Be Still & Know That I Am God

Edisto is just one of those places where "the quiet" is beautiful. Here is a picture that just feels quiet. If you are feeling overwhelmed with your child talking to you constantly or your schedule is really busy...take a minute to walk out to the end of this dock. You can imagine the lull of the water as it comes and goes with the tides and feel a coastal breeze. Every once in a while you might even have an egret land close enough for you to almost touch him/her. I am sharing this "reflection" with everyone because it has been a busy 2 weeks getting everyone back into a routine. Take a few minutes to sit down with God and just be quiet. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to really sit at the end of this dock and let my troubles fade away. This was just what the doctor ordered!!!!

Family

This week we will spend time learning about our family and friends. Here are some pictures of my family trip to Edisto beach. Since your children will hear about them pretty regularly I thought it might be nice to put names with faces. My parents are shown above, but your children will hear me refer to them as Mimi & Popsi. My boys & husband are pictured below. Marshall is a 7th grader & Emerson is a 5th grader. My husband doesn't care what grade he is in. He is just happy we are at Edisto.

God Is With Us

On this day of remembrance, please be mindful of how you share the events of this day with your children. Don't forget that they are young and can be scared quite easily. As parents we often forget our conversations when little ears are listening and no one can discuss this tragic day in a way that is not frightening. I think the most important message for all of us to share is that God is with us and He will be with us always. Sometimes really bad things happen, but we must trust in God. Take some time on this anniversary of day, that pretty much all of us can remember, to play with your family. Many on that fateful day no longer have that privilege. Honor their memories with smiles and Alleluias.

Happy Grandparent's Day!

Okay this post is a little early, but I am going to be out of town throughout the weekend and I had to share it today. Since Sunday is Grandparent's Day we spent a little bit of time today talking about the special things we do with our Grandparents. Did you know that Everybody LOVES their grandparents? I mean "really alot!" Well they also love to hear all of the names we use for them. Some of us have a mimi, nana, nona, gmaw, grandmama, etc... (And that is just the grandma names.) No matter what we call them, everyone knows they really are the best. Here is a little picture from us to say "Happy Grandparent's Day!"
Now here are the things we said about our grandparents: (please excuse any mis-spellings because I don't know if I have the nicknames right. I did the best I could.)
Addy: "I have a mimi, papa, nana, grandpa. I stay with them when I am sick and I play with them too. I like to jump on the trampoline."
Charlie: "I have a grandma & grandpa. They like it when I play cars with them."
Christopher: "I have a nanny. I like to do everything with nanny."
Cori: "I have a grandma & grandpa. I like to sleep with Nana. I also play with their dog, Maggie."
Dylan: "I have a papa & grandmama. They live far away. Mimi's don't like to run."
Ian: "I have a grandma, nana, & granddaddy. I like to play at their house and go to eat at IHOP with them. IHOP is the best restaurant."
Jarrett: "I have Grandma Gorgeous. We like to go outside and catch bugs."
Kenzie: "I have a grandma. Her buys me clothes."
Liam: "I have a mema, papa, grandad & mimi. I like to play tickle with them."
Noah: "I have a nona. Sometimes I sleep with her all night."
Van: "I have a nana. She gives me sweet tea and sometimes Coke."
Victoria: "I have a grandma & grandpa. They cook and I play with my cousins."

Guess Who?

These are our paper dolls...can you guess which one belongs to your child? Since we spent the week learning about each other, we made these little paper dolls. It is amazing how a blank manilla figure can really be transformed into your child's image. Take a few minutes to read the clues on the front of their suitcase and see if you can find your child's. They are displayed just outside our door.
The words to the little song below are so perfect to close this week. ..."I"m as special as can be, 'cause God Made Me!!!!"

I Am Special

Today we had our first chapel. It was really fun because Mrs. Nikki talked about how God made each of us special. Now the really fun part was her use of cookies. I'll have to say it was an attention grabbing chapel because the assortment of cookies was really appealing. She talked about how all cookies aren't the same even though they are all really cookies. We looked at Oreo's, Sprinkle cookies, iced cookies & M&M cookies...yes they are all cookies but each kind is special...just like we are. Through sharing our "me" bags we learned something special about each friend in our class and the children are amazed by the things they do and don't have in common. God really did make each one of us special and unique with different talents and personalities. As we learn and grow together this year, we will all learn how to appreciate each other's differences. Here is an art project being displayed in our room. It is another way to see that we are all the same but different. Our little hand prints aren't exactly the same and the way we decorated the border is as different as we are. Isn't God cool? He made everyone so special and I am so glad that He did. Our class sure would be boring if we were all alike.

Beautiful Weather

It was so perfect on the playground today. The temperature was just right and not one child said, "I'm hot." Our smiling faces were running and playing and doing what all children should do...having fun. Sometimes it just feels so good to be outside in the sunshine. We love sunny days!