All ready to go! No tote undone. We needed two cars to take everything - this photo is missing 5 bags still. I thought how glad I was to have the bigger vehicle that we bought the day we had Jackson. At first it seemed cruel to have this reminder of what happened that day, but it's a blessing to use it to help others. I know - sounds cheesy, but it's true for me.
Here's one tote unpacked - new toy, used toy, new clothes, used clothes, shoes, pjs, socks. Some kids also got tooth brushes and/or undies (the undies the kids hid in the bottom of their totes so no one would see them!)
I LOVED that Ami just jumped in and helped pass out lunch.
What a doll baby. She got what she wanted - a light haired Barbie. If you look closely you'll see that she has nothing but black stubs for top teeth. This shook me - it showed a total lack of dental care/hygiene. Poor thing, to have lost them all at only 5 years old.
Here's one tote unpacked - new toy, used toy, new clothes, used clothes, shoes, pjs, socks. Some kids also got tooth brushes and/or undies (the undies the kids hid in the bottom of their totes so no one would see them!)I LOVED that Ami just jumped in and helped pass out lunch.What a doll baby. She got what she wanted - a light haired Barbie. If you look closely you'll see that she has nothing but black stubs for top teeth. This shook me - it showed a total lack of dental care/hygiene. Poor thing, to have lost them all at only 5 years old.The saying goes, you have to give to receive. Amaris learned this through this project on a 5 year old level. Remember I said she tried to give her toys? Well, it was hard for her! Here is a precious girl that received some of Ami's toys -- she wanted dress up clothes so we gave her a tote filled with Ami's dress up clothes. The yellow pom poms were included in the bunch. Ami didn't want me to give them away. Never mind that she doesn't play with them. Ever. But look what she got the very next day ---
New red ones from a friend from school! I had to include this pic when Barbara emailed me the yellow pom pom one and I had this one on my camera to match it. 
Look at these sweet girls. The doll was a used donation from a cousin. Isn't her smile so worth it?
Barbara - like me, had a hard time not crying a lot during the party. We STUFFED it and tried to help everyone have a memorable Christmas party. She really bonded with the blond in the back. The girl with the red Rudolph nose -- she stands out to me. Her hair was so greasy - her corduroys were filthy. She also got a tote of Ami's dress up clothes. She LOVED them! She loved the pink stuff best, but I could tell she had this giant need for more. More everything. She popped into all the pics. She tried on all the clothes. She asked other kids for their toys. She followed me around. When I called for Martha to come help me identify her clothes (they got mixed in with 2 other tote bags worth) she bounded over saying she was Martha. I pray for this little Rebecca, that she will get that hole filled and make it in this world.
This sweet Melanie was quiet and gentle. The teacher told me she just got out of surgery for a hernia.
I'm so glad my kids were there. They passed out lunches in the beginning. They passed out totes when it was time. Ami giggled with the girls and Caidgen showed the boys how to use their remote control cars.
Class pic right after lunch and before the totes were passed out.
Some of the girls were quite taken with Blue! He was so great that day. He says this is just what he wanted for Christmas. Guess that means I don't have to get him anything else for Christmas!
Here what it looked like when we walked in. Literally there was an eruption of cheers. The class was so polite towards us with their please and thank yous.
Here's me and mama-to-be Jeni just before we walked into the class. She's the brains that got the totes donated and kept the class party running smoothly. Don't let the pic fool you - Barbara made the cupcakes, not me. I stayed up coughing all the night before while I wrapped the final gifts, and showed up to the party without a voice.
Barbara - like me, had a hard time not crying a lot during the party. We STUFFED it and tried to help everyone have a memorable Christmas party. She really bonded with the blond in the back. The girl with the red Rudolph nose -- she stands out to me. Her hair was so greasy - her corduroys were filthy. She also got a tote of Ami's dress up clothes. She LOVED them! She loved the pink stuff best, but I could tell she had this giant need for more. More everything. She popped into all the pics. She tried on all the clothes. She asked other kids for their toys. She followed me around. When I called for Martha to come help me identify her clothes (they got mixed in with 2 other tote bags worth) she bounded over saying she was Martha. I pray for this little Rebecca, that she will get that hole filled and make it in this world.
This sweet Melanie was quiet and gentle. The teacher told me she just got out of surgery for a hernia.
I'm so glad my kids were there. They passed out lunches in the beginning. They passed out totes when it was time. Ami giggled with the girls and Caidgen showed the boys how to use their remote control cars. 
Class pic right after lunch and before the totes were passed out.
Some of the girls were quite taken with Blue! He was so great that day. He says this is just what he wanted for Christmas. Guess that means I don't have to get him anything else for Christmas!
Here what it looked like when we walked in. Literally there was an eruption of cheers. The class was so polite towards us with their please and thank yous.
Here's me and mama-to-be Jeni just before we walked into the class. She's the brains that got the totes donated and kept the class party running smoothly. Don't let the pic fool you - Barbara made the cupcakes, not me. I stayed up coughing all the night before while I wrapped the final gifts, and showed up to the party without a voice. 
