day 3: pajama day

Better known as Reagan's best. school day. ever. I think she could live in pj's... :)


practicing the yawn...

day 2: sports day

Luke decided to practice before school (at 7:15!) He was excited...

it's our day

It's spirit week at school!! The kids are excited. Notsomuch for the dress up (although they WILL participate on some level) but they are excited about having hot lunch every day! :)

It's the little things...


Today is beachy day

(well.... actually it's beach day- close enough)



Thanks Aunt Dee for the new swim clothes from Hawaii!!

half marathon

Today was the Go St. Louis marathon. We had many friends who were running the half. We decided to go and watch. It has been while since I was one of the crowd. It was a beautiful day. We had fun going up and down the race course. It was great for Dale to experience this side of the race...

Lisa- do not be mad about the next picture... I completely forgot to take the photo when you were running toward us!

mile 6...
mile 10...
We couldn't find parking near enough to the finish line so after driving around for awhile (and knowing several of our friends were done) we headed out. On the way we drove by the City Diner and decided to stop....


We had a fun morning! GREAT job girls!!!

a warm spring day

Today was a HOT day (83). We had fun hanging around the house. The kids put on their bathing suits then Carsyn and Luke busted out the new water swords. We also played basketball and four-square. Later in the afternoon we headed out for a hike...

first we visited the nature center...






Reagan was "steaming!"
the "bigs" went ahead on the trail- Reagan and I were left to take the walk in stride...

kindergarten chapel

Today Reagan's kindergarten class hosted chapel, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made". It was so sweet. It was a mini play- Reagan was with 2 other girls who "needed encouragement." They needed to be reminded that God made them special and no one can change that. I love the message- it was so relevant to all of us!

Mr. Crane opened in prayer...
Reagan's part...
If I were a Butterfly song...
Reagan was "steaming" by the end!
Reagan and her BF...

practicing

Last week we had parent-teacher conferences. Even though it is a bit of a hassle to schedule 3 conferences (which are never back to back) I truly enjoy meeting with the teachers. I love knowing how my children are fairing in the classroom. This is their life, in the here and now- how are the conducting themselves, what are they learning, how is it all playing out?

Each time we have a conference I always walk away feeling very content. So many things impress me about the interaction (even if I am not 100% happy with my child's progress). The first thing that impresses me each time we begin is that the teacher opens in prayer. They pray for my child, his/her strengths and focus for the remainder of the year. We have chosen christian education because we feel it is important for our children to know who God is and what his world is all about- the biblical world view. He is the foundation that everything rests upon. Starting a conference in prayer reminds me of our reasons for christian education.

The second gold star is handed out because the teachers (at least for my kids) know, really know, my children:

Ms. B knows that Carsyn is diligent, hard working and caring. But she struggles with spelling so Ms. B has worked with her (and me) to help C have success. Carsyn did not start the year out loving to read either. The tide is turning so Ms. B has been encouraging her to read, read, read.

Mrs. K understands Luke. She knows he is smart, he is great at math, he can read on a 3rd grade level but that he doesn't like to read all that much. He is also shy but he likes to be silly with his BF, Briggs.

Oh and there's my sweet Reagan girl. She came to school late this year (not until November). Mrs. H saw from the beginning how special R is and has been helping her to love school work and showing her how to read the words in a book instead of making up a "more interesting story". We have come a long way and Mrs. H has identified ways we can encourage R at home.

I am so grateful for these 3 wonderful teachers. They have loved my children, taught them endless knowledge and been good examples of what Godly women should be. I can ask for no less...

Reagan and I have been working on reading (she can read but tends to do her own editing). We have also been writing #'s to 100. Today we used shaving cream to work on sight words and numbers...