"I nominate you for question of the day!"

Scene:  K3 classroom at our 9:20am snack time
Background noise:  talking, whining, giggling, chewing, humming, arguing
Actors:  16 three year olds
Actions:  eating various snacks, sitting backwards in chair, standing up, twirling on the way to the garbage can, dropping snacks on floor and picking them up, slurping, crying over biting a finger

Question from Mrs. K as she sat at her desk sipping her now thrice-warmed cup of coffee...
"How do people without the Holy Spirit teach preschool?"
I laughed right out.  "I honestly don't know, but I have a good guess!  Remember that one teacher we read about?   Right now, I want to get out of here...and I asked the Lord for His help and strength today!  We only have been together for 45 minutes with the whole crew...and it feels like hours.  How long till spring break?"

Growing up

Re-enrollment took place a couple weeks ago...this girl...gonna be in 9th grade...that is Highschool!  What!?  Already?!

She is working on her piece for MACS in the middle of April.  I happened to walk through the room and there she was...playing this beautiful piece.  It is like I blink and all these changes are taking place.  I stopped in the shadows long enough to snap a picture...to remember...

Trying new things

Some days...when K3 is hard...or when you do different things to cope with unpleasantries...you win by offering to buy lunch!  I chose the "wrong side" of a difference that Mrs. K and I had...so she chose the place and I bought the lunch.  Mediterranean, anyone?!  MMMM!  Fresh pita bread and hummus to share....lentil soup for Mrs. K and chicken schwarma for me.  "So...what do you think?!"  I think, that when I pick Ted up from the airport in two hours, he isn't going to kiss me!  I smell like a piece of garlic...but it is so good!  Let's see what else can we make a deal about...so we both can win again!?  "It wasn't very fair, Kari, I knew how it would turn out!"  So did I, but I was hoping it would be different this time.

While Ted was touring the world...

We were gearing up for our Missions Conference at church.  "Mom, I don't think this would be an appropriate shirt to wear when we serve tacos at the Food court...even though it is from Mexico!"  Authentic...yes...but probably a little too authentic.

This year...we were responsible for the Taste of Mexico...tacoes and chips and salsa...heavily influenced by America!  One of our families is from Mexico and he told me, "It's ok!  You can say you represent northern Mexico!" when I apologized for the lack of authenticity.  I'm thankful for understanding and supportive families!  One of our K3 friends' families allowed us to use their special decorations...and don't you love how we accentuated the look with our extra supplies...Oi!

Such a good day!

Thai cuisine that was "out of this world"!  Indian food that was totally gone by the time I could taste it!  American fare for the faint at heart was once again the hot dog.

Thankful for our children and their desire to be a help...all the way through to the clean-up and watching the litle ones, so their parents could visit!  It is those little things that we want our children to be a blessing in and to notice.

Ted's Travel Memories

 "Delta flight XXX delayed..." is not the type of text you want to receive when you are almost to the airport on the morning of  your flight!  Well...Ted had another eventful trip...this time it included a flight into Mexico City and a three hour bus ride south to where he needed to be for the week.  I had visions of him...well...let's just say there were several times that day that my imagination got the better of me!  I am thankful for God's watch care and the privilege of prayer! 

 He enjoyed beautiful weather while in Mexico...and the food didn't bother him this time!  Yeah!  Let's hear it for probiotics!  On Wednesday, I got this picture text from him.  Um...what happened?!  "Something hit the back window as we were driving.  We are fine, but need to change our shorts."  They still don't know what hit the window...we do know that God had His hand of protection on them!  I am thankful that it was the back window and both of our guys were in the front seat.  Bummer for the company car!

 From Mexico...Ted had a 24 hour trip that eventually landed him in Valencia, Spain...just in time for the Falles Festival..."a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph in the city of Valencia, in Spain. The term Falles refers to both the celebration and the monuments created during the celebration. A number of towns in the Valencian Community have similar celebrations inspired by the original Fallas de Valencia celebration..."  Needless to say, Ted only got a couple hours of sleep each day/night he was there.

 Firecrackers going off at all hours of the day and night!

 At the end of the celebration, they set these statues made of paper mache type material on fire!  One of the guys from the plant there in Spain took time to take Ted all around the city over the weekend.

 Then...another long flight day to Germany and then into Austria for the last few meetings.  They did get to do some "tourist" activities...tasting at a cheese/wine/chocolate shop.  "I've never seen so much cheese in one place!"  He bought a bag of coffee too.  "Their coffee was so good!"  I was so relieved to get the text "Just hit the ground" a week ago last Friday afternoon!  We picked him up and brought him home to no snow!  "Hey, you will want to keep the Godiva chocolates in here (our room).  That's the good stuff...and by that I mean the expensive stuff!"

 The balance has been restored to our home...with the perfect blend of coffee and chocolate!  Yummo!

"I am going to be the cool Mom!"

 Our favorite ice cream place is open for the spring and summer season!  How about a stop for ice cream....BEFORE supper...from our favorite Chinese place!?

Yep!  I got the prize for that Friday night decision!  The kiddos helped me pick up all the food for the Missions Food Court for Sunday..."Work first...relax second!"  A good way to end a full week as we gear up for an even busier week!

I'm preparing for a job title change...

next year...I will be stepping into the K5 classroom as the new teacher.  Our K5 teacher is retiring at the end of this year.  Since it has been officially announced to our school staff and parents, I feel like I can share.  I have been praying that I would continue to be a help as I serve in our school...anyway and anyhow.  I have gotten the itch to start teaching again, and God has granted that desire.  The K5 teacher has been praying for someone who loves to sing to take over the class.  Another neat thing, our K5 teacher was a student of my mother's in COLLEGE!  Now I am following her teaching legacy at WCS!  How is that for something that only God could orchestrate!?!  Another neat blessing...I'll have several little friends that we had in K3 last year!  Yes, I am vibrating with excitement and ideas while trying very hard to remain focused in my present position...and Mrs. K is supportive and excited...to an extent.  "You will be all the way down the hall!  Will you still draw things for me though?!"

Grandparent's Day 2015

 Lots of craft projects for the teachers to do...hmmm!

 Most of these kiddos were in our class last year...they are getting so big!

 "Let's go see our Grandparents!"

 Lining up to go perform..."Ten little fingers, ten little toes, two little ears and one little nose.  Two little eyes that shine so bright, two little lips to kiss you 'Goodnight'!"
James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above."
We sang "Skidamarink" and then marched off the platform.  We had snacks in the gym, and then there were lots of fun things to do with Grandpa and Grandma.

 Then we "showed off" for our Grandparents...and true to form...our little friends said some funny things that everyone got a chuckle over.  Mrs. K found two cute books to share...How to Babysit Grandpa and one about Grandma's love.

Our crafts were made ahead of time for each child to deliver to their guests.  We learned last year that lots of 3 year olds and double the grandparents did not make a smooth arts/crafts time!  We were all relieved that the teachers didn't break out the paint! 

Happy First Day of Spring!

We are thankful for the shining sun so many days in a row!  I had today off and I enjoyed time with my sis and grocery shopping!  I also walked through Michaels and was drawn to the bright, cheery flowers...I splurged on the 40% off stems that won't wilt and die.

Thankful for a note of encouragement...

 sweetness that came from afar and made me laugh out loud!  It was "one of those days"!

 I shared the sentiment with Mrs. K via a text message and we both agreed it was indeed a good day 'cause the adults didn't hit or bite either!

Here...but just putting some other important things ahead of my list.

I have so many pictures and posts to write, but we also have our Missions Conference going on every night this week...till tomorrow night.  I promise...when things settle down a bit...I'll catch up!  Our theme this year....Making Missions Personal!  Being in the K3 classroom the last two years...well, I certainly have had a big opportunity to make it personal...on a whole new level!  What a blessing!

I want to remember Little O and her excitement for coming to school to learn English.  She learned so much and brought a bright spot to our days!  She loved singing...any song...any time...any where...at any volume...usually at nap time when she was supposed to be quiet and resting.  She only ever slept maybe five times...her last day...being one of them!

Curled up and fell asleep watching Winnie-the-Pooh after our big Grandparent's Day.  She didn't like chocolate.  She always had bandaids on any thing that resembled an ouchie.  She liked to draw, but not necessarily color.  She liked Hello Kitty and Frozen.  She liked to sit on your lap, lean against you, or hold your hand.  We put together a bag of goodies for her trip to her new home...princess bandaids, gummy bears, twistable crayons, coloring book, stickers, and a pillowcase.  Simple things that made a big impact with her momma.

We said "Goodbye" on Friday to our sweet, Little O as she and her family move back to Korea.  What a hard thing for us as we realize this is probably the last time we will ever see her!  Her sweet momma handed us these gifts, "It is a custom of ours."  We planted seeds.  We watered.  We loved.  "We are praying for you as you go!"  I am so thankful for the opportunity to have touched this family.  Thankful for Facebook and texting!  We are praying that the words to the songs that Little O always sings will have an impact on her life, as well as her parents!  We are praying they will "run into" some people who know the Lord as their Savior in Korea, who will be able to share clearly, in their language, the truth of God's Word.  Once again...God has increased my mission field!  Sing on, sweet Little O!  "Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah...Praise ye the Lord...""Jesus loves the little children...all the children of the world!"

We have proof!

Mrs. K has lost all her marbles!  Part of the reason...she keeps giving them away!

Ready for FLPD Open House

  We have our annual Open House every March as we get ready for enrollment for the new year...

 "Does it look like Dr. Seuss threw up in here?  Is it too much color?" she wondered out loud.

 "YES!  It looks like Dr. Seuss threw up in here... but there is a lot more we could have done!  NO! It is not too much color!  It is a preschool room and it should be bold and colorful!"

 Everything was clean and organized and welcoming...through the whole building!

 Our daycare/preschool embraces the Seussical theme for the month of March.

 Our board outside our room.

 Then...we took it a step farther...and had Wacky Wednesday to go with the book!

 Mrs. K went wacky with things that were mixed up.

 The other Mrs. K went wacky with color.  It looks like both of us are losing it lately!  "I think I am beginning to twitch again!" she choked.  "Oh...you'll be fine!  We made it through this season last year...we can do it again!" I tried to convince myself as I cheered her on...there is something about the couple weeks before the sun shines warmer and the snow disappearing that causes every.one. to have issues...and then God sent the warmer weather! 

One minute the fog was super thick...the next minute it was almost gone!  "Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun...please shine down all day!!!"  We are seeing grass now!!!

"How many pajamma days have you had in your class?"

 And we laughed...um...three, counting today!  We are still thinking about the rest of the letters of the alphabet!  I think we can probably figure out a couple more that would include a pajamma wardrobe!

 We made pancakes too!  And the smell drifted down the hallway to all the rooms on our side of the building...sorry, friends!

 So much fun...so little time!

 Ok...enough time...when is naptime?!