School Comes

Another school year has come and gone. They seem to fly even faster now that my children are grown and we just volunteer to help Sarah. It was a hard one knowing you would be gone at the end. Sarah loves teaching and this year some of her friends children and the secretaries grandson were in her class. That made it especially hard to leave. Don't worry, she will be back. This was her 4th year of teaching. The school had 31 students and Sarah had 14 of them in her class. They were great kids. Two new teachers taught with Sarah this year and we enjoyed getting to know both of them, even though it was strange not to see Lynette and Stacy there.

Sarah and her class had some exciting times. Below are some pictures of the last few activities we enjoyed. Gymnastics was a great hit that started in the middle of the school year. It was done at a downriver Gymnastic center, and the instructor continually complimented Sarah on her students and how well they behaved and listened to and followed instructions. We can't wait to sign Leah up when she is 18 months old. She may go for a few early lessons next year when the school goes since she received a special invitation from the instructor. This picture is of Sarah and her 4 Kindergarteners at one of their last days of gymnastics.

Pool day was how they celebrated the last day of school. It was in a new facility in Romulus, close to the school. Perfect for little children and adults alike. Swimming pool, childrens water area with a huge bucket that spilled water on the kids, lazy river pool, and water slide. Leah looks pretty excited to get in. Grandma had to make a quick stop at Walmart for a floatie.
Here she is going down the lazy river with her friends. Grandmas never thought to bring a swimsuit, thought we would just be babysitting. Ha! The water was so warm and we were sure sorry we didn't bring our pool gear.
This is Sherwin heading off the water slide. Are those real flames on his swimsuit from the speed of his downhill slide? ? ? ?

Our annual Tea Party is held in May. We invite all the seniors from church, grandparents, moms, etc. Problem is with Sarah as teacher and in charge of the program, Grandma Lois as babysitter, me as caterer, and Nilza as craft director and all around helper, we could have used a photographer. Not to many great pictures, but a few so you can get an idea. The children performed musical selections, played a few games with the adults, made a beaded bookmark or key chain, and we all enjoyed a lunch. Made over 280 little pigs in a blanket and still had people asking for more. They are always a big hit.

Cori Hamstra made these adorable cookies for our dessert. Every last one was gone.
Here are our singers from grades 3-5
Sarah and I made rice krispie treat pops. We started by trying to cut them out with a daisy shaped cookie cutter. It was tough. Sarah was getting a blister, so we decided to just cut squares. When we dipped them in the colored chocolates, the daisy ones lookes like Mickey Mouse ears. We didn't like them at all. Should have made all squares. But, they also went pretty fast.
We always have a nice crowd for this event.
This was Leah's first Tea Party and she loved it. Of course she had to wear a party dress like the other girls. She is holding her spoon that we dunked in melted jolly ranchers to stir into your tea. Everyone was just eating them like suckers.
Their last field trip was to the old fashioned school house at Greenfield Village. Everyone dressed in period costumes. Looks like Mrs. Canada is using Mrs. Hamstra as an example of what happens to those girls and boys who don't behave. Thankfully, no one else had to wear that hat.
Hear are the boys paying close attention to their instructions. What and adorable set of boys they are. All unique in their own way.Class photo on front steps. Looks like they stepped back in time. Recess was really fun. Old fashioned games were enjoyed by all.
Here is the Bible text for the day. Good advice.Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America. Of course, graduation topped the school year off. Now class, line up and be quiet please.How could you help but smile with those adorable girls behind you. Or else Sarah is just trying to keep from crying.And here are the four graduates. It was fun because every year Sarah and I have made a mini scrapbook for each kindergartener. It is so much fun. We shrink down some of their work, and put in lots of pictures of them. We even dress them in an old Oakwood Academy jacket Adam wore when he was in first grade and take their pictures. This years looked like a black chalk board but of course we forgot to take any pictures of them, or did we just run out of time?????Passing out the graduation certificates.April and Jodi presenting Sarah with a membership to the Toledo Zoo and an adorable quilt on which the children each signed their names and a short message. Thank you all for being such great parents for Sarah to work with. We will see you at church.