School Days are here again!

Hard to believe our little girl is starting Pre-K this year! WOW! She has been looking forward to the first day of school since, well...the last day of school last year! Hope this year is as exciting and rewarding for you as last year was Lexie! We are so proud of you!

Excited for her first day of school!
Posing for a quick picture before we left for school!
One more picture with daddy!

School's Out...Already???

Lexie's last day of school managed to sneak up on us from out of nowhere! It seemed as though it was only a few weeks ago that we dropped her off for her first day of school and she never looked back! She made so many great friends, had wonderful teachers, created tons of crafts, learned quite a few bible verses...all while thoroughly enjoying every single second of it! She can't wait to go back next year for Pre-Kindergarten!!

For their last day, the class performed a special program for all of the families and friends that were able to attend. Granny, Olivia, Russ & I were all able to join in on the fun! After their 'production' the kids had ice cream sundaes and wished their friends a happy and safe summer!


Marching in and singing one of Lexie's favorite new tunes "I'm in the Lord's Army" to start the big show!
Getting all lined up for the next big number!
After a couple of songs, the first 'act' took place. They are acting out Chicken Little! It was so incredibly cute! While some of the kids had a hard time reciting their lines, Lexie was a champ and remembered hers without being prompted! We were so incredibly proud!
"The sky is falling!"
Russ and Olivia sure looked to be entertained!
Mrs. Kulhman passing out Lexie's Graduation certificate...
...and a congratulatory hug!
Yay mom and dad...I passed Pre-school!!! I'm ready for Pre-K now!
Lexie was sad to say goodbye to Mrs. Henderson! She was a great teacher, but we will see her again next year!!! Lexie is already so excited she keeps asking when school is going to start!

Run Lexie Run!!!

Since I had so much fun helping out at Lexie's school the last time, I jumped at the opportunity to help out again. This time, Lexie's teacher Mrs. Henderson was out of the class room so I had the pleasure of assisting Mrs. Kuhlman. It just so happened, I lucked out and was able to help on the same day that the Pre-school class was scheduled to "Run for Rhema". The Run for Rhema is a school fundraiser where students are sponsored to run with the proceeds benefiting the school. Needless to say, I had an absolute blast helping out and especially getting to see all of the kids run their little hearts out!

The kids were a bit disappointed to learn they would be running in the gym and not outside, but since it has been raining off and on all morning, the course set up outdoors was wet and the powers that be certainly didn't want the kids to slip and hurt themselves so made a makeshift course in the school gymnasium. They still had a great time!!


And they are off!!! There she goes!!!
Russ and Olivia were a part of the crowd to cheer on and support our little runner!
Round and round she goes!!!
One of the kindergarten classes came out to cheer on the runners.
Russ ran the last lap with Lexie. She was exhausted, but ran the whole time!
Post race celebratory popsicle. Sure did the trick!
Lexie was so excited she was awarded a medal!
Congratulations to all of the Rhema Pre-School Runners! We are all so proud of you!
Thank you to everyone that supported Lexie in her efforts to "Race for Rhema"! Special thanks to Aunt Debbie & Uncle Michael, Grandma Barbara, GG & Gpa, Granny, & Nini for your financial pledges!!!!

T-REX sighting

Lexie's class attended a carnival at school today. She went on and on about how much fun she had and how she wanted to go back again tomorrow! I guess this is an annual event that the 8th graders host in order to raise money. They set up different booths--and kids can buy tickets to participate. Lexie was so excited she got to get her face painted. While most of the other girls in her class came out to the pick up line with balloons, or flowers, or butterflies....this is what Lexie was sporting!


That's right...a T-Rex (in case you couldn't tell since it started to smudge off)!!! Who would have thought?

Mommy Goes Back to School???

Mrs. Kuhlman, Lexie's preschool teacher's aide, was scheduled to be out of the class for the day with her own 'student' for a college tour...leaving Mrs. Henderson to fend for herself. She emailed the parents looking for help and since Russ had the day off, I jumped at the chance to head back to school! What an exciting morning!




Mrs. Henderson helping some of the kids clean up after 'free time'.
Lexie was picked to be the line leader/helper...this is quite possibly the highlight of her school days. She loves being the line leader and special helper!!! They were reviewing the days of the week and what day it was.
The class is working on completing their very own "Brown Bear Brown Bear What do You See" paper bag book. The kids enjoyed their one on one time at the craft table to sponge paint the animal for the next page in the book.

The finished pages arranged so they can dry.


After completing the page in their books, Mrs Henderson asked me to read a book to the class so she could get things cleaned up and ready for the next activity. After the story, a few kids were asked which songs they wanted to sing...Lexie got first pick.
They all marched, flew and skipped around the room--it was quite a sight to see.
After acting out Jesus Loves Me, I'm a little Tea Pot, and reciting the Alphabet song, Mrs Henderson read the class a book about a dancing giraffe while I prepped for the next craft---you guessed it...the class made giraffes!
All of the students were in attendance for the first time in weeks---15 in total!!! I didn't really know what to expect, but the experience far exceeded those expectations! It was really interesting to see the kids interact, their different personalities, how quickly they adapt to changes, and how structured the class is. It was a wonderful opportunity...and even though I had to help clean up after one of Lexie's classmates that didn't quite make it to the bathroom, I would volunteer to help out again in a heart beat!

Suessical The Musical

The big day had come and Lexie was soooo sooo soooooo excited! She was scheduled to go on a field trip with her class to see Seussical The Musical! Though she didn't really know what it was, she just knew she was going to get to do something very special and share it with her classmates and her family! She was especially excited to get to ride the bus---but unfortunately, both Olivia and I were sick so we thought it best to drive ourselves down to the theatre.

We got there a few minutes before the class did and were one of the first in line. Because there were so many children from Rhema, they blocked the first section (lower Orchestra) just for us. Because we were the first in line for Rhema, we had FRONT ROW SEATS! It was amazing! We were right behind the pit...could see and hear everything...LEXIE WAS ON CLOUD NINE! As soon as the curtain went up and the lights came on and she saw everyone in the cast singing and dancing, she popped out of her seat and asked "can I go up there too?" She LOVED it! Throughout the ENTIRE production she kept saying "I should would like to do that!" And even though under the weather, Olivia enjoyed it too---we all did, even Russ!

Lexie picked out her 'fancy' clothes to wear for her special day out!

Russ with the girls just before they opened the doors
The cat in the hat mingled during intermission

One Stitch at a Time---Mission Accomplished!

As a follow up to the original post, I was finally able to get Lexie's Class Quilt finished!!! Mrs. Henderson gave me the final pieces to assemble the last bit of the border and I picked up some silky thread to tie the corners of the blocks. It really turned out cute---I may just have to give it my best shot to win this at the auction!

Pet Day!

Lexie always looks forward to school, but today she was exceptionally excited! She got to take along one of her favorite puppies to celebrate "Pet Day". I didn't know if we would ever get out of the house...how could she chose between all of her puppies? On any given day this one or that one is her favorite, but the lucky puppy of the day was.....


PINK DOG!
She promised to take good care of pink dog and show her around her school.

One Stitch at a Time

Lexie's school hosts a Spring Fund Raising event showcasing various vendors, baskets, and silent auction. Each class puts together a 'class quilt' to be auctioned off and apparently they are quite the money makers. After two emails from Lexie's teacher begging for help to put their quilt together, I decided to offer my assistance. She provided me with all the materials I needed for the front of the quilt which included a 'block' representing each child from the class...along with fabric to frame each block and additional material to connect all the blocks. Sounds much more complicated that it actually was. I am waiting for Mrs. Henderson to give me the batting and backing so I can finish the quilt...I may just have to bid on it after all of this work! It is coming together nicely so far--here is a sneak peek!

A hand drawn picture and written directions along with the material for the quilt. Each child made a 'block' using their hand print or finger prints during a class art project which was then transformed into some sort of animal.


The block in the center of the quilt which reads : "God made all things-Colossians 1:16" through the center of the rainbow

Lexie's block.
Another block showcasing one of Lexie's friends hand prints as an octopus.

Be sure to check back for the finished product---and to see if we have the winning bid at the auction!!!!

Would you be her Valentine???

Since Lexie goes to a Christian based private school, they have certain restrictions when celebrating various holidays. For Valentine's Day, they were asked to keep Christian themes in their valentines to be exchanged with their classmates (there goes my idea of using the Mickey Mouse cards left over from last year!). The children were encouraged to make their own...with help from their parents of course! Luckily, we still have Aunt Allie's cricket machine which made our home made valentines much easier to create!


After cutting different shapes, sizes, and colors of hearts using the machine, Lexie helped to glue them on. We used the first Bible verse she learned and was tested on for the message on the cards. I think they turned out cute--but I am a bit biased!
Trying to finish her breakfast, but she was so excited to give her friends the cards she made, she was having a hard time concentrating! "Mommy, I'm so excited for the party at my school today!"

Hope everyone had a day filled with L O V E!!!

J is for JESUS

Lexie was so excited to get to school today! First thing this morning, she and her classmates were to have one last rehearsal in preparation for their BIG production later in the morning! We couldn't wait to see her and her friends in action!

The wait was finally over! Mrs. Henderson welcomed parents, grandparents and friends to their production of "J Is for Jesus" (a tale which tells about the origins and symbolism of the candy cane). It is a great book...one I hope to find for Christmas next year!The kids acting out their 'scene' holding their candy canes high in the sky!
Some of Lexie's Classmates dressed as Angels...
...some as shepherds...
...and the rest as 'children'. Here they are singing "Away in a manger".

After their program, we celebrated with a BIG Birthday party for Jesus. Lexie "sure likes these cupcakes".
It was a great program and an even better party!

Pint sized Thanks-giving

Lexie's preschool class enjoyed a Thanksgiving Party sponsored by the Parent Committee. I offered my assistance and was asked to bring a game or two for the class to play. I created a turkey bingo game (with the help of Nini) and also made a pumpkin bowling game (complete with a pumpkin from Lexie's pumpkin patch)! Both games were a hit---but they especially liked to roll the pumpkin into the empty plastic water bottles! The kids made pictures of turkeys out of stickers, colored pictures for a reusable tumbler, and enjoyed a few treats! Lexie talked about her party the whole way home! Special thanks to my wonderful neighbor who invited Olivia over to play so I could help out the class!


One of the parent committee members helping out the kids
Lexie picking a picture to color for her tumble