First Grade Awards Day

We celebrated Carter and his end of first grade yesterday in his classroom.  His teacher, Mrs. Rogers', gave out awards.  Carter earned the Reading Award for his ability to read and having the most AR points in the classroom.  He also earned the All A's Honor Roll award.  Carter has worked very hard this year and has learned MANY lessons - one being that he does not have to be perfect!!!!

After awards, the class put on two plays they had been working on for the parents - The Big Turnip and The Little Red Hen.  Carter was the storyteller for the The Little Red Hen play and did a great job!

One of the things we are MOST proud of for Carter is his love for all the kids in his classroom.  He has been very encouraging and friendly to all.  He wanted a picture with EACH child in his classroom.  I will save you all those and share this sweet one of him and his friend, Pearce.

Mrs. Rogers was a wonderful teacher to Carter this year. He was blessed with a teacher who loved, encouraged, pushed and inspired him - as well as she could talk baseball with him!!!!

Thanks for a great year!!!

A Beautiful Day to . . .

FLY A KITE!!!

Kite Day at East Chester has had to be rescheduled many times this year. In fact, the p.e. teachers finally told the kids to just bring their kites, and, one day when it was nice, they would fly kites.  The day FINALLY arrived.  I almost missed Carter's flying time and had to snap pics with my phone - thank you, iPhone!!!!  I was able to capture LB's last kite day and we both declared it the best one she had ever had - despite the kite string burn she had on her neck! 

Just makes me want to watch Mary Poppins this afternoon!!!!

Field Day for Carter

Friends for Life - Lawson and Carter

Noah and Carter

Lovin' the slide

Relay Time

Friends and Classmates for two years - Carter and Katie

One Blessed Mama

I  know that I am extremely blessed when it comes to my children and I am so honored that God chose ME to be their Mama!!  They continually amaze me at the things they do and what they say.  I had one of those days on Wednesday with Carter.  His teacher had them write about their dream for America since they were learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  She slipped me this paper and told me that she thought I would want a copy of it.  I am so glad she did.  I am putting it on here, so I will always have it (and know where it is - ha ha ha!!)  It is always said, "Out of the mouths of babes . . . " Well, this is my 7 year olds' dream.

I have a dream.

I wish that . . . .

Everyone will believe.

Everybody will read the Bible.

Everybody will learn.

Everybody will not fight.

Meagan, Sofie and Anna were back in our class.

Nobody is sick.

Everybody will be friends.

My family and friends could live close to me.

Everybody has a safe home.

Everybody has food and drinks.

Nobody is lost.

Everybody has friends and teachers.

Everybody has toys.

Everybody has family.

Everybody has a car.

Everybody can do stuff.

Everybody can see.

I wish everyone could have experiences like this with their children!  Thank you, God, for giving me mine!

The Best Way To Spread Christmas Cheer . . . .

 . . . is singing loud for all to hear!

- Buddy the Elf

The kids had their Christmas program at school the other day.  Each grade got up and sang different songs they had learned this year - including Christmas songs.  They did a great job and enjoyed singing! (For anyone who knows my kids, I am sure you are surprised at that!!!)

Carter singing with friends Noah and Katie

LB can't help but sing along with them!!!

LB was so excited to be on the TOP row!!!!

 . . . also just to be with friends who are dear!

Typical Carter

Much better . . .

with friend, Noah

LB was a tad bit embarrassed by me with my BIG camera!!!

with friend, Hillary

with friends, Madlyn, Shelby, Hillary, Laura Beth and Makinley
(they look so much older than third graders in this picture)

May your holiday season be filled with
LOTS of Christmas cheer
this year!

Who Are You Going To Call . . . . .

Santa and Mrs. Claus are a bit worried this Christmas Eve . . .

an asteroid is headed right for the 

NORTH POLE!

Rudolph has a cold and can't guide the sleigh  . . .

and it's foggy outside.

How will Santa see?

So, who are they going to get to help them?

Who are they going to call for help?

THE INCREDIBLE REINDEER!

There's Robo Guy

He's partially bionic with super science and math skills.

There's Laser Squint . . .

He can disintegrate tall mountains with just a look!

There's Hyper Speed . . .

She's the fastest reindeer in the galaxy!

There's Mighty Moose

(He's not a moose - it's just a cool name)

He's the strongest reindeer of them all!

Together they work together to save the North Pole 

The asteroid was destroyed!!!

Thank you, Incredible Reindeer!

Robo Guy will use his laser beam to guide Santa's sleigh

saving Christmas Eve as well!

Thank you, Incredible Reindeer!

Thank you, First Graders!

You were

INCREDIBLE!!!

and

thank you, Mrs. Claus and Santa!

Thankful for Older People

Growing up in an Air Force family, we lived many hours (and sometimes days) away from our grandparents.  However, God provided us adopted grandparents, aunts and uncles who stepped into those roles for my brothers and me.  How thankful I am to God for placing those people in my life.  My kids are extremely blessed because they live close to 2 grandparents and have lived (and known well) 4 great grandparents!!  They are even more blessed to have aunts and uncles around them on a regular basis.  However, that has not stopped us from "adopting" older people we come in contact with at church and other places.  Carter, especially, has a big heart for these people.  His teacher at school has an aunt who has moved from West Virginia to Henderson into an assisted living home.  He is constantly talking about "Aunt Danny," so I thought it would be great for the kids in his class to make some things for the residents and "Aunt Danny."  I searched high and low (and all throughout the internet) for an easy Thanksgiving project and came up with this (which now I can't find the website where this was - oh well!).  It was great - It was easy - It turned out nothing like I thought they would.  However,  that is perfectly fine with me. The kids LOVED making the turkeys their own and kept talking about how this would make the older people's holidays so special.  

THEY GOT THE POINT!!!!  

It was so much fun seeing them put thought into what they were making.  I even found some kits from Oriental Trading and the kids worked together to weave Indian corn.  All in all it was a success and EVERYONE was happy!

Carter with his turkey.

Friend Drew with his turkey and Indian Corn

Friend Pearce with his turkey and Indian corn.

Fall Fun with First Grade

I was blessed to be able to go with Carter on his field trip to Circle Y last week.  He has a sweet class and I loved being able to spend time with them.  Circle Y is in Corinth, MS, and has everything imaginable for kids (and adults) to enjoy.  We went on a train ride, played miniature golf, played on all kinds of bouncers, had a picnic, took a hayride, fed catfish, picked pumpkins and got to play with different kinds of animals.  It was a great day!

 Tyricus, Carter and Harold on the ride to the pumpkin patch.

 Pearce, Carter and Drew with their choice of pumpkins

 Carter holding the chickens.  He loved it!

 Being sweet with the bunny

Mrs. Rogers' First Grade Class - What a crew!

School Days . . . School Days . . . .

I can't believe it is August 3rd and we are going for our first day of school! Crazy!  It is super hot and too early to be heading out, but here we go! I love first day of school pics although this year they make me feel very old!  I can't believe how old the kids are getting (but I am not)!!

Carter and Mrs. Rogers are going to get along great! She loves baseball and the Braves! We are going to have a wonderful year!

LB was actually sick the first day of school and, with it just being a half day, I told her to stay home and get better!! These were of her first day of school - the first full day of the new year! She is so blessed to have Mrs. Dee again this year with the whole group she was with last year.  I am trying to not to think about this being her last year at East Chester. We are just going to love this year each day while we are still here!