VBS 2016

VBS was nearly a month ago but I have been so busy I haven't had time to write blogs... I took the mornings off to help out. The theme was Cave Quest and Tia did a fabulous job decorating the fellowship hall to look like a cave complete with stalactites! Unfortunately the organization the puts together the bands we normally have went bankrupt so Tia had to figure out  new plan. The day before it started Tia still did not have anyone to lead the singing so I volunteered. We had a great guitar player who learned the songs the night before and I tried to remember the songs and motions from previous years. Although singing is not my strong point, the kids didn't care and we had so much fun singing and dancing around! I really do love VBS and had a blast teaching them songs from my childhood!

Emmett was a trooper! 

The Thonesens love VBS!

Even Isaiah!

There were about 20 kids this year and over half of them were preschool aged. Clara did fabulously and went with her class with no complaints. She had gone to VBS at her preschool the week prior so that may have helped. Also, Aba was the leader of the Bible story and Bailey was in Clara's class too. The preschoolers were on the young age and a bit wild and unruly, but I was surprised at how well Clara behaved. She is prone to throwing tantrums and screaming fits at home so it was nice to observe her listening to the teachers and sitting quietly rather than running around crazy with some of the other kids. She even answered questions and got pretty into the singing and dancing! We would have to sing the songs and do the motions for Dada at night and on the last day Clara came up front with me to help lead the motions!

Sweet Isaiah was a trooper!

Playing with the big girls

Emmett was a trooper. I tried getting there early and putting him down for a nap but he just screamed until he was hoarse. So I worn him in the carrier and he fell asleep most days during either the opening or closing music. He preferred it to be load and me to be jumping! He usually stayed asleep when I took him out of the carrier and twice made it home before waking up! Emmett enjoyed the music and danced along with the other kids. He also loved snack time and playing outside. I remember Bailey last year surrounded by older kids wanting to touch her and it was the same with Emmett. Little Rebecca who is a year older even managed to pick him up at one point! He got lots of attention!

Rebecca loved hugging Emmett

Bayleaf is still technically too young, but she tagged along like Clara did in the previous years. I think she did better about leaving her mom than Clara did in the past, but there were a couple of times when she was over it and just wanted her mom. She liked the singing and even tried to do the motions...it was super cute!

We invited the kids to sing in church on Sunday instead of having a program and although only a few came, it was super cute! Clara actually sang and did the motions and the other girls were shy at first but then got into it! We had a blast at VBS and are sad it is over. Clarita continues to tell us what she learned and sing all the songs!

Mason was an awesome helper

Jason did a little bit of everything!

The snack ladies

Craft helpers

Games!