Miss Redding, We Appreciate You!

~In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week!~

Miss Redding,
"I love you. I hope you'll be my teacher at Edu-Prize too. I love you a lot. Thank you for being my teacher and for loving me. I am sad that I don't get to go to that school anymore and see you all the time. I love you very much. You made my school days fun. I liked all that you did with me. I love you."
Love,
Nathan (Composed by Nathan with a lot of thought!)

Bethany,
You have made Nathan blossom into a super learner. He LOVES going to school and a lot of that is because of Y-O-U. The way you welcomed Nathan into the classroom each morning started things off just right. Your warm smile, hug, and upbeat greeting never went unnoticed. Bethany, the fun way about you made Nathan’s mind expand beyond what we thought was possible this year. He didn’t even know he was learning because he was laughing and smiling all the way through each task. Thank you for being a Godly example of a person. You loved unconditionally, had joy beyond measure, patience that kept going, impeccable creativity, gentleness at all times, and always showed kindness and expected it from everyone to everyone. God bless you. You will forever have a very special place in our hearts.
Love,
Kymberly

Nathan the Graduate!

How has time gone so quickly? Today Nathan walked into school as a preschooler and exited out as a kindergartner (only 76 days left until kindergarten starts!). He’s a graduate! WOW!

Nathan has grown academically, socially, and physically within this year. We are so proud of him. He loved going to school each Tuesday and Thursday, due to a very well run school, fun and loving teacher, and a class of some lifetime buddies! Who could ask for anything more?

The day began with a pirate adventure and show and tell before the much anticipated graduation ceremony which included a cap and diploma. The celebration didn’t end there of course we celebrated at home as well and probably will continue it throughout the weekend.

Nathan, we love you and pray that each school year will be simply fantastic like this one was for you! Any teacher is going to be blessed to have you as a student! Let your light shine!





(Nathan loves to show off his guitar)

Bethany is off to a new adventure...hair school. Here's her beautiful new apron embroidered with her name on it and mirror to get "set up", all presented to her in love by the kids. She’s going to flourish in this career path too! )

Mother's Day Came Early This Year

Today in Nathan's class, they hosted a very special day just for moms with the theme of "Soda Sippin'". Since school comes to and end next week, they thought it would be special to celebrate Mother's day. I couldn't have agreed more!

The kids had delightful handmade flower pots as gifts waiting for each of us and prepared songs and sharing of scripture. It was all so precious! They took the tune of "Jesus Loves Me" and changed the lyrics to "Mommy Loves Me":
"Mommy loves me yes I know,
for she hugs and squeezes so,
She's my best friend can't you see,
Jesus gave her all to me!
Yes Mommy loves me,
Yes Mommy loves me,
Yes Mommy loves me,
and I love her too!"

We also had center time where we traced each other's hands and positioned them so the I LOVE YOU sign was displayed. We put them on sticks and placed the two "flowers" in our new pots. Now talk about a work of art! I am proudly displaying it in my home already.

We worked up quite an appetite after that, so we slowed things down a bit for rootbeer floats, one of Nathan's favorites! Nathan and I even had the idea to share a cup, cheek to cheek.

Ms. Redding read us an adorable book, I Love You This Much while our kiddos sat on our laps. All of them loved repeating, "I love you this much!"

Wow, I can't believe Nathan's last year of preschool is ready to conclude. He's been surrounded by such beautiful, dear people...FRIENDS (which include Miss Redding in that label)! I couldn't have asked for a better year for Nathan.

(Benji and mommy Lisa)


(Gavin and mommy Tiffany)


(Harrison and mommy Debbie)


(Bennett and mommy Ginger)


(Jack and mommy Ann)

A Wet and Wild Time

To bring to a close a great day in Nathan's class, one of the sweet families from Ms. Redding's room invited all 10 kids back to their home for a pool and pizza party (thank you Ginger)! Nathan felt like such a big boy getting to do this. Just being able to play with his classmates a little longer, made this gorgeous sunny day, perfect in both of our "books!"

A Day on the Farm

Today's field trip with Nathan's Kid's Discovery Club Preschool to the Superstition Dairy Farm , a family run dairy farm, was so much fun. In the barn, they spent the first portion teaching the kids about the dairy, showing all of us the 50 pounds of feed given out to each cow daily, the shots, ear tag application, magnets for each belly, and much more. Then, we headed onto the tractor pull hayride to see the dairy cows up close and personal. Next, we were able to pet and feed some of the other livestock and even were able to hold a very tame rooster for those that wanted to. Owen could have stayed at that station all day, he loved being Nathan's guest on this trip. Owen loved all the animals, but especially the goats!






The preschool kids enjoyed choosing from the 12 flavors of milk to drink (raspberry, lime, cherry-vanilla, chocolate, orange cream, etc.) that went along with their graham cracker snack. Go figure...Nathan wasn't in the adventurous mood and only chose "plain milk".
Our time was finished at the haymaze, something Nathan could have run around with Gavin for hours. Nathan was sad that his friend's Jack, Harrison, and Benji couldn't make it though but very grateful that Gavin did! We really enjoyed finishing up the month-long theme of "the Farm" at a real one just a few miles from our home.

For those who are looking for an Earth Day Celebration, on April 26th the farm is having a day packed with activities for only $10 for the whole family! They'll be using solar cooking, showing seed planting/organic growing, "Pollution Solutions" with reusable bags, having garden tours, hayrides, crafts, as well as seeing performances from Charlotte's Web and Worm Drive the Musical. It sounds like a great all-day event (10-5).

Cowboy Nathan and the "ghost"?

Nathan's preschool class had a field trip today to Rockin' R Ranch in Gilbert. He loved sporting his "real cowboy hat" from Papa John while panning for gold, roping, taking a hayride, playing in a teepee, and much more.
I had to laugh...during the 'cowboy show' of music, the "ghost rider" rode by the window twice on horseback. Some kids were in total awe and others, a little frightened. Nathan's friend said reassuringly, "Don't worry mom, it's not a real ghost," then Owen yelled back, "It's the Holy Ghost guys!" Gotta love it!