And that's a wrap!

Proverbs 13:19 

"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul:"

After six years of being the Kindergarten teacher, this year we added another teacher to our team as we added another Kindergarten classroom.  Year seven in Kindergarten for me...and now we are a Kindergarten squad!  I have had the opportunity to be mentor and friend to Miss L.  I tried to share the two most important lessons that I have learned...be teachable and be flexible as you do all things out of love and in kindness.  There were a couple difficult moments to work through, but God in His providence showed in clear reasons the truth that experience brings to your life...and the smiles on our faces are genuine!  We should have picked a better background...but oh well.

There was a undercurrent all day...even though they came in rather subdued...with all the end of the year feelings.  They got to enjoy free play and chatting with their friends.

So many displays of love and gratitude!

Tearing off the last link of our month long countdown to graduation day!  They cheered like it was the best thing ever!!!

The screams with the confetti bomb were amazing!  We had a dud one too...guess that is what you get when you trust the dollar store.  Oh well...there was enough for a mess and a streamer for everyone!

Dressed up...well...some were...and dancing with excitement!  It was the first time that I had a little girl rip a flip flop 15 minutes before showtime...her choices were to hope Daddy could get shoes and back in time or go barefoot!  Thankfully, they live in the new neighborhood behind school as she was adamant that she was not going barefoot.  Once again this year...the air conditioning was on the fritz and the auditorium filled with family and friends (waaaay more than I expected!) was terribly hot which affected the kiddos.  They were red with heat and sweat, but did a good job!  I was proud of them!

It was the year of flowers on graduation night!  I love how when I put them all together...they made a beautiful bouquet!  Just like my little friends did for my life all year long...they brought beauty and comfort to my heart on the hard days with my big kiddos leaving and Ted working out of state.  They were always concerned that I was ok and not lonely.

I am overwhelmed with thankfulness and joy for another year in the classroom.  I love what I do and I love when we get to share it with others on stage!  I had two crying moms hug me.  I had a grandpa tell me, "Don't stop what you are doing.  We need people like you teaching these children.   They need what you are giving them!"  And several other comments along the same line.  I need to stop and remember that in the middle of the next year when things get tough before they get easier!  All children learn...but not at the same exact time or in the same exact way.  

God give me the strength to use my talents as long as You allow!

And give me the chance to help encourage and cheer on the mommas who are overwhelmed with the process of child-rearing!

 

One week of K5 2021-2022 left! We made it!

We have been practicing for our program...about Little Things!  One of my students drew this picture and we will use it to project onto the big screen seen behind the kiddos.  They give me goosebumps when they sing.  They make me smile when they recite.  They make me laugh when they answer our academic questions about Science and Geography.  One class really like the Children around the World chapter and the other class really enjoyed the animals.  Every year, I write the program based on the interests of the students.  This year...for the first time ever...we had two classes to intertwine.  It has been a learning curve to say the least.

So pretty to sit out on the deck right now...cool, no bugs, and beautifully quiet!

Alisa and I had to go down to a rental house for a showing.  Have TP...will travel!  Ted told me there wasn't any TP there, so I grabbed a roll for just in case.  One out of five of the interested showed up....that is the name of the game!  We grabbed a late supper on the way back home.  Yum...Panda Express!

Flower delivery for Mari!  She had her last surgery on Wednesday and she is doing well.  The flowers got to her house before she did...they took her back later than scheduled.  But all went well and we are so thankful!

Such a beautiful week of spring weather!  Everything is bursting with blooms!  The freshly mowed grass today made for a productive evening.  Now...it is time to plant some flowers!

Alisa planned suppers this week!  She knocked it out of the park with Greek pizza and fizzy lemonade from Aldi!  She made a yummy pasta dish that we got to share with Aunt Mari for Thursday's only girls' supper.  I am feeling a little spoiled!

One crazy week left of pre-school/Kindergarten and then we are off for the summer!  I am ready...because that also means Ted comes home on Friday...and then...vacation!
 

Doing my best to save this tulip plant!

 The other two plants have either been eaten down to the soil or everything eaten but one bud!  Soooo...I pulled out the cayenne pepper and so far...I still have one tulip plant that has a chance to bloom!  We went from winter/spring temps of 40 and 50 to 80 degrees!  

Cayenne pepper worked!!! I got to have two of my tulip plants bloom!  The other two...chewed off to the ground!

A special Mother's Day weekend 2022

Through the years, I have said many things!  When I asked my students for things their mothers say to them, I couldn't help but wonder what my big kids remember.  Hopefully, they remember encouraging words and my willingness to say, "Yes."  A couple months ago, my Alisa asked me a question and I said "Yes!"

And I am so glad I did!  We spent Friday evening and Saturday together at a women's conference.

In the busy-ness of this time of year, it was good for me to slow down and listen to God's Word with my girl!  I was able to listen to our daughter share and express to other ladies what God has done in her life and what He is teaching her.  Sitting back...watching...and listening...has been encouraging to my heart as I watch our children navigate their Christian walk.  How sweet to meet people who are happily pouring into their lives!

"Oh, Mom!  You and your pictures!"  Yes...because I want the memories of the days we spend and how we spend them...because it reminds me of what God is doing in each of our lives at this time!

                                                        Remembering and believing that...

Ted flew home special just for Mother's Day weekend.

I'm thankful for his sacrifice of time and energy to make sure all is well with my heart and our home.  We got a few projects done as we move into springtime.

Alisa and her Dad arranged our Sunday dinner!

Yummy...steaks, salad, and fries!  And for dessert...delicious cupcakes!  We had a restful afternoon and then took Ted back to the airport for his flight back to GA for a crazy busy week.

We sent Ted away with some fun reminders of our love and prayers for him!  Uh...the TSA guy found them first...but Ted will be seeing them all through his bags this week.  Lesson learned...don't act surprised when the TSA agent opens your bag and always answer the question "Who packs your bag?" with "My wife and I did!"  This was our response to Ted's text, "Thanks for releasing the duck farm!  I think they are multiplying!"  Yep...he hadn't found the ones in his backpack yet!  "Hey, Mom, how many ducks did you put in Dad's stuff?"  The whole package, why?  "Mooooom, there were 200 little ducks in that package!"

My girlie spoiled me with a Sonic drink that I was craving!

And then we stopped to see Aunt Mari and say Happy Mother's Day!  We will celebrate later this week with lunch out!  Praying for her surgery on Wednesday (May 11)!  What a difference a year makes!  She is able to see her last reconstructive procedure done and we are grateful.

My heart is full as I look back at what God has done, what He is doing, and what He will do!  I am so thankful we can trust Him!
 

A week of Teacher Appreciation 2022

Such a fun week with special treats and gifts for teachers!  Alisa got to enjoy the kindness too! 

So many little projects for the end of year...I work on a little bit each day...some days are more productive than others!

Trying to decide if this will work as we learn about liquid...it partially worked...so not going to waste valuable time for this one, sorry, Pinterest.

We will practice here or there...we will practice anywhere!

An early Mother's Day gift arrival from my number one daughter!  I love it and have been using it exclusively.

Alisa and I celebrated Cinco de Mayo with quesadillas!

My little buddy shared such a happy, bright gift!

I am so blessed to be able to work at WCS!  My K5 parents are supportive, creative, and generous.