Small Talk
Craig and Kate DeAlmeida, Editors
December 2014
Holiday Ideas for the Family
Excerpted from Family Fun magazine, December/January 2011
Here are some holiday ideas to do with your family:
they have shown to others throughout the month. We talk
about how their acts of kindness, though individually
small, together add up to a lot of goodness. It’s a lesson I
hope stays with them all year.
1. Toy-Giveaway Day
Melody Godrey; Selah, Washington
Every year on December 1, my kids and I meet in their
playroom to round up all the toys they haven’t played
with lately. While this may sound tricky, the kids actually
enjoy it. They even swap stories about each item as they
add it to the pile! Before long, we have a hefty collection
of outgrown but once-loved toys, which we wrap and
donate. In the past, we’ve given things to foster homes,
children’s hospitals, and families in our church. “I love
giving my toys to other kids,” says my 7-year-old son,
Logan. “It makes me feel awesome, and I know they’ll
love them!”
Last Christmas, my 10-year-old daughter, Peyton, told me
that her favorite good deed was holding the door for
someone else. “I did it all day long at school and felt
really proud of myself,” she said. “Even now, whenever I
hold the door for someone, I think of my good deed jar
and feel happy!”
3. 12 Days of Giving
Brisja Brown Riggins; Dorado, Puerto Rico
We celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas by making a small
donation to 12 nonprofits, one for each day.
2. Good Deed Jars
Every year, my husband, son, and I work together to
research organizations. We scour the Internet, read
magazine articles, and talk to local aid groups. Often, we
select places that have touched our lives, such as the
Ronald McDonald House—an organization that helped us
tremendously when Brown, now age 8, was born
prematurely. Our donations have also helped provide
seeds to families who want to start gardens and chickens
to struggling farmers.
Christine Patrick; Sewell, New Jersey
Four years ago, my husband and I were looking for a
tangible way to help our growing family focus on the true
meaning of the season—helping others. We came up with
an idea we call Good Deed Jars. I used ribbons, mini
jingle bells, and gift labels to decorate a mason jar for
each of our kids. Now, every November, the kids and I
brainstorm 24 simple acts of kindness, such as “Hug
someone today,” “Let someone else go first,” or “Pick up
a piece of litter.” When we’re finished, we print a copy of
the list for each child, then cut the lists into slips of paper
that we fold and stuff in the jars.
Brown can hardly wait to mail off each day’s donation,
and he’s even sent some of his own money (five toothfairy dollars!). Seeing him get excited about helping
someone else? For his dad and me, that’s quite a gift, too.
4. Elf Someone
Each morning in December, the kids can’t wait to draw a
slip from their jars and get started on that day’s task.
Sometimes I actually catch them running around the
house, trying to do their good deed first thing! When
they’re done, they stash their “finished” slips in a special
star-shaped box.
On Christmas Eve, we place that box under the tree as a
gift for Santa—and a visual reminder of all the kindness
Lorraine Zatawski; Indianapolis, Indiana
Each December, we assume our holiday alter egos:
stealthy, gift-giving elves. We choose a family we know
through the church, school or sports, then secretly bring
them a surprise each of the 12 nights before Christmas.
On the first night, we wait until dark, then sneak up to the
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Continued on page 3 . . . From the Director . . .
It’s in progress now—the march to the manger. For
the next three weeks U.U.M.P.’s children will take
the march to the manger—and on that journey, they
will take slow, simple steps to begin to learn the
“message of the Baby.” Part of U.U.M.P.’s mission
has always been to try to role model the Baby’s
message of peace, love, and grace. Hopefully, that
message is given to our children daily as we teach,
guide, nurture and love them. This is certainly our
intent as we ask our children to use their kind words,
their nonviolent actions, their sharing with peers and
their listening ears. These traits of Grace are surely
part of the “message of the Baby” that even a child
can begin to understand. So now on this march to the
manger, for both children and teachers, as we
journey together, may we all know and celebrate the
true meaning of Christmas—the birthday of a very
special baby. Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.
decorations of poinsettias, garlands, wreaths and the
Chrismon Tree. There the classes will sing Christmas
songs and Carols accompanied on the organ by Tim
Baker, the Church Minister of Music. Mr. Tim will
invite the 4 year old classes to stay in the sanctuary
after the 2 and 3 year old classes return to their
classrooms to explore the sounds of the amazing
church organ. Then on Thursday/Friday, December
18/19, U.U.M.P. invites all school families to our
“Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus” party and Sing-aLong in the Church Fellowship Hall at 11:15. A short
gathering with snacks will take place after the
singing. School will be dismissed by 12:00 on those
days. More details will come through class parents
for the events of Dec. 18/19. Please know that all
family members are welcomed. Through these
events children and parents will again be saying,
“Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.”
As our children step closer to the manger, their
classroom activities will reflect the spirit of
Christmas. Most noticeable to parents will be the art
activities. The hall bulletin boards already display an
abundance of Christmas colors and symbols. Soon
Christmas art that can be displayed as decorations
will be brought home to the delight of their bearers.
Christmas music consumes the Preschool and
Church hallways and classrooms. Books and
Christmas stories come everyday to the children’s
classroom experiences. Most importantly, the spirit
of giving to others through our school’s
“Gingerbread Boys” Charity that originates at the top
of the Preschool hall to the Ronald McDonald House
and the SECU will be a “hands on” activity that
fosters the spirit of sharing and moves us all closer to
the manger. All these preparations on our children’s
journey to the manger will simply solidify their
vision of Christmas and begin to build a foundation
for the true meaning of the most special holiday.
Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus.
Dear parents, as we adults take our walk to the
manger with our children, may we give the two best
gifts that we can possibly give to them—our valuing
of them through loving guidance and the teaching of
the message of the Baby. If we can give these gifts,
certainly we will be saying, “Happy Birthday, Baby
Jesus.”
To all U.U.M.P. families I wish you a safe and happy
holiday season—and a very merry Christmas. I wish
you the joy of the Baby’s message.
Love from U.U.M.P.-
The crescendo of all the classroom activities will
come during the week of December 15-19,
U.U.M.P.’s final week of school before the Christmas
vacation period. On Tuesday/Wednesday, December
16/17, all classes of the day will go to the Church
sanctuary (which will “look like Christmas”) with its
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From the 2’s
From the 3’s
Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas is fast approaching! What a fun and busy
month we have ahead of us! The two’s have been busy making
holiday projects and learning fun Christmas songs. Throughout
this month we will continue to discuss Christmas, holidays, and
snowmen, and we will have some wintery fun! In the month of December we have little time
together at school but so much love to share.
The children have been very busy “baking” gingerbread cookies in
the dramatic play area and playing with “snow” in the sensory bin. We will learn about the Star of Bethlehem and
the true meaning of Christmas: Love, Joy, and
Peace.
If your family has any special traditions or foods that you would
enjoy sharing with us from your particular holiday celebration,
please let us know. We would be happy to incorporate it into our
schedule or have you join us to present it. Also, if there are any
books you would like to read at this special time of the year,
please feel free to set up a time to do so!
On December 16th and 17th we will be having a Polar Express
winter party. Please have your child wear his/her pajamas to
school. We will read special holiday books, drink hot chocolate
and make a special craft.
The 3’s will be learning about the plight of
Rudolph and how kindness is treasured and
differences should be embraced.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year.
Important Dates:
Dec. 18 & 19: Family Sing-a-Long
Dec. 22 - Jan. 2: Christmas Holiday, No School
-Miss Stephanie
We are so proud of our class. The children are doing a wonderful
job playing cooperatively and communicating their needs and
wants with each other and to their teachers. We are so thankful for parents who have been helping with making
play dough, subbing, donating wipes, and volunteering time for
parent work mornings and nights. Have a safe and happy holiday season!
-Ms. Nicole & Ms. Courtney
Reminders:
• All hats, gloves, boots, and coats need to be
labeled with names
• Please replace your child’s clothes with long sleeves and pants.
• The family sing along is December 18th & 19th at 11:15.
Holiday Ideas for the Family
“elfing” is peeking through the windows! Our kids,
Jordan and Katie Rose, ages 10 and 8, love trying to
keep our identity under wraps for 12 whole days,
especially when they hear their friends speculating about
who the elves might be. Finally, on Christmas Eve, we
do our big reveal. We ring the family’s doorbell together
and shout “Surprise!” We also come bearing one last
gift: a platter of homemade cookies and a Christmas
book. Without fail, the looks on their faces—usually a
mix of amazement and gratitude—make our elfish efforts
worthwhile!
Continued from Page 1 . . .
family’s door to hang a stocking containing a small gift
(usually a bird ornament) and a mysterious message: “Twas the first night of Christmas, and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
‘Cept suddenly one little soul did appear;
It’s your Christmas friend bringing you holiday cheer.
Tonight a partridge for your tree, Tomorrow, who knows, wait and see . . .”
!Each night after that, we drop off another little present,
such as candy or hot chocolate. The real fun is keeping
from getting caught—no easy feat when the family we’re
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From the 4’s (4 days)
From the 4’s (5 days)
We are experiencing the sights, sounds and scents of the
holidays! We started the month with Gingerbread making
and tasting. We're pretending to be chefs making holiday
cookies in dramatic play as well as at the sensory table.
Our building center consists of (simulated) peppermint
sticks & licorice poles combined with gumdrops,
lollipops, macaroons, and chocolate bars! We are reading
and comparing many different versions of The
Gingerbread Man from The Gingerbread Girl and Baby,
to Bears and Fairies. Jingle bells can be heard throughout the day at UUMP.
We are in the holiday spirit with songs, stories and
projects. We will be making many decorations that I am
sure will become keepsakes for your family.
The trip to Duke Homestead was enlightening for the
children. They got to see how much work it took to live
150 years ago. The next walking field trip will be to the
Carolina Inn, on Dec. 15, to see the "12 Days of
Christmas" and gingerbread houses displayed. The
children will be making their own gingerbread houses the
following week.
We will be looking at the many symbols of Christmas
through songs, crafts, ornaments, gifts, and just sharing
the love that God gave us when he sent us the world's
greatest gift in Baby Jesus. We hope you all make
beautiful memories with your families this holiday
season. We are loving your children and our daily
experiences together. Thank you for sharing them! We
wish you a wonderful Christmas! We will have two days without lunch:
Dec. 15 Early Dismissal 11:45
Dec. 19 Family Sing Along 11:15
Please look for the sign-up for food to bring to our “Singa-Long”. All family members are welcome. We can share
the holiday spirit together! We wish your family a happy
holiday season!
We look forward to celebrating with you at our family
sing-a-long on the 18th.
Thank you for sharing your sweet angels with us. See you
all Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. Happy New Year!
!
We will all welcome a new child to our class in January
named Sage!
-Miss Jane and Miss Christy
Love,
Miss Cindy and Miss Chris
December Birthdays
12/3 Lynley Snead
12/6 Kate Kimball
12/8 Tiger Hu
12/18 Lincoln Rhodes
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12/26 Cole Souto
December School Calendar
Friday, December 12
4’s E-Friday
December 15-19
No Lunch Bunch for 3’s
Monday, December 15
Early dismissal for 3’s (11:30) and 4’s (11:45)
Thursday/Friday, December 18/19
Parent-Child Sing-a-Long, “Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus”
party, 11:15 in the Fellowship Hall
December 22 - January 2
Christmas holiday vacation
January 5, 2015
Return to school
A Christmas Lament
by Dean McIntyre
I cannot welcome Jesus now,
there isn’t time enough;
With greens to hang and lights to string,
and other Christmas stuff.
There’s gifts to buy and food to fix,
and silverware to buff.
I cannot welcome Jesus now,
there isn’t time enough.
The children’s Christmas pageant
at the church this Sunday night;
Five dozen cookies to be baked
and costumes sewn just right;
The office party gift exchange,
expenses out of sight;
I cannot welcome Jesus now,
with time and budget tight.
I have to take the children
to see Santa at the mall.
There’s Christmas cards to write and mail,
and guest lists I must call.
The garland isn’t long enough—
the Christmas tree’s too tall!
I cannot welcome Jesus now,
I just can’t do it all.
The sermon says that Advent
is the time I should prepare.
My datebook says it’s Christmas Day,
and I don’t even care.
I kept so busy doing things,
I never was aware,
That Jesus came unnoticed,
for I had no time to spare.
!
!
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