I AM FUNNY!

The guys were making popcorn after Wednesday night church.  I walked out of our room to see this.  AWWWW!  "You....light up...my...life..."  I sang.  Alisa giggled.  Ted looked at me out of the corner of his eye.  Teddy grimaced, "What did you just say?"  AWWWW, it is a song!  You...light up my life...your Dad...he lights up my life...and yours too!  "Whatever, Mom." he said shaking his head.  I looked at Ted for support, admiration, anything...I just got the you'recrazy eyeroll.  Wait!  That's funny...you light up my life...you were changing the light bulbs...look how bright it is now.  That was funny!

Can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go around it...gotta go through it!

 With such sweet cards, texts, thoughts, and flowers...I can't ignore it!  It has happened...and I am grateful for the life that God has blessed me with these 45 years!

 Saw this last night and I laughed out loud!  God's Word uses the word "simple" and I have been striving to learn and grow past the foolishness that is bound in our hearts as children.  I've made mistakes along the way, and I am so thankful for God's mercy, love, and grace!

I am also so very grateful for rest!  This week has been busy, but blessed.  The gift of sleeping in till 10:30am was perfect.  The gift of a fresh cup of coffee wonderful.  The gift of my sissy's tomatoes for a brunch-like meal yummy.  The gift of time with the Lord refreshing.  The gift of the hum of a working washer and drier to get caught up on laundry music to  my ears.  The gift of a new school year and schedule challenging yet rewarding.  The gift of time with my family tonight priceless.

Steps of obedience on Sunday night...

were a result of prayer and submission to what God expects.  "Alisa, this is a privilege for me as your uncle!"  My heart was squeezed as we watched two adults and three teens get baptized.  Uncle Pastor and Mr. J. sang "Oh, What A Savior!"  What a blessing to hear that...and then witness our daughter submit to her Savior!

Once I was straying in sin’s dark valley
No hope within could I see
They searched through Heaven
And found a Savior
To save a poor lost soul like me.

Chorus
O what a Savior, O hallelujah
His heart was broken on Calvary
His hands were nail scarred
His side was riven
He gave His life-blood for even me.

Death’s chilly water I’ll soon be crossing
His hand will lead me safe o're
I’ll join the chorus in that great city
And sing up there for evermore.

Chorus
O what a Savior, O hallelujah
His heart was broken on Calvary
His hands were nail scarred
His side was riven
He gave His life-blood for even me.

Many hands have made...work...lighter...

 We have moved and cleaned and sorted and bought.

 We have created and crafted.

 We have rearranged and ranged again...turning our room upside down and inside out.

 I forgot how sore you can get climbing up and down a ladder!

 We wondered how we would make it all work.  So much helpful junk that needs a place till we need!

 Cutting...

 peeling...and sorting.  "Thank you for bringing your kiddos in to help!"  They begged to help, really!  They like to do things and I am so glad for the extra hands!  "What kind of cupcakes do your kiddos like?  I told them if they help me I would make them cupcakes!"  They like any kind, but that is not necessary.  They asked to help!  "So...you are telling me I should adopt 11, 12, and 13 year olds!?"  Well, you could or you can just grow them yourselves, but be warned...this didn't just happen over night.  It's hard work and you cry a lot...kind of like when we start a new year!  But not.

 Ah...yes...a working desk!

 All the bulletin boards are new and fresh around the buildings! 

 We got all the little details pulled together and done for our Parent/Student/Teacher Orientation last night.  Everything looked so nice!

 Everything Mrs. K envisioned...I think...for the most part...we were able to accomplish!

 Bright and cheery to be sure!

 Oops...a couple piles that hadn't been cleared before the picture.

 We are ready for another year in K3.  We have another lady joining us to help us.  "Hey, we can't call ourselves the Super Ks anymore.  That wouldn't be nice because Mrs. Debbie's name starts with a D!"  Hmmm, we are going to have to think about this one!
17 out of our 18 families showed up last night!  We stood amidst the chaos of supply bags, inquiring parents, and busy 3 year olds...trying to get a glimpse of each other across the room...you know...moral support.  "I started twitching."  I did too!  Oh my!  "I want my old class back."  Um, they went skipping into K4 smiling.  We can't have them back.  We are starting all over...on Tuesday...ready or not.  We have a couple that are just potty trained (remind me to write a thank you note to their parents for waiting all summer), one that speaks only Japanese, two that speak Korean, and a couple little guys whose parents are "concerned about their separation and social interaction".  18 new little friends.  18 different personalities.  18 little lives to touch for Jesus.  18 families to encourage!

Ok...Mom...I'm all caught up! For now...I think!

I told her that I would use this some time!

Today is the day!  Alisa was such a good help to me today!  The other two kiddos had away games.  Instead of staying home alone, she came to help me with school prep stuff.  She ended up being eyes and hands of greater importance.  "Mom, today was crazy!  It was fun, but wow!"  And I laughed.  Yep!  You saw just about the worst of it...be glad there was no puke or poop!  And then we went to DQ and came home and crashed on the couch/recliner.

I can honestly say...I am played out!

 Well...at least for now!  We have a week of no children as we prepare for the start of the new school year.  In order for the preschool/daycare teachers to get things switched over and cleaned up, we don't have childcare available this next week.  For those who have never worked in this situation, let me tell you, it is a blessed break!  For those who have worked with small children who aren't yours for extended periods of time, you understand the need for a reprieve!  You must make wise business decisions...I get that.  If you want people to continue the business of childcare...they need a break!

 We painted with fly swatters!

 We talked about "bouncy hair" and other strange observations at the oddest times in various places.

 We  stamp-painted with blocks.

 We glued papers and ourselves.

 We got to sit in a police cruiser and see "his little screens so he can watch his movies" per Little L's take on the inside of the vehicle.  We dodged the goose poop that was ALL OVER the parking lot and sidewalk.  We talked about the goose parade that we saw every morning.  We practiced walking like geese, "but don't poop like the gooses!  That wouldn't be good, would it, Mrs. Kari?!"

 We made ice cream in the ziploc bags...

 that didn't freeze till we put it overnight in the freezer and had to wait till the next day.  My first pinterest fail!

 We whapped and bopped each other.

 We colored all over, around, under, and inside of big boxes.  We fought with markers and wrote on our so-called friends.

 We talked on banana phones, smashed grapes/blueberries/strawberries on the floor, and spilled drinks all over multiple times.

 We got to eat sweet treats...

 and we really liked that!

 We played a lot!  We learned how to do a few more things for ourselves!  We picked up toys.

 We made lots of messes!  We argued and teased.  We bit, kicked, hit, and spit.  We cried and screamed.  We threw fits.  We refused to take naps.  We colored on the tables and floor.

 The gals that helped me were awesome!  They enjoyed the activities with our friends...

 and helped me with clean up with smiles on their faces!

 We played outside.   We played inside.  We worked very hard to keep things fun and keep things moving.

 We dressed up and played pretend.  We smooshed playdough.

 Now it is time for this lead teacher to take a small break...and let the parents enjoy their children!  I will resume the role of teacher's aide for the fall.  I have been reminded many times over...there are things that I am not responsible for as a teacher!  There are things that  parents must do at home in order for their children to have positive experiences and results in the classroom setting.  It is hard work!  It is grueling and makes you tired.  May I offer just a word of advice or caution...don't rip apart what is happening in that classroom setting...until you have watched it in action!  Our children...however old or young...only give parents the information they want them to have about situations.  That is called manipulation and they are pros at it!  I shouldn't be amazed, yet I am by how many three and four year olds yank their parents around...often knowingly!
How many parents (ok, any adults) would be willing to be with 13-15 three/four year olds for four to eight hours a day?  My point exactly!  You have one child (or possibly two or three) this age at your home.  We have many in our care.  Please remember that!  It all has to work together for the good of everyone, and that is why there are rules.  If you don't like it, there may be another place open somewhere else for you that will operate all about you.  Let me know how that works out!  Parents, we need to teach our children how to do right and be right...and the best parenting book there is...the BIBLE!

In our daycare/preschool, we are not miracle workers.  We are not maids.  We are not customer service reps.  Yes, we may wear those hats throughout the course of each day, but remember, we are educated professionals who love and care about your child.  You made the choice, for whatever reason, to have them stay with us.  We look out for their safety and well-being during the hours that you leave them in our care.  We share truth from God's Word in tangible ways throughout the day.  We really appreciate the kind words and looks of appreciation on those days when all 13-15 children have been opposed to every. single. thing. you. have. done. for. them!  Our whole group is in desperate need of a break...and today...was the reminder!

I don't have a choice...

 this birthday is not going to be forgotten or ignored!  It started when Dad and Mom sent me home with birthday money to use during our sister get away. Then...yesterday...our K3 and K4 friends brought gifts to celebrate...

 because my wonderful co-worker mentioned Mrs. Kari's birthday is next week when students are not in school or daycare.  She came in special just to celebrate and brought in mini cupcakes and a big girl cake!

 "How fitting that we would use a plastic play dough knife in K3 to cut your cake!"

 Safety first, you know!

 They sang a rousing song of "Happy Birthday To You!" that was a cross between the chipmunks and an angry man forcibly singing to make you understand what was going on.  I wish I would have taped it!  Hilarious...brows furrowed, red faces, and veins popping out on their necks!

 "That cube balloon is just cool, don't you think, Mrs. Kari?  I helped my Dad pick it out!" asked Little L.  "We can have the chocolates I brought too!"  With the cupcakes, ice cream and sprinkles, and discipline issues...I did not share my chocolates.  It may have taken me...(gulp)...45 years...but I am not an idiot!  K3 and K4 friends have little bodies that do not handle that much sugar well enough before the imposed nap time!

Pretty sunflowers from Little S  Thank you, Mrs. K!  You were very thoughtful...and I felt love from all our little friends/parents and from you!  Looking forward to our new year...after a week break from so much time with little friends!