Jingle Bell Rock!

Neal and I wanted to do something for our friends this Christmas so we offered to throw a Christmas party for their kids while their parents went out and enjoyed each others company. We had 9 total if you count our own children in the bunch. From oldest to youngest we had Jillian, Briana, Jake, Ben, Isabel, Kenzie, Ella, Sophie, and Rhys.Kids played with toys until cheese pizza and juice, which was generously provided by some parents, was served.

Then a myriad of Christmas coloirng pages were made available-everything from nativities to Santa to carolers.

After coloring, the kids participated in what turned out to be the big hit for the night--a Christmas Disco Freeze. We played contemporary, upbeat Christmas songs from a mix CD and turned the music off periodically for them to freeze in whatever position they were in.

Our finalists were Jake, Jillian, and Brianna. Brianna won the final round. The group had a blast and were sweaty and thirsty after showing us their best moves.

After a water break, they were each given materials to make thier own beaded candy cane ornament to take home. There were beads all over the floor. It was great. It took a lot of patience and sometimes a bit of help, but they got it done. Two extra were made to give during our next activity.Caroling! We put on our coats and shoes and headed to the neighbor's house. We sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Riendeer and Jingle Bells and presented them with one of the candy cane ornaments. At the second house, we merely whispered Rudoph because they had a sleeping one-year-old.Back at the house, Keri entertained the happy bunch with a game of Santa Says (Simon Says) while Neal prepared the green rice krispie treat wreaths for the kids to decorate. A bit of vanilla frosting, colored sugar, and red hot candies, did quite nicely.Then we had one last game. A hunt. The kids had a small stocking that they had to hide within two rooms. A bit of the stocking had to be showing. Whoever found it next got to hide it next. Jake blew us away with his amazing seeking skills. He found it several times!

Following a quick pajama change for anyone who wanted to, we put on the holiday movies. The kids watched Frosty, The Grinch (cartoon), and Rudolph while munching on popcorn and apple slices.

The kids were dropped off at our house by 6 pm and we told parents to pick them up no later than 11 pm. We had two sets of parents show up around 9:30 and because things were going so well and the kids had not heard the knocks, we quietly popped our head out the door and told them to go away until later. They apparently found something to do and the kids were picked up closer to 11 o'clock.

Neal and Keri had so much fun and it appeared the kids were happy and entertained the entire time. It was great celebrating with them!