a few more...

Madison with mom and with dad

Savannah with mom and with dad

Seriously I don't think I will be able to tell either one of these girls no as they get older just look at how sweet they are!

Swim Lessons and life lessons

Picture taken by Jessica B. 

The kids were very lucky to take swim lessons at a friends neighborhood pool and be in a class with their good buddies. With just a few lessons I have seen such change in all the kids. I was proud of all four of them gaining new skills and  getting over old fears. As the week went on I was very happy that my kids were getting over their fears and really trying new things. By the end of lessons each had a new set of skills and were ready for a new set of classes. I however saw a much greater lesson being learned and I could not be more happy! I saw each of the kids cheer one another on not just at lessons but when we went to the pool with some other friends too. They were not competitive or bragging about their different skills. My kids talked just as much about what their friends did at swim class as as what they did too. I am not sure just how they gained this skill but I pray it stays with them for a life time. I am so thankful they have friends who can encourage and support them. I truly want my kids to know what it means to be a good friend. I know they will have their moments of jealousy or competitiveness by I truly pray kindness, encouragement and joy are more prevalent attributes.  

blessings

Surrounded by blessings! In the craziness of life I sometimes forget to stop and see the blessings to remember gratitude. That God's blessing shine bright when we stop to see them. Every time I am with this family I am reminded of God's blessings. The blessing of these two adorable little ones. The blessing of their amazing parents. Also the blessing of cousins and just what a joy the can add to life.

Thank you Alyse, Robert, Savannah and Madison for allowing me to spend the morning with you. 

 

Sprinkler

Cooling down on a warm summer day! 

( Mr C does not like to have his picture taken lately so you may see more or Miss C as she will ask to have her picture taken.)

Last day of school

Mr. C and his fabulous teacher Mrs. Craig! 

 Mr C with some of his friends from school.

 Michelle helped in Mr C's Class this year and is the one who drew on all of the kids awards. Very Talented!!!

A wonderful year in first grade!

Thanks a bunch

I started collecting glass jars in the spring and even enlisted some help from a friend so I could put these flower vases together for the last day of school. With all the people Mr. C encounters I needed to come up with 10 gifts. These jars tied with burlap and ribbon in the school colors seemed like a simple yet kind way to say thank you. I am deeply touched how his school works. It feels very much like a functional family and I feel safe leaving my little boy in their hands. We feel truly blessed to have a principal who deeply cares for her students and passes that quality on down through her staff. Mr C was blessed to have an amazing teacher who saw where he was as a student and strived to challenge him  and help his desire to learn grow stronger. I love that she saw his strengths and saw ways to make them stronger but more importantly saw his weaknesses and gently guided him to work on those too. Having worked in classrooms I understand the number of kids and getting to the agenda for the day can often take over. As a mom I appreciate  his teachers way of seeing past the agenda to the little ones before her. Taking each student at their own level and needs and making her classroom a safe inviting place to learn. Mrs. Craig we will be ever thankful for the important role you played in  Mr C's life this year. 

Last day...

Why not start your day with a 3d movie and some breakfast?

 After packing up the car we used the last of our SHARC passes to head for the pool one last time. Now I am a rule keeper by nature, I do not believe rules are meant to be broken I believe they are there for our safety and protection :) That being said I must confess I broke the rules today. When we arrived at the pool it was shock to find out it would not be the calm quiet tuesday we were expecting. The parking lot had lots of school busses as this was a field trip day for one of the coal middle schools. So after trying to keep listening ears away from inappropriate conversations in the kids pool we let our kids break the rules and we headed over for some peace and quiet in the 5 and under fence off pool area with an awesome sandpit.