And this was the face that flashed across Ted's ipad...

while he was teaching Sunday School this past week!  He was scrolling back to a screen shot of his notes and went one too far...talk about...startle!!!  I caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye...cause I sit by him...since he is my husband and all.  Yep...both of us kind of lost where we were for a minute!  Gotta love our children...they keep getting on our phones and ipads...and playing with the camera features.  Did you know...they can access that without the pass code!?  We knew it...just didn't realize how quickly they can add faces...like...this.  She is "gonna just die" if and when she sees I posted this, but it is a memory...a disturbing one...but a reminder of what children do in their free time...when mom and dad aren't looking!  Ted says "if they put it on my ipad...it is fair game!"

My laugh lines are going to be permanent wrinkles...

reminders of all the humor that comes into my life each day through very special people.  Even on hard days...there is joy that bubbles out!  I was reminded of how many people touch my life every day.  Last night, I watched "my" junior high and high school students during the Spring Spectacular and laughed till I cried...usually...I hold myself in check in the classroom.  Yesterday, I laughed during our teaching and playing moments in K3.  And then again as we spent time together as a family talking and laughing.  We are blessed throughout our days...and sometimes...I don't think we notice the little joys because we get too busy or too discontent with what is right in front of us!
So...what is making your heart merry today?  What are you allowing to give you laugh wrinkles?

"Boys and girls, we do not lick our friends!  Put your tongue back in your mouth!"

"Let's say our verse!  John 14:6...I am the way, the truth, and the life.  Hey, does anyone know who said this?"  Little C spoke up...Dr. Seuss

"Boys and girls, I do not like to bark, but I am barking a lot today!  Sit down in the circle!  How do we sit?  Show me!"  Little N...We're supposed to sit crisscross applesauce.

A new word to us...a boomstorm...it is a thundertorm.  Only took us a couple minutes to decipher!

Conversation Mrs. Kayla had while she ate her banana.  "Does this make me a monkey?"  Little L was all over that...You are a person because you have a nose.  You have a dress on.  You have hands.  "Monkeys have noses and hands!"  You have eyebrows.  You have feet.  "Tigers have feet!"  No, they don't!  They have paws, right, Mrs. Kari!?

"There are no volcanoes in Michigan."  Little A...that's because it is too cold in Michigan, right Mrs. Kayla?!

"Who wants to be a scientist?"  me, me, me, me....Little L stated, I want to be a volcano!

As Mrs. K was trying to teach, there were several random statements made...
My foot is itchy.
My eyes are watering.
I'm hungry, is it snack time yet?
Look, the UPS truck!
Hey, stop it.
Oh, you dropped something, Mrs. K.
Hey, hey, hey...the FedEx truck!
There are birdies in the tree.

Mrs. Kayla dismissed the kiddos that leave at noon and walked back into the room after we had prayed for and started lunch.  She grabbed a carrot out of her lunch as we readied to lay out the cots. Mrs. Kayla, you not praying?  She paused to pray.  "Yeah, about that cloud of witnesses...no one said they were three years old!"

When talking about the planets in our solar system, "Hey, I know Pluto!  He is on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!"

When we were learning John 3:16, "Does God love us?"  Yes, because we are pieces of the whole world, said Little L.  "How do we know this?"  Because He sent His son!

When we were talking about different types of places that animals live...desert, ocean, forest, arctic...
Mrs. Kayla asked (in review time) "What kind of deer lives in the arctic?"  Little A yells...a water deer!  "Water deer...water is rain...close to reindeer!"

Enjoying our day off from school today...

trying to rest and recupe from the nasty coughing fits most of us are battling.  It was a busy week again with school, lessons, homework, and other activities.  The school play, Cheaper By The Dozen, took place last night.  Ashlynn helped with the costumes this year and had a couple extra times to be at school after hours. 
Ted took this picture on Sunday in front of the set for the play.  When did they get so big?  Soon we finish the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade year...the numbers keep getting bigger!
We are entering a whole new realm of experiences...many which require Dad and Mom shuttling kiddos around.  We did a little tag-teaming this week. 
Is it too soon to wish for them to grow (and MATURE enough) to get a drivers' license? 
I realized once again this week...that time is not as far off as I think! 
I'll try not to wish the days away...but sometimes those 9pm (or later) pick-ups make me do just that...especially when I get, "Mom, why did you have to come so early?"  Umm, because the end time of 9pm was given...and I know the other adults are ready for the day to be done too.  You could just say, Thanks, Mom, for staying awake and coming to get me.  It got tensely quiet for the rest of the way home.  You are welcome, dear.  I think there was a little mumble of thank you...which is necessary if she doesn't want to walk next time! 
I am convinced that teenagers need to learn that not all things in life are rights that parents owe them. 
God does not wink at their ungrateful and demanding spirits in the busy-ness of life opportunities!
They are guests in our home with privileges. 
The sooner that is learned...
the better for all involved...
because things may be a little uncomfortable till that concept is grasped! 
Another lesson in holding my tongue...and giving gracious words to a little big girl who needs to learn to be grateful for whatever part of anything she is blessed to have as a guest in our home!

"This is going to be an annual thing!"

Paint ball, anyone?!  Yes, sir!

 Where's Teddy?  In the stand of trees...hoping to sneak up on an unsuspecting enemy.

"Some guys dropped a wad on gear and guns.  We just used whatever guns the camp had.  I'm thinking we will need to invest in some guns that shoot farther than 12 feet!"

A beautiful weekend to play outside...

with a bunch of competitive, thrill seekers!

Great food, good fellowship, neat place, super weather, intense games...all around good fun!

When the guys are away...

 the girls sleep in, watch chick shows while the laundry is going, eat a late breakfast, take showers, and head out to get some errands done...groceries mainly!  "What's wrong, Ashlynn?"  Oh, I just wanted to stay home all day today.  "Seriously?  You don't want to get out of the house on this beautiful day...help your mom...and enjoy a frappe?"

 Oh...with a stop at Michaels for a couple things for a project and some fun colored paper and embellishments for cardmaking.  I love the girl's help!  We put groceries away and cleaned up the house...and had plenty of time for crafting, snacking, and movie watching before the guys got home!

Thankful for a Saturday that didn't fly by as quickly as others seem to go!

"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.