A Walk Around The Sun

At the preschool, the kids' birthdays are celebrated with a Walk Around The Sun.  I love it!  Since Johnny's birthday was before the school year began, we decided to do his Walk with Sophie's.  The kids each picked a treat for their friends, and Luke and I came to the school a few minutes before pickup to watch.

For those of you that haven't caught it in previous posts, I will explain a Walk Around The Sun.  All the kids sit in a circle, and in the middle there is a mat with a globe, candle, and some beads.  The teacher, in this case Grandma Call, and the birthday kid, in this case Johnny, sit together by the mat.  Grandma handed Johnny the globe, and asked him what it is.  He responded that it was the earth.  Then Grandma lit a candle and told the kids that we couldn't bring the real sun into the classroom because it's too big and hot, so the lit candle represented the sun.  

Johnny was then instructed to take the earth, and walk once around the sun.  Grandma started the story by saying, "On August 25th, 2010, a little boy was born.  He was 11 lbs and the cutest little boy.  He had two big sisters, Claire and Sophie, who were so excited for a little brother.  And the earth went around the sun and Johnny turned one."  Grandma continued the narration through Johnny's third year, and every time he completed a revolution around the "sun", he would place a bead on the counter. 

Then he got his birthday crown while all his friends sang "Happy Birthday", and he blew out the sun. :)

This was Sophie's 2nd Walk Around The Sun at the Preschool, but it's a blast every time.  This time she got to place FIVE beads on the counter!

We love that our children get to learn so much at school from their Grandma, and their other fabulous teachers.  It's a huge blessing in our lives.  And our kids really do love the extra time with Grandma.  In fact, Lukey is quite anxious to get old enough to go, too!  We all are. :)