Orchard Time

We like to go as a family to Northwoods Orchard each year. The girls enjoy the tiny Chestnut apples. Most of all, they enjoy seeing all of the animals. They really had fun holding the baby dwarf bunnies.

Flowers for Sale

One of Elyana's favorite books is Zinnia's Flower Garden. When last winter was finally coming to an end, she begged me to plant some zinnia seeds just like in her book. So we did and they grew tall. Of course, just like in the book, she wanted to sell them. Mikayla has always been scheming up ideas of things to sell and liked the idea also. So, before this colder fall weather hit and when I had a bit of down time, I helped the girls cut my zinnias into bouquets and tie pretty ribbons around them. Mikayla made the sign, they set up a table, and had a cow bell to help attract customers. I think the girls could sell almost anything at their location since we are one block from the city bus stop where everyone gets off from work at 4 and every 1/2 hour after. This location is probably what helped them sell ALL of the zinnias and make $6.50! They immediately split the profits. What I didn't expect and melted my heart, they each wanted to put $1.25 into a jar to save for the poor. Wow! I'm a proud momma!

Mac and Cheese

Elyana has taken a real interest in how to cook lately. Today, she proudly said to me, "I know all the steps in making mac and cheese in case I grow up." Priceless. I have no doubt that she won't grow hungry in college...

Elyana Trying On My Old Point Ballet Shoes

Ellie is starting to take Ballet lessons on Saturday mornings. I showed her my old ballet shoes with a hole worn through the toe of each shoe. She was delighted to play in them...

Elyana's First Day of Kindergarten!!!!

Elyana was more than ready to start Kindergarten. She was ready to go the day after preschool let out. Then, when she turned 5 in June, she was ready to go. It was a long wait for her. Even when standing before the school door, waiting for the bell to ring, she asked, "What are we waiting for?" I'm curious how things will go with her this year. In pretesting her, she read through their Kindergarten list of flash cards with no problem.

Mikayla's First Day of Third Grade

Thinking about School, almost there...


Seeing Megan from class last year...


Lining up, getting nervous...


Elyana meeting one of her classmates that was in her preschool last year. They clowned around together while waiting for their older siblings to start there day. Both were bummed they couldn't start Kindergarten for another 2 days...


Cookies Grandma had made for the girls to celebrate successful days!

Becoming a Teacher

Well, I have prepped for months and finally had my first day of teaching. I'm teaching the elements of art on Mondays and an Exploring the World class on Wednesdays. I have 4 different classes altogether of 3-5 year olds. I've received a few incredible emails already from parents which has made me feel so welcome and appreciated! Wow! I just hope I can get used to being so worn out at the end of the day. To all you fellow teachers out there, I am blown away with the amount of work you do to get ready, the work you do outside of your paid time, and the energy you put in! Thanks for all you do for the education of our countries little people!

Here are a few things that I have created for my class. This is why I haven't been as in touch with some of you lately as I'd like. Busy Busy!

I made a Dora Map to introduce our lesson on maps. We will discuss various kinds of maps and will even get to see a demonstration of Google Maps' satellite view of the preschool...


Here are our passports I made and got laminated. Inside it looks like a real passport complete with their photo, birth date and full name. Each of the 34 countries or places we will "visit" they will color a picture of their favorite thing they learned about and I will "stamp" their passports with a compass stamp.


When they come into the room each day, they can find their name stick and place into the school basket. Each of my 4 classes has a different color stick.


A Mini Bowling set for our upcoming Kingdom Kids Dad and Me Sports Night...The girls have enjoyed playing with it. I still need to create another set.