Miss Linda and Miss Sam