A Splash of Color

March: everything is green!! FINALLY!! To me-green means new beginnings; to my Kiddos-green means "Go Faster!!!" (from our transportation theme).
March flew by way to fast but hey, it's getting closer to the end of the school year and we all know what that means-SUMMER!!
During March we celebrated St. Patrick's Day by wearing green and eating green food plus drinking green juice. I was excited to see my Kiddos eat the "green leprechan bread" aka a green (basil and herb tortilla) quesadilla. I encourage my Kiddos to try new things and this was a great opportunity to try something new. And yes, I cooked their lunch in our classroom with my handy griddle. When I cook in our classroom, they say it's their restaurant. The next day we celebrated a birthday and a new season-SPRING!! And yes, for lunch-we tried something new again. We had Russian Rye bread with our main sandwich ingredients-organic peanut butter (so thankful for no peanut allergies) and grape jam. Let's just say that was an experience we will not try again. Russian Rye bread has a strong after-taste that we did not like at all. Along with our "Spring Celebration" meal we had green apple slices, whole grain goldfish crackers and a whole grain whole wheat crackers with cheese. Our drink was unique and had a taste we haven't tasted before. One of the Kiddos brought his favorite juice boxes.
OHHHH-I finally had one of my teacher wishes come true. I am a proud teacher of a deployed soldier's son. I admire soldiers very much and to be honored to be their child's teacher is amazing to me. When I first met the new student, it was like an instant connection and that was before I knew of his father's heroic position. I love hearing stories about what he told his father the night before when they "skyped" and got to see/hear one another. My new Kiddo asked if he could get a picture of me and him so he could send it to his dad to show his dad his new teacher. I was like of course!! I love it!!
Next month is going to be very busy. We start the month with a fun water day then a spring break then diving in learning about Spring, Recycling, and Easter. We love to stay busy as long as our work is fun!
Ms. Mary

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Recently asked a Kiddo to wash her hands after snack and she came back to my classroom with her hair dripping wet. She said "my hair has got dirt in it so it's dirty so I had to wash it." I laughed! She washed her hair again after lunch that day and the next day attempted to wash it 2 more times. She said she loves for her hair to be clean and she likes it to smell good. We have a funny time in our class. Oh to have moments like these on video...

November, December, January, February...

It has been almost 4 months since I have posted anything. These past few months have flown by and seemed like a rollarcoaster ride with constant good and not so good times. As a new teacher, I have learned many many many new things. My Kiddos have constantly kept me going when I thought I could not. It is amazing how they pick up on the things you try to keep to yourself and they open discussion about it. I would be down about something and one of the Kiddos would say something or do something that will push that problem out of my mind. I have tried to do that for them in return. I guess that is how my Kiddos and I have bonded this year; I have encouraged them confront their fears and difficulties as they have encouraged me.

I thought I would share some things about my Kiddos that I have seen so far this year.

AB: My constant talker and giver of artwork & multiple hugs
LB: My red haired, anti-nap Kiddo
DC: My little guy who is not selfish with his love and hugs
HF: My intellectual one who loves to converse about any and everything
BG: My other little guy who is not selfish with his love, hugs, and smiles
EM: My quiet one who knows the right time to give hugs
AP: My international traveler who I can not wait to see in March; I miss you
GW: My other constant talker who makes life full of giggles and hugs

I am blessed with these Kiddos. Their parents are also amazing! Thru the good and bad, I would not change anything about this school year; I could not imagine another group of Kiddos to have. I love these Kiddos much!!

As for my first group of Kiddos (last spring/summer)- I would not replace them either. The first group of Kiddos prepared me for this year's Kiddos. I love those Kiddos much too!!

Thank you my Heavenly Father for having this opportunity to share about Your love in everything I have said/done for each of my Kiddos. You are the only way I can go thru each day with a smile and a song. I do not want to fail to give You all the glory for everything You have done and will do for me. I am humbled to be Your servant.

Ms. Mary




The most requested song the Kiddos love to hear, the "na na na song"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5CF9OJRKkA

October...

October started off busy and ended even busier. We had loads of fun on our field trips and our Trike-A-Thon.

Our first field trip was to our local Farmer's Market. We ate apples fresh from an orchard and produce straight from the garden. Our trip was so much fun. Our 2nd field trip of the month was to Trinity's pumpkin patch. That was a busy trip and not relaxed at all. Our Trike-A-Thon was tons of fun. Our director had a radio blastin music so we felt like we were at a huge race track. We had so much fun.

November is going to get even better. We get to ride horses at a ranch plus visit Bumpy & Grammy. I can not wait to go on those field trips. Also, we are practicing more and more on our Christmas program music. We need to learn every song before Ms. Mary takes that long trip to Texas.

Speaking of that long trip...I am planning to be out of town December 6-13. My friend, Sarah, is graduationg from language school and I just have to be there!! She and her family are missionaries to Mexico, Panama, and Colombia. I hope I get the opportunity to go on a missions trip with them. I can not wait for my trip to Texas. I'm getting more excited each day!!

Ok, back to the Kiddos...I hope they enjoy our busy November & December. Starting in January, we will be diving in to real school work. Sounds scary but hey, I think they will make it! I want to have the smartest and awesome-est Kiddos ever!!! I'm proud of them.

Until I remember to post again, I am truely enjoying being a teacher. Thank you God for giving me a passion such as this!
Ms. Mary

Cards for Miss Heidi, Daddies, Tears, Hugs, Smiles

What a Tuesday!! I have been on an emotional roller coaster today. I posted on my FB that I needed cheering up & prayers-wow, I am so thankful for the ones who let me know they were praying for me, loved me, or that God was in control. When I thought I was at a major low, God turned that problem around. He is so good to me.

So, today I introduced our first Community Service project. We are making cards & drawing pictures for a sweet girl who has cancer. Miss. Heidi will be so happy to get our package of cards & pictures. We are so excited to make something for others. We spent more time drawing pictures for Miss. Heidi than playing with our classroom toys. When you would rather make something for someone else than to play with toys or do something for yourself, I believe you have realized the special character trait called COMPASSION. When you realize this trait & its importance, you will have respect for others and be able to "get along with" others. This is a very important life skill we all need to learn.

This morning, I received an important message from a parent concerning a child's father. That father is a soldier who has experienced sooooo much more than we as citizins will probably never face. As a result of those experiences, he is having a difficult time. Hopefully, his little boy will be able to go on the vacation the dad has planned. My Kiddo does not have to the opportunity to see his dad all the time like some of us do. He is super excited to spend the time with his dad. I hope he can go. In my Kiddo's words: "My Daddy is my hero."

Tears...let's skip this one...ok, I'll talk about some of it. I had an experience today that I thought would not happen to me. I was very upset. I'm not an "on the spot" huge cryer but today-OH MY GOODNESS. I bawled my eyes out over a situation I thought was hopeless & would not change. My wonderful mom, my boss, Kiddos parents, family, & friends were so helpful and amazing. I know prayers were sent quick because less than 2 hours later-everything was ok and choices were changed. God is so amazing.

My Kiddos from the 4's classes were so sweet & so worried when they saw me crying. Several called out, Ms. Mary, are you ok; I love you, don't cry; Here's you some big love...yeah, they were so sweet. See, that trait they aquired while they were in my class-Compassion. When my Kiddos from my 3's class woke up from nap, they gave me hugs & they didn't know anything made me upset. I believe I have a great group of Kiddos!! My Kiddos are the best!! I love each one from the 4's to the 3's.

By the end of the day, we were all smiles. Plus we added to the growing collection of Cards for Miss. Heidi. Thank God for caring family & friends!!

Ms. Mary

Another day...More like 2 months...

I am sooo sorry about not posting anything lately. I have had to end a summer session, plan a new school year, get a new school year going plus all my other activities with church & family.

I have been extremely busy since I last posted. I have a new group of Kiddos whom I am still getting to know. My summer Kiddos still give me hugs & tell me they miss/love me. I love seeing them every day. They make me smile!! My new Kiddos-I have clicked with some but it hasn't been easy. Let's just say I hope this year is smoother than these past 2 months. Man, I am surprised at how some parents can be. I am blessed with supportive & loving parents, don't get me wrong BUT-if you want your child in my class then when they are in my class, they listen to me. That's a pet peeve of mine. I feel that if I am to teach & direct your child to better their education-then allow me to do that. I do not like when you tell them they do not need to listen to my instruction. Why send them to my class?!?!

Anyways, this has been a new experience starting with a fresh group of Kiddos. I will try my best to post as much as I can. I have been really busy but I hope that I can spare a few minutes to post on here.

Ms. Mary

Play, Cupcakes, and Paint

Monday...the beginning of the last week of the summer. Where has the time gone? It's so not fair to have to stop having summer fun and go back to school. :)

After sitting in the TV room with all the other children, my Kiddos were so glad to go to our classroom. When they walked in, they were surprised to see that the room had changed over the weekend. Last Friday, my mom and brother came to paint in the classroom. They painted half a shelf and touched up some areas on some other shelves. Anyway, my mom and brother had moved some things around so it looked really different today. After we played in the classroom, we headed to the gym. *Buzz* brought a soccer ball with him to share with the others while we were in the gym. The only "rule" to play with the soccer ball was that there would be no fighting over sharing and I would take the soccer ball away. Well, it took maybe 15 or 20 minutes for the Kiddos to realize I meant what I said. I got to play with the soccer ball for the rest of the time. :)

We had a delicious lunch. Who could not like chicken and black eyed peas?!?!? I was like I waited all summer for this lunch. I love black eyed peas. Every time I eat some, I think of my Nanny who passed away when I was a freshmen in high school. Whenever there was a special dinner or just spending the day with her, she would always have a huge pot of black eyed peas. New Year's lunch was no exception. So, while I was remincing on my Nanny, there were a few children throwing food and not listening to the other adults in the room. I had to snap put of the trip down memory lane and be the teacher again. Lunch time is so entertaining sometimes. I think the cook thought I was out of it today because I just sat there not paying much attention to the ones disobeying. Hey, I couldn't help it, I was thinking about the times when I didn't have Kiddos to watch after :)

The nap time seems to get shorter and shorter every day. It doesn't help when you need to get some work completed and you can't because you have a child who refuses to be quiet and take a nap. Yeah, that would be today. He lost out on a birthday cupcake from *Roe Roe*. Oh "Happy 4th Birthday, *Roe Roe*!!!" Anyway, after the cupcakes were eaten and the Kiddos settled down with "Beauty and the Beast" and I put out paper, markers, and crayons, that I was able to start painting my bookshelf. I found 2 beautiful colors for my shelves and desk. I love the colors; so do the Kiddos. I was able to paint most of my shelf before I was asked to releave another teacher.

I know this may seem sad, but there were no funnies of the day. My Kiddos know this is their last week in my class so I think they are starting to clam up. I have seen more fighting and arguing than I have all summer. I hope my Kiddos are too upset. I have explained to them that they will be in the big kid classes next week but it's a secret who their teachers are. I have also recognized that my Kiddos are more clingy. Maybe the week will get better-tomorrow is the last ice cream day and picture day. I will miss my Kiddos next week.

Ms. Mary

A whole week's worth...

I can not believe that it's been over a week since I've posted anything. I have been soooo busy getting things together for my classroom for the new school year. I am beyond tired. TGIF!!

So, a recap from last Friday to this Friday...
BUSY BUSY BUSY. I haven't had much time to get my classroom fixed up for the new school year so during the day. So, during the day I have been moving furniture around, peeling ugly wallpaper, and hanging out with the Kiddos. My room has had a huge transformation. It looks totally different. I plan to start painting next week after I get off of work. Speaking of painting, the daycare has had a beautiful paint job in each classroom. It is so beautiful. I love the new paint colors. If only I could repaint my room whatever I wanted...but I can't because my classroom is in the church building.

Anyways, I promise next week will be back to normal on here. I wrote some things down but in the moving of furniture, the funnies decided to go missing.

The best part of this week would be the secret community service project completion!!! We have a pack to the brim box of candy, gum, fruit snacks, a chapstick and a card. We are awesome!!

Oh, and welcome back to the USA, Sarah!! And yes my Kiddos still want to race you whenever you come for a visit!! :)

Hope everyone's weekend is simply wonderful!! It's tax free weekend here so I'm guessing there are some great deals out there.

Ms. Mary