Flat Stanley Visit's Portugal

Elaina's Class recently wrote letters to family members and mailed out Flat Stanly to visit various places around the country and around the globe. Elaina's Flat Stanley made the trek across the Atlantic Ocean to Portugal. Here are a few highlights of his trip. 

Locks of Love

School Days, School Days....Good Ol' Golden Rule Days

The first days of School:

Biking Adventures

I  have fond memories of going on 'Biking Adventures' as a kid. My dad, my sister Angela, and I would go on a bike ride together. My dad would let Angela and I take turns picking which way to turn. After we were significantly awed by the new areas of town we had seen, he would lead us back home.

I remember thinking how amazing it was that my dad could find his way back, no matter how many turns we took. He never got lost, he never lost the way. We had absolutely no idea where we were or how to get home. We would have been wandering helplessly, but Dad knew the way back and safely led us home every time.

I'm sure there is a lesson in that. Though I admired my earthly father, and still do, how much more can we trust our Heavenly Father to lead us. God knows the way home, and He knows the path that is best for us here on earth. Sometimes we pick paths that are not the right way and we would be hopelessly lost without the Father's guidance. Even as an adult, though I may have outgrown my need for my dad to lead me back home after a bike ride, I will NEVER outgrow the need for my Heavenly Father to lead me through life.

Today, Rylan and Elaina and I went on a 'Biking Adventure' of our own. I let them pick all the turns and then I led them back. I know...some of you know my sense of direction(or lack thereof) and am amazed that I was able to find the way home, but we made it. The ride had a few difficulties; there were some tears (not mine: )  on a very steep hill we encountered, but we made it back home. We were sweaty, but safely back home.

I hope that I can pass on a love of 'Biking Adventures'  to my children, but more than that, I pray that I can pass on to them a desire to follow their Heavenly Father throughout life.

"We Wish You a Merry Christmas....We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

The third grade class went caroling yesterday at The Shores in Pleasant Hill.

Rylan played "Oh Come, All Ye Faithful" on the piano....he got a bit nervous, but did it anyway. :  )        

The carolers sang several Christmas carols in the dining room.....

 

...and handed out candy canes with a Christmas themed gospel message.

They also moved to different unit rooms to sing some songs.

 

And then ended their time singing through the hallways.

These two second grade sisters even got to join the fun 

Thanks for planning a fun ministry opportunity for these kids Miss Sears!

An Oldie...but a goodie

I was just working on putting together some pictures for my sister-in-law and going through old pictures. I found this picture from about two years ago and had to share...I really like this picture, their smiles are so genuine.  I love these little guys. 

Junk Drawer

This is the morning project of some creative boys. I have fond memories of playing in my dad's "Junk Drawer" and Rylan has carried on the tradition. Jason actually has the same workbench that my dad used to have in our basement growing up. One of the drawers is full of 'odds and ends' pieces that are not designated for any specific purpose. They are random leftovers from various projects. Rylan likes to take scrap wood and find 'treasures' from the junk drawer to build projects. He screws, drills and attaches wheels, hooks, etc. to his heart's content. Today he and a friend decided to spray paint their end creation. This little guy who I was babysitting even entered in on the fun.

Oh the joys of being boys!

I don't know how it works at your house....

I don't know how it works at your house, but at our house, anything that mommy finds in the laundry she gets to keep : ) I have a little glass that sits on the shelf in the laundry room for these 'treasures.' Today as I was waiting for the washer to stop spinning so I could throw in one more load before leaving for church (an extra hour....got some cleaning done to prepare for a busy week of conferences..a nice gift of time!), I decided to see what I had 'gathered' over the last month or so. I have: a globe keychain, 3 pirate 'jewels', a square head drill bit, 2 rubberbands, a keychain flashlight, a jingle bell, an iron ball from a magnetix set, a temporary tatoo of a butterfly, a k'nex piece, a red colored pencil, 3 little rocks, 2 pens, 2 paperclips, one safety pin, one pen cap, 2 hair clips, on e foam ear plug and ...drumroll please........$2.80..plus 10 centimous....I'm a rich mama huh? Plus it is an interesting commentary on what can be found in a little boy's and girl's pockets....not to mention the pockets of their father...though I didn't wash his pocket knife even once this month....usually I do: ) Maybe I should start checking pockets before the clothes get washed...hmm...interesting idea......

It's a necesity right?

Seems like this picture is probably required for all blogs at this time of the year right? Or one of cute little kiddos dressed up. My little kiddos had fun carving these pumpkins Thursday night...well actually they had fun sketching them and then cleaning out the insides...daddy did most of the actual 'carving' as we couldn't find any pumpkin carving tools at Hy-Vee and he was using a fairly large and sharp knife. They loved seeing them lit and smiling!

Science Experiments

I love doing science experiments with my class and my kids. Our experiments this week were building circuits, electromagnets, using switches etc. It is my favorite few weeks of the year in science class. Such great opportunities for hands on learning. It's not so easy to do hands on when we are studying say...the moon, but magnet's and electricity...that we can do!

Everytime I do an experiment with my class, I find myself sounding a lot like my dad as I instruct and teach. So often when I teach actually. I find myself drumming on the podium, giving 'hints' for tests and quizzes, using motions to teach concepts, standing and 'smiling' while waiting for the class to quiet down....I often 'catch' myself sounding and acting just like my dad during my work day. It makes me smile.

Actually...this week....I also taught my class some army marching songs courtesy of my dad's upbringing as well....and told them about my dad's 'Houdini' hamster that he had in his room as a class pet.
I love you Dad! You inspire me as a teacher!

It's official!

Elaina officially has her glasses now. She wore them for the first time today to church. She sang along with the music during the service much more than usual. For the longest time, we have thought that she just had a hard time keeping up with reading the words and singing them at the same time. It turns out they were too blurry to read. Her comment today was, "Well, I could see the words today." I don't think she realized that she couldn't see them clearly and others could. She just though others read better than her. It is a great thing that she can worship right along with us...even on the songs she doesn't know. BTW...it isn't a bruise on her face, she got a heart painted on her face for her "Walkathon" at school.



On a side note...can I say how thankful I am for technology. I often have a hard time with my parents being so far away. I miss having the kids be able to go to grandma and grandpa Voelker's house...but I do love that technology makes us closer than we would be otherwise. Here is a picture of Elaina 'chatting' with Grandma and Grandpa Voelker.