School Is Out

It feels like yesterday I was taking a picture of Eric and the kids heading to breakfast before their first day of school. I can't believe how fast the year flew by. It was a year full of fun, growth and 

tremendous blessings. 

As Eric and the kids left for breakfast and I sat down to write their teachers notes I got all teary. I feel so blessed that each of the kids were truly blessed with amazing teachers this year. They were a perfect fit for each of their personalities. If you remember back to the first day of school post

Alexa was in tears and totally stressed out on her way into school her first day. It usually takes her a month or so to settle in and let her nerves calm down. It is hard on this mom's heart to watch and yet I know God is working on both of us and growing us in the process. This year was amazing. Within a day Alexa's little heart, mind and soul was at a very peaceful place. I didn't seeing an anxiety or stress rise up once in her the whole year which is absolutely amazing. I attribute it to her amazing teacher. She has an amazing gift in how she handles her classroom, how she teaches and her sweet, gentle spirit.

 

Alexa grew in so many areas this year and her confidence soared through the roof in so many subjects. She turned into a complete book worm . Her heart and compassion for others struggling her classroom was an area her teacher said she also stepped up to the plate. She was quick to recognize when others were anxious or needed help and found a way to gently come along side of them. I just can't believe she is going to be a 4th grader. This was the first year she really voiced being sad about school being out because she was going to miss her friends. Alexa has been given the gift of a couple very special friends and it was so fun to see their friendship grow and move to a new level this year.

 It wasn't uncommon for them to make things for each other and give each other notes of encouragement. One of her friends often made little bookmarks with verses on them. I pray their friendship and love for the Lord continues to grow in the years to come. 

 Emma went through her 2nd grade year in true Emma style. She loved everything about school and embraced it head on. She had two teachers this year that job shared. They were a perfect fit for her and each of them brought out something different in her. I saw her heart for the Lord grow this year in a new way. The excitement she had for the Bible and new nuggets of information in stories she heard over and over again. Emma felt like it was a great year as she gained confidence in her Math and Reading. Her very favorite part of 2nd grade was studying the human body.Over and over we heard from her teachers that she had a huge heart and just loves life. Emma has always had a large group of girls she plays with but this year she had a couple that became her best friends. It has been fun to see those relationships blossom this year.

 

Shane had a great year too. It started out a little rocky with a few time outs as he was figuring life out as a kindergartner. He had an amazing teacher that was gentle and loving and yet ran a tight ship so Shane knew exactly where the lines were.

 It was amazing to watch him grow and blossom this year. He matured so much in his self control and ability to focus and finish. He is a true boy who loves to wiggle, talk, poke his neighbor ... so watching him work through all that and come to a place where he knew what was expected and see him handle it was fun to see. 

 I think Kindergarten is the most amazing year as they go from hardly knowing their letter to reading. They go from learning numbers to adding and telling time. They go from just figuring how to write all their letters correctly to writing words and complete sentences. They go from looking so little to losing teeth and looking all grown up! I am so proud of Shane and the way he grew socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually this year. It was a big year for him and he is ready for 1st grade. I am just not sure I am.

 

The kids had their final chapel of the year that I got to go to and then when school was out at noon we said our good byes to friends and teachers for the summer. I love summer and was so looking forward to it but as I hugged teachers goodbye and told them thanks for all they did for my kids I got pretty teary! I feel so blessed that God gave them all such amazing teachers. There were precious memories made this year and each of them had an impact on my kids in a very special way. The big kids and I headed out for a special celebratory lunch. Later we got home and I had a fun little idea pop in my head.

 

If you know me you know I love to throw a party so I thought why not have a "School Is Out" party.

 

We made a quick run to Target and I made some sneaky purchases and while the kids played outside I pulled a quick little party together. Thank goodness for people who make darling printables and post them for free on line ... these printables made things pretty easy.

 

We had a fun evening of celebrating a great year and we are looking forward to a fun summer!

A Fun Day In Kindergarten

Shane had a fun field trip to the Butterfly House for his final field trip of the year. He was very excited for a trip to see butterflies then lunch and playtime at the park. 

 

 The kids started in a room as someone shared about butterflies. The kids also got to pet the taranchula, Lucy.

  

  They also just added an aquarium area at the Butterfly House which was fun for the kids. Shane's favorite fish were the ones that would pick up sand with their mouth and then spit it back out.

 

We then moved to the Butterfly House and saw hundreds of beautiful butterflies.

 

Shane really wanted a butterfly to land on him so found places to sit and wait patiently for them to land.

  

 He waited ...

 

and waited!

 Finally he got one to land on his shoe lace!

 

The kids had so much fun!
    

We then headed to the park for a picnic and time to play. Shane's teacher gathered all the kids and the kids were sad to be heading back to school. Little did they know what was to come. 

Shane's teacher started reading the book "My Teacher Sleeps In School." When she was to the last page she said it was now time for a Mystery Field Trip. There was a big buzz in our car as the kids were trying to figure out where we were going. We ended up at their teacher's house for the afternoon. The kids got a tour of her house and yard, snack time, they did Bible time and center time. It was a very fun surprise for the kids.

Color Me Mine

Shane was very excited to go on his field trip to Color Me Mine.  The kids quietly sat through their instructions and were itching to get painting.  

All the kids got a bowl to paint.  Shane decided he wanted paint the outside blue but after starting he switched and decided to paint it green striped like a watermelon. 

They had all kids of fun things to paint with ... string, straws, q-tips, sponges, lids, pencils and their very own fingers.

It was fun to see the kids creative juices flow.

I loved seeing the buzz of all the kids and moms! 

Shane painted the inside red and started making black dots for the seeds.

Shane and his friends at his table were having so much fun and making quite a mess.  The table next to him was all girls and everything was neat and tidy.... what a difference between boys and girls but each having so much fun in their own way!

I love Shane's expression here ... he was pretty happy with his creation!

Shane's black seeds quickly turned to an almost black inside.  The gal who was helping gave him the idea of scratching his name or things in the black and it would show through when it was baked.  Shane thought it was pretty cool! He can't wait to see how it turns out. 

Moving Up

Shane started Karate this winter and he absolutely loves it! He has an amazing teacher who he did Karate with in preschool during their gym time.  Mr. Mesa is a Christian man who teaches these kids way more than Karate.  

Notice the blue stripes on Shane's belt.  If he is respectful or does something nice or with out being told he gets a blue stripe.  Mr. Meza often talks with the kids about how they should act and respond in certain situations.  Shane is learning so much about discipline and respect and loves all he is learning about Karate.  

Shane was ready for his first testing.  I wish I would have had pictures of that day.  My picture days of the kids in their activities have come a little bit to a halt when Max is with me.  Karate is a bit difficult because Max would run right on the floor at Karate if I didn't have two hands on him.  He thinks he can do it too.  He actually is pretty cute and does know a lot of the moves.  Mr. Mesa sat in front of the kids as they had to do each move.  The kids also needed a good report from their parents about how they were acting at home and their teachers about their work habits, attitude and behavior at school.  The red stripe on his belt indicated that he passed and was ready to move up.  

Shane's Karate Academy had a Saturday morning that parents and grandparents could see a demonstration of what they have learned and they are presented with their new belts.  I was bummed and was out of town but Eric was super dad and took all 4 to the celebration and even snapped some pictures in the midst of all the people. I love this picture of Shane seeing some of his friends before they started! 

And of course a little chest bumping with friends! 

Shane in action! 

I love Shane's little smirk here! I am so proud of him and love seeing him find joy in something that is his .... Karate! 

The white was traded for yellow.  Stripes will be earned and testing done as he works toward his orange belt! 

Student Of The Week

Shane was so excited when it was his turn to be student of the week. 

The girls got to come from their classrooms to join in on his special morning. 

There is something about being able to stand in front of class with a pointer in his hand. 

He and fun sharing his pictures with his classmates and I always love hearing the questions kindergarteners ask.  

He brought his favorite book to read to the class and asked his dad to read it for him!  He got the book Good Morning China from his preschool teacher when we were in process for Max.  It is a book that Shane loves but loves the person who gave it to him even more.  He will always have a special place in his heart for Miss Jean.

At the end of our time we were given a quiz.  Shane answered some questions for his teacher earlier in the week and then she asked them to us to see how well we knew Shane.  We did pretty well but what he wanted to be when he grew up stumped us for a moment. Then we got it .... being a dad .... his teacher responded with Shane I think that is a pretty special thing to be when you grow up! I would agree and am thankful he has a daddy he adores and is a wonderful example of what being a daddy is all about! 

We all enjoyed our time in Shane's classroom! 

Shane's Self Portraits

Shane loves school and loves his teachers.  Emma also had Mrs. Wynja and it is so fun to look forward to Shane bringing  home some of the things that meant so much to Emma too. 

One of those very special days in kindergarten is when your name gets picked out of a jar and everyone gets to draw portraits of you. When they are learning their letters and sound they have certain items they learn to draw that go with the letters.  I love seeing these drawings come home.  They learn how to draw people the real way verses stick people and the same thing for various animals and other items.  

Shane was beaming as he laid out all the portraits of himself that his classmates had drawn.

This was his masterpiece of himself.  Oh the things that can make our little ones love tanks full. It is as simple as having their name drawn out of a jar and pictures drawn of themselves by their classmates.  It makes me want to do more little things out of the ordinary to fill those little love tanks when I saw just how special Shane felt today!

Life Is Always Better With Bubbles

I am pretty sure these pictures speak for themselves! 

Life is ALWAYS better with BUBBLES!