PUMPKINS ARE FOR COUNTING

Just look at my baby!! She is organizing and counting her pumpkins. I cannot believe how much Kate is growing and how much she loves to read, sing, count and learn new things. Some lucky preschool teacher is going to get a prize next year (hopefully we will be past the tantrum stage by then...If not, please don't tell her teacher that I'm a teacher!). I guess what they say about preacher's kids is sometimes the same for teacher's kids!!

Our next adventure is potty training. I have it in my mind that we'll try it over the holidays, but right now Kate is just not having any part of the potty. Suggestions anyone???

IT'S ELMO

THE WHOLE GANG

"HEY, GUYS! IT'S ME, KATE"

"OH, ZOE!"

Kate has a newfound obsession with all things Sesame Street, especially Elmo's friend Zoe. Scott and I debated for weeks and lost out on front row seats trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger and take her to see Elmo when he was in town. Well, we finally felt confident that she would love it and took her this Saturday morning and boy, did she have fun. She spent the first 20 minutes screaming, "Hey, Elmo! Hey, Zoe!....." I so thought that we would watch the show and walk right out without buying any of the overpriced snacks and merchandise. Well, wouldn't you know that some sassy little 1 year old behind us had to keep showing Kate her brand new Zoe doll, so, of course I had to get Kate one too, so that everyone around us could enjoy the show. She does love Zoe so much (see the picture of her telling her, "Oh Zoe, you SOOOOO sweet!") and has carted her to church, to our Sunday School picnic and to Miss Cindy's today. She sleeps with her every night so we are getting our money out of Zoe. I was so impressed that we got out of there with only a Zoe doll and not one of those $8 Elmo balloons they sold during the intermission. Can you imagine, an intermission in the middle of a production for a bunch of toddlers???? Like those precious children wanted a break from those beloved monsters!!! Bless those people's hearts, they were just dying to sell those balloons. Scott and I have been in awe of the people lined up to pay $8 for those balloons. We'll just buy one at Kroger this Friday for $3 if Kate thinks she has to have one & you know she will!

READING IS FOR EVERYWHERE

Kate has always had a mind of her own (don't ask me where she gets that quality!), but she has reached an all time high as of late. You cannot perch in one spot for long or she will having you reading one of her favorite books. I had just sat down one morning in my private "office" and noticed her peeking around the corner and then she ran off. The next thing I know she is back with The Napping House saying, "Let's Read". I cannot include a picture of this fun event because private "office" pictures do not belong on blogs!!! Scott has also been invited to read to her several times this week. Her place of choice is the dry bathtub. Of course, he hops right in and does what she wants. To be such a momma's girl, she still has him wrapped around her finger!!

KATE'S FAIR FUN

We took Kate to the fair today in hopes that she would be ready to ride the kiddie rides this year. Last year, she reluctantly rode the merry-go-round, but LOVED the huge slide. She made Scott ride it twice. Well, this year was no different, she rode it 3 times and actually had a ball on some of the other rides. In an effort to only take one camera (Scott loves video), I just took the video camera which also takes stills. However, the battery ran low rather quick into our fun time, so the pictures are minimal. The fair is something we predict will get to be more fun each year as she grows! Pictures to come since I now have to figure out how to get them off the video camera. Never leave home without your FAVORITE camera!!!

A DAY IN THE COUNTRY

This weekend we took Kate to the annual Day in the Country at the Chapel of the Cross. Kate loved the space jump and slide, but wasn't too crazy about the petting zoo. Check out the picture of her trying to ignore that their was a kangaroo at her feet!! I wanted to bring that cute critter home with me (look at his bandana)! That night, Scott cooked Kate some BBQ sausage on the grill. Anytime he turns on the grill she says, "Sausage?". After she made a complete mess, she went and planted herself in my flower bed and I got some close ups of her. I think she is the most beautiful "mess" I have ever seen!

SCHOOL DAYS

Above is a picture of my sweet little class this year. I only have 14 (Heaven!) and they are loving, vivacious, and precious, just to name a few. It is so awesome to spend the day with them learning all that we do, but especially to share with them how much that God loves them. While my class is great, I also work with the best team EVER! Our headmaster and principal are the 2 most loving, Christian leaders I have ever had the privilege of working with. The other first grade teachers make doing my job so easy and we have the BEST time. I think some of the other teachers could be a little jealous of how much fun the 3 of us have!! Speaking of the rest of the teachers and staff...they are AWESOME too! I've died and gone as close to Heaven as one can get.

I do still miss my teacher friends at MRA and especially the three sweet groups of children I had over the past 3 years and their parents. When I see them around town I am happy to see them, yet sad that I'm not there to see them as they grow and change each day, but I am certain that His hand is upon them and that they are loved and taken care of. It is my prayer that they will grow in their love for Christ and become the people He desires for them to be and always know that Mrs. Jasper thinks the world of each of them.

Being a teacher is a blessing and a gift that only a few have the privilege of knowing. Next to being a parent, I believe it is the best and most rewarding job on earth!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS OVER...

Where did my summer go??? I love this time of year...back to school....but I'm always amazed at how fast the summer seems to go each year. 2008 has been an interesting year for us and not always good, but I am amazed at how good our God continues to be and His perfect timing. He has given me a new spot to grow as a Christian and teacher this year as many of you know. I will be teaching 1st grade at Pinelake Christian School, and I am so excited. The change was not something I went looking for, but I have so seen God's hand in the situation since I stepped foot on the campus for the first time. While I will definitely miss my teacher friends, students and parents at MRA, I am thankful for the opportunity to not only teach, but to grow in His word. I have never worked anywhere like PCS where the teacher's spiritual growth was just as important as the academic growth of the children. Our executive director (like a headmaster) is one of the most Godly men I have ever met and I am so excited to work under his leadership and that of our sweet principal this year. They are both terrific people and leaders and I am so thankful that they saw something in me that was special enough to work at such a precious school. The teachers and parents have been so welcoming and I am looking forward to a terrific year.

Now Miss Kate, on the other hand is not welcoming the ushering in of the new school year, because this means her schedule returns and she doesn't get to lie around in her pjs all morning. I started letting her go back to Ms Cindy's last week even though I wasn't officially back at work, just working in my room. I took her each morning which I normally don't do and there is a reason....she CRIES!! Scott has always been so sweet and has taken her in the mornings which will start again tomorrow. This is the only way that I can retain my sanity and go and do the job I really love to do. I hate to see my girl cry for her momma!! The pictures above are of her "reading" (and posing) which she loves to do by herself, but especially with Scott or me!! I have hidden some of her favorite books in the past week to try and convice her to get "hooked" on some new ones!! I mean, you can only read "Good Night, Blue" and "Dora's Super Silly Fiesta" sixty-two million times without just going CRAZY!!

I hope you and your little ones have a fantastic school year! Blessings <><