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Celebration in the Oaks

Last night our home school group was treated to a fabulous party by an anonymous donor with a really big heart. First we met at the cafeteria for pizza and cupcakes (and fruit and veggies for those so inclined). While we were there the president of the seminary spoke explaining that a certain Christian man threw this party for everyone along with a night out at Celebration in the Oaks at City Park which would include ice skating for everyone! That wasn't all, however, this anonymous donor also set up a $100,000 endowment fund for our home school group! On Christmas morning this donor's wife will open up a present from her husband and inside will be a scrapbook chronicling our night--his gift to us in her honor. I'm so thankful for generous hearts who love our Lord!

Check out our pictures!

Here Jathan and Ryland pose at the cafeteria after enjoying their pizza and cupcakes. Ryland took that candy cane for all it was worth, ha ha!



I tried to get them to sing but Ryland was too impressed with the man caroler. "Dada!" he said.



After that we were off to City Park for Celebration in the Oaks.



A magical unicorn greeted us at the entrance.



Jathan said hello to a random raccoon that wandered up.



We said hello to Mr. Bingle!



We walked through Storyland where Jathan tried out Cinderella's pumpkin carriage.



Ryland was quite alarmed to kind a wolf at Red Riding Hood's grandmother's house!



He totally loved the cow jumping over the moon!



Everyone slid down the big dragon slide a few times including Keeleigh. Here she is flying off the bottom!



And here she is with her friend, Hannah, looking like pretty princesses!



The kids got their picture made with Santa but we haven't received it yet (it's being emailed to me today). I can't wait to see it!

I think Keeleigh's favorite part of the night was getting to "ice" skate. Of course it wasn't really ice since we live in New Orleans and it was 70 degrees last night. But we pretended.



And I didn't even fall down!



But Jathan did. A lot. He said it was fun anyway!





And Keeleigh was pretty good at skating, which came as no surprise. She survived been slung across the "ice" without falling while many, many others fell.



Jackie and Piper decided to sit out ice skating. = )



After ice skating we went for a ride on the train--Ryland's favorite thing EVER! (He saw me putting these pictures up here and starting shouting excitedly, "CHOO CHOO! CHOO CHOO! Ha ha!)





We rode through a tunnel of lights...



and past lots of pretty lights that my camera wasn't quick enough to capture!



It was such a fun night! We'll get to visit Storyland and the Botanical Gardens as many times as we want over the next year because part of our gift was a season's pass--woo hoo! Many thanks to the angels on earth who made it possible. May God bless them many times over for their generosity!

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