Presbyterian Preschool, round two!

Prologue 

Well, here we are, at the end of our summer. Summer around here was really different this year. I learned a lot about myself and our family. I thought I was certain that God provided a unique situation for us after I had prayed that if I should work outside the home, that He make it happen. A week or so after that desperate prayer a job opening that seemed perfect came my way. I sailed through the application/interview process and was certain it was an answer to prayer. I still believe that it was God's plan. I'm not sure where or when that changed, but by the end of the summer I was most certainly miserable. I knew sometimes God allowed things to be difficult. I prayed that I would know why it was so hard for me. I prayed that I would know how to proceed through the hard parts. And then, the job ended and I felt a flood of peace that was absolutely beyond understanding. I don't know what I would do differently if I had the chance. The amazing depth of  incredible peace and relief is worth every ounce of stress. 

When I took the job, we forfeited our spot at the P.Preschool. That is the thing I lament the most. BUT by the Grace of God, we got back in. It isn't the path I would have chosen, but I just have to trust it is the right path. If I had picked, I'd have gotten Jonah in class with friends from last year's class. I'd have picked for him to go in the morning so it wouldn't be as disruptive for Elizabeth's nap time. We love his school. We dearly love his teacher. His teacher from last year misses him (and we her), but she thinks he will do well in making new friends. She thinks it is good for him. I sure hope so. Jonah is definitely happier now than he was for the entire summer. For that, I am very thankful. 

First Day of School

Jonah is so excited to be back! 

 He has even already had a helper day! His was the second day of school. He was so excited he could not even fall asleep the night before. He was awake until 10:15 that night!!

Here he is showing his show and tell (four of his Cars figures). The kids in his class all love to play dress-up. there were girls in big dresses, a fireman, a construction worker, and Jonah in his armor!

Elizabeth was the only one who was sad that day. And, she has continued to be sad each time we leave from taking him. She is always SO excited to go pick him up! It is sweet. 

Jonathan and I feel very blessed to have such a sweet little family. 

Presbyterian Preschool

Well, today was fun and a little sad. 

We have really loved this year of preschool. Jonah has learned a lot and grown a lot. At the begining of the year he would not touch shaving cream. This month, they used it again and he was fine. He even touched a banana without the peel. (though he still wouldn't eat it without a fork, he did touch it!) He really isn't a tricky kid. He just doesn't like his hands messy. 

Anyway, today was the last day. We are going to miss that school very much. It was more sad for us than the others because we know we aren't returning in the fall. 

In a week, Jonah will be enrolled at the Child Development Center at the College of the Ozarks where I will be employed as one of the directors. My roll will be part time, but I still feel like I have a lot to learn! I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. Jonah will start in the five-year-old class because the fours are FULL. Elizabeth will be able to join the two-year-old class after her birthday!

Here are some highlight pictures from the school year:

 early fall

 birthday!!

                       fun with a tee-pee.....inside and out!

Thanksgiving Feast

 Valentines day

 sweet friends

 Easter!
Jonah's buddy, Amos, found the egg with nothing in it. Jonah told me all about how that represented the resurrection and that Jesus was not in the tomb anymore.

 Mother's Day Tea (where Jonah was disappointed about us not actually drinking tea)

the class sang a song to the moms! 

Mater and McQueen

so, a while back we spotted our favorite truck, Tow Mater, here in town.

look at that sweet baby!! 

 Well, this year, Mater's best buddy Lightning McQueen has joined him. So, of course, we had to stop in for a photo (or three)! 

Jonah wants to know why this replica isn't as acurate as the Mater one. 

Elizabeth 18-20 months

I never wrote anything about Elizabeth when she hit 18 months back in January. She is precious and spunky! We're having lots of fun as a family of four! 

I tried to set up a photo shoot...but it was not what I'd really hoped it would be. 

These were taken January 24, 2014

And we shot this video of her a couple of weeks ago...so, 19.5 months.

This week she will hit 20 months. 

And yesterday we got out 20th snow of the year (not really, but it feels that way) So, I took her out and got some shots of her in her beautiful winter coat. We get lots of compliments of her in the coat (thank you, Auntie Em) and I had failed to take a picture before today.  

Music and Masterpieces - A Preschool Program

Jonah's class recently got together with the other 3 year old classes and put on a performance for friends and family! 

 There he is, peeking out on the second row! He is so cute. 

I was told he really sang out during practice. That was not the case for the actual show, but he sure was cute! They sang "Jesus Loves Me," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Kumbaya," and "Pete the Cat."

I recorded some snippets for your viewing pleasure! 

 And here he is showing off two of his art pieces. Pete the Cat and a bouquet of flowers (with what I assume is his hand holding it)

Valentines 2014

Well, here we are, the very end of February and I'm just putting up Valentines. But, then, I still haven't posted about Christmas, so I guess this is not that late after all! 

I kept our new tradition of "hanging hearts of love". 

I made three hearts for each kid and hung it for them to find along with their gifts on Valentine's morning. 

You may notice there is an extra set of hearts. Our dear buddy, Ben, was staying with us that entire week. Really, all of the adjectives could apply to all three of the kids. For that, I am thankful. 

This was the valentine Jonah made at school. He picked out the decorations and attached it to a magnet!

We gave Elizabeth that stuffed owl; Jonah received "Planes"; and Ben had some gifts from his parents. 

later that day the kids and I had lunch with Auntie Em and she gave them gifts as well! 

I took this picture of baby J as a valentine to his mommy. I was happy with it, and she LOVED it. I love that little outfit. Jonah wore it as a tiny baby, but I never got a picture quite that good while he was in it. (Jonah screamed a lot when he was wearing the suit!)

And the Sunday after Valentines I dressed Elizabeth in this sweet outfit. I wish I'd had a big armchair or someplace pretty to take a picture of her that day! 

miracle Hot Rolls

the other day i needed to make hot rolls. my day slipped away, until the window of opportunity had all but closed. i began anyway. then, I got the water too hot and ruined the yeast. I nearly scrapped it all and was going to have to buy ready made (which are only a good option if you spend lots of dollars). I didn't want to spend lots of dollars, so I went in a frantic search of some quick (and also tasty) rolls. I hit jack pot. 

did I  mention I was taking supper to someone who recently had a new baby? my poor friends were subject to an experiment. thankfully the rolls (at least the meager portion I saved back for my own family) were really really tasty. so tasty, in fact, I may never spend three hours making rolls again! 

the recipe I found guaranteed delicious rolls could be ready to serve in 30 (or maybe 40) minutes...start to finish. I was skeptical, but really, had little choice. not only did I not want to spend money at the store, I also didn't want to drag my kids in and out of said store with temps in the teens! 

All of that to say, I found my new favorite recipe and I'm gonna share it here so I always know where to find it. 

From The Sister's Cafe....30 Minute Dinner Rolls! 

and now my fingers are crossed that they are, indeed, as good as I'm making them out to be....and that it wasn't just divine providence that they turned out well the first time.