"What are we going to do?! It is just us tonight!"

 "Mom, do you think we would have time this weekend to go and get my hair cut?"  Umm...sure...we can go right now!  We pulled out of the school parking lot and went to a salon...and "Happy Friday to us!" no wait!

 Alisa told the gal what she wanted...

 "My head feels lighter!"

 We met up with Aunt Mari and headed out to do girlie things.  The "big girls" had a special outing.  We went shopping and ate at Panera.

Yep...she had fun getting a makeover, an Easter outfit, and some fun accessories.

It is the simple things that make us happy!

 "Next year, let's just ask parents to donate large plastic containers!  They love pretending they are turtles or riding in cars.  Easier to clean up than all the little pieces that they dump out!"

 It was "S" week...and we learned about seasons, senses, seals, science, and space.  Mrs. K showed us how a rocket uses energy to travel...but she used a straw and a balloon!

 "Do it again!  Do it again!"

 She aims to please...more than once too!

A busy week

With the Missions Conference came the opportunity to help feed our missionaries lunch one day.  Ashlynn helped by making dessert...chocolate chip cookie dough layer, Oreo cookie layer, and a brownie layer.  Yummo!

Meanwhile...back in K3...we are getting into the spring thing!  We "planted seeds" in cotton and hung them in the windows to watch them sprout.  We shall see if it works!

Practicing new skills all the time...dribbling!

We have had three babies born at our church in the last two months...with one more coming soon!  One of our teachers was blessed with a baby boy on Wednesday.  This new addition also opened an opportunity for me to teach the junior high and high school English classes each afternoon.  

I had to do my homework after church last night, so I could speak intelligently in Literature class!  "Don't worry, Mrs. T., we are not too different than the three year olds."  Another student spoke up and said, "Speak for yourself."  This is going to be fun.  Now...on to Lit-er-a-ture!

Ahhh, what a beautiful sight!  I saw the plane right after I parked in the cell phone lot, "This has got to be his according to the flight status!"  It was!  The plane that was carrying my husband home to me this afternoon!  Two minutes later...I got the text, "Just landed!" and felt immediate relief.  Thank you, Lord, for a safe trip across the big pond and back home.  Ted was gone for ten days on a business trip to Germany and Slovakia.  It took him 24 hours to reach his first destination...flights:  Detroit to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Vienna, and driving a rental car into Slovakia...then on Sunday driving back to Vienna and flights back to Amsterdam then Frankfurt and driving another rental car to Leverkusen for the week.  That set him up for a sleepless week and a half!

Now he is home...and we are all at rest...some of us may or may not be snoring peacefully in our own bed already!  When I look back at our week...it was busy!  I was sick for most of it...coughing through each day and all night.  But...we held it together and made it to today. I am thankful that in our weakness...He shows Himself strong!

Ready for the International Food Court

 We got the American booth...nothing more American than hot dogs and chips!  I'm so thankful for the kiddos help!  They asked to help and they did a great job...which allowed me to stand back and supervise...since I was coughing off and on.

 Aunt Mari and her crew had the Mexican booth...tacos, chips and salsa.

 Another crew had the Italian booth...baked ziti, garlic bread, and salad.

Another crew had an Asian booth...orange chicken, rice, and egg rolls.  The gal also had edamame and a curry dish for people to try. 
Uncle Pastor had a neat idea and many people stepped up to help put it in play.  I think the possibilities of this are endless!  The drink table had gals making Italian sodas too.  Yum!!  The dessert table had all sorts of yummy cookies, cream puffs, brownies, and special Italian cookies.  What a fun way to start the conference!

These kiddos keep growing up!

 Ashlynn was a great help to me on Friday night.  We had to go buy food for the International Food Court for the start of Missions Conference on Sunday.  She had requested to go get sandals with some money she had saved.  We made two stops and got everything done in short order...an amazing feat actually...shoes AND an outfit!  My only gripe...she looks so grown up in it!

Teddy has been struggling with being able to see at a distance.  We picked up his new glasses on Saturday morning.  "What a difference they make!"  Dad suggested transition lenses...and he likes them!  He knew what style he wanted and picked everything out himself.  He is also prepared for the ignorant remarks from others, "I'll just tell them to go away...at least I can see!"  I really didn't think it would be a big deal...till this afternoon...he told me a couple of the comments from today.  "Remember how we have talked about not having to put in your two cents or having to give your opinion about things?  The Bible talks about wise people keeping your peace...keeping your mouth shut...but fools vomit out whatever is in their head and heart.  You now know..."  As a Mom who has watched her son struggle with his vision the last couple weeks and who remembers how wonderful it was to be able see clearly once I put on my glasses...I am calling it as I see/hear it.  Being kind to others seems to go out the window when we think we need to voice whatever foolish thought is in our head...
sometimes...
glasses aren't needed to see that kind of behavior...
just the ears...
which of course are needed...
to hang those glasses!
HA!

Around the World in 5 Days

 We went to the land Down Under for our first trip.  We did not throw the boom-a-rang...we just sang about one and made our own paper "thrower things".  When doing big weeks with lots of activities...it is best to start slow and see how much they can handle.  Little paper books to hold were almost too much.

 "I may never...take a trip to Mexico...eat a cheesy taco...wear a big sombrero..."  We made little passports and boarded the plane.  Mrs. K was the pilot and gave clear instructions as what to do with the little mask should it drop from the overhead compartment.  I honestly think that we are the best entertainment money can buy...we are cheap!  Oh well...we laugh!

 When in Mexico...you find pinatas!  So we made a simplified version after practicing cutting skills.  No children or teachers were harmed in these exercises!

 Pin the tail on the donkey...yea, they are all little cheaters!

I learned something...as we shook homemade maracas to La Coo Ca Ro Cha...that song is about a cockroach!  "What did you think it was about?"  I don't know...it was just a Mexican song that you hear on many things!? 

 We boarded a ship to Brazil.  "Don't sink us, Mrs. K!"  I won't, but I may run us aground.

 Watch for the animals as we pass through the Amazon!  Did you see the snake?  It is called a boa constrictor and it likes to give hugs!  "I like constructors!  They are green."

They play lots of soccer in Brazil.  They call it foot ball...don't touch the ball with your hands!!! Oh...this seemed like a good idea...till we actually used it!  Crying and fighting over the ball, tripping, face planting on the floor, kicking in the leg, stepping on fingers, and a bloody nose.  "Oh my!  Three year olds have much to learn before playing competitive team sports!"

 Oops...missed pictures from Japan trip.  We made cherry blossoms with bottles dipped in paint.  On Friday, we went to Italy.  There was a famous man named Michelangelo who painted beautiful pictures on walls and ceilings of big buildings.  "Hey, I know a Michelangelo! He is a turtle and he fights...like this..."  It got a little loud for a few minutes...all these 3 year olds know about the Ninja Turtles? How? Oi!

 They tried to be like Michelangelo the artist...

 Then we counted and sorted pasta...while listening to Pavarotti!

Gotta remember to...

Our little friends were "playing and trying to figure out what super powers they would have".  Little J said, "I have the farting power!"  After the initial shock at her statement, her grown-up, proper teachers laughed out loud...in unison...knowing her mother would be mortified. 

One of our little guys had some tummy trouble today...which I noticed when walking by his table, "Yikes, someone needs to visit the bathroom!"  Mrs. K giggled, "He has needed to all morning!"  At about that time, he rumbled on his chair quite loudly, and all our little friends laughed.  Little Z who sits beside him exclaimed, "Oh, wow, S, you stink!!!"  And the grown-up, proper teachers laughed out loud loudly in agreement.

I went in to help Little S with his personal hygiene (see above statement).  "No, I wipe.  I did it.  Are you happy?"  Oh...yes!  Good job!

To be continued...regretfully...tomorrow.

Hazards and Perks

It dawned on me as I instructed this little one how to cut..."This is not one of my brightest moves!  It is actually hazardous to my health and well-being!  Hey, Mrs. K., do we get hazardous pay?"

 We cope.  We cope fairly well...most days.  Other days...we need big coffees...or lunch!

A fun piece of mail...

"At least we didn't just get junk mail today, Mom!" observed Ashlynn.

It was his great idea for an April Fool's trick on the kiddos!

 Honey, do you want me to do that for you?  I could get them out faster!  "No, a good joke takes time!"  He had made a small slit in the peanut M&M bag to take out all the peanut M&Ms and replace them with the Robin Eggs.  "Do you know how disappointing it is to dig into the candy dish expecting a peanut M&M and getting a malted milk egg instead?  Why do you do that?"

 Ummm...because I like them and the springy colors look pretty and it makes the candy last longer.  The kiddos opened the bag this afternoon and I could hear them commenting.  "What? These aren't peanut M&Ms.  That's not right!"  Who?  What?  How?  Awww...did you...?  That's why the note said "Happy April Fool's Day!  Dad did it!  That's funny!  Good one, Dad!"

Teddy doesn't like Robin Eggs at all....he was glad to see the real peanut M&Ms.  They even shared them with me...even though I was part of the prank...sort of.

Spring is here...for the most part

 Enjoying the look of no snow!  Walking outside!  Listening to the birds!  Delightful!

It is a Happy April 1st

Alisa asked last night at the supper table, "Do you know what tomorrow is?"  Yes, it is Tuesday.  It is April 1st.  It is the beginning of Dad's...  "No, don't you remember?  It is four years ago that I had my second surgery!  So it really is Happy April 1st!"
Yes, sweet girl, you are right!  We are so happy that all is well!  Alisa remembers these milestone days each year...often more "out loud" than we do lately.  Those weeks are not forgotten, but God has gracefully turned those fearful moments into thankful memories!  I see Alisa every day, but it is moments like last night that make me realize the little lady she is becoming.  Still remembering and learning to be thankful in every year that God gives her...and that makes my heart fill with joy!  There were so many lessons learned during her seventh year of life...and God still reveals His goodness four years later!