An Evening with TeamKid

The program at our church for the younger children (K-5) is called TeamKid. They are a darling group and very energetic, so they keep their teachers hopping! Last night they hosted a special Ladies Holiday Dinner and it was very nice. The kids had a hand in every part of the planning, and together they made the croissant sandwiches - some with homemade chicken salad and some with slices of ham or turkey and swiss cheese - and rounded out the table with a vegetable platter, a fruit platter, and chips with dips. The long buffet table, covered in Christmas red was lined with ribbon and craft-foam "candy" trains and other handmade decorations that had been placed between the food platters. Ribbons and foam-craft projects decorated the dining tables too and each of us had our own place favor - a "marshmallow" snowman wearing a red hat and blue scarf and sitting on a "chocolate bar" placed on top of a "graham cracker - a "s'more" that will never melt! The dessert table was full of cupcakes and cookies, all made and decorated by the kids in red and green with various sprinkle toppings. As we ate, the children moved in among the tables asking if we needed a refill of tea, another napkin, or more food - just like attentive little waiters and waitresses! When dinner was over and the tables cleared, we were each given a little packet full of colorful beads and charms, a clear plastic string, and instructions on how to make a Nativity Story bracelet. Our little helpers again moved among the tables offering assistance if we couldn't figure out which bead went on in what order - sounding very much like the teachers instead of the students! Once all the bracelets were completed (or some of us gathered the supplies back together after technical difficulties - will have to try again later!) the evening continued with a sweet musical program - those precious voices again! Copies of a group picture, taken at the beginning of the event, were distributed along with handmade frames. Then TeamKid's special night concluded with an announcement that they would be coming around with baskets to take up a Love Offering; the proceeds to go to buy clothes and Christmas gifts for a 13 year old girl whose name they'd been given by the Salvation Army. It wasn't hard to open our purses and pocketbooks to help those shining faces spread the joy of Christmas. Go TeamKid!! After I'd taken Mom back to her house I headed home, ready to change into flannel PJs and then capped the night off with a cup of Constant Comment tea. The warmth of the mug was so comforting and the spicy citrus scent blended just right with the season. The perfect ending to a well-spent day!