The Kinders re-telling a story...

 complete with their teacher's facial expressions and their waiting/thinking body language.

 Miss Jenn takes pictures every so often when she is not giggling at me or the Kinders.

 Miss Jenn read the story this day while I helped our sobbing friend deal with K5.

They remembered all the details of The Very Hungry Caterpillar!  It made for a great counting review as we got ready for our math lesson too!

Dad has a list!

"We are going to try some places on Dad's list!" Ted explained.  "Why would you want to eat at the chain resturants when you have options like this?  Trust me...I have a list of good places for you to try!"  In the spirit of Ted's traveling, we ate at Burrito King for Sunday dinner.  It was yummy food and gets a good rating on Trip Advisor too.  We enjoyed dessert and no dishes to do!  Thankful for times around the table together.

Some days are rough in K5!

 Yesterday was one of them!  I was trying to line our little friends up to dismiss them to their parents and a fight broke out about where one friend wanted to stand and they knocked over my stand with three-ring binder lessons and it hit the floor.  It was the perfect picture of how our day went!  We were prepared with lessons and fun things...yet anxiety and emotion ran over one of our little friends like a run away train and derailed all of us all day...the light at the end of the tunnel was 12pm...but it couldn't come quick enough for our little friend.  We all learned that sometimes...you just aren't ready for the big change that comes when it is time for K5!
I must have been showing the effects of the day because Miss Jen quickly said, "Don't look, it will be ok.  I'll grab it!"  She called it!  It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back and I left as soon as I could.  Dealing with little friends who are struggling pulls at your heart and you try to do anything and everything to help...and then you realize...it isn't enough.  I am thankful that God leads and directs...and then He gives perfect peace to all parties when decisions are made.  Today (Thursday) was much better...for our little friend, for little friend's mommy and daddy, for our class, and for the teachers.

I am thankful for another friend who has come into my life who reminds me to laugh!  

She laughs at me and she laughs with me.  "A merry heart doth good...like a medicine..."  

And of course...chocolate   is nice too.

We laughed at my chocolate's saying during a particularly rough patch...I stopped and let the chocolate melt in my mouth trying to collect my frazzled nerves and thoughts, "It is a good thing I won't be observed today!"  I am proud of my age and my hidden "wisdom spots" as Ashlynn calls them (gray hair)...but I also realize I feel my age on days like Wednesday!  Thankful for quiet moments and a good night's rest...and God's strength to get up and do it all over again!  Tomorrow is Friday!!!  And yes, I'm glad we have made it through our second week of school!!!

Wishing our Dad and our Grampy...

A Very Happy 70th Birthday on Sunday, September 11!

We are so thankful for our Dad and Grampy

and wished we didn't have so many miles separating us.

Have a wonderful day!

We love you!!!

First Day of School 2016

 Ugh!  This is not our favorite part of starting a new school year!

 Ashlynn is in 10th grade.  Alisa is in 9th grade.  Teddy is in 8th grade...and he is so proud that he is the tallest person in our family!

 My classroom makes me happy!  It is bright and colorful and welcoming!

 Board in the hallway...

 Outside of our door...gray and black with quotes from the characters of Wizard of Oz...for grown-ups mostly!

Ready for Open House night...badge of courage for each Kinder for parents to kiss and send with their child on the first day of school.

 Lollipops for good behavior stickers...earning a real lollipop!

 Oz the Owl...our classroom mascot this year.

 First day...coloring and drawing while waiting for all our new friends!

 The new bag idea for morning fun...works great!  Miss Jen has been such a blessing!

 A rose from my friend!

 A puppy who is having trouble with the change of our schedule...she is now my dog again!

 My birthday present from Brad and Mari...a Michigan table made by Brad!  I love it!

 First day of school finished with away games!

 Beautiful treats from a sweet Kinder and her parents!

 No tears the first day...tears from one the second day...tears from two the third day!  Oh dear...we shall see how many cry on the fourth day!  I'm trying hard to make it fun...but it is a lot of change for some of our friends!  All day...every day for a couple with older siblings...they are so tired by lunch time!

 One little guy told me today, "Man, we have a lot to do in here every day!"  I agreed with him...but made sure they had some time to explore the book shelves and toys.

 We were able to do our assessment of each child.  I have some who don't know how to write any letters.  Everyone knows their colors, numbers, and most shapes.  One little guy who just doesn't want to do much...can you see him?  And some who are vibrating with energy and answers.

I am so thankful for the strength God gives each day.  He has given me a wonderful helper who laughs at me...and with me.  I am surrounded by coworkers who love what they do and encourage each other.  I was reminded of the three little ones (that I know about) two of whom told me that they asked Jesus to be their Savior!  It is worth it all!  I had a part in the watering...so they could grow in their understanding of God's plan for all mankind!  John 3:16  That is why I teach.

The change of pace was very relaxing!

 Cuddly puppy who loved being outside all the time...which made her very tired!

 Fishing off the docks...

 Wonderful weather for campfires...and smores.

 Fireworks everywhere you looked!

 Perfect setting...

 Perfect Coals...

 Morning coffee with the sunrise...

 the coffee pot is positioned right by the door...perfect for refills!

 Waiting for the kiddos to wake up and play!

 Packed up and headed home to get ready for school!

 Trees up north...

Another stop at Cops and Doughnuts...they had my favorite!  Yummy way to end our summer!

Sun to fog to sun again

 The sun was up and it was beautiful...then the fog rolled in...

 and we enjoyed coffee in the fog and watched it burn off.

 Velle found the sand...and went crazy practicing her digging skills.  She is quite fast!

 What a mess!

 Chilling out and eating lunch...deciding on an adventurous drive around the area and then...

 finding our way to Cops and Doughnuts to share the fun with Papa and Grandma.  It was crazy busy on this Labor Day weekend!  Papa and Grandma were not much impressed.

 I was in the depths of despair...no favorite of mine!

 We made great catches though!