Teacher Appreciation Week

May 6 - 10 was Teacher Appreciation Week so we definitely wanted to show a few of Brody's teacher's how much he appreciates them.  Since my mom was a teacher I know how little teachers are appreciated so I wanted to do a little something for them a few days during the week.

Here are some of the things Brody gave to Mrs. Proffit, Mrs. Maddox (the media specialist) and Ms Bailey (his PE teacher).

Brody was very leary to give them their gifts on the first day.  He had practiced what to say, but just couldn't get it out when he got to them.  He got better by the end of the week.

Brody's Writing

For the past several weeks, Brody has been working on his writing skills by writing sentences and he really enjoys it.  Every chance he gets he is writing something.  The other day he was talking to Trevor about what socks to wear and when I went to put Trevor's socks up I found this:

It was the sweetest thing and just like a big brother.


At school Brody has been writing at least once a week.  Here are a couple examples of some his writing.  His handwriting is definitely getting better.

All about butterflies

All about chickens

One day I get a call from his teacher explaining that she gave the kids a challenge "for every sentence they wrote, they would receive a smartie".  She wanted to make sure that he could have 25 smarties.  I told her yes since he earned them.  He was so excited to have written 25 sentences and taken his time for them all.  I am so proud of his writing and I just hope he continues enjoying it.

Read In

Brody's school really stresses their Accelerated Reader Program - actually it is big at all of our schools.  This is where the student reads a book and then takes a 5 question test on it.  As Kindergarteners, it is not for a grade but the teachers are prepping them for what is coming later.

Mrs. Proffit held a Read In on Thursday, May 2.  This is where the kids got to wear their pj's and bring in a favorite stuffed animal.  They would be reading books to their stuffed animal and then taking the AR test on the book.  That afternoon they would watch a movie and have popcorn.

Brody was pretty excited to bring Yoda into school that day.

I am so proud of how well Brody is reading.  He is on a 2.6 - 3.7 reading level (which means a 2nd - 3rd grade level)  and loves to go to the library to check out books.  The one thing we have to work on with him is getting him to read slower so he can comprehend what he is reading - he reads way too fast!!  What a problem to have in kindergarten.  I am just thankful that he enjoys it.  When we can't find him in the house, he has usually grabbed a book and is reading away in his room.

A very busy week

The first week of May is one of our busiest weeks of the year.  This is when we host a senior banquet and take about 18 juniors/seniors to the beach for the weekend.  This year we decided to have the banquet at Laytn's Land N on Wednesday night.  This is a place that is about 30 minutes away and is out in the woods with a huge barn to have the banquet.  We had Olive Garden cater our dinner which made it much easier on us and of course everyone loves Olive Garden.  We had about 100 people attend the banquet and thanks to a few other Sunday School teachers who helped serve and clean up everything went smoothly.

Our wonderful group of seniors

Ever since our co teachers the Thompson's and Jason and I started teaching the senior class and putting this banquet together, we have also put together a slide show video with pictures of them growing up.  There have been a couple of years where I have been up to 1AM or 2AM several nights in a row working on the video.  I have tried to get things done sooner and this year I think it was just one night up until 1:30AM.  Thanks to a Mac, making a video is easier.

After decorating for the banquet that Wednesday morning, Trevor passed out in the car.  He was such a trooper and helped carry supplies in and then just played around

Julie and I also have lots of food shopping to do for the week because after the banquet on Wednesday, we took 18 juniors/ seniors to a beach house for the weekend.  We filled 2 huge shopping carts at Sam's and one had Julie's grandson Gannon in there along with some food.  We were quite a sight to see.

Julie and I packed up my vehicle Thursday morning despite the nasty weather and headed to St Augustine.  We try to go a couple of hours before everyone to set up the house before 18 teenagers invade it - it helps us keep things organized.  This house sleeps 22 people and is our favorite of all of the houses we have stayed in.

It is 3 stories and the guys usually pick the top floor because it has individual beds in the wall with tv/dvd within each one plus there is a pool table up there.  We were very thankful for the pool table this weekend because the weather was definitely not beach weather.  Check out the wind

St Augustine received 9 inches of rain that weekend and the wind was almost unbearable.  I only walked down to the beach once and that was Saturday afternoon before we left to come home.   We played lots of games, lots of pool, watched movies, and stayed up really late (except me - I used this as a time to get some sleep).

Now some went to brave the waves on Thursday when we got there  but I'm not sure that was such a smart idea - but they made a memory.

Friday afternoon we always go into St Augustine and have our version of the Amazing Race. The kids love it and look forward to it every year - they are pretty competitive.  Most of the girls were in their running shorts and tennis shoes - they meant business this year.  We weren't sure if the weather was going to let up this year for us to play, but the kids really didn't care they still wanted to do it.

We decided to go bowling first and then see how the weather looked.  Jason bowled his best game EVER - didn't leave an open frame.  He was pretty excited.  His is the 3rd J - 210

The rain let up some and we decided to go for it.  Julie and I were let out near the fort and we couldn't believe the wind - it was difficult to walk straight.

While the kids were running all around St George Street, the five of us adults went and enjoyed ice cream and waited to see which team would be first.

The winning team with their prize money.

Despite the nasty weather, we had a great weekend away with a wonderful group of juniors/seniors.  They were so much fun to be around and of course were very well behaved - which is always a plus.  Love these guys and pray they will always seek God's will for their lives as they move out of our class.

Can't believe the time has come

I really don't even know where to start on this post.  Just like the title I can't believe the time is here.  It can't be true that these two are really graduating.

Sara Lynn and Tyler (Ra Ra and Big Tyler as my boys call them) were our flower girl and ring bearer in our wedding 12 years ago.  I still remember Sara Lynn asking me if she could have cookies in her basket, and I nicely told her no because she was a big girl and didn't need to eat on stage.  Such a sweet bride I was, right?  I guess she got me back because she had just learned to whistle since she had lost a few teeth and she decided to show off her skills during the ceremony.  You can hear her whistling skills on the wedding video - we still laugh at it.

I remember when these 2 were born and Jason and I would babysit them every now and then.  Sara Lynn is now babysitting my two - wow how time flows.  This past year Jason and I were fortunate to have them in our Sunday School class so we grew even closer to them.  So, I really can't believe that they are about to graduate from high school.

A couple of weeks ago, they had their graduation party and their mom, Sherri asked me to take pictures during the party.  The party was at their Aunt's house and was a wonderful setting - outside pool and entertaining area.

It was a lot of fun to see them interact with all of their friends.  They had a little photo booth area set up with props and all.

The River City Chick Fil A group

Even my dad got into wearing a prop for a picture

Brody and Trevor had a blast eating lots of food - mostly the candy table and then they found the trampoline and swings.

Towards the end of the party the boys enjoyed the pool with the Ard's cousins.  Needless to say they did not want to leave.

We have seen these two grow up to be 2 wonderful young adults who love the Lord with all of their heart and who our kids are now looking up to as role models.  I am really going to miss them as they head off to college in the fall.  I pray they will always keep God close and follow His will in everything they do.  We love you guys!!