GIFTS FOR THE KIDS
We planned our special event for the recommencement of the school year. So, it was great to provide the children with some stationery that would remind them of our special 'I Noah Friend Day' whenever they used it. We we also able to find some stationery that featured Noah's ark- even better! But kids enjoy receiving these types of gifts at any time. We packaged the stationery to complement the theme. We made simple bonbons to present the stationery gifts.
Simply roll A4 piece of light card into a cylinder. Wrap the cylinder with clear or coloured cellophane. Tie a ribbon bow around one end of the cellophane. Fill the cylinder with  the stationery items.Secure the other end of the bonbon with another bow. Print the labels below onto A4 paper. Cut in half. Adhere one label around each bonbon.

DECORATIONS & FUN FOOD IDEAS THAT EVERYONE WILL ENJOY
The story of Noah's ark provides great decorating potential for this special event. I even purchased a rainbow light to set the scene in our kidmin area. But check out the other ideas on my Pinterest board. There are some wonderful food ideas, too, that you can include in your special Friend Sunday morning tea or lunch following the service. We're going with gourmet sandwiches but cut into animal shapes for the kids and in keeping with our Noah theme. I ordered the fun animal cups that you can see on the Pinterest board,too. We're also going to serve rainbow fruit skewers and rainbow jellies, as just some of the wonderful food ideas. Check out the I Noah Friend Pinterest board for more ideas.

LESSON OPTIONS
Have you noticed that VeggieTales is releasing a movie, Noah's Ark? That would have worked so well for our special event! 

Children's Ministry Deals has a couple of options, if you're looking for a lesson to correlate with this special event. 

You might like to look at The Storms of Life.. teaching kids to trust God.It's a 4-week series and fully downloadable. The first lesson is a free sample.. see here

There is also another Noah series.. Noah- Teach kids to trust God. The first lesson is also a free sample one. See here..

And.. a free colouring page  here..

CREATE A SPECIAL MEMENTO WITH A PHOTO BOOTH
Photo booths are very popular and you'll find it's not too difficult to create a photo booth for visitors and families to have their photos taken. It's a good ideas, too, to use this as an opportunity to ask for visiting family's contact information, especially if you plan to send out the printed photo. You might like to include it in a special cardboard frame and include some church information when you send it. Be sure to ask if they're happy to sign a photo release form if you plan to use an photos on social media or include in a video recap the following Sunday.
I found these sites to be very helpful:
* Download the Photo Booth sign here. Print, frame and place on a table with the props. 
* You'll probably want a backdrop for your photo booth. Party companies will have a number of plastic backdrops and you could find one with water ..here. I prepared a special I Noah Friend backdrop. You can download it and use it if you wish, although it is a large file. You will need to send it to a printer.
* Props. There are lots of free photo props available, though not so many with a nautical theme, which is what I was searching for. Check out these... then download and print. Cut them out and attach a chop stick or thin dowel.

5. Create a stunning Unfrozen stage design
Now, is also the time to start planning and preparing your stage design for the Unfrozen program. The Unfrozen document gives some suggestions for design elements needed for your drama but to really set the scene you'll want to add more. Fortunately, there are plenty of ideas on Pinterest.

I've created a board and added a selection of large and small design elements that could be used for your program. And I'm sure I'll be adding to this collection, too. Check it out and please let me know of any more that could be included.

6. TYPIC+
This last little graphic tool is an app and, unfortunately, it's only available on iTunes- sorry. But it's so helpful, I thought I'd include it anyway. I use it for those times that I need to create a social media image on the run.
With this app, you can add effects or filters, words, stamps, borders, textures.. even your logo.

And you can upload it instantly to your social media.
There's also a kids version that you might like to check out.

Here's some ideas:
* Download, print and assemble this special gift box for grandparents. (Fill with M&Ms.) see file below
* Add a cute paper bow.  see here
*Download and print copies of the Grandparent's Joke Book ..see here
* Download these free quotes about grandparents (see below)  and use for ppt slides, thank you cards or posters on grandparents day
*Download our special slide for using during your service. see below

To Make the Gift Box:
Download and print the file below. I used A4 160gsm light card. Score lightly along dotted lines. Cut along solid lines. Fold on scored dotted lines. Add glue or glue dots to tabs and fold under to form cube, Leave one side open to fill with M&Ms or other sweets. Close remaining side of box. Add a Bow trim if desired. 

A lesson in attitudes
It wasn't her first teaching position but Kirsten thought it would probably be her best and she was looking forward eagerly to the school year ahead.

The school was new and still small and the administration had clearly focused on excellence, providing the best in educational resources and equipment.

Kirsten glanced at the comprehensive list in her hand of her new students, information issued by the administration. She recognised that the school had provided as much detail as possible about each child to ensure that she was fully equipped with a thorough overview of each one. She wanted to see them as more than just a name. So Kirsten spent considerable time reading about family and background information, interests, allergies.. everything. She was delighted that the school had even included each child's IQ score. 

The year ahead looked bright and Kirsten was determined that she, too, would focus on excellence. She wanted to make this year really count for her class so she memorised the important details of each child.

Children, generally, will live up to your expectations. So expect the best!