Whirlwind Wichita Visit

This weekend provided the perfect opportunity for us to make a whirlwind visit to our last assignment in Wichita, Kansas.  It really wasn't a pleasure trip, but more of a work trip to transition out our former renters and get things ready for our new ones.  It was fun for the kids to go back.  The older two remembered it, but Andrew really didn't and that was to be expected.  Chris and I spent much of our time doing little odd jobs around the house and improving the landscaping a bit on the outside.  The kids mostly just played in the wide open areas of the house (it rained).  However, Chris did put them to work picking up rocks.  It was to Luke's great delight to catch a baby snake.  He was happy with his catch.  I try to squelch my snake phobia when I'm around him, but I must admit that I would not want him to pick up just any snake at our current assignment (there are rattlesnakes around these parts - ugh!)  Later, they were also delighted when Daddy caught a baby rabbit.  After we said farewell to Wichita once again, we did make another stop in Enid, Oklahoma to visit dear friends that we made while in pilot training.  It was a fun and productive weekend and there is still more of it to enjoy!

Happy Boy!

 Not so sure....

 I should have taken a before picture....

This is what we all wish we'd been doing about this time. 

One Last School Post

I wanted to document one more special moment from my end of school time.  Luke and Hannah both won AR (accelerated reading) awards this year.  Hannah came in second of all the first grade classes and Luke came in second of all the second grade classes.  I was so happy for them.  I was deeply touched and surprised.  I usually am on top of all their school work (I am for now...it may not always be that way....), but I quickly lose track of AR stuff and it just didn't seem to be going smoothly this year with lack of available computer time (read more books than there was time to take the tests) and another one who didn't always meet short term AR goals.  So, I was proud of them.  They persevered and continued to love reading as well as a bit of the competition that goes along with it.  Now, for some more reading fun this summer!  By the way, they do start in first grade so Andrew was out of the competition just because of his age.  He's a good little reader as well!

Final Day

 First Day of School 2013-2014

 Last Day of School 2013-2014

Today is a big day...it's the final day of kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade for my trio.  It is also their last day at this elementary school.  I think it was kind of setting in with the kids this morning - especially Luke.  I just continue to pray that they will have a good match of teachers and friends at their new school.  Honestly, I think I might be taking this the hardest.  God has a new adventure for us, though, and for that I am grateful. 

I try to do something fun on the last day of school.  However, this year we have something right after school today so we did our fun stuff last night - it involves ice cream and writing our summer-to-do list followed by pictures by their sign.  Hannah asked about this this year so I had to put it together.  So with no further ado, here are my newest 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders for the 2014-2015 school year!

Field Day

Today's fun event was Field Day along with a hot dog lunch provided by a local meat processing factory.  I'm pretty sure there isn't much learning going on, but I'm really glad my kids can have these last few days at this elementary just to have fun with their friends and peers.

The events of the day included ball on a spoon (used to be an egg....), sack race, big roller ball race, baton race and off course a class competition of tug-of-war.  This could easily be a chaotic day, but it always runs smoothly and it seems like everyone is having fun.  I was also thankful for early start times.  Andrew began with kindergarten at about 8:15 and was finished by 9:30 when the 1st and 2nd grade classes came out.  I was finished with my spectating by 11.  Thankfully....the morning was beautiful, but the afternoon temps are to peak out around 100.  As for highlights, I thought I'd just share those with you in pictures.  

 Andrew in the roller ball race

 Andrew and a friend showing me their strong tug-of-war muscles

 Andrew in the baton race

 Pulling with all his little kindergarten might

 Luke was up early this morning because this day was so eagerly anticipated

 Hannah pleased with her efforts in the ball on spoon race

 Luke was so speedy on this race

 Hannah in the sack race

 Hannah trying to keep the ball on a straight course

 Luke trying to keep control of the ball in the gust of wind

His final individual event as a 2nd grader in Field Day

Rockin' Around Kindergarten

Andrew is on the next to the top row, third one from the right

(if you click on the picture to enlarge, you should be able to see him better)

I had the privilege last Friday of attending my third kindergarten program in three years...my last one.  They have all been so cute and I love seeing my kids perform in really their first organized program.  This year had a 50's theme and they had taken popular songs of the era and changed their words to a kindergarten theme (all but one and that is one of the clips below).  We've been humming the familiar tunes with new words around the house.  I must also tell you, I'm thankful this was Andrew's program and not Hannah's.  A white t-shirt and a pair of jeans was so much easier to put together than a poodle skirt.  Yes, I'm definitely suffering from the end of year phenomena of just surviving.

Andrew's line to begin the show, "This is how we begin each day and it's very important too."  (that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Oklahoma flag)

Part of the Oklahoma song that all my kids learned while they were in kindergarten.

Another Big Hannah Day

I'm telling you that if you wanted a ton of fun stuff to do at the end of the school year, you had to be in 1st grade.  Hannah's school social calendar has been full!

Last Friday, Hannah began her day with Donuts with Dad.  So thankful that Chris could get away and attend this with her.  I think they both loved it.  The turn out was tremendous as well.  Chris said there were 14 Dads there and there are only around 17 in her class.  That turnout was better than the Moms the week before.  They ate donuts, gave them a card and then Hannah read a book to him.  Probably the funniest thing I heard about was what another teacher overheard.  To preface it a bit, the kids attend a public school, but the physical building is on base.  To attend, a parent must have base access.  So, a second grader was heard saying as she saw the 1st grade Dads in uniform for Donuts with Dad, "what is the Air Force doing here?"  They don't get that they all have something in common....

Hannah's card to Chris - I love you because...

you make pancakes

you give me piggy back rides

you turn on the TV for me

you take me to school (yes, the car Chris usually takes them in is green!)

you roast chicken for me

you take me on trips (yes, our van that is used for trips is silver!)

Later that morning, the 1st graders finished up a unit on fairy tales by having a Fairy Tale Ball (aka chaos!).  Actually, many of them were wearing some very creative costumes and had put some effort into it.  Hannah picked hers out and it's become obvious she's grown a bit since she first received this play dress.  The ball was held in the school gym.  Most of the first half was just running around.  With the help of the gym teacher to coral the 70-80 1st graders, they got a bit more organized and actually did some organized dancing.  By the last song, they were told they needed to be quiet to hear the instructions.  However, it was very quiet.  I think the sugar rush from the donuts and the hour of dancing were finally having a toll on those 7 year olds!

AWANA Year in Review

The kids finished up what is our fifth year in AWANA and they did so with flying colors.  I've really liked what they're doing in AWANA and it provides somewhat of a consistency in their extra curricular activities as we move.  I don't know how long we will stay in the program, but for now, I think we'll keep it up.  The awards they received last night seemed to be the perfect incentive for them. 

For those not familiar with AWANA, it is a Bible club type program where they have a book of verses to memorize and activities to complete that usually cover missionaries.  They also have a Bible lesson and of course, games and snacks.  I was involved with it when I was growing up and there are still verses that I remember today from my time there.

 This was Luke's last year as a Spark (K-2).  He completed his book, reviewed his book, finished the extra book and a few additional Bible passages.  He did great and is quite pleased in earning his plaque for completing all three Sparks books.

Hannah finished finished the same things Luke did and is proud of the fact that she completed two of the Sparks books so far.

 Never to be left out and always needing to keep up with Luke and Hannah, Andrew finished all the things Luke and Hannah did as well.  He had a good time and how could he not with only 7 boys in the kindergarten class (no girls).  His teachers were great!

In Appreciation of Teachers

I know teacher appreciation week was last week, but don't they say better late than never?  We have been deeply blessed with the five teachers that my kids have had at their elementary school since Luke began kindergarten.  They have all been fabulous and top-notch - a perfect match for each of their personalities and an answer to prayer.

This was Mrs. Miranda's first year of teaching at their school, but she was a 20 year veteran of teaching kindergarten.  She was great and the perfect person to kick start Andrew's school career and take care of him as well.

Luke had a teacher switch two days into the school year and I'm so glad he did.  Mrs. Fourroux didn't let Luke slide through her second grade class despite the fact that he was making good grades.  She pushed him to do better and he thrived in the tight ship of a classroom that she ran.  She also came to see Luke play a soccer game and stayed for the entire game...she's a trooper!

Hannah had the privilege of having Mrs. Hughes for first grade (Luke had her as a student teacher last year).  This was her first year and one I'm sure she won't soon forget or maybe she won't even remember.  She had so much going on...her first year of teaching (that's quite an undertaking in and of itself), her husband deployed and she is expecting baby number two the day after school is out and he'll be just 15 months younger than his brother.  She has done a wonderful job despite all of that.  I've done all of those, but never at the same time and only with God's help.  She has persevered and made it and it sounds like she wants to teach again.  Way to go on a job well done!

Mother's Day Treasures

Ah, my sweet trio made sure I was appreciated yesterday.  Thanks to Sunday School teachers and their classroom teachers for helping with the special keepsakes of the day.  However, some of those the kids did on their own time just for me.  I thought I'd give you the quotes from a couple of them.

Andrew, is still a bit on the young side to be too creative in his writing, but he made sure I knew that he loved me.  He gave me a lot of cards!

Luke's card (the one with the green truck) says, "love is greater than gold or more precious than anything...I love you!"  Love, Luke

Hannah's "flower" card says, " I love you because....
- she cleans my room (just for the record, not always....)
- she helps me with my homework
- she teaches me to be responsible
- she makes my dinner
- she gives me presents
- she takes care of me
- she gives me a big library"

Hannah's Big Day

So last Friday was the day to do all things fun in the 1st Grade.  Hannah began her day with Muffins with Mom.  I was looking forward to this.  It's always special to do something with one of my children at school.  Plus, I've seen other Moms get to do this and always thought it would be fun.  We had a delightful time of eating or huge muffins, chatting with friends and reading a book.  Of course, I loved every minute of it.

An hour later, the parents were invited to "A Typical Day in Music Class".  They didn't have a program this year, but this was a nice substitution.  I've always known we were blessed in this department, but I'd never seen their teacher in action.  I was blown away.  She has these little ones in the palm of her hand teaching them all sorts of things.  She had them copying her singing tone, differentiating between beat and rhythm, reading quarter/eighth/sixteenth notes (clapping to them), putting notes on a staff (just whether the notes are going up, down or staying the same), and there was probably something else that I missed.

To finish the day, she got to go to a pizza party as an AR prize.  Of course she enjoyed that, but I wasn't there.    

While I was in the school building, I spied this little treasure.  Yes, that's Luke under the "H" in "Hall".  So proud of his hard work.  He's more than ready, though, to move on to something more challenging....

Death by the Book - A Book Review

If you like mysteries, you'll enjoy this one.  In true fashion of another Drew Farthering mystery, Rules of Murder, this one was full of red herrings and more of the characters we were introduced to in the first book along with a few additions.  These books remind me of a good mystery meeting the setting of Downton Abbey.  This one, just like the first, has you thinking the suspect is one person and then turns around with evidence that it could be someone else.  In the end, it is someone that the reader would never guess as the real suspect.  It is full of red herrings and keeps you thinking as you read.  I like that and the fact that these books are definitely not predictable!  Happy sleuthing!

I received a complimentary copy of Death by the Book by Julianna Deering from Bethany House Publishers.

That Was Not a Vacation....

As I've alluded to before, big changes are coming our way for the summer of 2014.  It's time for the Air Force to send us to our next assignment.  We are very excited about it.  However, before that move can be made, big decisions have to be settled.  At the top of that list is housing and schooling for the kids and as you may know, they do go somewhat hand in hand. 

At the end of last week, Chris and I took a few days to go to the Midwest and scope things out and find a home.  Mom and Dad stayed here and watched our trio.  I thought it would be wonderful fun to spend five days with just my husband (2 days of that were driving...).  Don't get me wrong, it was great to have Chris to myself and we always enjoy those times when it is just the two of us.  However, it was what we were doing with our time that made our time away from home challenging.  Finding a home is not the easiest job.  It was an answer to prayer that God put the both of us on the same page and the house seemed obvious to us.  We looked at over 20/25 homes in addition to the multiple neighborhoods that we just drove through.  All the while trying to find the balance between need/want/price/school/etc.  I think that was the part that was stressful.  We transversed the area multiple times and this is what we came up with. 

The picture above is the home we have a contract on.  I really like the inside and honestly it is bigger than we need.  However, it is my hope and prayer that it will be a place that we can use for God's glory.  I don't know what that will look like, but I really want to use it for Him.  When I look at the picture, I do struggle and hope it isn't too ostentatious.  That was never our intent.

So, when you're in the area, please stop by and see us.  There is plenty of room in the basement for you to have your own space and I promise that I'll feed you.  There is more than plenty to entertain us in the area.  However, we would just love to see you and have you in our new home!

Sewing Lessons

My parents were in town for several days.  We had not seen them in quite some time so we had a nice visit.  Then they came to our rescue and watched the kids a few days while Chris and I needed to be out of town.  They kids had a wonderful time with them and hopefully, my parents didn't get too tired from keeping up with all their energy. 

One of the things my Mom did with Hannah was make an "H" pillow.  Mom was great and allowed Hannah to do nearly all of it.  Hannah got to cut out the material and then use the sewing machine for the first time.  She was so delighted, she wanted to make another "H" pillow.  They only part she didn't like and she let my Mom do was the hand stitching.  She didn't like to prick her fingers.  Now, I need to find another sewing project for her to do.  She loves hands-on stuff like sewing and cooking. 

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

 Oklahoma map - assignment complete

 A couple of weeks ago, Luke did a unit at school on Oklahoma, the land where the wind really does come "sweepin' down the plain".  As part of the unit, he had to make a salt dough map of the state.  With recipe in hand and a wonderful youtube tutorial, his map somewhat has the shape of Oklahoma.  I did the actual shape of the state and Luke did everything else.  He could have done it, but we couldn't procrastinate because it took awhile to dry.  So we went that route.  Later in the week, all the second grade classes held a land rush.  They had a great time claiming their property and then enjoying their snacks.  It was crazy on this much smaller version.  It would have been absolutely insane to have taken part in the actual event several decades ago.... 

 Ready for the start....

 And they're off...

Luke has his land.  Actually, this was his second choice.  His first one wasn't bad, but it didn't take him long to realize that he wanted some shade on his property.  As a bonus, one of his friends was nearby and she had quite the stash of snacks on hand.  He knows what he needs!

The Fix

Early spring is the hardest time for me to properly clothe my children.  They've either outgrown clothes or they have entirely worn them out.  Add to that, I'm too cheap to buy them new clothes that they will only wear for a week so we make due.  That was the case a week or two ago when I sent Andrew to school in a newer pair of jeans.  He'd worn them a few times and I just didn't think of cinching them tighter so they wouldn't be falling down.  (Just for the record, if I would remember to buy the child slim jeans, we would have never had this problem....).  So off to school he sent.  When he came home, this is what he showed me.  His teacher had put a zip tie around his belt loops to keep his pants up.  I thought it was a great fix, but for some reason, I find it so funny.  Don't get me wrong, I love it that his teacher did this.  Needless to say, I've now taken the time to properly cinch his pants....