Thursday, June 12, 2014

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Brat Fest 2014



(Our) Kindergarten Year

 She began the year with great enthusiasm, her dream of attending full day kindergarten becoming a reality.  I began the year enthusiastic but cautious, knowing full well we had chosen a unique model of education for our gal providing her with the opportunity to learn from classroom teachers and...her mother.  Starting our year together, I had not fully realized just how much I had missed classroom life.  Stacks of textbooks, sharpened pencils, craft materials, and bulletin boards will forever have a place in my heart.  She and I share a love of learning; we are stimulated and inspired by the classroom.
 
And, so we learned each week how to blend the two, her kindergarten classroom and the satellite classroom we had created within our home.  With heads bent over books we learned how to number bond, form letters, memorize Latin vocabulary words, recite Scripture, study planets.  Even more, we learned how to trust one another, communicate, and practice patience.  Side by side, we grew.
 
 
"I loved when Mrs. Swanson taught me math and when Mrs. Miers taught me art class.  And, when we did sorting and learned how to count money."  - Charlotte



On her final day, as the "baton" was passed from this year's first grade class into the eager hands of the graduating kindergarten class, she beamed, acknowledging her readiness for first grade.  What a privilege it has been to partake her in her education this year, to watch her, study her, instruct her, and be inspired by her. 
 

 
And, a special thanks to my husband who spoke words of encouragement when they needed to be heard, instilled confidence when doubts arose, and reminded the both of us that we could accomplish whatever we set our minds to. 

 


Saturday, June 7, 2014

Year Three - Four

He began the year enthusiastic but cautious, unwilling to sing the "silly" songs around the perimeter of the alphabet-themed carpet.  A bright-eyed boy of three, who favored Batman, bugs, and the company of his sisters.
 

 On his final day, with sisters looking on, I watched as he sang, standing a head taller than most classmates, "love grows one by one, two by two and four by four," the lyrics of the "silly" song he refused to sing for so long.  A bright-eyed boy of four, lover of golf, basketball, bugs and Star Wars.
 
As he joyfully received his end-of-the-year "You're Going Places" award in recognition of "his confidence to learn and try new things" my heart was full as I clapped loudly in recognition of all the ways our little man had grown. 
 
 
Our second born, he is sandwiched ever so sweetly between two explosive gals.  Much of his identity is wrapped up in big sissy and his Junie; they are his comfort. 

 
I'm so thankful for the tender encouragement he received this year from teachers who encouraged our little man that he could stand tall with confidence, express his ideas with enthusiasm, try new things, and be the unique little boy he was created to be. 
 
 

 
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