Come One, Come All!

He raced toward me, face beaming red with a web pattern painted like Spiderman's. He held up his three tickets and then shoved them into his pants pocket and exclaimed that he was saving all of them for cotton candy. I laughed and reminded him the other two were for a drink and real food as he dashed off with his friend, Mark. He and the rest of the kids in our church, and the whole neighbourhood, have been waiting for this evening when our church throws the biggest outreach festival in the area. It's all for our community and we hope our message is clear that all are welcome to join the fun and the "family", if they need one.

 

And as a few more balloons floated from another chubby fist, and the cotton candy machine worked overtime, and the outdoor Veggie-Tales movie drew families and lawn chairs, we praised the Lord for the over two thousand people who joined us in celebration of summer's end. We are grateful for the opportunity to share the love of our generous God!

Live Nativity and Hot Cider

I couldn't keep my hands off this soft, gentle beast today. We had many representatives of the Christmas story all scattered near the backdrop of the nativity at our nursery. There were pony rides and hot cider, a live band, baking and a barbeque hosted by McMaster Children's Hospital, but, I wanted to pull up a seat next to the camel and just watch him all day. All the stories I've heard and things I've read about them just seemed to pale as I gazed upon this light-footed, softly swaying creature. He'd bow and duck his head and let me stroke his silky muzzle. I wished I could have climbed in there and hugged him.

See how lovable he is?

Molly is like Fern in Charlotte's Web. She just quietly observes.

Emily has conversations with the animals. She named every

 one of them. My favourite name she used was "Smash" :)

 

A proud owner strolls the property, making sure his customers are happy.

Meg uses her face painting skills again.

So does Cousin Lauren 

Checking out baby Jesus. We had to un-bury him from the toddlers

who had previously enjoyed tossing straw over him :)

Cousin Alannah helps with coffee and pony ride tickets.

In celebration of MOvemeber :)

Her favourite place to be.

Uncle Kevin arrives on the scene.

This usually leads to some kind of shenanigan. 

 

Cousin Matthew cuts trees and helps customers.

Hiding in the "forest" of evergreens.

 

  

Memories of Christmas events at our nursery will never be forgotten by these kiddos.