December 3rd...

This post is from Youth Services Coordinator, Miss Rachee:

A few weeks ago Lansdowne celebrated it's annual tree lighting. Despite a biting wind and cold that seemed to steal into your clothes and tickle your skin it was a positive, energetic night. My mom, daughter and I attended; we sipped hot chocolate and warmed cider as we greeted friends, listened to the Penn Wood High School Band and watched the dancers from Don's Dance World. A huge cheer went up when Mayor Jayne pulled the lights and each time I drive down Lansdowne Ave and see the beautiful sparkling tree I think of baking cookies, singing songs and hugs with my mom and daughter.

Today I wanted to share books about trees. Here are some web links if you'd like to know more about the history of Christmas Trees.

I especially liked Christmas-Tree.com and the information from ReligiousTolerance.org.  Growing up I never gave much thought about trees aside from them making the house smell great and the fun in decorating them. Now I'm a bit more interested in the why of a tree and not just how to decorate and when I'll get it.

These books are great reads available for checkout:

One Splendid Tree by Marliyn Helmer, illustrated by Dianne Eastman

It's World War II and Hattie and Junior's dad is off at war. Their mom is working at a factory and they've moved to an apartment.  Money is tight and a Christmas tree is a luxury they cannot afford. But when Junior finds an abandoned plant he comes up with a plan to possibly have a Christmas tree after all.

This book also includes decorations for how to make your own snowman.

Tree of Cranes by Allen Say

A Japanese boy learns of Christmas when his mother decorates a pine tree with paper cranes.

Learn how to make cranes for decorating your own tree.

The Finest Christmas Tree by John and Ann Hassett

After Farmer Tuttle is unable to give his wife a Christmas hat because he can not sell his Christmas trees, he receives a mysterious letter requesting his very finest tree.

And my absolute favorite:

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond.

Taking a mouse to the movies can lead to letting him do other things, such as making a snowman, listening to Christmas carols, and decorating the Christmas tree.

My daughter and I would read this book over and over and each time would find new ornaments to share, rediscover a new love for popcorn and new of course fondly remember favorite movies.

Family Fun has a great website with easy ornaments to try.

Here is a counting activity to complete with your children from First School.

Enjoy your tree and share some of your pictures with us.

Enjoy!

-r